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?

Television - Fashion Forum Fortnight

Prada A/W10

The Mad Men women

Now I'm sure you've all gathered my Mad Men obsession and its influence is obvious with numerous magazine references to the shows style and the many manifestations of its influence on the catwalk.

Have any television shows influenced you in your personal style? Any TV make over shows? Does Gok do it for you?

Magazines v Blogs - Fashion Forum Fortnight

Remember when Heat magazine was your weekly must have before Grazia? Four years on and do you still buy it?

It would be fair to say that in 2006 you probably didn't read a blog nor did you blog yourself! How things have changed. Do you agree with this statement?


What is interesting is the impact blogging has had on your life, not what the papers say. How has your intake of fashion been impacted by fashion blogs? Do you have favourite fashion blogs that influence you in respect of broader fashion horizons or give great advice you love to get? Do you prefer fashion blogs to fashion magazines? Or will nothing ever replace the front cover of the fashion magazine and the ability to pour over page after page?

Lots of questions I know but please give me your views and if would be helpful but it is not obligatory to state age - you can give approximates!

Fashion Blogging forum Fortnight

Over the next two weeks this blog is turned over to research - yes exciting stuff! I will be asking you lot to give your views on a whole host of fashion, magazines, celebrity and blogging matters. Do take part even if it is only a one line comment. Your views and the dialogue it creates will form a snapshot of social history.

High Street Pick of the Week

For all you leopard skin lovers out there, LK Bennett have decided to fulfil your every need with the Maryann Leopard Boot. It will set you back by £250 but given those Louboutin's are out of your price range you surely can't go wrong.

Conspicious consumption post

After weighing up all your wonderful views, I nearly went for ordering both and then making my decision. A few remarks helped me to make my mind up and go for it - even though I feel huge remorse/guilt at the initial outlay, but I did the math and if I went for 4 reasonably high st priced coats at £80 to £120 for the next four years then I would be spending the same - girlynomics don't ya know!

Teawithonesugarplease helpfully pointed out that wool was warmer, which helped me to remember I loathe the smell of wet wool and also certain wools really irritate me. This was a minus for the Fahri one. One comment from bemebe said the See by Chloe one was love at first sight, ditto this was my reaction, one point for this one. Faux Fuschia said would it be wrong to get both - yes it would, so no scores here! From one naughty Australian to another, Penny Dreadful Vintage gave a full analysis of the issue and provided me with the sensible conclusion on price, so one point to Fahri.

At one all, I turned to Mrs Fab, the utterings were as follows 'I'd choose the first one, but then I always go for the bargain option so would end up with the NF one, then spend the next six months wishing I had bought the Chloe. I am a very complicated person you know.' You know what she was right. Let's face it I loved the See by Chloe one, I particularly like the chain detail. Love the collar and cut and the colour. I also discovered it was £30 less than I thought (hardly a saving, but every bit helps) but the Fahri still held up on price. So...


When the DHL delivery man arrived first thing this morning I ripped the box open and put the purchase on. You will note I haven't got dressed or showered. Therefore this is a slovenly in my nightie look but at least the bed was made.

It fits!

Oh joy, now excuse me whilst I go and roll around on the bed in it before going to the salon of petit garcon, where a John Terry (Chelsea Football club captain) hairstyle makeover awaits me.

It's not all about me sometimes it's the house

In the midst of pea coat obsession (I've weighted all your wonderful advice and all will be revealed soon) I did manage to fulfil one of my projects on my to do list around the much neglected house. Spurred on by the vain hope of a visit from That's Not My Age for her Home series and the fact Mr MDS has moved us up a bracket from shabby to chic with his longed for Nespresso coffee machine, I plunged into action.

Action consisted of a trip to IKEA and Homebase and an internet purchase which won't turn up for 2 weeks - it is a Union Jack rug. I mixed in my old Andy Warhol flower print, a Habitat flower pot and a vintage mirror with new items from IKEA. I also put the petit garcon's postcards in a frame above his new clothes peg. The hallway was painted with Farrow & Ball Slipper Satin.

A bit blurry but you can spot the IKEA Hemnes shoe cabinet thing a mile off!

Vintage china pot from Mr MDS's recently departed Nana
Lamp IKEA (grand total of £8 with bulbs)

Flowers from Waitrose, British grown ones

Poppet the elephant (I talk to her and caught petit garcon showing her the garden the other day. She looks after our house) with new foliage and an old White Company seat bench with basket drawers behind.

In case you thought I was punching above budget

As I'm so strict on spending within budget and I tend to buy mainly high street with a bit of second hand and designer thrown in; I thought I ought to point out I did look at high street pea coat options.

No navy, just black and grey and not great quality in case you were wondering.

Topshop Ultimate Pea Coat £60

Pea coat dilemma

It will come down to price but it is nice to debate the choice. I really want a pea coat jacket as my winter's coat. I've longed for one for years but never found the right one or never had the funds. I'm torn between a Nicole Fahri or a See by Chloe one. I did also see a wonderful Valentino Red on in Selfridges but it was £550! It has to be navy, so both tick that box. It needs to make me think of Ali McGraw in Love Story that is another tick for both as well. What I'm faced with is budget wars which means the Nicole Fahri is bound to be the winner. If price wasn't an issue which would you choose?

See by Chloe Cotton Waffle Knit Pea Coat £465 Net-A-Porter

Fahri by Nicole Fahri My Pea Coat £220 My-Wardrobe