Rock 'n' roll? Or selling their souls?

This month I have been shocked twice upon hearing about two rock gods turning their hands to fashion designing. The first being Liam Gallagher, frontman of Oasis. Gallagher is notorious for his 'don't give a t*ss' attitude and being well and truly rock 'n' roll since hitting the scene in the nineties. Gallagher's collection named Pretty Green, launched on the 5th June and is available on the official website. Unfortunately within minutes of it launching, the website crashed due to high traffic (bad news but also great news, as there are obviously many people wanting to buy from this line). The collection will be available in Selfridges department store next season and comprises of a trademark parka jacket, logo t-shirts and polo shirts.

The next shocking rock god to be jumping on the band wagon is infamous guitarist Ronnie Wood from the Rolling Stones. 'What?' I hear you cry...yes read it and weep my rock 'n' roll loving friends it is true! Wood is collaborating with iconic British department store Liberty of London to launch his clothing line for men and women. The line will be launching in Autumn 09 and will be influenced, supposedly by Woods' art. Perhaps this is an attempt to be younger due to new squeeze, 20 year old, Ekaterina Ivanova or perhaps he is trying to make a buck ahead of his divorce from long suffering wife Jo. Either way it is not what I expected from a true rock legend.

I am a fan of both of these men and their bands, but one of the very reasons I am a fan of both and pretty much anyone who lives a rock 'n' roll existence is the sheer characteristics of those people. The 'stick it to the man' attitude, the free spirits, the lack of care for money and the love and the passion for the music. So I fear these rock almighty's have lost the real reason they are in the business...it's not about the money it's about the music.

To call them sell-outs may be a little harsh but unless I have missed something, neither are qualified to launch and design a label and I personally don't think it is a big dream for either, more a plan conjured up by a clever PR guru...as long as there are fans there is money to be made.

The real reason I find this all so upsetting is I had a dream that rock 'n' roll style was all hap-hazard decisions made in a Jack Daniels haze but now I wonder if it is all decisions made by the stylists. I personally will not buy into either clothing line...I stand by the philosophy of heart and soul, rock 'n' roll.

An exotic blonde, the rarest of creatures...

Gemma Ward. What can I say about Gemma Ward? In my eyes she is a goddess, an intriguing, slightly alien looking, doll-faced beauty. Ward is the cream of the crop in my opinion of all the super models of our time.

Born in Perth in 1987, Ward was discovered by a model scout when she accompanied friends to a modelling competition and got signed herself! At 16 she was the youngest model to get the cover of American Vogue as well as being the youngest fashion model to be listed as one of the nine 'it girls' of the modelling world.

She has modelled for every designer imaginable, Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Alexander McQueen etc, etc, etc!! Along with this she has graced the cover of Vogue at least 30 times worldwide, including getting the first cover of Indian Vogue, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier. She single handedly pioneered the the baby doll look, in which Lily Cole and Jessica Stam followed. With all of this to take into consideration, it's no surprise that she has been named 10th on the Forbes 15 top earning super models list.

As photographer Michael Thompson once described her she is "an exotic blonde, the rarest of creatures".

Boho or Loco?

A new trend seems to be picking up this season and I'm not altogether sure how I feel about it. Barefooted ladies are popping up all over east London! As soon as the sun comes out we Brits are notorious for getting over excited, basking out in it all day and getting the shorts and flip flops out, this I can understand (seeing as I am in fact wearing a sundress as I write, and it is now raining outside).

What I cannot understand is why girls are being seen barefooted every where I go. A few weeks ago in London Fields I saw three girls in one weekend barefooted and last week outside my house I saw a girl riding her bike barefooted!! How did she have the ability to ride a bike barefooted? Not to mention how uncomfortable her suffering soles must have been. These girls were admirably dressed which leads me to believe this was a conscious style choice. All of them were rocking somewhat of a bohemian vibe with long wavy hair and vintage/second hand, thrown together outfits and all of them BAREFOOTED! Considering east London is not the cleanest of places I think these voguettes are very brave, who knows what unsightly things you could step in whilst being a 'free spirit'.

I am trying to work out where this trend has come from and I just can't work it out. Considering that Joss Stone, the celebrity that pioneered this look has become somewhat of a renowned fashion disaster herself of late (sorry Joss), I don't think it is her that is inspiring these shoeless stylistas. Perhaps a nod to homelessness? Perhaps it's the credit crunch, maybe they have spent all their money on the outfit and then just skimped on shoes?

Although I am a self confessed shabby chic girl myself (my nails are always chipped and I can never be bothered to blow dry or straighten my hair) this is one trend I will most certainly not be buying in to. I am one lady who loves her shoes!

Finding the heir to my plimsoll throne...

I have always been a high heels kinda girl. I have suffered blisters, bleeding, the loss of toenails and I still don't have the feeling back in my big toe after 3 years but through all the downs there are plenty of 'highs' (excuse the pun!) I have been deemed brave (and stupid) for being the only person at a rave in 5 inch heels, I often worry about towering over the boy in my 6 inch beauties and plenty of my perfect pairs have the ability to make even the most well-dressed women green with envy.

Despite this, since moving to London I have HAD to accept that I can not always totter around like Bambi on stilts. Never knowing what the day or night can bring, it is simply foolish to leave the house without flats when living in this city. Ice and snow, tube strikes, multiple errands to be done for the boss and being too drunk that I have missed the last tube resulting in walking home, are all things I have had to contend with living in London and whilst wearing heels. I learnt the hard way!

So, in the two and a half years I have been here white plimsolls have been somewhat of a

uniform for me. Slightly tatty are preferred and teamed with a pretty dress gives a thrown together look which I love...But...my love for these white wonders is wearing thin, I long for something else that goes with everything and that I can throw into my bag before I leave the house but I am yet to find the heir to my plimsoll throne! Flip flops and sandals are seasonal, ballet pumps are done to death and brogues, although cute are not always casual enough.

So my constant battle with wanting something new but not knowing what, lives on.

I'm off to the shop now, I'll just throw on my plimsolls...can't live with them, can't live without them!

Cyclodelic Chic...

Cycle chic is fast becoming one of the cutest trends to have emerged in a long time. The streets are literally swarming with girls looking chic and effortless on their cycles and it is enough to make this self confessed lazy Londoner get down to Halfords quicker than an old school Raleigh! The term 'cycle chic' was coined by photographer and blogger Mikael Coville-Anderson. Dubbed 'The Sartorialist on two wheels' by The Guardian, Mikael started photographing trendy cyclists in Copenhagen in 2006. His blog is now famous with the fashion pack and cyclists the world over.

I found this guy looking great in East London with his own preppy style and matching neon bike...Cyclodelic indeed!

Flower power...

I got a little creative this weekend...as you can see!

Inspired by my earlier post (Chip on your shoulder). I wanted to create my own take on the trend. So inspired by this trend and influenced by The Killers frontman, Brandon Flowers I dug out this denim jacket I had bought at a sample sale. I then hit the fabric stores of Berwick Street. So feathers, old denim jacket and a quiet Friday night created this wonder!

Style Stalker...Florence Welch

This week I am style stalking Florence Welch. Welch is the lead of soul inspired indie group Florence and The Machine. Her mother is an art historian and was a Studio 54 regular, her father is in advertising and her Grandfather is a former deputy editor of The Daily Telegraph.

Due to this it is no surprise that Welch is a self described "real geek" who loves to sing, dress up, dance around and get paid for doing so! With all of those family influences who wouldn't! Welch has an interesting and creative sense of style. Whilst fitting in with the eclectic 'thrown together' look favoured by many women in bands at the moment she seems to stand out with a subtle, glamorous edge to her.

Perhaps it's her beautiful red hair, her pale skin or her dominating stage presence that draws me to her, I'm not sure. Whatever it is her style is one that I am stalking this week!

Chip on your shoulder...

Exaggerated shoulders have been in and out of fashion for decades, and they are making a come back with a vengeance this season. The military jackets that featured on the catwalk of Balmain last fashion week went straight from the catwalk to the mags and are being seen on every celeb around the globe. Not one to usually enjoy trends that are picked up by celebs but with a look that harks back to Ziggy Stardust (who is already a fashion favourite of mine) this is a trend I can definitely get on board with. As far as I'm concerned, the bigger the better!

Playsuit playground

So the sun was out in full force last weekend so myself and the boy headed to our local park, London Fields. If you have ever visited this area you will understand when I say a simple vest and cut off denim shorts will not surfice for this fashion focused, bohemian crowd. This is why I felt it to be the perfect time to don my new playsuit. Bought from a vintage store during winter I have been waiting to wear this wonder for some months!

Hitting the street...Brick Lane, London

Brick Lane is one of my favourite places to get lost in. Sundays are full of style savvy, scene kids. Here are a few a snapped last weekend...