Fashion | Skate of Mind

Images source: Selfridges

I love it when I see sports such as skating and surfing trickle into high fashion magazines. When I heard Selfridges were doing a large worldwide skate campaign I couldn't wait to take a look. They have teamed up with some of the worlds biggest and moved loved brands to create exclusive limited edition skate decks. 

I have tried skateboarding once or twice and failed miserably. I could never get over that fear of concrete. However due to this fear I completely respect it as a sport and understand how dedicated & brave great skaters are.

I am sure Jayne Min of Stop It Right Now has a lot to answer for, mixing skateboarding with high fashion with her DIY Celine style skate deck. I can remember she had a waiting list for those babies. I would love to buy a few of these decks and put them on a wall. Wouldn't they would make amazing works of arts?!

Everlane | Footwear

Source: Everlane

I am the queen of t-shirts. People make a joke about how many t-shirts I own. I am a jeans & t-shirt king of girl! When I stumbled across the brand Everlane I got really excited due to their amazing basic t-shirts and then disappointed as they don't send to anywhere outside of America! boo! If you live in America and want some beautiful t-shirts at good prices and amazing quality then check them out.

However, this does not stop me looking at their website. I would describe them as a wardrobe essentials builder. The prices are amazingly low for the quality and workmanship that go into these garments I love how transparent they are in their productions and costings. Its very refreshing to see. I have also got the husband hooked on them!

When my husband spotted they will be selling womens sandals from this wednesday onwards I let out a little scream, as I LOVE the styling. I am also a sucker to see how these little beauties are made as well. I guess being a fashion designer for a mass retailer, I really appreciate good quality workmanship and I am always willing to pay that little bit extra for quality.

Now, I am off to hunt for a shipping company in America that ships to Australia.... Any recommendations? I must own these sandals in both colourways!

Plait Illustration

© Cathryn Nicholson

Please do not reproduce without written permission

Its been a while since  I sat down and put pen to paper.. I mean its been months! I had a day to myself for the first time in a long time and I decided to illustrate plaits (braids for my american readers!). I have been wanting to illustrate a piece like this for a long time so I was really happy with the way it turned out. Especially as I felt a bit rusty!

I am so glad I had a break from illustrating, as I was getting to a point where I didn't feel inspired but I think that has now changed. I have a few more hair inspired pieces to illustrate, so I am sure you will see them some point soon.

I want to start pushing my illustrations a lot more, and what with moving to a new town, which their seems to be quite an underground art scene, I want to try and get involved more! I just need to be brave and have more confidence in what I do, and this might be the start.

Illustration: Alexander McQueen Fall 2012

Happy Friday everyone!! 

Where has this week gone? It has flown by. Work has been really busy, but I have got some very exciting projects that I am working on, which I would love to share. However due to confidentiality reasons I need to keep schtum!

I have got my bug back for illustrating. I went for so long not putting pencil to paper, that now I have started again. I am loving it!! I think it also helps that there are some beautiful collections coming for Autumn Winter 2012. 

What have you got planned this weekend? Me and Alex are hoping to go and pick up our wedding rings. Everything is slowly starting to come together now, so its all getting exciting. However I have no idea where the last two years have gone?!

Brooke Roberts S/S 2012 Illustration for Amelia's Magazine

I am so, so please to finally show you this illustration I did of Brooke Roberts S/S 2012 collection of knitwear for Amelia's Magazine.

I really enjoyed this illustration due to the fact that I loved Brooke Roberts clothing! The knitwear pieces are to die for, and I don't think you can fully appreciate them until you look up close at the detail!! I never knew knitwear could be so intricate! If I could afford a few of her pieces, they would be right in my wardrobe!!

I also love the fact that Brooke Roberts is a Radiographer as well!! A lady with many talents!!

Ashish for Topshop Sno

There is only one downside to getting married, and that is the cost!! Me and the fiance are saving like mad and cutting back on anything considered 'fun'! I know the one thing we would love to do, is go snowboarding this winter!! We didn't go last season and I know the fiance is having withdrawal symptoms!

So when I saw the Ashish collaboration with Topshop Sno, it just made that whole temptation worse, and I had to click the red cross quickly, before I clicked on 'Add to Basket'! I am in love with the slogan sweatshirts, especially the 'Piste off' and 'Chalet Come With You'! Its collections like this that make me want to get on the phone and book the holiday....! However one must resist and keep repeating to oneself 'One must save, fun is not allowed for another 6 months!"

New York Fashion Week S/S 2012

Theyskens' Theory

Oscar de la Renta

Preen

Alexander Wang

DKNY

Photos courtesy of style.com

These are my favourite shows from NYFW to date. I am loving the lace, androgyny, surf inspired, and bright prints happening across this week.

Only a few more shows to go and then roll on London...

Illustration: Alexander Wang S/S 2012

My first illustration of the Spring Summer 2012 runway collections goes to Alexander Wang. I loved this collection, it seemed to be made up of different characters. Once again there was a strong 'sports' feel to this collection, which seems to be a strong trend coming through already at New York Fashion Week.

It felt so good to be able to have some time to do an illustration this morning. I can't remember the last time I put pencil to paper! I am hoping to do a few more of this fashion week, so keep your eyes peeled.

London Outfit

Sorry about this late posting.... life has been a bit crazy and our internet has been playing up! Me and the fiance ventured to London for the day last Sunday. As you can see from the photos it was absolutely pouring down, so much for it being summer hey! We still had such a good day though and it was good to get away from the flat, even though we ended up being soaked through! 

It was nice just walking through the streets of London, taking a few tourist-y pictures as we went! You can see how windy it was by the picture below ;)

But as you can see from this pic he had a great time ;)

Chanel Pre Spring 2012 Pt. 2

Hi everyone, how was your bank holiday weekend? I had such a good weekend catching up with friends and drinking lots of cups of tea! It was so nice to be home, even though it was raining all weekend.

With only a 4 day week, it will be the weekend before we know it! So thought I would squeeze this illustration in whilst I had a chance!

Chanel Pre Spring 2012 Illustration

It feels sooo long since I last did an illustration, which is probably why I have really enjoyed the past few days working on this illustration.

I felt that I needed to add a few runway illustrations into the mix and seeing as I love fashion, it was anything but a chore! Of course, it had to be one of the outfits from Chanels Pre Spring 2012 runway. When I first saw this collection, it didn't really take my breath away but when I looked more in to the details, and the shapes I slowly fell in love with this collection.

Model Behavior

I love these collection of photographs that make up an editorial 'Model Behavior' in the July issue of Foam magazine. The series of shots are photographed by 'Jason Lee Parry' and stars the model 'Noot Seear'. I love the laid-backness of this shoot. It just makes you want to go to California and the feel the sun on your face. I am also loving Alexandra Cassaniti sunglasses that she has on, which is one of her icon pieces.

New Illustration: Hermes Birkin Handbag

I have finally put pencil & pen to paper. It feels so long since I last did an illustration. I think it was a needed break to be honest. I was putting to much pressure on myself, so it was nice to just step away from it for a while and re-evaulate and come back with fresh eyes and more passion.

So this is an illustration of a beautiful Hermes 'Birkin' bag which I would love to own one day, but know that it would be very unlikely with the huge price tag being the biggest barrier of them all. You never know, I might win the lottery next week ;)

I have put this on etsy store, so you can now finally own a Hermes 'Birkin' handbag at a fraction of the cost. Yes it might be a drawing on paper, but you have to start somewhere :)

Click here to go to the listing on my etsy store.

Sunday Morning Ritual

Every Sunday morning I always try and catch up on my favourite blogs. I sit down with a cup of tea on the sofa and just read through there weekly blog posts.

These are currently my top 3 blogs...

The Blonde Salad

I have been following this blog for sooooo long, and she is one of those bloggers that I would just love to meet!! She has such an amazing style and also the most amazing collection of bag's and shoes! Moi Jealous? Of course!!!

Cupcakes & Cashmere

I love this blog, not only for her fabulous style, but also because she mixes food (another passion of mine) and lots of other interesting reads.

Tea & Crayons Collective

I think most of you readers must know how much I love illustration, and this collective does not fail to disappoint. The collective contains 'Fritha Strickland' (my favourite!), 'Rachel Lewis', 'Kayleigh Bluck', 'Natasha Thompson', 'Abby Wright' & finally 'Rachel Price'. These girls keep me inspired and reminds me that the illustration world is so hard to break into, but these girls are doing everything to break in to it and its very inspirational to read.

Weston Scarves

I have fallen in love with 'Weston' scarves and I am already saving any spare cash that I can to try and save up for one. What and who I hear you say?? Well let me explain...they are created by Architect Professor 'Richard Weston' who had a passion for minerals. One day he decided to scan an ammonite that cost more than the scanner he was using, the results were dreadful but this prompted him to buy a professional-quality machine. The images that followed were captivating and striking.

Richard Westion also took part in BBC 2's 'Britain's Next Big Thing' which landed him a deal to sell his italian made scarves in London store 'Liberty', where you can buy his scarves online now.

To find out more go to the official 'Weston' website now http://www.naturallyexclusive.com

Photos courtesy of 'Weston' & 'Liberty'

Several shades of yellow

1. Lemon Yellow 2. Buttercup Yellow 3. Mustard Yellow
Photos courtesy of www.topshop.com

If you were to ask me what my favourite colours was, I would say one of them is yellow!!! What ever the shade!! Whether its lemon, or mustard! I think its such a beautiful colour. I have fallen in love with these yellow dresses from topshop. One problem being is, I am blonde and very fair, so yellow is not my best friend!!! Which I am very gutted about, as I love this lemon yellow dress!! Maybe if I had just come back off holiday with a lovely tan! So for now I shall just admire them from a far!

Quiksilver Women

1. Boardie Bloomer 2. Breezy Dress 3. Polka Shot Tank 4. Fire Poncho 5. Breezy Skirt

One brand that I do love, is the Quiksilver Women's range. I am loving there new range, I love how it still captures the laid back surf style, yet gives it a modern and edgy twist. It's a more mature approach to the surf girls wardrobe, which I feel is needed. As much as I love my t-shirt, hoodie and jean's combo, I do love to break the mould every now and then! Also these pieces are screaming of summer....!

I think I am having withdrawal symptoms from not seeing the sea daily, and being able to go surfing. Which I am determined to change, so whenever I go home now, I must get in the water...! Living in Romsey is good, but I really do miss the lifestyle that Devon and Cornwall bring, especially with summer on it's way I am really going to miss going to the beach on a daily basis!!

How did I miss the BHLDN launch!!!

I can tell I have been away for a while as I have only just come across Anthropologies own bridal range BHLDN!! Which includes bridesmaids ranges which I am in LOVE with. They are really reasonably priced, and has the bonus factor of being able to wear again after the big day!! I love the second dress! Its a 1960's dream!!

Online Portfolio

I have had used a few online portfolio services but after a few months of using them, I have always shut them down. I stumbled across a really interesting portfolio platform called dropr.com. I have only been using it for the past couple of hours, but I like how the website integrates flash into the site.

You can view my portfolio page by clicking this link http://dropr.com/pencilstitches/illustration

Blogger: Chiara from the Blonde Salad

This is my second illustration of Chiara from Blonde Salad. I find her really inspiring to illustrate as she has such lovely style with diverse images, I could easily illustrate more of her. I have been working on her for a while, and was umm'ing and arr'ing about having a background but it just wasn't working so I left it white which seems to be working for me.