Football and Fashion - Fashion Forum Fortnight

My Phd research subject of choice would be on Football and Fashion. I might get round to it one day. There has been no real academic analysis of football, fashion and its relation to consumption for many years.

Movie and music stars are often the subject of fashion but footballers are not. Hence why I like this image so much from today's Daily Mail online.

My favourite celebrity fashion blog - Fashion Forum Fortnight

When my short film was shown as part of this years LCF MA_sters showcase, a panel of people were put together to discuss celebrity and fashion. I insisted that Coco's Tea Party was there as this blog is my go to for all things celebrity.

images from the event all courtesy of MyStyle

I love the fact that Coco's Tea Party is an analysis of the who, what and why of celebrity fashion, which is not in the vain of pulling the celebrity apart. It is witty but respectful. I'm not that interested in celebrities and what they wear but I like to keep abreast of these things. Ella of Coco's Tea Party makes no secret of her love of celebrities and that passion is reflected in her posts.

Do you have a favourite celebrity fashion blog? Do you read any celebrity fashion blogs?

The Celebrity Interview - Fashion Forum Fortnight

Due to irritating spamming I've had to put the word verification thingy on. I hope this will reduce 'hot babe', 'get your gizmo here' and 'gay porn' offerings the comment box has had of late.

Which brings me to the celebrity interview. Is it just me or are they all spammed with name, film or latest record just replaced depending on which ever celebrity it is. Most will seem to have some association or ambassador status with Chanel/Estee Laudee. And yet the cycle of celebrity shows no sign of abating.

I'm never sure whether they are the false gods or the gods we deserve. It is hard to imagine not having celebrities but has the constant sharing gone too far? I mean who cares whether Brad or Angelina are arguing or affectionate with each other.

But then I always think of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor as the couple who created the maelstrom of peering avidly in to the life of stars, particularly as they divorced and then married each other again. I'm looking forward to reading Furious Love! Will there be someone like me in many years to come eagerly awaiting the Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie version or has the heyday passed?

Have you ever...? Fashion Forum Fortnight

You know... seen an item on a celebrity, wanted it, bought it.

I remember a time when for one moment I was hooked in by a celebrity wearing a specific item and for the life of me I've forgotten who and what but I do know it happened once. The only other time I fell for a product was on screen - the TV screen - it was a SATC episode and the item in question was the Manolo Blahnik silver shoes...and yes I did buy them.

Go on confession time...get them all out even if it was Fearne Cotton!

Celebrity and Fashion - Fashion Forum Fortnight

Before we get stuck in to celebrity and the impact on fashion, not just clothes but lifestyle, we need to set some definitions.

No, wait a second we need to get this photo of Madonna out of the way.

Firstly, after years of looking a bit 'off', 'irrelevant' and way too photo shopped in those Louis Vuitton ads, Madonna actually looks great. Love the dress, really love the dress. Good hair and make up and a modicum of graceful intent suggests she's on form again. I don't know Madonna, we once shared the same toilets and I found out that I was taller than her. But apart from that, all I have ever gleamed about her is from magazines and newspapers plus her interviews. Oh yes and the Sex book. After years of journalistic analysis what is your take on this photo?

Mine is 'Hello Guy, yes I'm here in London. I've just dropped the kids of with you. It's my birthday. Remember how you messed up and neglected me, well look I'm hot again. Don't worry the Jesus thing is a fling. You either want me back and you'd better go for it or I will be sporting Mr Madonna number three quite soon and you'll be very jealous as he'll be a man's man.'

Anyway, back to the categories of celebrity. There are three acknowledge academic classifications. This is important to note because it explains why we potentially accept or admire some more than others.
1. Ascribed - this is lineage. Itis handed down. Think Prince William, Caroline Kennedy and Sofia Coppola, too name a few.
2. Achieved - personal accomplishment gets you this status. Think Madonna, Brad Pitt, David Beckham and Serena Williams, you get the picture.
3. Attributed - this category is when ordinary people get given a lot of media attention often due to sensationalism. Think of anyone who has had a lot of media attention for no particular reason other than say being the mother of Mick Jagger's illegitimate child or having an affair with a well know person either or any other such example.

For a full read on celebrity then Chris Rojek's Celebrity is a fascinating read.

So, we know Madonna achieved her celebrity status and we know how. The rest of the week will be spent examining the impact of the cult of celebrity upon fashion and our consumption. Oh er!

Not a winner but enjoyed the excitement...

It was sad not to win the 'A Shaded View on Fashion' film festival but never mind, as we Brits like to say, it is the taking part that counts. Two films were selected to be shown.


Are you also wistful? by Sarah Culbreth and Hedi Boys by Youngest Indie. Congratulations to the winners and also thank you to all of you who supported my endeavours.

High Street Pick of the Week

It's not Prada but ASOS still do what they do best, designer looks at budget prices and all at the comfort of a click. ASOS bow skinny belt is a snipe at £6 compared to the lovely patent Prada one at £190. Okay its not Prada but your bank manager will agree names mean nothing when it is your bank balance at stake. Inject some new style for £6 as August is a five week month, pay day is ions away.

Do Magazines need to be more helpful? Fashion Forum Fortnight

A comment by teawithonesugarplease precipitated this post. I'm pinching the bit which is relevant, "Fashion as an industry used to be the preserve of the ultimate rich - those who could afford to pay to travel to Paris and be dressed in the seasons must have right down to hand sewn lingerie. I guess in our modern age things have moved on and consumerism is open to a bigger majority."

Ah yes it is to Paris that May Wellend from The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton goes to buy her new wifely wardrobe. In fact numerous references to Paris fashion precipitate the Countess Olenski given her perceived exotic nature. And of course once upon a time high fashion did just revolve around the Paris collections and houses.

Once upon a time the same Paris houses would helpfully recognise the disparity of wealth and provided selected patterns to buy or in the magazines. Hollywood did the same with costumes from films particularly ones worn by Joan Crawford. Hollywood costume designers also consulted with department stores to make a 'copy' of an original garment. The fashion houses of Paris went on to strike commercial deals with department stores and retailers and provided patterns and diffusion lines which weren't labelled. All of these activities helped women to get the look at a fraction of the price.

When Yves Sant Laurant launched Rive Gauche he broke with the idea of the fashion house being above the retailers on the high streets. A fashion house choose to market directly to the public and mass produce a commercial line. The rest is history. The bags, the make up, the perfume. Okay I'm given a rather simplistic potted view here but you get the gist.

But what stopped was the helpful nature of magazines. The editorial tone that helped women afford the look within their budget. Pearl of Fashions Pearls of Wisdom hilariously pointed out that more dash than cash section in UK Vogue is ridiculous given the outfits are still at the higher range with the odd cheap sock or skirt thrown in. By cheap I mean under the £50 mark. Anyway Pearl made me laugh with her biting wit on this matter and she likes a fritter in Chanel.

Of course today the designers go for high publicity ranges in H&M, Target and the like. It appears fashion blogs are filling this gap. There is lots of helpful advice, views and opinions shared amongst the blogging community. The recently organised blogging sale is a wonderful example of this and I might add I bought a mighty fine dress off Mrs Bossa, which I'm in the midst of mending and altering.



From a historical perspective I do wish magazines would become friends that are supportive rather than friends that are superior. Do you feel the same?

What would Andy say? Fashion Forum Fortnight

One of my most favourite quotes from Andy Warhol was the fact he said he 'attend the opening of a lavatory seat'. Of course he is most famous for his 15 mins of fame pronouncement. I really wish he was here today to deliver some pronouncement on blogging.

I have an unfair advantage as I've studied and studied and lived and breathed Andy Warhol. But this is my stabbed at what he would say....

'Does anyone care? Does it involve sex other than just the media lot.'

Andy was nothing if not commercial and until he was shot he took risks.

What do you think he would say about fashion blogging or just blogging?

Conspicious Consumption on Fashions Blogs Turn On or Turn Off - Fashion Forum Fortnight

Guilty as charged having recently aired my spoils in the purchase of a decent coat for the first time ever! And I know lots of us like to parade a good designer buy. Given we live in an economy and society that prizes the obvious parading of goods whether it is the house, car, bag or shoes, I doubt we can turn off our consumer being. After all it is linked in with our innate sense of personal style. We choose how we adorn our bodies and what images we create. If we accept as fashion bloggers we love fashion and we enjoy trends, new designs and creating looks, the real question here is when does a fashion blogger go too far?

There is something endearing about young Tavi in the midst of the designer frenzy to court her, but some people think it is the manipulation of her by others.


Then who can forget the hilarious photo of Bryanboy with laptop on front row. I still think Anna Wintour retains the upper hand with her poise and dignity. She had certainly embrace fashion blogging but then she is extremely savvy when it comes to trends and keeping control. There is nothing threatening to the fashion industry by creating a blogging 'in crowd' and keeping them firmly in the grip of products.


Talking of products it is with Sea of Shoe and her mother that the accolade of conspicuous consumption must rest. Creating the X factor of fashion blogging, the idea all one has to do is post outfit after outfit of designer or vintage wares referenced by non monetary terms of 'acquired', 'curated' and 'sourced' to be an A star blogger. The repetitiveness of the posts in respect of goods does much to place the fashion blog in the position of vacuous.



Lack of discourse amongst fashion bloggers has created an imbalance of products before content. Although numerous fashion bloggers with and with no public recognition, do attempt to fill a void of helpful and useful fashion tips plus ideas not solely based on high end fashion or income. Whilst I recognise that we all want to look at goods and wares, be informed on specific fashion items but do you think this type of fashion blog is a turn on or turn off? Is it something that can be sustained? After all X factor keeps going (currently) but after 10 years Big Brother imploded and its demise was rapid. Is there a need for a new vogue of fashion blogs?