bare threads

Friday, 18 May 2012

The Democratic Republic of the Frow

I was at Fashion Week recently, perching on my front row seat before a show, and I couldn’t help but notice the busy little fingers on either side of me. “Tweet, tweet” went the front row and suddenly I realised… there go the spoils.

The front row at SA Fashion Week

Long gone are the days when a pricey Vogue held the secrets of the fashion world, only releasing them to the masses long after the catwalk lights went out. Now such treasures are no longer reserved for the fashion elite but are available to every Tom, Dick and Harry at the click of a play button on a live-streaming video link. Has the mystery and exclusivity of the fashion industry been abolished by the likes of Twitter and Facebook? Have we spoiled the magic by having the autocracy voted out by the majority and bringing control to the masses by a democratic yielding of power? Now everyone is invited thanks to the tweeting of the front-row fash-pack, aka “the frow”.

Front row style

Blogger, Susie Bubble

Not that I’m complaining. This immediate coverage of the fashion world is what allows us mere mortals the opportunity to keep up with this fast-moving industry and those at the forefront of fashion trends. Sacrificing the magic in favour of knowledge for the masses… maybe a worthwhile exchange after all.

Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Today I'm wearing... Purple haze

As festival fever hits Europe and the US, the likes of Alexa Chung, Kate Bosworth and Aggy Deyn get ready to done their fest gear (gumboots included!) and brave the mud.

Alexa Chung at Coachella

Alessandra Ambrosio

Alexa

Aggy Deyn and Pixie Geldof

Kate Bosworth

Sienna Miller

Kate Bosworth

The big festivals, such as Coachella and Glastonbury, draw impressive crowds with lust-worthy festival attire. Bohemian looks always reign and there is usually a lot of leg to be seen with loose locks and headbands a-plenty! Practical necessities such as cross-body bags and boots usually make an appearance too.

Other key items to note... Denim and lots of it! Crop tees and short shorts, crochet and lace detail, multiple jewelry and feather accessories to name but the essentials in achieving this look. And like I mentioned, skin is in!

The culture for these concerts and the fashion that surrounds them, lies in the history of such events. The iconic Woodstock festival of 1969 brought with it, the love child and all she stood for, as well as the look she embraced. It is said that up to 500 000 people congregated for the "3 days of peace and music", free love and mud!