Bird's Eye View

I'm back from my holiday! (I have not yet decided whether or not to post about my travels, hmmm?!?) Admittedly it does feel good to be back, but I would love to be sunning myself on the beach in La Manga rather than fighting the crowds of sweaty commuters on the tube. Alas, back to work.

Whilst lounging on the balcony of our apartment one evening, I was flicking through the images on my mobile phone and found these little gems, taken in and around London. I have a tendency to get a bit snap happy when I have a camera (or phone) on me and the following images are a result of this. I love capturing the world around me, and I'm a strong believer that you can find inspiration in almost anything - the images below have either inspired me directly from a fashion perspective, or creatively in general.

I love the way this black silk organza is made purely from strips of fabric, moulded and shaped around the body to create a multi-panelled blouse. This is a vintage Giorgio Armani piece from a The Dress Box, a treasure trove in Knightsbridge (and Liberty).

Some street art around the Brick Lane area.

A couple of pictures from the gorgeous interior of The Commercial Tavern on Commercial Road in London. Wonderfully unique and tasteful decor. I wish my flat was decorated like this.

These are two samples I made (me!! with my very own hands!) when I was doing an internship a while back with a new designer called Amir, based in Holloway. Not my designs, but I sewed them up and even patterned the ruffled organza skirt - now that was a challenge. The bow-front jacket is seriously beautiful, and so on trend at the moment. The bow is one panel which comes up from the hem and not detachable.

This was taken at an exhibition at the Strychnin Gallery I attended on the 9th May. I went to see the work of Dan Hillier, an amazing artist who's work I first discovered on a stall at the Sunday (Up)Market on Brick Lane. His etchings of hauntingly eerie Victorian figures, juxtaposed onto octopus legs/deer heads and such like is a style of work which I find totally intriguing. Period costume, imagery and general paraphernalia is an amazing source of inspiration for me. He has recently had his work featured on a series of moleskin journals and sketchbooks, by the American company Modofly...absolutely perfect for any budding artist, or creative note-taker.

'Mother' by Dan Hillier - it's my birthday soon, maybe my wonderful boyfriend shall indulge me with a print like this? (hint, hint)