Motivation - a key skill needed to run a sucessful blog. 

Determination - a skill needed to maintain a successful blog

Creativity - a quality needed to start a successful blog

It has been a very long time since I've blogged but I'm back at University and there are many great opportunities in the horison. Also I have a beautiful new piece of technology (the new ipad) that will allow me to blog on the go and a new SLR.

Amazing news for the few that may have previously read my blog and I was looking for a job, I am now an employer of Forever 21 so most of my blogs will relate to products I find in there.

I don't expect my blog to be the biggest and best blog so I would like to thank people who take time to stop and look. 

Barnfield College Art and Design Exhibition 25th June 2012

This summer i have decided to fit in as many exhibitions, whether they are Art, Photography or Fashion. I'm looking to broaden my understanding of the creative world. I started this venture with one close to home at Barnfield College. 


The students at Barnfield College, Luton showcased the work that they had spent 1-4 years working on. The work consisted of extravagant art pieces as well as detailed fashion garments and photography all presented in individual ways. The live band added to the creative theme as well as the decoration which was created by the Florist course. 

The theme for this piece was the body. This student decided to look at Anorexia, making a sculpture out of material and wax. 

If anyone knows of any up and coming exhibitions that are around London area that are a reasonable price please let me know. 

Laura Loves

The world of blogging give you the opportunity to meet a variety of different people, I recently came across Laura Loves Boutique witch is a Birmingham based business which specialises in combining old and new to create fresh, original items. The charming garments have a vintage yet modern feel to them, there are also some clever inventions such as the Great British stamp necklace. The old stamps gives the jewellery a heritage feel, like a dated piece made in 2012. 

Great British Stamp Necklace £10.00 Asos Marketplace. 

 Ribbon Bracelet £5.00

The pieces I love the most would be the Ribbon Bracelets, they remind me of when I was young and would regularly visit Spain and would always come back with the friendship bracelets for me an my friends. The bracelet comes in a variety of styles and sizes each one as beautiful as the last each unique in the own way. 


All Laura Loves is available on Asos Marketplace, also follow her blog and Twitter she has great updates on up and coming vintage fairs and events. 


Laura Loves Boutique 
Laura Loves Asos Marketplace
Laura Loves Blog
Laura Loves Twitter

Better late then never

As of this moment the first year of my BA (Hons) Fashion Retail Management course is officially over, work printed of, mounted and handed in. 

Looking back to my interview in November 2010 I never would have anticipated the hard work, time and effort it takes to be a University student, but to be honest I wouldn't change anything. I went into University with just a single idea of how I wanted my future to go and now as I write this that idea is merely a shadow in my brain.

This first year has opened my eyes to a different side of the fashion industry, behind all the models and fabric, stands a massive team of talented, clued up individuals. The people I've met and the experiences I have had has made me want to conquer nearly all of the Retail Management positions.

From the very first module I decided that I wanted to pursue Visual Studies from that I set up my Tumblr account which is based on fashion visuals that are inspirational and just truly beautiful. 

Now that the year has come to an end the nerves that accompanied me at the start have been replaced with pure excitement to what the second year brings.

The window display I produced whilst on placement at COW Vintage.

A wall display In Bullring TOPSHOP that I assisted in assembling 

The last projects of the first year.

UK FASHION SCENE: BIRMINGHAM EDITION JUNE 7TH

ONE DAYS LEFT TILL YET ANOTHER AMAZING SHOW BOUGHT TO YOU BY THE STUDENTS OF BCU!!

DOORS OPEN at 7:00 PM- START TIME 7.30 PM

TICKETS £5 AVAILABLE ONLINE AND @ DOOR

ON THE NIGHT:
*Fashion Show
*Poetry
*Dance
*Vocalists inc. MISPHIT

NORTH LOUNGE,
CITY NORTH CAMPUS
PERRY BARR
BIRMINGHAM, B42 2SU


COME AND SUPPORT THESE TALENTED STUDENTS AS THEY SAY GOODBYE TO THEIR FIRST YEAR OF UNI!!!

*Supported by Birmingham City University*

GET YOU TICKETS HERE!!!

Touch's Fashion Rox in association with Harvey Nichols - The Finals 

The models of Fashion Rox took to the catwalk for the last time last night and it was apparent that this show was going to have the best turn out.


From 7:00pm the models were already in make up being transformed into amazing pieces of art. Most of the designers where unpacking their garments and backstage was like an art gallery full of creative and beautifully structured pieces.


Some of my favourite designers graced us with their presence as well as some new ones who I had missed from last weeks shows all of which defiantly deserved to be in the finals.

Backstage there was more of a relaxed atmosphere in comparison to the rushing, hectic and mad atmosphere from the previous nights. Everyone was more confident and knew what they had to do and just got on with it. People came prepared due to the previous hairdresser issues there had been before, but this time Umberto Giannini's team came to assist the designers with their main models. 

At 11:00pm, a little later then scheduled, the models took the stage and despite cramped parts of the walk they all did beautifully. Each piece carefully selected by each designer, complimented the previous. Some models had extremely quick changes but no divas where in sight they all did their jobs professionally and successfully. 

The winners where Alves, a talented designer of male grunge wear. The collection consisted of mixed media materials and some seriously inspiring pieces. 

It truly was an amazing experience and I was privileged to meet some amazing people, especially Tim Dass and Alexander Blair who where the genius' behind the event.   


Photography on the night was I.S.S Photography. 


Many thanks to the Touch Production team, everyone that helped make all three events amazing.


Touch Chameleon 

'Male' Fashion

I've been observing male fashion recently and how it is slowly sway toward the feminine side with leg width decreasing and and skinny fit becoming the new slouch. 


Men have ditched the hoodies and baggy jeans for chinos and blazers. With some of the most famous celebrities promoting this look it looks like the 'male' and 'female' look will slowly blend leaving a unisex department in stores, heaving with bracelets and carrot trousers. 


As a female I would prefer for my boyfriend not to be borrowing my skinny jeans on a regular basis, I prefer to go out and everyone know that I am the female in the relationship. On the other hand some of the new fashion trends are very suited to certain people and some accessories are acceptable. I witnessed a male with a hoop earring and I thought to myself that he must has to be wearing a female earring, but then looking on the TOPMAN website I actually saw it!!!!! 


Maybe it is just me that likes the what is now classed as 'hood' look so just to clarify this I had to get some confirmation.

"I prefer the Adidas swag, with trainers, not skinny jeans and defiantly NO CHINOS!! A male with a 'skaterboy' look like Tyga (minus the skinny jeans), tattoos, piercing and a fresh shape up." Rebecca19, Sales Associate, Luton  

I ask two close friends about their individual fashion sense and they summed it up in three words, Casual, Comfortable and Male structured, meaning straight cut jeans, trainers and a fitted cap. They wanted to be able to move and sit down without worrying. They wanted tops that would keep them warm not expose their chests. They wanted functional jewellery such as watches and studs not bracelets and ear cuffs. They wanted trainers built to last during rain, snow and sun not Espadrilles or flip flops. 

"My style consists of smart jacket with a casual top and slim jeans. The key pieces in my wardrobe are blazers, belts and loafers." Joshua 19, Fashion Student, London

The world is a strange place, personally I know that there are many items of clothing in my wardrobe that have come from the men's section or sloached fit not figure hugging but then that is acceptable Androgyny was even a popular trend but some how men in women's style clothing just will never catch on with me. 

My July Vogue's arrival

My new Vogue magazine arrived today, I rushed down to the post desk to collect the grey parcel. The excitement I receive waiting to see what the next Vogue cover will look like and who will be the glossy cover model. This time I am blessed with the beautifully talented Rachel Weisz, who I loved in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. 

 Adverts always have a different effect in Vogue, whereas in other magazines I skip them to get to the main juicy articles, but in Vogue the articles prove just as much a part of the magazine linking each glossy page. The Tiffany adverts always capture my attention more that others, as soon as I see the turquoise banner I prepare myself for the beautiful unique pieces of metal. This advert coincidently is very similar to a post I had recently seen on Tumblr and had straight away shown to my boyfriend. The next advert is old  but it always stands out, it might be because it is on thinker, glossier paper than the rest of the magazine, but its mainly because the crisp finish. Everything looks so smooth and her hair is such a beautiful blonde and full of volume, I can see why YSL continuously use this advert.

 An article that caught my attention mainly due to the first photo was Yoko Ono. Doesn't she look fabulous at 79. Her body is amazing and her skin has literally no age signs. She is defiantly living a beautiful life with John Lennon.

With the Vogue magazine came the TOPSHOP magazine which I had previously picked up within the store, these a few pictures their summer collection modelled by the vibrant, unique Pixie Geldof. Even in store these pieces stand out they have a catwalk luxury feel to them and which is emphasised by the surroundings of other elegant yet strong statement pieces also featured in the collection.   I defiantly will be purchasing pieces from this collection.

Freshers 2012

As my 1st year of Uni draws to an end I reflect on my expectations of University.


Having watched too many American movies about Sororities  and FRAT parties, University had some high expectations to live up to. But in theory Uni just made me realise that I'm not the person I thought I was. 


I thought Uni would consist of late nights, spontaneous drinking, regular clubs scenes, spending and more spending, but in fact I spent the majority of the 9 months budgeting, drinking water and cuddled up with that someone special. But don't be too disappointed I have had my fair share of drunken nights but believe me each one taught me never to drink again (yeah right) and that there always has to be at least one sensible person in the group to make sure everyone gets home safely (not me). 

Some people have taken the Fresher's life very seriously and have probably completely doomed their livers (for example ^^^). 

But to be honest it is defiantly an experience that will stay with me through the rest of my life, one to tell the grandchildren and I've met people that i can carry through to the next year of Uni with me. I honestly wouldn't change a thing.

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY @ THE CHAMELEON, BIRMINGHAM

Touch will be hosting the last in an amazing trilogy of The Fashion Rox show, an event showcasing the best design talent from the UK.

The show will being at 10.30pm sharp.

And the after party will begin at 11.30 going on till late.

There will be a prize draw for a £1000 Harvey Nichols shopping spree.

And a prize draw for a London 2012 break courtesy of Thomas Cook.

✹Premium Spirit & Mixer - £1.50

✹Selected Bottled Beers - £1.50

✹Black Sambuca - £1.50

✹Tequila Gold - £1.50

✹Jagerbomb - £2.50

✹House wine (Red, White, Rose) - £2.50

✹Selected Cocktails (Opal Fruit, Skittle, Green Geisha, Chameleon Party Banger) - £4.00

For guest list post name on event wall or message me!!!!!

http://www.facebook.com/events/424248067595319/

Christian Louboutin's 

So I have decided that by the time I reach 25 my shoe collection will look a little like this consisting of some bad boy Christian Louboutin. His shoes are so beautifully structured and empowering. If I was to take over the world I would defiantly be wear a pair of these. The day I purchase my first (of many) pair the whole of my street and anyone that will listen will know about it. When I see the 'red soled shoes' I automatically think that the person behind the feet has to be a poweful independent woman and even if they are not just the fact that a pair of shoes can change the preconceptions of people proves that these shoes are a must have.

As of now I'm starting a CL fund!!