socks and shoes

Shoes by Asos, socks by Richer Poorer, tiny hand coming to grab the tassels by Peanut.

inspiration: colour

From Marc Jacob's Resort 2013 collection. Wear all your clothes, wear them all at once

 Mandarin ducks, the most beautiful ducks

No post about colour would be complete without a Mary Blair painting. 

Giant pencils by Jonna Pohjalainen

Anonymous artist. Found at Project Thirty-Three, an amazing collection of vintage album covers designed with typography and simple shapes.

recap: project runway all-stars, episode 01

When I found out that the next season of Project Runway was going to be a) an all-stars season (no fresh talent) and b) would not feature my beloved Tim Gunn, I was pretty disappointed. But I strapped on my beaded wrist-spats and trimmed my asymmetrical hemline, and watched the first episode. And once I realised that most of the all-stars had been chosen not so much for their talent as for their personalities, I knew there would be plenty to keep me watching. 

(Note: please excuse the drawings. I have an iPad and I did these with my finger in front of the television. That is how it's going to be from now on.)

street style: maria

If you're wondering why this young lady is wearing a jacket and tights in summer, it's because I took these photos a shamefully long time ago (October?) and I'm very sorry. This is the adorable Maria, who insisted on hiding her face. She was at Cafe Myriade, an awesome board game cafe in Northbridge, Perth. I was very taken with her colour combination of bright pink tights, orange quilted jacket, pink and yellow shorts and bright blue Real Monsters t-shirt. My favourite style note at the moment is bright colours, preferably a little bit clashing, and she made my eyes happy.

 

Oh, and did I mention Yo Gabba Gabba sneakers?!? What an awesome lady!

project runway season 9 episode 14: finale!

 

Oh my lord, the finale of Project Runway Season 9 was last week and I'm only just getting around to this. I am a terrible person! But not as terrible as everyone involved in Project Runway (except St Tim Gunn). Let's recap this shit!

street style: evie

 

Evie caught my eye with her adorable bright pink dress, awesome white tights/white shoes combination, cardigan (surely vintage?) and overall cuteness. She was very sweet and emailed me later to say she'd looked up my blog and realised she had read my comics before! It makes me feel great to know that my comics are out there being read by people I've never met. Thanks Evie!

street style: jess

Jess was another stylish young lady I found in Brunswick, Melbourne. Please excuse the awful photography and blurry head; I had a much cuter head-shot, but this is the best look at the dress. And what a dress! Take it from me, the Panda Dress is going to be the next big thing. As soon as I can start manufacturing and selling them. I love that this dress is so simple (it would be dead easy to sew, with no sleeves) and just lets the beautiful print stand out. Adorable!

street style: will, hannah & angie

I thought I would take a billion street style photos in Melbourne, but I only got a few. The first girl I asked said she was a fashion blogger herself and wanted to stay on that side of the camera! Overall I think I just felt a bit shy and unsure of myself, being off my own turf. I did however catch these cute kids in Brunswick!

Hannah not only wore a sailor suit, she was carrying a Kate Beaton tote! What a champ.

Her friends were just as stylish! The dude (Will) told me that I was the third fashion blogger to ask for their photo that day. That is NOT something that happens to me in Perth!

project runway season 9 episode 12

 

OMG you guys the final challenge!!! Who is going to Fashion Week?!? Who is going to cry on the runway?!? It is possible for Josh's shirts to get any more unbuttoned?!? Find out below the cut!

street style: alicia

 

Alicia was running out on an errand in her paint-stained work clothes when I hassled her for her photo. I couldn't help it, though-- how great is this outfit? Peter Pan collar, adorable gumboots, lovely muted colour combination. She apologised for not wearing make-up but as you can see she is naturally gorgeous! This does nothing to slow my collar obsession/addiction...

project runway episode 11

 

This week's episode was a return to "high fashion" and you know what that means: ridiculous outfits. Thank goodness! There was a nutty theme, lots of pressure, stressful surprises and one meltdown in the bathroom. Yay!

inspiration: kenzo finale

 

 Image source unknown.

 The Kenzo Spring/Summer 2011 show ended with a grand finale which paid homage to the label's past 40 years by layering pieces from past seasons in imaginative and playful ways. These images make me feel so happy; they remind me of dolls in national costume.

street style: perrie

Today I took my first proper street style photo, ie someone who isn't one of my mates! Turns out that well-dressed people are actually very intimidating to approach, and asking complete strangers if you can take their photo is really hard. But when I saw this girl's outfit I took the chance!

 

And guess what: she turned out to be a total sweetie!

I love everything about Perrie's look: the rad white lightning dress, the cute white handbag, the single red earring. She even had beautiful bakelite-style bracelets!

To me, this is the best side of style and clothing: having fun putting together an outfit, and wearing it with confidence and panache. Bravo!

asos curve

I've bought a couple of pairs of pants and a skirt from Asos Curve and I've been really happy with them. Now I'm looking at summer clothes and since I can't afford everything I want I thought I'd post about them. Blogging therapy instead of retail therapy!

Printed Dress with Pussybow, $90.89

I have to say I am not a huge fan of the term 'pussybow', but I do love the way they look! This is the style of dress that suits me best, an empire line. This looks like a cute work dress and comfy for summer.

Colourblock Dress $74.36

This would do nothing for my figure but I love it anyway! I don't think I'm brave enough to buy it without trying it on, though.

Heart Print Trousers, $41.31

What is wrong with me? I hate high-waisted trousers, I hate printed pants... but these are calling to me. I can't pull this off! Leave me alone, printed pants! 

Bow Dress with Empire Line, $66.10

This also comes in a dark purple but I am crazy for orange right now! This is super-cute but I don't know how it would look with my fat tummy. On the other hand who cares.

Tea Dress with Scallop Detail Collar, $49.58

This looks super-cute on the model but I'm not sure where the waist would hit me because I am a shortass. The midi-skirt I bought is almost ankle length on me!

Mustard Skinny Jean, $57.84

I have never bought or even tried on skinny jeans, but these are MUSTARD! Please talk me out of buying them. I think I really want mustard yellow leggings but I am pretty sure there is a gulf of comfort between leggings and skinny jeans.

project runway episode 8

I recapped the new episode of Project Runway over at Fruitless Pursuits, go check it out!

illustration: 1966

 

Girls in a 1966 Sears catalogue, advertising 'The Urchin Look.' I drew this from an image in one of my favourite sources of inspiration,  Everyday Fashions of the Sixties As Pictured in Sears Catalogs (thanks to the lovely Sara for the tip!).

project runway episode 7

I recapped Project Runway over at Fruitless Pursuits, go check it out! Other recaps may be more informative, more accurate or more incisive, but mine has drawings.

street style: miss l

 

Today's street style is courtesy of Miss L, another adorable friend of mine who agreed to let me take photos of her outfit. I am obsessed with her shoes and have been looking for fringed boots everywhere! Sadly they were bought in Europe a few years ago. At least that's what she tells me.

I love Miss L's style because she's never concerned about what's in fashion or what other people will think is sexy or cool. She dresses for herself and I love it.

street style: lily

This is the clever and beautiful Lily! I guess it's not so much a street style as a lounge room style, but I'm not quite brave enough to ask strangers yet. Lily has a sewing and fashion blog The House of Mirth which she has recently revived and it's definitely worth checking out! She is pictured here against her awesome vintage wallpaper, with her mid-century modern side table. This girl has serious style.

street style: lady at the bus stop

I was going to draw what I wore today, but an elderly lady I saw at the bus stop on the way home was way too stylish for me not to draw!

This lady was on top of all the current fashion trends:

    •    Bright colours
    •    Colour blocking
    •    Fake fur
    •    Socks with open shoes

She also had a purple belt, not shown. I wanted to ask her if I could take her photo but I thought it might be difficult to explain blogging and street style and why a total stranger was asking to take a photo of her outfit, and I was worried that she might think I was making fun of her. I am so completely serious when I say that she looked awesome, and I hope I dress in such an exciting and fun way when I am her age!
I had so much fun drawing her that I even made up a Polyvore set of her clothes (substituting a headband for her cheery orange hair):