June 2009

My fashion mood board for June: loving tie-dye, nonchalant girls, cat masks, vintage Kate, old-school graffiti roses and crooked teeth.

Saturday night = disaster. Once again, I deluded myself into thinking that I really had picked my outfit out and that I really would be able to get ready in half an hour. Think again! The outfit changed three times in the final ten minutes before leaving and I definitely, definitely needed at least an hour.

Mostly for my own benefit, I spent part of Sunday compiling a list of things to do when you are heading out the door!

- Set up some music to get you in the mood. One of my favorite “getting ready” songs is Let’s Get It Started by The Black Eyed Peas from 2004 – for some reason it always gets me ready to dance.

- While the music is playing, set up your space to get ready. I like to burn some incense or fragrance when I am getting ready. Lately, I’ve been craving some of these home fragrance oils from Sabon NYC. Unfortunately, the tangerine just sold out but coconut would be perfect for summer – the smell of coconut on a balmy night will definitely get you in the mood.

- Pick out at least three outfits and lay them on the bed. Take into account the weather, where you are going and what you really will feel comfortable in. My biggest problem is confidence – I pick out the outfit that I really want to wear but I always end up looking at something that requires less courage. I usually get my boyfriend to help me with the final pick and he always gives me a little more confidence.

- Decide what you are doing with your hair. If you need to wash it, do this at least an hour before you go, giving yourself ample time to blow-dry it, straighten it, whatever you need to do. By the way, now is not the time to try something new, unless you are a hair stylist by trade.

- Take a shower or bath. Use a hydrating lotion or a body wash that smells really sweet and fresh. I prefer a hydrating lotion as it gives my legs that extra sheen.

- Brush teeth, use mouthwash, etc. If I am getting ready to go out, I usually do this in the shower.

- Pick your shoes. Again, think about the weather – don’t wear sandals if you are going to have to trek through puddles. Don’t wear boots if you are going to be dancing in a hot, sweaty club.

- Last step = accessories. Don’t go overboard and think about what you’ll be doing. I used to wear chunky bracelets all the time, but when I would go dancing, I’d end up with little bruises on my wrist. Heavy earrings can also be a dancing hazard!

What’s in my bag? Right now, not so much. I am so broke I don’t even have a cell phone. So I have put together this “fantasy edition” – the bags and bag contents that I would love to have, in a perfect world. In a few months I’ll put together the real deal.

THE BAG

If I am honest, I would take all three of these bags. The Chloe bag for those days when I want to add a little bohemian luxe to my style. The Chanel for when I am feeling more classic or “party girl”. The Balenciaga for when I want to be tough and fierece. All need to be big enough to carry the loot mentioned below!

THE BEAUTY PRODUCTS

• Firstly, the necessity – this bejeweled pocket mirror from Sephora (the Calypso Soul, to be specific). A mirror is very important for touching up your make-up on the subway or picking the spinach from your teeth after dinner.
• Secondly, some Perfumeria Gal lip balm. Apart from adding some much-needed shine to your lips, these tins are too cute for words.
• Finally, a little Marc Jacobs Daisy bottle to spritz on when needed. I am wary of keeping perfume in my bag for fear of it spilling, but this is made for the travelling girl.

THE ACCESSORIES

• A pair of oversized sunglasses are very important when you have the sudden urge to go incognito or you are hiding dark, puffy eyes. A printed pair and a solid pair will get you by on any occasion.
• This Balenciaga Arena Money purse has everything I like in a purse – zippers, studs, buckles, leather and a whole lot of credit card pockets (coming from a girl with five credit cards.. now you see why I am broke).
• A Blackberry Curve 3900 – I have been eyeing this little number since it came out three months ago. This is my first purchase when I find myself a job!

THE ENTERTAINMENT

• I would like to always have a couple of good magazines handy – perfect for when you find a park bench in the sun or you need a Starbucks coffee break. If you’re in NYC, Nylon always has a crazy place to check out.
• Moleskine Museum notebooks are great for any ideas/notes you want to make in your travels. In my fantasy bag, they’d be filled with sketches of clothes that I wanted to design.
• A colorful Ipod to get your boogy on. I’ve been craving a colorful ipod for a while now – I still have a white one from 2004. The fantasy ipod comes in purple and is filled with my favorite tunes.

Recently I was contacted by Rachel Phipps, editor of Lipstick Royalty Magazine.  Rachel wanted to be interviewed as practice, so I put together a few questions for her to answer - Rachel is one of those girls who is determined to pave out her own path in life.

1. Introduce yourself & Lipstick Royalty Magazine.

Well I’m Rachel; I’m 16, British and I run an online fashion, art, music and lifestyle magazine called Lipstick Royalty which is available to read free online every month.

2. How did you come up with the idea of Lipstick Royalty Magazine?

No on ever believes me when I tell the story of how Lipstick Royalty came about. It was originally called Inside Out Magazine, and I started it out of sheer boredom in December 2007. It was originally gong to be a blog style collective of fashion articles but somehow it morphed into a fully graphically laid out magazine with someone pretty hot features in the alternative and indie online fashion industry. It got so big so fast it was scary!

3. Once you had the idea, how did you go about starting it?

I decided the best free way of hosting it at the time was on a Myspace page and that worked out pretty well, but to be perfectly honest i didn’t have a clue what I was doing. I was fourteen and I’d had no training or experience in online PR, fashion, graphic design or anything. I advertised on social network sites and forums for writers and staff members and got myself a graphic designer, Joe too. I learnt everything on the job, making a hell of a lot split second decisions, and too many bad ones to count! I had a background in writing, art and photography so I focused on my strong points while I learnt the rest. But I can safely say 18 months later I have became somewhat of an expert in online PR and I’m creating all the layouts myself as well as still working on what I’m good at, writing articles and even shooting an editorial for the magazine.

4. What are your plans for the future when it comes to Lipstick Royalty Magazine?

I have purchased a website URL and met with several business designers and website designers about launching Lipstick Royalty as a business on its own website but then, thinking about it I don’t think Lipstick Royalty is ready. This August we’re seeing the launch of our new free .pdf download format. I’m going to re-visit the idea of a business plan again in a year or two; but I still feel that I, the magazine’s staff and the magazine itself has a bit more growing up to d before its ready! Baby steps!

5. Do you have other plans for a life in fashion?

I still have no idea what I want to do; but I’ll always be doing something to do with fashion! I want to try everything out! I’m taking a lot of time out this summer to get some more photo shoots under my belt to build my fashion photography portfolio, as I can’t imagine my life without my camera! I’ve styles a few photo shoots and I’d love to do some more of that and I’m seriously considering taking a course in stage make-up, and this summer I’m going to make a few dresses on Etsy under the name of KupKake Kouture and se how that does. I’m going to chuck all the spaghetti at the wall and see which pieces stick!

6. What’s your advice for someone wanting to get into the fashion industry?

Go for it, find what your good at and stick to it, but don’t be afraid to try out good things. With the dawn of online media you can really get started and at any age. If you want to be a fashion writer; start a blog, look for online fashion magazines who are advertising for writers and look for websites that accept article submissions like Mookychick.co.uk. If you want to model, be a make-up artist or photographer grab some friends, practice and upload your stuff to Model Mayhem and start looking for real models/ MUA’s/ Photographers to work with to expand your portfolio. If you want to design some clothes, make some, sell them on Etsy. The best tool for anyone looking to promote themselves online are social networking sites. Myspace pages are great as they are very customizable and there are so many young creatives on there to learn from. Twitter’s also an invaluable good to let people know what your getting up to!

7. Who/what inspires you?

I have loads of different inspirations for everything I do. For my photography I don’t really look towards many well known high fashion photographers as their work becomes so predictable. I really take inspiration from alternative photographers like Hocus Focus LA. I read all the magazine like Vogue and Harpers Bazzar but I really over Inked Magazine, because I’m both obsessed with tattoos and the photography and articles are so different and alternative. Its a style I’d love Lipstick Royalty to be able to learn from. Someone I’m really inspired by most recently is Doe Deere; blogger, the make-up artist who founded the Lime Crime make-up line and Russian model. I love her blog – its addictive and all her photographs and make-up work embody something I really wish I could capture. I’m really lucky to be interviewing her for the September issue and she’s sent me some samples to review of the Lime Crime Make-up. Now I’ve tested the product I’m now inspired by her fantastic head for business!

DOWNLOAD:  Rachel’s Shopping Guide 2009

GO TO:  Lipstick Royalty Magazine