Stolen inspiration

A few days ago I stole something. And I never steal anything! I think it's rather harmless, though. It's a magazine by Danish brand Marc o'Polo (a brand which I know will have quite a high percentage of Danish population cringe just by mentioning its name) which I found in my local sushi take-away. It's free, I think, so I don't really feel bad about it. Oh well. But the reason, that I had to grab this, was the wonderful Charlotte Høyer (CLICK HERE to see more of Charlotte's book, she's truly amazing!) in an editorial shot by Kacper Kazpryk. I was never a huge fan of Marc o'Polo but I think they've nailed this one. Somehow I feel like it reflects the mood in fashion right now very well. Monochrome. Simplistic. Very back to basics. I think I might just have to go into their shop next time I walk by.

In the hay

I bought a straw hat like this the other day. Truth is that I'm not really a hat person at all. It's the same thing with sunglasses. I feel pretentious and out of place whenever I wear it + I am completely incapable of judging whether or not it suits me. In these ultra sunny conditions however there's not so much of a choice so off I went, down in our little village to have a look at the options. Turns out this sort of hat was the least ugly I could get my hands on seeing the alternatives were bright pink/loaded with flowers/trucker cap with print.



And after all, here after a few days, I think it's starting to grow on me. Even though this one is made of straw, it reminds me of the hat that the girl in "l'Amant"/"the Lover" wears all the time.. (originally a book by Marguerite Duras which I first read when I studied at Sorbonne. Later I bought the DVD since I found it in a secondhand store for 10dkk. Not so fond of the movie but the girl played by Jane March is drop dead gorgeous and worth seeing the movie for alone). Paired with a light dress and braids it's actually quite a perfect summer look. Simple, effortless.



Actually, I find this look can actually be kind of adorable. I did some further research and found some lovely ways to do this look. Even though many of the looks at Karen Walker's spring/summer '08 collection seems a bit too styled or done (if one could say that), I find the look on Alison Nix to be rather cute in its own way (can't imagine anyone wearing this off the runway, though).. then the girl on the bike seems to be interpreting the look in a way so it actually becomes wearable. And Michelle Williams take on the hat is rather loveable as well. Simple and fresh. So I might just be able to give this hat a second chance at life even when the sun goes away.

Yet another 'model-turned-style-icon'

The 'model-turned-actress' term is so over if you ask me! It seems that the 'model-turned-style-icon' (sorry, i just love using dashes/hyphens and will do it on almost any occasion) is so much more realistic and relevant for the times we're living in right now (because honestly, how many of those 'models-turned-actresses' actually turned out good as well?) And I must say that I find it quite interesting and almost a bit of a mystery to me that so many models are so incredibly well-dressed. One of the greatest style icons of all time is without a doubt Kate Moss and fellow colleagues such as Milla Jovovich and Helena Christensen are favorites among many people as well. More current models such as Irina Lazareanu, Iekeline Stange, Natasha Poly and Agyness Deyn are also all looked upon as original style icons. I don't know if it is because of their constant exposure to fashion or the fact that they are given so many fantastic pieces because of their profession.. or maybe that's just the way they really are? .. Hm. Any thoughts?




But on topic: a constant source of inspiration for me is model Anouck Lepère. Not only is she probably one of the most beautiful women I can think of, but she has really great sense of dressing herself as well. I love how she often makes quite bold fashion choices (such as those widescreen sunglasses, the gold Prada skirt, mixing floral mini dress with bright red tights..), yet somehow she manages to pull it off and make it her own. Especially the four outfits below had (and still have) me feeling weak in my knees..

Festival chic

Roskilde is just around the corner! Actually warm-up started today and with names like Radiohead, Cat Power, Kate Nash, José Gonzalez, etc in the line-up, I'm sure to be found at the festival next week (not so fond of the simple living that comes with festivals, so I'm skipping the warm-up. I just went to set up my tent and get my bracelet today - I'm boring, I know ...).


(Costume Magazine, ph. Signe Vilstrup)

Anyways, I always find it quite interesting to see what people wear to events like these. I've been attending Roskilde since 2005 - last year being the exception, thank god! - and I must say that there's a tendency towards people caring more and more about how they look. And of course, when you have people such as Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Agyness Deyn attending festivals such as Glastonbury and Coachella it's easy to get inspired. It's no secret that Hunter wellies are the wellies to be seen in just as Minnetonka boots, waistcoats, and PVC leggings also hit it big time - not only on festival grounds but in general (even on sunny days I see multiple girls trotting around in the hideous things Hunters are in CPH)..

Memorable and copied Kate outfits:



Well, that's the celeb side of it.. So, what do normal human beings (meaning people that don't go home to get a hot shower every night) do. Well, I picked out some stylish people from last year's festival to demonstrate:




The musts on any somewhat stylish person's packing list seem to be: Rainboots (obviously), black tights/ leggings, parka coats, jeans, tanks and basic dresses. These are great festival stables that I will be bringing myself.. To make your outfit interesting a colorful/ patterned scarf, a hat or funky sunglasses seems to be the way to go. Besides, this year I'm expecting to be seeing plenty of gladiators - I know I will be bringing mine to match the floaty dresses and short denim shorts. Now, just cross your fingers that the weather will be good this year!

The Denim Jacket - Anno 2008

(Jalouse Magazine June 2008)

It's been much to my enjoyment seeing that the denim jacket is making a comeback in fashion. Strolling around Copenhagen today I saw more than a handful of girls sporting them - Some outcomes definitely more lucky than others, but I always found myself strangely drawn to them.

My first encounter with the revival of this 90's trend was during London Spring/Summer 2008 fashion week. Christopher Kane had his models walking down the runway in ripped denim pieces styled with snake-printed shirts and a shitload of ruffles. The collection got mixed reviews - Was this visionary or just dated? A TFS'er described the collection to be 'just like a car crash - and i can't stop watching it'. That's exactly how I felt. Surely this was not a 'pretty' collection like the ones I'm usually drawn to and I had a hard time envisioning myself in such a piece.


(Christopher Kane Spring/Summer 2008 collection)

However, it did not take long for the Prada syndrome to hit and already in early 2008 I found myself longing for a jean jacket - a piece of clothing I had detested just a few months back. I guess this was only a result of massive overexposure. Kane might have been the front runner with this trend but soon after it popped up plenty of other places. For instance at Alexander Wang:


(Alexander Wang Spring/Summer 2008 Lookbook)

And of course a trend wouldn't be a trend without a celebrity following:



(2 x Kirsten Dunst, Rachel Bilson, Agyness Deyn)

I finally succumbed to the trend in February. And I never looked back though most of my friends still think my jean jacket is absolutely hideous and brings back awful fashion memories of the 1990's. Well, at least will not be like clones, right? Below, pictures of 'real' people interpreting the denim jacket - and in my eyes, making it contemporary and appropriate for the times we're living in now.



(fashion toast x 2, thriftwares, childhood flames)

And of course I will not leave you without showing my own tries with stonewashed denim. I must say, we're getting better and better friends by the day.



And I guess the correct ending to this story would be 'and they lived happily ever after'... But I guess it's more realistic to say 'until next season when I all of sudden will find myself dressed in black lace only in spite of a life-long aversion'. However, until then, I'd love to hear your thoughts about denim jackets..