Trashion Magazine

Here at Spaghetti, we love a bit of fashion (along with the heavy political stuff). And better still when this fabulousness comes straight out of our university. So, check out Trashion Magazine. With vintage fox, Katie at the helm, it’s set for big things.

“What is this Trashion?”, you ask. Well they can explain that for themselves…

TRASHION is a national creative fashion magazine. We celebrate money saving, recycling, creativity and individuality in fashion and are concerned with all things crafty, vintage, thrifty, customised, handmade, quirky and cool.

We know, we know…it’s brilliant. Wanna hear more fabulous news? You can pre-order your copy of the first issue now! Don’t miss out!

Check them out now. Not only is it full of creative ideas but it tells you where is worth checking out. And since we have so much spare time on our hands coming up, there’s no excuse!

http://trashionmag.com/ 

Purple Boot Media

Here at Spaghetti, we want to know what you guys have been up to. Especially when it involves your work. Check out this final year Media and Communication groups project on the rise of the fashion blogger…

When we were first presented with our final year project , many ideas were thrown around from a quiz show, to flying out to Afghanistan to film a documentary on female soldiers.

 However, the concept that we final settled on to round off our (BA Hons) Media and Communications degree with has proven to be as interesting and culturally relevant as we could have ever asked for.

As Purple Boot Media, we are producing three webisodes (a series broadcast on the internet) on the rise of the fashion blogger, the online-savvy, fashion conscious writer and photographer, who posts their pictures, their thoughts and opinions on the latest fashions for the whole world to read. Our first contributor, eighteen year old Jazmine, is intriguing. Small and shy but boasting over 800 followers, this charity shop girl is a leader in the blogging pack. Her short but sweet posts on blog Jazzabelle’s Diary, show off her charity shop finds as well as showcasing pieces sent to her by high street giants such as ASOS and H! By Henry Holland. Her musings on fashion, art and culture and stunning photography have proved extremely popular with the public and the industry alike. We follow her as she rummages for fashion treasures at car boot sales and in charity shops and as she styles and blogs them in her Clapham home. We join Jazmine as she wonders the Victoria and Albert Museum, gaining inspiration for both her art work and her individual style, something which can be translated on to the online pages of her blog.

Our second webisode focuses on cool kid Jack Adams, otherwise known as the creator and King of Uber Brum. This street style blog hunts out the fashionable people of Jack’s home town of Birmingham and displays them proudly, in his own unique style. His arty photography and Birmingham’s distinctive fashion has caught the eye of nearly 200 followers. We join Jack as he hunts out beautiful people at Vintage Fairs, bars or just in the city’s streets. We follow Jack to music events he helps to organise, as he creates stunning visuals to compliment up and coming bands and DJ’s, all the while looking out for different, quirky or interesting styles that he can snap and then blog for the rest of the city, and the world to see.

We then move on to focus on fashion blogging as an industry, and the professional bloggers who make their career out of what was once considered only a pastime. We head to Aigua Media, a blogging company who owns some of the most visited and influential blogs around, such as the hugely popular Catwalk Queen, who was named by American Vogue as one of the most influential blogs in the world. We meet the journalists who have swapped print for online publication, and consider how the magazine industry has reacted to such a huge surge in support for blogs and bloggers, taking the emphasis away from well-established magazines and journalists. We look at the future of the fashion industry and question how the public source their fashion knowledge, both now and in the future.

Our ambition for this project is to not only highlight all of the skills and practices we have learnt while at Birmingham City University but to reveal something about new occurrences in contemporary culture and how blogs could be considered the way forward for sharing knowledge and opinions on not just fashion, but on all aspects of culture. If you are interested in what we are doing and want to know more about the day-to-day life of Purple Boot Media, visit our blog at www.purplebootmedia.posterous.com

By Hannah Quainton

Step into winter- boot trends

What better excuse to get yourself some new weather-resistant footwear than these grizzly winter conditions eh?

The humble boot is a staple of any autumn/winter wardrobe and is the footwear of choice to take you through a, hopefully, white Christmas and right into the New Year. Expectedly, boots were all over the A/W catwalks in an array of styles. Here are the key trends to look out for:

Fur, and particularly the shearling trend, has already been huge news this season. We’ve mainly seen shearling lining a new breed of leather jackets, but the style crosses over into footwear too. The iconic Ugg boot has, understandably, never been more in demand with the rise of the sheepskin trend. Festival favourite Hunter has even gotten in on the act with a new style featuring a cream shearling lining. Shearling not only looks good, but keeps your toes toasty too- what’s not to like? Christopher Bailey for Burberry Prorsum is undoubtedly king of this trend; Burberry’s shearling aviator jackets have been a sell out success.

One of Burberry's sell-out aviator-style jackets (picture via Vogue.co.uk)

Those familiar with these coveted jackets will also be aware of the buckled straps wrapped around the sleeve cuffs. These straps featured on the fashion house’s boots and were also seen on boots at the likes of Miu Miu and Marc Jacobs. Thankfully, this mini-trend of multi straps can be found just about anywhere on the high street too. Look out for boots wrapped in a multitude of straps with plenty of brass buckles thrown in for good measure; think straightjacket chic. Buckles were also a popular accent to the new biker-style boots. Pick of the bunch has to be Burberry, who were on the money again with their flat biker styles. Biker boots should look tough, so look out for stud detailing and worn, washed out black leather.

Another surprise hit is the heeled hiking boot– preferably in leather or suede and, of course, fur lined. Essential features of the heeled hiker are prominent rivets, laces and a thick, raised rubber tread sole like those seen at Rag & Bone. The all-terrain tread may be more style than substance (unless you’re stupidly planning a mountainous trek in yours) but is crucial to this look. The more conventional heeled lace-up was popular on the catwalks too, with Givenchy’s simple yet chic black heeled lace-up epitomising understated cool. Unfussy, casual military-style lace-ups look great on the guys too.

The Chelsea boot has also made a comeback this season; given a modern edge with block heels, prints and colours. The Chelsea boot is a hardworking piece of footwear, teaming well with all things minimalist. Chloe’s heeled tan Chelsea boot looked fantastic with their camel-coloured collection, especially with that sought-after coat. Classic Chelsea styles with a pointed toe look great on the guys, worn with a long coat. The brogue boot also works well with similar styles and looks great in tan colours too. The boys should opt for a classic brogue-style boot; whilst the girls experiment with heeled versions.

 

Chloe's heeled chelsea boot (picture via Vogue.co.uk)

Other points of interest are wedge heels, made relevant in a platform style like Acne’s versions. Try a wedge heel in the form of a peep-toe ankle boot; these look great with skinny jeans in the daytime- if it’s not too nippy out that is! Over the knee style boots also made an appearance but were in no way as popular as they were last autumn. This year they should either be heavily adorned with buckles and straps; or simply classic like Burberry’s plain black pair (we’ll forget about those snakeskin versions- best left to the models ey?). Wear your boots with thick, slouchy socks and you’ll be laughing all the way to January.

Here’s our pick of the high street:

 

BEA Fur Buckle Over Knee Boots, £70 (was £135), Topshop

 

1914 boot in Cherry Red, £125 (RRP), Dr. Martens

Kesham boot, £110, French Connection

‘Lester’ tan boot, £150, Loake @ Burton

Brown Fur Cuff Wedge boot, £75, Urban Outfitters

'Guetta' Chelsea boot, £40, Topman

Be sure to ask Santa for a decent pair this Christmas!

By Katie Fox

J Model Management Fashion Show – by Dan Wilson

Taken by Dan Wilson

Taken by Dan Wilson

Saturday night was no ordinary night at Oceana this week.  The club was transformed into a fashion fanatic’s paradise as part of the J Model Management (JMM) showcase.

Director and photographer, Jessica Minh Anh, led the way down the catwalk in an array of outstanding dresses in the annual ‘J Fashion Show’ held on Saturday October 17.

Presenting Birmingham’s top up and coming model, ten contestants strutted their stuff down the catwalk to impress the judges.

Faced with the chance to win a photo shoot with a professional photographer, dinner for two and a portfolio shoot, the competition heated up as three distinguished fashion styles were tackled.

The first centred on a relaxed contemporary High Street fashion, which appeared to be a mixture of every day High Street trends with an added zing from each stylist.  Every outfit suited each model’s unique style and individuality.

Next came the much awaited swimwear section, which judging by the audience’s whooping and hollering, was most of the audience’s most favourite part.  Beach bodies, fresh from the chisel of Michelangelo himself, adorned the stage, strutting their stuff up and down the catwalk. 

Contestants couldn’t be shy though walking in pieces more suitable for a blazing hot beach, yet I felt considerably sympathetic towards the male model that braved us all in his black Speedos, sunglasses and wellington boots.

The show carried on to showcase J M M model’s styles.  Beginning with affordable street fashion, such as Puma, Henley’s, Converse and Adidas, the lack of high end street fashion, such as Armani, D & G, and Louis Vuitton, became more evident. 

Taken by Dan Wilson

Taken by Dan Wilson

It was the perfect show if you want to know what’s hot and what’s not in the world of student fashion.  Yet, in reflection, it came across as a regurgitated 80’s youth fashion scene with men in straight legged, solid coloured jeans, tops, trainers and flat-peak caps in bright acid colours.

Yet somehow it all seemed to work.  You will be catching me in one of the above in the near future.

Women were similarly dressed; dark, skin tight jeans accompanied by acid coloured polo shirts and other bright tops.  Covering the toes were Converse All Stars or plimsolls co-ordinated with an item above them.

Picking up from the trends on stage, we all need some form of fitted jeans and Converse trainers.  To stay ‘uber cool’, a candy shop colour tee and accessorise with colour co-ordination is a must.

Men – a flat peak, trainers and a hoody.

Women – a brightly coloured bag, earrings and shoes.

Just make it match! It’s all about bold acid colour statements.

 The final part was a seasonal section. With Halloween creeping closer the models were seen in Halloween themed garments. They even acted as if they were putting up a show with little taunts sprinkled into their catwalk runs.

Taken by Dan Wilson

It was a very good show appealing to all audiences by covering all areas of contemporary fashion; casual, high street, ballroom and swimwear.

Don’t be fooled though.  A reincarnation of the London Fashion show is way off the cards, but it could be very soon.

This is a must see event if you’re a student that likes fashion or thinks there ‘trendy’, especially when rounded off with a DJ set.