The Art of Jen Stark

Jen Stark's works are known for their colourful vibrance and abstract figures. Her favourite medium is paper and she uses felt tips and pencil crayons to create the two works shown here. As she states of her work "The drawings are very spontaneous. I don't use any references when I make them. They are simply designs from my head. I do them as a way to break the monotony of cutting all day. It is good to go back and forth between the two [sculpture and drawing] and always be engaged." The contrasting colours are fascinating as they seem to come out of previous eras. Particularly her sculptures, which seem to come with a seventies vibe. "Colour is a very important part of my work. Probably just as important as the shape of the piece. Colour is so eye-catching and beautiful. I think it inspires people and gives them a moment of happiness. I love using it." A valuable artist for today you can see more of Jen's work by clicking here. 

do it yourself - the chain scarf

After seeing Susie Bubble in her United Colours of Benetton red chain scarf more than a couple of times I realized that I really wanted a cool chain scarf of my own. I used superhero colours instead of red but it has much of the same effect. I had some old shrunken american apparel shirts so what I did was cut them up and sew them into tubes. then i stuffed the tubes with cotton balls and sewed the ends together so they ended up in circles. After attaching all the circles in a chain the project was finished and I had a wicked colourful scarf for the cold Canadian Winter and Spring. 

Photography by Lina Scheynius

Lina Scheynius, the Swedish-born photographer, takes fragile and intimate shots of her daily life. Her photographs are known mostly for their natural and raw attitude. Now living in Paris her shots have spread world wide and her photo books have already been sold out. When describing her photography process she states "My favourite pictures are the ones I have taken completely without having a viewer in mind. When I work on my personal pictures the viewer doesn't enter my mind until I start the selection process for my website. And even then I try to not think about him or her. If I did, I think a larger section of my work would remain unseen, as a lot of it is extremely personal to me and not initially captured to be viewed by others, but more to document. Or experiment. I guess that it is my almost forced regard of the viewer that gives the impression that I am fearless." You can see more of her interview with Johanna Reed by clicking here and you can see her website by clicking here. 

Also, not only is Lina a fantastic photographer, she also has cute style. Click on the video below to see her jump around in her wardrobe. 

a dip inside lee's closet - sequins

Most of the time I'm really like a crow. I like shiny things and anything that reflects light instantly catches my eye. This first piece is a sequined beanie that I got in Montreal a year ago. It's like those coloured Bob Marley type beanies except covered with sequins and way more disco. 

These sequined booty always have a bit of sass in them and after wearing them to the beaches of Italy I cannot let them go. I had the habit in grade 12, and still do, of wearing them under skirts and dresses. No one knows that I'm secretly bringing the sass. Unfortunately the chairs at my high school would pick on the bottom and sequins would come off so no sequins on the bottom of these booty shorts. Oh well, they still rock my socks. 

This dress is full of wavy sequins and it's just plain awesome and full out 80's disco. I went to a wedding last year where everyone was dressed up classy. I showed up with this on and it definitely wowed the crowd. 

Rumi of Fashion Toast

Rumi Neely of Fashion Toast hails from San Francisco and has been blogging for just over a year. Known for her laid back attitude her clothes reflect an Alexander Wang and Eric Wasson style. "I think one thing that is quite clear about my style is that I will literally shop anywhere. This creates a wardrobe that's essentially a mash-up of high/low, with a good amount of vintage thrown in there too. I'm definitely influenced by California's beach, casual style and never look too 'done'."

Rumi's blog has reached such heights that with over 5200 followers and counting she definitely has begun to influence the fashion world. "Blogs are (or can be) everyone, all the time, there really is an insanely wide spectrum of viewpoints, inspirations, and opinions rather than just a few magazines I consulted when I was in middle school and high school. The appeal of perpetual fresh content and the power of the ability to connect with so many readers is undeniable." To read her interview with teenVOGUE click here and to visit her blog click here. 

do it yourself - the blood shoe

Inspired by the infamous Susie Bubble I decided to try out her d-i-y for myself. By taking an old pair of grey shoes and adding nail paint I made them wearable again. Just take a bright colour of nailpolish and pour it up the front. Wait for the nailpolish to dry and then turn the shoes over and pour the nail polish down the heel of the shoe. This makes for a defying gravity effect. The shoe made for a quick, cheap, and I must say smelly and I probably lost a few brain cells, yet cool result. 

Photography By Gemma Booth

Gemma Booth became interested in photography from The Face and i-D magazine in the 1990's. "I used to have spreads from those magazines plastered over my walls. All I wanted to do was create stories." Now that's what she does all the time. "I'm not that interested in actual fashion but fashion photography is where I can best express my ideas. Portraits of a natural beautiful girl or boy with his or her own timeless style is more exciting than photographing any model." Her photographs contain  youthful yet elegant elements which she states comes from the fact that that hows she's "thinking and feeling right now." Life seem to seep into her work and the results are stunning. You can see more of her work by clicking here. 

Sacha Hilton

The most stylist boy I've seen on the interweb, this beautiful 18 year old Parisian takes stunning photographs. Solitary moments and some on the dance floor. Photographs which resemble the thoughtfulness of of the infamous Lina Scheynius. Though the scenery is lovely what strikes me the most about his photographs are the nostalgic 50's feel of his outfits. 

Sacha Hilton dresses like something out of a classic film. The first photo looks like something out of La Dolce Vita while the second looks like Audrey Hepburn's love interest in Breakfast at Tiffany's. If one thing is for sure, Sacha is bringing back class. I remember a few months ago wishing that bow ties would come back for they look so slick. Sacha has brought them back, along with some other awesome pieces. I strongly recommend you check out his page by clicking here. 

Proenza Schouler Pre- Fall

With a brand originating from their mothers' maiden names, Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough have made a line synonymous with cool. Designing since 2002 their line is known for its sporty and youthful feel with occasional mod elements. The Pre-Fall collection is no different. Featuring clothing that is wearable yet avant-guard Proenza Schouler mixes colour with dramatic blacks and shiny fabrics. Out of all the pre-fall collections this one is my favourite. 

Julia from Bunny Bisous

Named by Tommy Ton as "fashion's new darling" Julia Frakes, owner of the blog bunny bisous and writer for PaperMag.com, has taken the fashion world by storm. The eighteen-year-old from Scranton starting blogging in 2007 and before ending highschool she had already landed a job at Paper Magazine. When asked why she started blogging she states, "Over the years I've amassed these dusty, overstuffed scrapbooks just bursting with clippings from old books, vintage periodicals, and some of my favourite fashion magazines... Eventually I felt slightly guilty stashing all my inspiration under lock-and-key and thereby resolved to create a playful forum to share my fascination with fashion."

With her elfin-like features and strawberry blonde hair, Julia has a distinct presence. Also, according to Simon Doonan, She typifies the "dainty existentialist." While not blogging  she enjoys reading Jane Austen and Sylvia Plath. When asked about the importance of blogging she states, "Their immediacy and ability to connect like-minded people from around the world is mindblowing! Plus the pure frivolity that might otherwise be considered "a waste of paper" in print media makes for thoroughly entertaining commentary online." This stylish lady will definitely be going places. You can read an interview between her and teenvogue by clicking here and then check out her blog by clicking here. 

Do It Yourself - tie dye your pantyhose

Step 1: get some white or light coloured pantyhose

Step 2.: tie elastic bands around random areas of the pantyhose

Step 3: dip the pantyhose into dye ( or food colouring, not so irritating on the skin)

Step 4: let it dry for a day or two and then take the elastics out.

Walter Van Beirendonck

Walter Van Beirendonck was born in Brecht, Belgium and studied at The Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. His fist breakthrough in the fashion industry was in 1987 at the British Designer Show in London as part of "The Antwerp Six" which included Dirk Van Saene, Dries Van Noten, Dirk Bikkembergs, Anne Demeulemeester and Marina Yee. Beirendonck is inspired by art, music and literature, "all mixed with ethnic and nature influences." Considered one of the main male fashion trendsetters by the media as his collections contain a sense of humour.

Not only does he design for the runway but also for theater, ballet, and film. To add to this array of works he has been a teacher at the Royal Academy for the Arts in Antwerp since 1985. This influential designer creates new shapes and adds a creativity to menswear which has never been seen before. His clothes break boundaries without reaching too far into the extremes which makes his clothing avant-guard yet still wearable for street style. Colourful and vibrant, you can see more of Beirendonck's work by clicking here. 

Street Style Contest Winner - Lucas

He describes his style as easy, carefree, effortless and fun. Lucas from Laguna Beach carries a California cool everywhere he goes and is this months winner of a Pigeon and Peacocks issue. The magazine Pigeon and Peacocks is created by London's renowned School of Fashion, a part of the London School of Art. If you weren't able to enter this month send in your photos to thefashionpress@gmail.com before March 1st and you'll be entered in for next month's context. Meanwhile, grade his outfit out of ten and then check out his blog by clicking here.