A C C E S S O R I E S / Helmut Lang Asymmetric Bra

It is so great to see items transcend seasons and come back in stores years after being on the runway. Unlike product design, where the same chair for example stays available in stores for more than 50 years, fashion designs are typically only in stores for a couple of months. Isn't that strange? It was a nice surprise to see this asymmetric bra being restocked after it was completely sold out during spring/summer 2012. It proves that good design is non-perishable. This baby is super comfortable, practical and though it remains perfectly hidden underneath my cropped polo necks with cutaway shoulders, I don't mind these straps showing when wearing a loose tee. They can also be worn on one side of the neck making it look like a single strapped bra. Now let's keep our fingers crossed that the white version will have a comeback too.

bra: Helmut Lang

A C C E S S O R I E S / Paperclip Cuff

Their collection was inspired on what I think are very interesting thoughts on youth culture. According to Cheap Monday, 90s grunge was the last real youth movement. Today, in a world of fast fashion and medialized culture, these movements are picked up commercially almost before they even appear, creating something artificial. So every youth culture from nowadays has commercial interest and brands driving it? Ironically, so has this collection from Cheap Monday called 'Artificial Grunge' (hence the paperclip jewelry).

bracelet: Cheap Monday

A C C E S S O R I E S / Convertible Bag - Worn 3 Ways

It has been little but over a month since my capsule collection with BlackBlessed has been launched. The best thing about it was to see the pieces come to life; seeing my friends in them, bumping into outfit snapshots of them on instagram and (specially!) seeing them be worn by three of my favorite girls online; Charlie, Jayne and Tasfia.

My personal most worn item has been the convertible leather bag as it proved to be really versatile. The bag sold out within the first couple of hours, but can now be pre ordered. Here are three ways in which I've been carrying it around;
1/ as a backpack (straps can also be crossed creating an x on your back or on the front)
2/ cross body (with a single strap attacked diagonally)
3/ rolled up paper bag style (instead rolled, can also be folded)

bag:
Love Aesthetics x Blackblessed
coat: self made
shorts: Cheap Monday
assymetric bra: Helmut Lang

A C C E S S O R I E S / Tiny Technicality

When the employees of the hardware store know you're name, you know that you're a regular customer. I either visit to shop for industrial jewelry or DIY supplies. When looking for some rope last weekend, I came across these tiny bow-shackles that were hanging right beside it. I had already spotted them in a wrist-size but these were too thick and not delicate enough to wear (though several jewelry designers have translated those into wearable pieces). The tiny technicalities of the screw, the hole in it and the embossed '80KG' in the metal make this piece so interesting to me. Also love how because of the curved shape there is a gap of air between my finger and the straight end of the screw.

(some earlier hardware store finds: 1, 2, 3, 4)

Most metals with a mechanical purpose have not been tested for allergic reactions with skin. What you can do to avoid any possible skin irritation is applying a layer of clear nail polish on your 'jewelry'.

A C C E S S O R I E S / Material Merging at Margiela

Experimenting can lead to wonderful new ideas. One of the things that I was impressed and inspired by from the Maison Martin Margiela show last week was how high tech techniques were applied in a Haute Couture collection: these pieces of jewelry made out of crystal and white matte resin.

I imagine the Swarovski design atelier looking somewhat like a lab. Their team is partly made up out of technicians, engineers and mathematicians who experiment with crystal (apparently, Swarovski does much more than only produce sparkles for asian nail salons). They somehow managed to fuse crystal with a white matte resin, merging them with pressure and without any glue involved. Then took the samples of their newly found technology to Paris and asked for a vision from Maison Martin Margiela. Who came up with the idea of shapes and cuts resembling natural stalactites. In the beginning it was a complete experimental adventure, it was still even unsure if it was going to work out and if there was ever going to be an end product. But now two years later, the line is finally a reality. My favorite pieces were the multi purpose tie- and document-clips; which can be clipped pretty much everywhere and also be used as an office accessory.

A C C E S S O R I E S / Matte White Magnetic Jewelry Set

magnetic bracelet: found it here
magnetic necklace: here


Confession: I have a weakness for accessories. And almost every month end up purchasing a new piece.
This time I fell for this set in white coated metal with magnetic closures. I had seen an identical minty green version of these at COS, but the color put me off.
Though I've got to be honest; a part of me feels guilty about bringing these non-investments into my collection, another part really loves them.
Oh, and you can also create one long necklace by connecting the bracelet and necklace together.

A C C E S S O R I E S / Docs and Socks

shoes: Dr. Martens (similar here)
socks: Asos


Breaking into new docs can hurt like hell. The leather is so stiff that I can still wear them without laces.
Though I also love how they look with a bare ankle, it's a lot less painful with a thin sock.


Can't let this go unmentioned; Happy liberation day! Exactly 68 years ago The Netherlands was liberated from Nazi Germany.
Enjoy the peace, if you're lucky enough to have it guys!

A C C E S S O R I E S / Basic Everyday Sandal

Had no idea that I was getting two for the price of one when I poured all my pennies in the Tibi Shane heels. A week later Tibi send me an email; they had found out that I loved their footwear and therefor wanted to send me another pair. Ahhh, felt like my birthday came early this year. I've already been playing around with the ankle straps and switching these smoky ones with the clear ones on the pair that I already had. These basic babies might even be more versatile than the pointy ones, All set for summer now!

A C C E S S O R I E S / Plastic

shoes: Prada (2010)
plastic bag
wallet: Comme des Garçons

It's almost graduating season, a lot of friends are busy with their final thesis, projects and collections.
Found this picture of my plastic accessories during last year's Artez graduating event, always the most exciting shows if you ask me, can't wait to see this year's showcases soon.

A C C E S S O R I E S / White, Pointed, Clear Strapped

shoes: Tibi

The Tibi Shane pumps were in my dreams for weeks. Well, not anymore!
They were a pretty big investment, but are a greater addition to my collection than 10 cheaper garments would have been.
Every old thing I wear with them just gets an instant update.

A C C E S S O R I E S / Maison Martin Margiela Nose Piece ss 13

nose bridge jewelry: Maison Martin Margiela

The Maison Martin Margiela ss13 collection was hands down the most beautiful thing I saw all season.
You know those stories about people brought to tears at fashion shows?
If I would have been there at the in white plastic wrapped venue, I would have cried my eye balls out!
I can not tell you how much I loved that collection. I want to get married to have a reason to own in one of those stiff ball gowns.
The finishing touch to all the beautiful garments in simplified shapes were the single piece of jewelry all the models wore on their nose bringe.
A crossing between a faux piercing and a nose clips for swimmers. Just so perfect and daring and subtle.
I just wanted a piece of this collection, even though if it was only this smallest piece.

A C C E S S O R I E S / Cheap Monday Earring

ear piece: Cheap Monday

I have a thing for odd, unusual jewelry. The kind of pieces that you can wear by themselves, without any other accessories (no arm parties for me), that are loud in a very subtle way.
Like this futuristic ear piece by cheap monday; a silver bar with -what looks like- moon stones at both ends and an ear-cuff at the end to hold it up.

A C C E S S O R I E S / Around The Wrists

clear container: Nomess Copenhagen

All of these bracelets have already made a digital appearance or two on the blog.
There haven't been many more bracelets in my life which I like as much as these.
Besides loving them solely because of their looks, each one of them has a bit of a special background story.

N°1. A hardware store gem. I love the sense of functionality it has because of its separate parts and screws.
N°2. Thrifted this bracelet for € 3 a couple of years ago. A jeweler told me that this gold piece is worth 100x what I payed for it. Score!
(identical one here)
N°3. This industrial piece is actually a car part, don't ask me exactly what kind of part, I just put it around my wrist.

A C C E S S O R I E S / White Monochrome Docs + Leather Care

white docs: ebay (navy version here, similar ones here < spray paint the sole?)
shoe grease: Tangent Garment Care


As you already might know, I'm a fan of Tangent GC's simple graphic design and packaging. This container of shoe grease is so pretty that I don't even put it away in a drawer but just leave it laying around the house. The guys from Tangent GC mentioned that not only do they use this stuff to keep leather supple, but also use this shoe grease as lip balm. I had to give it a try! All it contains are natural ingredients and oils, it smells like rosemary and does a perfect job as lip balm as well!

About the life size barbie shoes; the kind that are made out of one colored plastic poured into a mold; After a quest of almost a year, I finally found a pair in my size on ebay!

A C C E S S O R I E S / Sheer Socks

find these socks here

A sock that exposes and covers your ankle at the same time; this might be the sexiest sock in the world.
Can't wait to wear these in summer with bare legs and a flat shoe.

A C C E S S O R I E S / Clinical, Minimal

Tibi clear strap pumps

These just give me such a clinical feeling; the crisp, clean, white leather in combination with a transparent plastic ankle strap that looks a bit like a hospital wrist band. The heel is one of the few low heels that I think doesn't looks prissy; it starts at the far end of the shoe and goes straight down, which from the back looks like a continuous line upwards that visually elongates the white leather strap. Aahhh such a simple shoe on first sight but I could just rhyme blab about it all night.

'TIS THE SEASON

Flannel ruffle dress via Free People / Clutch via ZOIE / Rings via Back Stage

Having spent a lot of my time in the United States, I can tell you now, I'm no stranger to Free People.

The festive season means party dresses, and this silk ruffled beauty jumped out at me as the perfect celebration piece.

I'm not one to normally jump on red, but 'tis the season and all that jazz. My trusty stiletto heels, a textured clutch, some gold glitz and I'm on my way.

Wishing all that celebrate the finest of Christmas festivities. This year I'm embarking on a road-trip around the East Cost of Australia, you can follow my adventure on twitter & instagram @friendinfashion.

Photos / Tina Kay

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A C C E S S O R I E S / Phillip Lim 31 Minute Bag

bag: 31 minute bag, 3.1 Phillip Lim

Was it too simple, too easy, too clean? Doubts that kept me from investing in this Phillip Lim clutch that I fell in love with months ago. Still, every morning when picking what to wear I felt I was missing this bag. My favorite bag up until now has been a black vintage clutch with no additives, no clasps, no color, no closure, it is just a black rectangle. But this one has left me down as it is too flat and is unable to carry all the daily necessities. I needed one that was just as minimalistic but more functional. There couldn't be a more perfect bag to fill this void than Phillip Lim's huge 31 minute bag with single strap. I think this will be one of those items I'll wear daily, so surely you'll see this baby around often around here tucked under my arm.

Don't expect a big post about what I got from Christmas. This was about it.

I N T E R I O R / Clear Bonbon Box - Jewelry Container

There is no charming way to otherwise say; I snatched this empty Ferrero Rocher bonbon box out of my friend's garbage can. Though I usually go for clear, heavy, glass containers instead of plastic, this cute little box just screamed to be rescued and recycled into a container for my current favorite rings.

A C C E S S O R I E S / Margiela Irony

Fake Louis Vuitton handbags and Louboutin lookalike heels behind me in the queue yesterday morning at H&M. I couldn't help but overhear their wearer's conversation about the Maison Martin Margiela collection (as did everyone else within a range of 50 meters). One of the girls yelled at the other about how plain and basic she found the clothes.

Previous experiences regarding Margiela clothes were much more subtle to say the least; recognizing four white stitches on that random girl at the bus stop dressed in black, making eye contact and smiling, because you know; she knows. She appreciates MMM, she knows what she is doing, she is sensible enough, she did her share of research, she found that hidden store in Brussels or Paris, she just knows.

Now I was standing in line at the H&M fitting rooms. On one side of me there was a view into the archives of the Maison; huge panels with images of white boxes with handwritten texts like ‘automne/hiver 2007’ alongside couture mannequins. On my other side; the loud group of Kardashians, who were just about to try on the faux fishnet leggings. My thoughts; you have no idea what you are buying into. A bizarre situation you could say.

About the clothes; no disappointment there. For the first time an H&M designer collaboration delivers a full range of faithful re-editions from the archives. The pieces lived up to MMM and weren’t some diluted version of it. I wonder if the Diesel group consulted Martin Margiela before selling parts of his life’s work to H&M. These historical pieces add lustre to name of H&M. Even now, after a day I don’t really know what to think/write about this ironic collaboration of two opposites. Exclusivety vs. mass production, anonymity vs. celebrity frenzy. One side of me loves it, one side of me is confused. Is it a H&M x Diesel Group or an H&M x Martin Margiela? Just like the Kardashian-girls; I have no idea what I just bought into,