Motley Magazine

Dearest Third Cousin,

Jumper, Turquoise Flamingo, 28e

Metallic Shirt, Miss Daisy Blue, 45e

Leather Shorts, Turquoise Flamingo, 26e

Boots, River Island, 107e

Bowler Hat, Topshop, 38e

Jumper, Mayo Clothing (stocked in Miss Daisy Blue), 32e

Printed Jeans, Motel Rocks, Stylists Own

Tights worn under jeans, Penneys, 3e

Leopard Heels, Models Own

Zip-up Jacket, Mercury Goes Retrograde, 48e

Bralet, Topshop, 33e

Green Denim Skirt, Mercury Goes Retrograde, 25e

Bracelets, Models own

Sequin Jacket, Cotton Face Vintage, Stylist’s own

Shirt, Turquoise Flamingo, 18e

T-shirt, Poison Moon, Stylist’s own

Levi Jeans, Miss Daisy Blue, 95e

Boots, River Island, 107e

Denim Jacket, Topman, 68e

Jumper, Miss Daisy Blue, 25e

Dress, Miss Daisy Blue, 70e

Tights, Penneys, 3e

Shoes, Models own

Sequin Blazer, Miss Daisy Blue, 69e

Boob tube, Turquoise Flamingo, 14e

High Waist Jeans, Topshop, 61e

Blower Hat, Topshop, 38e

Faux Fur Stole, Mercury Goes Retrograde, Stylists own

Metallic Top, Mercury Goes Retrograde, 25e

Dungarees, Topshop, 84e

Printed Boots, River Island, 108e

Bracelets, Models Own

This is a shoot I styled and directed for Motley Magazine! I couldn't be happier with the result, Thanks so much to everyone involved:

Photography: Egle Laukyte (White Cat Studio)

Direction: Sarah Commane and Egle Laukyte (White Cat Studio)

Fashion: Sarah Commane
Fashion Assistant by: Sarah Corcoran 

Model: Orla Myersini

Make-Up: Laurence Keating MUA

Hair: Patrice@Origins Hair Academy

Shot on location with thanks to the Bodega  

Hope you like it!

Love,

Sarah 

x

Sun, sea and style.

Dearest Third Cousin,

Jacket- Borrowed (permanently) from a friend, Top and Skirt- River Island, Belt- Mercury Goes Retrograde, Turban- Folkster, Boots- Topshop.

Yesterday my mom and I went for a lovely walk around Fenit Island and we went a bit mad taking photos, here is just 4 of the 103 we took!

Love,
Sarah
x

Fringe Fancy

Dearest Third Cousin,

"I always tell the girls, never take it seriously, if ya never take it seriously ya never get hurt, ya never get hurt, ya always have fun, and if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends" -Penny Lane, Almost Famous

I recently bought the jacket of my dreams and it seems my dreams are filled with images of groupies and their amazing style. I'm 99.9% sure the jacket is from the 80's (perhaps late 70's) but I just love me some 70's groupie! I feel like Pamela Des Barres would approve!

I want to wear this jacket with stacked platforms, flimsy fabrics , embroidery, crochet, skin tight hot pants, day old band tee's and a care-free attitude. Perhaps not the most A/W appropriate attire but the weight and warmth of the jacket alone are enough to keep an average sized village warm. 

The construction and quality of the piece is mind blowing. Its a once in a life-time find that I will cherish forever.Thank you Shutterbug for finding it. I will give it a very good home.

Below is a little visual insight into my groupie dreams.

"I highly recommend THIS article for some schooling on the history of these fascinating ladies, oh and how about a movie date to re-watch Almost famous?"

-My Third Cousin

Images (collage): Rachel Rabbit White

and Tumblr (they have been on my computer forever, I'm afraid I lost the exact links)

  

Love,

Sarah

x

Modern Minimalism: Tina Chow and Beyond

Dearest Third Cousin,

This is my article for this months Motley Magazine:

 “Yes I’ve been naughty” was Tina Chow’s response to questions of her battle with HIV; she never hid her illness nor the fling with notorious bi-sexual playboy Kim D’estainville during which she contracted the disease. She became the first well known hetro-sexual woman to die from AIDS and her death like her life could be seen to defy stereotype. She was an androgynous beauty who throughout the 70’s and 80’s was both personally and sartorially progressive. She has become known for her gender bending personal style and her stunning design aesthetic.

Bettina Louise Lutz aka Tina Chow was born in Ohio in 1951 to a Japanese mother and German- American father. The Lutz family moved to Japan in the 1960’s. Both Tina and her sister Bonnie became successful models, they became the faces’ of Shiseidio, Tina in particular went on to become the muse of many including Karl Lagerfeld, Issey Miyake and Andy Warhol. It was Warhol who encouraged her to design, he considered her an equal and much more than just a muse, he recognised her creative vision and introduced her to healing crystals. Healing Crystals along with Bamboo were the main two materials she used in her work. Her parents were obsessed with collecting bamboo and her childhood home was filled both inside and out with it. Her work was deeply personal blending her Japanese Heritage and her personal experiences of Pop culture in New York.

Tina blended the formal aesthetics’ and cultural nuances of both east and west to create a beautifully progressive and enduringly modern design vision. She was the antithesis of the 80’s that we all have come to know, she rejected garish colours and metals and embraced crystals, brass and bamboo Chow summed up her design aesthetic and personal style by saying “I like the idea of wearing very personal jewellery and not much decoration”. Her jewellery design incorporated traditional Japanese basket weaving techniques and uncut healing crystals. Tina refused to cut the stones saying “uncut stones are so wonderful why muddle with them”. While Chow was and still is a widely respected designer her personal style was equally inspiring “Tina had an innate elegance and never needed any designer to do anything for her. In fact she did a lot for us” said Giorgio Armani about the style icon.

Her personal style was a blend of minimalism, masculine tailoring and elegance all actuated with statement jewellery. She played with the idea of borrowing from your boyfriend before anyone else; she was often seen wearing menswear and had a particular love of black Kenzo trousers which she had remade every season. Her uniform was typically a plain white t-shirt, tailored trousers, a masculine cardigan and a few pieces from her extensive designer jewellery collection. She also collected Haute Couture clothing; she was especially fond of Balenciaga, Dior, Vionnet and Fortuny, all of which was auctioned after her death. Tina was so respected as a style Icon that when a fashion magazine (either Vogue or Harper’s the details are unclear) asked ten designers to pick a muse to be photographed with eight out ten picked Chow! There’s a really great anecdote that emphasises her popularity in 1980’s New York: She created a craze amongst gay men to side-part their hair and don her uniform of white- Tee’s, a grey Cardigan, flat-ironed Kenzo Trousers and ballet flats and exclaim “Today I’m Tina Chow”.

While during the 1980’s it may have been mainly gay man recreating her style today fashion houses like Martin Maison Margiela and Alexis Bittar borrow a lot from her. Margiela is especially topically as they are collaborating with H&M in a much anticipated de-fusion line which is set to launch on November 15^th. The line promises to include both clothing and Jewellery and if some of the most recent MMM collections are anything to go by there will be huge inspiration sought from Tina. The now retired Martin Margiela is considered one of the most innovative and progressive designers of the past 20 years. He is also an enigma within the fashion industry, he has never been photographed or interviewed much to the annoyance of fashion journalists. He like Tina Chow never followed trends, his collections were conceptual and included frayed materials, ice cube jewels (which melted to discolour the clothing they were paired with), exaggerated shoulders and trompe l'oeil effects. Margiela like Chow is a designer with a distinct vision and strong conviction of design, who clearly admires Chow’s designs. His collections often feature Chow inspired Jewellery from Lucite bangles, minimalist cuffs and neck-pieces adorned with crystals. The creative direction of his label is now managed by a design team.

What will be their take on Margiela for H&M? “We are very happy to present Martin Maison Margiela pieces with H&M, offering a new interpretation of our vision. The democracy of our fashion has always been at the centre of our creativity, and the collaboration with H&M allows us to push this instinct further. We will bring together the contrasting universes of the two houses in ways that will surprise all” said an official spokesperson. The pieces from the H&M collection will not be hitting Cork stores so bar a trek to Dublin or joining the hordes who will inevitably crash the high street store’s website how can you achieve Tina’s look?

Online retailers offer a wide range of Jewellery that I think Tina would approve of and unlike the originals have a price point that is student friendly. Some of my favourite finds are these multipack of cuffs (1) (16.94) and a stunning three stone cuff from Free People (2) (19.76) both available from ASOS. Etsy is an online haven of independent designers and once off finds, simply searching “crystal necklace” produces 100’s of results including this stunning raw crystal necklace (3) (10.31).  Street style blogs like (Stockholm street style.com) offer hundreds of images showcasing contemporary minimalism in a very accessible manner. Some of favourite looks include boyfriend jeans, a well cut blazer and a plain white t-shirt so simple chic and affordable. I recently picked up a pair of Boyfriend jeans in T.K Maxx for 11 euro! Folkster also stocks great vintage Levi’s that would be perfect for the look. However I recommend investing in a great Blazer it’s a Wardrobe staple that will never leave you down.

 Tina’s look may seem very accessible in 2012 but Tina was one of the first to experiment with “minimal chic” so much so Karl Lagerfeld credits her with inventing  it, he claimed that “nobody looked better in it” and I think he’s definitely correct.

(If your around Cork make sure to might up copy of Motley it should be in any student good household or all over UCC)

Love,
Your Third Cousin

Music and Style: Lianne La Havas

Dearest Third Cousin,

Lianne Le Havas’ music is haunting, magical and emotional. Her debut album "Is your love big enough?"  cuts deep but her distinctive voice softens the blow. Her lyrics are raw emotion she has said she wants to “say what you need to say without saying too much” [sic]. There is a restraint to her music, this is not a blatant fuck you but a subtle tale of intense heartbreak, and it is stunningly subtle. It seeps into your consciousness and knocks you out with lyrics like:

 “you broke me, and taught me to truly hate myself” 

-Lost and Found

Not all her songs are as devastating as Lost and Found and Au Cinema has an amazing beat and riff that could be the foundation for an awesome boogie. Its a tale of hope and new beginnings and is a welcome relief from the themes of heartbreak. 

"She's found on the Brooklyn Bridge

And She's Truly at, home

Her step has found a whole new spring"

- Au Cinema

Whats her style like you ask?

AMAZING!!!

Its Basically everything I love, print, high-waist, layering, texture, a little bit bohemian, a lot badass and a good healthy mix of masculine and feminine.

 Does it get any better?

In my opinion:

Not much.

"I adore her fondness for a collar"

-My Third Cousin

If she doesn't win the Mercury Prize this year I will be very sad but the competition is step with other heavyweight competitors such as Richard Hawley, Field Music, Ben Howard,Jessie Ware, Plan B, Django Django and more besides. 

She also plays Dublin's Olympia Theater on March 5th (it's rescheduled from her October 15th date).

Love,

Sarah

x

Images Via:

  Lainne Le Havas Facebook, 

Lianne Le Havas Offical, 

Blog.egocloset.com and 

Muiceyz.co.uk

September Obsession: HAIM.

Dearest Third Cousin,

I.CAN'T.STOP. LISTENING.

It's just so good.

Haim are officially my music obsession of September. If you like "Forever" (the song above) check out "The Wire" and then the rest of their EP also called "Forever". Comprised of "three sisters and one mister" Danielle Haim (Vocals, Lead Guitar), Etse Haim (Vocals, Bass), Alana Haim (Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Percussion, Keyboards) and Dash Hutton (Drums). They fuse a folk sensiblity with R&B beats and have been described as Fleetwood Mac meets En Vogue. Sounds like a disaster right? but their music just creeps into your brain and the next thing you know you've played it 21424141 times on Youtube and have written a blog post about it. 

However if the music doesn't do it for you their style is just as good.

Danielle (Lead Guitar,Vocals) is perhaps the most edgy of the trio she commands biker jackets. masculine tailoring and ripped jeans like a pro, Etse (Vocals, Bass)is the most Feminine with a penchant for dresses and flowing fabrics and Alana (Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Percussion, Keyboards) is the most laid-back often opting for loose shirts/tees and cut-off shorts. Combined they, like their music embody that California vibe that we are so familiar with and I personally adore. While each sister's style is different and distinctively their own they all compliment each other to create a memorable image which like their music is fun and accessible. 

Oh and their supporting Florence and the Machine on their Autumn 2012 tour and just finished supporting Mumford and Sons so what other recommendation do you really need?

Love,
Sarah
x

24 hour Dress up..

Dearest Third Cousin,

Recently I embarked on a 24 hour adventure, I was locked into a little art studio with 11 other people, these are some of the outfits I pulled out during the experience.

Jacket, Miss Daisy Blue, Shirt, H&M, Jeans, TK Maxx, Shoes, Nike

Top, Penneys/Primark, Trousers, Motel Rocks

Jacket, Trifted, Jumpsuit, Cotton Face Vintage.

Top, Penneys, Skirt, ASOS Marketplace

Socks, Topshop, Shoes, Nike

There are a few more photos that document my experience but I'll have to show you those in person as they may not be suitable for the internet. I have to say it was an experience I'll never forget but one I may not want to repeat. Hope your having a great Summer. 

Ps. New season new beginnings, Autumn starts tomorrow, it's time for an overhaul and a fresh start.  With that said this amazing article is well worth a read.

"Are you more loyal to your fears than your dreams?”

-Tara Sophia Mohr

Love,

Sarah

x

Mammoth post 2k10+2

Dearest Third Cousin,

In response to your recent email:

Just For you a photo heavy post.

 photo above taken by Paul woods find him here!

1) Halloween was gas

2) and yes the trick or treat'rs like time outs and so did we much later on.

3) Miss Blau Von T hanging out in the Forest.

4) Photo Taken by Blau during one of our adventures.

5)In Berlin freezing my ass off photo by She's in Vogue blogger Kathyrn .

6)Kathyrn looking fab in the Glucksman gallery. 

7)Christmas Faux fur fun in Tralee.

8)Chillin' in Freakscene with the uber stylish Senita and co.

9) Oh look Senita again hanging by a tree!

10) The stunning Kate Lineen in some vintage threads in a little photo-shoot I styled.

11) Aisling Fitzpatrick my deputy editor this year with Motley magazine looking chic in the park.

12) The super talented Photographer Julia Healy on the other side of the lens!

13) Myself again causally posing by a lamppost! 

I hope you enjoyed a little photo story detailing some of my outings these past few months and some of the amazing people I shared these outings with! 

Images 3,6,9,10,11,12,13 by Julia's Photos

All other images stated in text above or facebook :D

Love,

Your Third Cousin

x