Eluned Stephens: Summer Grunge

Mystic, quirky and unashamedly cool - grunge takes on a whole new meaning for 2012. 

With her lesson in how to style summer grunge, supreme stylist and friend Eluned Stephens (Surfdome stylist, ex Dazed and Confused) has just revealed her edgy take on this season's trend using brands Altamont, Afends and Firetrap, to culminate in a fusion of urban attitude with a slice of rock.

She makes this previously rebellious trend work for summer by adding shots of sparkle with studs, buckles and jewellery and lifts it’s traditionally dark colour palette using colour pops and different textures, such as lace, leather, denim, plaid and mesh. 

While this trend is fierce don’t take it too seriously for 2012 - mix 90s punk with carefree surf/skate style and take an effortless lead from celebrities such as Alice Delall, Mary-Kate Olsen, Alexa Chung and Pixie Geldof. Remember, less of the ‘S&M’ and more of the effortless ‘summer cool’!

Mouthwatering treats good enough to eat (well...almost)

Tell me these don't play havoc with your sweet-toothed cravings...

Now would you believe me if I told you it's not edible? Not even an installation. It is in fact the delicious handiwork of Mary Ellen Johnson, an American Precision Realist oil painter renowned for her food paintings. 

Johnson's hyper-reality instigates a truly powerful, sensual experience, particularly thanks to its almost tangible glossiness that oozes a real mouth watering sugary quality. More than just paintings; these one dimensional visual delicacies not only stir wonder with their qualities of realism but also create a common yearning and appreciation that transcends language barriers. Hungry yet..?

If you like this, then check out my feature on Jonathon Kambouris.

Time to disco

I’m a Nixon watch fan at heart at always have been. Until I saw these the latest from Tokyo flash that is...Hmm. It’s like age-old debate with those comfortable, old and insanely shabby grey pants residing in your underwear drawer - you don't want them any more but you just can't let go. In this case though temptation may have just one, and perhaps it is time to man up and the ditch my trusty, grubby old 'playschool-esque' Nixon for what can only be described as the next gen of wrist bling.

Apparently no styles use the same method to tell the time, so it’s a pretty unique timepiece. Touch screen, LCD, binary code and a breathalyzer if you're lucky - the result is pretty sick if you like your Tron or your techno. I say ditch the Tuesday night soundsystem and take me to the disco.

http://tokyoflash.com

I Can Make You Ice-Cream...

SS12 Collections from L-R: Preen, House Of Holland, Mulberry

Why have one just one when you can have them all?

Colour blocking was huge last season, and as brands deliver their spring collections we are seeing huge washes of pastels and candy colours.  So when we previewed the designers Summer ’12 trends last year, it only made sense that they combined the two!

LOVE*** at Topshop

Pull-In Underwear

New Look

Possibly summer’s yummiest trend; one colour treat is just not enough. Whether it be stripes, squares, panels or pockets, pick ‘n’ mix colours with a palette sweet enough to rival the best of ice cream counters. 

So head to the seaside, pull up a deck chair and treat yourself to a triple cone with extra sprinkles – here’s the cream of the high-street crop. 

House Of Holland at ASOS

O'Neill at Surfdome

Animal at Surfdome

O'Neill at Surfdome

River Island

Roxy at Surfdome

Animal at Surfdome 

ASOS

EASTPAK Artist Studio

Last Wednesday I was invited to Shoreditch's notorious DreamBagsJaguarShoes venue for an exclusive viewing of Eastpak's Artists Studio; an event showcasing a series of collaborations between Eastpak and various renowned artists, DJs, musicians, comedians and personalities, all in aid of Designers Against Aids.

DreamBagsJaguarShoes

With over 130 international artists involved in this global project, this specific event exhibited some of their finest collabs with British creatives, including Johnny Marr of the Smiths, singer Marina Diamondis, artist Richie Culver, comedian Tom Deacon, designers Charlie Bowden and Julie Verhoeven and London blogstore CopsonStreet.

Henry Holland and Agyness Deyn check out the exhibition

Having started from scratch with a blank EASTPAK Padded Pak'r we were more than intrigued to see what the collaborators were going to come up with and here we have it! From studs and foils to time bombs and tie dyes they had it all going on - here are a few snaps I took of my favourites! 

Richie Culver's 'marathon sheet' bags, inspired by the Olympic medal colours

Copson Street keeps it fun and tropical with their studded collection

Charlie Bowden exhibits his trademark humorous yet slightly subversive design approach with this time bomb creation

Julie Verhoeven's literal interpretation of the bag as an artist's palette

Amongst the table displays and hanging bags I also managed to make the most of the complimentary bar for a while (Jaguar Shoes certainly know how to make their cocktails!), eventually leaving Shoreditch inspired, slightly merry and with goody bag in tow:

Thank you for a great night Eastpak!

Bags will be going on sale from the 19th March, with prices starting between €50 and €250. 


Check out the entire collection at http://artiststudio.eastpak.com.

All proceeds go to the Designers Against AIDS charity program; a non-profit program that strives to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS and promote prevention as the only cure for the disease.

Fashion's Olympic Charm

January 1st arrived and we were immediately hit with the usual 'get off the sofa, go to the gym then pour yourself a cucumber juice' media frenzy. However, this time round their predictable post-festive fitness message came with a twist.

Harper's Baazar/Max Factor/Marie Claire
L-R Victoria Pendleton, Keri-Anne Payne, Jessica Ennis

Whether picking up a newspaper, glossy mag or flicking through TV channels we're not only faced with the annual post-festive detox regime - as we enter Britain's Olympic year our favourite athletes have started popping up all over the shop. And we're not just talking about sports drinks ads... our top Olympic athletes are now endorsed by the world's fashion and beauty arenas.

 It's an exciting time within an industry that's so often criticised for being shallow and noxious. Forget Hollywood actresses or reality TV rejects, there's a new breed of cover stars in town, who are tenfold more worthy of such accolades. And with Jessica Ennis, Victoria Pendleton and Keri-Anne Payne recently snapped up by beauty giants Proctor and Gamble (Jess to represent Olay, Victoria for Pantene's Sleek and Smooth Range and Keri-Anne for Max Factor Gold False Lash Effect), their advertising pulling power is set to bring them a long and worthy career way after they bring home the medals... 

L-R: Jessica Ennis - Heptathlete; Victoria Pendleton - Cyclist; Keri-Anne Pane - Swimmer

From sporting stars to fashion icons - here's a favourite, brief snapshot of some recent coverage these golden girls have been getting:

JESSICA ENNIS

Jessica Ennis for UK Marie Claire

Jessica Ennis for Marie Claire

Jessica Ennis for UK Vogue

VICTORIA PENDLETON

Victoria Pendleton for Sunday Times Style Magazine

Victoria Pendleton for London Evening Standard

Victoria Pendleton for Harper's Bazaar

KERI ANNE PAYNE

Keri Anne Payne for Links of London

Keri Anne Payne for Max Factor (shot by Rankin)

Keri Anne Payne for Max Factor

Beautiful, talented and strong, these sort of inspirational role models make you proud to be British... bring on London 2012!

Brutus x Luke Dixon

Luke Dixon breathes fashionable life into his striking graphic designs this season following an interesting collaboration with iconic menswear brand Brutus Trimfit.

The collab offers a series of limited edition tees, each featuring models from the latest Brutus Trimfit campaign.

Dixon's interpretation, finely-tuned detailing and original sketch and ink technique offers a real insight into the psyche of Brutus spirit.

With a unique ability to capture and redefine visual experiences, Dixon's enigmatic and distinguished approach is undoubtedly one to watch in the world of digital design for 2012. 

Here are my favourite examples of Dixon's work to date, which consist of digital, woodcuts and screenprints. Simply mesmerising.