Replay: They can't understand you...

Talk African Fashion hosted by @lostintalent

I said I'd host a forum/talk/debate one day and that day is drawing close! On Sunday the 5th of February, I will be hosting a twitter based talk (Facebookers can get involved too via the lostintalent page - just post any questions or comments you have, I'll attempt to juggle between twitter and facebook).

The topic will be the difficulties that African fashion and designers face due to the season limitations, i.e. in Africa, the temperatures are relatively similar all year around. Unlike in America and Europe etc, where there are hot and cold periods, which the fashion seasons are based on!!

So join in on Sunday at 2pm (UK time) if you have an suggestions, comments or questions to ask. Or you could leave comments and questions now.

When the topic was announced earlier today, I got a few sharp responses with comments and suggestions for African designers.

Mikki Stardust aka @solidfreshdope and I had a pretty lengthy conversation about the African fashion industry and because we totally forgot to hashtag it (that won't happen on Sunday. Promise!!), I thought I'd share the full conservation (without changes) and maybe get you excited about the talk.

Read the original conversation after the jump. 

Bits, Bobs and Knots of Amsterdam Fashion Week

I've just got back from a very brief excursion in the heart of Nederland; Amsterdam. But as much fun as it was to experience the Dutch fashion scene, being back in England has never felt so good!!!! 

The whole experience was surreal. I really did have to pinch myself a few times just to be sure. Anyway, I just wanted to share some photos of the happenings during AFW [which includes some Dutch fashion and tv royalty (apparently)] . 

 Octopus filled meal

Founders of Fashion Wankers

Blurred Amsterdam Fashion Week

The silhouette of this photo is great.

Whoever said clothes couldn't look good in blurred photos? 

In these photos it's all about the silhouettes/shapes and colours.

Instagram meets Blogger: Random London Life

Excitement for the Kina Grannis show

Snow PR headquarters

Camera shy?

I haven't completely figured out the whole following on instagram thing but my display name is lostintalent. If you want to see photos of what I am getting up to.

PS: TDS is in Amsterdam for Fashion Week, so stay tuned for some news on that front! I missed my first two shows, thanks to problems with the plane but I made it here eventually I'll be covering four shows (hopefully) during the weekend.

The New Face

It is finally here! Finally, after many months of talking about it, lostintalent.com finally has a new header and we all have Jason Lear to thank! It is still in the early stages of designing but I couldn't wait to share it with you guys.

I found the original illustration on Jason Lear's website and fell in love with the messiness and the confusion of the art, it just said LOSTINTALENT to me, so I got in touch with Jason and asked about stealing and changing the original work, to which he agreed. *get in* So how is what Jason has come up with thus far!!

Jason, thank you so much for creating this amazing banner.

Talk African Fashion: From Twitter to Blogger

I stumbled onto twitter [yes! I should be studying! Bite me!!] to catch the last few minutes of a twitter debate or conversation or forum (some may say about African fashion (which can translated all round)! The trending topic was #talkafricanfashion hosted by @ciaafrique


The mains of the discussion were the relationship between bloggers and designers and the ways that designers can get started (especially when they lack the funds that many established brands have). The African fashion industry is one that I am extremely interested in, because of the array of talent and influence it has brought into fashion as a whole. I have just recently joined the Skalidace team and will be doing all (well a lot) of fashion coverage for the site, which is African based so that means I'll be getting more immersed in African fashion! 

Okay, so back to the twitter events! 
The debate brought an array of fashion junkies online from PR people to bloggers and editors to designers, all wanting to talk about African fashion! One of the questions which I was interested in was 'How do designers without funds for advertising, marketing, collection creation and general branding start up?'  


Of course, it is no secret that money is huge factor when fashion designing is concerned! No one will offer you free fabrics or tailors (okay maybe interns) or machinery to produce a 15 or 16 look collection. So for designers who don't have strong finances, I'd say to you start off from the bottom of the heap! There are many ways to do this, one of them would be to become an intern (as someone who has interned and continues to intern), it is a great way to meet people, get experience and build contacts!!! I'm sure Anna Wintour didn't get to the position, she is at today without having to work her way up. 


Another thing which could be done, is to start up as a small designer; something local maybe! Get enough funds to produce one off pieces for friends/colleagues/family/whoever will be willing to buy it and focus on that. Word of mouth is a great means of marketing! There are so many times, that I have received testers and not been able to blog about them but I've spread the word by mouth. People talk so create something that gets them talking! Create a brilliant collection. Sooner than later, you'll have more people interested in your work and you begin to upscale your brand and business! 


In order to stay true to yourself as a business and brand, it is important for you to have the most influence on your work! Being able to financially back yourself, makes that possible. If you leave it [all the funding] to your investors then the brand isn't really you, it is more your shareholders'! 


Another interesting question was about blogging and negative reviews. 
Funnily enough only a few weeks ago, I had this conversation with fellow blogger, Marian Kihogo, who said that she simply just refuses or returns products she isn't a fan of. 


For me, I have a slightly different view with regards to negative blogging. Firstly like @mister_mobility and @ibezeng both said, negative or bad reviews should always be constructive! I think negative reviews should definitely be given but in very small doses. 
Why yes to negative reviews? Because my main priority when it comes to blogging is my reader (yes! you! I love you so much that I want to tell you what to avoid) and if I feel that a product isn't worth it, it is kind of my obligation to report that to you! Of course, opinions differ and some readers may disagree with my views and I with theirs. 


To the designers or PR pushing the products, any press is good press right? 


Thanks to this debate, I have decided to host some debates of my own in the future (via twitter or facebook or maybe even here), watch this space! :) 
Let me know your thoughts on the two questions I covered or ask any questions you may have!! Every thought is welcome. 

Picture Perfect: Room 101

After many months, I have only just realised that I didn't actually share the official photos from the Eugene Lin SS12 campaign. So after much delay, here they are. 

I am such a freak for amazing photography.
Shots by Paolo Zerbini 

Seeing these photos again, have got me very excited to see what Eugene has in store for his upcoming autumn-winter collection! Maybe I'll even be behind the scenes again? *cough cough*

Styled: Diana in Richmond

I've been excited (and nervous) to share this for such a long time, but I haven't had the time to actually sit down and write! Thanks to exams but I am currently on a mini study break (I'm back fully on the 27th) and thought to take the opportunity to finally share with you, a little shoot I styled back in 2011.

Top - Dorothy Perkins. Skirt - Photographer's own

The memo stated girly! So I took that note and ran with it. I wanted to select clothes that were [or are] accessible, girly but not boring. For accessibility, I chose things that you'd find in many girl's wardrobes; the must haves if you'd like, all from high street and vintage stores. For the girly, we went with a mixture of neutrals, prints and patterns, [and very natural looking make up; post on makeup up soon! Promise] and for the 'not boring' bit, you'll see!!

Credits

Photography: Hayley Kirton

Hair and Make Up: Diana Lupulesc 

Model: Diana Savickaja

A bit of Forest Fun

Nude Shirt - as before

Blue shirt - Dorothy Perkins 

Skirt - H&M

Jeans and boots - Model's own

This look came about by accident (the beauty of trial and error) and because of the weather. We didn't want Diane to freeze to death so we kept the jeans and it worked pretty well. 

Dot Me! Come on.

Dress and Top both Dorothy Perkins

Concave or Convex

Top - Vintage 

Trouser - Jaeger 

Bag in photo 1 - Model's own

Unfortunately, the British weather decided that we had the million pound shot and decided it was time to rain on our parade! We could therefore only get four looks, which was a shame 'cause I was having so much fun!! 

So how do you think this novice did? 

2012 One to Watch: Ethan Breakaway

With the birth of careers such as Justin Bieber's (and dear I say Rebecca Black's) which have become so renown worldwide -in such a short space of time- all thanks to youtube and its many users! It is no wonder that the world marvels at the prospects and possibilities that social media brings with it, in the case of music, youtube is at the forefront, closely followed by the likes of sound cloud and vimeo.

As a self proclaimed expert in all things social media (yeah right), I thought why not look at what....... okay, here is the truth! Yes, I am fascinated by youtube and the power it has to boost careers slash provide a platform to do the previously stated but I only really watch videos that my friends send over to me and that was how I discovered Ethan Breakaway [through a friend -I'll post the story of that up on tumblr -at the risk of embarrassing said friend- if you want to have a read].

Just before Christmas fully kicked off, I met up with the London based artist to have a chat about music, his new mix tape and the industry. It was possibly the funniest interview -in a slightly awkward but good way- I have had till date. There is something very fascinating about this singer-songwriter, he has a bit of a mysterious persona while still being very honest/open [if that even makes any sense]. During our interview, I ask Ethan, "what does the 'some stories are true that never happened' scribed on your chest symbolise?" To which he replies with a little laugh and a "I'll have to leave that for people to make their own of it." Here are some of the other things that were said during our chat:

TDS: When and why did you start music?
Ethan Breakaway: I started 4 years ago producing, I did it [producing music] 'cause I wanted to do it -I love music! I like that Michael Jackson, Usher, R&B-pop vibe, so I started producing myself. For me, music is a place to tell a story while still being yourself. 

Michael Jackson and Usher obviously inspire you musically. Are there any others?

Many people inspire me, there are the Michael Jacksons, the Ushers. I love Lady Antebellum; they are absolutely brilliant! Robin Thicke, Katy Hudson (aka Katy Perry).  Any R&B, I love it...

What's it like being a young artist in the industry? Has it been tough or smooth sailing?

Umm...I think it is kind of what you make it really. For me, I -kind of- know exactly what I want to do so it makes it easier. Because, of course, if you go in blind and you want to be someone and you're not quite sure, then it is difficult. What I am trying to say is 'I think you have to find yourself before you try to knock down doors'. 

How are you finding the singing aspect; the transition from producer to singer?

I have always wanted to be a singer. So I've been singing anyway but I never really recorded anything. But in the last year or two, I have begun to take it seriously, and it just kind of naturally developed!

Run us through your 'music routine'. Do you like go into the studio and just write or is it another way?

Well, I get a vibe! Like a vibe that I want to make music and I just sit there and make 'everything' from scratch. Everything, I make is from scratch, literally from nothing there to a whole beat. Then I spend a couple of days writing it or just a few hours and then I record it all. 

How do you know what songs you want to cover or which ones are right for you to cover? The cover of Beyonce's 'I miss you' is brilliant (video above)!

Thank you! I don't know. I hear a lot of songs that I like, so I always try to see if I can do something to it, to make it a little bit my own. So I listen to it over and over again to see if I really connect with it, if I do then I'll cover it. 

So what was/is the connection with the Beyonce song?

I was going through that; missing someone. 

I hear you have a mixtape due very soon. How soon is soon and what should we expect?
That's a tricky one, in my head it is January the 16th - well that's when I want everything done by, but definitely January for the release! The mixtape is called Sans Voix which, is french for voiceless and it's going to have a couple of songs from my youtube channel, a few covers and the rest will be new stuff - I've been working on a lot of new stuff. I haven't decided how many tracks yet. With this mixtape, I want to give a little more me and I am looking forward to seeing how people respond to it. 

For his wise words, Ethan continued to stress the importance of finding yourself before venturing into world domination because it is so easy to get 'caught up' in it all!!! I couldn't agree more.  


Thank you, Ethan for allowing me to pick your brain! 
If you want to hear more from Ethan, here is the link to his youtube channel...

Welcome 2012

Thank you for the lovely card Laurence

Instead of setting myself up with the usual personal new year's resolutions, that would go something like 1. Lose weight, 2. Shop less, blah blah blah. I decided to do a fashion only resolution. So here goes, my fashion resolutions!!

• Get inspired!! 
• Experiment with different styles and trends. New best friend: the 'changing room'
• KISS! Keep It Simple Stupid. Many people may be able to do the whole crazy fashion thing but it's not for all.
• Forget what the editors say is hot! I am dressing for me and my body shape.
• Invest in basic and interesting longterm pieces.
• RESEARCH!! Research. Find the best fit.

Maybe this year, I will actually stick to the resolutions! :) To 2012 being a great year.

Happy New Year