No Photoshop Required

Yep, you read the title correctly: there is no photoshop involved with the below images. Jee Young Lee  created these dreamscapes herself in a tiny Seoul studio with just a vivid imagination, a creative eye and sheer determination. The surreal psychedelic backdrops bring to mind Alice in Wonderland scenery (in particular: the oversized garden, white mice and bottles). 

3.1 Phillip Lim Pre Fall 2014

When Phillip Lim drew inspiration from two of my most favourite things (1. The Nineties. 2. Berlin) he was sure to grab my attention. I'm not usually a Lim advocate - directional sportswear ain't my thing - however, this collection well and truly won me over.

Effortlessly fusing a diverse world of subcultures (grunge and rave influences dominating), Lim presented an easily wearable collection of contemporary clothing perfectly suited for a day crawling Kreuzberg's independent shops then straight off to a rave in the train yards. Tinfoil sweatshirts, olive green leather jogging pants and the nonchalant beanie hat ensured that the sportswear vibe was evident; yet given a new lease of life by teaming with languid layers and cute little chain strapped boots.

Nonchalant sexy slip dresses were layered with oversized androgynous tee shirts and worn over cropped trousers (the way to style your school uniform for a brief six months in the late nineties: skirt over trousers) or thick black tights. Bags either resembled My Little Pony's shiny mane or were satchels hitched up to rest on the hip bone (where mine will be sitting tomorrow morning). Luminous prints brought to mind the swirling neon lights of glowsticks in a darkly lit room. 

It was the nineties. But hoisted into Berlin's contemporary club culture and given a New York polish.

Instagram Love

Just a quick update with some of my current Instagram favourites.Have a look in the Instagram category in my sidebar for further recommendations but in the meantime feast your eyes on the above snaps. I have recently been following the #campbliss girls, the Reformation babes and a selection of awesome Californian photographers. Comment below with your current Instagram favourites or your own account. 

@elavelle

@bellakotak

@breez_lance

@chrissiewhite

@clairealiceyoung

@heidivalkenburg

@herschelsupply

@kamstarjamstar

@kimgenevieve

@langelyfox

@reformation

@sisiliapering

@staud

@sweetthingblog

@trappenberg

@whitneybearr

Sisilia Piring

I strongly recommend checking out Sisilia Piring's photography work. Echoing several of my favourite photographers, she is based in Los Angeles. There's something about the California scenery that seems to make talented photographers flock towards the state. 

Leith Clark x Warby Parker

"I like the 1960s, librarians, nerdy girls. I like glasses you had when you were a kid—or that your dad wore when you were a kid—and wearing them now. I like Bergman. Big thick glasses on a little,tiny face. When there are etchings or engravings or magically-made materials I like pearls, brass, opera glasses.Everything being all violet.I like seeing the world with a pretty pink tint to it."

-Leith Clark

It's no secret that I adore everything that Leith Clark touches. Her unique feminine touch breathes life into the editorials that she styles for high-end publications including Vogue and Harper's Bazaar and her own magazine, Lula is my all-time favourite read.

When I received a heads-up that Leith has collaborated with uber-cool online eye-wear store Warby Parker, I leapt at the chance to preview the collection. Each pair of glasses encapsulates Leith's unmistakable style; with cats-eye, wayfarer and round-frame styles available in a variety of colours including pretty pastels and traditional tortoiseshell. Shot by Pamela Hanson, the look book images shown above feature model and actress Zoe Kazan - who coincidentally is the current cover star of Lula.

Available in both optical and sunwear options, the feminine frames are as whimsically named as one would expect: Marva, Greta, Aurora, Wednesday and Willow. Each style draws to mind a different 'character' and personality. Wednesday is a sultry gothic beauty, Marva is the fun-loving Lula girl, Willow is a charming intellectual, Greta is quietly romantic and Aurora is a retro beauty.

Personally, I would love to get my hands on the tortoiseshell Willow frames; the dynamic cats-eye glasses are a real statement silhouette and the soft shade would compliment my red hair. This style would look as awesome in the office as on a night out - adding interest to a reserved work-wear look or perfectly accompanying a vintage dress, bouffant hair and ankle boots.

For each pair of glasses sold, a pair is distributed to someone in need; with a percentage of each sale also going to Girl Up, a UN foundation raising awareness for UN programmes providing life-changing opportunities to girl's all around the world.

The glasses are available online and in store from today, December 3rd at Warby Parker.