FOCUS // BROOKE CANDY X SETH PRATT

Today saw the release of Brooke Candy's latest music video for 'Everybody Does', directed by Renata Raksha. Raksha and Candy have worked together previously for Dazed and Confused on a profile of the self-titled 'Freaky Princess'.

Brooke Candy for Dazed and Confused by Renata Raksha

The video shows Candy's eclectically retro ghetto style mixed with a sadistic nature vibe. Covered by chameleons, Candy oozes the clatchet sex appeal everybody associates with her. Further in the video, she dons promising designer and friend Seth Pratt's pieces.

Pratt dresses Candy frequently (also in her previous videos, 'Das Me' and 'Freaky Princess'), in outer-space, metallic body suits that show off her ASSets. Candy has also modelled for Pratt including the bandana bikini and a personal favourite of mine, the bikini made from a Louis Vuitton rucksack.

Bandana Bikini + Chiffon Skirt - Seth Pratt, also worn in the 'Freaky Princess' video

Louis Vuitton Rucksack Bikini - Seth Pratt

One of the most exciting new artists in the game at the moment, I can't wait for the next installment of her rise to fame, and most of all, for her to come to London.

FASHION MOMENT // TRANSVESTISM

A world where there is more than male and female, a third; superior, almost incomparable and altogether liberating gender. History has seen the art of cross-dressing in many ways, immoral, sinful and even illegal. But finally during the late 20^th century and carrying onto present day, society is becoming more acceptable and admiring of the minority of these remarkable humans. This is realm where men and women alike transform, transcend, transfigure into something more beautiful.

During the 20^th century, via the Vaudeville theatrical movement, Julian Eltinge managed to gain fame whilst in drag. This continued with Hollywood stars such as Laurence Olivier portraying ‘Katharina’ in ‘The Taming of the Shrew’, moving onto the late 50’s with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon cross-dressing in Billy Wilder’s ‘Some Like It Hot’. Characters such as Quentin Crisp gained Transvestism celebrity as he strolled the streets of 40’s London with brightly dyed long hair, painted nails and effeminate looks.

Skip forward to the late 80’s to mid 90’s, and the sounds of house beats and frivolous laughter are waiting for you. Through the doors and you are transported into an underground world, the underground world of New York balls. A scene where cross-dressing became a key factor of expression. ‘Queens’ would wear created pieces that reeked of opulence, styles that put many real women to shame. Structured golden lame gowns, tight-fitting, sleek floor-length dresses, preciously saved for Mink and Ermine all painted the scene of wealth.

The new millennium has embraced cross-dressing to a new level, with drag queens having a throng of illustriousness. Famous queens such as RuPaul have followings as big as anyone and the fabulousness and allure of these extraordinary beings is renowned and embraced.

Transvestism carries on today as a perfect way of expression, and as a part of modern day life. The fashion and music industry has shown its aid in a variety of ways, such as the 1991 ‘Love Ball’, Mugler having transvestites walking in shows and the first trans fashion publication ‘Candy’ starting up and carrying on with its fifth issue next season. The rising of Transvestism in the music scene revels with the likes of DJ Jodie Harsh and rapper Mykki Blanco.

FOCUS // BCALLA 'BOYZ R GIRLZ'

Whilst doing research for a upcoming project, I stumbled upon a project by Brad Callahan named BCALLA. With motto's such as 'BAD TASTE IS BEST TASTE' and 'THERE IS NO GENDER' I personally have fallen in love with it. Once a month, a new look or 'LQQK' is shown, but for now I am looking at the FW12 collection..

'LAZY HUNTERS'

Camo-esque, mute-toned patterns are used to erect pieces such as the duvet style coat below and the skirt two-piece below it. The fluoro orange accents make the looks bold, slightly futuristic and sexy. Boys showing as much skin as girls do is a trend that I hope makes it way to more places, in my eyes it's high time for the androgynous look for girls to be dressed as boys to be flipped. Men in skirts, crop tops and high heeled or platform shoes is the world I want to live in.

The collection moves onto a more trippy aesthetic with graphics and tumblr vibes penetrating in. The ever inspiring mix of tangerine orange and magenta is one that would give any plain jane (or John in this case) hope and a new outlook on life.

The silver panelled top here is my personal favourite piece of clothing, to me it screams The Fifth Element boi style. And the shoes, don't even get me started, the bright platforms could potentially be a bit bigger in a perfect world, but they are hella beautiful anyway.

Safe to say I am in LOVE with this guy, and can't wait to see what else he pulls out of the bag.

Check out BCALLA's FACEBOOK , SITE and PROJECT !*-*!

KAWAII // ME ON i-D ONLINE !*!*!*

So whilst at the DM Party last week, i-D photographer PICZO was there doing straight-ups, and lucky me was one of them!

Check it out bbz...    HERE!

EVENT // DR MARTENS LAUNCH PARTY 20-11-12

On Tuesday night I was lucky enough to attend the launch of the new Dr. Martens store on Carnaby Street. The quintessentially British brand hosted a night of 'Boots, Brews and Bands' and showcased bands from a charity they work with called Strummerville.

The new store's layout was meant to represent the feel of their factories and pieces produced in said factories were to be sold here. The crowd was a mixture, from young, fashionably innovative people to a more mature crowd enjoying the band's and whom have probably been fans of the brand since their youth.

Brewdog 77 lager was at the bar and a DJ following the bands played classic hits from The Clash, The Who etc.

A 'Share your Style' photo booth was there, for people to take their pictures, get them printed out and emailed to them, which was a fun little thing to do.

WANT // IRL LDN

Founded in 2012 by graphic artist Cornelia Van Rijswijk, IRL LDN is a new brand that provides exclusive clothing with a feast for the digital eye aesthetic.

Telling the story of the oh so current Tumblr craze, IRL LDN creates visions of galactic, trippy prints on apparel from tees to mini and midi skirts. Fitting perfectly into a new subculture I personally feel is evolving, a breed between Seapunk and Space, the clothing provides the ritualistic 'cool' that I am sure will be emblazoned among the eyes of the world via the internet.

My personal favourites;

the HTML COLOUR CODE LEGGINGS

the MICROCOSM CROP TOP

and the KNITTED PUKE BEANIE WITH POM POM

My Christmas list has already been updated with a fair few things from IRL LDN.

Check out the collection and grab some of it yourself here

Follow IRL LDN on Twitter, Tumblr and keep up to date with them on Facebook !

PEOPLE // FRANK FONTAINE

FRANK FONTAINE/26/SALFORD

What are your views on street fashion at the moment? 

I think street fashion is on the up from what it used to be. People care more about how they look

and what they are wearing and are being more daring with what they choose. I like how designers are also stepping away from conventional materials and using things like rubber/pvc and pastel colours on boys a la Alis Pelleschi and Jade Clark.

Describe your personal style, where do you get your inspiration/influences from?

I'd describe my personal style as Gothic Gangster / Gay Mafia.

I'm inspired by gang culture and chav lads but i also love goths and fetish, so one

day i might wear adidas from head to toe and the next wear an oversized

coat and jumpsuit.with 6'' platforms. Lifes to short not to mix it up.

I also love layering different fabrics like fishnet and velvet or leather and pvc.

What music are you into currently?

 

At the minute i have fantasea - azealia banks on replay constantly

but i really love tyler, the creator//Die Antwoord//Le1f//Grimes//the internet

If you could pick any current trend to make a comeback in the future what would you choose and why?

Platform shoes, i wanna be wearing them when im 90

Find Frank on TUMBLR!-!

Stay tuned for more PEOPLE posts coming in the future!