A week ago a client / friend asked me to help him on finding a suit for his brothers wedding. Apart from the fact my lovable Egypt is slightly eccentric in his clothes yet stable and classic at the same time. His criteria as much as many men that have sought my styling help is to make sure they don't look like a waiter or a "snooker player"
With work and my personal life taking it's toll on my search I have only managed to prowl the Internet to look though designers collections, giving me an idea of what is out there and not waste my time searching in some stores.
As it is a summer wedding I am trying to stay away from a black suit. Making it less waiter, less hot and less work. Another danger that most men can create when it comes to suiting is wearing one for a special occasion but looking like they are going to the office. An office suit for those on a budget can work as long as you accessorise with a simple buckle belt and some colour on a pocket square or tie.
For something that doesn't scream work, try Etro for mix of materials on the pockets and lapels, a touch of eccentric and texture enough to not make it too dull..
That is some of the research. Lets see what else I find and what he finally ends up choosing to go with. Update you once I get there.
: Rap, Grime & Pop (even though there was a bit of jungle
and bashment in there)
"Meet me at the lock"
Walked past security, past the crowed, straight back stage and into a cramped room full of hopefuls.
This lot know each other like a family; music the common bond. Hyped up on some well known doughnuts breezing past like a lucky give away. Pictures and videos being taken for charity documentaries as people talk amongst each other and performers walk past as they come off stage. Its havoc in here, and I'm wondering how am I going to do this interview, in this madness.
The vibe is sugar rush with butterflies, banter, and worries on the vibe from the crowed.
Clencha, a long time friend and an energetic, positive, people person, is chilling, offering doughnuts, cursing banter on his co performers dock martins in between chatting to me.
"You know they not in fashion"
"What? I'm representing in Camden... OMG hey tell Clencha they in now"
What's life like for an up and coming artist?....
Why Clencha?
When I was a kid we used to play this game coursing, dragging each other by the clothes and I would always hold on... Tight grip... Clencha... I haven't seen the name on another artist before so it got me thinking of the meaning... the symbol of the fist... Black power... clench your dreams your family.. Firm grip... It came from mucking around to something serious. Derrick is personal... Clecha is who I become my alter ego.. Derrick is exclusive to my family.
When did you start rapping and realise you want to do it for a living?
Started at 14... Make a living out of it at 17... I was developing my style and skills between that time and doing pirate radio where I got the recognition and realised that's what I want to do. Be known for the music... Better then a 9-5 and I get to please people.
What is it that makes you different?
I'm fearless 100% fearless... Innovated... Will try anything to be unique... When the lights hit me they see how I'm unique.
Where are you in life, where are you now and, what do u hope to achieve?
I was just making music for the sake of making music... it was a freedom of expression... Now I'm making a living and raising the bar! Getting recognised... Put the name to the face now... Unlike radio before.
If u were stranded on an island what 3 things would u bring?
I'm trying to preserve life so what food?? Water?! You're gonna die ain't you so water to survive... Can I say my phone? So I can contact someone to get off the island? And a watch so I know the time and not lose track...
Why would you want to keep track?
You want to know and I doubt I'll be on the island for a year?! Forget it a fillet o fish!! That's it that's my answer! your f*&%ing with me on my answers
If u could have dinner with anyone and meet anyone who would it be?
Alisha keys... 100% omg my man knows!
(Friends helping out with the answers)
Proudest moment?
Getting to kiss Alisha keys on the cheek! And she let me!
What shall we expect in the future?
Anything and everything... More music and some acting... Everything!!
Favourite quote?
I got a few but my fave for a while is "nothing happens before its time"
Best event?
Wow let me come back to that... Probably a performance one
Best place in London?
Was gonna say central but I love bricky... Brixton... everything is there for me... My home town! Garms, clubs.. And its expensive to move there now...
Best fashion item or style?
I just love a hoody its been misconstrued... It doesn't mean who you are, doesn't define you... but I can sleep in it and go gym... a hoody straight!
As the wait to the performance nears the vibe goes down as the others exit, and Clencha goes back stage to support the act before them. A few last min rehearsals to ease the nerves and some dancing muck around.
Watch out for a well connected, radio known, face soon to match, blazing the club trail Clencha supporting Mz Bratt..
Its been on of those weeks where I have just been franticly trying to catch up on things like sleep and cleaning and organising both my home and work. Needless to say there has been no time for me to blog. At least I have had time to think what to write.
Due to the weather (snow) and all the "organising" I was just thinking how I need a holiday. But due to circumstances (money, time, someone to go with, and mum going to have therapy) I can't really go on one for at least 6 months.
So I thought I'd share with you my 2 photo books from the previous trips. There have been many small trips between and there are obviously more pictures. But when I set out on making these photo books I wanted them to be about the place and not about my holiday. Like a travel guide almost or a huge brochure.
Potobox is great for uploading your photo's and printing them when you've snapped away like 600 photo's. Taking them to boots and waiting for them to print is such a chore! So to just upload and get them posted to you is great!
Making photo books is also nice as you can use your own creativity with it or, just use the samples and it does it all for you! I try to include facts about the place. You could make personal ones with "this is where I did this" or "this happened here" Share your albums and you can even sell them too!
I work with both a small point and shoot compact camera as my back up or my phone! and for trips like Cambodia and Egypt I have to carry my Canon AE1 35ml Film. I like the grain and the feel it gives to a picture. See if you can spot which pic uses which camera.
Its pay day and I was about to do my wish list. But since I have credit cards to pay, I decided to buy the basics that I needed in Primark! I normally don't find anything there, unlike the rest of the nation, but I was after one thing....
The velour track pants and hoody. It's comfortable and ideal for walking around the house in or, popping to your local Tesco to quickly buy milk?! In this case I needed it for me and mum since we'll be in and out of hospital (she got diagnosed with Lymphoma) and needed something comfortable as she goes for her treatments.
I don't see the point to buy expensive, lazy, hardly wear, cause it can look chavey, and trampy, outfits in designer places a la Juicy Couture. Here it was £7 for the hoody and £6 for the bottoms.
I then spotted lots of wacky leggings and remembered I needed a new pair since the old pair are not so black any more. But everywhere I go they look like they wont last and after a few wears you'll end up with saggy knee's. That or they look like tights with no feet part and therefore too light and see through. Then I saw these and thought to test them out.
1. Are they see through?
...... Put your hand through the material and stretch it to see its thickness.
2. Are they fitted?
...... When you stretch the material does it stretch too easy? and does it feel like it will get baggy by your knees?
3. Are they paparazzi proof?
...... Yes I know this sounds crazy but when it comes to buying things that are skin tight, white, or has the possibility to be see through. You will need to test if it is pap proof. You might look great in your outfit till the camera flashes and makes your dress see through having the whole night with a wardrobe malfunction and you didn't even know about it; until its all posted on facebook or twitter.
not so pap proof
Some outfits require that your top just about skims the bottom half of your bum. So I didn't want to take any chances with these.
Verdict: Pass..... They are fitted, since they are for light support and control. Was even a tad hard to get into them, they were that tight!. I have even just embarrassed myself by posting the pictures to show you what I mean by the Pap test and you can see the thickness. The only thing I'm not sure about was the elasticity shows up as shine. Black matt cotton leggings shouldn't show its elasticity, it cheapens them, less they are not meant to be matt cotton but some sort of leather effect. But for £4 its not that bad and they fit and look okay.
Event: Jump Off Description:"The Jump Off is where Fashion, Music and the Arts collide creating a melting pot of urban youth culture. The event features the best of aspiring local talent competing in Live Model Shoots, Comedy, Rap, Dance & Producer Battles for cash prizes and bragging rights." Location: Fabric, 77a Charterhouse Street, London, EC1M 6HJ Frequency: Every 2 weeks on Mondays until the finals in August TBC Price: £8 in advance £15 at the door www: http://uk.jumpoff.tv/shows/view/the-jump-off/ Hot Tip: The toilets are unisex (yes I was baffled and had to check the door twice) To activate the water to wash your hands is a pedal by your feet... no sensor malarky! Crazy tip but we all asked the question when we were in there.
Big booties or big hair? shorts or leggings? Only for sure thing are the boys in new Era hats and their pants swung low. There I was lost in a crowd of mixed ethnicity, bubble hats and Pjs, Russian fur head gear, baggy jeans, short dresses, jeggings, anything goes with a twist of urban edge and swagger. A shortage of hoddies replaced with "If its not New Era then your a fool" style and lyrics from MC battles.
Fabric looks massive as you walk in, with all its industrious detail and Jump Off logos. In the middle of London's City district, you'd be surprised it's here. Expect it to be clean, like it was, yet surprised that it is, after all it is a show of London Urban Hip Hop.
Battles for the hip hp genre in dance, producing and MC. Think Stomp The Yard or You Got Served but with less attitude and more appreciation. A more welcoming crowd then the "bad boy" image you would have expected. Waiting for contenders to step up. Its a though crowd but not as harsh as you would think this world is.
We watched a dance crew, we dubbed as Little Mix, and the Champs battle it out. Little Mix looked amateur as they took to the stage yet had a few surprise moves that, we were routing for the under dogs to get through to next weeks round.
The Producers battle was an eye opener for those who don't make music, and a nice taste of wit and talent for those who appreciate. 5 mins to re-work a sample given to you. Producer quickly adding in base beats, snares and synths. Then played back to the audience and judges to crown their winner.
The long anticipated MC battle. Infamous for finding talent such as Pro Green. Was Less 8 Mile and more Comedy Night. Contenders coming in from "tut" north to flow or literally spit on on the mic. Maybe the calibre of talent will get better as the competition nears its finals in August, but this night we were entertained by someone who's rapping style was "dude you have issues" and I have thus dubbed as MC Turrets. Funny how you can see the stage was their alter ego as they shook hands and said well done after throwing abuse and swearing at each other.
The event started late with set up breaks between battles and not running to the advertised schedule. So we missed the Booty Shake battle, as we left early to go home. But no doubt we will be back for more Monday night entertainment.
Why go? What else can you do on a Monday night? less of clubbing and being musically entertained?
As I was flicking through the fashion shows of spring summer I started to get bored of finding things that were just Ok.
So here it is... Crazy
Louis Vuitton: Its not so bad if you separate some pieces. But the sandals, the box cut jacket, and the checks are just a no.
Alexander McQueen: As an avid ladies wear McQueen fan, I was happy to see some promising items in the mens collection last season. But this SS season all I see is 60s or the circus. Maybe there is a piece here of there like a cardigan. Lets hope there is something better in the boutiques; but the runway is making me feel like there is an elephant missing.
Prada: I read that Miuccia Parada gets her inspirations from things she hates. Here is her interpretation of "hate" for golf and 70's florals and all I see is Pleasant Vill. Question, why make a collection of things vile?
