Introducing, Sweet Pea Green.

For those whom may be interested, I have recently started a fashion blog on wordpress.com, Sweet Pea Green.



I'm hopefully going to keep this blog going, but as it's a place for expressing random thoughts I'm likely to be posting more regularly on Sweet Pea Green due to its focused genre.

So yes, please read and enjoy!

P.S. Hope you've all had a lovely Christmas and I wish you a happy New Year!

When does the Virtual Reality become Actual Reality?

When does virtual reality become reality? When do the two cross over? Should there be actual consequences to the actions that we take within the virtual?

Having read the Vice Magazine article, 'Second Life Ruins The Lives Of A Married Couple With No Life' I began to question the idea of virtual reality. Surely, as suggested by the phrase 'virtual reality', is cannot be condemned as real?

The Vice Magazine article tells the story of a happily married couple, Amy and David Pollard, filing for divorce after wife, Amy Pollard, discovered that her husband David was 'having sex' with strangers over online phenomenon, Second Life.

For those whom aren't familiar with Second Life, it is a virtual reality online community, much in the same vain as Habbo Hotel, yet it echoes the allusions of reality as opposed to a cartoon. As the official Second life website describes,

Second Life is a 3-D virtual world created by its Residents....From the moment you enter the World you'll discover a vast digital continent, teeming with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity. Once you've explored a bit, perhaps you'll find a perfect parcel of land to build your house or business...You'll also be surrounded by the Creations of your fellow Residents.... Welcome to the Second Life world. We look forward to seeing you inworld.

Therefore, Second Life is the key to another 'world' so to speak, a virtual online world, which, like the world we live in today, is controlled and developed by humans-its users.

However, when I searched Second Life on Google, Second Life is described in the summary as a game, rather than an online community, or a virtual world. I feel this use of the word 'game' is vital in the understanding and the distinction of community from our real world.

The word 'game' gives connotations of no-strings fun, a leisure activity and non-serious enjoyment. We've all played a game at some point and perhaps taken it too seriously to which people have replied 'relax, it’s only a game!’

Perhaps it is unfair to brand such as Second Life as games?

As the Vice article exemplifies, together with other similar controversial events which have been reported to have taken place on the Internet, this 'game' can, and may, have some serious consequences.

It is obvious that the more the boundaries between virtual and reality become closer, the meanings and results of our actions within these so called games become more and more serious.

For instants, a simple game of solitaire bares no consequences onto our actual existence, yet having cyber sex on Second Life with cyber strangers, for this couple alone, has resulted in the divorce of their own marriage in real life.

Online Persona

As shown by the image above, both Amy and David Pollard bare little resemblance to their Second Life counterparts.

The Internet naturally gives existence to the re-invention of the self and false persona. It is this 'second' lease of life which attracts users to online communities to Second Life and Habbo Hotel.

With the protection of time and space in front of them, the users of Second Life can build a completely different identity from their own in reality. Men can 'become' women and women can 'become' men. A false sense of security and perhaps this distance from reality, and its laws, makes fantasies and desires seem obtainable.

My Opinion

Obviously Amy Pollard was becoming suspicious of her husband's unhealthy amount of time on the Internet-specifically on Second Life. But to go as far as hiring a online private investigator to examine her husband's movements online, I feel that's going a bit too far.

Speaking completely hypothetically, if I found that my husband was having cyber sex online with online strangers I'd probably accept it, like it or not. Having cyber sex online with someone is far less significant than him going out and having sex with prostitutes and the likes. Cyber sex supplies no physical act of having sex, apart from perhaps that of which is enacted upon the self.

Second Life however, may aid the development of a desire into the real-and not just adultery, but murder and paedophilia too. It is when this transition becomes apparent that there is a real cause for concern, as it does actually directly affect your real life.

Maybe the divorce of Amy and David shows just how seriously some people take the game of Second Life and how closely it co-insides and effects real life?

And perhaps Amy and David Pollard were actually living their reality through Second Life?

N/B Both images are taken from the Vice Magazine article

Shiny, Shiny Things

My attention was stolen this weekend by...no, not men in fur coats...but sequins! And even more amazing, sequin bow ties!

I was sat around on the usual Sunday night this weekend with nothing to do and my imagination ran away with me. I was trying to create a smart, but flashy, attention seeking outfit for the opening of a new club I was considering attending.

I came across these beauties on Topshop's website (topshop.com).

Given that the knickers are featured as part of Topshop's ‘Circus’ collection, images of ring masters came into my mind, ring masters with matching black sequin bow ties. This thought, I love. So I am now on the quest to either find somewhere that's selling black sequin bow ties (that isn’t a joke shop), or to create my own!



Urban Outfitters may have had them in a few months back, but I missed the boat-sad times, obviously. Now all they are stocking is boring polka dot bow ties, and even they are in the sale! Still, I'd imagine they'd still look pretty swish paired with a black and white over-sized checked shirt!

Something I'd really like to query is why we never see sequins in summer, and if we do, it’s kept very very minimal or related to ethnical fashions. But why never the full on sequin shorts?

Sequins do have their day though. They were last 'in' when I was in my first year of University (2005). I bought a silver sequin bolero from the 915 (children's) section of New Look and wore it for out Christmas ball. Today it’s sat in a bag in my bottom draw with half of the sequins missing. Still, I'm sure I could get some more wear out of it this time around!

Fur Coats for Men-Hot or Not?

Browsing through the latest fashions for men in the autumn/winter addition of GQ Style, I came across an interesting trend, fur coats for men.

Fur coats are definitely big this winter for women. They've taken over the high street stores in force, leading to the donning by the average woman as well as the style-conscious indie queens!

But fur coats for men? Hmm...I'm intrigued!

Predominately seen on the catwalks of the big fashion houses such as Gucci, Armani and Dolce and Gabbana; fur coats are definitely making a coming!

Men whom wear fur coats are generally imagined to be gangster, bling, bling P-Diddy types, or drag queens, or perhaps even James Bond villains. But to think I may be about to see the average guy walk past in the centre of Leeds or Manchester all wrapped up in his fur coat is quite ground breaking! In fact, I'm unsure if I even known a guy who'd even dare to before now, I wonder how much difference this will make?

To see the fur coat forcast to supposedly gain 'cool' factor for the fashionable men of Britain, I'm thinking this should be interesting.

Just picture this...the dudeish British cool guy (I say British because I don't really have a clue what’s classed as 'cool' in other countries or continents!) wearing his skinny jeans, winkle pickers, checked shirt and perhaps even sporting some Ray Bans-all wrapped up in that oh so chic fur coat. Marvellous.

Although I may sound like I'm mocking this image, I'm actually finding it quite provocative! There's nothing more attractive or exciting than seeing a man who is daring enough than to try out something so new and so, well, fashion taboo in a way I suppose-kind of like 80s Lycra leotards are for women.

As of yet I have yet to see a fur coat to be warn by a man in public, I suppose there is still time though and winter is still approaching!

UPDATE!: This winter I've seen H&M stocking fur coats in the men's department.

Price's Candles

Price's candles were established in 1830, and between now and then they have definitely perfected the art of candle making. As the biggest candle manufacturer in the United Kingdom today, and as a key producer in the history of the candle, I was surprised not to have heard of them before.

I came across Price's candles this year whilst at University. I needed some time to de-stress and relax, to take my mind off looming final exams and assignment deadlines. My solution was an aromatherapy face mask, Moon Safari by Air and a scented candle.

I decided to look in the cheap, cheerful and questionably tacky, Au Natural. Surprisingly, it was there I found a small stand displaying a very appealing collection of vintage style candles, Price's Candles, and at £3 for a lantern I couldn't complain!

From previously purchasing 'scented' candles before which haven't really smelt whilst burning, this was completely different. My room began to be filled by the scent of honey and lemon, I was really impressed by the strength of the scent which was perspired.

Although only one collection was for sale at the place of purchase, having ventured onto the Price's Candles website I have become aware of the vast array of colours and scents in which the company produces their product. From floral to odour reduces, Price's have every possibility covered.

So, the moral of this story is, if you want a candle that actually smells as it burns, buy a Price's Candle!

www.prices-candles.co.uk

'Frock Me' , T4 Sundays-Alexa Chung and Henry Holland

After receiving my weekly dose of Hollyoaks this morning, Miquita and Steve introduced me to a brand new addition to Sunday morning T4.Staring fashion designer Henry Holland and presenter-come-IT-girl Alexa Chung as our hosts, T4 present its premier programme dedicated to fashion.

'Frock Me' offers the young T4 audience a unique perspective on the world of fashion, focusing on the relationship between street style and high-end fashion design-something which had only been touched upon in Gok Wan's 'Fashion Fix' earlier this year which also featured Chung as a presenter.

From the outset is it clear this is a programme which focuses on individuality and creativity, as well as pushing a 'who's who' of the fashion world (notably the majority of the guests were well known friends of the presenters-Daisy Lowe, Agyness Deyn and Vivienne Westwood to name a few).

The main concept of the show features style scout Gemma searching the streets of British cities for individuals whom 'stand out' from the youth culture crowd. Two ‘chosen ones’ are then put forward to a 'frock off' in a bid to win £1000 through the creation of their own quirky outfits to an agreed criteria set by the style scout, this weeks task was to incorporate vinyl into the look.

To finish the show The Kooks played their ‘new’ song ‘Sway’ (I say ‘new’ as I understand the song has been performed at Kooks gigs two years previous to its release this year.) as the in house designers and those street ‘stylists’ paraded their creations in front of the band. This format is set to follow in weeks to come, with a consideration to the relationship between fashion and music-something I thought about as an initial dissertation subject back in the day!

Surprisingly, I found 'Frock Me' quite inspiring and entertaining. On the outset I expected more parallels with ‘Fashion Fix’ as yet again it was Alexa Chung presenting along side a fashion industry gay! Yet I only heard the phrase 'on trend' about once or twice as opposed to Gok’s ten (at least) every minute-what a relief! Instead I enjoyed watching Holland’s underlying bitchy-ness and irony, I found it quite humorous and comforting to know these presenters were human and actually had their own opinions!


Again in comparison to Gok's 'Fashion Fix' ,’Frock Me’ focuses on being yourself and creating your own style, instead of following what is ’expected’ and what trends should be followed I was left feeling inspired to do just that and by the end of the programme I wanted to go down to my local sewing store and buy some fabric and get started!

The Future's Bright, The Future's Orange.

Seriously, why do some women think its a good idea to all look the same?

Scantily clad, pale skin-toned lipstick, boobs in your face, arse hanging out, fake extended bleach blonde or black hair, fake nails, fake orange tan.

I go into a nightclub and this is what I see, I'm surrounded by about a hundred Jodie Marsh lookalikes.


What do I think when I see this?


YUK!


Since returning from University in the lakes, to a populated area which clubbing and going out is more predominant in the social lives of many young people, I have noticed a huge difference in the ways these women construct their appearance for a 'night out on the town'.

A few nights ago I decided I'd have a night out during fresher’s week at the local 'hot spot'. The place was absolutely rammed, as you'd expect in fresher’s week, yet about 70% of women looked the same, sporting the popular 'orange vogue' look.


I really do not understand where this fashion sense of 'porn star' has come from, well, apart from watching x-rated films perhaps. But the fashion industry has never really promoted a tan-tastic model for young women to follow at all. When we watch models walk down the catwalk we see a pale, fresh-faced woman whom beams natural youth and beauty.

Yet to walk into any busy town centre on a Saturday night we are greeted by an army of Umpa Lumpa aspiring women looking for that 'perfect' man who will of course really respect her...especially when she's dressed like that of course.

These woman, or girls even, strive to display sexual availability to men, they want to look 'sexy' (although they just look grotesque to me). They want to follow the crowd and be part of what is conceived as this beauty 'norm' that their peers and social groupings have constructed.


Obviously it is their choice to dress in such a way which may result in unwanted male attention, yet I don't see what the need is, unless the need is actually a desperation.

This is where I pride myself in being different. Although I wouldn't actually say I was in the same social group of these girls, I do go to the same night clubs, whether or not they dance on a different floor to a different kind of music, they are still present in the same space.

I enjoy dressing for myself, in my own quirky ways. I show my personality in what I wear and I still get attention from the opposite sex, but its more likely to be 'look at what she's wearing' than 'look at what she's not wearing'. Thank god.

Clothing and style make enough impact on their own, so if you really want people to look at you, you might as well make them look at you with some respect- and I may sound like a granny, but I don't care!

You Set the Fire In Me Tom Vek!

I am officially re-addicted. For the past month, I'm not sure why, but Tom Vek's 2005 debut album 'We Have Sound' has been continuously played on my CD player.

I first discovered Tom Vek as he supported The Bees (www.thebees.info) on their 2004 UK tour. Captivated by his amazing aura, his live performance really gave the audience something unusual and exciting to watch.

His funky, Avant-Garde dance movements echoing influences from the Talking Heads, together with his obvert passion for the music, created a certain atmosphere. No one was really sure what they were watching, but what they were watching was pretty special, and by the end of the set people wanted to hear more.

Vek's creativity and experimentation with the music and vocals insure this album can never be over played, with every play each song still maintains its unique freshness and ensures a never-ending love affair with its listener.

Below is the video for the track 'Nothing but Green Lights' which was the last song to be released from his debut back in 2005. This video is a prime example of how the audience follows Vek's display of eccentricity from the recording, to the performing, to the promotion. It is this eccentricity which induces our attention and keeps us coming back for more.



So where is he now? and why have we not seen anything of him for the past three years?

His official website (www.tomvek.tv) claims he's still working on his new album, making it as good, if not better, as his debut. I do wish he’d hurry up!

Come back soon Tom Vek!

Busby Berkeley and the Male Gaze

Geometric patterns and shapes have never been more so apparent in film than in those directed by Busby Berkeley.

Berkeley's 1920/30's Hollywood musicals really capture the audiences attention with their innovative kaleidoscope viewing. Placing the viewer within the stage the audience are propelled into unique and unusual points of view.



Although Berkeley is celebrated today, I would like to question his repetitive use of the female figure in the majority of his choreographed work. Maybe it was just the way society was at the time, but if Berkeley could challenge ideas of viewing then why could he not challenge the norms of sexuality in his films?

What is displayed before us is a display of the female body, it is passive, sexualized and glamorized for the audience. Yet the male roles in the films all seem to hold a sense of power over the female dancers, and so the male audience are given permission to hold gaze of the women as objects.


Kylie Minogue takes significant influences from the work of Berkeley in her new video for the track 'The One'. As can be seen, the kaleidoscope effect Berkeley introduced to our screens in the 1920's is now transferred into the contemporary realm by music video director Ben Id.





In contrast to Berkeley, Ben Id adapts the male body to the formation of shapes within the background of this video. Perhaps this shows just how much times have changed, or maybe we are just seeing a gender role reversal before us. Men are becoming feminised, they are now the object of the gaze, whilst women are becoming masculinised through their acquisition of power and equality over the past fifty years.

Glam Goth Meets Romance

Autumn/Winter 2008 is all about the goth-yes, again.

Last year's play on goth was a very sexual, mannish provocateur image, bow ties, studs contrasted with latex dominated the catwalk. Yet this year the goth becomes a mythical romantic figure, lending itself to the romance and floral influences of the Spring/Summer 2008 collections.

Lace is the fabric of this season, as seen in collections from Emma Cook, Paul and Joe, and Prada, lace really captures this essence of the romantic vision within the dark Gothic imagery.


Emma Cook's punk-goth vibe, as seen in the image above, really catches the audiences imaginations. Lace, usually associated with granny's net curtains and best table cloth, is used and transformed into something unimaginable, a punk goth princess- black eye liner, doc martin's n'all. The result is a powerful, yet very sexy image of a woman, dominating, yet revealing together with a celebration of the use of fabric in such a diverse and exciting fashion.


Luella's A/W 08 collection, which is strongly influenced by the folk law witches of Southern England, really sets the scene for a mythical adventure into the dark and mysterious world of this season's trends.


The models of Luella's runway display voluminous, crimped hair with glimpses of ribbons tangled within bunches envisaging an unmade image of wildness with a cute twist. The use of ribbon compliments the clothing brought forward by Luella which gives us that romantic gentle twist on the Gothic image, yet I can't help but think of Morris Dancers and Russian Dolls rather than witches!


Although the traditional Halloween-esk version of the witches hat is hidden from our gaze in this collection, the bobble hat, last seen in the early 90's along with balaclavas, makes a come back this year, giving us a pixie-like silhouette which was initially absent from the pagen image. The bobble hat super storm has zoomed straight into high street stores with that quirky folk law edge Luella loves to promote, ensuring this piece as a must-have for this season.

Pushing Boundaries

MGMT's (the New York band) live set broadcast on BBC2 from the Glastonbury Festival 2008 really captured my visions and imagination. The bright colours, glitter, psychedelia and electronic diversity work together to bring about a sense of celebration, no matter how dark the lyrics may be. Having now listened to the amazing album 'Oracular Spectacular' one track really stood out for me, 'Time to Pretend'. This track takes the topic of my previous post on the views of the Generation 'Y' to its heart, we want to live fast and die young, and we don't want to be stuck working in an office, we want to have fun.

'Time to Pretend'- MGMT video: http://court13.com/TimeToPretend_480.mov


The work of Victor and Rolf (the fashion designers) has also come to my attention recently. Displaying influences from Vivienne Westwood as well as their own innovations, Victor and Rolf combine art directly into their display and creation of their collections. The recent 'No' collection for autumn/winter 2008 gives fashion a very humorous edge whilst connoting a message of unavailability and desire through the interplay between the words 'No' and 'Dream On' with the pieces of clothing although it has been said that the collection is rather about speed and time within the fashion industry.




The 3D embossed lettering, in my opinion, captures how these designers like to experiment with the boundaries of fashion, what will be interesting is how such ideas and trends and transferred into the realm of the high street, if it does at all. Reds, blacks and greys definitely dominate this collection, together with shiny, metallic silky materials contrasting with the matted texture of the woollen coats and the extravagant fur coat- which I particularly enjoyed, ironically engraved 'wow'-reflecting the audiences thoughts and reactions to the piece.

Withheald Expression and Consumption

Having just sorted through my A Level art work I feel a guilt, a guilt which is telling me I should follow and apply my talent as an artist. Yet there is also a guilt holding me back, that is my mother. She doesn't want me to have a career in art as she sees it as a non-starter and constantly reminds me of teachers comments of the time that my production of work was'too slow'. Yet no one ever questioned why I was so slow at producing my work. The constant and mind-numbing lessons taken day after to day bored and uninspired me, I had no motivation to continue with something I had got bored with weeks before.

To insure my interest things have to move and change quickly.


There is also the constant reminder that graduate careers are always said to be 'hard to get into,you'll have to move to London and work for little money'.




I suppose if you really want something you haven't to bother about those kind of things, the only thing I know that I really want is to be happy. Not rich, just happy living a decent quality of life, without having to work all hours of the day in a job I really hate. I want to be employed in a job I'll always enjoy. A recent Guardian article defined this way of thinking as the 'Generation Y'.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/may/25/workandcareers.worklifebalance

Yet a lot of people I know, whom are the same age as I, are driven towards money and materialism. One friend got a job in sixth form to buy herself a (very small) Gucci bag, then her dad bought her a BMW and she's only gone into the kind of degree she has for the pound signs, a recent comment about staying on at University an extra year was,

'why should I leave now and get a average graduate job for like £28 thousand when I can do an extra year and earn like £35-40 thousand when I leave instead'



Fair enough, but isn't this just snobbery? Most people would be happy with £28 thousand for a graduate salary- I know I would be, but I suppose different people hold different values towards money. It's always important to remember however that money can't make you happy, and neither can the consumption of the latest wannabe high status symbol-you're always going to be lacking, no matter how much you earn or how many expensive items you've bought with your monthly wage.

The Explaination- So You Want to Know Why?!?!

So, this is a start of a new era. I've recently graduated and I find myself in some kind of Utopian limbo-land. I feel like I'm floating in mid-air, with no destination, my mind spinning out of control, question after question is asked yet always left unanswered.

Just what do I do with my life from now on?

The creation of this blog stems from this idea, really what should I be doing with my life now? As a strong believer of fate and destiny I seem to be just waiting on that 'chance' opportunity or a sudden aspiration to come into my mind.

By expanding my ideas and thoughts into this virtual 'real' time I seek to discover myself. Recently I have been very unsure of whom the real 'me' is, constantly mediated by magazines and other medias I find myself being led rather than leading myself. I guess that this is the reason my mind is filled with so much uncertainty and doubt.

This blog therefore is not about 'me' as such, its more about my interests and thoughts.

My passions lie within visual and creative objects and subjects, hence the blogs title, and it is these passions I wish to express through the writing of this blog. What will be written here is more about how these things are 'Other' to myself. I am an outsider looking in and admiring and aspiring, yet never being or competing.

I want to discover and note my influences, even try and find those subconscious influences and think about how powerful these influences are and why, and maybe even note those changes in myself.