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The Learner Dancer Party
If there's anyone who's still not been to 'Punk', in Soho, my advice is to take a chance to go there soon, when there's something good going on of course!

So it was last night, at 'The Learner Dancer Party', with live acts and bands such as Televised Crimewave, O' Children, The Guillotines and many others.

My attention was captured by the cool fluorescent panels on the dancefloor, and my camera was drawn to the funky looking girls & guys standing in front of them, the epitome of cool. It all looked very 'disco'!

Posted by Raffaella Cara





I Spy With My Little Eye
A self confessed magpie, there is nothing more likely to seduce me than a bit of sparkle. As a child I was forever spending money on trinkets and baubles that fell apart after just one wear. I never learnt. And it’s beginning to seem like I never will.

So, despite a self-imposed ban on internet shopping (it’s really too hard to JUST SAY NO), I just had had had to visit Past and Present, the new bijoux boutique at yoox.com, overseen by vintage expert/ fashion critic Holly Brubach. The range includes pieces from a diverse range of designers- Natalia Brilli, Delphine Charlotte Parmentier, Maison Martin Margiela, alongside one off vintage pieces from Chanel and Kennth Jay Lane

With prices starting at £30, my cries of denial are growing fainter by the second….

Posted by Vicki Loomes





David Steinhorst
Ok I confess I am a lazy dresser. No matter what I put on, however dressy, whatever the occasion, I still manage to look scruffy and not in a rock chick ‘I just rolled out of bed’ way. I am also not blessed with model like proportions; I do not have a 36 inch inside leg or fit a size six. You may wonder why I am telling you this but it would explain my new love for David Steinhorst. His designs offer a looser alternative to the more figure hugging structured numbers we have seen recently. The oversized draped fabric folds around the body, creating a feminine look that is surprisingly flattering with nipped in waists.

But what I like most is that when you wear one of his designs you do not need to accessorise. He does this all for you. Steinhorst’s use of intertwined zippers with the fabric adds dramatic detail and takes the look a step further. My favourite has to be the layered use of zips wound into some sort of rigid scarf, almost creating the image of body armour. The Central St. Martin’s graduate mixes the harsh metallic detailing together with the softness of the drapes to create an elegant look, that when you think about it, shouldn’t work, but when seen, you couldn’t think of anything better or more beautiful.

Posted by Jo Cotterell







Stine Goya
I find myself constantly drawn to Scandinavian fashion at the moment, with there being such a great wealth of talent and creativity. Stine Goya is one designer whose work I’ve been admiring lately. Her SS09 collection entitled “La Cité Perdue”, like much of her previous work, is quite playful and has an artsy vibe about it. However, Goya also combines this with a real sense of beauty and elegance.

The colour palette includes base tones of slate blues and greys, together with injections of peach (a current colour obsession of mine) and yellow. The silhouettes really make the collection, especially with the looseness and fluidity given by many of the shapes. Of course I love the appearance of sequins, although perhaps the sequin trouser in navy blue or black would be easier to pull off. The rather charming prints and the set formed of miniature houses tie in wonderfully with the other elements of the collection, altogether making Stine Goya an incredibly captivating designer.

Posted by Emily Chan.





My Genies
Since I started working at fashion156.com I wished I could bring something special from my country to add to the blog. Well, I've never listened that much to Italian bands , but this one is different, so this is the reason why I'm going to introduce to you Il Genio (The Genie in English), my favourite Italian indie pop duo. Their songs and their lyrics, both in Italian and French, bring you back in time with their retro atmosphere. What you get is a cross between Stereo Total, Blonde Redhead and the classic Chansonniers Français.

It looks like Il Genio has learnt a great deal from artists such as Serge Gainsbourg and Jean Birkin: not only their sound but also their casual chic style is clearly influenced by Paris in the 60s. All of this is mixed together with a little touch of irony, which is what makes the real difference to me. I've seen them many times live in Italy where now they're doing great.

So I think it's time for Alessandra and Gianluca to come and play in London … and to visit me as well, for old time sake!

Take a look at the video of their forthcoming single "Pop Porno."

Posted by Raffaella Cara





Vintage Heaven
When did vintage become a synonym for ‘expensive and broken’?  My regular hikes through thrift stores have become something of a chore. I hate the smell of moth balls and I resent paying high street prices for chiffon-with-a-hole, or trousers-with-a-broken-zip.  

Which is why I was so delighted to discover Kathleen and Lily’s.  Tucked away up in Nottingham, this tiny shop has become my mecca.  The brilliant women who work there take old clothes and make newer, better ones out of them. 

My red high-waisted shorts used to be an obscene pair of trousers.  My favourite navy dress was some sort of nightmarish skirt, and my shattered vintage dream is close to being mended.  They sell china, pony brooches, scarves and bags, and all their alterations are done in store.  

Whenever I am back in the Midlands I make the requisite trip to see what new treasures they have in, and have never yet been disappointed.  The clothes are inexpensive, beautifully made and a great way of feeling ethically sound while still being glorious.  If I could marry Kathleen and Lily, I would.  And what a happy little marriage it would be.

Kathleen & Lily's, 205 Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG1 3FS
Telephone: 0115 9412327 .

Posted by Emma Hopkinson









My Mum's Blouse
This is my Mum’s blouse. I love this blouse. She bought it in Topshop, way before it was cool. It was the late 70s and she was walking home from work, when she decided to dash in to buy a top for a party that night. She bought it when David Bowie was playing on the radio and New Romanticism was in full swing.

I like its soft, romantic cut and swathing sleeves, which I usually roll up. I like to juxtapose its softness with harsh lines, such as this graffiti wall I found in a derelict park-keeper’s hut or the wet, inky black of these high shine leggings.

Images www.myspace.com/wtstyling
Posted by Kate Newton





Hello Hurwundeki.com!
Hurwundeki are renowned for their ambient and intimate boutiques placed in the coolest crevices of London. They attract a quirky following and hurrah! at long last they have launched online to lure in more eager eyes to their kitche and radiating youthful designs.

What I heart most about these Hurwundeki guys and gals is their ability to make one massive creative orb compiled of vintage, modern and street-wear looks.

For me the “Must have” pieces from the new website include lush soft frocks in prints and block colours, girl about town trench coats, fitted shirts, slouchy jodhpurs (my winter fave), statement accessories such as braces and sharply tailored jackets and waistcoats. With prices ranging from £35 to £147 for shoes, www.hurwundeki.com is well worth checking out

Posted by Kellydeene Skerritt





Zhang Jingna
This month sees the spotlight fall on Chinese art with the latest exhibition ‘Christian Dior and Chinese Artists’ at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing.

The exhibition hosts 22 Dior inspired pieces by 22 artists taking on various forms including sculptures, paintings, photography, video-works and installations, some of which are presented alongside the original Dior piece of inspiration.

This reminded me of an excellent Chinese born, Singapore based photographer Zhang Jingna who while not featured in the exhibition is undeniably a leading force in Asian art. At only 20 years old she has a portfolio to rival those twice her age and a book, ‘Something Beautiful’ which is nothing short of visionary. She recently won the Overseas Fashion & Press Photographer of the Year and was also the winner of the Overseas Fashion and Contemporary Portraits categories at the British Professional Photography Awards and I think these images clearly demonstrate why, wouldn’t you agree?

Posted by Susan Walsh

All images by Zhang Jingna, to see more of her work click here.







Why I Love You
My dearest Mohair jumper,
From the moment our eyes met across the rails at Help the Aged I knew it was love at first sight.

This is my love letter to you. I appreciate everything you do for me. Your giving nature and fuzzy texture keeps me warm on cold days. Your happy colours that lighten up my life and stretch the biggest grin on my face from cheek to cheek. Your ability to make me feel good by making my legs look slimmer cause of your bulky exterior is the attribute I cherish the most.

I will cherish you forever and promise to never share you with anyone, you are forever mine, one of a kind made by some caring old soul.

At times you push our relationship to its limits. Your tendency to act like a ‘moth to a flame’ to my lip-gloss, expressing your furry love to my mouth, can irritate my other love affair with MAC lip glass. Also, I know you get jealous of other clothes, which is why you feel the need to embrace yourself on every other surface:- jackets, pillows, tights but you need not worry my chunky mohair you are always at the forefront of styling in my mind.

Just knowing your there is what keeps me happy, rain or snow, ankle boots/tights or with leggings, you are the perfect centrepiece of my wardrobe.

And this…is why I love you.

Forever yours

Kellydeene Skerritt





What Really Happened
Do you want a piece of real life? I got something for you. Quentin, the lead singer of The Teenagers, reports with his camera everything he sees, to show what really goes on in his everyday life. You will have an overview of concerts, fans, food, city lights, airports, - as you can see in the small images above - the best and the worst of the Teenagers world.

You can be sure to find everything there is to know about The Teenagers, as these guys are always touring all over the world. You only have to go to his photolog to catch a glimpse of their lifestyle. I'm sure you will enjoy it, because, as Quentin says, "being teenager is not a crime".

Posted by Raffaella Cara





Keep your Eyes on the Lines
It has got to be said that these tights make you feel like the sexiest lady ever! I don’t know whether it’s the kitsch lines and reference to ‘Secretary’ or for the first time this winter that I have embraced a sheer tight and can actually see my legs!

Last weekend I tootled my way back to my ever so sleepy hometown of Stamford for  my friend’s joint birthday extravaganza. As I was getting ready I pulled on my seamed legs and let out an almighty screech!!! My heart shaped ring shattered my life by snagging my lined beauties. During all the panic my dear mother rushed up the stairs to find out what all the commotion was about.

KD:    Mum! Look what I have done!!!!
M:     What’s all the fuss about? When I was younger we couldn’t afford Pretty Polly’s so my sisters and me used to draw the lines on ourselves!

My mother ladies and gentleman, an innovative stylist in her own right who graces no more than nice cashmere and trousers used to dodge the claws of Thatcherism and economic crisis whist remaining effortlessly chic by sketching on her own lines. What a genius! This is a trick that has been passed on since the 40’s but lucky ole’ us we can get them for 2 pounds now!  

I however could not brave the ‘draw your own line’ experiment so copped out with plain old black opaque. Probably a good thing really…I don’t think Stamford would be ready for them!

Posted by Kellydeene Skerritt







The Rankin Interview: Part 2
Following on from Saturday’s interview were Rankin discussed his latest project - a collaboration with Macallan Scotch Whisky - part two sees him talk about the recession, Dazed & Confused and his thoughts on the fashion industry.

fashion156: We are constantly bombarded with the news of the current financial crisis. As the last recession was one of the catalysts of forming Dazed&Confused, what do you see coming out of this one?
Rankin: (It is) Interesting that you said that because a lot of people don’t realise what a recession or financial crisis actually does. For me it creates potential because there is nothing to lose, which is a classic way for you to realise your potential and that’s what happened to us. Out of poverty comes great creativity. Just look at all of the great bands that have come out of having nothing because they have nothing to lose. It’s all gone a bit post-modern now though, everyone plans their success.

f156: With the demise of competitor publications like the Face, are you surprised by longevity and continued success of Dazed & Confused?
Rankin: A magazine is only as successful as its contributors. It’s all about choosing the right people to come and work for you, to collaborate with you. Our magazines are niche magazines, the people that are really interested in them are drawn to them and they end up working for us. The ones that have come in have always done so well. People always say that it important to know who your readers are, well, we always say that we are our readers and we don’t give a f*ck about anyone else.

f156: Over the years you have quite a complex relationship with the world of fashion, whilst at the forefront with your photography and publications you never quite embraced it. How do you see you own role in the world of fashion?
Rankin: I think that is very perceptive, I wouldn’t describe myself as a fashion photographer. I’m something of an outsider to fashion. Even at Dazed I’m not part of the fashion side of things, I leave it to Jefferson (Hack) who has the relationships. I’m passionate about taking photographs and I guess I’m very cynical about fashion, always quite critical of it. I’m seduced by the photography but I don’t want to be part of that world in any other way, I like to dip in and out. If you did a survey within the fashion industry I would come out as the weird, slightly backward brother…the one who twitches…wears the wrong clothes and is not thin enough.

f156: How do you feel about fashion photography?
Rankin: I’ve actually just done a big documentary on Fashion Photography and it’s really interesting to me, one thing I’ve learnt from it is that all of the amazing ones, the ones that last, have all had this very awkward relationship with fashion…a kind of contempt for it all which helps make their work really good. The best fashion photographers have the ability to take what is going on within society and almost turn a mirror to it within a photograph and this is what makes the image exciting and relevant. Nick Knight and Juergen Teller do it.

Finally, what’s next for Rankin?
I’m going to launch my building (studio and flat located in Kentish Town) in May. I’m also working on a big show, a museum show of all my work that I will do myself. No one has asked me to do it here but I like doing shows, it’s a good way to organise your work and try to make it make sense of it all. I’m doing it all myself because I like putting two fingers up to the photography establishment in Britain because I’m not part of it at all.

All images by Rankin for the Masters of Photography a collaboration with The Macallan Scotch Whisky. Further images can be seen @ www.themastersofphotography.com .

Interview by Steve Salter.











Plastic Choko
Plastic Choko is a street fashion blog based in North Italy, mainly Milan - and above - are some images they have contributed to fashion156.com.

All the pictures and all the people give an input to their particular idea of fashion, and they wanted to share this with fashion156's blog readers.

Editor & Photographer Silvia Bergomi





Not Just for Summer
Wait…. what are those things on the faces of the two people in the pictures above? There’s no doubt that calling them sunglasses just isn’t enough. It seems that the girl and boy are almost hiding behind masks.

Maybe it’s the amazing bright red flames the boy has, or the great star shaped lenses the girl is wearing, but one thing is for sure, you notice how well they seem to suit these styles. I had always thought sunglasses were just for avoiding the sun,  but after seeing these shot I am thinking again!

Personally, I think that lightning and thunderbolt frames would match perfectly with my fringe...But until I find a pair, I guess my lightning shape earrings will have to do for now.

Posted by Raffaella Cara







Midlands Gem
As a Midlander caught adrift in London, I’m always on the look out for events back home, or ‘up North’ as the geographically confused say. I heard about the upcoming Brilliantly Birmingham event, a three-week mega-festival showcasing emerging talent in the jewellery world, and made up my mind to go.

The idea of being able to buy a total one-off, such as the Sally Collins ‘Hybrid’ piece above, or commissioning someone to create my own gems (oh the power!) sounds great. Alas, in my pitifully penniless state I might head to one of the seminars to spare myself jealous urges. Who wants to join me for a talk on fetish fashion (no, really)?

The festival runs from November 28th to the December 21st at venues across Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Posted by Simran Kaur.







fashion156.com speaks to Rankin about his latest project, a collaboration with Macallan Scotch Whisky


Rankin interprets The Macallan through 1,000 individual images.
When we catch up, Rankin is busy with the last minute preparations before the launch of his latest exhibition but he is somewhat relieved when I suggest we escape for a beer. You don’t get many chances to interview an icon like Rankin and as an excited fan I had a lot of questions to ask and therefore there will be two parts to the interview. Part one of the interview focuses on the collaboration with Macallan whisky where Rankin has produced 1000 Polaroids…

fashion156: How did the collaboration with Macallan whisky come about?
Rankin: They approached me because they wanted to start a Masters of Photography series. Every couple of years a photographer will create a series of photographs that will embrace or reflect the brand’s spirit.

f156: What drew you to Polaroid?
Rankin: It felt like a fitting end for Polaroid whilst starting something for Macallan. 1000 images seemed like such a daunting task. I liked the idea of taking that many images. I really had to push myself to get great images each time.

f156 How do you feel about the rise of digital and the decline of film?
Rankin: I rejected film about two years ago, wholeheartedly, focusing on digital as a form of image making. This project was a fond kiss farewell; with the drink it is a nod to the past but thinking about the future. It just felt romantic. It all fitted so well.

f156: To what extent was your fiancé Tuuli your muse for this project?
Rankin: She embodies the love people have for whisky. I’m madly in love with her, I’m not madly in love with whisky but it felt like a nice juxtaposition with the sensuality of the images. This had to be my own interpretation; it was something to do with me rather than just the whisky or the landscape.

f156: The project meant you got to spend some time in Scotland, how did you find the experience?
Rankin: It was important to portray the location; the atmosphere and the people who work up there …the people are beautiful. The pace is slow. Whisky matures over 10 and 25 years, so you have all these casks just sitting there, nothing happens…they call it sleeping and they say a certain amount is given to the angels as it evaporates. So that pace was really nice and fitted in with the Polaroid in that way.

The Masters of Photography Rankin Edition runs as a free exhibition until Sunday 16th November at Huntingdon Project Space, 28 Redchurch Street, London E2.

The second part of the interview will be posted on Monday 17/11/08.

Interview by Steve Salter. fashion156.com is thrilled to announce that Steve Salter is our brand new contributor who will be focusing on menswear, the arts and events. We were massive fans of Steve’s own blog and  tracked him down to write for fashion156. Look out for Steve's menswear style column launching next issue!





Thursday Night
If you were in London on Thursday night, there were lots of things to do and places to go. So I'm pleased show you what I did, who I met, and the places I went.

First stop: HL Jeans Co ..Party!
I went to the Henri Lloyd store party in Carnaby Street. It was really nice, lots of people, the Paddingtons were playing too, so I had even more reason to be there.

This is the most stylish guy I saw. He was right in the front of the store. Was he at the party? No, he was just working on the street. He's a builder. Worker style rules ok!

Second stop: It's a Kling Thing at Jaguar Shoes.
Jaguar Shoes is one of my favourite pubs. I was invited to go for an exhibition by new designer Kling by Kling, I even received the mask in the picture to take with me!

I asked the designer for three adjectives to describe her work. She said: creativity, patterns, and madness. This image can prove it!

Before leaving I found this lovely girl in Docs; a picture of her was really worth it.

Third stop : Old Blue Last.
The Old Blue Last was busy more than ever, as there was the Vice party.

You can see – above - some interesting people I bumped in!

Fourth stop: Catch
I always end up going at Catch on a Thursday night. I thought this time there was nothing special going on, but soon as I went upstairs I had to change my mind as a crowd of half naked boys were dancing wildly together to the notes of Guns and Roses and Bon Jovi. This is what you can call having fun! I felt it was better not to join their dance, so I left!

See you at the next stop!

Posted by Raffaella Cara







All Hail the New Queen!
Queen, or Spy, I’m pretty sure I’ve now blown any kind of undercover disguise that our latest Fashion Spy might have been enjoying.

We head-hunted her royal highness Queen Michelle from Kingdom of Style to write for us, after being amazed by her own sense of style, almost worrying amount of fashion knowledge and DIY creations, giving a sense of hope and inspiration to the less than deft – myself included.

You can read her amazing first piece for our Sequinned issue here .

Posted by Simran Kaur.