After Scarlett's comment about recreating the image for myself, I thought I would take her up on that offer, and realised also that I am pretty useful on Photoshop than I give myself credit for. 
In today’s Fashion & Cultural Influences lecture, I was quite excited to know we were watching a video, rather than listening to theories that make me clueless. The video in question was shown on BBC4 in 2008, and it followed Fashion Photographer Rankin recreate seven of his favourite images of the past. Included favourites such as Helmut Newton, Richard Avendon and Cecil Beaton.
As soon as I saw an image by Erwin Blumenfeld on the video, I recognised it. It was my most prized purchase from New York. Plain white background, standout black title, with 1950s just slightly underneath, and bursting red lips, and these amazing feline eyes with a black flick.
On January 1, 1950, this iconic cover was released to the world, with the perfect bow lips and beauty spot of model Jean Patchett.
When I first saw it in a market just outside Central Park, I was so drawn to the eyes and lips and recognised it as my most common make up style, flicks and red lips. A cheap price, all in a frame, I quickly handed over the money, happy with the memory of where I bought it and what it meant to me. Little did I know how exciting the cover really was.
In the video, Rankin made a modern twist with the help of Hiedi Klum, who cheekily stuck her tongue out to give it a fresher appeal.
After learning more about the striking cover, ‘The Doe Eye’ is definitely not to be ignored, and I now feel happier knowing more about its history, as it hangs with pride on my bedroom wall.
By Constance Briscoe
The heart-wrenching true story of how a loveless childhood led to her achievement of being one of the first black women to sit as a Judge in the UK.
If your looking for an inspiring, truthful and gripping book to lead your spring read, then Constance Briscoe is a definite read. Born in the 1960s, see how she survives her terrible start with an abusive mother, stepfather and 10 siblings.
It all began when Constance came home and handed her Mother her school photograph, and she replied “Lord, sweet Lord how come she so ugly, Ugly. Ugly.” The mental and physical abuse followed as she fended for herself, stood up to her pain and fought for her own independence.
Throughout her life, Constance is brought up watching her Mother treat and love her children, but purposely leaving her in the corner. Seeing how she can treat her siblings differently is the most upsetting of all.
Back in 2008, Constance herself was being sued by her own Mother for ‘fabricating’ and creating a book of ‘nonsence’. The publisher stood by Constance throughout the trail and with her on her win back in December 2008. They made a statement that "Sadly, as we know from the news over the past few weeks, child abuse is all too common and nothing and no one should ever stand in the way of the truth."
Constance tells the Guardian about her determination; "I have a letter my mother wrote to a solicitor in which she says her biggest regret in life was that I didn't die at birth," she says. "No, I have no regrets about writing the book."
The Mail on Sunday describes Constance’s book as “An astonishing true story of hope over adversity”.
An overwhelming read that must be so, and enjoyed.
(£6.99, Hodder & Stoughton)
by Harriet Edgar
A/W 2011 has landed in full force with its recycled and edgy tradition. Over the weekend, such shows from Topshop’s ‘Unique’, Mulberry, Matthew Williamson, Louise Gray, Vivienne Westwood, PPQ, Temperley and many more have graced the newly appointed location for the bi-annual fashion event with their coverted new designs.
As ever, it wasn’t just the designers fashion that were captured, quoted or dare I say tweeted, the celebrities that took to the front row of the shows, sometimes turned more heads.
Front row veterans such as Anna Wintour, Alexandra Shulman, Kate Moss and Philip Green, paved their way to the upcoming trendsetting starlets of today such as Emma Watson, Olivia Palermo, Fearne Cotton and Nicola Roberts.
Their flaunting style was ever short of shy, as they boldly wore the season’s stone and brown hues, ankle & middy length skirts, quirky accessories, satin floaty materials, and an eye watering amount of bright colours and patterns.
The trends of today have well and truly brought back memories and tastes of past decades. Patterns and cuts of materials hark back to the 70s, whilst the colours and stitch remind us only of the post war period, daring to challenge their beige hues for the outright bold.
No fashion week is the same without pining over the new collections, imagining your bank balance didn’t omit to the depressing potential of buying second hand clobber, and convincing yourself that your VIP invite to the latest shows ‘must have got lost in the post’.
This time around there is a definite glee of excitement, as we can already see the many garments on show that are waiting to be reborn in the wardrobe. Such items as your leather jacket, floral pieces, belted macs, military parkas, coral summer hues, maxi dresses, autumn browns and clogs are all making their re-appearance to A/W.
Simply adjusting your designs to fit the new trends will take little effort, and part of the fun is thinking of new ways to invent the clothes you have. For example, simply take your maxi dress, hitch up at the waist and fasten with a skinny (or woven) belt that will instantly take the length up to the ‘middy’ size of the season.
Layering as ever is a staple for A/W, so simply teaming your Camel Coat with the middy length skirt is the easiest way to bring last year to 2011.
By far the best place I have found to get up to date information of this week in London is the online fashion bible itself; www.vogue.co.uk. Their blog is also brilliant for snippets of the latest gossip, buys, shows and celebrity appearances.
