The Alexa effect

I wanted to share with you this trilogy of photos.  This first girl, shot last weekend, doesn't look like Alexa, does she?  She has her own style and her own poise.  But there's something about her which reminds me of the ubiquitous Chung.  And she's not the first streetstyle spot I've found which puts me in mind of (arguably) the country's current biggest fashion icon.  These other 2 photos were taken at separate times earlier in the year.  So...what is it?  Blatant copying?  Clearly not - none of these girls are wearing an Alexa copycat outfit.  A subtle interpretation?  Possibly.  But, I think honestly, it's not deliberate at all and is more likely just evidence that Alexa's easy, mixed up androgynous glamour is now firmly a part of our style consciousness.  And, judging by these ladies, that can only be a good thing.....

The last photo is Kate, one of my original and best street spots, pictured also here

Featured in Frock and Roll

London Fashion Week street style - Georgia Frost

I grabbed this shot after the Masha Ma show yesterday.  In my not-down-with-the-kids ignorance, I had no idea who she was, only that she was wearing excellent trousers and my favourite shoes - creepers.  She was also very friendly and, obviously, absolutely stunning.  So it's no surprise she turned out to be (as I was informed today) model of the moment Georgia Frost.  Only 20 years old, according to Wiki anyway, and already a veteran of Burberry, Vogue and many other big names.  But even before I knew that, it was one of my favourite shots of the weekend....

Featured in Frock and Roll

Featured on Masha Ma

Aside from the gorgeousness of Georgia, today's LFW highlights include meeting the man without whom, probably, none of us would be here reading or writing this - The Sartorialist himself.  Overriding impression is that, in a scrum of photographers, he seemed incredibly calm.  Also enjoyed watching Jill charm Julia Roitfeld to the point where Julia asked Jill to look her up on Facebook. Swiftly following in the highlight stakes was afternoon tea with scones, cream and jam in the press lounge, whilst taking Kit, the Style Slicker's advice on how to sort out my (Olympus) camera - "get a Canon".  Wise words.

London Fashion Week street style - Colour Pops

Today was another tiring but exciting day at LFW, kicked off by the Masha Ma show at the Freemasons' hall - I'll be posting on that separately, it really blew me away and was particularly impressive that it was the debut show.  The Mulberry show was the hot ticket, where Alexa and Olivia (of course) could be found front row - keep your eyes peeled for Adorngirl's video, she's captured the new collection perfectly.  Today's other highlight was meeting the man behind the camera of the blog that pretty much inspired me to start one up - the Style Scout.  It was great to see him in action, and he's a lovely guy too.

It would be hard to try and define the style at LFW, it's a little mix of everything, as described far better by Jill of Street Style London for her Next blog. But today I definitely noticed a theme, to stick to classic black, chuck in some amazing accessories - hats, glasses, belts and bags - and add just a splash of colour....

Blogger Elle of Oh Elle

Featured in Frock and Roll

Creepin'

I took this shot about 10 days ago and have been saving it for the right moment.   Earlier today, I was thinking how I wish I'd taken a close up of the leopard print brothel creeper shoes she's wearing - they are, for want of a better word, amazing.  And then, this afternoon, I passed this girl again on Cheshire Street while I was on a major mission to find myself a 70s car coat (which is another story).  I don't know why I didn't stop her for another photo, maybe because she was with someone (I don't like to intrude) or maybe because I was too focused on my task, but I instantly regretted the missed opportunity.  Today I glimpsed she was wearing the same shoes with what looked like a below-the-knee length jersey skirt, another great casual and relaxed look but with real street smarts.  I want her shoes, and I want her style. 

Featured in Frock and Roll 

Just a quick edit to say that my Styleeast Vintage Ebay shop has now launched, selling lots of my lovely vintage things that I'm sad to part with but hope will go to a nice new home (and free up some wardrobe space for the next lot).  See the link on the right sidebar...happy shopping! Oh and those looking for the leather aviator that I promised would be for sale, sorry to say it sold within 20 minutes so is no longer available!

Blooming lovely

The trouser trend is still dominating, and it comes in pretty handy in this inbetween weather.  This girl in her gorgeous vintage florals didn't want me snapping her with her can of Irn Bru, but I think it just adds to the charm (or maybe it's just because I'm Scottish)....

Featured in Frock and Roll

Introducing...Frock and Roll

I have exciting news!  I'm going international.  Well, sort of.  The lovely Kat of Frock and Roll  has invited Styleeast to collaborate on the streetstyle section of the magazine.  And to kick off this exciting venture, I did my first ever interview which you'll be able to read HERE (featuring photos of me by Polka Dot and Platform Princess) .  I am thrilled to be asked to do this, the magazine is absolutely of an ethos I can buy into - groundbreaking fashion, design and music with an aesthetic that, despite being based in Vienna, is very 'London'.  Not to mention the support I have for projects which seek to draw on the talents of a wide range of contributors, writers, musicians and photographers, and bring them to The People (that's you lot, btw!). 

But that's enough from me, let's hear from editor in chief, Kat (pictured):

Styleeast: Introduce Frock and Roll to readers...

Frock and Roll is all about Sex, Drugs, and Frock and Roll... and Groupies. Lots of them!

What is the inspiration behind the magazine?
The inspiration behind it is to give smaller designers and artists some space as well as talented writers from all over the world. I worked for a couple of online magazines before but something has always been missing. So I just thought: 'Just start your own then.'

What type of people do you expect will read Frock and Roll?
People who are not only reading online ‘fashion and music’ magazines but also read newspapers, classical books, listen to cool music and well basically are cool (ha-ha), NAH, I just hope they will get inspired, enjoy reading and leave some constructive feed back!

streetstyle from www.frock-and-roll.com

And what do you think sets it apart from other magazines that also feature style and music?
I guess because we try to support people who haven’t reached their inspirational peak yet and because we try to give everyone ‘punch in the arm’ to start their own thing.

Do you think the future of cultural publications is online?
I think that it is, now the I-Pad is developed I even think there might be room again for paid online magazines, even though I think this is more the case for bigger newspapers and magazines. But there’ll always be room for printed magazines and newspapers – what’s better than reading a newspaper with a cuppa in your hand?

Do you write all the features yourself and, if not, how have you found contributors to the magazine?
At the minute I write most of it and my boyfriend takes most of the photography aspect of things, we always give Do-It-Yourselfers space, and soon we'll have someone contributing vegetarian recipes. Living the way of Frock and Roll requires healthy food!

streetstyle from www.frock-and-roll.com

What are your own favourite reads?

I always find it hard to find magazines, I mostly read German music magazines they are a better quality than the English ones such as NME. But I also read NME in my favourite cafe, they have one there for free. I don't read Vogue - I find it a waste of space, I'm not interested in only looking at ads and pay 10 Euros for it (in Austria). And I don't find any inspiration in it either. I read Nylon, which maybe is a bit cliché but it seems to cover most of the stuff I'm interested in for. I read a couple of blogs, all my favourites are English. And I read books if I have time though the last book I had to read was because of UNI ‘Bloody’ Hamlet (I didn't get until the end). I also read the sun online for the daily chitchat - it's like the Austrian ‘Heute’.

Tell us what to expect from Frock and Roll over the next few months

I hope Frock and Roll gained lots of loyal readers and more lovely people who contribute, ‘SO IF YOU’RE READING THIS, GET OFF YOUR ASS!’