Posts from — September 2009

Une visite à un bateau naval français.

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a fashionable take on a sailor's uniform

I got an invitation for a reception at the French navy ship BCR Somme last Monday and it was one of the best experiences ever. As an étudiante studying in Alliance Française in Male’ I was thrilled to meet the captain and the rest of the ship crew members. It had rained earlier in the day and the sea was a little rough , making it difficult to get aboard on the ladder (and I was hoping I won’t slip and fall into the sea and be in an embarassing situation). So , I was relieved to be safely onboard and was greeted by the ship captain clad in white uniform and a big warm smile: “Bonsoir et bien-venue à notre bâteau”, he greeted. We moved on to the area where all the guests were drinking juices and eating small crispy biscuits decorated with cheese and cherries. With our French language teacher and a lieutenant as our tour guide we explored the ship, going through the maze like corridors and climbing the steel ladders to new compartments. As we stood at the bridge of the ship with the windy breeze blowing gently against us, we saw the small Male’ at a distance; lit beautifully with its city lights against the cramped buildings and the mosque standing grand and golden. It was a wonderful feeling and I wondered what it would be like to be a sailor and be away from home. As we had to go back to Male’ in our speed boat, I felt like staying a little longer and I also realised how much more of French I still needed to learn, hehe. This is definitely one of the most memorable experiences ever. C’est certainement une des expériences les plus mémorables.

September 30, 2009 2 Comments

Bleached– the DIY story

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An old pair of unfortunate black skinnies had come my way sometime ago on a dreary rainy day in Male’, its original jet black was faded a little and it had a white spot on one of the legs, looked liked it was scratched there. I took it happily though, had in mind thousands of experiments to do with it and my hands were already itching to take up the jeans and turn it into something different (the DIY DNA in me shook up inside, the very moment I saw the jeans). So the next morning on an empty stomach, though feeling a high boost of adrenaline, I was at full swing DIY-ing the jeans. What were my equipments this time? – I was armed with an old brush, a bleach bottle and a pair of rubber gloves. I wanted to let the imagination and the bleach take its own artistic pattern over the jeans. It created a rhythm and a flow that looked like floral faunas or as of an alien flora species found amidst a space venture through an unknown planet – that’s what I love about bleaching and tie dying; they create patterns that are out of the world and the more you experiment with it the more there is to see.

After the bleach, a good wash and dry I slashed a few cuts across the knees with a scissor and let the threads around it come out stubbornly. I have a complete satisfaction after it was done. Bleached and tie-dyed denims are the recent hype around the fashion cities, though it’s something rare to see in Male’ of course which results in the same “What the?!” stares when I walk down the street. I suppose I look like half of an African Wild dog to them running back and forth. Or maybe I look like I’ve got white paint accidently splattered all over my lovely jeans. Oh chier!

ah the african wild dogs fur...reminds of the bleached patterns on my jeans, non?

image via kruger2crayons.com

my bleached denims

newjeans on blog

If you happen to have any plans of Do-It-Yourself for your old jeans pairs and tees even, then you should go for it. Being a little different from the rest of the crowd is no harm of course.

Bonne journée

September 20, 2009 4 Comments

Wishing i was there to see it all happening :(

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Fashion’s night out is pretty similar to a biig melting pot of fashion. Organised by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and launched by Vogue, FNO’s where a lot of shopping, parties and most of all designers meet designers and where new possible business partnerships are to be initiated (am so wishing i was there ). It is also seen as a CFDA move to make the best out of the world recession. I know dears, i should have at least put up this post before September 10th. Sorry about the delay but if you want to learn more about Fashion’s Night Out then click here.

fashions_night_out_nyc

image via fashion plate

bonne journee

September 16, 2009 No Comments

September + Vogue = ‘The September Issue’

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my old vogue magazines

Ok, so here’s the Big Q: how many of you had seen the movie “Devil wears Prada”? Well, I’m pretty sure most of you must have seen the movie based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger (a former assistant of Anna Wintour). But this September the real devil is out in flesh – straight from the core of Vogue US head office. Just when you thought that you were safe eh?

The documentary by R.J Cutler ‘An experience he describes as “hell”’ –according to dazed digital is to be premiered around selected cities this month.

“The September Issue” brings to public eye what was unseen before, to be scrutinized, criticized or hailed by an eager audience. The Vogue editor of 20 years for the fashion bible – Anna Wintour and her most trusted work colleague and creative director Grace Coddington will be seen preparing for the much awaited September Issue of Vogue magazine. Why is the September issue so anticipated? Well, here’s the thing: the Vogue issues every month and in a yearly cycle there’s always one issue that is especially anticipated more than the others- this time it’s the issue of September. The word has gotten around that the documentary shows a clear portrayal of the ruthless ‘ice princess’, but also shows a more mellow side of Anna as being a mother to her daughter, a sister and daughter to the former editor of Evening Standard. The relationship with creative director Grace Coddington who has been working alongside Anna for 20 years is also explored in the movie and though Grace is seen as a softer considerate character compared to the frosty ice princess -the difference in characteristics hardly hinder their work instead the result of their team effort is interestingly successful.

Thus it’s said that the September issue is more about work; about the ways individuals compete with, grate against and inspire one another in the workplace.

Like it or Hate it. “September issue” is a list topper of must-see fashion films, a film about Anna Wintour’s influence in the making of Vogue and Fashion itself and about the hardworking, dedicated and creative team behind her: this is one movie that cannot be missed indeed.

Anna Wintour: "You aren't a bad person because you wear Carolina Herrera or J. Brand jeans."

September 4, 2009 No Comments

SOME STUDS, SILVER CHAINS AND SKETCHES

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notebook doodles

silvers and sketches

Silver has made a comeback as the ‘it’ accessory with a zest of rock n’ roll in it this time, dominating the accessories of fashion houses like Gucci, Balmain and Roberto Cavalli with their jackets and handbags being adorned with hardware studs. Silver studs (also seen in Bronze/gold) seem to overthrow any other metallic form of adornment; studs have been seen in forms of pyramids, conical and round, blinging bags, clutches shoes bracelets and belts. Plus the increase of DIY (the ‘DIY DNA‘ found in many of us – the tendency to change the original product one has by adding new ornaments to it) has brought this current trend into a bigger focus. For a most part silver accessories like that of chains with army tags, rings with eagle talons and earrings in a more goth-influence is now highly fashionable. Further on, the silver studs and rocker chic jewellery is apt and wearer-friendly for all ages (but if worn sensibly and not over-do i.e.). I have posted images of some accessories in silvers and studs. Plus, I was doing some doodling inspired by the trend (the doodling is less of a doodle and more of careful shading though) so they are posted for you all to see.

image via closet couture

shoe with round studs