Zine research

Yesterday I went to London to conduct some research for my latest uni project - producing a zine. I went to various book shops and specialised zine stores to get all the research and inspiration I needed for my own zine.

My first stop was the Nobrow magazine and book shop/gallery. Nobrow is an independent platform for graphic art, illustration and art comics in the UK. It stocks a wide range of magazines and books, mainly illustrated magazines. Although my zine will have more photo-graphical and editorial content the shop was good in showing me a wide range of different publication types which can be applied to my zine.

My next stop was Art words bookshop, located just around the corner from Nobrow. This was more of a book shop but also stocked magazines of a more niche nature. There were some lovely photo-graphical and editorial books. I brought the gentlewoman and disorder magazines from here as they were less commercial than fashion mags like Vogue and Elle and had a good range of editorial and photographic content which can be applied to my zine. 

I then travelled to Shoreditch to Lik + neon which was just off of Brick Lane. The shop was quite quirky and stocked a range off different items from tshirts to jewellery and small-press publications namely zines. There were a few different zines in here but none that really caught me eye. 

Just up the road from Lik + Neon was Beach. The way the store was displayed, reminded me of a gallery but it stocked mainly zines with a few books and screen prints. Most of the zines sold here were published by Nieves. The zines were all different to the next but I particularly liked the zine AWAY, AWAY, AWAY! by Rosie Lee. The zine had a good mixture of editorial content mixed with photos and graphics which made it very interesting. 

My zine is called Arabesque and is a photographical and editorial zine dedicated to the art of ballet. Make sure you follow my zine here for all the latest information on the first issue which will be available at the Nottingham zine fair on Sat 26th May. 

Beckham to grace the front cover of ELLE

David Beckham really is the man of the moment. From his successful H&M underwear range to his ability to make every woman fall in love with him, ELLE have decided to make him the front cover of their July issue. He has been given the privilege of being the first male to cover British ELLE on his own. David said it was  ‘really exciting. ELLE is a prestigious magazine with international recognition. I'm honoured to have been asked to be the first ever solo male fashion cover.’ Congrats Becks!

London Fashion weekend

This weekend, I went to London fashion Weekend. Having never been before, I wasn't sure what to expect. The only thing I had to compare it to was the Clothes Show Live. The main reason for the trip was to gain an insight/research for my next project at uni, a live project with the British Fashion Council. Essentially, we have to develop one section within Somerset House and create a new look/image for it. My group have narrowed it down to the Shoe Studio and River Box. 

I was a little unimpressed with the event. I thought it was rather under-whelming and for a major fashion capital I thought that they could have made so much more out of it. I enjoyed the fashion show and thought there were bits of it that were quite good. I particularly enjoyed being photographed on the pink moped for the Veet best legs competition. In return, I received a free Veet wax set and a smoothie. You can 'like' my Facebook picture here. Who knows, I could be the next Face of Veet's campaign. 

Everythings all HunkyDory

 

HunkyDory is a Swedish clothing line by husband and wife Ulrika and Christopher Bjercke. The clothing line is focused on a new take of knitwear for the contemporary woman. A few years down the line, this bloomed in to a full clothing range. The line offers an alternative to main stream brands. I love the simplicity of the clothing and its relaxed take on fashion. 

To view the full collection click here.

Simply Irresistable

David Beckham's H&M bodywear range

Not the first time that we've had the pleasure of seeing Mr David Beckham strip down to his boxers, afterall alongside wife Victoria, they fronted the ever recognisable Emporio Armaini underwear ads. This time he is collaborating with H&M to create and design his very own underwear range -  Bodywear. The range consists of briefs, boxers, vests, and pjyamas. The collection will be available in UK stores on 2nd February. I must say he has certainly gotten better wth age, and his tattoos give him that edgy/bad boy vibe.

All grown up

Pictures taken from UK ELLE February 2012 photographed by David Slijper

When I saw the front cover of this months Elle I had to do a double take as I couldn't believe it was Dakota Fanning, since when did she grow in to such a stunning young woman? At the age of 17 she has done more in her life than what some 80-year olds have. From her acting debut in I am Sam, to War of the worlds and most recently, Twilight - Dakota has more than proved that she is a very versatile and credible actress. Not forgetting the fact that she was only 12 when she was cast as Marc Jacob's face of Oh, Lola! perfume. I'm sure the next few years will have more to come from Dakota, both in the acting and modelling worlds. 

Happy 2012

Last night, I celebrated the new year in Style at a masquerade ball. The champagne was flowing, with gambling tables and perfect food - a rather glamorous way to start the new year! (Very James Bond-esque) Hope you all had fun too! P.S. new years resolution is definitely to be more dedicated to my blog.