cheap and chic - March/April bargain haul

1. Faux Fur collar - £10.99

2. Chunky Metal Gold Chain - £6.50

3. Monki 'Henny' dress - £30

4. Velvet Chocker - £2.99

5. Illamasque in Pristine - was £16.00/ now £8.00 in sale (may have returned to normal price)

6. Monki 'Sam' Phone case - was £5/ now £2

7. Hair Chalk - from £5.49

‘Sex, Lies and CCTV’

Oh. Antipodium. I'd known the brand before and always admired it's aesthetic, but it wasn't until I spend a hot and busy summer of '11 at Antipodium towers, that I truly fell for the brand. In a way I wished I'd appreciated my time there more, although most days I absolutely loved it (and didn't even think about how much money it was costing me to work there). I honestly loved wandering down to the east end offices, fetching coffees, making toiles, etc etc, but at the time being at University (and the general stress of life that brings!) I felt that I spent my time interning feeling as it was something I was doing as I HAD to, for that all important experience that would help (wouldn't it?!) if I were ever to get a paid job in the industry. I can see with hindsight that, I really should have just been more laid back about it, enjoyed it more, had fun and absorbed information. So, my lesson to any would-be fashion students going off to the big scary capitol to work for free...is chill. Be happy. Work as hard as you can but enjoy it! You'll get for more out of it that way...(and even if not for the experience, as a general rule, the harder you work = the more free stuff they give you! Free designer clothes/bags/shoes = good!).

Anyway, the Antipodium A/W13 collection entitled 'Sex, Lies and CCTV' is a good one. Inspired by surveillance footage, spy cams and social networking sites, Geoffrey Finch has designed a uniform echoing contemporary life, viewed through city windows and on screens. Prim and proper on first glance, but with peeking flesh and sheer shirts, all combined with bad girl leather, for an underlying sexuality. The colour scheme of a backdrop of greys, accented with bright greens, reds and yellows mimics the sights of the city - there's also, of course, the signature Antipodium prints! Always beautiful, but always with a humorous twist, like so (spot it!):

Emoji, Resort 13 - 'Double Digits' created with Jaime Periman

http://blog.antipodium.com
http://www.antipodium.com
(Images from Antipodium blog/ http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk)

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We all have nipples

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a selection of photographs by Arvida Bystrom @ theardourous.com.

I've found the female artists of the ardourous incredibly inspiring. I love how they explore the use of  beautiful imagery to visually communicate complex ideas with intelligence and humour. They promote contemporary feminist ideologies in a really refreshing way. Check them out. 

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MADE = bitching and junkfood = Alis Pelleschi

         

I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF THIS!

(bitchingandjunkfood.com)

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Cyber Barbie

             

I'm absolutely loving these acid bright, a bit 90's, music culture influenced, street brands. I'm generally a black, black and more black kinda gal myself, but I can't help wanting to bring in a little of this crazy sunshine into my life.

The first two pics are Emma Mullholland (emmamulholland.com) her stuff is just so fun and wearable, the alien Egyptian bomber is my absolute fav! But with price tags averaging about $300 it may be a little wait till I can justify making a purchase, still I love this awesome 25 year old Aussie designer.

Isolated Heroes are Brits doing it best. I can't say it better then their very own website - "Merging a kaleidoscope of inspirations and techniques Samantha's pieces are desirably unique while retaining a strong wearable ethic. The brand uses a rainbow of vivid clashing colours, distinct tribal prints, illustrative embroidery techniques, oversized silhouettes and over embellishment. Built up of entirely wearable, durable yet delicate and exclusive pieces with a distinct Street Wear feel. Isolated Heroes is predominantly a Unisex label with the idea of bringing Optimistic Clothing and a fierce sense of identity into the designer market. It primarily forms and reflects the air of excitement flooding through the new generation of London's young and amazing." For the quality and unusual nature of the garments they are pretty reasonably priced. I'm particularly lusting over the Sequin Ying Yang Dress...go find it, it's so perfectly classy trashy. I need it. Buy Isolated Heroes at ASOS Marketplace - https://marketplace.asos.com/boutique/isolated-heroes.

Finally we have the digitally printed tees of Mainframe (http://mainframe.bigcartel.com/) at $50 they are affordable as well as freaking awesome. Collect them all. 

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Style Saviour: Ivory Jar

I'm a huge lover of small independent brands and there is nothing I love more then discovering a gem like this! I found Ivory Jar in Brick Lane market a while back, I've been regularly following and buying from them ever since. They are fantastic for lovers of anything leather, studded, dip-dyed or floral. Ivory jar incorporates religious iconography and other gorgeously gothic inspirations with contemporary East London street-style. The outcome is an array of jewellery, accessories and garments that inspire lust to both genders.

Get your fix online at ivory-jar.com or at Brick Lane's Sunday Market. 

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