How to do an outfit post with Instagram

Challenges, life is full of them. Moving to a new place, finding a job, travelling far from loved ones, even just getting up in the morning with a full-on migraine, when you hardly have 30 minutes to leave the house and cycle to work, in the pouring rain.

However, challenges make us stronger, they polish our character. We become more knowledgeable simply out of practise. In this way, what was a challenge yesterday, today is just part of what you call routine.

My challenge today is doing an outfit post, getting “my mug” out there – challenge number one – using only my dodgy iPhone 3GS and getting help from no one. I’m afraid the little gadget has gone through a lot during these past weeks, but a fashion blogger is a recorder of outfits, so this is just what I do, with my good old mobile.

Mirrors are always helpful when doing a “solo” photoshoot
Tunic: Zara
Opaque tights: Oysho
Trainers: Adidas courtesy of Spartoo

What do you normally use Instagram for?

As you can see, this is just a casual and simple outfit. As I’m only trying out this nifty app for outfit posts, I decided to go easy on the ensemble, one that allowed for shamelessly lying on the carpet.There you go, first challenge of the day, done. Now to continue with my flat hunt, the challenge of the week.

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

David Koma A/W 2012 at London Fashion Week

It was a mild winter morning in London today. Anticipation in the air, a few “I’m on the list” here, some “do you have an invitation” there, Alexa Chung walking by,  and David Koma in the courtyard space at Somerset House. What more can I ask from my new life in the fashion capital?

The show’s notes mentioned “the slender elegance of the 1920’s and the minimal fashion detailing of the 1960’s”. The collection we saw today was about superb feminine shapes, celebrating tight waists and a love of peplum.

The start of the show had a lot of black and white, and a certain Victorian flavour. Masculine collars, tight and embellished with metallic details.

The colour injection was done through the use of
plums, dark blues and subtle dashes of green and gold.

I’m a fan of David Koma, but today’s presentation wasn’t my favourite. I loved how his vision moved him to recreate some
classic and sober lines that other designers seem to be neglecting. Sadly, from where I was, I didn’t get to see the footwear by Alain Quilici which, I heard, was quite something 😉

A special thank you to Modus PR for making this post possible.

Pictures: Fashion Limbo

Does Lana Del Rey deserve a Vogue cover?

I simply couldn’t help it. I saw the cover, I knew I had to buy British Vogue’s March issue. So, one could say that signing the hottest songstress of the moment was the right move. Personally, I’ve been obsessed with her melancholic voice, the David Lynch reminiscent tunes and the somewhat over dramatic, angsty lyrics since Video Games went viral late last year. However, does someone who many would class as the flavour of the month, deserve a Vogue cover?

Wearing Louis Vuitton, she does give good face

Maybe it’s a reflection of today’s concept of fame. Succesful artists need a fast number one, topping iTunes from the word “go”. Number 2 is reason enough to be dropped by a music label. Either you are extremely hot and the media is hungry for you, or you are the next best thing to be forgotten.

Lana Del Rey has so much mysticism surrounding her that we can only more or less guess how she got to be on the coveted British cover. She released her own viral clips last summer, her enigmatic Video Games and Blue Jeans videos going all over the planet before we even knew where she came from. While the world was becoming aware of the vampish looking girl behind the songs, her yet to be released debut record had already been dubbed “the album of the year”.

Having listened to her first album, Born To Die, I was happily surprised to discover she has more than just a few good songs. The cut giving title to the album is epic, so is the video. Other LP highlights are Off To The Races and National Anthem.

There is more to Lana Del Rey than her music. She has an appealing physique, which immediately prompted the press to speculate whether she has collagen enhanced lips. Her retro inspired style has produced countless online picture galleries, magazine features and fashion commentaries.

The thing is, shouldn’t a Vogue cover be reserved for top models? Shouldn’t a photo shoot by none other than Mario Testino be something only established celebrities get to do? With only a few weeks after the release of Born To Die, isn’t the world going slightly too fast that we are consecrating and dumping stars in the blink of an eye?

What do you think? Does Lana Del Rey deserve any glamorous magazine cover that will have her? Or is this cover just a reflection of how fickle this society we live in is?

Pictures: Vogue UK via Fashion Limbo

Madonna’s New Video – not her best, but a sure hit

It was only posted 44 minutes ago and it has already had over 5,500 shares in Facebook. It’s been plugged all over Belgian train stations, there were digital countdowns to the release at London’s bus stops. She has made the news in Spain, the US and everywhere else. It had to be no one else but Madonna.

Just a few days ago the image above was released as the cover for her Give Me All Your Luvin’ single, wearing a Markus Lupfer intarsia star jumper. On Sunday she will perform at the Super Bowl half time break. Today, she released the video for her new single, featuring M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj

My opinion on the song? I don’t love it, but I can see how Madonna mania will take over my existence – which is pretty sad I know – We are going to be singing this tune non-stop. With an insanely catchy chorus it’s not Madonna’s best. As a long time fan I was expecting more. However, truly and honestly, after watching the video once, I immediately wanted to watch it again. It’s very entertaining, and I must admit that the Minaj and M.I.A. bridges are pretty good.

For this new album, named MDNA, she is collaborating with William Orbit who produced the stunning Ray of Light, so we can at least expect a return to the guitar action – and some dance-floor-anthem beats via this album preview megamix – . The rest of the LP has, amongst other highlights, Martin Solveig, more M.I.A. and song titles like I’m A Sinner, Falling Free and the Golden Globe winner Masterpiece.

Now back to you? What do you think? Has Madonna lost the plot completely or is she doing what she does best: conquer the charts? Will you be dancing to this?

Picture: Madonna

UPDATE 1: her Facebook share count has gone past the 7,000 8,600 mark

UPDATE 2: I have now watched the video 4 times – somebody take the computer away from me-

UPDATE 3: I may have or may have not  professed my unconditional luvin’ to her 😉