Monthly Archives: August 2011

Giveaway #3: A Yearly Subscription to NONE Magazine

31 Wednesday Aug 2011

Posted by in Fashion, The Reading List

≈ 17 Comments

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If you’re anything like me, you love a good magazine.  Magazines are a tactile, visual experience.  Way better than a computer in terms of visual appreciation.

From Tea Petrovic

Today we’ve got a year’s subscription to NONE Magazine.  If you haven’t heard of it, I highly suggest that you pick up a copy in your nearest Easons.  NONE is a Cork-based, internationally staffed, quarterly magazine.  If I could describe it accurately in terms of other magazines, I would.  The closest I can get is that I think it’s like a cross between POP and Dazed and Confused, reflected through an Irish mirror.

Because the magazine is based in Cork, I don’t think that it gets the exposure that it deserves.  It’s all about Dublin at the moment, so if you’re not based there, you can be left on the sidelines.  NONE is a great magazine unlike any other in Ireland and it isn’t specific to Cork.  It could be published in any great European city (and as far as I know, several national imprints are in the works).

Photo from Blaubushka

 

Photo from Blaubushka

The magazine is a mix of daring, imaginative fashion and beauty editorials, with interesting features. It has featured the talents of many of Ireland’s best and brightest in the fashion community.  Best of all though – this competition is worldwide.  Even better – if you don’t win and you don’t live in Ireland, you can pick up a digital edition on the website.

Sound good?  So, the competition is as follows.

1. Subscribe to the blog by email.  Just click the button on the top left of the homepage.  That way, I’ll be able to contact the winner via email.

2.  Leave a comment at the end of this post.  Easy as.

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES!

1.  Follow @The_Licentiate on twitter and tweet ‘I want a subscription to @WeAreNone with @The_Licentiate http://thelicentiate.com/2011/08/31/giveaway-none-magazine’.  Don’t worry if it’s too many characters, twitter should automatically shorten it.  It would only be lovely if you followed @WeAreNone on twitter as well.

2.  Like The Licentiate and NONE Magazine on facebook and tag us in a post on your facebook page.

3.  If you’ve got a blog, blog about the giveaway for an extra entry.

VERY IMPORTANT

You must subscribe to the blog to enter

If you’re leaving extra entries, make sure to leave a link in the comment sections telling me how you entered and what your twitter/facebook/blog links are (delete as relevant).  If you don’t leave a comment, I may not know that you’ve entered, and we want to make this as fair as possible!  The winner will be picked at random.  Competition closes on 14/09/11.

 

Giveaway #2: A Shotsy Vintage Playsuit!

30 Tuesday Aug 2011

Posted by in Fashion

≈ 8 Comments

Fancy going shopping in Temple Bar, the hub of vintage shopping in Ireland’s capital?  Of course you do!  But you might be like me, and are far away from Temple Bar and unable to explore it’s cobbled streets.  Oh boo.  Put away the Kleenex, this competition is for you – and it’s open worldwide (though I may regret this if I have to pay postage to Australia).

Today’s prize is a lovely floral playsuit from Shotsy Vintage, the newest vintage shop in the ‘Bar which is already rocketing up people’s ‘to visit’ lists.    Lets face it, the weather hasn’t been amazing, but this jumpsuit is a fresh slice of summer.  But before we get started, here’s a few reasons why I love Shotsy Vintage.

  1. AFFORDABLE VINTAGE.  I can’t stress how hard it is to find a vintage shop that prices garments fairly in the capital.  Some vintage vendors are great, others can be cowboys of the Del Boy calibre.  Shotsy Vintage fall firmly into the former category.
  2. The shop is named after Schatzi Paige, as played by Lauren Bacall in How To Marry A Millionaire.  This immediately satisfies the vintage film nerd in me.
  3. The ladies who run the place really know their stuff.  They know their stock and, as they say themselves:

Some vintage stores take themselves a bit too seriously and can be stuffy and overpriced. Other outlets seem more like jumble sales than genuine vintage. At Shotsy we put the fun into vintage. The clothes are in great condition, the provenance is clear and the prices affordable.

Vintage clothing is a fashion refuge situated between cheap, disposable,unethical clothing and expensive, luxury and designer brands. At Shotsy, we stock top quality clothes from the 50’s through to the 80’s. Everything in our vast range is hand picked. Our clothes give you the opportunity to own something
unique and to experience the inimitable craftsmanship that belongs to the clothes of the past.

Sound good?  Of course it does!

Here are a few more details.  The playsuit is very versatile when it comes to size.  A size 8 (US4) could easily sinch it in with a belt while the ruched, elasticated sides can easily accommodate up to a 14 (US 10).  The bust is similarly accommodating.  The picture doesn’t do this jumpsuit justice – it’s fully lined with great structure.  I think it’ll be great with thick black tights, a shirt underneath, leather jacket and a beanie in the winter – though that’s just me.  It it’s still sunny where you are then it would be nice on its own.

 

Waist (stretches) – 30′

Bust (also stretches) – 34′

Material – Poly/cotton mix (feels very like cotton though)

Here’s what you have to do.

1. Subscribe to the blog by email.  Just click the button on the top left of the homepage.  That way, I’ll be able to contact the winner via email.

2.  Leave a comment at the end of this post.  Easy as.

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES!

1.  Follow @The_Licentiate on twitter and tweet ‘I want some free vintage with @The_Licentiate and @ShotsyVintage! http://thelicentiate.com/2011/08/30/giveaway-shotsy-vintage‘.  Be nice and follow @ShotsyVintage as well – they’re lovely, so they are.

2.  Like The Licentiate and Shotsy Vintage on facebook and tag us in a post on your facebook page.

3.  If you’ve got a blog, blog about the giveaway for an extra entry.

VERY IMPORTANT

If you’re leaving extra entries, make sure to leave a link in the comment sections telling me how you entered and what your twitter/facebook/blog links are (delete as relevant).  If you don’t leave a comment, I may not know that you’ve entered, and we want to make this as fair as possible!  The winner will be picked at random.  Competition closes on 13/09/11.

Shotsy Vintage, Temple Lane South, (opposite the Button Factory) Temple Bar.
Open 7 days.
Email enquiries@shotsyvintage.ie
http://www.facebook.com/shotsyvintage

Giveaway #1: A manicure with The Alpha Nail

29 Monday Aug 2011

Posted by in Fashion

≈ 20 Comments

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Live in Dublin or fancy a trip there?  And do you fancy a manicure with possibly the hottest new mani lady on the block?  We’re got a manicure to give away with none other than the lovely Aoife of The Alpha Nail!

The Alpha Nail is based in 9 Crow Street in Temple Bar every Friday and Saturday.  Despite being open for business only a few months, word-of-mouth has spread and Aoife’s work has graced the talons of Fade Street’s Cici Kavanagh, fashion photog Lili Forberg and former Miss Ireland Emma Waldron (no relation, but I get asked that a LOT *flicks hair*)*.

This isn’t your average manicure.  This is nail art and it’s quite unlike the usual run of the mill one colour polish and dash.  Just look at the pictures.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Are you excited?  I bloody am.  Make mine a rainbow tribal, please.  So, the competition is as follows.

You can win a maniure on natural nails with any handpainted design at The Alpha Nail, at an appointment time of your choosing.

Here’s what you have to do.

1. Subscribe to the blog by email.  Just click the button on the top left of the homepage.  That way, I’ll be able to contact the winner via email.

2.  Leave a comment at the end of this post.  Easy as.

FOR EXTRA ENTRIES!

1.  Follow @The_Licentiate on twitter and tweet ‘I just entered a competion to win an amazing manicure with @TheAlphaNail and @The_Licentiate http://thelicentiate.com/2011/08/29/giveaway-the-alpha-nail/‘.  Don’t worry if it’s too many characters, twitter should automatically shorten it.  It would only be lovely if you followed @TheAlphaNail on twitter as well.

2.  Like The Licentiate and The Alpha Nail on facebook and tag us in a post on your facebook page.

3.  If you’ve got a blog, blog about the giveaway for an extra entry.

VERY IMPORTANT

You must subscribe to the blog to enter.

If you’re leaving extra entries, make sure to leave a link in the comment sections telling me how you entered and what your twitter/facebook/blog links are (delete as relevant).  If you don’t leave a comment, I may not know that you’ve entered, and we want to make this as fair as possible!  The winner will be picked at random.  Competition closes on 12/09/11.

*Ok, I never get asked that.

Needed: Jumpers

26 Friday Aug 2011

Posted by in Fashion

≈ 3 Comments

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I’ve never got why people called jumpers ‘sweaters’.  I much prefer jumper, to be honest.  Even though the word can be confused with ‘jumpsuits’, it’s still better than something that reminds you of excess perspiration.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

I can’t wait to start investing in some winter knits, especially in blacks, greys and reds.  I get the feeling that 2011 will be the year of the jumper.  Here’s some of my wishlist items.

Topshop Knitted Guernsey Block Jumper

Topshop Knitted Oxblood Stripe Jumper

Sandro Savane Leopard Print Jumper

Joseph Colour Block Jumper

Junya Watanabe Striped Jumper

3.1 Phillip Lim Cashmere Jumper

Licentiate Column 25/08/11: Chanel and Galliano

25 Thursday Aug 2011

Posted by in Licentiate Columns, The Reading List

≈ 12 Comments

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In the past couple of years, most people will have noticed that Gabrielle, ‘Coco’ Chanel has come under increasing scrutiny.  Since 2008, Chanel has been the subject of three biopics, from the rooted-in-realism ‘Coco Avant Chanel’, to the hopelessly miscast Shirley MacLaine vehicle ‘Coco Chanel’ to the strictly hypothetical ‘Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinky’, which charts the alleged affair between Chanel and… well, you get the general idea.
It’s telling that all these biopics state Chanel’s full name in their title – it draws attention to the woman, who deliberately shrouded herself with a fabric of lies, half-truths and misdirections.  The fascination is solely on her, her thoughts, her actions, her beliefs.  Who was the real Chanel?  We are obsessed with uncovering the enigma.
The potential revelation then, that Chanel may not have been just anti-Semitic, but also a card carrying Nazi spy is a huge boat-rocker to Chanel fans, historians and those with very specific business interests.  Last week, a Chanel spokesperson denied these fresh claims, set out by Hal Vaughan in the new biography ‘Sleeping with the Enemy: Coco Chanel’s Secret War’, citing the many Jewish friends and business partners that Chanel engaged with in her lifetime as  their argument.
It brings to mind another particularly jarring episode in the annals of fashion history; that of John Galliano’s anti-semitic tirade and subsequent arrest, trial and firing as head of the French fashion house, Dior.  An article published in this month’s Vogue, while obviously trying to remain impartial, also mentions Galliano’s many Jewish compatriots.
In Fashion, people will forgive almost anything.  It almost doesn’t matter whether Chanel was a Nazi or not.  The vast majority of people will not stop buying.  Just look at what scandal has done for Kate Moss’ career.  I predict that, unless he has an extremely personal breakdown, John Galliano will emerge into a new phase of his design life within the next eighteen months or so, newly humbled and just as talented.
It’s very easy to look at things in black and white, but I genuinely believe that Galliano’s tartistic output is separate from his personality.  I care about his body of work, which is totally unlike any other designer’s.
I shouldn’t think like that.  For thousands of years, people have been deifying artists based on their talent and not their personalities.  The artist Paul Gaugain abandoned his wife and children, going to Martinique to paint, but also to have sex with prepubescent girls.  V.S Naipaul, the Nobel-prize winning author has a repugnant attitude towards women, even acknowledging that his mental cruelty towards his wife may have been a factor in her death.
And yet we are still fascinated.  It’s as if we cannot see a difference between the life and the work.  We want to believe that because the clothes are so beautiful, the person who designed them must have a serene interior beauty.  This is rarely the case.
Nazi or Ally?  Racist or colourblind?  Kind or cruel?  The reality is almost never one or the other.  It’s terrible that bad people exist in our world, but even worse if they have a talent that brings joy to a majority.  It is an almost intolerable dichotomy.  But it’s all that we’ve got.

 

Horsing Around

22 Monday Aug 2011

Posted by in Fashion, Outfit Posts, Subculture

≈ 25 Comments

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Last week, I said that I was going to start to do more outfit posts. And I am. As soon as I learn to use my camera. And learn how to use Photoshop. And find a great location. And but a new pair of heels. And lose some weight. And get a haircut. And wait until the weather is lovely.

But, if I waited to do all of those things, I’d be waiting a very, very long time. This might not be The Sart, but it’s a start. Please be kind if you’re leaving a comment. Don’t go breaking my heart now.

'But I don't wanna be in the outfit post!'

So, I'm dating a giant. Wanna fight about it?

These photos were taken a few months ago outside my flat. Myself and the boyfriend are just fooling around with the camera settings.

You know that feeling when you’ve been with someone you start to dress alike, a bit like a less attractive version of the couples from The Kooples lookbook?  That has happened to us.  It’s not always a bad thing, but it can be embarassing when you roll up to the cinema in identical tops.  I blame Topman and their deceptively versatile tees.  And the fact that I’m a laundry-dodging bum.

I'm just SOOOOO mysterious.

Squinty Mc Squinterson

I love this jacket.  Ever since I saw Ken Russell’s photos of Teddy Girls, I’ve been obsessed with contrast lapels and the effortless style and, to an extent, the ‘pony club’ vibe that runs through these jackets.  This is a vintage boy’s jacket.  If you’re petite, boys jackets are great for a masculine line without being swamped in the sleeves or shoulders. I can just picture a 60′s kid wearing this jacket for his Bar Mitzvah.

token blogger shoe picture

So, this is my first proper outfit post. Thanks to Alan for helping me along and being my guinea pig. And for lending me his tees.

Jacket – vintage
Jumper – Topman
Jeans – Primarni
Boots – Topshop

Alans clothes – ALL Topman. Seriously.

Related #13: I’m the Chairman of the Bored

20 Saturday Aug 2011

Posted by in Inspiration

≈ 6 Comments

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OK, OK, I’ve moved on from yesterday and I’ve stopped moaning about sources of information (or lack thereof).  If it’s inspiration that you seek, look no further than Letters Of Note – such a great website.

This letter was written by Pixar animator Austin Madison and is an urge to all animators not to give up hope – but it works for anyone who is facing a bit of a creative hurdle.  Please read and go to your creative happy place.

Click on the pics to zoom. Via Luxirare via Letters Of Note via The Animators Project (phew!)

Licentiate Column 18/08/11: I’m the Chairman of the Bored.

18 Thursday Aug 2011

Posted by in Licentiate Columns

≈ 2 Comments

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People who follow my blog and my facebook and twitter friends (this isn’t a plug, I promise) are no doubt tired of my ranting about what a boring month August is.

The sale rails have disappeared.  The new autumn stock is dribbling into the shops at the pace of an exhausted geriatric turtle towards a triathalon finishing line.  I alternate between falling asleep at my computer and wondering when the weather will become terrible enough for me to justify wearing a scarf and gloves again.

If August was a place it would be limbo.  It is was a colour it would be beige.  If it was a beauty pageant, it would be the Rose of Tralee (because even Father Ted’s ‘Lovely Girls’ pageant acknowledged a smear of irony).  If it was a vegetable, it would be a potato… you see where I’m going here.

We are on the cusp of autumn, between a rock and a very disappointing weather forecast.  If you’re in Ireland reading this, then you’ll know that this hasn’t been the most clement summer, both sun and news wise.  Depending on your general outlook, holiday plans and susceptibility to SAD, it may have been downright depressing.

The contents of a bag brought out for an evening in the local beer garden will include sunglasses, a brolly and something woolly. Your SPF will quite possibly explode in your overstuffed purse and as you open it to see your phone and wallet cover in protectant gunk you wonder ‘when will this bloody summer ever END’? Not that that’s ever happened to me. ‘Hem.

It would be too easy to blame both the weather and the still-novel immediacy of internet-instigated information sharing for this Autumn malaise.  In reality, we’re all just impatient.

Fashion addicts have already seen the September issue covers, the high-street lookbooks, the catwalk shows in London and Milan.  Now we just have to wait for the items to drop in the shops so we can get excited again.  It’s not unlike an actual addiction, but with much less significant withdrawal symptoms.  Whoever heard of a crack addict dying of boredom?

In fashion, unlike life, the fun in getting something isn’t in the anticipation.  It’s in the the tactile sensations of holding an object, like seeing a work of art that you had only seen previously in books, or the visual zing of seeing it in a fashion editorial, styled by a person with a sharp eye and singular vision. We want it and we want it now.  Veruca Salt has nothing on us.

So, where does this leave us in August, possibly the least august month?  The crack in the door to a new season has yet to expand and we’re all still looking through the keyhole.  The world can be such an inspiring place, but when you’re waiting for something to happen, the things we love can fade into white noise.

I don’t have any constructive advice I’m afraid.  Just sit tight and see what happens. Oh, and while we’re on advice, wear sunscreen.  And make sure that the top is secured firmly when you pop it in your bag.

Well Looky Lou, I’m in U!

16 Tuesday Aug 2011

Posted by in Fashion, Photography

≈ 19 Comments

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Look Ma, I'm famous!

Today is a good day. It’s a good day for lots of reasons (nice blue sky, birds are singing, I’m feeling unusually productive and a lunchtime catch up with Dawn is on the cards) but I’m especially excited because this here blogger is in the newest issue of U Magazine! *faints*

The Fashion Diary was the product of a lot of thought and consideration and couldn’t have happened without my friends Alan, Hayret and Jo, who took the pictures.  Thanks guys.  You’re the best.

I was quite nervous at the prospect of having ten pictures taken of me, especially pictures showcasing my style.  There are lots of reasons.

  1. I work from home and anyone who does that knows that the typical work uniform is a pair of pajamas covered in crumbs/an old t-shirt and sleep shorts/boyfriend’s huge ratty Spurs jersey and baggy leggings with hole in the crotch.  Not exactly magazine material (not the kind of magazine I’d want to read anyway)
  2. I’m not a personal style blogger.  I would like to be, but the last time I did an outfit post, I recieved a comment telling me that I ‘ruined all fashion’.  Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think I’m a gorgon or anything, but when I do an outfit post, I want to do a really, really good one – so that comment knocked me a little bit (I know that’s pretty pathetic, I’m not asking for sympathy nor do I actually think that I ruin all fashion).
  3. I don’t think I’m very photogenic.  This is tied up into point 2.
  4. Before I started taking photos, I couldn’t really sum up what my style was in a couple of sentences.  I like all sorts of things.  I like suits.  I like vintage. I like black.  I love bright colours.  I love crochets and knits and leather trousers and Missoni type patterns and geometric shapes and leopard print and tweed and stripes and polka dots and crisp white shirts and PVC and lace-up ankle boots.  I love Audrey Hepburn and Anna Piaggi equally, even though their styles couldn’t be more opposed.  It was hard to pin a common thread down, which made picking outfits very difficult.

But I finally came to a conclusion about my personal style, which has been two decades in the making.  I like (deep breath) – classic pieces with a twist.  I also love mixing up colours and textures.  GROUND-BREAKING STUFF.

Seriously though, I can’t believe that it took me so long just to think of that.  Typical.

I think I might start doing regular outfit posts from now on.  What do you think?  Good idea?  Bad idea?

An outtake - this was taken one outfit and about eleventy billion crap, frustrating photos in. The final product was definitely worth it.

Major thanks to Aisling and Deanna at U for having me. You guys…

Wallis Simpson on Film: Madonna’s W.E. in Vanity Fair

14 Sunday Aug 2011

Posted by in Fashion, Film, Photography

≈ 8 Comments

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As a person who is fascinated by Wallis Simpson (I’ve blogged about her here), it was with some degree of collar tugging and teeth grinding that I learned about Madonna’s intention to film her life as a biopic, W.E.

I don’t hope that this film will win Oscars, or propel it’s stars to fame, or even get many positive films. I just don’t want it to be total pants. A someone who likes Madonna’s music but isn’t too clued-in on her film making activities, I think that’s a realistic hope.

If this photo feature in this month’s Vanity Fair is anything to go by, then the film will be visually stunning, which is no bad thing. The costumes for W.E. were designed by Arianne Phillips (she of the terminally stylish, Tom Ford-helmed A Single Man) and draws on decades of Simpson’s couture consumption.






Photographer: Tom Munro for Vanity Fair. Photos via Fashionising

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