MIA AND NEW CHARLIE MAY...
No no, don't worry. I haven't fallen into some forgotten ditch. I'm still alive and kicking, just taking a much needed break from the online world. I think it's been about three weeks since my last blog post. Quite possibly the longest blogging break I've taken since starting up this baby. I promise I haven't forgotten about you. I went on holiday to Sweden and then to the UK and, I've got to say, that ditching my DSLR and forgetting about outfit shots was seriously therapeutic. Do you ever just feel like you need a break from the online world?
Anyway, let's ignore my bad blogging techniques and instead focus on the beauty that is this pink leather biker jacket by the incredibly talented Charlie May. It's from her SS12 collection; I fell in love with it as soon as I laid eyes on it. Charlie was kind enough to custom make this one for me and, ever since receiving it, I've been wearing it non-stop. It's the perfect cropped shape and made from the softest leather. I love the zip detailing at the wrists and the edgy little studs on the collar. I feel so pleased to have such a beautiful piece of Charlie May to call mine. Thank you so much Charlie.
CHARLIE MAY SS13...
During London Fashion Week one of the shows I was most looking forward to was Charlie Mays. This was the first season that Charlie put on a catwalk show and I was so excited to see her collection saunter down the runway. On the day I got to shoot some of the action backstage before the show. Everything was so organized and well run. You wouldn't at all expect that this was just Charlie's third season showing.
The SS13 collection is absolutely stunning. The first look that came down the catwalk was a top and trouser velvet combo in a shade of icy blue. It was my favourite look from the entire collection and I can just imagine myself wearing it now (perfection). There's also a nude coloured biker jacket, asymmetric shorts and classic white silk shirts that would be incredibly useful in anyone's wardrobe. Charlie's collections just keep getting better and better each season as she hones in what her design aesthetic is. I already can't wait to see what see what's in store for next season.
SUMMER LOVE'N...
Summer is my favorite season. I love bare legs and the feeling of the sun on my skin. I've been spending as much time as possible lying by the pool. Zurich is awesome in the summer. Everything feels clean and fresh plus we've been having the most insane thunder storms. I love waking up to find my balcony covered in golf-ball-sized pieces of hail. This week I'm off to London and then to Sweden. Cannot wait.
Hope you're having a great weekend! xx
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THE STYLE CRUSADER ON TOUR [SUMMER DATES]...
London, I love you always and forever.
My recent trip to England was #insane. So many wonderful things happened and every day felt like a total whirlwind. Highlights included: staying with Charlie May and Lexxie, meeting the people behind Tank Magazine (Kim and Caroline are amaaazing. Yes, Caroline ISSA, she told me I was gorgeous and I pretty much died. I've adopted her as my mentor even though she doesn't know it yet). I discovered Shini has WAY too many shoes, went to the Nelly party, ate lots of burgers and milkshakes and managed to catch up with some of my favorite PR people including Susie at Trace, Harriet at HPR, Rachel at Shine and the stuffed bear at Varg (we had a little cuddle). I had so much fun. I got to ride a Boris Bike and roam around east London like it was nobody's business. I got lost every day. I FINALLY did some summer shopping (at Aubin & Wills) and I got to spend an afternoon with VV Brown and Nik Thakkar. Love. That was all in one week... no wonder I came back home exhausted.
This coming summer I'm doing a bit of a traveling tour. For simplicity's sake I'll keep my plans updated on this blog post. Things always tend to change last minute but at the moment this is what my summer is looking like. Also, for the record, I work freelance and have time to take on new projects... so if you want me for anything please holler this way (stylecrusderBOOKINGS at gmail.com). Merci. xx
p.s. long term plans for the blog include a book (which I've recently started writing) and a mentorship program. If you'd like to talk to me about either of these two things or support the cause please let me know. I'm looking for sponsors and people to work with. Kiss kiss.
June 14-24th: Zurich
June 25-30th: London
July 1-10th: Zurich
July 11-27th: Sweden
July 28-August 23rd: Zurich
August 24-28th: Copenhagen
August 29-September 12th: USA
September 13-19th: London
September 20-25th: Milan
September 26-October 3rd: Paris
AT HOME WITH BENGT FASHION...
BENGT Fashion has been on my mind for the last few months. I was introduced to the brand by Sandra, who did some styling and photography work with them for their SS12 collection. They really landed hard on my radar though when I found out about Moxham. My love was officially solidified when they became the first online stockiest for Charlie May (happy face).
When I was in London I had the chance to visit their headquarters which just so happens to be inside the home of Eva Evers, the company's director. As much as I love the products and adored the cupcake breakfast, what really got my heart racing was nosing around her apartment. Dirty old shoes? Love them. Random kitsch kids toys? Even better. Her flat is functional and adorable and I found the mixture of high and low elements so inspiring. No doubt the design direction of the flat has been heavily influenced by her boyfriend Nick. All I know is that I left on a sugar high and with the idea of making my bathroom super hero themed. I love it when inspiration comes from the most unexpected places.
Hope you enjoy nosing around her flat as much as I did. xx
My favorite pieces available on BENGT at the moment are the Three Floor Sugar High Dress, Louise Amstrup Easy Print Pleat Skirt Dress, Emesha Block Colour Dress, and the Mona Chakora One Piece Swimsuit. I also love the Charlie May White Collar Tie Back Top and anything Moxham.
Visit BENGT Fashion for more information and product details.
White Leather
Last week I got to spend the day with my love Charlie May in East London. We rode Boris Bikes, which I thought would be horrifying, but actually were so much fun. If you're in London get your booty onto one. You'll be glad you did.
It's the weekend and I'm itching to get outside.
So let's just keep this sweet and simple. Last week I got to spend the day with my love Charlie May in East London. We rode Boris Bikes, which I thought would be horrifying, but actually were so much fun. If you're in London get your booty onto one. You'll be glad you did. Just ride responsibly, ok? Make sure you look over your shoulder, signal, and all that good safety shizz.
By the way, how freaking awesome is the leather jacket? Charlie let me wear it only after I promised to run my entire house off the generated energy of a group of people cycling. Uhhh... sorry Charlie, I lied, I'm not going to do that.
p.s. watch out, I will run you down and I take no prisoners....
Photos by Charie May
Wearing: Charlie May AW12 jacket, Aubin & Wills shorts, American Apparel tri-blend tank top, Converse, Bottletop purse and clear/lace clutch by Kit Lee.
ON TEXTURE, ADAM AND CHARLIE...
Brace yourself, we're about to embark on a journey of epic time travel.
Flash back to Day 3 of LFW: it was early and I was tired. I'd just arrived at Somerset House and was in a bit of a daze. The sun was really bright and, of course, I had forgotten my sunglasses. Up comes a bloke who asks to take my photo. 'I just love your coat,' he says. 'The fabric is incredible. The sleeves look awesome - you don't tend to see this colour coat with leather very often.' Did he even, possibly, reach out and touch my shoulder? What can I say - the leather, it's irresistible. I can't remember. He'd made an impression though by pointing out exactly what I loved about the inky coloured coat from Charlie May's AW12 collection. I agreed, it was freaking awesome. Please.snap.away.sir.
Flash forward to the last day of LFW: it's pouring with rain and I'm standing under a black umbrella watching a men's show on the screen outside the BFC tent, waiting for Louisa to exit an exhibition. 'Would you mind if I took a photo of your sweater and clutch?' I look over. It's the same guy from a few days earlier. 'Yeah, of course.' Again, it seems to be the texture and colour that has lured him in... like a moth to flame.
We start talking: 'Are you American?' We both are. 'Are you on Twitter?' Of course. 'What's your name?' I ask. '@Le21ème,' he replies... 'Wait, as in Le 21ème Arrondissement blog!?'... 'You've heard of it?' So begins the time-tested conversation where I try to convey how much I freaking love his work only to have him continue to act shocked that I'd ever seen it. Ummm... yeah I'd seen it. It's only one of my favorite street style blogs ever.
Fast forward two weeks: we're now in Paris. It's fashion week. Outside every show I bump into my new friend, Adam. Like most people, Paris is the last leg of his mammoth fashion month adventure - it's the only thing standing in the way of going home to New York and his girlfriend. I find out he shoots for all sorts of snazzy publications and brands: Elle US, Grazia IT, Marie Claire and Vogue Russia - to name just a few.
Adam is also really nice. The sort of nice that makes you want to bundle him up into a little package and force him into being your best friend. He's got a heck-of-a-lotta ambition too but doesn't want to do anything that would suck the fun out of what he's doing. I can relate. Keep it light, keep it frothy... that's what I always like to say. The thing I love about Adam's blog, Le 21ème Arrondissement, is that he focuses on incredible details and unique off-the-radar people. Adam's aesthetic is seriously kick butt: it's fierce and often goes against the grain. Whenever I see his photos I feel a little challenged. He sees things differently and I like that... I never feel like I'm looking at 'just another street style blog.'
Alright, now flash forward five months- right past summer and all that jazz: it's September 2012 and you're starting to think about your fall wardrobe. Oh, you're into supporting new talent? You like embracing young British designers? You want something original and fresh that everyone else won't be wearing? A-ha! Behold, I have the answer to what you've been looking for: Charlie May.
Charlie's collection is stuffed full of wearable basics. There were a pair of wide legged super soft high-waisted cord trousers that have my name written all over them. Do you know when I last wore corduroy trousers?! It was a long freaking time ago. There are also amazing silk separates - long dresses and shirts with gorgeous flowing wrist details. Oooo, and the leather. I've already started saving up for one of Charlie's leather jackets. They. are. stunning. I love the colour palette, the simple silhouettes and the delicate unexpected details that make all the difference. Cue incessant swooning.
p.s. if you can't handle waiting until the autumn, Charlie's SS12 collection will be available on Bengt from May. Elbows at the ready.
First three photos taken by Adam. Look book images courtesy of Charlie May.
Wearining: Outfit 1 - DAGMAR Pre-Fall AW12 cardigan (Varg), American Apparel tri-blend T-shirt, LiLiFi leopard clutch, Muriee cashmere scarf. Outfit 2 - Charlie May AW12 coat and silk shirt, Tibi leather front top (My Wardrobe), Maison Scotch clutch, 7FAM jeans, and Balenciaga boots.
CAMERA TALK...
Love the idea of wearing a mixture of neutral shades with stark brights and bold colour. It's like the whole colour blocking trend decided to grow up and get a bit more sophisticated. Hedvig and Sandra both have such an effortless sense of style... I'm plotting a grand scheme to invade both their wardrobes and steal everything. Anybody want in on it?
Hedvig and Sandra outside the Topshop venue on Day 3 of LFW.
p.s. super excited to reveal that I've just started contributing to We Heart. You can find all my posts here - hope you like it.
LFW OUTFIT: CHARLIE MAY AW 12...
Today I felt truly honored to wear a couple of pieces from Charlie May's AW12 collection. It was presented last night at a roof top suite at the swanky Sanctum Soho Hotel and Charlie kindly let me slip two of my favorite pieces home with me. I couldn't be more in love with this oxblood silk shirt. It has a slit straight up the back and is long at the front. It's loose and fluid when worn untucked but I'm thinking it would look just as fierce tucked into a killer high waisted pencil skirt. When I first saw it I thought it was the sort of piece I couldn't wear. I'm not partial to going braless you see but was so happy when I discovered this little Tibi leather front top works perfectly when layered over top.
Charlie's collection was absolutely incredible and a huge step forward. It's only her second time showing and already she's knocking out pieces that are incredibly covetable, beautifully tailored and wearable. Seen together at her show they presented a clear and concise vision: a strong aesthetic that draws inspiration from complex moods and dramatic seascapes. She envisions shards of rock against the cold sea water, white foam waves, ice and volcanoes...
'It's the feeling of being alone. You get a sense that you're drowning in the garments.'
Charlie, you often say that you design items that you'd like to have in your own wardrobe but can't find in shops. Well babe, I've got a feeling we're gonna be seeing these items in shops before you know it.
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Outfit photos taken by Shini
Wearing: Charlie May navy coat and oxblood shirt (AW12). Tibi leather front top from My Wardrobe, Maison Scotch clutch bag and Balenciaga boots.
LFW Outfit: Day 3
I can't even tell you how excited I was every time someone asked me about my jacket today. Was over the moon to be wearing an original Charlie May item. This jacket is unbelievably gorgeous. It's the sample from Charlie's collection but she was kind enough to let me swagger around today in it. I'm so in love with it that I'm planning on having a black one specially made to see me through autumn and then in the spring this soft milky pink one. Did I mention recently that I was on the hunt for the perfect leather jacket? Mhmm. I'm so happy to have found the one and even happier to be able to support emerging talent.
Also sporting a pair of Balenciaga boots that I snapped up in Zurich from a charity shop called Caritas. It's the same place I found the Issey Miyake orange skirt from yesterday. Getting designer duds and giving to charity at the same time?! Umm, I literally can't think of anything better.
Wearing: jacket by Charlie May (check out her site for contact details if you'd like more info on her collection), Balenciaga boots (bought from Caritas), J.Crew tank, Monki skirt, leopard wrist clutch by LiLiFi (via HPR), YSL arty ring, and jupiter bracelets from Robinson Pelham. Photos by Shini.
Charlie May SS12
Charlie May debuted her SS12 collection yesterday in London.
Out of every show I'll see this season, this is the one I've been most excited about. After visiting Charlie's studio a couple months ago I couldn't wait to see how everything would come together. The transformation from a rough sketch to the finished product really is mind boggling. Each piece was so well tailored and the finishing was perfect. I'm itching to get my fingers on something and there's the most beautiful little motorcycle jacket that I've got my eye on...
Charlie's taking personal orders. Find her e-mail on her website here.