Australia's new fashion commentator - by fashionragtrade

revenge of the nerd and how to make a new handbag!

September 18th 2006 06:43

On my way to my lovely hole of a TAFE (which shall remain nameless of course) i noticed something. a very major key in todays society. i would of counted atleast 20 of them on the bus this morning (which was difficult, seeing i was squished into one corner of my seat, pressed against the window by some bigger woman that sat next to me. so trying not to exchange bodily contact, trying not to make my thighs look like big lumps of lard in my tiny new shorts by not having them squashed to the seat and trying to count this 'key piece', was proving quiet difficult)
anyways, before i actually tell you what they are, i think i should just give you my opinion on this one. i think there incredibly ugly and if you want to look like a fashion diva, i advise you to avoid these. Honesty, i dont realy know what my big problem is about them, but ive hated them for a long time, everytime my step mother (who goes for practicality and comfort, rather than looks. oh... gotta love her) sugest one i screw up my nose and return to my sexy but not realy 'appropriate' version. ok ok, so i did have one of these for a while, but i have my reasons for that, and i never said it was voluntarily.

if you were guessing, and you guessed a 'backpack', your a 110% correct. i hate them!!! The uni students that catch my bus all have them. so i could maybe handle a billabong one, or one of those so called 'trendy' surfy brand bags, but thats already crossing the line. These ugly "uni student backpacks" are those awful proper support your back, trecker ones. you know the ones, with the 'supportive' padded straps for comfort, and the whole 50 pockets, with the buckles so you can strap it onto yourself, just incase someone wanted to steal your backpack. ok, so i understand the importance of proper support and all that la-de-da crap that its surpose to do for your back and with all those textbooks you uni students have to carry around, but i mean, common. i would rather see you walking around with one of those 'understated' green wooloworths shopping bags!!!

i have a excellent idea for all you uni backpack wearing students out there. make a bag thats strong enough to hold your textbooks. is there such thing as digital textbooks? hhmm... i should look into that.

take a old pair of jeans, the stronger the denim, and the larger the jeans the best. scout out your local op shop and pick up a pair of mens jeans for about $2.

cut of the legs just below the crotch, or to where ever you desire depending on how long you want your bag.
cut a strip about 20cm wide (depending on how big you want the bottom on your bag to be) from the remaining denim (from one of the legs) the same length as the width of were you just cut on the jeans.
turn jeans insideout, and sew the strip to make it the bottom of the bag.

use old ties or left over denim as handles, by tieing them onto the belt loops on the jeans. sew some buttons, or attach some badges and your done!
see, a much better look than those ugly trecker backpacks...

(btw, im terribly sorry if i insulted anyone with todays rant)

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trying to get your foot in the door of the fashion industry?

September 15th 2006 02:50

Are you a struggling designer? Don’t know where to start, or actually how to establish yourself and your label? Well ME TOO! Well I think I have something that might help you then. You know get your foot in the door a bit.

Ever wondered what the big fuss about going to the local pubs and checking out the live music scene was all about? Is it because of the strangely talented guys with long hair, or the glimpse of that girl hiding behind the drum kit?
Sydney’s live music scene has differently hit its peek, with music producers and record labels finding the next big hit over a couple of beers at the corner pub. If you’re in a creative industry or want to get into a creative industry such as music, design, photography or even writing, watching live bands play on a Friday or Saturday night are the best places to meet the people that can get you a foot in the door, im not joking. I went to watch my friends band play at the Hopetoun hotel last Friday night, I got talking to not only a photographer, but a jewelry designer, a actor, a graphic designer, a guy who owns a magazine export company, a fashion designer AND a radio presenter. All up I properly met quiet a few people that could help me establish either my designs or my band, and it was all through rocking up at my friends preview gig. Well maybe it did help a bit that my friend is actually a fashion designer, but not all of these people knew him!

Now, don’t tell me this isn’t a big thing, because I think i’ve just hit the true secret of what I like to call “useful socializing”, its not only meeting people these days its actually getting yourself known to others and you knowing the right people. But there is one minor fact to this revolution, you have to know the right places to go, if your interested in fashion don’t expect to meet the right people in your local pub at Bankstown or Penrith, try out the pubs in Paddington, Surry hills or Newtown.

Once you get there, make your self known, because sitting in a corner hiding, won’t get you anywhere. Its best to go to these places by yourself, as people are more likely to approach you than if you were in a big crowd, or if your uncomfortable with going by yourself, bring a friend but don’t cling to each other, and at least then you’ll know that if you do end up feeling uncomfortable with someone you can always have the excuse of having to find your mate.
also, be confident but don’t act up yourself, no one will want to talk to you if you act like your too good for them, and now that the restrictions of smoking indoors are coming into place, most places are accommodating by having a area outside. These are perfect areas to meet someone, as for the music isn’t as loud and you can actually hear what the other person is saying. Introduce yourself, ask questions and never get totally off your face if your planning for a useful socializing night. But the main pointer is, look and act as though your having the best time in the world, and like with most things people are attracted to fun and outgoing people, so start filling up your address book.

Sydney’s best places to find the right people:
-Hopetoun hotel, Surry Hills
-Mars Hill café, Parramater
-The Metro, Sydney
-The Cat and Fiddle, Balmain
Sydney’s best bands to keep an eye out on:
-Felix of Exile- http://www.myspace.com/felixofexilemusic (includes one very awsome fashion designer, who started doing menswear and is now merging into womens fashion)
-The Graphics- http://www.myspace.com/thegraphicsmusic (includes one goodlooking graphic designer, and one of paddingtons “master in dreadlocks” hairdresser)

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spring trends 2006

September 14th 2006 10:16

Dresses, bubbles skirts, colour and kimonos, are what you “should” be wearing this spring. I emphasis the “should”, as for this isn’t a must. Being a designer and such a fashion victim myself, I feel you should only incorporate these spring trends into your daily fashion wardrobe, because wearing say, a bubble skirt with a kimono inspired top is not the right way to go about these trends, you listening “not all at once” ok.

Baby doll style dresses are once again big this spring, but keep it above the knee, as for a long baby doll dress will only make you look pregnant. Buy them in a breezy light weight fabric, such as cheese cloth, and for a casual look pair with thongs, but for a more structured look pair with wedges or pumps, but you must avoid stilettos.

As for bubble skirts, this trend can either make you look like a fashion genius or like you’ve just stepped back from the horrible days of the late 80’s. The key to pulling off the bubble skirt is to keep the volume to the skirt only, pair with a slim fitting top, footless tights and a simple shoe and you’ll be the bell of the ball.

Colour this season is a must, after spending a couple of months in chocolates and burgundies its time to brighten up yourself. Go for bright yellows, turquoise, red and pastel pinks and purples. You can mix and match your colours, but avoid red and green together, as to avoid looking like a Christmas tree. For those of you that have stayed in a dark colour rut for a couple of years, like myself, add only a splash of colour, team say a, bright skirt with a white top. Simple!

But like all things fashion and like i said before, make sure you keep it true to yourself, mix in your own style and have fun with it.

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introducing Australia's new fashion commentator

September 14th 2006 02:36

so Australia's new fashion commentator ay, i guess thats me. Let me introduce myself.
Im known as fashion rag trade, im just a struggling student trying to establish myself as a writer and a fashion designer. im not going to tell you too many key details about myself, cause i feel that it'l just reck all the fun and mystery that internet blogging contains. i will tell you this though, i didnt realy pass english in high school, so terribly sorry about my poor spelling and even worse punctuation, but i guess that just adds to my charm and easygoing-ness.

[ Click here to read more ]

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