Monday 25 February 2013

TRENDING... whistles shoes



Yes, Jane Shepherdson does it again! Finding niche areas in a market as saturated as womenswear is no mean feat. But I think these gorgeous buys are case and point- that when women and shoes are involved... anything's possible! With Acne's boots taking the fash-pack by storm, those with a more modest budget have been left with major shoe envy. What a-to-do? I guess there's the option of Kurt Geiger-but it sometimes feels they're pitching at a girls-night-out/cougar mama kind of vibe. Or Zara accessories- perhaps lacking the quality of a great shoe buy? Turns out Whistles has the panacea of all shoe related matters. All ranging from £125-150, shoes such as the Slammer Sandal and the Mai Tai Court are the perfect trans-seasonal buy- wear with tights now/whip them off later. Sorted!

Tuesday 19 February 2013

WE ARE INFINITE: my kinda review of The Perks of Being a Wallflower



"Welcome to the island of misfit toys" As Watson’s perfected American lilt hushes these almost prophetic words, reach for your seatbelts everybody- the film has kicked into full gear. But it’s those beguiling eyes framing each vowel that give voice to their “suffering”. The film centers on a group of teens marginalised by mainstream American culture. Where the jocks and prom queens rule the bleachers, it leaves very little room for Gatsby reading pseudo-intellectuals with a penchant for The Smiths. They are the metaphorical yogi bears to the high school’s homogeneous Barbies and Kens. When Ezra Miller’s Patrick enthuses that he “LOVE football”, there is an overt sense of mocking that’s taken to point where we question is he or isn’t he. Thankfully the whole American high school cliché is given very little screen time and is placed merely as a back drop- in a way that leaves the focus very much on Charlie and the other “misfit toys”. One review I heard labeled this as a film very much “about teenagers for teenagers”- patronising or what? With many films of this genre, the “moral” tends to be grossly overpowering and clumsily addressed- I admire how the film presents the “we accept the love we think we deserve” message in a take it or leave it kind of way. Introduced as a frank and candid aside, it only becomes truly relevant during the emotive dénouement- when we realise the multisided influence it has held on events.

You may be thinking the whole teenage angst and societal alienation vibe whiffs of a Catcher in the Rye type ride. And well, you’re right. Coupled with themes of mental illness (although never explicit in CTR), unreliable narrators and the actual reference to the book, its kind of undeniable. But where do they differ, I hear you ask? Lets put it this way, where Holden Caulfield is dive bombing off that symbolic cliff and “heading for a fall”, Charlie’s outlook is way more positive- after heroically cliff grappling through the whole film he finally “figures it out”. The closing line “and in that moment I swear we were infinite” reclaims his sense of control allowing Stephen Chbosky’s film to resonate with a tone of survival. Something that is tenuous at best within Salinger’s novel- we are persuaded that things will turn around but see little foundation for this reversal of fate.

Nostalgic, authentic and inspirational- to name but a few of the praises I have for this novel-to-silver screen adaptation. As with any great film we are taken on a journey, one which we cannot foretell its destination. We emerge through the tunnel-lit darkness into a world with a renewed sense of clarity and purpose. A wallflower, loud and proud.

Catch it on DVD new release.

Monday 11 February 2013

CRAZY, STUPID LOVE


"Cupid shoots and he scores!" Mrs M. is lovestruck. FALLEN HEAD OVER HEELS. And the object of her undying affection... (no, not Mr. M) Lancôme's limited edition clutch in collaboration with Parisienne designer Olympia Le-Tan.

The handcrafted beauty is crammed full of the best selling lippy and nail polish from Lancôme's much-adored IN LOVE range. The selection includes everything from the iconic Miss Coquelicot to Corail in Love, a perennial basic with the fashion set. But surely the aptly named Sweet Embraces is set to be the  Valentine's success?

With only a limited number of the bags being commissioned there will undoubtedly be a crazy demand- think Chanel's jade and Mulberry's Alexa combined. Get yours exclusively from Harvey Nichols on the 13th- a perfect Valentine's treat. Of course, the detail and craftsmanship is impeccable, something we've come to expect from her handmade designs. Stitched inside is the line "handmade with love in France"- a motto that could apply equally to both Parisienne labels.

Olympia lovingly describes her creation..."I wanted to design the cover of an imaginary novel called 'Rouge in Love'. My idea was to create a 'mise-en-abyme', a book within a book. It is held by two hands with painted nails and surrounded by little red and violet lips that seem to dance around. I love drawing lips, so it was the perfect opportunity... The clasp and side, instead of having a gold finish like my other designs, are silver, like a mirror. Perfect to look into during the evening if you want to touch up your make-up."

Even I cannot deny the fabulousness of this cheeky minaudière, in all its kitsch felty glory- but at £995 a pop this one ain't coming cheap. Who said money can't buy love?