'Blur vs. Oasis'...

On Thursday eve myself, Mr J and my friend Jaz attended the private view of the new Blur 21: The exhibition at the LondonNewcastle Gallery on Redchurch Street, East London.  With all of the band in attendance {although gutted I didn't spot one member *walks around with eyes closed*} there was such a buzz in the space and this was only added to by delicious Sauvignon Blanc {no cheap house white here}, Couvoisier cocktails - cooler or punch and copious canapes; I think I lost count of the number of goats cheese filled cherry tomatoes with thyme foam I ate, and this from someone who usually doesn't indulge in finger food at such events due to a} fear of dropping food down myself, b} ending up with food in my teeth at in inopportune moment or c} said canape being laced with meat - oh the fear of the veggie!  Anyway after drooling over Alex James {Jaz, not myself} and looking at all the well edited images we started having a debate about whether back in the day we were Oasis or Blur, back then it was Oasis, present day we decided Blur - so who were you in the original battle of Britpop? The show runs until August 14th so go take a look, below is a selection of my fave images...

Damon as Debbie Harry - genius!

http://londonewcastle.com/arts-programme/events/2012-07-27/blur-21-the-exhibition/ 

Posted by: Miss J

Cover Lover - 'Loving LOVE'...

Cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of AW 2012 LOVE magazine on sale this coming Monday.  But which of the Downton Abbey ladies will I choose - I am currently favoring Lady Sybil at this moment in time - who is your fave?...

...a blue spray haired Michelle Dockery looks nothing like her character Lady Mary Crawley... 

 ...Lady Edith's Laura Carmichael with candy floss hair is nearly naked in net...

...Jessica Brown Findlay is a gothic bride, far away from Lady Sybil's usual attire...

...or maybe the black and white smoldering shot of Rob James-Collier aka Thomas the footman. Decision, decisions?

{Shot by Mert & Marcus and styled by super stylist and LOVE magazine Editor Katie Grand}

Posted by: Miss J

Foot Fetish Friday - 'Chain Gang Sports Sandal'...

One for the boys today chosen simply because if they came in my size and price range I would be all over these Givenchy Spring 2013 luxe sports sandals.  As you know, I essentially hero worship Riccardo Tisci and have christened him 'Givenchy the Great'.  These sandals tap into so many S/S13 mens footwear trends I ind of don't know where to begin, here goes! Contrast moulded rubber sneaker soles with 'formal' uppers - check.  Blinged out baroque excess {note that heavy gold curb chain trim} - check. High shine, glossy black patent upper with a daywear dress shoe feel - check.  Statement sandals - check, check, check!

{images - www.style.com}

Posted by: Miss J

'Miu Miu X Chloe = Fall 2012 Ad Campaign Cool!'...

Posted by: Miss J

'Chanel Makeup Pops Up'...

Yesterday saw the opening of Chanel's first dedicated makeup pop up store in London's Covent Garden. Myself and my gorgeous friend Jaz of http://crushwitheyeliner-jaz.blogspot.co.uk/ went to take a look last night.  After battling through crowds of tourists watching 'those' annoying street entertainers that line the strip from the station to the old market we reached what we hoped to be a Chanel enthusiast makeup mecca.  Complete with Chanel clad mime artist at the entrance and two Chanel 'black' cabs parked outside I have to say we found the store a little disappointing.  Maybe that was due to the fact the nail bar downstairs was closed and so we looked around the small overly security manned space.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Chanel makeup, their nail polish colours are amaze and up until I was introduced to MAC's Lady Danger their 'Enthusiast' red lipstick was all I wore.  As expected the store styling was really cool but we left kind of wanting more.  Maybe the rumored treasure hunt and special Christmas secret will be worth the wait - I do hope so!

Posted by: Miss J

Resort Report - 'Achingly Cool Acne'...

Dollar dollar bills y'all.  Jonny Johansson had money on his mind quite literally for Resort 2013, incorporating a blown up US dollar design into his well edited 13 look offering.  In grass green, purple reign and a neutral beige colourway the American note was emblazoned across classic trouser suit tailoring, a shirt-shorts-suit {try saying that five times over} and even worked it's way onto geek chic glasses.  Here are my fave looks from the collection.  Note the borrowed from your boyfriend fit, formal bermuda shorts and tongue-less peep toe knee highs...

{images - www.style.com}

Posted by: Miss J

'Smile! The sun has finally put his hat on'...

...this week in London the summer sunshine is finally making a late July appearance.  Thought I would share this gold zebra temporary lip tattoo that I was trialling earlier today.  Totally not something I would ever wear out due to the fact my lips are lacking in that natural bee stung quality that would make this beauty item rock.  Anyway ignore the bad application and enjoy the smile {and the sun}! 

Posted by: Miss J

Sh*t Fashion Girls Say meets The Man Repeller...

P'trique is back.  Enough said. Enjoy!

Posted by: Miss J

Couture Covet - 'Veiled Beauty'...

I adore Haute Couture fashion week, literally adore it.  It panders to my escapist, dress up, fantastical fashion side and I am always excited to see the dresses as well as the beauty and styling.  Every season since I can remember I have been especially excited to see the extreme beauty looks created by makeup maven Pat McGrath for the Dior show, always doused in drama with Monsieur Galliano at the helm.  Fast forward to Fall 2012 and with a new amazing creative director at the brand, Raf Simons first outing for Dior was always going to be a bonafide fashion moment and he didn't disappoint.  With a debut couture collection for the house which was modern, refined and beautiful Simons rewrote the usual heavily made up cats eye flick / red lipped faces with a very current beauty regime.  Colour pop eyeliner flicks with matching lashes over silver shadow and a two tone pout in red, fushcia and orange rewrote the rule book.  His finale saw the models beautifully made up faces covered with birdcage net, a trend that was not only seen here.  Giambattista Valli's net veiled visages came complete with sinister Silence of the Lamb-esque butterflies at the mouth, Armani Prive's offering saw delicately beaded veils adorn some models heads.  Jean Paul Gaultier's crystal net skull caps tapped into the trend without obsuring the face and at Chanel, La Lagerfeld styled large scale sequined fishnet berets on the back of models hair.  Directional designer Maison Martin Margiela's complete commitment to crystals blew me away, here his models faces were totally covered with heavily embellished rhinestone masks.  So the new answer to your next going out beauty dilemma?....Put a veil on it. 

 Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall 2012

 Giambattista Valli Haute Couture Fall 2012

 Armani Prive Haute Couture Fall 2012

 Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Fall 2012

 Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2012

Maison Martin Margiela Haute Couture Fall 2012

{images - www.style.com}

Posted by: Miss J

Foot Fetish Friday - 'Kaning it!'...

Liberty shoe sale - I think I love you.  My bank balance does not.  Say hello to the newest member of my footwear collection, Christopher Kane luxe sports sandal!

Posted by: Miss J

Foot Fetish Friday - 'Plastic Prada Clogs'...

During the sales I tend to treat myself to a designer item that would, full price, be out of my price range rather than say buying lots of things from the high street with price points I can afford.  That's not to say I avoid the high street sales entirely, I have picked up a couple of pieces from Topshop so far during the summer sales.  Anyway, as you all know I have a very soft spot for shoes and so come sale time I tend to make a beeline for the shoe section in London's department stores.  It used to be the Selfridges shoe sale that stole my heart bank balance each season, but I have to come clean, Selfridges I have been unfaithful, I have cheated on you and am having a new love affair with Liberty's well edited footwear department.  I picked up these plastic rhinestone clogs a couple of Saturday's ago and think they will make a great evening holiday shoe.  Originally £640, I snapped them up for the bargain price of £119 and CANNOT wait to debut them in Hawaii {yes Hawaii - scream!} in a few weeks time.

Posted by: Miss J

Campaign Cult - 'Where the Wild Mulberry Bags Are'...

Tim Walker's seasonal campaign collabo continues for Fall 2012 with Lindsey Wixson's trademark gap tooth grin peeking out from a magical Mulberry forest complete with Where the Wild Things Are-esque hairy monsters.

{images - www.fashiongonerogue.com}

Posted by: Miss J

'Chanel 2.55 Watering Can'...

Overt your eyes from male model Jon Kortajarena and you may notice the signature black quilted leather Chanel watering can from the Resort 2013 show,  a fashion loving gardeners dream accessory - no?... Potential housewarming gift for Miss R when she finally moves?....Don't get your hopes up Rose!  What household object will Karl think of next?...

Chanel Resort 2013

{image - www.style.com}

Posted by: Miss J

'Laundry Bag Lady'...

Love this total look homage to those £1-a-bag {or there abouts} plaid laundry shoppers at A Child of the Jago's Spring Summer 2013 offering.  The top-to-toe matching pattern styling - maybe a move on from this seasons print clash?....We will see when the womenswear  shows start in September, total commitment to a look or a savy way for designers to entice multi cross product spending?  Anyway reminded me of me obsession with the Louis Vuitton version from their S/S 2007 collection that on closer inspection were actually woven leather, surely that justifies the £1000+ price tag - irony is expensive.

A Child of the Jago S/S 2012
{image - www.dazeddigital.com}

Louis Vuitton S/S 2007
{image - www.style.com}

Posted by: Miss J

'I Heart Miu Miu'...

Thought I would share these little clip on beauties with you all, they were one of my leaving presents from work and I LOVE them! I had had my eye on them for a while and it's always a joy firstly opening a parcel from net-a-porter and then discovering a dusky pink signature Miu Miu box with it's lush packaging. A wonderful edition to my clip on earring collection and these are soooo much more comfortable than the vintage 1950s rhinestone pairs I have picked up on ebay. I was also lucky enough to receive the Carine Roitfeld Irreverent book, which I am looking forward to looking through properly and some beautiful blooms too.  Thank you to all of my old team!

Posted by: Miss J

Couture Covet - 'Masked Margiela'

Maison Martin Margiela's first foray showing at Couture Week came complete with these crystal covered masks. Other details of note were the gorgeous french lace pajama pants and the crystal double door knob fastenings.

{images - www.style.com}

Posted by: Miss J

Coming Over all Starry Eyed for Betty Boop...

...love this short film advertising Lancome's new Hypnose Star mascara, starring model Daria Werbowy and cartoon character extraordinaire the beautiful Betty Boop - enjoy!

Posted by: Miss J

Behind the Scenes Bride...

...so, as mentioned previously {back in November 2011 http://thebijouxeditrix.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/marry-me-ss-2012-season-of-bride.html}
I have been working on the lovely Miss K's wedding dress for the last few months and on Saturday her big day finally arrived and she married her now husband Mike in a ceremony up north in Yorkshire.  She is now on honeymoon in Bali {jealous - moi?} so I will post some photos of her special day here when she returns, for now I thought I would whet your appetite with the below close up shots of her dress. As you know the dress had been her Mum's wedding dress, handmade by her nan and I was tasked with reworking it to look less 'frankensteins bride' {those are the brides words not mine} long gothic sleeves and high neck, more modern, vintage charm.  In terms of silhouette, I dropped the neckline to show off the brides beautiful shoulders and collar bones and shortened/took in the sleeve to create an elbow length look. I didn't have to do any work from the waist down shape wise but I did have to hand sew ALOT of gorgeous French lace mixed in with some vintage lace from her Mum's veil. The bride found the perfect headpiece at a vintage shop, so another of my brides sans veil but the piece looked perfect, accessorized simply with opal earrings and vintage gold pumps her look was complete.  I can't wait to share the actual photos from the day, but for now - enjoy!

 Vintage lace from her Mum's original veil...

 ...detail from the heavily lace appliqued train...

 ...just shy of 100 meters of thread and all the lace applique is complete...

...the finishing touch 'something blue' ribbon sewed into the lining side seam, when I showed the bride we both totally welled up, I felt so emotional when I finished as so much care and love had gone into all that hand sewing!

Posted by: Miss J

Je suis tres desole...

...I would just like to apologize to our regular readers for the severe lack of posts recently, everything has been a little crazy in the world of Bijoux over the last month. Miss R and Mr R have found their first flat to buy in London and are about to move / become homeowners for the first time. It has been a really exciting time for them peppered unfortunately with the 'usual' stresses of buying; being in a chain, solicitors, estate agents etc etc. Anyway, all going well and please keep your fingers crossed, they will be moving in at the end of July! Owning our own property has been something that we have dreamt about since we had our own label back when we first graduated and I am so happy that my little sis and big brother are about to embark on this adventure together.  As you know Miss R and I are keen interior enthusiasts and I am looking forward to seeing how she will transform her new home with all of the vintage finds she already has and the new additions yet to be discovered at car boots and antique fairs.
And onto myself, well, June was quite a month. I did my first paid set styling job at The British Biscuit Festival {see post below}, completed the wedding dress that I had been working on for several months for a good friend of Miss R's {see next post} and left the trend forecaster I had been working at for three and a half years to go freelance as a Trend Editor {a MASSIVE step for me}. The good news is that the bride was beyond happy with her dress {she got married on Saturday} and that I have several freelance gigs in the pipeline already, oh and that I will be back blogging on a daily basis!


Posted by: Miss J