Susie of Style Bubble recently posted about the UK magazine market for teens; praising the rise of Company Magazine and lamenting the U.K.’s lack of Teen Vogue. It led me to think about what I read as a teen. I had two subscriptions and waited impatiently for their arrival each month. I used to rip out the pages that inspired me and stick them all over my walls, much to my Mum’s disgust. In a very compulsive fashion, I would cut neatly around the edges to placate my Mum a little and carefully arrange the blue tac on the back not to “damage the walls” (my parents were obsessed with not ever having to replaster!)

The two magazines were The Face and SKY Magazine (not the one that comes free with your TV subscription.) In fashion terms, The Face is remembered fondly. Kate Moss’ iconic first cover and superb editorial by Corinne Day (posted about here by Liberty London Girl.) Nick Knight’s awe-inspiring shoot with the Alexander McQueen…the list goes on. But I ask myself, what about SKY Magazine?

As I looked for covers for this post, I saw many were nude shots and not taken in an arty, creative way; think more “lad mag.” I remember it fondly as being cool but do I remember it with a sense of misplaced nostalgia? As my parents forced me to get rid of all my magazines when they packed me off to university (most hideous trip to the recycling skip EVER) I don’t have any copies to flick through. Do you remember SKY Magazine and what it was really like? Was it the epitome of cool that I remember or just a precursor to FHM?

Images courtesy of my favourite new Tumblr – The Face, The Archive.

Yesterday, this little blog of randomness turned 5. I tried to put together a post about other things that turned 5 on the 20th but didn’t get far. I also considered taking a more cliché route and compiling an, “on this day in history…” but ceased immediately on discovering Gary Barlow and Ivana Trump share the blog’s birthday. Instead, I wanted to post about the people that have helped me immeasurably on my way. Let’s start at the very beginning.

Via a web of confusion on Twitter when I misinterpreted Brix’s fear of ghosts, for one of goats (a LONG story) I ended up at START London where Brix invited me to interview her. Brix’s support, warmth and openness led to many exciting opportunities; so to Brix, I will always be indebted. She also introduced me to the inimitable and talented Felt Mistress, with whom I now share a firm friendship.
(Image courtesy of SHOW Studio. See the amazing short film showing the making of the photograph)

Navaz has extended to me kindness beyond that of which I deserve. She has offered me advice on innumerable occasions, met me at press days, fashion shows and events, that I would have attended with trepidation if it weren’t for her kind support. She is my official guide through the maze that is the blogosphere. I’m so glad I don’t have to keep her identity a secret anymore.
Disney Roller Girl (Image courtesy of The V&A Museum)

Sasha chose to use an image on her blog that I created for a post about identity. After many years of anonymous blogging, Sasha took the bold step of revealing her true self and I felt honoured that she chose one of my little pictures to write about it on LLG. At my first scary London Fashion Week, she literally took me under her wing…well, swept me up into her Mercedes Benz. She helped me navigate the chaos that is Fashion Week and kept me going on a diet of wasabi peas!
Liberty London Girl (Image courtesy of Grazia and Diesel)

Likewise, Laetitia helped me immeasurably when I was first starting out. Her many emails and words of advice helped the indecisive me to be a little more discerning and definitive in my choices. At my first London Fashion Week, she waved spare tickets at me and introduced me to many other wonderful bloggers. Although we aren’t in touch as much any more, I’ll always be grateful for Laetitia’s support.
Mademoiselle Robot (Image – Laetitia’s own)

Where do I start on this one? Kiki is an absolute gem. I first met her in a whirlwind of unfaltering organisation with Liberty London Girl at London Fashion Week. She has since gone on to show me great kindness in both my personal and professional life. She introduced little Mr. Miro to the joys of Gap’s basics and is always in touch inquiring as to our health, happiness and general mental state in the chaos of parenthood. I’m so pleased Kiki is on the Glamour team and being recognised for her loveliness by a wider audience.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (Image – Kiki’s own)

I also need to thank Susie of Style Bubble fame, Joe and Katie from What Katie Wore (sad but understanding of the blog’s end) and uber-writter Ellen Burney (her previous blog was Vagabondiana.) Without their kindess (and blogroll!) my traffic would be and would have been, MUCH lower!

MAC collaborations seem to be coming thick and fast. From the infamous Miss. Piggy to the iconic Iris Apfel, new partnerships seem to spring up every month. Depending on the elaborateness of the packaging, the cost of the product can be higher but the lure of the associated “celebrity” proves to be a great attraction for MAC’s customer base.

I experienced this first hand before Christmas. In the same way designer collections for the High Street are usually eagerly anticipated, I awaited Gareth Pugh’s collaboration with MAC with great expectation. The little “sold out” signs strategically placed on many of the display products, only served to fuel my covetousness. But it was the sleek, black, minimal packaging that drew me in the most. I bought a lipstick for over £20 without so much as even trying it on my hand.

I was genuinely excited to open the crisp, clean, silver and black box and try this new lipstick for the first time; so I delayed the pleasure for a few days by just staring at it on my shelf (obviously a symptom of not getting out much!) When I did open it, there was the understandable slight let down – this was, after all,  still just a lipstick; albeit a thing of great aesthetic beauty.

I know many question the whole collaborative process. Does it water down a high-end brand? Does it dumb down the design process? I still rest on the side that sees the benefit of brand exposure to a wider audience and demographic. I thank MAC for the little bit of happiness its lipstick offered me and my little insight into impulse buying, blinded by the draw of the designer collaboration.

(All images courtesy of MAC cosmetics)

‘Tis a new year and I felt the blog needed a new look for it’s 5th year. Inspiration to blog has not come easily since I became a parent. My priorities have shifted so greatly that Random Fashion Coolness naturally took a back seat. So here I take tentative steps to beginning again…

I wanted to look at women who seemingly have it all. In the thick of the chaos that was my return to work, I spotted news of this project with Helena Christensen. I love her…or do I hate her…or do I hate that I love her? Clad in sheer fabrics, lingerie and the signature 70’s hue of Guy Aroch, Christensen simmers effortlessly. As I read the post I was sat in a well-worn American Apparel hoodie, joggers and slipper boots by M&S. It wasn’t my finest moment but only served to highlight Christensen’s glory.

Alongside the genetic superiority that’s quite widely recognised, Christensen’s carved out a respectable career as a photographer. Aside from her work with many well-respected publications and solo exhibitions, she also blogs. Frankie Star is a collaborative project with photographer Christy Bush. The common link that brought these two creatives together is the band Interpol; Christy’s husband is Sam Fogarino (drummer) and Helena’s beau is Paul Banks (lead singer.) The blog is beautiful and offers an honest slice of what inspires these two inspired women.

Lest we forget, Miss. Christensen’s also a Mum. I adore this recent post by Mothers’ Meeting featuring a photograph of Helena’s former partner and her son.

The ambiguity of my feelings towards Helena will no doubt persist especially as she continues to defy the ageing process whilst managing to be so effortlessly cool. Check out Frankie Star, Mothers’ Meeting and Bloginity, for pictures of Guy Aroch’s Un-Titled project.