Bad News Tuesday

December 13, 2011

This piece of news is old, but I believe its relevance is even stronger. Most high-street fashion companies are still not respecting basic human rights because current labour practices are still far worse than what you and I can ever ever imagine.

Sometime last year, Bangaladeshi garment workers went on strike because they were severely underpaid. Child labourers also joined the demonstrators but here’s how they ended up on the streets.

As an Asian kid being raised by a Tigress of a mom, caning is not that foreign to me. But noone deserve to be beaten up like an animal. Heck, animals don’t deserve that either.

‘Many of the rioting workers are employed by plants which make ready-to-wear garments for sale in western high street stores.

“We worked for them,” shouted one striking worker. “They are doing business and making money, but not paying us.”

An estimated three million workers, mostly women, are employed in the Bangladeshi garments industry. The lower paid workers earn a minimum monthly salary of 1,660 taka, equivalent to less than £18. They have demanded an increase to 5,000 taka. Owners said last week they could pay no more than 3,000 taka a month.’

It’s difficult to differentiate the companies who are making an effort from those who are paying lip service, or worse, being serial offenders. This website is a good place to start. I know it’s extremely difficult to resist pieces from Zara, or H&M because they’re that cheap. I’m guilty as charged. But we’ve got to start somewhere so that fashion brands will wake up and change their business strategies to a more sustainable one.

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Revisiting Aoi Kotsuhiroi’s Masterpieces

December 12, 2011

Earlier this year I wrote about Aoi Kotsuhiroi’s amazing art pieces (I shan’t call them jewelry nor accessories because those words don’t do her work any justice). She has since written a new chapter to her storybook – Exotic Regrets, each fragment better than the last. Yes I’m speaking metaphorically because that’s how she does things and frankly, looking at her work of art you wouldn’t do it in a boring way like, ‘Here’s the new S/S12 collection which is inspired by the African tribe of Ndebele mixed with Russian Baboushka.’ No siree, as soon as you see her urushi-lacquered pieces entwined with horse hair and the sharp talons you’ll be imagining an eagle swooping down on an unsupecting rabbit while a wolf howls in the background.

Anyway enough chatter, more photos.

These are all one-off artisanal pieces, so you’ll never have to worry about bumping into another blogger in your Fashion Week cameo wearing the same shoes or cuffs. My personal favourite is the bag below. Its name is Silent Wolf (its other name is Darkness of Day but I prefer a wolf) and I would love to bring him home with me. Unfortunately he costs a dear £1700. Alas my wallet is never big enough for such an expensive pet. He’d have been my perfect company everywhere I go.

More can be found on aoikotsuhiroi.com and Not Just A Label.

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Slow down and think

December 10, 2011

Shirt – bespoke; Dress – Rick Owens; Boots – vintage

Picture this: Blogger A visited blog B, saw some pair of Jeffrey Campbell and concluded that she needs the same pair or she’ll ‘just die’, then proceeded to buy the shoes. One week later, Blogger A posted 1001 photos of the shoes, on top of the usual 1001 photos of herself, with captions such as ‘they’re my favourite shoes of all time, etc’. Two weeks later the same thing is repeated but with a different pair.

The above scenario is just one of several trends I’ve noticed in fashion blogs. It really irks me that people are putting so little values to phrases like NEED THESE IN MY LIFE. And those shoes that were proclaimed as favourite of all times would probably never see daylight again. Why am I being such a judgmental prick? Well it’s habit like this that adds up to the mountain of rubbish we’re already dumping in some third world country, not to mention all the other problems associated with excessive consumption. I don’t think bloggers (and consumers in general) are ignorant. What I don’t get is why they continue practising these destructive habits.

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December 7, 2011

BRB, writing 4 essays due on Friday.

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Bit of Fun in The Sun

November 29, 2011

Shirt – Ann Sofie Back; Everything else – vintage

First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone who visits this site, and especially those who have left comments and feedbacks. I really like knowing who you are, and best of all, starting a dialogue about trivial and serious matters. I know I’m not the most responsive person in the world, mostly due to the fact that words don’t form easily in my head, and I prefer to leave sincere and thoughtful replies rather than a snippet of ‘I love your boots wheeeeee’. Trust me when I say I’ve had guilty pangs for not being so communicative. For those who are lurking, you’re more than welcome to do so, but I really would prefer to know you a little better if possible.

Back to what I was wearing. I’m a secret admirer of bold colours and prints. Yes I may be a die hard RO and Pugh fan, but my wardrobe consists of a little more than them. Very little Pugh in fact, because I can’t afford most of his stuff unless I forgo everything else. The common recurring theme in my curated wardrobe is nothing more than quality material, craftsmanship and uniqueness. So here’s me, having fun in a pseudo-Gaultier sweater made by Dale of Norway and a pleated, tiered skirt which could have been passed off as Issey Miyake, both bought for under £80. ‘Twas a crisp, sunny day in Brighton, which is sorely missed now that winter is almost here.

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Let the shopping frenzy begin!

November 25, 2011

On Ebay right now:

And for the boys:

Find them here. If you’re nice I’m willing to negotiate my prices.

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