H&M "The New League"

H&M magazine takes a 1980's preppy gym class approach to this shoot in their latest issue. The hair styling is amazing! I can't help wondering if the wispy, fluffy middle-parted 'do will make a return. Before you check out the boys, here's what I imagine the girls will be rocking alongside. No one rocks a leotard like Kristen Wiig.

Madonna "Girl Gone Wild"

Excuse me for not paying full attention to the Benny Benassi produced track but I was distracted by the one picture of Grandma in her knickers that plays for the entire duration of the clip. Even with such amazing lighting and great photoshopping, do we really want to see all that fifty-three year old flesh? Combined with the some of the saucy lyrics it all just makes me so embarrassed. She ain't black and she ain't in her 20's.. she needs to stop referring to herself as a "girl".

As a dance hit, not bad, but not great.

Chris Rosenberg 1990-2012

Such a good guy, you will not be forgotten Chris.

A couple of days ago I found the video I made for Simone's 19th in 2008. I can remember Chris demanding I give up my camera man position so he could film the remainder of the night (the last couple of minutes of the clip). When he handed the camera back to me, the tape was completely full. It's such a good example of what a popular, funny character he was.

Prada

Even designers find inspiration from Mum and Grandma's wardrobes but it looks like Prada grabbed the ugliest of the bunch. There are a whole heap of coats and long vests that look all too similar for my liking. See for yourself here. What does stand out to me are the accessories.

I think as far as shoes go we will definately be revisiting the 70's. I want those brogues! And the cute bags! And the sunnies! Love the purple lens with the yellow trim frame. Gawj.

Prada  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  Milan

Francesco Scognamiglio

The Gaga meat dress makes a comeback but this time in the form of human flesh, resembling a female body part... you get where I'm going. With the exception of this one number, the range is beautiful featuring grayscale tones and hints of emerald green and blush. Those pants, the ones that look like foil gift wrap, are amazing and I am pretty much licking my computer screen. Drool over the rest of the collection here.

Francesco Scognamiglio  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  Milan

Meadham Kirchhoff

This is what playing with a drag queens wardrobe and the Barney bag is like! Tinsel and colour and glitter and more. There's a furry jacket with a monsters face on it - does it really get any cooler than that? Everything is out of this world fab.

Meadham Kirchhoff  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  London

Mary Katrantzou

The prints and embellishments in this collection are gobsmackingly well done. She said the collection was about celebrating the beauty in the everyday and elevating the mundane to the sublime. Lamp shade skirts and Elizabethan corsets are covered with spoons, typewriter keys and phone dials among many other unusual and unexpected things. View the complete collection here.

Mary Katrantzou  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  London

Cover Drive "Twilight" Video

At first it was a guilty pleasure but now I can proudly say I am addicted to this song. 

Immediately when you watch and listen to "Twilight", you'll notice similarities between twenty year old lead singer Amanda Reifer and fellow Barbados babe Rihanna. They both have that same catchy pop yet gangsta swag about them. Cover Drive were actually the opening act at a number of Rihanna's shows for her Loud tour and that's what kick started the bands career. I can't wait to hear more from these guys!

Matthew Williamson

If this collection and I had sex, I would be smoking a cigarette afterwards because it was just that good. And I hate smoking. But this range of metallic prints and block colours just does things to me. There are a lot of high necklines with collars and turtlenecks. I love how the fiery flowy dress has a maroon collar. It's unusual and unexpected and that's what I look for in pieces. Check out the rest here.

Matthew Williamson  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  London

Orientation Complete

Orientation is officially over! We celebrated with a free lunch from the school today. Everything tastes better when it's free. You could call us - freeLUNCH designers! I'm sorry, I just had to... one more time.

Over the past two weeks, everyone had to create eight works that have now been installed in the Lecture Hall. One guy did himself (or so we think) drooling over a rather large male muscle. This is one of the designs I created in photoshop using three different images of a Whangapoua sunset, my boyfriend Ben and myself.

You can feast your eyes on all of them at the open evening on Tuesday 6th March at 5.30pm. 

Thomas Tait

Uniquely classic designs for the minimalist outdoorsy girl. Nothin' like cleaning out the stables in fashion! You can look like Kim Kardashian, glamorous at all times of the day, rocking six inch heels while riding a camel. Oh yes, she did.

What I really like about this range are the pants. I am dying for that velvet green pair and I have decided that the coloured leather pant is definately going to happen. But not in the tacky legging slash jegging way. Ew.

Thomas Tait  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  London

J.W. Anderson

Anyone up for a bit of camping? Swandri - check. Water-resistant coat - check. Sleeping bag that can we be tied around the waist and worn as a skirt - check. Black, white, red and ooey gooey milk caramel. All I want to do is break off a piece of that models arm and sink my teeth into that vinyl two-piece. Both for fashions sake and my hunger. I need dinner.

J.W. Anderson Women  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  London

Basso and Brooke

My reaction to seeing a good clash is like when you get a text from your crush and you almost can't breathe and you silently jump up and down on your bed. Yes, I did just say crush and yes I am also Dolly Doctor. This collection is full of conflicting patterns and gradients which make each piece look like it's own work of art. They belong in a gallery! Or on Magic Eye.

Basso and Brooke  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  London

Jeremy Scott

These are the types of clothes with a lot of potential to fail. I know what you're thinking, they already have failed. They're awful. Awfully, ridiculously, hideously fun! That item I have to think twice about pulling off the rack to show my friends and figure out how I'm going to convince them of its awesomeness. Loving the Bart Simpson ensemble!

Jeremy Scott  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

Everyday I'm Bussin'

Starting back at uni has reignited my hate for Aucklands buses. I have to catch two to get from my home in Onehunga to Whitecliffe so as I sat and waited for the Outer Link bus yesterday, I thought about the things I hated most.

1. The live departure boards! I appreciate that they're up to date but I don't want to wait the longest 15 minutes of my life only to see the DUE status change back to 5 minutes. Or worse, disappear completely and never board my bus. Yay! I get to wait another 15 minutes for the next one.
2. "Does this bus go to...?" Seriously, you pulled us over just to ask for directions? Now we missed the green light and all the angry working people in their cars are not letting us blend back into the peak hour traffic. Delayed another hour.
3. Why is it on buses we suddenly become blind, deaf and dumb? I saw that person chasing after the bus. And that lady at the back door which didn't open at her stop. And a friend I haven't seen in ages, but I'd so rather listen to my music. 
4. Sleeping on the bus never annoyed me until someone's boy fell asleep on my lap and made me look like a pedophile. I too enjoy the occasional nap because it kills time, but just imagine how weird I would look asleep with a six year old asian boy dead on my lap. I am never a happy man when i have to give up my nap time! Hmph!
5. Why do people think it's okay to sit on the aisle seat and reserve the window spot for their invisible friend? Bitch, he can stand, there's an old lady hopping on! The rage that takes over when I see them actually scoping out the bus like "Oh phew! There's still one other seat they can take instead of this one!"

Unless you're freshly 18 and occupying the whole back half of the bus with your boozy antics, I don't think any ride is that enjoyable. You just want it to be over and done with as quickly as possible.

I need to get a car.

Michael Kors

Country Club glamour with the classic red plaid print and woollens and furs thrown casually over sparkling gowns. The way the designs have been applied on the mesh dresses reminds me of making pictures on windows when there's condensation.

Just thought I'd mention also that I recently bought myself a pair of brown plaid pants. Just sayin.

Michael Kors  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

Marc Jacobs

I don't know what the soundtrack was, but imagine if David Banner "Like A Pimp" had been blasting as these Grandmas with attitude strutted the runway! Glitter and fur, purple and mustard; definately give off a pimp vibe. Those pilgrim shoes are the types you see in a costume store and laugh at because they will never be fashionable. Well, perhaps they will. Just as I would like to believe the vintage high-wasited, patchwork flare jeans I recently bought will also find their place and time in the world of style.

Marc Jacobs  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

Blue Ivy on SNL

Blue Ivy gets greeted by some notable faces. Maya Rudolph is Beyonce and with my eyes closed, she actually sounds like her, and she can even hit the notes! Kristen Wiig does a perfect Taylor Swift but I'm disappointed she played such a small role. 

Justin Timberlake needs to give up comedy. Does anyone actually find him funny? He's just not naturally funny. Some of what he says and does could be funny on someone else. It's just him. The last minute with him in it just draaaaaagged.

Victoria Beckham

Victoria does sophisticated sexy oh so well! Posh Spice meets Sporty Spice. I'm completely over the military theme but her detailing is so subtle that when I look at the pieces I don't see a) a costume and b) 2008 fashion reborn. The unexpected pops of colour and blocks of black really help to keep things on trend and fresh.

Victoria Beckham  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

Skrillex "Bangarang"

The things you'll do for an ice cream when you're a kid aye! Spend time and money on explosives instead of just purchasing one. The kids learn from it though and end up stealing some money when they're older to give to the ice cream man to make amends. It's in a briefcase so it must be some serious dough. Enough to make for the loss of his hand.

However, hooks are gangsta. Without a doubt my friend Sarah would easily trade in her five fingers for one.

Writers Guild Awards

Zooey Deschanel is just too easy to love. She makes me wish I was straight so I could fall that type of in love with her. She looks amazing! The ratio of hip to chic is perfect in this plaid number. It reminds me of the junior girls uniform at my old high school, in a good way. The silver gold ribbon is all the look needed to go from fresh off the farm to glamorous babe. 

If you haven't already - WATCH NEW GIRL!

The plaid continues and so does the cute! 12 year old Kiernan Shipka (yeah I thought she was three too) is a glam gurl in the making. I love that it's bright and fun but also age appropriate, although I could definately see someone like Blake Lively having a play with it.

Who stole Avril Lavigne's hair? Caught you red handed, Moira Walley-Beckett! And red footed, and red lipped, and red earringed... With each pop of colour, another blood vessel pops. Stop with the matchy matchy! It hasn't been in for years. And to top it off she compiled her wax strips into a dress. Awful.

Karen Walker

What I like is that you can see the similarities between this collection and last seasons range. Some designers just get too ambitious and miss the mark. You see each look and and as a whole it's recognisable as Karen's signature look, but there's a subtle development that's taken place in the colouring and prints. The A line silhouettes and trousers cuffed above the ankle are now a canvas to navy, tangerine and an interesting gold fabric with black undertones. Does anyone else think of shatter nail polish?

Karen Walker  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

The Row

Ashley and Mary-Kate (I just had to see what it felt like!) keep things clean and refined in their new collection. Staying true to their brand, the palette is limited to black, navy, ivory and a range of browns. Simply luxurious but far from typical.

The Row  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

Thakoon

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I love outfits made up of just one base colour. Look at all those hues of red! Lipstick vinyl and pink fuzzy fluff make for a lot of fun in this collection. The tacky's been classied.

Thakoon  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

Chris Brown "Turn up the Music" Video

Is it anything we haven't seen before? No.

In fact we've been seeing a lot of it lately. Is this whole masks and animal costumes thing going to die off soon? Off the top of my head I can think of videos like Coldplay "Paradise", Taio Cruz "Hangover" and Ke$ha "Blow". Animals are cute, yes but this shit doesn't happen in real club scenes because your number one priority is to get wasted and meet someone. Neither are possible if you're wearing a koala's head.

As always though, Chris delivers in the dance department.

Learning to Adjust

How do normal people manage blogs with the stress of university and work and having a partner and just life in general? It's been so hard to find a free moment to get on here and update. And to make things worse, has this weekends weather not been the best this entire summer? And where has Jason been? Covering the shifts of the lucky staff away at Splore. The weather cam on MetService is making me happy however. I hope that giant cloud swallows all the blue that I had to look at as I slowly got ready for work this morning.

It makes me angry looking at my blog and seeing there hasn't been any new posts in the last two days. I can't imagine what you as a reader would be feeling, so I am making a promise to change that!

PS. Not sure about Snack of the Day anymore. I enjoy the tasty treats but unsure how happy it makes my boyfriend. Maybe I should consider throwing girls into the mix? 

Nicki Minaj "Starships"

This is the first song off the upcoming album that I can actually imagine hearing on the radio. A feel good RedOne track that breaks into an electro dance beat for the chorus. Single gold!

Maybe Nicki stealing the show from Gaga at the Grammy's this year, both on the carpet and the stage, is a taste of what's to come. Unlike Gaga who's getting staler by the day, Nicki Minaj hasn't reached her full potential and I think she's got plenty more up her sleeve. Her annoying harajuku phase is passing too, thank god. No one does jap like Gwen.

Alexander Wang

A little too much leather for my liking. Gloves, pants, boots, and on top of that vinyl puffer jackets just made for a bit of a disaster. Dentist-by-day and dancer-by-night come together and create a bit of fun in a white shirt, fringed dress. Love it! As well as the right angled panel shirt. Simple and sleek.

Alexander Wang  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

Monique Lhuillier

Fiery crimson and sparkling embellishments for the most elegant of woman. Turns out Sarah Michelle Gellar's Golden Globes dress has a hotter sister. To think if only she had picked it out herself or her two year old had a bit of taste Mommy could have made the best dressed list (or at least better dressed).

Monique Lhuillier  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

Rachel Zoe

I love her so I want to love the collection too but I feel like we've seen most of these looks before... on her, by different designers. She's stayed true to her style but there's a shortage of wowing pieces. Some of the models looked like stick insects walking the runway. Not good. Not in my town!

Rachel Zoe  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

Best Dressed @ the Grammy Awards

(Parden my drool as I write this) Channelling Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface, Rihanna was the only lady to play the sexy card and she does it right in this Giorgio Armani number she helped co-design. Not many girls can pull off a plunging neckline, centre slit and a dramatic revealing back all in one (for example, Adam Levine's girlfriend Anne Vyalitsyna!). The only thing I'm still not sure about is that regrowth. It doesn't look like a deliberate enough root fade for me to accept it. Although in this case it sort of matches the dress. Ha.

When I saw Paris Hilton hit the red carpet, I knew it meant bad things are to come. Yes, she's working on a new album which features collaborations with Snoop Dogg, LMFAO and her boyfriend Afrojack. Maybe it won't be so bad... I can't deny her singles were so catchy... and maybe they are hidden in my iTunes library. She looks so ethereally chic in a white and gold gown by Basil Soda. It seems some of the Dubai BFF styling has stuck. I love the reflective gold belt!

Fergie looks delicious, or should I say fergilicious, or should I say G.L.A.M.O.R.O.U.S, wearing Jean Paul Gaultier fresh off the runway. With a clean up-do, gold jewels and a nude lip, she executes the glamourised doily look flawlessly. Orange is no doubt my favourite colour at the moment and I am glad she has done it justice. Speaking of, has anyone heard the "Boom Boom Pow" cover by Orangez? I think they're Phillipino or something. It's a laugh.

VPL

Futuristic with a slash of toga here and there. The yellow eye shadow and nails are the perfect accents to the grey ensembles. I love the calve bands! They look like little censorship bars. Like in the old times when ankles were always covered, imagine if calves became the new provocative piece of skin to keep hidden.

Righty does not look to happy with her outfit. Cheer up!

VPL  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

Tess Giberson

A rich, polished collection with a muted palette. I love the fluidity of all the pieces, especially the silver gown. It's funny because I see the woman who wears this gliding not walking, but yet it reminds me of a pair of overalls. Now all I'm seeing a glam lesbian mechanic, and I love it.

Tess Giberson  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

Duro Olowu

Clashy, beautiful, pattern blocking perfection with a vintage vibe. I find myself just staring at one tiny part of a look for a few minutes and then I move onto the next. It took me like an hour to go through the whole collection - there is so much to appreciate.

The model reminds me of my friend Simone, except Simone would never be seen with her South African frizz.

Duro Olowu  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

Creatures of the Wind

Any one of these stereotypically ugly fabrics, patterns or colours is bad enough on it's own and would blind the normal person but when thrown together they kind of work. Right? Or am I the only one attracted to gross snot greens and colourful stripes stolen from an emo's sock drawer? I've always believed it's better to go noticed than unnoticed at all.

Creatures of the Wind  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

BCBG Max Azria

I'm not a big fan of fur, in fact I kind of hate it unless it's faux (save the animals!), but I do like how in this collection the colour blocking trend has transcended onto the fur. It's interesting to look at and nice to see some texture thrown into the mix. I like the sharp lines and the balance of certain asymmetrical pieces.

BCBG Max Azria  /  Ready To Wear  /  Fall Winter 2012  /  New York

Hello Whangapoua!

Goodbye Auckland! See ya in four days!

Grant & Dee's Wedding

After a few days of stressful shopping in various places of Auckland, wishing I had planned my outfit earlier and bought online, Ben and I managed to get the looks we really wanted for his Uncle Grant and Aunty Dee's wedding on Saturday. I'm wearing a Commoners_Alike shirt and the orange pants I've been dreaming of from Country Road. My beautiful Ben's wearing a Hallensteins shirt and pants from Marcs. I want an excuse to dress like this more often - one of my friends needs to get married!

I haven't been to a wedding in so long, not since I was a kid, so I really didn't know what to expect. I can tell you though, I was not expecting to take a sip of my bubbles and then have it topped up within two seconds of me putting it down on the table. Nor was I expecting to have my napkin placed on my lap as the main meals arrived. GLAM GURL! Was such a good night and I was especially impressed by the bands rendition of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way".