Like every fashion girlie I have spent the past seven days poring over couture collections on Vogue and fangirling over design details from Simone Rocha and John Galliano. I absolutely loved all of the feminine elements in the Simone Rocha for Jean Paul Gaultier collection, as it mirrors my own design aesthetic, so I was particularly inspired by this gorgeous catwalk. It blended intimate apparel with couture ball gowns so effortlessly; what an inspiration.
On Sunday my sister and I went to eat at a favourite eatery of mine, Han Bao, a burger place in Birmingham. If you get the chance to go I recommend the ‘Piggie Smalls’, with a beef patty, pulled pork, coleslaw and mayonnaise; doesn’t it sound heavenly? After dinner we went to see All Of Us Strangers, which was heartbreakingly beautiful, and left me sobbing in the cinema. More on that below!
WHAT’S INSPIRED ME THIS WEEK
As a fashion designer, and general creative type, I am constantly seeking inspiration wherever I am, and these posts are a way to document what has ignited something within me this past week. Whether its artwork I’ve seen online, photography that moved me, or a collection of colour in nature that kick-started a creative idea in my head, I’ll be sharing four ideas that have brought me joy in the past seven days.
R. READING
I’ve just started Emma by Jane Austen, a classic that I’ve been meaning to read for a very long time. My friend Becca got me a beautiful edition from the Penguin Clothbound Classics collection for my birthday last year, and I’m loving it so far.
The way that the book is written feels like you’re being told gossip about all of the characters, which as a girl who loves gossiping with my friends (let’s be honest – who doesn’t?) I’m loving. I feel like I’m sat right there with Emma discussing her peers; I can’t wait to keep reading!
I also read a stunning book I got for Christmas from my parents, about how Barbie’s wardrobe has been inspired by catwalk collections and societal culture for the past 65 years. It was fascinating to see catwalk images and Barbie’s outfits side-by-side, to see where the inspiration had come from, and how it was amended to fit Barbie’s aesthetic and tiny doll’s body.
E. EDUCATING
I’ve been trying to educate myself on how social media has established itself as a key part of our society, and lives in general.
By doing so I’ve learnt more about the concept of a ‘third place’, which isn’t home or work, where we can socialise and meet friends. There is a correlation between the decline in these physical ‘third places’, such as cafes, parks and social clubs, particularly those that are free or cheap to frequent, and the sharp rise in social media. The idea that the internet has essentially become a substitute for this place of socialisation, fun and friendship is quite scary, and definitely something that I want to explore more. I watched a great video on this idea here.
P. PLAYING
I don’t go to the cinema very often, but when I saw that Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal were in a film together I knew I had to see it. I visited the Mockingbird Cinema in Digbeth, Birmingham, which is a lovely independently-owned cinema that I’d definitely recommend.
All Of Us Strangers was as heartbreaking as it was beautiful; I was left in floods of tears, and struck by how human the film was. It’s definitely hard-hitting, but I loved it.
O. OBSESSING OVER
This week I was utterly obsessed with the couture collections debuted in Paris, with a particular favourite being the collection designed by Simone Rocha for Jean Paul Gaultier. It was pink satins and bows, pearls and corsetry; everything I love!
The look featured above, with layered corsetry, dangling suspenders, and ruffled bloomers, in a stunning pink silk, was my favourite look of the collection, but so many of them stole my heart. I did a full review of my top looks over on my TikTok, pulling out all of the historical, and iconic, Jean Paul Gaultier design elements featured in the pieces.
R. RECOMMENDING
This past week I uploaded my wardrobe on to the Whering app; which is essentially the iconic Clueless wardrobe sorting machine of the 21st century, and I am obsessed.
Whilst actually uploading each individual piece I own on to the app wasn’t the most fun of experiences (a process which I’d actually put off for months…), I’m loving putting together outfits, planning looks for the days ahead, and experimenting with lesser-used pieces in my wardrobe.
I’m hoping that it will allow me to become more mindful with what I wear, or rather, what I don’t wear. I’d recommend it to anyone interested in styling their own wardrobe, and making more sustainable fashion choices.
T. TREATING MYSELF TO
Ark Skincare has been in my skincare routine for many, many years now, just look at this blog post I wrote about it all the way back in 2020, but I often neglect treating myself to the more spa-worthy products they offer.
Their Triple Action Exfoliator and Hydration Injection Masque are two of my favourite ever skincare products, and bringing them back into my skincare routine has most definitely saved my skin! I’d been really struggling with breakouts since coming home from travelling, but using these products over the past fortnight has cleared it right up.
Love Chloe x
