Laurie Luxe

The Blonds

2011-02-09T20:39:00.000-08:00

Inspiration at the moment: The Blonds. Design duo behind the incredible bejeweled corsets seen on the likes of Beyonce, Rihanna, Kylie Minogue, Katy Perry, Fergie, etc, etc. Super-femme, glitzy and high-glam. The label's dedication to ornamentation is intense... you'd have trouble finding space to sew another crystal onto these pieces!

Designer Philippe Blond opening The Blonds Fall 2010 show:

Fav pieces:

Screencaps from a video of Phillipe Blond shot by Fashion Photographer Mike Ruiz:

The video manages to present both the collection and designer very well. Mesmerising:

Website, Facebook, Myspace 1, & Myspace 2. Phillipe's personal style is pretty amazing, his look is inspired by Jem and the Holograms.

#2: Don't be mad when you see me transcending

2011-02-07T21:27:00.000-08:00

1,2& 3: Nicki Minaj MTV VMA promo 2010

Screencap recall #1:

2011-02-07T20:46:00.000-08:00

❤ that strut...

1, 2 & 3: Sugar Baby on Jerry Springer, 'Club Kids!'

Can you really, really, really, really dance to my beat?

2011-02-07T17:38:00.000-08:00

FEMME QUEEN VOGUING FEMME.

For anyone interested...

2010-10-07T02:17:00.001-07:00

I have another blog detailing my year 2 semester 2 studio work - it can be viewed here.

My very own gridiron team

2010-06-01T14:22:00.000-07:00

Always be my baby

2010-05-30T05:32:00.000-07:00

love youtube comments, someone posted "when i marry i put this song on i love this song" on this video. I really love Mariah's fabulous world, always basking in her own glory.

This is more my vibe at the moment, one can dream:

hmm

2010-05-29T03:36:00.000-07:00

These are some photos I took of crushed pastels. I am obsessed with rainbow/milti-coloured images on white backgrounds.

I'm missing fh's birthday and charlotte's drag party tonight... so sad. Just gotta get through the next few weeks. Complaining about retail and uni seems so 'first world problems' of me lol

I still love Irina.

2010-05-29T03:06:00.000-07:00

Although I always thought people who loved models were kinda weird.

A bit old, but this is another reason I love Tavi. The allegations about Terry Richardson are hardly surprising. Work and fabric shopping tomorrow. I hope I find something.

Tonia Geissbühler: 'The gang'

2010-05-16T19:41:00.001-07:00

This is Tonia Geissbuhler's 3rd year work from 2007 (Antwerp). I love the palette. Some very interesting shapes and ideas are utilised in this sportswear collection:

I have been having a peek at the Antwerp back-catalogues. Very Inspiring. was quite surprised to see that Antwerp third year students get a runway show. RMIT are now dividing fourth years into two groups - one who get to do a runway and another who do an exhibition.

week.

Hung Qui La 'The Monkeys made me do it'

2010-05-16T03:39:00.000-07:00

Images compiled from Hung La's Graduate show page (Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp). More on his personal website.

I have infinite love for this collection. There is a lot being played with, yet nothing is overdone. The themes seem very precise to me and the execution is perfect. In awe etc.

I seem to mostly take inspiration from men's lines these days. I buy a lot of men's clothing too.

'Give a dog a bone'

2010-04-27T17:58:00.000-07:00

I collect reebok freestyles. These are the 25th Anniversary 'Give a dog a bone' edition. I love cartoons, naive illustrations, pastels and prints.

photo by Caitlin Molloy.

Mum + Cats!

2010-04-23T23:14:00.000-07:00

Here are some old pictures of my mother and her cats:

Crappy Camera Pics!

2010-04-03T06:10:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone is having a pleasant Easter holiday break...

Some things lately:

Stuff on my desk: tea, water, Tazos, Glow-in-the-dark Ghost statue (I collect ghost things!), Stickers & holographic trading cards. I always put these things away but they seem to always end up back on the work desk (?).

Maff, El & I on the school balcony.

xxLL

My favourite glasses (part 1)

2010-02-25T05:20:00.000-08:00

Glasses are the main accessories I find myself constantly thinking about (although I do have a thing for watches too!).

Linda Farrow for Luella in 08 (My all-time favourites: Swoon!):
I really dig these Alexander Wang/Linda Farrow frames; the shape is reminiscent of the cat-eye but has a sharp, futuristic edge.

Another thing I keep coming back to is 'drip' glasses. I first saw them during the A/W 08 season at Klavers van Engelen :
Next this slick aviator turned up at Back for Ann-Sofie Back. They were designed by Sheefun and were featured in a string of mags like Nylon and Dazed&Confused:

I'll probably have to keep squinting until I'm rich! haha! x LL

I'll save my breath and take it with me...

2010-02-13T07:50:00.001-08:00

Thinking about:

(1. Mason Martin Margiela X Printemps - Artisanal dress from Line 0 2. Pedro Friedberg Clock, Gilt Mahogany Hands (1960s)
3. Scott Walker 4. Scott Walker's Scott 3 6. Nadine Christensen artwork from her 'detour' exhibition in' 2007.)

I love layering sheer fabrics - so much can be done. The Maison Martin Margiela dress above was created for Printemps. It is being displayed as part of a designer series dedicated to Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. The concept and garment construction here is quite interesting:

“Alice’s silhouette is a blue upside-down dress with cage sleeve, as if she walked through the mirror and her dress completely reversed. A long ball gown has been reworked, upside-down, into a minidress. The bustier in taffeta becomes a pleated miniskirt. The petticoat becomes an asymmetrical draped top. The skirt in ‘plumetis’ tulle becomes a veil. A cage sleeve of whale-boned velvet ribbon is embroidered with pearls, crystals, and recycled jewels.”

—Maison Martin Margiela

Designers in this exhibition include Ann Demeulemeester, Alexander McQueen, Bernhard Willhelm, Charles Anastase, Christopher Kane, Chloé, Haider Ackermann and Nicholas Kirkwood. You can view their work online here. I'm very much in love with the Manish Arora creation! He never disappoints.

I've been spending a lot of time around the house, cleaning and quietly preparing for the new year. The weather in Melbourne has been quite miserable and I haven't felt like doing much else. Tomorrow is my cat's 10th birthday. He has been uncharacteristically sulky all day - the woes of aging I suppose. It's only a number, Bear.

Really enjoying Australian artist Nadine Christensen at the moment, so I'll leave you with 'Crops on Mars'(2007). I love her flat aesthetic and rich use of symbolism.

xLL

Behind the scenes with RWB & Harpers Bazaar.

2010-02-03T15:53:00.001-08:00

Last I posted I was off to Sydney for the Harpers Bazaar and Romance was Born 101 Dalmations shoot. The Sydney State Theatre was the perfect location. I loved the contrast between all those rich amber tones and b&w outfits. It's funny to think about space and the way people wear places and vice versa!

It was a magical experience and so many interesting characters turned up! There were lots of children and families involved in the shoot which was lovely to see. It was great meeting other other bloggers like Darren and Georgi (pictured below with roses in her hair). I can't wait to see the finished results from the shoot!

I love playing around with make-up and decided to don some bee-stung diamonte lips. The image that I sliced in features fabrics from what I was wearing. I love wearing matching prints in different textures. Mismatching is another one of my passions, so I enjoyed pairing together dots which were almost alike but not quite...

My favourite images were taken post-shoot. It was sweet to see this painted lady saying g'bye to a hound:

xLL

FRIENDSWITHYOU - magical worlds to visit

2010-01-13T05:56:00.000-08:00

I'm dashing off to sydney this morning - I've never been before so I'm rather excited! On Friday I'm going to partake in a shoot for Romance Was Born and Harpers Bizaar. 101 people will be dressing up and attending - all in Dalmatian-inspired garb. Should be interesting! I've tried to create the most interesting and yet travel efficient outfit I could. More on that later.

Thinking about magical places, these images came to mind:

They are from FRIENDSWITHYOU's Pictopia Fun House Exhibition @ Haus der Kulturen der Welt Museum in Berlin! So sweet!
I wish someone would commission FWY to place these friendly blocks around Melbourne. One can dream.
xox LL

Adu Jahmal

2010-01-10T20:08:00.000-08:00

Enjoying these hand-painted garments by Adu Jahmal, another artist I discovered on Etsy.

Alice Cooper:

And my personal fav, Bowie:

These over-sized leather macs are the perfect canvas for Adu's slick graphic portraiture. The mind boggles at the possiblities for using this kind of work in editorials.

It's a torturous 41° at the moment but I'm still determined to have my afternoon cup of tea. I keep putting Bear by the air-conditioner but he continually escapes to sit with me in the study. It is boiling in here so we must both be mad. He is obsessed with rolling over my illustrations. I think we both share a secret desire to deface my work!

Mushroom Dress

2010-01-07T18:28:00.000-08:00

I can never sing the praises of Etsy enough. It's a great resource when researching period clothing and rare, vintage designers - I especially love sellers who post detailed images of a garment's construction. The Etsy community also seem to be such a friendly bunch - handwritten letters and decorated parcels are sure to induce warm, fuzzy feelings. But my favourite aspect of the site is the way it exposes emerging designers who may not have a fashion background.

Such is the case with Rachel Wright, an artist from South Alabama who creates garments from recycled materials. I was especially wowed by her 'mushroom dress' - an ethereal, dreamlike wonder:

The garment was inspired by the illustrations of 19th century naturalist Ernst Haeckel. Rachel's aim was to make 'an organic form out of inorganic materials, while still maintaining eco-friendly practices'. The cage-skirt was created using half-inch polyethylene foam and the jacket with ultra-thin packing foam. A 1930’s satin nightgown was used as an undergarment.

First outfit post - Ridicnic.

2010-01-05T05:38:00.001-08:00

It's been a long time between posts, but I am relying a little on other people's cameras/scanners/etc while I save up for my own. Quite frustrating but I'll get there. In the meantime, a quick outfit post. These pictures are from a picnic we had in the Fitzroy gardens.

Unfortunately I don't have any detailed shots of this dress, but I like the horizontal dart over the bust-line. It actually alters the hem of the dress by lifting the material slightly at the front. The effect is kind of ethereal. This garment reminds me of my favorite nightie I had as a kid.

Dress from Cose Ipanema, Yohji Yamamoto Platforms, Hat from Mimco (the only hat I could actually find to fit over my head/hair...cursed!), white tights from nowhere especially interesting.

x
Last four images by Sean T Barnes, Polaroid by Caitlin Molloy.

Metal Guru

2009-12-29T18:58:00.000-08:00

I love the way this has been filmed and how type has been used. Towards the end of the clip the studio audience dance in this strange, delirious way... deranged cult of Marc, I guess. Idolisation within pop culture really interests me.

Marc's favourite label was Alkasura; I wish I could find more information on them. Hopefully I will make a more detailed post on the label eventually when I see what I can dig up. In the meantime, you can see some Alkasura jacket lapels poking out in the image below. When I watch old T.Rex videos I love how layered and complicated single garments are. Incredibly theatrical and yet very wearable, I think:

And here are two rare and brilliant Alkasura Jackets you can buy at auction if you are super-rich. These textile prints are pretty wild. I love clothing that abandons traditional ideas of good taste and modesty - not for shock value alone - but simply because fashion rules are a blight on creativity. I adore the glam-rock aesthetic... cocky, androgynous, colourful, theatrical. What I wouldn't do to wear this ladybug number, even just once...

I would wear it with electric blue tailored pants and patent red loafers by day or and with a flared jumpsuit with killer platforms by night. sigh. 'keep a little Marc in yr heart', as Marc himself would say x

Time to draw again

2009-12-20T06:44:00.001-08:00

Louis Wain is one of my favourite artists.

I feel incredibly happy and at ease when drawing. Drawing and drinking tea with my cat. The life

A very belated halloween post

2009-11-25T05:53:00.000-08:00

Fellow Fash student Vlad (of Shifting Identities). The spiked shoulders on this jacket were created using cable ties. Clever, hey?

The marvelous Mr.Rottersrotty Todiefor. Stu was rather low-key here but I couldn't resist posting this dreamy image.

He has such a talent for all things sartorial. At his recent housewarming i arrived to find him wearing an exquisite

white headdress and eyelashes fashioned from faux-flower petals.

My pal matt made a rather dapper vampire. Pictured here with a poltergeist:

The ghost skirt and ruff sleeves were designed by me and created by my friend Kasia. The skirt actually looks much better as a cape - but more on that later.

Drunkenness stood in the way of me snapping any other costumes from the night, but luckily all was recorded over at Fashion Hayley. I think Simon's hilarious 'Grace Jones being attacked by ravens' takes the cake for me! x

Bear

2009-11-24T05:38:00.000-08:00

This little prince loves self-portraiture...

and sunshine:

I've added a list of excellent cat-related design links to the bottom of my blogroll.

>^_^<

I'm back!

2009-11-17T16:20:00.000-08:00

Ah, there is something so amazing about taking everyday, synthetic objects and heavily layering them to replicate regular fashion items. This shoot (thanks to Space Cactus for the heads up) reminded me a little of some work by Castelbajac:

And Jeremy Scott:

very fantastic, eh?

Charlie Le Mindu

2009-10-07T06:15:00.000-07:00

Charlie Le Mindu continues to amaze me with his surreal hair sculptures.

I'm pretty sure this image is going to haunt me forever:

(Via High Fashion Girl)

Le Mindu also does cuts of the more everyday variety, and eventually when I visit London I'll have to get one... Though I've heard indecisive types generally end up with bobs and rat-tails!

Now, back to making this pesky jumpsuit. It has to be completed by wednesday so fingers crossed it'll turn out! Exciting things planned for the blog when all this crazy work is done. x

Booked

2009-10-02T21:39:00.000-07:00

So I've been thinking about how everyday items can be used to create new forms. Isn't the above image beautiful? I love the way these books have been arranged to create a simple, almost two-dimensional graphic.

Books utilised as fashion materials:

(via. Yvan Rodic.)

Reference or homage to chunky wedge trends? Giant 'fuck you' to the domination of these styles everywhere? P'haps neither is accurate, but I love the way this image made me reconsider the construction of fashion items at a base level...

ps: You can now follow my blog with bloglovin!

Comme des Garçons

2009-09-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

ps: I now have a tumblr account for non-fashion related blogging :^)

Styrobots

2009-09-18T17:19:00.000-07:00

Michael A Salter's 'Styrobots' are constructed from discarded polystyrene packing materials. The biggest styrobot he has created, 'Giant Styrobot', stood at 22 feet tall:

I love how Salter uses recycled materials to create such sleek, white forms. The textures and lines/patterns here are all very inspiring...
('Giant Styrobot' from Robots: A cultural Icon exhibition at San Jose Museum of Art, California 2008)

'Sleight of Mind' Mask

2009-09-13T01:13:00.000-07:00

(handmade 'Sleight of Mind' mask discovered on ebay)

I wish that wearing masks was more commonplace for day wear. Some days really call for one.
Plus, if we all wore masks I'm sure the incidence of cheeky trick playing would go up at least 10 fold.

So I'm about $500 short, so in the meantime I'll have to do with going grey and covering my face with my hands like so:

2009-09-10T02:02:00.000-07:00

I've always thought that yarn-bombing was an especially interesting form of street art. These knitted telephone boxes are so sweet and surreal. You can read about the covers (and the Yarn Corp's ensuing brush with the fuzz) at Knit the City.

Laura Mackness

2009-08-22T00:49:00.000-07:00

Love these bold, graphic desings. I really dig the bulky shapes and mix of muted tones with super brights in this collection. You can read an interview with Laura Mackness over here. She draws on some interesting references... x

Room to Grow

2009-08-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

If you're lucky enough to be in Osaka...

It's time to check out the collaboration that dreams are made of.
(The rest of get to sit here and suffer. Go on, party at the space-age discotheque.
See if we care!)

COMME des GARCONS “Six” x Yayoi Kusama
'Room to Grow' Exhibition
Osaka Minamisenba 3-12-22
Fuji Building 2F Shinsaibashi
(Open til: Nov. 8th, 2009)

Still going strong at 87...

2009-08-16T04:07:00.000-07:00

A little old but I couldn't resist posting these... Pierre's first collection in 15 years (S/S 09):

JCDC Vs. Lego

2009-08-15T21:51:00.000-07:00

Another great fashion animation! I think JCDC may be my favourite designer ever - a huge call, but one I'm prepared to make. Spying Yeezy in the audience tops this off!

Instant Nostalgia

2009-08-15T07:53:00.001-07:00

I find it funny how music from only a 6 months to a year ago feels strange and nostalgic now. MGM-who? totally retro. And they talk about the fickle world of fashion!
Anyway, I have to design an outfit in white this semester and was reminded of Vampire Weekend and this smokin' suit:

I think I might actually make a crazy white romper and handpaint it...

Acne Jeans 2010

2009-08-14T05:17:00.000-07:00

“I wish I had invented blue jeans. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity - all I hope for in my clothes.” - Yves Saint Laurent

I can never quite shake this YSL quote out of my head. Denim really is absolutely incredible. At it's humblest you have the average jean; versatile, comfortable, street-smart and even a little sexy. You'd think that this in itself was enough, but then you remember statement denim: Ripped, faded, embellished, braided, cut-out, patterned and (at least over at ACNE RTW 2010) armoured:

via LYNN and HORST

So, er, let your pants do the talking!
xLL

Kelsey Brookes

2009-08-05T11:41:00.000-07:00

Today I discovered the pscyhedelic world of San Diego artist Kelsey Brookes. His images are soft yet subversive, blending Influences as diverse as American Quilt-making and Indian Religious Iconography.

Kelsey's use of colour is quite extroadinary... I often find myself dreaming of these milky blurs of cotton-candy pastels accented with hot pink & bright blue...

Heavenly!

Fashionation

2009-07-28T03:23:00.001-07:00

Ruben Toledo is an artist and fashion illustrator. He also happens to be the husband of designer Isabella Toledo (and resident of this drool-worthy Manhattan apartment). In 2003 Ruben turned his hand to animation with Fashionation, a film chronicling the history of French fashion design. Someone kindly posted this Sonia Rykiel snippet on youtube...

Ruben's fashion illustrations translate so beautifully to film that it makes me wonder about the exciting future of fashion-animation.

Here is another video playing with fashion and animation - this time a mesmerising Issey Miyake advertisement created by Euphrates:

I love how such a simple style has been used to explore Miyake's work and branding. Big thanks to Kasia for the heads up on that one!

If anyone knows where I can get my hands on 'Fashionation' I would love to know! xLL

Legs & Lines

2009-07-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

Two very different vintage images featuring legs and shoes. Beautiful graphic design and amazing cut-out wedges below:

Date and Source Unknown

Fetish-inspired material has been everywhere lately so I thought it was high time I posted this fantastic 'Bizarre' cover:

Rediscovered in Caroline Cox's 'Stiletto'

Update

2009-07-23T06:58:00.000-07:00

I'm back at school but hope to keep the blog running much as I have through the holidays. Hopefully when I get my camera/scanner working I can post more. I'm also dreaming of a spiffy new layout, but that may have to wait.

I love this image of Jobriath sporting this beautiful neckwear. His costumes were apparently all made by (a very, very young) Stephen Sprouse. Magnific!

Migh-T by Kumiko Watari

2009-07-23T05:43:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been enjoying the work of Kumiko Watari. Kumiko studied textiles for 6 years in Kyoto before relocating to CSM in London to study fashion. Her vision is childlike, playful and bold. I love her loungey, street-inspired silhouettes and distinctively sweet colour palettes.
Kumiko's 2007 A/W MA grad show was especially delightful for those of us who grew up collecting Trolls (hello, Bridie!). The hair trend from a few seasons back took a fun, super-synthetic turn with some awesome violet and green troll hair inserts ( as pictured below).
Her recent work continues to play with cute, comical prints. I was impressed to see Australian animals and delftware both somehow making an appearance in the same collection! (A/W 09):
I wouldn't mind those drip print tops, pom-pom hats or super brights in my own wardrobe! xLL

Numéro Tokyo (July/August 2009)

2009-07-18T15:29:00.000-07:00

I love fun, simple street style. This shoot combines some of favourite rtw elements; bold prints, interesting textures, cutesy silhouettes and sneakers perfect for kicking around town in.

via natashassoiree

I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused...

2009-07-15T05:29:00.000-07:00

Elvis Costello is touring and to celebrate I decided to make a little post dedicated to his iconic fashion sense. He is probably best known for his early look - slightly ill-fitting slimane-esque suits, perfectly clashing colours, mis-matching prints and those glasses:

Velvet collars, polka-dots and clashing reds

Subtly off-centre: Excessive colour + print co-ordinating.

Cuffed jeans and suit jacket/waistcoat ensemble ('77)

A western tie paired and skinny suit ('78)

ECs style is now less geek-chic and more modern dandy ... casual, gentlemanly layering, sharp waistcoats, scarves, patterned ties and an impressive collection of coloured/feathered fedoras:
Fab! Perhaps I should put together an Elvis-inspired outfit for the night?...or I could just wear this little number. x

Yoshiko Collection Paris

2009-07-14T16:15:00.000-07:00

I absolutely adore YCP! Below are some of favourite pieces from Yoshiko's dreamy, magical world...

We've seen a big resurgence in animal rings in recent years but I think this deer ring is pretty special - I like how the deer stands alone as an ornament when not worn. And of course there's the fantasy element with those amazing crystals! (Brass ring available from Doshaburi Barcelona.)

Dark and fabulous hoops (09 S/S):

This sound/motion sensor butterfly hat from 2007 has to be seen to be believed...

And finally, there's a short & sweet interview with Yoshiko over at one of my fav fashion blogs, A Shaded View of Fashion.

Ebay regrets of the week...

2009-07-06T07:55:00.000-07:00

I usually forget to buy what I find on ebay, but at least I get inspired browsing...

Bonnie Cashin balloon pants

Comme Skirt...(Created from Curving Boned Panels)

Bonnie Cashin Double Header purse (circa 1970)

Something alluring about the simplicity of these American Indian boots from South Dakota (circa 1970s)...

Above + Below London

2009-07-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday an old pal remarked that my flocked vintage docs reminded her a little of train-seat covers. Well, they have nothing on the these babies:

From the Above + Below London website:
"Featuring fabric reclaimed from the seat upholstery of underground tubes and buses, the shoes immortalize fifty years and ten lines of London public transit. The leather upper parts are made from old, landfill-bound check book wallets, and the soles from used car tires. Each fabric was hand selected from Piccadilly to Bakerloo and restored to its faded glory for one-of-a-kind, metro-salvaged kicks." All shoes are limited edition and sweat-shop free.

These kicks were recycled from the Picadilly line but there are oodles to choose from. The site includes plenty of interesting reading about the history of each line and the London Underground.

Inspiring dos

2009-07-06T06:01:00.000-07:00

Some interesting styles & textures, Trevor Sorbie Artistic Team (UK):

Above: Textured Pony-tails
Angelo Seminara @ Trevor Sorbie
1st: Finalist for British Hairdresser of the Year BHA 2008,
2nd: winning collection, Artistic Team of the Year BHA 2007

Above: Helmet/hood style (shades of the Gibson Girl?)
(Angelo Seminara @ Trevor Sorbie, 2008 BHA)

Above: More beautiful Hat-like styles...

Joe Cree-Brown @ Trevor Sorbie

(Avant-Garde Hairdresser or the Year, BHA 2006)

Shelley Duvall

2009-07-03T23:07:00.000-07:00

I can't help but be somewhat transfixed by Shelley Duvall. She has such remarkable other-worldly features. I feel strangely compelled to draw her! I love the way she styled herself through the 70s - those sparse false lashes work so well with her minimal make-up and bare, freckled skin.

The snaps below reveal some great colour-blocked Belts and shoes. I especially like the tongue-less boots in the third image...

Shelley played Olive Oyl in Popeye (1980). The styling and costumes in the film are pretty amazing...Olive has always been always plain, awkward and almost androgynous. Yet there was some grace and charm to the character, and from what I see the costume designer captured the character in a most interesting way. Classically feminine motifs (ruffles, fish-tail skirts, etc) are subverted alongside perfectly-ill fitting, severe garments that are somehow both slick and grungy. The boots she wears in particular are worth a look. And that hair... wow.

The promo shot above makes for awesome fashion photography...And below are some vids where you can see the garments better. The second vid even shows Olive getting dressed...

Shelley started a production company to create live-action adaptions of Children's folk and fairy tales for TV. I wouldn't mind taking a look at these at some point, as I take a lot of inspiration from those sources myself.

Dead Sharks Wedding Cake

2009-07-02T09:04:00.001-07:00

This unusual Wedding cake was created by cake designer theladygloom as part of an awareness campaign for Singaporean animal rights group ACRES. The over-fishing of sharks causes extreme damage to marine ecosystems. Shark Fin Soup is traditionally served at Chinese weddings, with about 50 sharks killed for each wedding banquet.

Click for a closer views...this cake is remarkably detailed:

I love how you don't immediately notice how gruesome these details are when viewing from a distance. Interesting textures like this make me wonder about what could be possible with fashion design...

Stephanie Simek

2009-07-01T05:17:00.000-07:00

Tonight I happened upon the dreamy world of Stephanie Simek. She uses a range of interesting, natural materials in her jewellery line. I love this 'eyelash necklace' (Sterling silver and human hair):

Single Eyelash with teardrops (available in bead or pearl):

The 'Powder Necklace' uses a pearlised Turbo Cinereus shell. Tiny holes have been drilled into the bottom of the shell, which is then filled with sparkly silver powder. When the necklace is gently tapped, the powder is sprinkled onto the wearer! The necklace comes complete with a miniature cork, vial of powder and tiny sterling silver funnel.

And finally, these pussy willow bud earrings recall old rabbit-foot charms. I'm totally fascinated by amulets - these little guys are adorable...now imagine the tiny rabbits they could have come from! actually, maybe don't ;)

Jeffrey Daniel

2009-06-29T07:18:00.000-07:00

I love watching these early clips of Jeffrey Daniel on TOTP. His dancing is obviously pretty rad but I'm especially inspired by his style.

You may noticed a few familiar moves there. Jeffrey was a big inspiration to the late, great Michael Jackson and worked as a co-choreographer for the clips to 'bad' and 'smooth criminal'.

Tom Binns

2009-06-29T06:44:00.000-07:00

Dear Beautiful Tom Binns 'Hand of God' Earrings,

I can't quite afford you at $AU360+, but could you please somehow magically appear and be mine forever? I promise I'll never take you off ever. Just imagine all the fab times we'll have together!

Love LL

Gameboy Shoes

2009-06-29T06:02:00.000-07:00

I think I might have died if I'd seen these as a tween :)

So that's what the glam-rock boot was always missing...

Spied over at syberpunk

Jobriath - Imaman

2009-05-09T02:01:00.000-07:00

Another sadly forgotten Glam Rock Star. I love the first garment Jobriath wears and how it affects his movements and entire performance. His alien-like ears & androgynous style juxtaposed with these lyrics...powerful & divine!

A picture of the garment in motion:

Apparently Jobriath's costumes were made by a teen Stephen Sprouse.

Matt and Nat, Vaute Couture

2009-04-18T02:04:00.000-07:00

There are a number of unfortunate myths around about veganism. One of the worst is that animal-friendly fashion must be a)hideous and b)environmentally un-friendly. These ideas probably abound from the number of companies creating over-priced vegan substitutes for the most obvious wardrobe staples. These plain, uninspired products are really of no interest to fashion connoiseurs, vegan or not.

Luckily however, there are many vegan companies who value design and sustainability just as highly as animal rights. Matt and Nat's handbags are interesting and practical, and made of environmentally friendly materials. Their website features so many beautiful and interesting designs for gents, ladies and either/or:

I love the contrast between the rose gold fittings on the grey materials above. These materials used in these designs are made from recycled bottles! This label really make such interesting use of colour and texture... buttercup bags with patent blue trimmings? divine!

Last but not least, Vaute Couture is an exciting new project that seeks to expose emerging artists while creating environmentally friendly, ethically made, awesomely designed, vegan clothing:

The jacket above features the most unusual finger-like ruffles over each shoulder. The project is just in it's beginning stages, but I look forward to great things.

V&R Costume Design

2009-04-14T18:23:00.000-07:00

(Spotted on Stylecaster).

Viktor & Rolf take to Costume Design! The ensemble above was designed for Robert Wilson's production of 'Der Freischütz'. Highly reminiscent of the S/S 05 and S/S 02's RTW shows... and such a beautiful style of illustration; reminds me of those rare moments when Edward Gorey and Tim Burton adopt a playful, more feminine style.

The prettiest star

2009-04-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

Brett smiley was the delicate prince who notoriously 'made Ziggy look like a brick-layer'. 1974s 'Breathlessly Brett' was a grandiose affair that unfortunately fell a few years short of glam rock pandemonium. Brett was largely shunned by the record buying public and the album was shelved until 2003. Today it remains a lost classic; breathy vocals paired with a lush, danceable soundtrack totally befitting "the most beautiful boy in the world".

Have a listen or d/l from itunes/music blogs.

Peggy Moffitt applying her make-up

2009-04-11T17:28:00.000-07:00

Date and source unknown.

Charles James

2009-03-28T14:27:00.000-07:00

Images:A gown from the May07- Feb08 Charles James Exhibition, Kent State University

I love the graphic paneling on this Charles James Gown; a bold, simple effect that belies its complex construction. While the remarkable silhouette is obvious at any distance, I'd be interested in seeing some of the finer details. If you have close-up images of the gown or stole pictured below plz send them on!

Above: 1953 Gown and 1956 Stole by Charles James. Image: Brooklyn Museum

'Goose Poo'

2009-03-28T14:07:00.000-07:00

I was amused to discover that one of my favourite colours is referred to in french as 'Caca d'oie'.