interview: cool and beauty

Alice of Cool and Beauty represents my very favourite sort of fashion blogger-the kind that is uniquely stylish without looking overtly glossy or try-hard, which is certainly an aesthetic after my own heart mostly born from a need to always feel comfortable in what I'm wearing and probably also because i'm too lazy to cross that line from scruffy to polished. That's not to say that taking a laid back approach to personal style means sacrificing a look that is well put together, because Alice (along with my other favourite bloggers, notably Miss Woo of Cheapskate Chic) always wears something that achieves the right balance between looking nonchalantly thrown together and having an interesting thought process behind it- think of Alice's Tommy Hilfiger tops that are reminiscent of old 90s editorials from The Face or items bought at Gap Kids.

I always appreciate people who take an interest in what's going on trends wise but who are always essentially themselves and pick and choose what they wear to suit a style that is very much their own. Frugality is also very attractive, particularly as I myself don't have the large disposable income I once had and take an interest in how people can dress well on the cheap without resorting to the kind of clothes that will fall apart after one wash. I think that when you have less (or choose to spend less) on clothes it requires a little extra imagination and I'm always interested to see the result of this.

But I digress, I nosily asked Alice the following questions and she very kindly obliged in sharing her go-to blogs (sometimes a hard secret to share, i know..) and how much she spends on clothes..

What’s on your bedside table?

A TV, a lamp, a scrunchie and a Gameboy. 

Some pieces of clothing you have on current rotation?

A beige polo neck with ELLE logo in white on the sleeves, a checked mohair cardigan, Poundland Hiking socks and Strawberry Vaseline. 

Which are your go-to blogs?

My sister's blog is on of my favourites mollymathilde.blogspot.com. I also visit lettyschmiterlow.blogspot.com, louisebenson.blogspot.com, theosion.blogspot.com, thebibelle.blogspot.com, visual-data.net, Haw-lin.com and thepop.com. 

If you could work for anyone in the fashion industry who would it be?

Hannah Macgibbon. I couldn't really find fault in anything she's produced at Chloe, usually when I look at a show there's at least three looks which make me think "Ew where did that come from" but not with Chloe.  

Tell us a joke.

Two cannibals were eating a clown when one turned to the other and said does he taste funny to you?

If you were creating a moodboard to sum up your own style and your favourite references, what would feature in it?

I guess at the moment I'm quite influenced by 70's clothing, long skirts with long coats and muted colours and lots of wool. I also like wearing really big clothes, like a loose long dress with a baggy jumper, kind of a tomboy influence but with quite girly items. One of my favourite looks in the AW 10 shows was the heavy jumpers over cocktail dresses in the Marc Jacobs show. I like that kind of contrast because it seems practical and funny. Probably one of my favourite images in terms of styling is a still I took from the Boyz II Men video for End Of The Road, where they're all wearing matching anoraks is different colours. 

What are your guilty pleasures?

Jason Derulo, Night Cops, Murder mystery programmes. 

You have a frugal approach after my own heart when it comes to buying clothes, how much would you say you spend on clothes each month?

I've had a few people comment my blog asking if I'm lying about how much my clothes cost. I used to buy about 4 or 5 items per week on Portobello, which would only come to about £10/15, but I had to stop because it got to a point where I had too many clothes. My Mum thinks I have a shopping addiction, I guess she's right, when it gets to the point that you can walk into Marks and Spencer and almost buy more than 10 things you've got to realise somethings up.

Do you wear perfume?

Some times I wear Daisy by Marc Jacobs but I'm quite weird about smell, I don't really want my smell to be something that's noticeable. 

A couple of songs you’re listening to at the moment?

Under the Boardwalk- Tom Tom Club

Baby Talk- Alisha

It's Your Conscience- Deniece Williams

Kickin' It with Your Girlfriend- R. Kelly

You produced a really awesome zine and an even more awesome plastic multipocket backpack for college, what do you see yourself doing in the future or are you a fingers in lots of pies kind of a girl?

I want to be the head stylist on the X Factor. I think I would be really good. I've planned outfits for all of them already; I think Cher would look cute in a Michael Van Der Ham dress, Rebecca would wear 501's, a grey T-shirt and Celine wedges. The boy band are beyond repair but I think Matt could look good in a polo neck.


Visit Cool and Beauty here.

a conversation with jen brill

Back in September, in the midst of London Fashion Week, something quite exciting happened. Infact, naturally during Fashion Week there were multiple moments worthy of girlish grinning but the personal relevance of this event made it all the more lovely. Following the buzz of the Topshop Unique show I decamped to my Aunt's flat for a chilled evening of worthy salad and cups of peppermint tea (any of you in need of a detox, you should really book yourself in for a week of looking after from 'Aunty Mary'). Watching Come Dine With Me, very possibly with a towel full of wet hair on my head and certainly in my pyjamas sans make up, I came across a direct message in my Twitter inbox. Upon closer inspection it was from the lovely Jen Brill (you all know that as far as I'm concerned Jen is cool as pie) who proceeded to tell me 'I am the BIGGEST fan of your blog! I read it every day and gush whenever you write about me. XXX'.

The next few seconds consisted of headfuck and a resolve to feel flattered big time. From there we exchanged a few emails and Jen agreed to take part in an interview for the blog. It only seemed natural to prod her into bestowing information about her lippie collection and style musings..
For those of you who don't know a lot about Jen, she is the Director of New Business Development at Fred and Associates in New York, very involved in the arts scene and general purveyor of stylistic splendors all at the same time.

So Jen, thank you once again for being such a good sport, it was a pleasure getting to interview you; you are a total babe.

How do you feel about the increasing attention you receive from the fashion blogging community?

It puts a smile on my face whenever there's a picture of me on Discotheque Confusion. I have a friend who subscribes to zillions of blogs-once in a while she'll forward a photo of me and I am so shocked and flattered that the young and cool 'blogging community' has me on their (your) radar. I almost fainted when you posted that letter to me!



How did you dress as a teenager; were there particular cultural references that influenced your style?

I wore a school uniform for most of my teenage years, but when I wasn't my favourites were cigarette pants from x-girl and motorcycle boots from NaNa. What I wish I had most is my KeroKeroKeroppi backpack- I took a stuffed animal and turned it into the smallest backpack ever! I still dream of it...

Many of your friends are frequently put under the style spotlight by bloggers. Do you all have a laugh about it?

Not at all. If anything, I'd call a girlfriend and scream 'Ahhhhh! You're on Discotheque Confusion today!!!' The only time I'll laugh at a post is when I'm called an 'It Girl' or a 'Socialite'. The definitions are a little foggy to me, but the last time I checked, I haven't been a girl in years and I don't spend my days playing dress up and partying (though I enjoy both on occasion). Hopefully people will start labelling me 'Career Woman' or 'Worker Bee'.



Your red lippie/glossy hair combo has become somewhat your trademark. Which shade of lipstick do you wear and do you have any hair advice?

My favourite red lipsticks are Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon and Chanel Hydrabase in Coco Red. As for hair, wash it and brush it?!

Do you abide by any style rules?
No way!



Whose style do you admire?
I think all of the women in David Lynch films have incredible style. Laura Dern and Isabella Rossellini in Wild at Heart, Sherilynn Fenn in Twin Peaks.. Another favourite is Exene Cervenka from the band X.


laura dern in david lynch's wild at heart

Where do you buy your clothes from?
I love love Christopher Kane, Chanel, Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, , Balenciaga, Marios Schwab, Versus... Sophomore for the best t-shirts and pullovers. I buy most of my vintage from No 6 on Centre Market Place in New York and Exquisite Costume. My favourite shoe store is Edon Manor in TriBeca, my friend Ryan Korban owns it. I also love Opening Ceremony- they just opened up a department store in Japan!

Describe your perfect Saturday..
Is this a trick question? Nothing is perfect!

Which books do you recommend reading?
Dave Hickey's 'Air Guitar'. It's a collection of essays on everything from Las Vegas to Waylon Jennings


all images from varioud sources via the fashion spot

the style files: siri thorson

Siri T is a walking homage to the seventies. And in the best way possible; not a mullet or prawn cocktail in sight. Her strawberry blonde head is as full of 70's cultural references as her wardrobe is of slouchy cardies and justin boots. Mix together her loves; a little Harold and Maude here, a little Heidi of the Alps there and you're pretty much left with Siri's exact sartorial formula; wonderful whimsy of eras gone by. Beating to the rhythm of her own drum, the film student behind Ringo, Have a Banana! doesn't tag along after trends or relentlessly preach about Alexander Wang, and she is loved for it. I had a little natter with one of the most stylish bloggers out there.

What's on your current style wishlist?
Warm weather everything. I've spent so long feeling like a wooley bundled up lump trapped inside a black peacoat that I just wanna bust loose! I want every shoe Rachel Comey has ever created. Some chambray shorts, a gingham dress....and a calico cat. And a straw boater that doesn't make me look like a six year old trying on mommy's hats.

Would you rather live in a gypsy caravan

<>with Margot Tenenbaum or a tree house with Chloe Sevigny?
I would probably hang out on a rubber innertube in the sixth circle of hell (and like it) if it meant quality time with Ms. Sevigny.

What would you never be caught wearing?
Oh man, what are those things called...gaucho pants! Utterly repulsive.

What do you do during the day?
I'm in my last year of working towards a BA in Film Studies. Basically, I sit around and watch movies all day, and then go home and sit around writing papers about them. Trying to find a part time job that pays well (or at all) has been tough lately, so I've also been trying to find odd jobs on craigslist. The other week I spent a couple hours helping a guy unpack and fold all his t-shirts and underwear for $60 and a sandwich. Sounds awkward, but it was actually the best day's work I think I've ever put in.

What do you love about where you live?
Any hidden Brooklyn haunts you're willing to share?
I have something of a love/hate relationship with my neighborhood. There are so many wonderful parts of Brooklyn...all of which have consistently proven themselves to be well out of my price range. At least I live close to the train so I can go pretend I live in Cobble Hill whenever I want! When I'm not complaining about where I live, I like to get brunch at Little D in Park Slope or at Egg in Williamsburg (totally worth the consistently crazy-long wait), then take a stroll over to Bird on Grand St. to touch beautiful clothes I can't afford. In the summertime, nothing tops off a lazy evening like a creme ice from Ralph's on Graham and Metropolitan. So yes, basically all my favorite Brooklyn activities involve eating food.

Are there any "style rules" that you abide by?
The usual (but nonetheless totally valid) "be true to who you are, don't be afraid to take risks" line. I also try to pay pretty close attention to the proportions of things that I wear. I think it all comes down to knowing what looks best on you and what suits your shape. I stick to skirts and dresses that hit at least a few inches above the knee, and I try and balance shapes and sizes--you know, roomy on top and slim on the bottom and/or vice versa. Taking pictures of my outfits has definitely made me much more aware of what looks terrible on me! I can't wear wide-cut pants or puffy sleeves without looking like a circus freak.

List some things that make you happy.
thunder storms. salt watermint. tea with honey. vintage suede. getting mail. listening to oldies radio. staring out the windows of moving vehicles. Simon and Garfunkel. J.R.R. Tolkien. shiba inus. lilacs and cabbage roses. kiwis and mangos. the revenge montage in "Rushmore". falling asleep holding hands.

And some people that you admire.
David Lynch. Hal Ashby. Thor Heyerdahl. David Byrne. Captain Jean-Luc Picard. My Grandmother.

Favourite decade?
The 1970's! Any decade that brought us Roxy Music, roller disco, platform heels (for Men and Women), Big Biba, The Passenger (the song and the movie), Saturday Night Live, Star Wars, and the Ramones wins pretty hard in my book.


Tell us a song that'll make us dance.
"Place Unknown" by Quintron is my favorite party jam. Also, anything on "Music for Parties" by Silicon Teens.

Your failsafe outfit for a day of feeling uninspiried?
Dress + boots = at least I feel like a human girl.

If you could swap lives with any fictional character, who would it be?
Agent Dale Cooper or Heidi (the one who got to live in the Swiss Alps with all the goats, not the supermodel.

the style files; ashleigh

over to australia and a peek at ashleigh, who is so much of an alexander wang fan, that she coined the much-needed phrase "wangster". the queen of knee socks and minimal accessories, she writes for her blog 'love ashleigh', and despite being a newbie already has an impressive following.

I'm a real blog stalker. I love personal fashion blogs and street style blogs like the Face Hunter. I like to see evidence that the look can be created by everyday people, but with that I do take inspiration from the runways and make it my own. Oh and then there's my dirty little secret obsession with celebrities like Mary Kate Olsen.

Mary Kate Olsen, Lou Doillon and Erin Wasson. I'd love to run with that crew. I love their scruffiness and the rock and roll edge that they hold over the world.

I usually find that stores that mass manufacture are a gold mine for season disposables. Aussie chain stores like Bardot, Sportsgirl, General Pants and Cotton On. Also American Apparel. I love vintage but I don't make it a regular thing. And then there are the real gold mines like Target and Kmart.

I really, really dispise drugs. But I love drug films. My all time favourites are Blow and Candy, which is an Australian film with Heath Ledger. It's amazing.

"Indie" is a massive deal in Australia, especially in Melbourne. People are influenced by music more than runways at the moment.

My ideal job would be to write for a magazine. I am studying media and communications which focuses on journalism and P.R, but as I'm enveloped by this world of fashion, I'm thinking of studying fashion next and then hopefully head into the fashion journalism industry.

My leather jacket is my saviour. I've worn it to absolute death, it just suits everything and adds that extra bit of edge when I'm feeling too girly girl.

I'm a bit of a bohemian rocker. I like to mix the two worlds. I like to team girly with tough. I was always a tomboy and I feel totally out of place without some edge.

Us Aussiesare moving into the warmer weather so I think that a key piece in my wardrobe will definitely be a good pair of denim cuts offs, as interesting as that sounds(!) they can be the groundwork for all different types of outfits.

Kings of Leon's new album 'Only By the Night' and MGMT "Oracular Spectacular".

I'm the lazy sort. Some breakfast in the sunshine at my favorite café, followed by some shopping, strolling and then either home or a quirky bar for a glass of wine.

Teleportation! I am always running late so it would definitely help.

like ashleigh's wears? see more..
see the previous blogger eye candy post: here

the style files: taghrid

new feature! yes, yes we're all guity of little it-girl lusting and a little celebrity crushing there. but with an influx of bloody marvelous bloggers appearing and upping the style stakes, i thought you too deserve you own spotlight. First up and already upping the anti is the amazing Taghrid.

I am influenced by other people; celebrities and other bloggers. Art, old photography, and nature. I like to be feminine with a little bit of a twist. My mood is also a big influence on my style.

Sarah Jessica Parker, Debbie Harry, Karl Lagerfeld. I'm going to cheat and ask for Audrey Hepburn and Mary Kate Olsen aswell..


I am fresh out of college and still on a very small, almost non-existant, budget. so even if I wanted to splurge I wouldn't be able to! My usuals are nordstrom, forever21, thrift & vintage stores, loehmanns, yoox.com, and american apparel.


amelie, the kite runner, the notebook, enchanted, and across the universe.


I can see myself as either a corporate lawyer working in house at a big fashion house or fashion retailer. My ultimate would be to work for Givenchy or Neiman Marcus.


Yeah, I am in heels about 80% of my waking time, so a lot of people just don't get that.
Within my circle of friends there jokes about how I am a hippie, or walking whitesnake video, or i get the plain old "what the hell are you wearing?".
I humor it and nothing phases me, I don't mind good or bad reviews!


I own a navy blue backless cut out dress that is one of my favorite dresses because it is classy, sexy, and feminine all at once and I feel great in it. I am also attached to my leather skirts.


Eclectic Girly.


Zipper front boots, velvet anything, leather pants, lacey tights and stockings, and big shaggy ann demeulemeester style jackets.


scars on broadway, the gossip girl soundtrack, and my must have beatles/beach boy mix.


wake up, walk on the beach, have a cup of tea, then spend the rest of the day immersing myself in shopping, reading magazines, watching old movies, and hanging out with the boyfriend.


White tigers are insanely beautiful...including their tails!

like taghrid's wears? see more..

industry insider interview: navaz batliwalla, part two

part two of interview with Navaz Batliwalla as part of the new industry insider feature, which will see me speaking to people working in coveted positions within the fashion industry, and prizing as many helpful tips as possible from their stylish fingers..

they're long posts, but i think they'd make great print outs to stick in your handbag for a read on the bus/underground.

How significant is the presence of the advertisers' influence when working on a magazine?
Staying true to your creative ideas is the mother of all challenges! Ultimately, the fashion and beauty pages are there to get the advertisers in so you have to appease them. But to prevent compromising your ideas you have to be really creative.

Ultimately it involves a lot of thinking outside the box, how to make an ugly shirt look good, can you disguise it somehow? The advertisers aren't stupid, they know if their brand is a bit naff, so often they don't mind what you do as long as their name is in the credits somewhere.

Wondering why every magazine seems to do a 'denim special'? Big denim labels have a lot of money and it's a good way to get their advertising in, plus you can always find an alright-looking pair of jeans, even from the naffest brand. Although my editor would never force me to use something I didn't like (I was lucky!) there's still a lot of pressure.

Can you tell us a little bit about your early jobs when you started working in fashion, and how you got them?

I was very lucky as I only did work experience for three months before landing my first job - these days it can take years. I worked for Caroline Baker who was a freelance stylist and also the fashion editor of Good Housekeeping. She had previously worked at i-D, The Sunday Times, Vogue and Nova.

I had written to her asking if I could be her freelance assistant but she needed a work experience person as someone had dropped out and it was the middle of fashion week. I stepped in and saved the day and basically never left.

Caroline was extremely creative, inspiring, encouraging and quite eccentric. I learnt loads working with her but what got me the gig was pre-empting her needs, doing things to the best of my ability (and then some), working hard and long hours, being super-enthusiastic.

I've found that being professional and reliable is almost more important than being talented. It also helps to be personable and outgoing. I'm actually very shy around people I don't know but I've learnt to suck it up and get on with it. If you're freelance you're always going to be around new people so you have to learn to work that little bit harder at putting yourself out there and basically selling yourself.

Please could you correct any misconceptions about your area of work.
The main misconception is that it's 100% creative. It's so not!

Alongside the fun stuff like reading Lula and going to launches and getting goody bags, there are endless meetings about tedious things like covermounts (the free scarf/flipflops/make-up bag that comes with the mag) and competitions. There's budgeting to be done and invoices to sign off. You spend a lot of time managing people, going on training courses and sitting in the office emailing and making calls.

Another thing people don't realise is that a lot of the job is formulaic. Every December issue is about party dresses, every May issue is about Prom, every June issue is about swimwear...how are we going to do 'swimwear for your bodyshape' this time?

You don't just get free rein to come up with whatever. That's the same on any magazine, even Vogue. A friend of mine who works for a Very Important Magazine has to have everything approved by her editor. So they have to justify every concept, photographer, location, dress and shoe - ugh, nightmare! For me that can kill the spontanaeity but there are reasons and ultimately magazines are businesses so it all comes down to money.

Another misconception is that it's well paid. For the hours that we do the pay is pretty bad so a lot of fashion editors top up with freelance work for catalogues or advertising. There are a few perks but contrary to films like The Devil Wears Prada, we don't get given designer handbags every other day (beauty editors on the other hand...).

The last misconception is that it's glamorous. I'd say that glamour accounts for about 5%, maybe 10% at a push! Ultimately, it's all work and pressure and a lot of responsibility so even if you're shooting abroad in Rio for ten days, glamour doesn't quite come into it when no-one's turned up to your model casting and your photographer's gone awol!

more navaz...