Return of the Rebel

Can there ever be a rebellion in fashion again? Or has every new trend been done, a slightly more modern twist added to the original, but still the basis of the trend remains. The main trend that springs to mind when I think of rebellion is grunge, but how many times can a fashion designer reference Kurt Cobain, youth and plaid shirts before it is essentially a re-run of a few seasons ago. An example of this is Saint Laurent, although the collection is amazing, I think the fashion world expected a little more than a re-run. Especially since the change to the legendary fashion house' name and the promise of a new modern take on the brand. But how modern can the 90's be? Especially when its already, well, been the 90's, and its already been covered more then a few times after that. Sometimes calling something a rebellion can doom it to fail. How are you rebelling if its already been done? 
Fashion each season is already a rebellion as it stretches our perception of what to wear, its progressive and rebels against the norm. So with that point, every new season is a rebellion and no one trend can really be labelled this. In keeping with the topic of this post I decided to wear all black and rebel against the 90's grunge plaid shirt. What do you think of the rebel trend? Do you feel its just a re-run of previous seasons? 
Hollie 

T-shirt- H&M

Trousers- Zara

Boots-Topshop

Sunglasses-H&M

The Other Dirty Word

 

Has the 'B' word become a dirty one? No, I am not talking about the B word that rhymes with itch, I am talking about blogging. It seems recently, every time I open a fashion magazine there is an article examining if the age of the blogger is over, almost like it was last seasons trend, we are now out of fashion. When I have read these articles there are some points which I do agree with. But, these are often made by street style photographers who comment on the attention seekers who dress outrageously just to be photographed outside fashion shows. Like most things the internet has played a role in the increase of people behind, and in front, of the lens. Which is great, but it does sort of contradict street style photographers argument against people who purposely peacock at fashion shows just to be photographed. Street style photographers only enforce their behaviour by photographing them and splashing it all over the internet. Perhaps one could argue; If blogging is off trend then so is street style photography? I also wondered how the photographer knew who was attention seeking? After all, the fashion show season is often a great mix of the fashion elites personal style, often months ahead of any trend. Are these people peacocking? Maybe because they work in the industry it's different?
Fashion is still a very elitist world. Which is fine, I get that, but perhaps the fashion gate keepers feel that enough 'ordinary' people have been allowed access to there fashionable world through blogging? And now, enough is enough. Maybe they feel that by discrediting bloggers opinions this will put some people off bloggers and reading blogs in general? This is rather a cunning plan after all, blogs are free to read, unlike magazines where you have to pay for their verdict on next season trends, where as all blogs are free and often showcase more accessible items. I can understand maybe why some people may feel the blogging age is over there is such a huge variety out there all varying in fashionable content and quality. That doesn't mean they should be discounted altogether, even if it has become very diluted, there are still hidden gems to be found.
You may call me a hypocrite as recently some of my looks have been featured in magazines. However, I have been blogging for nearly 4 years now and if I was after attention I think I would have given it up a long time ago. Don't read this wrong, I am really happy that my style has been featured, but I see it more as a huge compliment.
Maybe the articles are referring mainly to the high end bloggers and perhaps the opportunities will decrease. Maybe business minded blogs will be the only ones to stand the test of time? But I think there is some ignorance on behalf of the non blogging community who claim all bloggers are waiting for their big break and to make some money. Personally I have a blog because I love fashion and styling and like most people who live in the real world I have to work. However, having a blog allows me to escape my mundane 9-5 and indulge in my passion daily.
In total contrast to my article and carrying on regardless of anyone's opinion of blogging here is what I wore today.
Hollie x

Top-H&M

Leather trousers-Zara

Boots- Topshop

Magazine Feature

I cannot believe I have been featured again in this weeks Look magazine, it's so cool. You guys might recognise the picture from a blog post I did a while ago.  
Hollie 

Seasons Ahead

The September magazine issues are at it again, filling my head with winter dreams a month earlier than needed. It's bloody summer outside and I am sat craving wool Jumpers and 'Mannish' winter jackets. It was only a matter of time before it happened... I bought a Jumper (okay, maybe 2 and a coat), 'Oh god' what's wrong with me!? I even wore a Jumper today, granted I paired it with bare legs and a skirt, but it took all my will power not to wear it with over the knee boots. How do you feel about the impending winter months and the affect it will have on your wardrobe? Or are you wishing for a longer summer?

Hollie x

Jumper- Primark

Skirt-Topshop

Boots-Topshop

Sunglasses- H&M

Crocodile Moves

Who knew that moving apartments could actually be a blessing to my wardrobe. Not only do I have a bigger closet, but I am also rediscovering forgotten pieces such as this old Christopher Kane for Topshop Tee. Coincidentally, and if by magic, I also stumbled across this skirt in the sale (It was £2 pounds guys, I am allowed to shop those sorts of sales). To take this outfit through to the evening I simply added heels and threw my flats in my bag. 
Hollie x

Top-Christopher Kane

Skirt-Internacionale

Sandals- Barratts

Sunglasses-H&M

Bag-Zara

Heels-Zara

Magazine Feature

I was recently featured in last weeks UK Look magazine, much to my mum and grandmothers delight as they announced it to anyone who would listen in the supermarket... CRINGE! If you would like a copy you can download previous issues of Look at a discounted rate on your Iphone or Ipad. With that pitch you would think I worked for them or I was on Dragons Den. 
Hollie x

Are they real?

Are they real? No, I am not talking about my chest because obviously if I was I would have been ripped off because they look like two fried eggs on an ironing board, or as I like to describe them '70's boobs.' Anyway that's enough tit talk this isn't a top shelf sort of blog. My opening question refers mainly to a shoot I did recently with a friend and after reviewing the pictures it became clear to me we have two very different visions and approaches when it comes to photography. Myself, I prefer a raw picture and as a result all the pictures on my blog have not been in anyway enhanced (well apart from the use of focusing while taking the picture and the odd crop of a random photo bomber when out on the streets). My friend on the other hand enjoys using Photoshop on his pictures. My little sister, her name is Ashleigh or Smashley as I have always called her, refers to my pictures as 'gritty'. This, I feel, is a true description. Okay I know I am hardly taking pictures of people taking drugs in a bathroom toilet. But with my photographs there are no airs and graces, literally, if I have bags under my eyes you see them (maybe this is why I wear sunglasses all the time). Another reason I don't use Photoshop is; quite simply, I don't have it. And lets be honest, its a real skill, it is some peoples actual job. 
With this in mind, and after scanning the most famous fashion blogs (I think we have seen them listed enough times not to do it again). I started to think 'maybe I am naive or missing a trick not using Photoshop on any of my pictures' as some of the photo's on these blogs are amazing and often rival magazine editorials and these posts are often the one's I enjoy the most. I wonder how many blogs you have come across were the writing and the ideas are amazing, but the photographs are really poor and it is a 'turn off' and leads to you loosing interest? Lets be honest a lot of us just look at blogs for the pictures, and I again, tend to do this with the better known blogs. Like most things in life it is trial and error, and after amassing such a following these blog's will know what works well for their readers. However, for me, I think I will be a Photoshop snob and prefer an organic picture to a processed one. Lets face it, my blog and other personal style blogs are merely about showcasing the clothes we are wearing, and I am certainly not professing to be any sort of model. So by using Photoshop, in my opinion, we become just like magazines and not 'real life'. Which, I think, is one of the main reasons street style photography has taken off, because it is 'real style' that people wear everyday. It is not an ideal Photo-shopped by a magazine, it is real life and sometimes life is gritty with bags under its eyes. So after all this rambling I have decided to upload mine and my friends photographs to give you something to compare; sort of raw vs Photoshop. One thing I will say; the setting for these pictures are not my usual urban back drop. Okay, Okay I will stop making excuses. Let me know what you think of the pictures and the topic of Photoshop? 

It occurred to me after reading this post it sounds more like a rock and roll party, I think I have pretty much covered it all with the boob and drugs references. All that's missing is the TV out of a hotel window. 

Hollie