HIGH SS15

Upon discovering HIGH last season, I instantly fell deeply and utterly in love - with the clothes, the styling, the overall aesthetic, the lookbook, the Icelandic location, the models' faces, the photography and videography...everything. I wanted to disappear into the world conjured by the AW14 collection. A world of being vaguely overdressed, dreamy and a touch melancholic.

The SS15 collection from the Italian-based, British-designed label did not disappoint in the wake of my passionate feelings for last season. Still that gorgeous videography, still those two wonderful models and still that moodiness but transported to a different, though equally lonely landscape (Bardenas Reales in Navarre, Spain). All pools in empty backyards and stretching desert in the distance. Proclaiming themselves "everyday couture", we can see this reflected in the casual clothes made richer and more interesting by expensive detail. A balance of restraint trimmed in lace or crochet or chains. Think breezy, wearable, beautiful clothes. Think denims and cottons, white floaty materials, camo pants, light coats. Touches, again of the cowgirl vibes of last season and contrasting modes of elegant lounging at the house with rugged, distressed looks for exploring the harsh, lovely terrain.

Below is the campaign video. I could watch it all day, it's so gorgeous. Majorly digging the crisp lines of modernity against the craggy wilderness of nature.

Liked this post? Want more?

Follow me here using google friend connect or bloglovin.

Or follow me on tumblr - twitter - facebook.

Hedi over heels yet again...

Controversial as his leadership of (Yves) Saint Laurent has been to some, there's no denying that he takes a good photo and has a talent for spotting melancholic, moody beauties. Black and white, against simple backdrops and without any real fan-fare and, yet, captivating. An immediately discernible aesthetic. I, for one, am a major fan of what he's doing for that grand house. I think infusing it with youth and the energy of artists and musicians does fantastic things for everyone involved and I think few could fuse rock and roll and luxury so seamlessly, in a manner that miraculously doesn't seem contrived. The politics of access and revolution or invention are a debate for another place and head space because tonight all I want to do is adoringly gaze over the latest images for the Psych Rock collection in awe. Boho's never been my thing...but damn am I starting to wonder if there's an old school rock and roll hippy in me yet.

(My inner punk is weeping)

(Images via vogue.fr via ysl.com by Hedi Slimane of Grace Hartzel)

GORGEOUSNESS OVERLOAD.

PLUS: I really want a fringe now again.

Brand Crush: HIGH

I stumbled across the HIGH lookbook recently, in the window of a shop near where I work. The cover of the hardback lookbook was so gorgeous that I had to go inside and ask about it. I was told the brand was called HIGH and was made in Italy, designed by an Englishwoman, Claire Campbell.

Dat cover.

When I went to research the brand and see more, I discovered that their campaigns are always this gorgeous and conceptual. In fact, I have to say that they're some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. Which makes the fact that I'd yet to hear of them hard to grasp - how are people not raving about these clothes, these images and (dear God) the accompanying videos.

It's also uber-rare for me to want every piece from a collection - even for my most favourite designers - and, yet, that's the case here. They're the contemporary classics, the wearable loveliness, that the brand aims to produce. I never thought I'd utter this phrase...but...Damn, I wanna be a Scandinavian Cowgirl.

Which is the best way I can describe the AW14 collection.

I mean: Dat Stetson. Srsly. Gimme.

Set against a beautifully bleak landscape in Iceland and featuring to lovely, minimally made-up models with moody shots and music....it's really everything I want from a campaign.

Also, the hair is perf throughout.

Sigh.

So in love. Check the images and video below. You shan't be disappointed!

(Images via HIGH)

So, what do you think? As obsessed as me?

I'm off to run around in giddy circles. 

Brand Crush: Warby Parker.

When the brand contacted me, I had heard their name before but I knew little about them. A quick browse of their site immediately won me over - great design, collaborations with the likes of Beck, matching each pair bought with one for someone in need and uber-cute campaigns...need I say more?

Going back to the charity aspect for a moment - they've actually donated over a million frames now via the Buy a Pair, Give a Pair incentive which sees Non-Profit partners given a donation with each Warby Parker purchase to buy glasses and pass them on to entrepreneurs they've trained in countries such as India and Guatemala. This means they're not just throwing money cluelessly at charities but building a system that creates jobs as well. I love that the brand is a For-Profit not only determined to deliver good design and good service at lower prices but to also positively affect the wider world.

Bonus: They're carbon-neutral.

Bonus bonus: They sell a monocle. I'm not even shitting you.

Be still, my beating heart.

Eyewear has been such a big part of my life. Since I got laser-eye surgery two years ago, I've really missed my glasses. Don't get me wrong - it's an amazing freedom to not need them! But, still. They were a comfort blanket. And part of me since I was seven. So, I sometimes long for a pair once more. On the flip-side, for the first time I can wear sunglasses and I do so almost every day now - no matter the season.

As I have this deep connection to all things eyewear, I feel I have the right to share how I would style glasses. I've chosen two pairs - eyeglasses and sunglasses - from the Warby Parker Waterways Collection which I'm kind of obsessed with. (I'm a bit of a Waterbaby so the dreamy, underwater campaign images are majorly doing it for me.) So, here goes!

So, what do you guys think? Crushing as bad as me? Check Warby Parker out on facebook and twitter and consider carefully your next eyewear purchase!

Alexander McQueen AW14 Campaign.

Ugh. So in love.

I'm feeling a witchy vibe coming on for A/W this year. I've gotten the perfect boots, next are the perfect clunky heeled loafers. And a cape. I need a damn good cape.

For this reason, my life-long romance with Gothic and Romantic literature, my deep-seated love for Robert Smith and much more, I'm DYING over the AW14 campaign images from Alexander McQueen. Srsly. So good. Loss for real words.

Featuring the lovely Edie Campbell, they're all my gothiest dreams come true. Siouxsie Sioux me now, this ones a heart-stopper.

What do you make of this? As squee-crazy over it as me?

Wide-Eyed and DIY: Miu Miu S/S 2014 Campaign Side-ponytail.

How cute, right?

And how easy to accomplish. As in, if I can do it ANYONE can. I'm gonna break it down into some steps with photos to help - YAYYY!

PS I'm not wearing makeup - soz - but not really.

1. Create a dramatic side-part or exaggerate existing side-part, like so.

Before

After

2. Make a ponytail on the side of your head and keep drawing it to the side and upwards until high on the head. I find this is easier than just trying to make a high side-pony right away and keeps the hair neat. 

3. Wrap a strand of hair around to hide the elastic of your hair-tie. Secure this and the desired position with pins.

4. Curl the ponytail in large sections to create big, bouncy curls. 

5. You can add hairspray for hold but I didn't and it lasted just fine! Yay to less chemicals!

So there you have it. And really, if I can do it, it HAS to be super-easy.