Skulk

Find a friend in FOE

SkulkFashion — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:42:40 +0000

Back in August 2010 I posted about an exciting new talent forming in the countryside of Hampshire. FOE had started gigging, making their own music videos and creating handmade walkmans for their dedicated fans. A year and a bit down the line and where are they? About to start their debut album tour that’s right about where. Receiving raving reviews from NME, Drowned in Sound and more, Hannah Clark and her gang are about to hit the big time. I can feel it .

Photo by Lulu McArdle

Bad Dream Hotline is the debut offering from FOE via Mercury Records and is an absolute must have. These kids know what they’re doing and do it damn well. Band members include Adam Crisp (Entrepreneurs), James Headly (previously of Elle Milano alongside Crisp) and Callum Buckland (widely known on Tumblr as Kazland) all of whom you should catch on tour. (hear/watch the lead single here).

If you are clever enough to buy the album may I also suggest that you buy some tape to stick your repeat button down.

Artwork by Hannah Clark

Merrimaking in the Clouds

SkulkFashion — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:58:23 +0000

I have posted about the fabulous British design due Merrimaking before to a great response. Merrimaking are Meg and Harri and their sewing machines. They create bespoke animal hoods, jumpers and jewellery that have been spotted on celebrities such as Ellie Goulding and Ke$ha. It gives me great pleasure to inform you of a new little something from the creative pair. The Cloud Jumper….that’s right, a jumper with clouds on!

Photo from merrimaking.co.uk with permission

The two best things about this adorable piece are that it comes with a silver lining and you can let the girls know just how cloudy you would like your sky. At £40 (plus £3.50 p+p) this is a definite for the chilly weather we have been having. It’s unisex and sized as S,M,L. If you order one of these beauties you can also look forward to the envelope it comes in. Ok, I know that sounds silly so I’ll explain, the last time I received a gem from merrimaking it came with a joke and a quote handwritten on the packaging. Oh…and an interesting drawing of a fox (skulk…get it?)

Go and have a mooch around on their website.

Tavi on the TV

SkulkFashion — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:56:37 +0000

Tavi Gevinson is famous for knowing her fashion stuff. At the age of eleven her blog ‘Style Rookie‘ was featured as one to keep your eyes on in pretty much every fashion magazine you can think of. The tiny young lady appeared to have a damn good eye for what worked and what didn’t. Her essay style show reviews held such insight and intelligence that she began to be invited to all the big shows…front row.

I bet it didn’t take the BBC very long to think of who to interview about online presence. Yep, young Tavi. An interesting interview and a look inside the world of the fashion fairy…watch it here.

Dragon Tattoo at H&M

SkulkFashion — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:30:17 +0000

I think I have finally felt the relief of finding an affordable collection that has everything I would ever think of wearing in every style possible. H&M are getting more and more known for their designer collaborations and now the Swedish brand have teamed up with Trish Summerville to create a Lisbeth Salander inspired collection, DRAGON TATTOO.
If you don’t know who Lisbeth Salander is then you must have believing under a rock. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is the talk of the town since the books went global and the Swedish movie followed, Salander is the protagonist….she’s got a tattoo. My father enjoys the books by Stieg Larsson and so, respecting his artistic opinion, I endeavoured to check them out. I got as far as finding out that the American version of the film with be released this month and that Rooney Mara is the playing the lead. I then got into looking at production photographs and style boards from the costume designer. Something baffling happened. Just as I began to wonder where one who seeks comfort and style would find such clothing at Salanders, along came H&M and their clever idea.

December 14th will see the release of a new collection at the high street store by costume designer for the forthcoming film, Trish Summerville. If you are looking for a worn, comfortable AND stylish look (a la Freja Beha) then look no further…

Middle = favourite

Costume designer Trish Summerville, center.

Still from the upcoming movie.

The Return Of The Drawstring Bag

SkulkFashion — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:56:20 +0000

So we all know that fashion comes back around, sometimes sooner than we would hope, but I am more than happy about this one…The drawstring bag. Ok, so it reminds us of Swimming lessons at school and the general dread of such occurrences, but go with me on this one and remove all of your primary school trauma from the equation.
I saw two girls in a well known cosmetics shop today and something about them caught my eye. Not only were they incredibly fashionable and comfortable with the fact that they were wearing mini shorts, (high five to that!), but they had managed to make something very old school and bulky into a effortlessly cool and feminine accessory. By teaming their drawstring bags up with said shorts and sweet Peter Pan collared shirts they looked as if they didn’t mean to but somehow managed to look damn fashionable.
I asked them where they got the bags from, the first girl said exactly what I had predicted, “Topshop”, but the other girl surprised me…”A little charity shop in Southampton”, AMAZING! This trend has come back just in time for cast offs to be available affordably second hand! (only adding to their charm).

Below are a few options that I have come across…I only wish I had taken a picture of my two trend setters. Alas, resources didn’t allow for it.

Refinery29shops

Topshop

Asos

P.S: Remember to go for an oversized backpack style, not a teeny tiny handbag.

Marry The Night – 14mins Long!

SkulkFashion — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 21:52:10 +0000

Ok, I know it’s looking a bit Gaga central over here at skulkfashion.com , but what can you do when a leading lady in fashion is so multi-talented? In the past 24 hours since Lady Gaga‘s music video for ‘Marry The Night’ was released in has received over 4 million hits on Youtube making it the most successful of all videos on the site…ever. That in itself is one hell of an achievement. It’s widely known that the singer was signed and dropped by labels more than once before anyone had any idea who she was (odd to think that now, right?) and in this new 14 minute long video Gaga portrays the heartache that she experienced at the time in the best way she can, dramatically. It’s inspiring, though, to see any artist go to great personal and intellectual lengths to convey a time in their life for us onlookers. The video explores the possibility of filling in memories, of remembering pain in a different way, and of learning from the traumatic happening to create what you will not give up on.

Best video yet…oh, and there’s a cheeky bit of Calvin Klein!

Gaga’s New Years Elle UK

SkulkFashion — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:50:51 +0000

Here she is again, gracing the cover of Elle Magazine UK. January will see Lady Gaga in her second feature for the best-selling women’s magazine in the country. This time there’s no gigantic hats or topless snaps of the star, but more subtle (if you can ever call her that) pastel colours and simple makeup. In the interview, Gaga talks about being called transgendered, accused of plagiarism and what the future holds for a star who has already done so much.
Check out the video below for a peek behind the scenes of the shoot. The magazine is on sale NOW!

Good Girl, Bad Language

SkulkFashion — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:41:20 +0000

Ever since the release of her album ‘Good Girl Gone Bad’, Rihanna has pumped up the attitude and been the leader in the mindset of ‘Don’t mess with me!’. This is all fine and at times quite inspirational. It’s only when it is rammed down the throats of tweenaged X Factor fans that it becomes a little…odd.

Last year the pop star was asked to perform on the family friendly show and proceeded to strip to nothing short of underwear and dance provocatively in front of the judging panel. It may be because I’m older or because I’ve seen her music videos that I didn’t find it too untoward but apparently 45,000 other viewers did. OfCom reported this staggering amount of complaints to a presumably red-faced Simon Cowell. None the less she was invited back this year and told to tone things down this time around. So she did, she wore a cute tartan dress with a peter pan collar, black tights and…wait….oh dear….the shoes…

Now, I know that Rihanna has what us British folk term as a ‘potty mouth’ on Twitter, and yes it is unnecessary the majority of the time but I personally can’t help but find the whole shoe issue quite amusing. An artist like Rihanna who, as I explained, does things her way or else is not going to take ‘tone it down’ lightly. Her act is her act and her performance on X Factor the first time around was raunchy because that’s what she wanted it to be. So, think what you will about the naughty shoes but I have no qualms in assuming that she’s glad we got the message.

The Virtual World of Valentino

SkulkFashion — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:04:14 +0000

They’re all at it!
In December this year you and your computer are invited to delve in the world of Valentino. You won’t need to travel or wait in a queue, in fact, you won’t even need to move a muscle! This is all happening online. A guided tour through the life and designs of Valentino Garavani. And what fabulous designs they are.

YOU’RE ALL INVITED.

Christian Louboutin Exhibit

SkulkFashion — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:14:34 +0000

Calling all Louboutin fans (I think that’s just about everyone) guess what the London Design Museum has in store for you next year!? You’ve probably guessed by the title. The museum will be putting on an exhibition of Louboutin‘s finest and most drool-worthy work. Just think, all those amazing designs in a shiny glass case, very exciting! The exhibit will not only be the pedestal on which to sit the Frenchman’s finest chaussures, but the viewer will get an in-depth look into how they are made. The design process, factory making and even the thought behind the store layouts will be explained. I have a feeling this is going to be a must see!

Keep your eyes open for it in March 2012 and have a look at more details here.

My favourite Louboutins. Plain, I know, but a perfect colour.

Christmas party shoes!