Fashion School Flunky

Zac Posen Dress on Polyvore

2009-04-06T07:40:00.000-07:00

I should really be working or writing or something, but I saw this Zac Posen dress on Polyvore and just had to create a set.

Best. Pastime. Ever.

Venetian Carnivale by AmandaBlogandKiss

Speaking of Zac Posen, I was at a corsetry course at the London College of Fashion a few years ago (maybe 2003?) and I saw on the wall that Zac Posen would be speaking that night and that it was free for all LCF students.

I wasn't exactly an LCF student per se, but I was taking a night course there, and Zac Posen is one of my absolute favorite designers, so I bunked out of the class and headed down to hear him speak.

He was charming and lovely and inspiring. And his number one tip to make it in the fashion industry, believe it or not, was:

'Be nice. People like it when you are nice to them.'

What a sweetheart.

The 80's called.......

2009-04-02T06:33:00.000-07:00

...and they want their prom dress back.

Seen in a store window on the Dam (in other words, NOT vintage, as you would expect).

So wrong, yet feels so right?

Absinthe Spoon Necklace

2009-04-02T06:18:00.001-07:00

Although I'm not the hugest fan of drug-related clothes or jewelry (maybe it's from living in Amsterdam and seeing one too many pieces of tacky tourist weed apparel), these Absinthe spoon necklaces by Demitasse are both charming and dainty, and obscure enough that only an expert would catch on.

Sisz fashion show at Hotel V

2009-03-31T02:44:00.000-07:00

This is a little late in posting because I had to wait for the photos to be sent, but in the beginning of March there was a collaboration evening at Hotel V hosted by Abudanz which featured a DJ, a painting exhibition, and a fashion show of the current line from Sisz.

Sisz is a store on the Ferdinand Bolstraat that carries a few gorgeous brands of women's wear found in few- if any- other places in the Netherlands, such as Baum und Pferdgarten (Danish), Gestuz, Potz' Braulein (Danish) and the extremely lovely Phatoak line (Dutch).

Abudanz is an organization which hosts events that bring together creative minds and artists from different genres in order to network and exchange ideas. The event was a definite success!

I was lucky enough to attend with a few friends, and wanted to share the photos from the fashion show. These photos were all taken around Hotel V before the show started.

And these next two were my favorite pieces of the night. I want them, covet them, NEED them:

Streetlab Sample Sale: FFFashion

2009-03-30T04:40:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I made it to the sample sale at the Streetlab Project Space out on Piet Hendrikkade. I dragged my flatmate with promises of a fashion show, which never happened (whoops! misread the website), but we ended up not staying very long anyway.

Of the designers selling at the space, the ones that stood out most to me were Cheap Monday and OwnMe, Eleanore de Ruuk and Iefke de Roos.

In particular:

one smock dress hand-printed with tiny hearts by Iefke de Roos
one maxi dress by Cheap Monday which I cannot find in their A/W 09 catalogue online
and a scarf by ownme not unlike these shirts from their website

The highlight appeared to be the huge table piled high with jeans running the length of the place, but I wasn't interested in jeans at all.

Alas, I left with nothing but inspiration and a bruise on the arm from being elbowed out of the way by a girl walking past me.

Bitch.

WORN_RELICS were apparently there for a swap (?) but I didn't see them.

Ready for Summer

2009-03-27T04:11:00.000-07:00

Is anyone else ready for Summer already? I can skip Spring and jump straight into the summer months from here.

I'm thinking late afternoons on terraces in the sunshine (wearing SPF 14 and sunglasses of course).

Afternoons in the park lying on the grass reading a book.

And riding my bike through town to the library to check out more books.

Or to the Albert Cuyp market to get some fruit and veg to eat at the picnic in the park.

Whenever you're ready, summer. I'm here, and I'm waiting. Patiently.

Streetstyle Amsterdam: Peter Bjorn & John Concert, Melkweg

2009-03-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

For some reason my heart just wasn't into the Peter Bjorn & John concert tonight at the Melkweg (was it just me or did they play so much better at Paradiso a few years ago?), so my mind started to wander and I decided to take some photos for this blog instead. I had to be quick because I had to drag these three people away from the concert, and the light in the hall was pretty poor, but I think you can get the idea.

Name: Stacey
Occupation: Writer

What I notced first about Stacey was her bowler hat. I'm jealous of people that can pull off hats, and she rocked the bowler hat with a scarf (not shown here) and this floral dress. Fantastic!

It wasn't until after the show that I noticed that Stacey's friend had on a great shirt, but by then the hall had filled up and it was too late to grab another photo. Sorry Stacey's friend! Love your shirt!

Name: John

Occupation: Recruiter/Student

John's friends didn't seem to want to let me get in to talk to him (not sure what was up with that- maybe they thought I was trying to hit on him?), but I pushed my way through anyway. I really dug his whole style, top to bottom, and he wore it with ease.

Name: Manuel
Occupation: Editor

And finally, I loved Manuel's shirt. It was a bit brave and quirky while also being fun and laidback.

Thanks to Stacey, John and Manuel for letting me drag them away from the show for a minute!

Worn Relics: The Wedding Dress

2009-03-25T06:54:00.000-07:00

Just before the January '09 Amsterdam Fashion Week, I sent away for a WORN_RELICS clothes tag, where it sat sadly on my desk unused until today.

For those that don't know, the concept behind WORN_RELICS is that every beloved piece of clothing has a story and a history behind it. On their website, they attempt to catalogue all of your stories about your most treasured fashion relics on one easy to reference (and update) website.

During January's Fashion Week they also hosted a Swap where you could donate your relic and swap it for another person's treasure- every item tagged with the actual story behind it, written by the previous owner. I unfortunately missed that event, but there is another coming up soon which I will be going to.

In the meantime, I logged on today and created the profile for my very own WORN_RELIC: my wedding dress.

On their site, you can flip through other relics, with other stories: those of fathers who made skirts for their daughters, of friends who borrowed a shirt only to fall in love with it and never give it back, or a simple jacket mixup from a night out in a club with a happy ending.

The WORN_RELICS concept is unique as far as I know, and it's a nice way to spend a few hours browsing online- almost as good as going vintage clothes shopping, but also in a way better- because with each piece you hear it's tale- the when's, where's and how's of each shoe, bag, or pair of jeans.

Streetstyle Amsterdam: First Post, Jenny from Sweden

2009-03-21T05:14:00.000-07:00

It's kind of ironic that my first post concerning streetstyle in Amsterdam is of someone who is not Dutch, nor does she live in Amsterdam. She is just visiting, and today is sightseeing around town.

Name: Jenny
From: Sweden
Occupation: Consultant

What first caught my eye about Jenny were her shoes. I was immediately drawn to them when she passed me, because let's be frank here- they kick ass. Then I noticed the rest of her outfit, which is kind of nuevo-rock-chick-tries-to-stay-sane-for-office-work. In short, this would work for a night out, for a day at the office, or, like Jenny, for a day sightseeing in Amsterdam! It's casual and laid-back yet still stylish, and she wore it well.

Sadly my camera is pretty low quality, so this doesn't capture the details very well, and it was the details that made the outfit- the key necklace, the shoes, and the texture of the jacket. Note to self: find an extra 700 euros and buy a better camera!

Props to Jenny for not being weirded out when I stopped her and asked her to pose for me. Thanks Jenny! Hope you enjoyed Amsterdam!

The Great Fashion Cycle- London to Paris!

2009-03-13T04:50:00.000-07:00

If there's one thing I love, it's doing something fun for the sake of a good cause (run naked through the streets of Pamplona to protest the bull run, anyone???), so when I found out about the Great Fashion Cycle from London to Paris, my interests were immediately piqued.

Cycling? Check.
Fashion? Check.
For a good cause? Check!

I'm in.

The Challenge

The Environmental Justice Foundation are looking for volunteers to join their team and embark on "The Great Fashion Cycle" from London to Paris in aid of our work addressing human rights and environmental abuses in the fashion industry.
Whatever your level of cycling, whether you have a passion for fashion or ants in your pants for making a difference, we want you to join us on this ride of a lifetime!

EJF is looking for enthusiastic people to cycle from London to Paris on a 300-mile cycle challenge linking Europe’s iconic style capitals. The ride will raise essential funds for EJF’s environmental and human rights work, helping promote a fairer future for the fashion industry.

Around the world, whether it is state enforced, or child trafficking, millions of children face severe exploitation in the cotton industry. In Uzbekistan, the world’s 3rd largest exporter of cotton, roughly a third of the population are forced to work in conditions near slavery for the state run cotton industry. Many are children. Schools across the country are shut down for the cotton harvest as children from the age of 7 are sent to work for weeks in the fields, paid little or nothing, but benefiting their repressive government through this forced labour.

The success of EJF’s work on cotton has rocked the industry, firmly placing these issues under the spotlight. This has led to dramatic policy changes in some of the world’s biggest buyers of cotton, but there’s still more work to be done.
To take part in this cycle ride all you have to do is pay a small registration fee and raise the minimum sponsorship. We’ll provide travel and accommodation... and an experience you will never forget!

With your pedal power we can change the face of fashion for the better.

EJF welcomes individuals or teams to join in the fun on this sponsored ride and make new friends during this once in a lifetime experience!

Cycling from London to Paris is one of the great cycle experiences in Europe.

Passing through picturesque countryside, you will cross the Channel and continue through the small villages and medieval market towns of Northern France. With long days in the saddle the sight of the Eiffel Tower, the finishing point, will evoke a real sense of achievement!

Dates: 1 - 5 July or 9 - 13 September 2009
Challenge days: 5 (4 days cycling)
Accommodation: 2-3 star hotels
What’s included: Travel by ferry to France and return travel to London on Eurostar, accommodation, all meals (excluding dinner on the ferry on day 1 and lunch and dinner on day 5)mechanics, guides and medical support
Registration: £99
Sponsorship: £1250 - All fundraising incurs costs and we ask you to raise a minimum amount of sponsorship to take part in this trip.Beautiful landscapes day by day

DAY 1: An early start from SE London allows us to avoid the morning traffic. Our route takes us SE away from the main routes towards Tonbridge and on through the Kent countryside to Dover where we catch the ferry to Calais
DAY 2: After breakfast we head south through beautiful French countryside. Our route will take us along small quiet roads through villages and small towns. Night in Arras.
DAY 3: This morning after a couple of tough days in the saddle our legs may feel a little tired. Today we continue south through villages and along quiet French roads to the more forested region around Compiegne, where we spend the night.
DAY 4: Our final day's cycling takes us SW initially through small villages and woodland before we meet the outskirts of Paris. We cycle though the Parisian streets around the Arc de Triumph to our finish beneath the lofty arches of the Eiffel Tower. Celebration meal.
Free day in Paris and Eurostar home (to London!)

You can sign up here.
See you there!!!

Tattoo Heels!

2009-03-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

So there I was, strolling the Leidsestraat, when what to my wandering eyes should appear, but these beauties:

Man-made: Check.
Kitten Heeled: Check.
Cute design: Check.

Want. Very badly.

The lady in the store wouldn't let me take a photo but I peeped the brand and found them online here anyway. So nyah.

Polyvore, Gimme More!

2009-03-05T03:33:00.001-08:00

Have you see the site Polyvore?

No?!

Then get your little tush right over there pronto, missy, because it is easily one of the most inspiring collection of fashion vignettes to waste your time on! Forget facebook- forget myspace- go! Now!

Some of the more recent ones that have made me stop and drool:

_ - by MyChanel on Polyvore.com

The gray and light blue pairing really pulls me here!

TO mangoweb - by ♡•Simply Moi•♡ new contest on Polyvore.com

Stunning. Just....stunning. This oozes love, sex, and romance, all bundled up in one hot, hot ensemble.

Secret Garden! - by ♥✿PaintHead on Polyvore.com

Ah, Spring....it will be here soon so I hear, and this would be the perfect outfit to usher in the better weather!

For: ღYasmineღ{Team Jacob/Taylor} - by Natalcia♥ on Polyvore.com

Although I think this outfit is a little heavy on that one blue, WHAT A BLUE IT IS. I think I would kill my neighbor for that dress. Don't tell him that, though...

And finally, Yellow. How I love thee.

Dancing in the Rain - by simplyirresistible on Polyvore.com

Isn't color just amazing?

Oh, and I credit Gala Darling completely for showing me the light and blogging about Polyvore recently! Thanks so much!

When I first stumbled upon Gala Darling's site, it was like I was looking at a blog ABOUT me! It was insane the parallels! Vegan? Check. Interested in Raw? Check. Loves motivational things? Check. Virgo? Check. We had even read the same book recently. (That book, by the way, that changed many things for me and has in a way altered my route in life towards a more creative direction. I highly recommend it.) The similarities were spooky.

I was reading through her blog going 'Whoooooa.' and when my husband asked what was up, I turned and said 'This girl....she's ME!'

And now I just checked her blog again and she posted about Matt & Nat- one of the best vegan bag lines ever! And if you know me, you know that I:
a) don't wear leather or suede
b) have an insane bag addiction
c) LOOOOOOOOVE matt & nat!

I'm telling you, this girl is on it. Go read her blog, bookmark it, and love it to death!

I was a little apprehensive at first about blogging about Gala Darling, because then it would seem like everything I post was copying her (and indeed, my very first post is about something that she already blogged about, meeeh), but you know what? I'm not going to sweat it. Our styles are different enough (she's a bit edgier in a Hello-Kitty-meets-a-bucket-of-neon-pink-paint-and-goes-punkish-goth kind of way while I am attracted to more classically beautiful things like pastel shades, vintage cameo pins and fallen leaves) that I think this fashion blog will take off in a different direction, and besides- she's already so well known in the blogosphere that my wee little blog is nothing to be scared of!

I'll occasionally also post about other bloggesses that inspire me too- both in fashion and other blogs- because there are so many out there! Hurray for the internets, allowing beautiful souls a chance to speak up!

About this blog

2009-03-02T09:31:00.001-08:00

This blog is a collection of things that I find inspiring in the fashion world, in the streets and shops of Amsterdam, and in life in general.

I will also try to post my own outfits when they are at all interesting, but that will be a bit harder as I currently work from home. For example, as I type this, I am still in my pajamas and it is nearly 2 pm. :) I somehow think that a white tee, yoga pants, and messy hair are not quite suitable for a fashion blog. But I occassionally escape into the Outside World, and when I do I like to make myself a bit more presentable. Then I'll post what I am wearing.

I moved to Amsterdam in 2005 to attend the Amsterdam Fashion Institute (AMFI), but like many of my classmates, dropped out before completing the first year (hence the name of this blog). Perhaps one day I will detail my decision to drop out in this blog, but it was the right decision at the time, and one that I really do regret today, as my class is graduating this year (hear that knife turning!). But c'est la vie. There are other ways to lead my life, and my interest in fashion is still going strong. This blog will be my outlet for that passion.

My other passions include animal rights (which is why you will never see me sporting leather, suede or fur), sustainability, veganism, and the arts. I also write here.

Enjoy, and feel free to leave comments or send me an email at:
a place for artists at gmail dot com (all one word)