Thin it to win it

Up until a few months ago, I was blissfully unaware about the concept of "thinspiration". I had a haunting inclination that friends who had suffered from eating disorders in the past had access to corners of the internet where they interacted with others suffering from anorexia or bulimia. In reality though, I've been oblivious to the horrifying world of pro-anorexia websites and blogs that aim to engrain in young women and even men for that matter, a mentality that thin is in and eating is cheating. 


I'm infuriated. It's heartbreaking, it's despicable and it's terrifying. How can those recovering from eating disorders do so when the temptation to relapse into self-depravation of food is a mere mouse-click away? How aware are our governments that these websites are infiltrating pro-anorexia propaganda throughout cyberspace? 


There needs to be legislation passed to ensure the removal and banning of thinspo sites, all across the globe.


I typed the phrase "thinspiration" into google and in 0.14 seconds, 1,590,000 results appeared before me. 


"Real thinspiration - fat girls guide"
"Pro-thinspiration - pro ana tips to lose weight the right way"
"Thinspo: let me be empty and weightless and maybe i'll find some peace tonight"


These are 3 links out of millions available to readers anywhere around the world when they hit search.


(The text, images and quotes posted on these online publications are shocking, however I don't feel it necessary to post them here and further the scale of pro-ana influence).


I scrolled through a number of these websites and I honestly felt sick to my stomach. The faces behind these thinspo blogs are leading young women in particular down a path of death. These girls are literally dying to be thin. Although the mental health of the administrators running these websites may be hindered by eating disorders such as anorexia, their influence on young women around the world is going to be detrimental and should not be excused.


Countries such as France and the USA are now seeing to pass legislation that will ban the horror of pro-anorexia websites, something which has been supported endlessly by Italian Vogue. In an age where the media is often blamed for bombarding us with a falsehood of physical perfection, which to an extent it does, perhaps we forget that there is a whole other world, the interweb, where any human being, in any place, in any state of mind, is free to impose their view on anyone who is there to listen.


Of course eating disorders pre-date the birth of the internet and whether thinspiration exists or not, it's an illness that is going to plague young women especially until the end of time. However, if the scale of influence of reduced and the risk of relapse lessened, the push of pro-ana poison is one less evil which will cease to exist at the touch of a key. 

Franca Sozzani: editor of Vogue Italia supporting ban on thinspo

I Heard They Eat Cigarettes

I was ridiculously stoked and keen-as-beans to work with Melbourne label I Heard They Eat Cigarettes recently, as the fierce and fresh street label take on Asia to join their army of lace'n'leather ridden style junkies. I Heard They Eat Cigarettes is sex, lust and vivacity stitched into garments that are laid-back and cool; street style that isn't superfluous but always has a certain presence about it. 


Founder and designer Chris Brooks, was telling me about how influence is transported from certain eras, reviving the best bits of retro street style - fuck yeah . The label's bloodline was born in the 70s skate & surf scene in California as well as British punk circa Sex Pistols - Hnnnng! Perhaps that's the most badass thing about I Heard They Eat Cigarettes, that it's born out of influence from an era of pervasive influence through art, music, film, and culture beyond comprehension. Substance: it's a fucking powerful trait to have been blessed with, don't you think?

Frothing over those black lace ankle boots until a magic money tree grows in my garden. What's your favourite piece?

Coveting crystals

Many of you may follow the wonderful and talented Madeleine Jones at wekilledCOUTURE and saw her posts about the beautiful titanium aura crystal that she crafted into a ring during her silversmithing course. The crystal itself is absolutely amazing; spanning over three fingers, it catches light and changes colour, looking like solidified petrol in sunlight. 

This is perhaps one of the most amazing pieces of jewellery that I've ever come across and in a few weeks, it will be sitting pretty as the trophy piece amongst my collectables. I'll definitely be wearing it out and about - it's too stunning not to want to show off to the world. Eeeeep!

Images: Madeleine Jones at wekilledCOUTURE.com

Dazed is the right word

So the latest cover of Dazed & Confused just got released featuring Beyoncé dressed head to well, thigh, in Givenchy, dripping ice-cream down that oh-so expensive sleeve of hers. Yeah, I'm drooling.

Lustin'

Unfortunately for my sanity, a morning ritual for me consists of the following: wake up, make tea, check emails, check blackberry, browse fashion online, lust over fashion online, curse my student salary for not being able to afford the clothes I have formed an unhealthy obsession over. 

After hours and hours of begging, pleading and writing for a plethora of idyllic internships, I am waiting with bated breath until someone decides to pluck me from the pack of hopefuls and offers me my dream job AND a salary that exceeds my dismal pizza-girl-pay at present.

Anyway, enough rambling, I think it's about time I pieced together some of my most coveted items of clothing, all of which are entirely out of my reach. Sigh.

TIBI Pleat-front silk shorts, $200 Net-a-porter

Tailored silk shorts in peppermint? These need to become a permanent fixture on my pins. Perhaps by Spring I can save up and get my paws on these, I can just imagine wearing them now donned with a sheer cream blouse and my suede wedges. 

ZIMMERMANN Conversation Leather Skirt, $525

Reduced from $750, I honestly don't think forking out for this beauty would be too extravagant. Black leather gives that timeless, statement-stamping edge to any outfit, yet this silhouette is so soft and feminine. This would definitely be a piece that would take pride of place in my wardrobe for years and years to come.

LOVER Classical Cape, $627

As I'm planning my overseas adventure to New York, Paris & London at the end of this year, delving deep into the heart of their winter, this would be the perfect investment to help me brave the wind, rain, sleet and snow, (whilst avoiding looking like a sack of potatoes under copious layers). I love that where there might be some sun you can show off this beautiful cashmere wonder simply draped over shoulders and under rainclouds can bury yourself in all of its toasty glory.

Having said that, local designer Alice Nightingale has a to-die-for camel wool cape that I might just snap up soon for my overseas trip. At only $120, I could literally kiss her feet for catering to my impoverished, student needs. 

So, the next couple of months are going to entail a great deal of restriction with regard to nights out on the town, impulsive online purchases and taxi fares, in order for me to claim one of my desired wardrobe fantasies. 

Which would you pick: the tailored silk peppermint shorts or the bold-as-hell leather Zimmerman skirt?

Julia deVille

Combining the currency of style in edgy, modern pieces with the eerie-yet-fascinating macabre of taxidermy, Julia deVille is perhaps one of my favourite Australian jewellery makers.


Born and bred in New Zealand, deVille harbours a lust for afterlife in her collections, taking the bones and feathers of animals; the hair from human heads, to create intricately crafted pieces of jewellery that are breathtaking. 


I revel in anything that draws inspiration from the 15th-19th century and deVille's use of taxidermy to revive pieces of Memento Mori is outstanding. Her work deviates from morbidity into symbols of nature, human existence, Elizabethan and Victorian culture and a fascination with the transition of life into death. 


Only one stockist in Brisbane holds some of Julia deVille's jewellery and I think I'll have to take myself there one day this week, as I think each piece will only be more incredible in the flesh, (no pun intended).

Images: Australian Edge and Au Courant

Note: All animals used by Julia deVille were deceased through natural causes not for the sacrifice of art.

Mockingbird Fair

Okay, so for a teeny-weeny project I was working on over the past couple of days for a very special name, I was asked to write a little something about Mockingbird Fair vintage. Let me tell you, it's not often that you're asked to write about something and dumbstruck with filled thumb-twiddling, word-tweaking and tediousness at mustering the passion to really believe in what you're saying. Let me tell you, I definitely did not feel such agony when writing about Mockingbird Fair. In fact, after spending an unhealthy amount of time drooling over the to-die-for vintage pieces on their online store, I think it's safe to say I am now a believer in love at first site. I have never seen such bangin' vintage clothes with such satisfying price tags. Heck, even a lowly pizza girl dreaming of a fashionable budget can afford these beauties. 


Mockingbird Fair have everything from floral, ladylike print dresses, to sassy tailored shorts that any other high-street chain store would exploit for an extortionate price. Not all of the pieces are vintage, but they are rather exclusive and appear to be made exquisitely. 

None of these pieces even come close to swooping over the $50 mark and for a fashion-hungry-yet-painfully-poor student, I think it's safe to say I've just found a new religion in Mockingbird Fair.


I am studying, studying, studying for Uni finals so I shall be posting less, so wish me luck and send a bit of love my way via a comment!