Clothes Swaps

In anticipation of our Clothes Swap and Vintage Market on Saturday, we thought it'd be nice to recap our past swaps with some pictures!

Hope you can all join us in Snafu starting from 2 PM!

London Fashion Week(end)

Twice a year London Fashion Week is responsible for the pilgrimage of fashion designers, models, celebrities, and socialites that crowd the bustling city. During this week, you are faced with the crème de la crème of fashion royalty, watching designer catwalk shows and seeing next years trends first in the world. After the most stylish of weeks ends, London Fashion Weekend begins. Instead of fashion designers and celebrities, Somerset House is filled with us mere commoners, including 14 members of the Aberdeen Uni Fashion Society. Set in the same venue, as the actual London Fashion Week, the Weekend is open for public and focuses more on trends for the spring and summer. Chanel catwalks are replaced by a mix between designer and high street, keeping in mind that a student loan doesn't exactly cover head to toe Versace.

Even though the Fashion Week and the Weekend are two entirely separate events, we were never painfully reminded of our nothingness. Wearing our Sunday best, we fit right into the chaotic venue located along the Thames. After a rummage of our goodie bags, we raced to explore the huge building that is Somerset House. Filled with room after room of designer pop-up shops, Levi's jean fittings, Benefit make-up stalls, and free massages, it was easy to forget about our student life of late night study sessions and three pound meal deals. However buried deep, the student in me went around to collect any and every freebie I could find, whether it be a plaster or a chocolate bar. We were also fortunate to attend a fashion show. After getting ushered in past the press, we proceeded to dig out our individual cameras. The risk of looking like a tourist was no longer a problem, since we could all be deemed bloggers. The show was styled by Hillary Alexander and portrayed the four major trends of S/S 2013, Graphic Art, Urban Lifestyle, Doll's House, and Eastern Promise. Just as any proper designer show, the looks were either amazing or hideous; the only difference was that half of the outfits could be found on any high street in Britain.

London Fashion Weekend was a great experience and appropriately mimicked the real Fashion Week. We saw designer clothes, skinny models, and the occasional crazily clad grandma, what more can you expect?  

Catwalk photos Theo Cohen via Facebook/londonfashionweekend and Duncan Henderson, others Heta Mattila.

- Emmi Makiharju

Capturing Dreams

Recently AUFS visited the exhibition, Selling Dreams: 100 Years of Fashion Photography, at the Aberdeen Art Gallery. The inspirational collection of photos taken throughout the 20^th and 21^st centuries included images from a range of photographers or legends such as Edward Steichen, David Bailey, and Corinne Day. Stepping away from your basic fashion photography, the exhibition blurred the barriers between commercial photography and fine art, which made me think back to my favourite photographers. I thought I'd share a few of my heroes with you.

Sam Hessamian

I love the honesty in his work. He doesn't aim for pretty, even though working in fashion, but for a striking image that stands its ground. He started out in film school with cinematography, which is, in my opinion, evident in his work. Every picture seems to have a story behind it and I especially love the sense of movement that some of his shots capture. It's extremely difficult to choose only a few shots, so do visit his website for more!

photos via www.samhessamian.com

Ryan McGinley

Ryan McGinley is famous for his youth culture inspired photography, often shooting young men and women nude. I am actually speechless when looking through his work, so I'll just let the images speak for themselves. If you haven't already heard of him, it's about time you venture on to his website!

photos via www.ryanmcginley.com

Michael Lavine

Last but not least, Michael Lavine is my all time favourite portrait photographer. Maybe it's the 90s, but he seems to capture the very essence of youth, in all its rebellious glory. I bought his book Grunge a few years back and it still rests on my nightstand, but never gathering dust. There's something about his black and white photography, and the confidence that seeps through the image that keeps me coming back. Here's his website, I demand you have a look! 

photos via http://www.boston.com/ae/music/gallery/grunge?pg=11

- Emmi Makiharju

Confidence Is The New Black

The best fashion tip I have ever stumbled upon and one that I believe is a proverb for every woman, is that confidence is the essential fashion statement . Forget the LBD, forget the comfy yet sexy wedge, and forget the jacket that is perfect for lunch with the girls, yet accessorise it and it magically transforms into evening wear. Confidence has altered my wardrobe more than any fashion icon, seasonal trend or style phase. It can be worn with anything and it affects your outlook on life, your attitude, and the way others respond to you.

As a teenager I was painfully aware of my flaws. I believed my big bum and short stumps for legs were the bane of my existence. My dreams of ever being able to be the next Kate Moss, reach the top shelve in a supermarket, or be referred to as willowy were shattered. The main objective of my wardrobe was to hide the existence of the parts of me I regarded as flawed. This resulted in me running a mile from the words 'skinny fit' or 'body-con', just the thought of getting my bare legs out made me so nervous I had to reapply my deodorant. I tried to keep my colossal backside and amputee legs a secret, and I would stare with envy at girls who had long, lean legs up to their armpits. My mum apologized to me for my genetic misfortune. Then one fateful day when I had just started University, a friend told me I had a good bum. I was immediately confused how a bum big enough to lift weights, could ever be a good thing, yet another friend confirmed comparing it to Beyonce (that was a good day). These compliments made me consider the possibility that the parts of me I loathed, could be traits that others envied. In the same way I would look at my tall friends with rage wishing they could give me some of their height, I discovered that they wished to be petite like me. It also helped that I got into a relationship with a guy who loved my curves and genuinely appreciated my body. This led me to the realization that while I wasn't ever going to be featured on the front cover of Vogue or be mistaken for Emma Watson, my body wasn’t actually that bad. After all it made me unique, flaws and all.

The positive impact from the people around me made a massive effect on my confidence and my wardrobe. My weight hadn’t changed but the way I felt about myself had. I started wearing tighter clothes emphasizing that previously concealed bum. I realized this suited me much more than baggy chinos, which made it look like I was hiding a small child in my trousers. Wearing baggy attire did nothing for my figure except make people question whether I was pregnant or not. Slowly I changed my attitude, you could now tell that I liked my body a lot more as I was no longer petrified of showing off what I had, but I was even celebrating my body. I’m not trying to say to look good you need to wear tight fitted clothes, but I do strongly believe to look good people need to see that you are comfortable within yourself. This might mean accepting your imperfections as opposed to viewing them in the same way one might view an STD, something to be hidden from the world, a dirty secret, and definitely not stylish. Accepting my body and changing my attitude instantly seemed to make myself look and feel better. I realized if I wear my body with confidence and accept it, others will too. You portray yourself as who you want to be and people believe that persona. Your worst feature, guaranteed is another woman’s envy. So accept yourself because you can't trade places. Embrace a confident you and see how it affects your life. People will notice the confidence, no matter how bad your love handles are or how your thighs jiggle. Trust me on this one.

Hayley Anderson

Channel Your Inner Zen

The 21^st century is boring. If you think about it, there is nothing new and original to this century. We model the styles of previous decades, we admire the 50s surfer sound of a new indie band, and we wish we were partying it like it was 1999. How will we remember the days of our youth when we are old?

            Fashion comes and goes in circles, this is not exactly news. Everybody loved the manic 80s during the 80s, and hated it in the 90s. Yet, come the 2000s, skinny jeans and shoulder pads were in again. The same thing is happening with Grunge, maybe just toned down a little. After the Grunge phase is over, what's next? The 70s? The 20s? Or will we start wearing

corsets and other 19^th century garments? It's time to think of something new! The 2000s cannot just be a mishmash of previous times, we need something to call our own, other than Twitter. But it's easier said than done, when thinking of futuristic fashion of the new millennium, Ziggy Stardust from the 70s and Blade Runner from the 80s come to mind.

            The winter of 2012-2013 could be defined by clean, simple cuts and organic colours. To find that peace and harmony amidst the chaos of Christmas shopping and exam stress, choose streamlined wear that calms the mind, instead of bombarding yourself with over the top, flamboyant 80s dress, or with layers after layers of 90s band tees. Think of designers like Acne and Céline, and high street fashions from Zara and Cos. Exactly like an organized bedroom can soothe the soul, your wardrobe could do the same. This winter is about comfortable, yet tailored jackets and menswear inspired, but floaty dress shirts. For that always needed holiday season party dress, opt for simple colours that can be dressed up with an interesting pair of heels, or a funky hairdo. However, if you don't find your inner zen through this seasons fashions, you can always go to yoga instead.

 Acne A/W 2012

Celine A/W 2012

Celine A/W 2012

Cos A/W 2012

Zara A/W 2012



Emmi Makiharju

Cheap, and proud of it!

After reading Annie's blog 'Bargain hunting' I was inspired to write my own article. Contrary to Annie, I would consider myself as being one of those people who possess the 'bargain eye' (that is having the knack of finding bargains). I do believe it has saved me a lot of money in the past and as a result I have a wardrobe full of cheap but very cheerful delights and even have spare cash leftover.

Most of my 'skill' has sprung from outings to local car boot sales as a child where I used to get secondhand Barbies. Though I felt a little awkward admitting to my vintage buys at a young age, I have no problems in doing so now. In fact I am very proud to admit my scrimping ways. Buying second hand things is perfectly acceptable, for a better reason it is eco friendly!

The car boot sale opened my eyes to all the different, strange and wonderful things people decide to let go of. I have found that 'one's garbage' really is another person's treasure, i.e mine. If you are like me then you will seek long and hard for that great buy. However these buys are always like diamonds in the dust. You must first see the beauty beyond a dusty pair of heels, squint at it a bit and polish. Once you find your happy bargain don't be surprised if the item becomes a staple in your wardrobe.

The same idea can be applied to charity shop hunting. Here are my helpful hints on how to spot a great buy:

• Law of attraction – This genuinely worked for me! I was thinking about how much I wanted a nice pair of subtle vintage cowboy boots, and lo and behold the next charity shop I visited, there was a lovely pair waiting for me.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Grey suede boots - 50p!
  
  

• Patience – Give yourself enough time to go rummaging around, as the more you rush, the more likely you will miss out on that golden item. Be prepared to spend a your time pushing hangers about to get to the clothes at the very back. Don't skip out on any rail or box! Some of the best stuff lurk at the back in hiding. However if you don't have the time or stamina many charity shops have done all the hard work for you and have their own 'vintage' sections with generally nice things. Check out the charity shops on Rosemount for their vintage sections and Take2 on Union Street.
  
  

My favourite bags – 50p & 20p (both car-boot sale)

• Creativity – I believe it is not what you wear but how you wear it that transforms someone from wearing clothes to looking stylish, and in order to do so you need to have good judgement and imagination. Ask yourself, what could I do with this 'granny looking' skirt to make it modern and suit me?
  
  

 Jewellery – 50p, Skirt – 20p (both car-boot sale)

Lastly I will leave you with a final few reminders...

Believe in your search, you will find that vintage Prada LBD!

Do not be afraid to alter your items,

and remember to accessorise!

Tanya Xu Morrison

Favourite jewellery, all from car-boot sale and charity shops!