The Reinvention Game

So it's that dreaded time of year again, when summer is over and drones of us have to drag our heels back to University, School, College etc. etc. But for some people this month will be their first time at University and their first time living away from home. Naturally this means that they are due in for the unavoidable flatmate disagreements (almost always food related) and the horrific deadlines. Not to mention the nights they'd rather forget and the money woes. Of course, the big move away from home does have many upsides; the main one being the opportunity for REINVENTION! Now is the chance for you to meet hundreds of new people and be able to dress the way you've always wanted and to wow them with any style you like without any pre-judgements from existing friends. And best of all? Vice's UK Student Guide is here to help you with that. Here's a few inspirational choices:

Be an 'Anna':

'If your look is so nerdy that you don't even really exist outside of high school movies, it's just a matter of time before someone popular offers to She's All That you. Unfortunately, you'll have to eventually realise that you looked better before the makeover and will go back to your nerdy ways. But whatever, it's fun while it lasts.'

Be a 'Nell':

'The trick with the fashion-metal look is to never ever admit that it's ironic. If anyone asks, your favourite band growing up was Kreator or Angel Witch. It doesn't matter that you don't know what they sound like because no one else does either, so you'll never get caught.'

Be a 'Scarlett':

'Some of the most glamorous and orange girls have at one point considered themselves 'alternative' and tried to rid themselves of their laughably trashy aesthetic. They understandably, have a pretty warped impression of what does look trashy and tend to keep all of the worst aspects of their look. Look out for drag-queen make-up, paired with the T-shirt of a band that the wearer has never heard of.'

Any of these looks peak your interest? Head over to Vice Style for more options and for details about the clothing used in the shoots.

Images and Caption text via Vice Style.

Fancy Some Front Row Action?

Always dreamed of sitting front row at London Fashion Week? Well Topshop wants to help you achieve that dream (or at least give you the feeling of having achieved it!) by streaming free live shows right from the catwalk. Starting from tomorrow you can have a little mosey on over to their website to watch a live stream of shows from designers including Mary Katrantzou, Richard Nicoll and Topshop Unique (duh). The schedule can be found here.

Starting from today the official London Fashion Week website will also be streaming a variety of shows with designers including PPQ, Betty Jackson, ACNE (I'll be setting aside time for this!), Holly Fulton and Amanda Wakely, just to name a few.

(ACNE and Holly Fulton)

(Meadham Kirchhoff and Richard Nicoll)

So, will you be tuning in live to London Fashion Week or will you wait for the blogger round ups for your fashion fix? I know I'll definitely be watching, possibly sat in my bedroom dressed up to the nines whilst channelling Anna Wintour.

Images via InsideOut and Style.com

Style Vault - Atlanta de Cadenet

The Cobrasnake's right hand lady and hipster favourite Atlanta de Cadenent is fast becoming a celebrity du jour all of her own thanks to her beachy 70's vibes (I refuse to say boho) and glorious two-tone mane. She also sports a rather fetching variety of lipsticks. Just lovely.

Images via Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4, Link 5, Link 6.

Ear Vibes

Two songs I can't get out of my head right now and two bands that should definitely be on your radar:

The XX - Crystalised

Slow Club - Giving Up On Love

Body Lovely

I have my eye on some rather lovely body jewellery that has just come into stock at Urban Outfitters, and most of it is priced at a rather affordable £12! Somewhat of a bargain compared to most body chains I've seen which average around the £300 price mark. Simply perfect for jazzing up a simple t-shirt!

Images via Urban Outfitters

Sizing Up Marc Jacobs

So news has spread (rather like wildfire) that Marc Jacobs is to expand his range to include a 'Plus Size' collection. Now 'Plus Size' is a phrase I can't abide, the connotations of this are not at all flattering to the lady it might be describing and it's not at all specific; for instance a UK 14 on the catwalk is often referred to as 'Plus Size' and on the High Street 'Plus Size' falls into the UK Size 16 range. Yet I personally would place UK Sizes 18 and over into the 'Plus Size' category as most High Street stores cater for UK Sizes 6 to 16.

As Marc Jacobs is an established designer I am going to assume that the collection will provide for ladies over a UK Size 14, and this is obviously brilliant for a number of reasons. Not only will it help to transform the unrealistic runway body shape that we currently view as 'perfection' but it re-establishes the fact that we are sick of the 'one size fits all' mentality that many designers share. This shift in size range, although seemingly non-important, proves that consumers and their needs are still important and influential. More importantly, it shows that designers are taking note. Where there is a consumer need there will be a designer ready to provide. Unfortunately with the case of larger sized clothing there have not been many brands 'confident' enough to be the first to set an example. After all, so far it is mainly uncharted waters (save for the rather low-key 'Plus Size' Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana collections) and with the current unstable economy many designers prefer to play it safe with smaller sizes.

('Plus Size' model Crystal Renn walking for Chanel)

Thank God then for the more spirited and realistic designers, such as Marc Jacobs, who realise that the shape of the modern woman is constantly changing and that the skinny lanky frames of the 16 year old runway beauties are not a realistic or achievable image. Obviously I am not trying to say that a Size 16 should be the new standard, in fact I don't believe in any size standards as we are all different in structure and each person should be happy with whatever size they are. Nor should size be a constant obsession within the media and general society. The Prada A/W '10 show was a great example of women of different ages and sizes being celebrated individually for who they are, proving that diversity is beautiful.

(Prada A/W '10 RTW Runway)

Pullitzer Prizewinner Robin Givhan's article in the September issue of UK Elle beautifully argues the fashion tug of war with sizes and how our society is more than ready for an image shake up. Hopefully Marc Jacob's collection for the woman above a Size 14 will set a precedent for other designers who should realise that women come in all shapes and sizes. The collection won't be ready for about a year but I imagine that it will be anticipated with baited breath.

Outfit Of The Day

Somehow this outfit really shouldn't work. Somehow it really does. The combination of black sequin trousers, sheer socks paired with black platforms, an oversized fur coat and a mane of blonde bed hair just screams 70's cool. Serious love for this lady's style.

Image found via Trash&Vodka