Tuesday 27 November 2012

Brand Watch: Coco Boo Loves

I absolutely love finding out about new brands that offer something a bit different and at a great price. When a friend of mine suggested I take a look at Coco Boo Loves, I half wished they hadn't as I wanted EVERYTHING. What I loved most was their great range of midi dresses, so I have picked my favourites for you. Midi dresses are so on trend at the moment and are so easy to style up with heels or down with bikers boots.. I will definitely be making a purchase soon.


BOOKS:STOCKING FILLERS

Christmas is fast approaching and a book is a brilliant gift that can be appreciated for years to come. There are so many brilliant fashion and photography books out at the moment that would make a great stocking filler (if only my boyfriend read my blog). 



After visiting the Tim Walker: Story Teller exhibition earlier this month and finding out there was also a book it instantly went on my wishlist. 

Creative director of American Vogue, Grace Coddington has recently released a book giving everyone an insider look into the goings on at Vogue. Since her upstaging of Anna Wintour in documentary 'The September Issue' her book comes as no surprise.

Model Kate Moss has also released her book 'The Kate Moss Book' just in time for christmas sales. The book shows Kate Moss' story from the beginning of her career to being one of the biggest supermodels of our time.

Monday 26 November 2012

PAYDAY WISHLIST

Ok so it's been over a month now since I have been made redundant (boohoo!). However I now have a new job at Forever 21 on Oxford St and during my induction day (snooze) I was busy spending my pay packet in my head. Even though I know a shopping spree is a long way off as I have rent and Christmas to think about, one can still 'wish'. Rhinestones seem to be slowly making their way into our high street shops and I love it! It is a breath of fresh air from over done studding. For a cheaper alternative order some rhinestones yourself and update your current wardrobe (I know I will be).



Sunday 25 November 2012

My week through Instagram...

I have only had instagram since August but I am definitely addicted! I find it hard to go a day without posting an image, and whether boring or not I am going to share with a week of images with you.It has been another very busy week for me in London from sight seeing to lots and lots of interviews. I absolutely love London but I can't wait until I have money to go on a huge shopping spree.

Christmas lights on Regents St, London

The lights really are impressive in London this year and I love being part of the christmassy atmosphere every day. Regents St and Oxford St both have a lovely vibe at the moment and I must have taken about one hundred images now just of the christmas lights-sorry instagrammers!
Graduation-Fashion with Photography (First Class Honours)
On Monday I headed back to Southampton for my graduation! I know you may be thinking 'that's late' and yes in typical Southampton Solent style our graduation was months late. It was well worth it though and I finally had my moment in the gown and hat! Unfortunately my dad couldn't make it as he lost his passport, but the great thing about technology is that he could watch the whole ceremony online. I do keep joking now though that he will just have to pay for me to do a masters so he can make that ceremony (I can keep wishing!). 

Me and my boyfriend at my graduation

Me and my mother at Graduation
After my successful attempt at walking over the stage without falling over I headed back to Oxfordshire to go for a family meal. It was such a big day for me and I got absolutely spoilt.

My new Marc Jacobs macbook case
A bit of champagne to celebrate

New charms for my nomination bracelet-scroll and graduation hat!
After all of the excitement of my graduation I headed back to the big smoke in search of that 'perfect job'. I have applied for every job under the sun from Production Assistant at REP Ltd to Marketing Executive for a boutique in Chelsea. However in London it all seems to be a waiting game and in the end I had to accept a job at Forever 21, Oxford St. It isn't the type of job that I particularly want to be in but for not it will pay the bills and it is Oxford St!!

Photographic research for REP Ltd-PA/Production Assistant
Me and James at Trafalgar Square

As we have only been living in London for around two weeks now it is all still very exciting. I love making the most of what the city has to offer and keeping myself busy. Today we spent the day visiting Tate Modern and generally being tourists around the London Bridge kind of area. James also starts his job tomorrow and I start at Forever 21 next week so we thought we would make the most of our free time!

Me outside Tate Modern. Casual OOTD

Neon lights at Tate Modern

Beautiful London-St Paul's Cathedral

Street Entertainer in Bankside

Beautiful Christmas lights near Tower Bridge

Beautiful evening by Tower Bridge
Instagram/Twitter: katiehandybeith

Thursday 22 November 2012

Lara Stone for 'The wise up' Issue of i-D


It isn't the first time and I have no doubt that it won't be the last but Lara Stone graces the cover of i-D magazine once again. This time Lara has gone for a risque look to cover 'The wise up issue' and the results are simply stunning. The issue will be out on newsstands later this week and I for one cannot wait! Photography duo Daniele Duella and Iango Henzi have teamed up with fashion director Charlotte Stockdale to create an eye-catching front cover once again.

"Always treat others how you'd like to be treated yourself"







What I love about this editorial is the use of colour and black and white. I love black and white photography but when it takes up a whole editorial it can get quite boring. There is nothing boring about this shoot where Lara Stone bares all-I wonder what David Walliams thinks?!

I-d is the master of multiple covers and I simply love it-although it is frustrating when the cover you are after is near enough impossible to find. As well as Lara Stone other cover stars of the 'wise up issue' includes women of the moment, Cara Delevingne.

Cara Delevinge for i-D 'wise up' issue. Photography by Angelo Pennetta

Instagram/Twitter: @katiehandybeith
katiehandybeith@gmail.com

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Tim Walker: Story Teller exhibition

So I FINALLY got the chance to go and visit Tim Walker's Story Teller exhibition at Somerset House. Tim Walker's work is absolutely magical and as soon as I heard he had an exhibition I knew I must see it. Set in the beautiful Somerset House the exhibition was so much better than exhibition. Rather than just Tim's images on the wall there is set design, props from the photo shoots and brilliant quotes from Tim himself. For anyone that lives in London or can make a visit it is well worth it! You aren't allowed to take pictures in the exhibition and there are workers everywhere reminding you of this! I did however manage to get a few pictures that I have put into a collage for you. As well as exhibitions Somerset House 'skate' is also open now and it is feeling very christmassy down there. For anyone with a slight interest in fashion or photography it really is a must see! I took my boyfriend and was pleasantly surprised about how much he enjoyed-it really does offer something for everyone. As I couldn't take many pictures at the exhibition I have collated some images by Tim Walker.

http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/visual-arts/tim-walker-story-teller

18 October 2012 - 27 January 2013
Daily 10.00-18.00, 
Until 21.00 on Thu 29 Nov & 6, 13, 20 Dec
East Wing Galleries, East Wing
Free admission


"Very often there's a kind of nostalgia built into a photograph by
 virtue of taking it. You've taken the photograph and it's 
immediately a thing of the past, the moment you press the shutter" Tim Walker











Saturday 17 November 2012

Interview with Design by Numbers


Design by Numbers is the brainchild of BA (Hons) Fashion Graphics graduate, Georgina Marmoy. The exclusive t-shirt brand creates collections based on events throughout the year. For her first collection Georgina focused on the supposed end of the world in 2012. Georgina studied at Southampton Solent University and in her final year was chosen, along with 19 others to take part in an entrepreneurial course. This helped to teach Georgina important skills needing in the setting up and running of a business, from book keeping to marketing. Georgina spoke to me about her 2012 Collection and the future of Design by Numbers. 

Tell me a bit about Design by numbers, where did you get the idea?

I’ve always wanted to run my own business, when I was younger I used to make my own t-shirts with iron-on paper. My brand is based on a yearly collection, where I research into an event each year and base my collection around it, for example this year (for 2012) my collection is inspired my theories
relating to the end of the world.

How do you translate your inspirations in your work?

Well, I wanted something abstract, so based on the theory I tested out different techniques in order to get a similar effect, for example my ‘Ice Age’ t-shirt is pictures of crystals that look similar to an ice cube!

"IT IS RUMOURED THAT THE SUN WILL PRODUCE LETHAL ERUPTIONS OF SOLAR FLARES, TURNING UP THE HEAT ON EARTH AND UNLEASHING STORMS STRONG ENOUGH TO FRY THE PLANET! SCARY STUFF!”

What does fashion mean to you?

Fashion is very personal to everyone; it’s about being comfortable in your own skin and having your own style. You should wear what you like and what makes you feel confident, something that’s fun! Life is too short!

At the moment your collection is based on unisex t-shirts, do you have any plans to widen your range?

I do, I’m looking to create different sizes within the t-shirts and expanding the number of t-shirts within my collection. You may see other clothing items being launched,watch this space!



Did you design the prints for the t-shirts yourself? Talk us through the process.

I did, everything you see within this business is designed by me, the graphics, packaging, everything! It begun by photo taking and experimenting (I was freezing marbles in Ice for one t-shirt!) to then experimenting on Photoshop to get the perfect print. This was then placed on a template which was sent to print full bleed in America. The pockets were then designed by illustrating an aspect of the theory, before they were sewn on the printed t-shirts!

Out of your t-shirts my favorite design is the ‘Solar Flare’t-shirt, what is the theory behind this?

It’s a gorgeous summer colour! It’s rumored that the sun will produce lethal eruptions of solar flares,turning up the heat on earth and unleashing storms strong enough to fry the planet! Scary stuff!

What does the rest of 2012 hold for Design by Numbers?

Well hopefully the beginning of a successful business and not the end of the world! Just working on Design by Numbers, graduating and becoming a working grown-up and beginning the 2013 designs!



www.designbynumbersclothing.com
http://designbynumbersclothing.blogspot.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/designbynumbers?fref=ts
https://twitter.com/DesignbyNumbers






Thursday 15 November 2012

Pull and Bear: A/W 2012 Lookbook


I always thought of Pull and Bear as a cheap spanish shop that wasn't really fashion forward. I used to visit my dad in Spain and it always seemed quite poorly made and it was only really good for basic tee's and leggings. I went into the Pull and Bear on Oxford St a couple of days ago and literally wanted everything! I only went in looking for a simple black dress for my graduation and came out with a wish list as long as my arm! The spike and stud phenomenon shows no sign of getting tired just yet but Pull and Bear have embraced it in their Autumn/Winter lookbook: Spikes & Studs.









Follow me on instagram & twitter: @katiehandybeith

Marilyn Monroe: A British Love Affair



Yesterday I took the day out to go and view some of the exhibition's that I have been blogging about. The first stop was the Marilyn Monroe exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. It was fairly small but as well as beautiful pictures of Marilyn there is so much to see at the National Portrait Gallery a trip there will never be wasted. 

Marking just over 50 years since Marilyn's death the exhibition focuses mainly on her connections with England. Portrait's of Marilyn were on display by photographers Antony Beauchamp, Baron and of course Cecil Beaton. Mario Testino currently has an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, showing a series of photographs of the Royal Family -which is worth checking out.




National Portrait GallerySt Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE
Price: Free
Date: Now until March 2013


Tuesday 13 November 2012

London Exhibitions November 2012

Marilyn Monroe-A British Love Affair

National Portrait GallerySt Martin's Place, London, WC2H 0HE
Price: Free
Date: Now until March 2013



This exhibition is perfect for those who want to see the beautiful blonde bombshell, Marilyn Monroe from a British photographers point of view. This summer marked 50 years since Marilyn's death but she is still as iconic as ever. Photographers include: Antony Beauchamp, Cecil Beaton and Baron. 



Valentino:Master of Couture

Somerset House: The StrandLondon WC2R 1LA
Price: £12.50, £9 concs
Date: Nov 29th -3rd March 2013


This exhibition is perfect for those with a passion for fashion designer or those studying a degree in fashion. The exhibition isn't free but I am sure the set, celebrating the life and work of Valentino will be worth every penny. The exhibition centre piece is a real life catwalk which it's visitors will walk along. In a role reversal the audience will all be sat wearing head to toe Valentino. The exhibition also hosts a room featuring previously unseen images of the work and play behind the brand, Valentino. Whilst at Somerset House you can all check out Tim Walker's Story Teller Exhibition for free.

Other Exhibitions:
Tim Walker: Story Teller Exhibition, Somerset House. Until 27th January 2013. (FREE)
Cartier-Bresson: A Question of Colour, Somerset House. Until 27th January 2013. (FREE)
Everything Was Moving: Photography from the 60s and 70s. 
Barbican Centre,Silk St, London, EC2Y 8DS. Until January 13th 2013. (£12, £8 consc)