The fabulous Mr Ford

Style Forum Special from Music Guy on Vimeo.

I love it when i somewhat randomly come across inspiring things on the internet, and this is definitely an example! A 40 minute long documentary on Tom Ford with him talking about everything from the launch of his own womenswear collection, his time spent at Gucci, YSL and the creation of his film A Single Man. There are so many things in this video that i was truly inspired by, from Ford's passionate drive for his work, his clear vision of both himself and the brand's aesthetic, to his general knowledge and creativity in fashion. I think he really is a man to be admired...

La Dolce Vita

Italy- my favourite place in the world. Host to some of the most beautiful sites and scenery, full of gorgeous people with amazing style and home of some of the best art, culture and fashion. Lets not even get started on the coffee, ice cream and pasta...

I've been lucky enough to spend time in a number of Italian destinations, from Florence, to Venice and Capri- but what i've seen that remains a constant in all these places is the importance of family, which i love. And which is why i am currently obsessing over Dolce and Gabbana's spring/summer 2012 advertising campaign.

In the images fashion design pair D&G celebrate Italian cinema (which has been a constant inspiration for their collections) and Italy's film icons like Sofia Loren, who, as they've said "personify seduction and comfort at the same time". The shots are meant to appear as stills from a film set in southern Italy, some even featuring real life Italian actors.

Aren't the photos great?! I love the stunning women in those dresses, the wonderfully dressed children, and the presence of the grandparents- the warm colouring and sepia tones just make the images even more dreamy and cinematic. Can my future family be like this please? One of my distant hopes is actually to escape to Portofino, make wine for a living and sail a boat on the shores- i now just need to find an Italian husband. Hmm...

Going Wild

This post is not about my crazy party lifestyle* but instead the fabulous Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition i went to at the Natural History Museum yesterday.

The show really was wonderful, it was great reading the photographers stories that went with their entries, it really made the images seem a lot more personal and it was amazing seeing what individuals go through to capture really special photos. From spending days on freezing cold terrain to nearly being attacked by huge animals, some of the tales proved that nature photography is on a whole other level! Being interested in photography myself the show even made me thinking about using some new techniques...

Within the exhibition there was a photojournalism award which went to Daniel Beltra for his photo series The Price of Oil. The colour and patterns seen in the images are beautiful, despite the fact they portray the terrible BP oil spill that occurred in Louisiana in 2010. However what i find most interesting is Beltra's reasoning behind the appearance of the photos: "Photographs of disasters are often harsh. This set of images wouldn't look out of place in an art gallery, where families could look at them and discuss them. It's a route to understanding that doesn't depend on shock. I think it helps get the message to a wider audience, because if the image is aesthetically appealing, people are more likely to stop and read the caption."

Migaloo, the only all white humpback whale in the world. I loved the photos of him in the show and how he seemed a gorgeous turquoise colour underneath the ocean waves.

The "Wildscape" photos blew my mind, they really conveyed how as a photographer you're sometimes exposed to once in a lifetime, other-worldly scenes. I've always wanted to see the Northern Lights, and the glow of the light and the stars in this image just made me want to go even more!

I also really liked Martin Cooper's take on wildlife in urban surroundings, this silhouette of a coyote against railway tracks is just stunning.

And this photo of a hippo just really made me laugh for some reason, i was genuinely cracking up in the middle of the exhibition. I can't believe they've been named as the most dangerous animal in the world...

Overall i would highly recommend going to see this photo show- even if you're not specifically interested by photography, there's always an engaging image to see and in general the exhibition showcases a lot of creative talent. And plus, the Museum is always a fun day out! Walking through the other rooms almost made me want to give up my journalism career dreams and try and be something cool like a geologist/palaeontologist. But somehow i don't think i'll get very far with just a B in Biology GCSE and no qualification what so ever in Geography...

Until next time! xxx

*I don't actually have a party lifestyle. I drink a lot of tea and quote Shakespeare plays.

Fashion things which have been inspiring me

As with much of the teenage youth of today i am blog obsessed, here are some looks which i have been pondering and admiring (but not imitating, because i have no money) recently... oh and excuse my very vague and unoriginal post title :/

Umm where can i get my hands on a great sheer python print shirt like this? Love it

This isn't something that i would exactly wear myself, but i really like how Shala Monroque has pulled this outfit together. When i first saw these car emblazoned skirts from Prada's spring/summer 2012 collection i really wasn't a fan and all i could think was "who is actually going to wear that?!". But here Shala just looks so wonderful and unique with the clean white shirt, fur and those gorgeous crystal earrings.

I love the texture and colour in her jumper that she's paired with a basic black skirt and heels. Definitely my kind of style... and those killer legs!

This is probably still the best seasonal/party wear outfit i've seen, i actually LOVE it. I'm a big fan of neutral colours like creams, so this paired with the feathers and jewels and nude heels is just so darn pretty! And the red lips pull it all together, perfect.

Image 1 found on Tumblr, the rest credit goes to the amazing street style blog of Vanessa Jackman

Ohh Florence...

Currently totally in love with Florence + The Machine's cover of "Take Care", the title track from Drake's new album that features Rihanna.

I was immediately in love when i heard the original, which samples Gill Scott Heron and was produced by Jamie XX, the man who's one half of the mercury award winning, alternative duo The XX.

Performing it for the Radio One live lounge, I think Florence does an excellent job at handling the rapping parts of the song, that amazing voice of hers brings a whole new meaning to the lyrics.

Also, if you haven't already heard more of his material, listen to Jamie XX's remixes of these tracks by Adele and Jack Penate. Love the beats he brings to the ordinarily pop/indie tunes...

Winter Winds

Just thought i'd share my winter buys that i've purchased recently! And since i am not yet a famous blogger or have any sort of assistant to take cool photos of me actually wearing these items, i'm afraid it's a case of copy and paste...

I've seen these Topshop boots on quite a few people and instantly loved them- i know they are in fact just black with a zip, but once they're worn in they look gorgeous. And although with my already 5"10 frame i look taller, i took the plunge and bought them. You know those things which you just can't stop thinking about until you actually own them? Yeah that was the case with these boots...

I bought this American Apparel "fisherman" style pullover whilst i worked the rummage sale at just a snip of £25 instead of the usual £66. It's proved to become one of those wardrobe basics that looks great with a lot of things, especially with a collared shirt underneath. I keep wearing it...in fact i'm wearing it right now.

And whilst bloggers world wide rejoice that winter fashion has arrived once again, i cry inside. You should know that i really don't like winter, and i really don't like coats. However this wonderful coat from Urban Outfitters has changed my former opinions- the subtle brown almost maroon colour, leather lapel and oversized style make it pretty much perfect! Hopefully it will keep me warm and toasty :)

images courtesy of Topshop, American Apparel and Urban Outfitters

Remembering

Move him into the sun -
Gently its touch awoke him once,
At home, whispering of fields unsown.
Always it woke him, even in France,
Until this morning and this snow.
If anything might rouse him now
The kind old sun will know.

Think how it wakes the seeds, -
Woke, once, the clays of a cold star.
Are limbs, so dear-achieved, are sides,
Full-nerved, - still warm, - too hard to stir?
Was it for this the clay grew tall?
- O what made fatuous sunbeams toil
To break earth's sleep at all?

Futility by Wilfred Owen