Instagram Meets Blogger: The Cotton Story

Manchester at night!

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Musical Tales with Victoria Aitken

*Brace yourselves for a very wordy but interesting post!* 

During the Easter break, I met up with singer song writer, Victoria Aitken to discuss music, fashion and a lot more. I arrived at the entrance of the Goring Hotel (absolutely fascinated by the fact that Duchess Catherine Middleton prepared to take one of the biggest steps in life at this very hotel) to meet Victoria Aitken.

She is sat in the corner of the bar writing one a scrap piece of paper (She explains later that she was writing lyrics while she awaited my arrival.), in a yellow hoodie and a pair of jeans looking as normal as they come. You'd never have known about her jet setting lifestyle by this.

Victoria modelling funky glasses

The atmosphere is relaxed and so is the conversation, there is a lot of honesty in the answers to all the questions I throw her way. So, before I ramble anymore, here is the interview. 

Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your music? 
Victoria Aitken: I'm Victoria, a singer songwriter -right now, I am mainly writing songs- I write out the lyrics and concept and then sing the tunes into my phone and then call the producer up and say hey do you like this?

And they say 'Yeah, come to the studio and we'll make it happen.'

So you're mainly a songwriter?
VA: I sing songs too. I mean, I'm a performer.

Who have you written for lately? 
VA: Mainly for myself.

What inspires you musically? 

VA: Ummm, just reading. I read a lot of poetry and books. I am more inspired by things that I read but lot of things inspire me, like dance music; I listen to a lot of DJs like Avicii. 

We've been hearing slash seeing in the tabloids that you're becoming a rapper? Is that true? What's that about? 
VA: It's not true at all.
It's really crazy, because a lot of people say "Oh! She's a rapper" and I've never written a rap song in my life. I write dance music, it's all stuff you hear in clubs. But if people like my rhymes in songs I'm really flattered. So in a way, I think it's a compliment to be called a rapper. Rappers write really good lyrics.


So do you have any rap influences? 
VA: Yes! Do you know who I have a huge crush on? EMINEM.

Everyone loves a bit of Em. I love Eminem. 
VA: Isn't he gorgeous? He is so good looking, so sexy, his lyrics are amazing- they are passionate, they are angry, they are funny. You know.

So true. His lyrics are so real. 
VA: Yes. They have depth. There is that real connection, it's insightful and witty. We all aspire to have a story to tell. I'm not a fan of all these plastic, rubbish stuff, because I see it's really fake and who really cares?

I feel like, yeah they may be able to sing but for me, what's interesting being a writer is writing something that's real and learning to express yourself.

Exactly. I agree. I'm bored of listening to rubbish. I was tweeting/tumbling about this the other day. Asking about who the icons will be in a few years, who made a 'real difference' in music. Right now, it just feels very generic. 
VA: Yeah. I think it's really crap. I think it's the rise of X-Factor. I mean, if you look at media television, it's kind of dead. MTV's gone, all people who were really talented and making videos and being creative. Yeah, there is still space for them like on youtube. But as far as package plastic, not much.

Like mainstream music? 
VA: Yes. Now, it's like who really cares. If you listen to old stuff, like the bands of the 80s -Queen etc- they were incredible. A lot of 70s/80s stuff like Carol King. Her lyrics were incredible.
But nowadays, I think people have such short attention spans. 

Picture Perfect: Bruget nestled in my inbox

These pictures speak for themselves and I know I say that often but it's true. That's probably what I love so much about photography, the ability of one shot to tell each person a different story. 

A few months ago, I got an email from French self portrait and landscape photographer, Jennifer Bruget asking my opinion on her work. That message has been nestled in my inbox for so long because I really can't find the right words to share my thoughts. So, I thought to ask you what your thoughts are? How does Jennifer's work make you feel?

About her work, Jennifer said: "I create a fantasy world of dreams and fairy tales. I reveal my
unconscious through photos full of surrealism and thoughtful staging. I transport people into another world." 

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WishLust: White Lace

Cardea Dress

£75

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Music Stalking: The 'This is Wonderland' Concert

I had planned to post this sometime before the 9th but some how got caught up in preparation for a field course, however, they say better late than never right so here it is, my original words about the This is Wonderland gig (and a few photos and videos):

Chuck Taylors, jeans and live music, what more could I really ask for??

A lot but on Wednesday (the 4th), that was all this girl needed. I attended the launch of This is Wonderland, which was a gig featuring four of their acts; Blank Spaces, Bright Light Bright Light, Lizzie and the Yes Men and The Tambourines.

Bright Light Bright Light

Held at the Huxton Square Bar and Grill, the atmosphere seemed just perfect for the fun, indie style music to be played. I'll be honest, I'm more of a hip hop girl (where concerts are involved). However, with an open mind, I listened to the music and just generally enjoyed the vibe and I loved every minute. Within the post is video footage from the night.

Lizzie and the Yes Men

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Press Days in Photos: Ella Dror

Designers I am lusting over at Ella Dror PR

Alex Mattisson 

Void of Course

Aqua

Press Days in Photos: Blow & Snow PR

Left to Right: Bitchin and Junk Food cross shorts and Gestuz leather jacket

Helen Steele rack

More Gestuz leather perfection

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Lost in my Mind: Sharing things

Excuse my absence from the pages of lostintalent, but there are a few reasons I have refrained from publishing anything. One being the lack of inspiration to actually pen something worth reading - I respect my 'stalking' family too much to bombard you with RUBBISH - and we don't want a repeat of this now do we?

Chaotic but beautiful 

But, I finally write to you, just to let you know that I am still here, though my blog post records may beg to differ. With this post, I wanted to push the theme of lost in my mind a little farther, as well as answer a few questions and share a bit of me with you.

So I am going to share 6 very random (and hopefully interesting) things about myself, here goes nothing!

1. I LOVE Maths! Like seriously love it. And not just the basic addition, subtraction, long division stuff. I love the integrations, the imaginary numbers, the matrices. All that mind boggling stuff.
2. I live in London town (or Landan for comic relief) - just to reply a tweet asking of my whereabouts. 
3. It's a lot easier for me to dress other people than it is to dress myself. Can someone please say Stylist?
4. Laughing means the world to me. I always like to see the funny side of things. 
5. I don't drink coffee! Guess that means I'm not really a fashion girl, aye?
6. Hand me anything interesting to read and I'm happy. I love a good read! of Anything as long as it evokes thought. My newest guilty pleasure? Fan frictions. Don't judge me. 

I could go on and on but I want to keep you interested. So, there. it. is. 6 facts about The Dream Stalker. I'd love to know more about you guys so share! You can send me anonymous messages via tumblr too! Anon messages can be fun. Go ahead join in, I know you want to. 

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