Third time lucky.

This year I wanted to add everyday outfit posts to my weekly repertoire.

I would like the opportunity to inspire myself, try new outfit combinations and see what pieces are missing from my wardrobe and also offer insights into my style and tips on how to introduce latex into your everyday wardrobe.

I shot another two sets since New Year but didn’t end up posting either. The lense on my camera is slightly damaged, which makes focusing hard, but hopefully I’m going to be replacing it this week.

I wore this to have lunch with parents and took the pictures in their garden.

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garden5garden4garden3garden1T-shirt: All Saints

Cardigans: Topshop and H&M

Vintage lace skirt: EBay

Boots: Dr Martens

Quartz pendant: home-made

Druzy neckalce: Ebay

Body Jewellery: Body Jewellery Shop

Images: Janet Ratchford

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Opulence Collection

Those who follow my work will already be familiar with the Opulence collection that has been showcased that the Manchester Alternative and burlesque fair as well as London fetish weekend as part of the Avalonia fashion show. There is also a wonderful set of photobooth images by Tigz Rice featuring the outfits which can be viewed here.

The official Opulence look book images were shot by the talented Katelizabeth photography who did a great job of realising my vision and adding her own touch without upsetting the balance of the overall feel.

Models Sevensin & Biomechanina

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I’m really pleased with how it all turned out. I was originally worried the weather might ruin it for us and I must admit it was a rather muddy, and at times cold, experience but luckily this doesn’t show in the pictures. I had a great team that made every effort to get the best possible results and if any one of them didn’t believe in the project it wouldn’t have been possible.

I’d like to add a special thanks to Charlotte who isn’t credited as part of the creative team but really played a big part by assisting with pretty much everything and assuring the models’ safe passage to and from the set. She also took some behind the scenes footage which I hope to be able to include in a future post.

An insight into this collection and the influences behind it were published in the last issue of Rebelicious magazine which you can view online here and is also available for free download.

rebelicious opulenceImage: Sevensin by Toria Brightside who also edited together this write up from my interview.

To shop items from this collection please visit www.eustratia.co.uk

The chainmail collar was provided by www.richardayres.co.uk

Images from my second collaboration with Katelizabeth photography are due to be released in a couple of days so keep your eyes peeled! A preview images can be view on the front page of my site!

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Accessory moment no.1

Knowing how to accessorise is probably more important that knowing how to dress, what you choose to accompany it could make or brake an outfit.

I think accessorising for those going for a very simple or classic look or who follow “safe” trends by the book is pretty straight forward but if you’re looking to adopt a more edgy style or experiment with more runway inspired looks getting the balance right can be hard.

Obviously I don’t expect everyone to agree with the combinations I choose but I get asked about it often enough and have decided to introduce a new, hopefully weekly, feature with everyday images of how I wear my accessories and the ones I’m most into at that particular point in time. I think it will be a fun way to keep track of my influences and also give others some new ideas to try out.

This week I’ve been wearing a lot of black chain stuff!

1. inverted cross pendant £15, Eustratia

2. rune rings. I wear this all the time and have done for the last 10 years or so. They are from a shop called past times that has now unfortunately closed down.

I know they aren’t clearly visible in that picture so:

3. Long chain earrings. I mentioned these in my previous “style update” post. They are from an upcoming range at Eustratia and retail for £8 a pair.I love them because they as so versatile I can wear them with almost everything.

4. Aesthetic contradiction logo necklace. I only made a few of these for myself and the giveaway that I did a few months ago but I have ended up wearing it quite a lot as it’s slight smaller and more abstract than the stag necklace that was my previous favourite.

5. chain drape headband. This is probably my favourite accessory of the month. I’m hoping to release it in the same range as the earrings, just waiting to get some professional pics back. I’ve had a lot of compliments when wearing it out but no one could agree on the style it evokes. A friend told me I looked like a princess from a far off galaxy which was probably the most thought out comment I received but I see it as more urban tribe than sci-fi myself.

6. Moth hairclip. This is a lot smaller than most of my regular hair accessories. I’ve been wearing a lot of headbands recent (more info in the next style update) so I need smaller hair clips to fit in next to them without my head looking overcrowded.

And to finish off, a pic of what I look like wearing said accessories!

 

Style update: Long earrings

Since starting to stretch my lobes 4 or 5 years ago I hadn’t really been interested in “conventional” earring types. This may have had something to with the fact that I’m allergic to a lot of the cheaper ones and can’t wear them for long periods of time. When I was younger, I always had to find real gold or silver ones. As I got more piercings and moved over to body jewellery I found that I was fine as surgical steel and titanium don’t irritate my ears.

I recently realised that as I already have permanent body jewellery in the holes that doesn’t irritate me, it’s fine to put other “fashion” earrings through the same hole for effect. After experimenting with a few different types I decided long earring really complement my current style. I love them so I decided to share a few of my favourites with you guys.

1. Feather earrings

These were the first ones I got so the feathers are a bit battered now but I thought they lasted quite well. They are from Topshop and cost £18. They weren’t on the website but might still be available in store. If not there are loads of similar ones around, though I must admit I haven’t seen any I like as much.

2. Spike earrings

As you can see these aren’t both the same. They were custom made for me by Cloe from Life’s big canvas at Bird’s yard and I couldn’t decide which one I like best so I got one of each to try them out. I think asymmetrical earrings can look really cool and I’m glad I got them like this but matching pairs are also available. At £9.00 they are very reasonably priced, just like the rest of the life’s big canvas ever-growing jewellery collection. I find something new and interesting every time I go into that shop!

3. Long multichain earringsThese are pretty simple but also something I’ve wanted for a while. They go with almost everything and are a great compliment to other earrings. I made them myself and it was really easy, all you need it the earring hook, a jump ring and an assortment of chains in different lengths. For those who are too lazy to DIY there are available to purchase for £8.00 and will also be added to my site soon.

4. Bird claw earrings

These are definitely my new favourites and were custom made for me by the lovely Sophie Adamson. I’ve wanted some earrings like this for a while but couldn’t find anything like them. Obviously people sell the straight bird feet ones but I always thought they looked a bit naff so when I heard Sophie had some pheasants in the freezer (yes, they are real) I had to commission a pair. I only gave her a description and a really crude sketch to go by and she did a really amazing job. I would definitely recommend her for taxidermy accessories commissions.

Here are some pictures of what they look like on: