You Had A Flame In Your Heart

I'd be a festive fool to swerv around the fact that Christmas just came and went. The snow seemed to camoflage the time, as it was surreal for 'santa' to be back again, but I'm never one to turn down a chance for an updated wardrobe. And this year my wish list was the holdall that took a hold of my heart. I love the leather effect bag from asos that has a cave of room inside, and a rich dark crinkle to it that gives commuting some military spirit. I've also invested in trousers with texture, such as mustard chino's or electric silk ones that dance in the wind. Someone on lookbook compared this vibe to that of the Duckie Brown runway, and I certainly took that as a compliment. The collection has an acid surfer punk to it, with psychadelic tops that melt into rippling trousers, and a clash of pre-school crayon colours that look at home together. It's given me even more inspiration for layering in a different way and length.

Frieze A Thought

While this might not be the utopia view of a festive film, I've found myself watching a feast of sci-fi films recently. I'm in no way season-sinister or reclused during the Winter, but I seem to get a taste for dark colours and trench like vibes that intimidate in an addictive way. I guess I view the bitter wind as an enemy to my thin frame, and clothes become the obvious weapon of choice. So in this sci-fi sphere I speak of, I'm not referring to the geek chic, but more the bullet defying coats and shoes that bully the snow. And encoporating this into office days that fund the warmth to my London life, there couldn't have been a better designer to stumble across than Elliott J.Frieze. His A/W collection is the perfect example of slick suited twists.

What strikes me first is the crinkle texture socks that look tightly sprung at the ankle. One stride would look to explode and coil them out. They’re a wonderful intersection and earthly purgatory between the deliciously silken suit and fudge like hunting boots. It’s refreshing to see the silhouette being distorted from an unexpected height; so often I’m used to seeing tailoring around the jacket region, so this scrunched sock appeals to me greatly. This play of levels is only heightened through the crisp trousers that have a life of their own. They look like rustling shadows, or harems with a tailored business edge. Not being one to generic myself in a standard office suit, I love this explosion of fabric that looks like sport slamdunked into the workspace.

The jackets are also a marvel to the level bending eye. They statically waterfall down a wealth of the body, like black slate that’s stylishly drowning the model. And for the blazers with a more standard shape, even these are given waist belts that add some real flare. And colour wise, the collection sticks to faded greys, slate like blacks and oatmeal caramels, keeping the clothes cohesive and allowing the textures to hold the aesthetics. I could continue to melt in words with his clothes, so for now, head to http://www.elliottjfrieze.com/ to see more.

I've also included my own way with black layering. Last weekend my flatmate Connie did a shoot in the frozen forest for an exciting brand she's working with. And despite the bitter cold that could practically freeze our excitement in the air, me and Oli jumped at the chance to be involved in the background. It was the perfect end to my first winter in the city.

Our Broken Fairytale

Winter has been frost biting the city, and while it doesn't bode well for a Victorian house that evaporates all existence of warmness, it at least makes the world outside a wonderland. I love wearing kooky print aran jumpers that clash with punk and tartan vibe trousers. It's like Vivienne Westwood in the wilderness, or a twisted narnia. I've also included some pictures of our days in the local park; my flatmate Connie took atmospheric pictures, and I slipped and skipped around by the bandstand.

Black Coffee

Just as essential as a black coffee rush in the morning is the need to look stylish at work without a decaffeinated air of practicality. But luckily menswear isn't tied up to a suit and tie life anymore, and I've found ways to make office wear more of an adventure. Fitted t-shirts with matrix coding graphic prints look like slick sci-fi tapestry under a rolled up blazer or peacoat, and mesh can subtly net its way into unpredictable terrain when layered carefully. And jodhpurs can gallop their way to become a pole position way of wearing skinny trousers with an ice white twist. My christmas craving however comes in the form of a holdall bag. I've seen so many that leave me jaw dropped, and I just love the idea of the man handbag bulking its way onto the highstreet. There's sticky cave style ones that look neverending inside, and even sport inspired bags that have an urban slick sense to them. I've included a personal favourite of mine below; a titan but earthly looking suitcase holdall from Louis Vuitton. Commuting has never been trendier.

Frosti Aurora

Sorry my updates haven't been quite as consistent as usual; it seems the thunderous snow has disguised the scenes for photoshoots and frozen all inspiration to pose. I really don't think the UK has been so cold before; it's felt like electric shocks of ice in the air. But luckily I've been working indoors at NatMags at the moment, and where better a place to defrost an idea into life, where business manners meet grunge reflections. Unless it's stripped and suited from the runway, I'd find it hard to generic myself into a monotone suit with the suffocating and shapeless thick tie, so mixing bohemian texture has given office wear a pop in my eyes. Slim fitting work trousers can look suprisingly punky when clashed and crammed into military boots, with the material silkenly rippling out of them. And my leafy cardigan companion is on hand to distort and bend a nautical top underneath. I've also included an editorial from Lithium Homme who introduce a harem hallucination of the office; the high waisted trousers look funky and quirky when paired with a blazer that looks like a golden tailcoat. And finally for photographic wonder during Winter, my friend Connie introduced me to a wonderful creatives work called Dylan Forsberg. His images are spellbinding and electric with romantic blur. Check out more of his work at www.dylanforsberg.blogspot.com, and inspired menswear at www.lithium-homme.com

Mist And Splinters

Autumn is a kaleidoscope and tapestry of honey colours, but Winter marks a season of mystery and intrigue to me. People walk by in a cocoon of layers, tough boots crush the snow without sympathy, and the ice mist creates a mystical environment that’s enchantingly ambient and eerie in equal measure. So to mark the first post of December, I’ve included a style shoot set around frozen grass splinters, and a purple silk scarf that looks like it’s about to set alight with colour from the cold. I also came across an editorial I loved that indulged in darkness and cold static stances. I find the minimal editorial touch so captivating and intoxicating.

Your Eyes Lie

So this week I was chuffed to receive a galaxy bag of graphic t-shirts from Camden brand YOUREYESLIE. Their designs are distressed, sci-fi esque, and the perfect fusion of grunge and slick. To check out their range which is taking over the trendy kids of London and beyond, head to www.youreyeslie.com

I've also included a picture of me and my flatmate Connie (from www.constance-victoria.blogspot.com.) Along with another funky and cultured type by the name of Oli, my London flat and experience so far has been enriched with fun times and upward career doings.

Barbour Has Me Barb Wired

It's hard to be homesick in the city when the countryside has seemingly ploughed its print on the pavements. The trends might have been all about vintage charity shop charm for a few years, but recently the 'must have' has gone to all new rural routes, where the farmer has never been so chic. Quilted and wax barbour jackets tractor past me every few minutes along Carnaby Street, with a tough emmerdale texture that looks like organic military from the wilderness. It's amazing to see an every day jacket unknowingly ticking the aesthetics for a number of trends; the quilt has a slight sci-fi bobble tone, the wax regiments with the army retail ranks, and the patchwork has all the Burberry city cool. I went home at the weekend, and alongside getting a new haircut at the barbers, I picked up my very own barbour which has veiny corrogated sleeves and a creamy quilted pop in the middle. Hope you like it. I've also just been enlisted as the fashion sub editor for the upcoming mens magazine, Conquer, set for publishing and release at the start of next year. It's already looking to be an enriched and inspired magazine, so make note!

Smokey Taboo

So this weekend I've gone back to my countryside routes for a few days, and I always seem to fall under an immediate bohemian dizzyspell when I camoflage and hibernate within the wilderness. The attire turns to corrogated cardigans that look like peeled off bark, earthly and grainy tops that crackle in the wind, and boots destined to drown in heavy pools of leaves. And if your ever looking for similar textures in the high street this season, Urban Outfitters revel in the wilderness with aran knits to melt even the stone-city obsessed heart.

Paradise Lost

Even though some trends are intended to vanish and mist away in an instant, I personally like to keep the must-haves cushioned in my closet for rennovation when I feel like being creative. Take the military style that regimented a war-like obsession at the start of the year. While it might be behind enemy lines and in no-mans-land now, I still find ways to fuse it into current trends and the Autumn spirit. I've recently enjoyed layering silky materials together, meriting the patchwork of honey leaves around my neck of the city woods. And it shows that you don't need tough, urban textures and colours to complete the army appeal, because the glossy shoulder and button details on my red shirt tick the aesthetics I feel. If anything, it's an autumnal hybrid of military and rustic charm. And a designer I came across recently who revels in this is Shareef. His clothes are like pixie boy princes from mystical forests, who also have that subtle air of urban attitude and funk.

Dancer In The Dark

Sorry I haven't been quite as active online lately, but I've been wonderfully submerged in a feast of fashion activity recently that has kept me creative. My best friend is soon to be a fashion editor for a new magazine, meaning my typewriter and tales will hopefully be of use. And alongside this there's a publication for the professional man about town that I've been enlisted to help conquer the newspaper stands. And forgive the pun and play on words, but the magazine is called Conquer! So alls at a fast pace of late, which is keeping my mind warm amidst the bitter chill that London has taken a taste for.

In other news, I was so chuffed to receive some inspired t-shirts from Garcon Chic. Their designs have architecture flair to them, with words shaped eclectically and thought provoking graphics and prints with a modern pop art edge. To get your own essential tee for this season, head to http://www.garconchic.com/indexING.html

You Are My Sweetest Downfall

One of Autumn's personal attractions is the stylish transition and purgatory playground it offers. Winter weather is aproaching, but doesn't have that frightening bite to it. So it rustles up the invitation to wear comfortable layers but in a more playful way. Take my day in a local London park, where 'skin tight' can still stick to the new season, and has even befriended the rich autumn colours of burnt oranges and smokey browns. It brings out my countryside spirit-style, because Autumn really comes to life in woodland; with explosions of leaves that ballet dance in the wind. I've also taken inspiration from Paul Smith's recent campaign in Japan's December GQ Magazine. I love the swarv' hunting quality with a devilish bohemian intensity. It makes me think that accessories such as watches, scarves and gloves will be making their names on my wish-list.

Ardentees A La Carte

I was thrilled to be contacted by graphic t-shirt brand ardentees recently, who were kind enough to send me a few of their inspired designs. They christen themselves as an intriguing visual exploration of the symbiotic relation between fashion and art, and I couldn't agree more. The t-shirts have a tattooed vibe to them, with calligraphy strokes woven into sharp electric stain moments. The designs look like matrix code from afar, and sci-fi romance up close. There's a Banksy style graffiti and an avant-garde Bjork esque delicacy, with explosions of red across the print. I've worn one of their tops with a navy blazer that is irresistible to all seasons. It looks great as a slim fit juxtaposed against parachuting pinstripe trousers. To get your own graphic print this season, head to http://www.ardentees.com/

Agoraphobic Revival

Whoever said fashion is self centered must have been bullied by their wardrobe at childhood. Because recently I've found a family role-reversing quality with my clothes. Aran knit jumpers no longer have to be the staple and sole 'bread winner' on show. Even with colour popping patchwork, they can easily be encorporated and layered into a jumble-sale-and-frame of shirts, denim, and even thicker knits. My leafy cardigan looks like earthly bubblewrap that has a cloud like canvas, whilst a silky red shirt melts into place over the ecstatic knit thatzings and stings to the layers in glee; like a jumper that's been given a well deserved weekend off from the 9-5 showcase. Wearing all these layers is almost making me agoraphobic, such is the comfort I'm a hype-oholic for indoors.

A designer that revives knit so skilfully is Juyoung, where her new collection 'Resurrection' revamps the order of wear. Jackets, jumpers and tweed overlap for a labyrinth result.

I've also included a picture link below to one of the news articles I helped write and construct at Harper's Bazaar to date. It's been one of the most enrinched and intellectually stimulating environments I've been in, and has driven me even more to take my typewriter to such an office one day. Be sure to head to www.harpersbazaar.co.uk to witness the recently revamped site spectacle.

Fading Into Focus Through The Looking Glass

The cold weather certainly hasn't frosbite my thoughts in london this past week. Maybe it's the product of paranormal fuzzyness from being on the nocturnal go, or the deliciously dark vanity of Dorian Gray themed films I've seen. But whatever the ghost story behind it, I've found creativity in twisted editorials, music that chills, and clothes that creep around the body and mist in ghost like ways. There's definately no need for an imagination exorcism! Take this black shirt I picked up, which looks like a rippling shadow that would fade to the touch. The white cable knit underneath doesn't detract from the dark vibe either, instead adding shadows and intriguing illusion to the look. The halloween season is always the playground and midnight carnival for fashionstas to awaken couture and misunderstood items out of their wardrobe; so I cant wait to see what comes to runway-life on the London streets next week.

A Cold Desert Mirage

The Harper's office has certainly been a tapestry and sculpture of fashion architectural perfection. The fashion writers really embody the high end gloss of the magazine, like fashion school illustrations popping off the page in clothes we can only dream and sketch of. From capes to cashmere, to wilderness parka coats, there's an office jungle of wild style around me. But one thing I've seen consistent is the coherent love of black. I looked like an acid trip illusion from the 80's in comparison when I came in one day in my floral shirt, such was the intoxication of inspired black layering around. I've definately been inspired though, with their shadows creeping into my twilight. Helping on an article about black lace and leather varieties has given me the physics and microscope enhanced detail on how to layer and give depth to the winter seasonal colour. So for my own interpretation, I funneled an asos knit over tight fit jeans. And flying away from my Burberry aviator addiction, I've replaced the sheepskin with a similar camel caramel cream colour jacket. I love the way it ripples and glows, like the perfect Starbucks latte that romanticises a winters day out. Hope you all like the look, and I'll update with my wonderfully bizarre doings from Harper's next week.