I've moved

For those of you who've wondered where the hell I've gone these past 8 months (?!), I've moved sites!

I'm now over at HannahMatcha.com - See you there!

CaraD4DKNY 4 Harvey Nichols

I've started to see a pattern within my posts recently, and seeing as they all seem to be based around a theme of graduating and attempting to find my place in the adult world, I thought I'd just carry on and hope for the best.

Which is why I thought it might be interesting (although I don't know to who), to give little insights into the working world of someone who's still finding their feet in the fashion industry.
As those of you who read this blog will know, I started a new job two weeks ago as the social media assistant for Harvey Nichols. It's been a pretty intense two weeks, but I've finally got my head around the way things work and have learnt a ridiculous amount in such a short space of time.
I've also never had as much fun working as I do now and I've lost track of how many times the words "I can't believe I'm getting paid to do this" have crossed my mind.

Yesterday was just one of those moments. Running around the Harvey Nichols third floor- (cocktail in one hand, iPhone in the other) tracking Cara Delevingne's movements across London couldn't possibly be my job, right?!

To celebrate the launch of Cara's collaboration with DKNY she secretly set out to visit four major London stores- Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and DKNY.
In pure Harvey Nichols fashion of course we decided the best way to launch what is probably one of the most major collabs this year (alongside Wang x H&m obvs) was by purely drinking and dancing (thankfully for everyone there though, I didn't attempt any break dancing moves myself)...
Despite it being my first work event and feeling incredibly sick for about 48 hours in advance, it actually all went pretty smoothly. One thing I worry about the most is not getting enough coverage. Social media is so fast-paced that you have to be at the forefront of absolutely everything, being the first person talking about it. However, being a 5'2" invisible person I'm often mistaken for a fangirl and elbowed straight out of the way (thank you photographers)...
Luckily being small occasionally has it's advantages- ducking beneath said photographers elbows and giving them a sly dig back often works wonders, and before you know it- perfect instagram-worthy images. 

Next time though I think I'll just pack some stilts.. 

F A S H I O N // It doesn't count unless it's monochrome

Let me start by again apologising for my lack of online presence this month.
In the best way possible I have well and truly been thrown in at the deep end in my new job, and I'm still yet to come up for air.

I'll get there (she hopes).
Until that day though please ignore all future typos coming from my direction- Lack of sleep and an overactive brain has resulted in some major keyboard faux pas. 

What I actually came here to do was introduce you a few major new additions to my wardrobe! 
I've never been one to indulge in 'retail therapy' before this year, instead viewing clothes shopping as more of a necessity. My high street visits always resembled that yearly shop for school clothes (a memory that still sends chills down my spine). The screaming tantrums in Clarks and oversized school trousers *shudder*
However, I've recently found myself enjoying the retail experience (although I can't say the same for my bank account). 
Last week I happened to find myself skipping out of Harvey Nichols with a new pair of Senso loafers swinging from my arm- oops. The only thing preventing my post-splurge guilt  is the fact I'd been cradling them at work for so long. It only seemed fair I give them a permanent place in my life...
A couple of days later I came home to an exciting delivery from Stevie Rose Ray containing a brand new addition to my watch collection- the Daniel Wellington Sheffield, and it's been an almost permanent fixture to my wrist ever since.

A few months ago I told myself I'd start buying more colour in an attempt to brighten my life.
Hahahahahah. Good one. 

L I F E S T Y L E // See ya September

September has been an incredibly (and unexpectedly) exciting month, the most exciting of which was BAGGING MYSELF A NEW JOB!

I can finally announce that as of this Friday I'll be the new Social Media Assistant of Harvey Nichols- a role I've wanted for the past eight months and I'm so so excited to get myself settled in. 

It's terrifies me a little bit to think only 14 months ago I was throwing my graduation cap in the air alongside my fellow fashion grads, and although that sweltering late July feels like only yesterday, I feel as though I've gained about 5 years of knowledge in those 14 months.

There was a short time (maybe a month or so after graduating) when I longed to snuggle back into the corner of our university studio with a paintbrush, but I can honestly say that nothing could drag me back to education now.

As fun as a Masters degree in design would probably be, there is no one who could talk me into another £10,000- £20,000 of education (besides, where the hell am I supposed to find £20,000 anyway? Oh, just let me check my piggy bank...)

I often sit and wonder what things I would have done differently (a frustrating hobby that I don't suggest you take up), and although I like to tell myself that I wouldn't change anything about my university experience, I do wish my present self had been around to give the ball of stress that was my 21 year old third year self a little advice:

Just because you're enrolled on a design course, doesn't mean you have to find your career in designing. This is one of the most crucial things I had known before graduating. Being a creative person opens up so many opportunities and (I believe) makes every day life a million times more exciting- I honestly don't know how non-creative people live their lives without getting insanely bored- but anyway... I pursued a further education in fashion design because I wasn't finished learning. A-levels were incredibly regimented and restricting in terms of creative fulfilment, so I basically ended up paying for a degree because I wanted more time to play. 

I didn't know what I wanted to do when I was 18 and choosing our universities. Blogging wasn't a thing back then (most of the major bloggers we know now were literally just signing up to wordpress), and social media consisted of a mere Facebook and Twitter. The creative moodboards of Instagram and Pinterest were yet to exist, so getting connecting with other like-minded creatives worldwide was 100 times harder than it is for the 18 year olds of today (having grown up in a world where everyone and their cat has a blog). 

I'm sure a lot of the graduates of the last two- ten years will agree that we just kinda turned up and hoped for the best.

You put so much of your trust into your tutors that you just assume they're giving you the best advice. I adored every one of my tutors and I wouldn't have finished my degree with a first without them (if fact I'd probably still be trembling under a studio table if they weren't there to drag me out), however having any other ambition other than designing  I personally felt wasn't taken seriously.

Thinking back now I realise just how ridiculous that is. Having worked alongside and befriended those with experience working for huge fashion companies- Harvey Nichols, Asos, Net A Porter etc- I've come to see just how important it is to have a creative background. Just having an eye for detail, for composition and a drive and enthusiasm is such a huge benefit to any role in the fashion industry. There isn't a single person I work with at Harvey Nichols who isn't creative. 

Whether it's the photographers and stylists or the writers and marketers, everyone has a vision. Just because you studied pattern cutting doesn't mean you can't go on to make it as a stylist, or a web designer, or an art director. You don't have to be limited to your degree. 

I specialised in printed textiles but can't remember the last time I mixed pigment or picked up a squeegee, but that doesn't matter. I use everything I learnt during that degree and make it relevant to what I'm doing now, and anything I don't know I'll pick up on the way. 

I think what I'm trying to say in a very long-winded and boring way is to not let others define who you are or limit what you want to achieve. We try and give a name to everything now, and although it might make life a little clearer, who wants to be confined to just one box? 

You also can't plan your entire career (unless you want to live a pretty dull life), and I've come to learn that's there's no harm in trying new things and moving around. One of my worst fears in life is to end up hating my job. We spend so long working and with retirement age getting later and later the thought of waking up in the morning and not wanting to go to work is pretty terrifying.

So if you're currently at university but don't really know what you want to do, don't panic! Start a blog, creating moodboards at home, make your bedroom a studio, network with those already in the industry- just do anything and just pay attention to what you truly enjoy doing. You never know, you might start a blog a realise you're a whizz at web development (sadly that wasn't me)!

So, last September I found myself newly graduated and joining the fashion industry for the first time with my first ever full-time job, and a year later I'm starting all over again. I wonder what September 2015 will have in store?...

F A S H I O N // Interestingly plain

Before I start rattling on let me start with this. Yes I know Paris fashion week has yet to come to a close, but I’m growing way too restless okay.

           I blame the fast-pace of the fashion industry for my ever growing impatience- I can’t even hear out the end of fashion month without getting antsy.

                   

Anyway who cares.  With the insane amount of S15 collections being thrown in our faces over the last 4 weeks, it’s no surprise I’m sick of keeping schtum.  Besides, I already knowwww. I already know who I want to be next season and I’m not waiting until the end of the month to revel in this newfound woman!

My style never really changes (although I can't say the same about my hair) and lo and behold, less than a week in and I was again fanaticising over navy organza’s, twisted waist hugging shirts and vented tunics. I’m pretty certain it wasn’t just me this effected by THE ROW, in fact judging by the sheer volume of “I can’t even’s” spotted under every tagged photo I know I wasn’t the only one. I’m currently pushing the realities of oversized 5’2” frumpy layering out of my mind (although if M-K and A can pull it off…) instead picturing ankle-grazing skirts sitting perfectly atop those delicate mandals. Oh and forget cleavage, 2015 is all about the ankle flash *gasp*

It wasn’t just THE ROW to have me squirming in anticipation though. Marni- a brand who until the last year or so I didn’t really pay much attention to, but my God how did I ever overlook them?!

Soft knits in sand and ivory pulled together with a loosely knitted obi-style belt.

Throw in the tailored layering and hessian style wrap skirts seen at Whistles and you pretty much have my dream S15 wardrobe. Sadly the majority will be out of my price range, however I’ve finally moved my sewing machine, pattern papers and mannequin out of storage and into the new house (only took me three months) which means I’ll be busy sweating over said wardrobe instead of handing over my credit card.

Clean, soft and interestingly plain. 

That is the woman of 2015, and I can’t wait to walk in her shoes!

O U T F I T // A coat isn't a coat unless it's a duvet

As routine I thought I'd start with a disclaimer- I have never once managed to look well presented at any fashion week event.

Ever. I'm so envious of those who can stand all weather conditions, bustling photographers and the crazed rush to

shows, because I honestly have no idea how they do it! I take one tube journey (yes, I'm yet to have my own fashion

week driver okay fancy pants) and I look as though I've run a marathon. And not in that sexy glowing way, more like

that "Oh dear Lord did you die?" Kinda way... This was how I felt pretty much all day. Guzzling pret sandwhiches

and still discovering the crumbs hours later in the presence of elite fashion babes. Not a great look. I also don't 

take a good photo. Put me in front of the lens and I have a complete meltdown, so luckily for me Slawek managed

to sneak in a few shots when I wasn't paying attention! 

Embarrassingly the majority of my outfit is from Zara who are my absolute heroes when  staring despairingly at my empty

clothes rail and full laundry basket. I wandered in there the other day and fell head over heels for this cream coat 

(bought in a size large of course)! I finally found a collarless winter coat without costing me a years rent! Hurrah! 

The calf hair slides however are from Topshop, and the watch from Simon Carter (borrowed stolen from my boyfriend).

Images by Slawomir Jarocki   

F A S H I O N W E E K // Toga S/S15

I write this in the frantic aftermath of a busy work day, typing in one hand and stirring chicken noodle soup in the other, 

so I warn you now- spelling mistakes and grammatical errors await!

I spent the majority of yesterday afternoon frantically flailing around London alongside my fellow pack of 

Harvey Nichols photographers and stylists, on the hunt to discover the most stylish London has to offer. Sadly

day 3 of LFW wasn't giving us the talent we so craved, and so instead we headed over to the Toga presentation

for a much needed reassurance that yes, London fashion is still pretty good... 

Yasuko Furuta as always did not disappoint. Although her aesthetic is generally a little more chaotic than my own,

there was still something about it that gave me that same sense of calamity. Whether it was the warmth and high 

ceilings of the St Pancras renaissance hotel in which we were gathered, the live orchestral band or

maybe the collection itself I don't know, but either way there was something there that made me feel I

(at that moment) could just maybe belong amongst the throng of Toga enthusiasts and sophisticated hotel guests in the next room. 

With textured panels of painterly brushstrokes I expected the prints through this collection to drastically 

overpowered the structure of the garments. How enjoyable then to find that actually I still noticed the elongated

 power shoulders of her tunics and delicate sheer trousers.

What surprised me most though is how much I utterly fell in love with the accessories. Never did I think 

I'd be the type to flock to mesh trimmed box totes and teeny (are they shoulder bags- are they clutches)?

Who even cares I love them! And who knew foam flatforms covered in what I only compare to fishing net 

could leave me in a salivating mess?? Not only was is it this unexpected use of textile, but also a number of other little surprises

in the form of mirrored tiles, pleated organza collars and organic effeminate ruffles that had me circling the room 

least twenty times. Lastly and worthy of a mention was the real sense of interaction we had with the collection.

One thing I love about presentation spaces is the real sense of personal connection you have with the clothes 

and the models- something the catwalk really lacks. Here the model can gauge the mood of the audience and react 

to the camera. It was even relaxed enough for them to occasionally stoop from the podium to direct their 

attention to adorable little Sergio (the shoe hunter). 

All in all a collection that contains all the elements of a chaotic art installation but with subtle hints of the complex, strong 

(and occasionally pretty sexy) woman who'll most definitely be sporting head to toe Toga come spring/summer 2015...

L I F E S T Y L E // Goodbye July and August!

Blogging seems like quite an alien thing to be doing after almost two months absence. My time spent away from the digital world (well..apart from social media obvs) has left me feeling like an 80 year old with an ipad. This whole wifi malarky is all well and good, but what the hell do I do with it?...
I feel like I've abandoned my poor little blogspot in favour of flatpack furniture and dulux, but I am pleased to say that after eight weeks we are finally moved in and unpacked. Pheww.
It's only been two months, but my God has it been busy. I thought it fitting therefore for my first post back to be a little insight into my summer. July and August feel like a million years ago now and I can't for the life of me remember what the hell happened, but by the looks of it it consisted of mainly food and flowers. Sounds about right...

I'm not dead..

Although my lack of a blogging presence may suggest otherwise, I am in fact still very much alive! It feels as though I've fallen off the edge of the virtual cliff as it were (by no fault of my own), in fact if I have to argue my case- I was pushed..
But in all honesty life has kinda gotten in the way of le old blog, and by life I mean a brand new home and a million (extremely enjoyable) trips to Ikea! And with said new home comes every bloggers nightmare- no wifi?!! Good Lord!
I'll have my shit together in a couple of weeks though... I hope...

E A T // La cave a Fromage/ Brompton food market

I'm pretty sure that if it weren't for food, I'd never get up in the morning. My whole day revolves around food and if I'm not eating it, I'm thinking about it.
My housemates and I used to spend time cooking joint meals together only to sit down in front of a cooking show and salivate over the food on TV instead of our own...
Since graduating however I feel as though I've suddenly turned into a 60 year old woman trapped in a 23 year old body. Not only did I spend my precious evenings shopping for carpets this week (yes, carpets), my best friends and I have begun to trade in our evening drinks and nights out for over-indulgent lunches.
Finally my dream of being a lady who lunches has come true!
First stop of course had to be La Cave à Fromage in South Kensington (anywhere with a name like cave of cheese has to be amazing)! I definitely wasn't disappointed. After feasting on platters of cheese and cured meats washed down with champagne, my overly stuffed body was in dire need of nutrition. Five minutes later and a brisk walk round the corner and we found ourselves hidden in the secret garden of Brompton Food Market guzzling fruit smoothies and nursing a severe cheese hangover. 
If only lunch dates could take place every day! 
For now, 
Hannah

T A L E N T S P O T // Ashley Oubré

I know what you're thinking- there's no way these can be drawings!.. Right? 
Well that's exactly what I thought when I came across Ashley Oubré's work, but low and behold they're definitely not. I know right... shhiiitttt!
Ashley uses a variation of brush techniques combining graphite pencil, indian ink and carbon pencil to create these insanely realistic portraits. It's one thing for an artist to create a true likeness of their subject, but for someone to capture the exact skin tone, wrinkle and reflection of light is something else entirely.
The above drawings are a few of her more recent works which you can view via her website here. 
For once I really have no words so I'll allow you to browse the site and die of amazement. Have fun!

A C C E S S O R Y // Smith/Grey

I'm quite lucky that my job allows me to discover new exciting brands pretty much every day. Some may be new to me but not to others which is probably the case with Smith/Grey, and I'm a little surprised I haven't stumbled upon them before now!
We had a few of their rings in the studio to shoot/style, and I fell head over heels for the  Whisper and Pearlgatory rings. With quite a visually powerful shape these two are kept classic and understated with their dusky gold finish and subtle pearl embellishments. 
I've never been a huge pearl fan, but ever since I received my delicate pearl ear cuffs the obsession has begun! You can check out more of Smith/Grey's work by clicking here-- Enjoy!