I R WRITER

at 4/29/2017

A few weeks ago out of the blue I got asked to cover Portugal Fashion a/w17. After initially missing the email during the day, I blearily looked at it the following morning before jumping into action - squaring the days off with my day job and replying 'hell yass', well words to that effect. Then the following week I was on a super early flight into Lisbon spending one day there before spending the other three in Porto. Guys, it was so fun, insightful and just a great all round experience. I wrote about it for Schön! Magazine, check out a lil snippet below:

Portugal Fashion arrives at the end of the a/w17 fashion calendar, a few weeks after the shows in Paris. Unlike its Parisian cousin, the fanfare surrounding the event may not include spectacles akin to the launch of a Rocket ship but the excitement and anticipation for the four days of presentations and catwalk shows was highly evident – and with good reason.

While Portugal Fashion isn’t as well-known as the fashion weeks’ we see in New York or Milan, the country’s Textile and Apparel Industry actually exports 5€ billion annually to more than 180 countries around the world – making the industry responsible for about 10% of all of Portugal’s export sales. These large numbers means it’s no surprise to find that Portugal is also home to a wide range of fashion designers, who are setting their own trends and helping to cement the country’s standing within the fashion industry worldwide.

Following in the footsteps of the previous year, Portugal Fashion kicked off in Lisbon and then headed to Porto for the final three days – beginning at the Cordoaria Nacional Lisbon and ending at the Alfândega do Porto. This season was also an extra special occasion as it was the 40th event from Portugal Fashion since it first launched in 1995. This season the four days were an extensive schedule featuring 31 fashion shows from new and old designers, below are a selection of designers from the landmark 40th Portugal Fashion.

Read the rest of the article here!

A few weeks ago out of the blue I got asked to cover Portugal Fashion a/w17. After initially missing the email during the day, I blearil...

at 2/25/2017

at 10/05/2016

at 6/13/2016

at 4/25/2016

Since 10am this morning I have been sat here wearing headphones in my own flat because the new owners of the flat opposite decided to renovate their whole fucking apartment (I know, how dare they).

What this means is for the past two weeks, I have been creating a mental pros and cons list about murder. How would I go about harming these innocent builders who have been paid to come into this old building with paper thin walls, and start drilling from about 8:30am until 6:30pm? How should I ensure they have a slow and painful death?

Here's an idea I had earlier.

I've been having really vivid dreams recently and this morning, as I was gradually pulled out of my great dream and, brought back to the real world by a weird drilling sound in the distance – I legit knocked on the new neighbours door with my own drill ...and after I was done it was most definitely silent. Obviously this was all in my head and the rational side of me knows that my ~~bloodlust~~ anger is misplaced and also irrational. BUT. There is something so fucking annoying about not being able to relax in silence in what you call your own safe and personal space. Especially for someone like me, who treats their home like a Turtle treats its' shell. Wait, duh.

So with my headphones on I've had a steady stream of music going to drown out the sound of drilling and for the first, maybe four, hours I've been listening to LEMONADE on repeat. Nope not the Diplo/Gucci Mane/La Roux mash up, but Beyonces' new visual body of work.

I've got to say I think it's pretty, prrrettttaaay, pretttaaay, good.

I really enjoy the fact that she's treated the album like a bit of therapy. How much of it is true? I don't think we'll ever find out, due to Beyonce being very protective of her private life, but actually I don't think it matters. Whether they're all heartfelt tracks narrating a really rocky time in her life or if it's just another character, I'm really enjoying the cohesiveness of the record. And most of all the honesty of it all. Like:

"What? Someone would cheat on BEYONCE? With another actual human being? Not even a random deity? A LESSOR???"

It feels like another attempt to personally dismantle her own pedestal and ahm hurr for it.

My fav moments include - realising exactly what Beyonce meant when she cockily sang; "I've got Hot Sauce in my bag". I loved the care free swinging of a bat at public property, whilst singing over a sweet melody. I LOVED Beyonce in the all grey with the sexy flash of underboob showing and the fur (I hope it was fake bheb). The all grey, with the cornrow extensions was definitely my fave look.

I also really enjoyed seeing her focus on more serious issues like the BLACKLIVESMATTER movement and also just the treatment of black women in general. Ultimately i'm a sucker for albums that seem to take you on a journey (see John Legend - Get Lifted or Kanye West - College Dropout) so LEMONADE really hits the spot.

Now onto the elephant in the room.

Who is the alleged other woman (who's teeth we ALL want use as confetti ...J/K)? Apparently it's either Rachel Roy (WHY JAY?) or Rita Ora (double WHY JAY??????), either way we all know it's a lessor.

One thing's for sure, now we can understand why Solange boxed down Jay-Z in that elevator.

Since 10am this morning I have been sat here wearing headphones in my own flat because the new owners of the flat opposite decided to r...

at 4/20/2016

So in 2011 I made a Channel U blog post highlighting all my favourite songs from the amazing era that was Channel U. While making the blog post I realised there were way too many to just pick a few, so I decided I would turn it into some kind of series. I promised part 2 would soon be on its way...

Now here we are in big big 2016, a smooth 5 years later and I am audaciously going to bring you the promised part 2. When Channel U was in its' prime I was in 6th form college and it was a great time to not want to pay for any music. Limewire was going strong, Apple had just released it's iPod colour and it was so easy to bluetooth mp3's. A GREAT TIME TO BE ALIVE TBQH AND I MISS IT DEARLY.

At that time if my siblings and I were watching a music channel at home it was Channel U because although you watched to hear the songs you liked (that were not played ANYWHERE else), you kind of also watched just to see what the new videos were (which would be laughed at/bluetoothed to your phone in the canteen). As I mentioned in my first post I definitely had a superiority complex and as much as I downloaded the songs after watching, I definitely laughed first (IT WAS ALL LOVE JEEZ).

Currently Grime is standing in a really nice spotlight, its' contour is popping and eyebrows are on fleek. Basically it's getting the recognition it deserves, and the current artists in the limelight are showing up and out and I am very much here for it. It definitely also makes you a little nostalgic for the past so without further ado:

BOO KROO - The Boo Kroo Theme

"Crazy muthafucka named Giro, give me beef, I'll stick you wiv a biro." Hashtag bars. I recently moved to Amsterdam and there is a guy at my workplace called Jairo. It's funny being around people who don't have the same context you do for certain things. But because of this guy I have actually been thinking about The Boo Kroo a lot more than I probably should do in 2016. Me and my sister thought this was such a tune:

RUFF SQWAD - ANNA
I've only ever had this unclear copy of the song ...and then the other day I downloaded Tidal and it has all the Ruff Squad instrumentals on there. The joy of hearing the crispness of this track after all these years.

TINCHY STRYDER - UNDERGROUND

This video stands out for me memory-wise because I remember my sister weirdly said that Tinchy has really nice hands in this video (all those hand movements sat on the wall). Of all the things to decide to compliment, to notice, to say.

SLK – HYPE HYPE

This song, I heard about it before I saw it. It was highly recommended by my 'connoisseurs of Grime' peers (all she did was ask me if I had seen it yet).
"I'mmmm dirty flirt don'tdon't you knowww? I KNOWWW"

ROLL DEEP - ROW YOUR BOAT (Explicit version/ NSFW)

Specifically the explicit version because I was a really innocent (and I like to think sweet) 16 yr old. So for me it was bit like when Euro Trash used to come on channel 5 and no adults were in the house: "TIME TO SEE WHAT ALL THIS SEX STUFF IS ABOUT," and also because my superiority complex made me ask 'who do you think you are with your two video production selves??" I think it was also the only song I ever saw on Channel U with two different videos for one song.

UNORTHODOX - NO HELP OR HANDOUTS
"Nah we don't wanna clash that's long cause we heard your tracks and you sound swaggish"

BEAR MAN - DRINKING BEER

All I need to see is a bottle of Strongbow for this song to be sang

TINE TEMPAH - WIFEY

Everyone loved this song and I can definitely still recite every lyric but one thing me and my friends all wanted to know was ....where in South-East LDN did he find this exotic Jamaican/South-American ghel he speaks of (too lie). Everyone also laughed and loved the dramatics of the girl randomly getting hit by a car at the end of the song LOL no one saw it coming! That Sunset Beach type drama.

Layo & Bushwacka! - Love Story vs Finally (Tim Deluxe Mix) HQ
So this song isn't Grime but it is definitely apart of Channel U's history. Every now and again the channel would get stuck on one video and just repeat itself. It was like Channel U were trying to remind us exactly how budget the channel was. For a few months the below track would just play on repeat at night and I ended up going from being annoyed to actually liking the song. Does anyone else remember this? lol

So this post is getting pretty long and again we still haven't finished, so I shall be back with part 3 ...

So in 2011 I made a Channel U blog post highlighting all my favourite songs from the amazing era that was Channel U. While mak...

at 4/18/2016

at 1/29/2016

New York, London, Milan, Paris ... Amsterdam?

While the major fashion cities are currently gearing up for one of the biggest events to grace any fashionistas Liberty printed diary - two weeks ago Amsterdam also slipped on a pair of skyscraper heels, chic winter coat and best nonchalant street style smile for its very own fashion week.

So fetch.

To be fair, Amsterdam is ALWAYS 'Street Style' ready and the stylish Amsterdammers I encounter on a regular basis leave me in no doubt that an Amsterdam fashion week is long over due. Although not very well known, Amsterdam fashion week held it's own among the heavy-weight cities with stunning catwalk shows and an interesting set of off-schedule events.

I attended one of the off-schedule events which was held on an ice skating rink, a recipe for disaster right? So what happened? Obviously the models fell flat on their faces numerous times and one woman on skates glided elegantly up the 'runway' - only to end up accidentally sliding into a split, slicing the foot of another model who was sharing the runway with her. BLOOD EVERYWHERE.

NAHT.

The dramatics didn't quite go down like that, but yes there was drama! The show started with two statuesque models being carefully brought out onto the make-shift ice runway and after being made to stand on two separate platforms the show could begin.

Bright multicoloured lights began illuminating the icy floor, while the grand looking Rijks Museum was lit up in the background - creating a gorgeous back drop for the show and also dashing any previous doubts about the location. Professional skaters dressed in the designers clothing skated beautifully around the models, showcasing the collection in a more interesting way.

The show finished with the ice skaters taking a bow together and then leading the scantily clad (and clearly part Abominable Snowman) models back off of the ice. On one of the coldest January nights I've experienced in the city, those models proved to the real MVP's of the night.

New York, London, Milan, Paris ... Amsterdam? While the major fashion cities are currently gearing up for one of the biggest events to ...

at 11/23/2015

at 9/22/2015

at 9/03/2015

So I probably should have/could have created this post a lot earlier than this ... but procrastination mixed with uncertainty is an amazing aid for unproductivity (why not try it sometime?), however, here is my 'hey i've moved to Amsterdam and this is what i've learnt so far' generic blog post.

Spoiler alert: haven't learnt much

Okay that's a lie, but also one of the biggest things I've learnt since moving here is: you can change your surroundings, your profession and country but if you're not consciously changing yourself too, things will more or less stay the same.

In May, after a few months of planning and saving, my boyfriend and I packed up two full suitcases each (with one suitcase each also being sent to us by post), and we moved our butts to Amsterdam. A city which provokes many raised eyebrows and 'knowing' smiles when asked about our 'plans' – because yes, weed and prostitution are my two major callings in life. Long story short: visited a few years ago, fell in love with the city, decided to move there. Here I iz.

I mentioned uncertainty earlier and this is because I know that if you're looking for that travel noire/chakras in-line/moment of clarity/eatpraylove type of blog post - then this is not where it's at. Truthfully I don't feel too changed as a person so far and I think the hesitation to write about moving has been about the expectation of what this post is supposed to look like (ain't no Julia Roberts bihhh).

One of my personal goals or ideals that I had in my head before I moved here was that I would get back in touch with my creative side. I felt that in London I had pushed it to the side after starting my office role, I was working in digital marketing and content and was generally despising life. In Amsterdam, I decided I wanted out of the office big time and I wanted a really easy (preferably part-time) role that would allow for me to fully concentrate on writing freelance.

...Yes I imagined strolling alongside canals, inspiration smacking me upside the head left, right and centre ... HA! Sure, the first jobless month and a half was exactly like this, then I started training and working at my new job and these last few months have been such a whirlwind that I'm only just starting to focus on myself again. Don't get me wrong, I actually really love the company I work for now and the people I work with and for, but having another full-time role so early on in my experience here has definitely led me on a bit of a detour.

So, no. After four months of being here I haven't 'found myself' or become a meditating, one with the universe, ninja boss either (genuine goals). However, there are a few tinsy tiny things that I've picked up on so far:

Family

Yup, I actually miss them a little bit. I come from a big family and I was really looking forward to the amount of alone time Amsterdam would bring. Not gonna lie, I do have a touch of hermit about me and the alone time is amazing, BUT! So far my auntie, my bro and my cousin/sisters have all made individual trips to see me, and each time always makes me realise I could never live here forever away from my famalam.

Friends

Some have made an effort to stay in touch, others haven't. You do start to see the people who were only around out of convenience rather than an actual need to have them in your life. I've got to admit that I don't feel too negative about this, for obvious reasons and also just because, that's life!

Personal Growth

"I'm a changed man, look at the range man." A new me is not going to magically appear, while I do feel a little more confident and comfortable with myself ... I have mostly kept all niggly habits that I was hoping would vanish after making it through customs. I'm still able to procrastinate like a pro, working out three times a week and eating clean... has also not happened etc. A part of me had hoped that moving countries would immediately create a shift in me but I'm realising it won't suddenly happen just because I have a different walk to work now (soon to be bike ride yawl). I'm okay with that.

To round this off, when I was asked what I was going to do here before I moved, I would generally say 'go with the flow', and I guess so far that's exactly what I've been doing. But can you go with the flow and still maintain control over the general direction? For the next few months i'm definitely going to try to.

Until next tahm.

So I probably should have/could have created this post a lot earlier than this ... but procrastination mixed with uncertainty is ...

at 5/23/2015

So unless you've been living under a rock you will have heard about the various advances made regarding wearable tech. Google has ventured onto the scene with it's glasses and Apple hopes to change your life with a watch. And now there's Ringly, a company that has taken wearable tech down a refreshingly stylish route.

We're entering into a new phase of our relationship with technology. We want to be connected, but not all the time. We still enjoy Twitter but we're not updating it every time we blink like we used to and Facebook relationship status updates are no longer treated like our very own personal soap opera. Now digital detoxes are available in App form and luxury holiday form, in short, taking time for yourself outside of the interwebz is encouraged.

Of course it's a little unrealistic to completely disconnect in the current day and age and sometimes simple luxurious include; having your phone on silent, turning off notifications on particular apps (Whatsapp) or just keeping it in your handbag (what a time to be alive guys). Plus, let's face it, there are certain things we DO want to be kept updated on. That's where Ringly comes in, they're using pretty rings and turning them into our personal little helpers. Like a better Siri.

"Ringly creates jewelry and accessories that connect to your phone and notify you about the things that matter most. Put your phone away and enjoy the moment. Ringly connects to your phone and sends you customised through vibrations and light, creating smart jewellery and accessories that keep you effortlessly connected to the things that matter most."

Their core belief is that "technology can be more discreetly integrated into our lives", here for it. And it doesn't hurt that they look cuter than two cute things. All we need now is a compact mirror for skype and the ability to have conversations via the mic on the ring. Then all my Totally Spies fantasy will have officially come true.

Find out more about them.

You can buy me one if you want.

So unless you've been living under a rock you will have heard about the various advances made regarding wearable tech. Google has v...