Wimbledon

First off, SORRY for being so unloyal and not posting for what feels like a million years. One thing after another has just kept coming at me and I haven't had a moment to breath, let alone blog. 

BUT, I'm back and to celebrate my return and the onset of summer (according to the forecast- although who can say how long it will last this time?) I thought I would share some pictures of the Wimbledon tennis tournament- old school. That is, when raquets were made out of wood and there was no Eagle Eye to judge whether a ball was in or out. I was born and raised in Wimbledon until I was around 7 so the tournament has always had a special place in my heart, it truly is a British Institution.

Fred Perry

Fred Perry

Bjorn Borg

John McEnroe

Bjorn Borg

Bjorn Borg

John McEnroe

Game, Set, Match!

I Wanna Be Like Grace Kelly!

Grace Patricia Kelly- American actress and later Princess of Monaco after she married Prince Rainier III in 1956 in THAT wedding dress. A style icon recognised wherever you live and her films such as High Society are also widely regarded as classics.

The wedding dress which it has been suggested inspired
Kate Middleton's design by Sarah Burton

High Society

High Society

Street Style London

Proof that everyone can do Breton stripes

The conclusion: In London, fashion knows no boundaries!

Here's One I Wove Earlier...

Following on from yesterday's exploration into foreign fashions and the Panama Hat I found this short video about the weaving process involved in making a Panama. The accuracy and complexity of the weaving is amazing- you have to check this out!

Jet Set, Go Wardrobe!

I want to try and merge my two loves in life in this next post: fashion and culture. Soooo... I have picked 5 pieces we Brits would call indispensible in a summer wardrobe but which don't actually come from good old Blighty and mashed them all together with some snaps and a bit about where they come from and why we should love them so much. Let the games begin!

1. THE BRETON TOP- Be still my beating heart! I have started with my absolute favourite piece of clothing in the history of the world: yes, yes, I know a woman's first love is meant to her LBD but for me its a bit of Breton allll the way. Coming from the b- e- a- utiful Brittany in France they started out as the regulation uniform for the French navy because the stripes made them easy to see if they fell in! Made famous by the legendary Coco Chanel, who adopted the trend while holidaying in Brittany and immortalised it forevermore on her catwalks, it seems clear this is a trend which just won't budge, not that I'm complaining!

Audrey Hepburn

Coco Chanel

2. THE ESPADRILLE- So if you've done your homework you might see that this is the second time Espadrilles have featured in my blog (does that mean I'm becoming obsessive?), but I love them so I don't care. Originating in Catalan and initially peasant footwear- funny isn't it how great trends never started off with the intention of becoming immortalised on the pages of Vogue? The Espadrille was, coincidentally, another popular piece with Coco Chanel, she was often seen wearing Espadrilles with a wide- legged trouser. I love them because they are just SO chilled- you look at them and they seem to transport you  to a beach or a park... AHHH true love right there

Pablo Picasso

3. THE HAREM PANT- These beauties have been the victim of many a fashion faux- pas over the years (look no further than J- Lo, Fergie and Kylie for evidence). The notoriously awkward Harem Pant originated in India, the most traditional ones being very baggy with a crotch down near the ankles. They were worn originally by belly dancers but are now more widespread. People are anti- Harem Pant because they think they are unflattering but the tip, for me, is not to try too hard. Now, I'm not suggesting wearing them with trainers and a jumper but I think they look best when you look like you are trying to look relaxed and comfortable- wear them with gladiator sandals or cute flip- flops (NOT chunky ones) to create a fresh, summery look.

Chanel 2011

4. THE PANAMA- Amusingly, the Panama comes from Ecuador, not its Latin American neighbour as the name suggests. These iconic hats were originally woven from the leaves of the Toquilla Straw Plant and were made famous when Teddy Roosevelt was seen wearing one when visiting the Panama Canal. The hats were first shipped to a port in Panama before being sent onto Europe and Asia, and the name "Panama Hat" stuck. In the 20th century, when no outfit was complete without a hat, Panama hats were everywhere, favoured especially in summer for their lightness and easiness to stowaway. Panama hats are still popular today, with women and men and, like espadrilles evoke images of summer and crisp white linens.. Oh  goodness, I have to stop before I get too carried away...

5. THE AVIATOR- Last but, oh by no means least, comes the Aviator. Created waaay back in 1936 by Ray Ban, then called Bausch & Lomb, they were chosen as the official sunglasses for the US Army Air Corps in 1999 and were probably made most famous a little known film called Top Gun (sarcasm intended). Nowadays Aviators are used by anyone and everyone and can cost anything from £1 to £200. They look great with swimwear (weird but true) and with Panama hats (see above).

Johnny Depp

Sorry, I just couldn't leave it out!

So there you have it: my rundown of the top 5 foreign wardrobe must- haves for summer. If you disagree with any of my choices then let me know what your top 5 foreign fashions are: as the lady herself Coco Chanel said, "Fashion is made to become unfashionable" 

We're all going on a Summer Holiday

So to celebrate the end of my exams I thought I'd spread the vintage love and wet your appetites for summer!

Roll on summer!

Typical..

This is a video by National Geographic I saw the other day- how typical are you?

Andrew Marr's Megacities

The latest series to hit the BBC is Andrew Marr's Megacities, this three part series started last Thursday and watchers saw Andrew Marr visiting 5 of the 21 megacities (that is they have a population of over 10 million people): Tokyo, Shanghai, London, Mexico City and Dhaka.

Marr focussed heavily this week on the mood and atmosphere in the cities, some of which, despite their size, managed to retain real community spirit and seemed to feel more like a village than a city of such enormous proportions. He spent a night 'slumming it' with a family in Dhaka (where he was compared to Mr Bean) and also revelled in the 'Dancing Days' in Mexico City which, despite being one of the most dangerous cities in the world suffering for 500 kidnappings a month and 3 murders a day, seemed friendly and joyful.

Shanghai- a  city from the future

Marr also visited a glittering penthouse worth £9million in Shanghai, a bargain for the cities 7,000 billionaires. The underlying message in all Marr's findings, which saw him climbing the Shard in London and hiring a friend for the day in Tokyo, was one of sadness. He reminded us that by 2020 3/4 of the World will be urbanised and used Tokyo as an example of the monotonous regularity of life created in a city. This unbreaking routine has forced some people into their homes too scared to venture out because life is so overwhelming beyond the confines of their home.

The village atmosphere found in the Dhaka slums

As a result, despite the glittering lights and sleek glass skyscrapers of Tokyo and Shanghai Marr made it clear that for him Mexico City and Dhaka were his preferred type of dwelling. The people may not live in luxurious penthouses in a city where the transport system is so sharp that you need written proof of a delay if you are late to work, but they have a community: friends and family are around them and they appear content with what they have.

Party time in Mexico City

Of course, an English TV series couldn't come to any other conclusion than that of London being the best megacity. Not only does it have evidence of the magnificent statement buildings namely the Shard, like those found in Shanghai and Tokyo, but there is also the sense of community found in Dhaka and Mexico City- aptly demonstrated with the roller blading that takes place through London at the weekends.

The next edition to London's skyline

This is a series I will definitely be watching more of, it is well directed and Marr moves between the five cities with ease. He manages to give you an insight into a variety of people's lives and delivers humour and amazing statistics.

Andrew Marr's Megacities continues on Thursday 9th at 8pm on BBC 1

Markets and Molas

I was absent- mindedly looking back through my GCSE Textiles sketchbooks earlier and found a cushion I made based on the theme of "Layers." I looked at Latin American markets which led to me discovering the Mola- the traditional clothing worn by the Kuna Indians in Panama and Colombia

I remember being captivated by the simple, vibrant beauty of these panels which are stitched onto jackets and skirts. The Mola started as a form of body art but was later transferred to clothing when missionaries found the tribe.

A traditional Mola

Molas are made using a Reverse Applique Technique where several layers of bright fabric have a design stitched onto them and layers are then cut away to reveal the different colours. They can take up to 6 weeks to complete because all the rough edges have to be stitched under. All girls living as Kuna Indians are taught to make the Molas from a young age so the tradition doesn't die out.

The Kuna Indians photographed with their Molas to the left of the photo

I translated my findings into a cushion for my final piece which I split into quarters and demonstrated different layering techniques on each quarter, including the reverse applique used by the Kunas.

The Final Product!

I find the tribal traditions still in existance in our world so interesting- the way that a whole society can remain untouched by the modern technology that is so present in our world nowadays and still live in their own little self- sufficient eco- system is amazing. Sadly many tribes are being forced to integrate with modern society because the tribal lifestyle simply isn't practical nowadays. The Kuna Indians are doing their best to preserve their ancestry and traditions and, for the benefit of all of us, I hope they do.

PS. One blog worth checking out is The World Effect where they show photography from all corners of the globe capturing everyday life everywhere from China to France to Mexico to South Africa

Watch Out For... La Romería del Rocio

Spain's biggest pilgrimage is coming up in June when over 1 million people take to the streets and countryside of Andalucia to worship the Shrine of the Virgin Mary, sing, eat, dance and celebrate in the small village of El Rocio in Huelva.

It is generally a very traditional event with most people travelling on foot or on horseback, the pilgrimage was first established 800 years ago and it is still going strong. Of course urban legends and myths surround the statue at the shrine as with any great religious figure: the hunter who found the statue in the trunk of a tree claimed it could cure disease, infertility and mental illnesses.

The fiesta atmosphere done best by the Spanish

Despite being a religious festival there is a great party atmosphere to be found, as with any Spanish Fiesta: women wear bright gypsy skirts and men wear traditional wide- brimmed bolero hats. Accompanied by the sound of tambourines, flutes and guitars the crowd sings traditional folk- songs such as "Viva La Reina de la Marisma" (Long Live the Queen of the Marshes) as they enter the village and set up camp for the next two days.

The Shrine of the Virgin Mary in Rocio- the centrepiece of the pilgrimage taken by 1million people each year

First time visitors have the chance to baptise themselves by dipping their hats in water and pouring it over themselves and everyone enjoys the traditional food and music and general festivities until the village empties and becomes quiet again for another year.