One pure thought

New Clock Opera remix

2010-03-03T22:07:00.003+01:00

This remix by Clock Opera of Phenomenal Handclap Band 'Baby' is being released on Gomma on the 12th March, and was waiting for me in my inbox today - thought I'd share it with you! You'll find more info from Clock Opera at www.myspace.com/clockopera. Forthcoming Clock Opera remixes of Marina & The Diamonds (679) and Yes Giantess (Neon Gold) are coming soon, should be good, I'll keep you posted on that.

Now, listen up!
http://www.mediafire.com/?1myzy1j4ymz

A true fashionista....

2010-01-28T18:47:00.002+01:00

... has an eye for the details

... wear the high heels no one else can take

... never compromise, whether regarding weather, temperature or any other factors

... doesn't let age be an obstacle

(Pics from Jak & Jill, Facehunter and The Sartorialist)

Graphic Givenchy

2009-12-30T14:25:00.001+01:00

The new ads from Givenchy are pretty stunning! Would like one of these jackets for my birthday please... 2nd of January is all I'm saying...

Face of 2009.... and 2010?

2009-12-22T16:15:00.007+01:00

One of the most sought-after models this year have been Lara Stone. She's been everywhere, on all the big covers and shows. Currently she's starring in an amazing fashion shoot in Dazed and Confused's new "Blood and flesh" issue. She's one of several models that now emerge as "the new model" - a different body type from the models we've seen the last few years, for instance Kate Moss, Gemma Ward and Natasha Poly. The trend has gone from skinny androgynous to a fuller figure. Maybe this will continue in 2010? Stone is at least my new favourite model, with her awkward walking, amazing body and a big gap between her front teeth.

Cravings....

2009-12-22T00:25:00.003+01:00

A few items I'm craving right now from swedish brand Gina Tricot. All mostly black!

Inspiration!

2009-12-20T15:52:00.003+01:00

I'll do my hair like this during Christmas! Amazing shoulders as well.

Pictures from weheartit.com

Underwear as outerwear

2009-11-16T23:37:00.008+01:00

Lingerie was all over the catwalks for SS/10, and not just on Victoria Secrets. A lot of designers used underwear as outerwear, for instance Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Dolce & Gabbanna and Antonio Berardi. They've all done so very elegantly, by keeping the colours neutral and giving it a soft look, rather than a trashy one. The key is to pair a silk camisole with trousers and long jackets, so that you don't bare too much. Keep the make-up to a minium as to avoid looking more Courtney Love than old Hollywood (There's nothing wrong with looking like Courtney by the way, just make sure you know what signals you are sending out.)

Pictures from top: Stella McCartney, Antonio Berardi. (Style)

But for partying you can go all out. I love the L.A-look that's popped up on a lot of streetstyle-blogs the last year. Black lace, bodys, dark make-up and messy hair, paired with a fake furcoat. That's how I wanna party this winter.

Pictures: Facehunter

Picture: The Cobrasnake

Look of the day - winter edition

2009-11-13T14:33:00.002+01:00

Way to look cool and stay warm!

Picture from HEL-LOOKS

See more cool people @ HEL-LOOKS

Colourful Gray

2009-11-13T14:17:00.004+01:00

So yeah, I thought my hang-up on the 80s were almost over. How long can you walk around in sheer pastels, light pink lips and mashed-up patterns anyway?

Then came Louise Gray's 2010 Spring/Summer collection, and my crush was BACK. It's a bit cold for it now, but come May I'll be sporting this look for sure. The colours look so randomly put together (of course they're not) but it somehow works. Love the styling as well. Suddenly the 80s feels right AGAIN.

Louise Gray SS/2010

Look of the day

2009-11-11T18:00:00.001+01:00

Picture: Marc by Marc Jacobs

I absolutely love this look from Marc by Marc Jacobs. Vibrant colours will get me through the winter. The combination of THAT blue and THAT pink is just pure coolness.

It's dandy!

2009-11-05T20:15:00.004+01:00

Whatever happened to the word "dandy"? No one ever uses it anymore. Well, I'm gonna bring it back as of now. The reason? This amazing photo shoot from the latest Dazed & Confused, of course! Entitled "We can be heroes" it showcases simple elegance, inspired by old Hollywood, and amazing hair cuts. It's dandy. There. I said it.

Picture from dazeddigital.com

(Yes, my blog is up and running again, after several months of silence. It's funny how inspiration always hits me while I'm in the middle of uni work...)

More pics from Milan

2009-08-06T20:49:00.002+02:00

The original Prada store.

Galleria Emmanuel Vittore (big shopping center).

Duomo. (I wasn't allowed in, they told me to "cover up your legs!")

Ciao bella, Milan!

2009-08-05T20:21:00.004+02:00

Change of scenery: Took the train from Como to Milan today. Now relaxing in the most tacky hotel room I’ve EVER seen! I know Milan is supposed to be the capital of style, but as style points go, Hotel King gets NIL – NADA- NULL. It’s sort of Indian-themed with big Persian carpets and curtains everywhere, painting, wallpapers, big mirrors and dark wooden cupboards, and nothing go together! They could’ve just put an IKEA bed and carpet in here instead, and it would’ve looked nicer. Worst thing is, they probably spent loads of money on this circus. OK, enough of that. It’s comfortable and the room is big, at least.

First impression of Milan is better than expected. Easy to find your way around, pretty quiet and relaxed, and warm: 32 degrees (a bit too warm). Just been checking out the neighbourhood Corso Magenta today, saw the local church St. Ambrogio and had a very nice mozzarella/ham sandwich and then some ice cream. Ah. Now planning sightseeing for tomorrow, will probably head down to the city centre and see the cathedral Duomo and the main train station among other things. If the temperature stays like this, I might have to take a trip outside the city one day to go swimming!

P.S: Oh, and I definitely need to get a scooter. Everyone here has it, and they look so damn cool. Saw a guy speeding past on his scooter whilst smoking cigar, wouldn’t see that anywhere else haha. Oh, and the Milanese are actually friendlier than the other Italians I’ve met, nice surprise.

The Italy-appeal

2009-08-04T17:20:00.004+02:00

The sun came out today, and I could see the total Italy-appeal. It’s a whole different story in nice weather! Started the day by checking out the swimming pool on top of the hotel. (Managed to get proper sunburnt, ouch…) Then went on a boat trip on lake Como, went past a dozen other small villages. It almost reminded me a bit about home; the lake is quite narrow, so almost like a fjord, with mountains and hills on both sides. The houses look different, of course, and there are a lot of amazing villas on top of the hills. I’m guessing you can only get to those by helicopter or by walking. For the rich and famous, for sure! I think one of the villas we went past is actually George Clooney’s. Didn’t see him, though…

Another thing I noticed today is how they don’t have any international brand stores here, I’ve only seen one McDonalds and that’s it. They only have Italian grocery stores that sell fresh ingredients. It’s the same with the clothing stores; almost just Italian ones. It’s nice when you get to a country and actually notice that you’re in a different country, not like Oslo, which might as well have been Stockholm or any American city. But I imagine Milan will be a bit more international, headed there tomorrow. Excited, and ready for more action!

Come sta, Como?

2009-08-03T19:31:00.002+02:00

OK, so I swore that this blog would be about stuff that matters, art, fashion etc. But I wanted to blog a bit while I’m residing in Northern Italy. I’ll try and keep it professional. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna turn all Cory Kennedy on you and publish my whole life story.

So, first time in Italy. Living up to the clichés so far. Rude people, crazy traffic, beautiful lakes, good food, wine, espresso, weird opening times and lots of energy. Only unorthodox thing: The weather. Today it’s been pouring with thunder and lightning. And when I say pouring, I mean POURING. Therefore didn’t get to do much sightseeing, but managed to find my way down to the city centre (it’s quite small), hiding under a Hotel Como umbrella. So much for pretending to be a local. When I came down to the piazza in front of the church Duomo, my hat almost blew off, and it felt like being in a movie. I run into the nearest bar and ordered a coffee. It was obviously the hangout-spot for old Italians. Not much to do in Como when bad weather, I discovered. Hopefully it’s better tomorrow, so I can take a boat trip on the lake and hike up the hillside to look at Verdi’s old villa. Perhaps Versace’s as well. After all, Como is the town where Kennedy romanced Marilyn Monroe, Oceans 12 was filmed and Brangelina were rumoured to get married.

Note: All nationalities are totally living up to the stereotypes. I’ve mentioned the Italians. Last night I sat next to the whiniest German family ever. They complained about everything from the wine to the food, and didn’t even talk to each other. All the while sitting outside at a nice restaurant next to a beautiful lake in Northern Italy… Today: Americans. Two girls sitting next to me at a restaurant, asking all these difficult questions to the waiter, in English of course. (Not that I speak Italian, but at least I don’t expect them to know all the English words either) The waiter had to fetch some rice to show them what it looked like. The girl then exclaimed, “It’s different in America”, and started explaining what it was like there. Like anyone cared. I got a bit embarrassed, and had to look down. But then again, observing other people is the best thing about travelling alone. And I’m sure I live up to the Scandinavian stereotype as well. Tall, silent, arrogant, right?

Moz is a legend

2009-06-21T22:20:00.003+02:00

I saw my big hero Morrissey live in Oslo last night, at Sentrum Scene. For me it was really special, considering I've only seen him once before at a festival. It was amazing to be in the same room as 800 other Smiths- and Morrissey-fans, and hear songs like "Some girls are bigger than others" and "This charming man". The first half of the set Moz was looking a bit tired and it felt like the band didn't put too much effort in. But then, some drama: A guy threw a beer at Morrissey, and they stopped playing. Moz demanded that security would find the guy before they came on stage again, and marched off. We were all starting to worry that the gig might be over. But after a while they came on again, to much applause. The atmosphere was a bit strange, to say the least. But with "How can anybody possibly know how I feel" Morrissey punched back, and the gig got actually much better after the incident. Seemed like it sparked a "fuck all"-attitude in the old Mancunian. Highlight of the evening was "How soon is now?", maybe my nr.1 Smiths favourite. Of course, Johnny Marr's signature is missing and it can never be as good as it was back in the Smiths-era. But just to hear the song live was incredible and really moved me, I even got chills! "Life is a pigsty" proved to be a good surprise, the recorded version is not one of my favourites, but it worked really well live. Again, might have had something to do with Morrissey's mood after the beer throwing. If he didn't like Norway before (because of the whale hunting), he must hate us now! But at the end he came on for a couple extra songs, took off his shirt and seemed pretty content. If you could ever call Morrissey content. Despite the strange episode, the gig proved that Morrissey is a legend. He wouldn't be Morrissey if he didn't walk off that stage. He is after all one of the most original popstars out there.

New buy #2

2009-06-20T19:01:00.003+02:00

Bought these shoes today, but can't decide if they're too grown-up... I like the details, the zipper, and the heel is right, but they might look a bit old? What do you think?

Proenza Scholer - resort collection

2009-06-20T17:48:00.004+02:00

The New York duo behind Proenza Schouler made the perfect summer outfit in their new resort collection; perfectly cut, tailored and chic. Plus, it's something that you can easily wear both day and evening, and the fabrics look comfortable and breathable. If I had some cash, I would definitely opt for these outfits this summer:

(Pictures from Style)

New buy #1

2009-06-19T21:52:00.002+02:00

Thought I'd blog a bit about new buys, the first one being this vintage tuxedo jacket. Got it for 365 NOK in a charity shop, which is about 30 pounds. Vintage is rather expensive in Norway (as everything else). I miss going to charity shops in the UK and purchase clothes for three quid... Oh well. I had to have this jacket anyway, the fit was perfect and I love everything that's blue and masculine. Except for Chelsea.

Marc Jacobs!!

2009-06-19T21:47:00.004+02:00

I got my first Marc Jacobs item when my sister came back from Tokyo. This bracelet! Blends totally in with my new 80s look. I adore it. (Yes, I'm a sucker for brands, go on...)

Annie Hall

2009-06-15T18:23:00.004+02:00

I watched the old classic Woody Allen film "Annie Hall" yesterday and got really inspired by the outfits Diane Keaton wore. After doing a bit of research (well, I googled it..) I found out that it in fact was her own clothes. Ties, scarfs, high-waisted jeans and shorts with wide legs, hats and shirts make out the cool menswear outfits. There were only a few pictures of them available on the Internet, though. So I suggest you watch the film!

Alert! The Knife opera!

2009-06-13T19:52:00.004+02:00

Remember I told you that The Knife was making an opera about Darwin? It wasn't just a dream! First sample is out, listen to it here: Pitchfork

Sounds pretty amazing doesn't it?! The premiere is on the 2nd of September in Copenhagen, and the opera is called "Tomorrow, in a year."

Happy up here

2009-06-11T20:28:00.001+02:00

This picture from The Sartorialist really puts me in a happy mood!

New star: Alice McColm

2009-06-09T19:42:00.005+02:00

Graduate Fashion Week is going on in London at the moment, and a lot of the future design stars start out there. I noticed particularly one designer that stood out; Alice McColm who made a knitwear collection that was part Sandra Backlund, part Rodarte. Cobweb knits in pastels and fake fur with weird detailing. Looks out of this world, but somehow I can see people like Sarah Jessica Parker and Diane Kruger wearing it.

Preen resort collection

2009-06-09T19:24:00.002+02:00

Preen keep on repeating themselves, but I don't care when it looks this good! Sportswear, bandage dresses, relaxed and sexy are key words for their new resort collection.

(Pics from style.com)

Marc Jacobs resort 2009

2009-06-07T21:27:00.002+02:00

I loved the mix of patterns in Marc Jacobs new resort collection. Especially the Hawaiian prints and stripes. Very summery and a bit French cool.

(Pics off style.com)

Outfit of the day

2009-06-05T23:30:00.004+02:00

Denim shirt, 2ndhand

Dress, BikBok

Shoes, Converse

Sunglasses, Nille

Lesson 1: How to dress for summer

2009-06-02T20:04:00.003+02:00

I wouldn't mind dressing like Chloe Sevigny this summer. Old-school cool.

(Picture from style.com)

The curious case of buttons

2009-06-01T13:20:00.004+02:00

There's something incredibly fascinating about buttons. Something so small can actually make or break a clothing item. Buttons is everything, really. They can expensive a look, or toughen it. I wonder how much time designers take to consider which buttons to put on. In the documentary about Marc Jacobs/Louis Vuitton, he and his design team spent hours trying to figure out where to place the buttons on the bags. I remember going through my mum's sewing kit when I was younger, collecting the nicest buttons. Later I put them on my t-shirts and bags, and the clothes felt entirely new. I still enjoy going through the button collection.

Talking of all things buttons, I found this article on Vice about the world's button collector number one. Read it and don't listen to the band Fuck Buttons!

Hidden Manchester

2009-06-01T13:07:00.004+02:00

Andrew Paul Brooks is a talented photographer from Manchester. His new exhibition "Hidden Manchester" really mesmerized me when I saw it in the gallery Urbis a while ago. He's showing us a completely different Manchester. Together with so-called urban explorers, he's found his way into the hidden corners, towers, tunnels and gateways of the city. With the help of digital retouching, his photos look mystical, dark and exciting, like almost from a fairytale. If you're in Manchester, check out the exhibition, which is on 'til the 5th of July. If not, you can see the photos here.

Not exactly sportswear...

2009-05-30T12:00:00.004+02:00

I would say wearing your national costume is a sort of fashion statement. It takes guts... Or maybe I'm just trying to defend the fact that I look like an old lady in this picture. Anyways, I'm wearing my bunad, which is the Norwegian national costume that we wear at 17th of May (the national day) and at other various occasions. This picture has been requested...by Alison.

From Wikipedia: "A bunad is a traditional Norwegian costume, typically of rural origin. Bunads are local to Norway'straditional districts, and the result both of traditional evolution and organized efforts to discover and modernize traditional designs. The designs are typically elaborate, with embroidery, scarves, shawls and hand-made silver or gold jewellery. There are bunads both for men and women, although women's bunads are more diverse and popular. (...) Although bunads are based on traditions in various areas, these designs are embellished by additions such as embroidery. The overarching sense of bunad design is to preserve the way people dressed for festive occasions in one particular era. This has led local and national councils to impose official constraints on various details in the bunad, including colors, fabric, embroidery, jewellery, cut, and allowable headwear."

(Pic from Wikipedia)

Look! Hel Looks!

2009-05-29T00:16:00.004+02:00

Hel Looks is probably my favourite street style blog. It's from Helsinki, Finland, and one of the things that inspires me the most. What sets it apart from other blogs, like Oslonights or Copenhagen streetstyle, is two things. 1. The photos are always quality. 2. The Finnish people obviously dress for no one but themselves, which I find really appealing. That's the point about fashion! Here in Norway we think too much about what other people expect you to wear, and what they will think. On Hel Looks you can see people wearing the craziest stuff. Not everything's pretty. Some of it's downright ugly or hilarious. Young and old, girls and boys, they all look original and interesting, and you really get a sense of their personalities through the way they dress. You wanna get to know them! And the best thing is, it doesn't look like they're trying hard at all. It's not forced, and not based so much on trends. They're having fun with fashion and not giving a fuck about what you're supposed to wear. And it works, damn right.

Be inspired: http://hel-looks.com/

True lesbian love story

2009-05-28T16:21:00.003+02:00

Another recommendation: Fagget fairys from Copenhagen. They're playing Oslo the 26th of June, venue yet to be announced. Check them out at: http://www.myspace.com/faggetfairys

They describe themselves as a "true lesbian love story" and their music as "true-school club music, but at the same time solid pop with catchy riffs." I think the best thing about their music is the dead cool solid beats and balkan-inspired rapping.

Modernaire in Oslo!

2009-05-24T18:23:00.003+02:00

For those of you based in Oslo, I'd like to recommend a gig on the 29th of May at Garage in Oslo. A Manchester-based band called Modernaire is playing. They started out way before La Roux, but has the same cold electro sound with a girl singing. They're a three piece, and one of them DJs at the infamous Sex with robots nights in Manchester. I think it's their first time playing Norway, so you should definitely check them out. Their songs "Scalpel" and "Bloodshed in the woodshed" will be hits as soon as they get them released, I'm sure. So go down, and in a few months you'll be the trendiest kid on the block when you're able to say "Oh, Modernaire? Yeah, I saw them way back before they even released an album..."

www. myspace.com/modernairetheband

Outfit

2009-05-24T11:47:00.003+02:00

2ndhand jacket, my mom's scarf, American Apparel skirt and Zara sandals.

Costume ball

2009-05-12T11:13:00.003+02:00

Here's some of my favourite outfits from last week's Costume Institute ball:

Agyness Deyn and Twiggy

Marc Jacobs and Kate Moss

Natalia Vodionova

Kate Bosworth

Alice Dellall

Moody

2009-04-30T20:41:00.000+02:00

A mood board of my inspirations lately...

Trashy

2009-04-28T00:51:00.004+02:00

Yes, I'm on the 80s wagon. Help, get me out of here!!

Jacket, bought on sale

Tights, Gina Tricot

Bag, Primark

Shoes, Eurosko

Dress, Topshop

Sunglasses, Rags to bitches

Denim shirt, 2ndhand

Rockabilly style

2009-04-26T20:24:00.004+02:00

I've had a good easter blogging break, but am now back with a B O O M. After having fallen asleep a bit in trend class (not literally), I went to Manchester and got some new inspiration. I've decided to step up (no, not 2 the streets) my fashion game, and so should you.

What I noticed from the shops, is that denim is seriously everywhere, from thrift shops to Topshop to designer boutiques. A lot of the denim items, especially the jackets, seem to be inspired by the 50's Rockabilly look. I found an amazing denim jacket with studs that read "Devils" at the back; a typical Rockabilly reference. (Sadly enough, it didn't fit!) So one of my style references for spring will definitly be Rockabilly, as well as the 80's. The clue to the style is to not make it look too retro and dated. Keep the tattoos to a minimum and make sure that your make-up and cleavage doesn't tip the look over to trashy. With both this style and the 80's style, there's a thin line between looking cool and trashy - make sure you're on the right side of it. (An example: Lady GaGa is on the wrong side, Agyness Deyn on the right...)

So let's start backcombing our hair, and meet spring with red-painted lips and the Grease soundtrack.

Fashion shoot

2009-04-02T19:17:00.002+02:00

I just styled a fashion shoot for the student paper Peikestokken. It's real 80s style. You can see some of the pictures here, on the photographer's site: www.olaniemann.com

(Navigate to the pictures called Sunniva.)

Part Bowie, part Crawford

2009-03-30T21:03:00.004+02:00

I'm no good with make-up. But watching Marc Jacobs' fall show, you couldn't help but notice how each model had a totally unique make-up and hairstyle. It really gave the clothes that extra oomph, and strengthened the total eighties club kid look. Part Bowie, part Boy George, part Cindy Crawford. Now, where's that eyeliner...

New bands!

2009-03-22T15:02:00.004+01:00

I went to a gig Friday, where the winners of this year's Urørt competition, Norma Sass and Pony the Pirate played. Two very nice new aqquiantances! It's cool to see new bands that really put some effort into their live gigs! Pony the Pirate is a kind of Arcade Fire band, with a very energetic saxophone player that waves his hands and looks like the breakdancer in Beck's band. Norma Sass, meanwhile, plays happy indie and the singer looks like Debbie Harry.

Two bands definitly worth checking out:

Norma Sass

Pony the pirate

Seymour attitude

2009-03-16T20:20:00.001+01:00

Stephanie Seymour's got the kind of rock chick attitude you're gonna need this season if you're gonna pull of the whole leather/lace look.

God is in the details

2009-03-09T21:00:00.005+01:00

God is in the details. I can imagine that's something Dries van Noten knows, 'cause God was definitely present at the designer's show in Paris today. What details! It was utter perfection from beginning to end. Amazing, unexpected colours lifted the retro-look of pilot jackets, camel brown coats, brown leather courts and leather skirts to a whole new level. The inspiration from post-world war 2 fashion was clear enough, but with the use of mint green, camel, pink, purple, yellow and orange it looked very modern and fresh. Bright red lips, pilot glasses and snakeskin bags gave it a hint of luxury and youth - something to feel good about. The collection is right on top of my list of this seasons collections, next to Marc Jacobs. 1940s mixed with 1970s and impeccable details = autumn 2009 for me!

See the whole collection at Style.

On trend: Coral

2009-03-08T18:41:00.005+01:00

Vogue reported it a year ago, but it takes a season or two for the (norwegian) stores to catch up. But finally, the colour coral has started to pop up in the stores. Different shades of coral will be big this spring, and you'll find it on anything from jeans to tops to dresses. Find the shade that suits you best and decide what look you wanna go for; quirky British-ness like Luella, or proper dressed up like Lanvin. A beautiful colour any way, that was all over the spring/summer catwalks back in October.

Lanvin: ladylike.....

.... or quirky like Luella...

....or sporty like DKNY....

....romantic like Chloe?...

... or something out of the ordinary, like Christopher Kane?

Puh(g)...

2009-03-05T21:11:00.001+01:00

This autumn you'll dress like the world is going under (according to Gareth Pugh, at least).

(Pics from style.com)

The Whitest Boy Alive

2009-03-03T21:05:00.003+01:00

One of my favourite bands, The Whitest Boy Alive, just released a new album, "Rules". I haven't listened to the whole album yet, but LOVE the songs "1517" and "Island" that's out on their Myspace. I'll see them live again in Manc 18th of April.

http://www.myspace.com/thewhitestboyalive

Pattern mix

2009-03-03T20:59:00.003+01:00

I loved Marni's crazy pattern mix; tights and skirts in completely different patterns. It balances on the right side, so looks elegant and ladylike instead of childish and Kelyy Osbourne-ish. The fabrics have got a lot to do with that. Best thing is, I don't have to wait 'til autumn to dress like this, since it's still winter here in Norway!

(Pics from The Sartorialist)

Gina Tricot online

2009-03-01T19:27:00.003+01:00

I may be a bit behind, but I've just discovered swedish line Gina Tricot has got an online shop. It's only available for Scandinavians, though. Their ads are always really tacky, but suprisingly enough there's a few nice things on their site. Might order some of this, actually:

Linder Sterling

2009-02-28T18:00:00.005+01:00

As Susie Bubble reported today, the beautiful prints on Richard Nicoll's newest collection were made in collaboration with Manchester-based artist Linder Sterling. She's associated with the rise of the post-punk scene that happened in Manc at the end of the 70s, and is famous for her punky prints. She's given Nicoll's collection a totally new edge!

Norwegian article

2009-02-25T23:30:00.002+01:00

For my Norwegian readers:

Eg har skrive ein artikkel om samanhengen mellom børsen og skjørtelengda! Den finn du her:

Historia om børsen og skjørtelengda

The cool kids

2009-02-25T23:15:00.003+01:00

Just some pics of the cool kids hanging out at LFW.... Inspiration information.

Pictures from style.com, The Sartorialist and Facehunter.

Today's favourites

2009-02-24T11:36:00.003+01:00

Some of my favourite outfits from todays shows:

LUELLA

MARIOS SCHWAB

ERDEM

London calling

2009-02-23T12:08:00.004+01:00

It's always refreshing to see LFW's offerings in between NY, Milan and Paris. There's something special about London, it's my favourite fashion week. Mainly because the designers showing there are younger, more fun, more experimental and daring. Anything goes, really. For the last few seasons, there's been three designers I feel that have really stood out from the crowd; Christopher Kane, Todd Lynn and Richard Nicoll. They've all managed to find their own signature and build up their own brands in a short amount of time, but still manage to suprise us every season. Take Kane, as an example. He started out with ultrashort body-con dresses in neon colours. Since then, he's gone from black witches to Beverly Hills in the 90's, to sophisticated outerwear, to Planet of the Apes looks, and now: Understated working class mixed with glamour! His newest collection mixes scottish checks with organza and chiffon, and in a way it seems more 2009 than anything else.

Todd Lynn cuts a mean suit (for both sexes) and oozes rock'n'roll.

Richard Nicoll, meanwhile, combines colours and styles in his own way - from spring's pastels, he's now gone for silver, grey and white, a truly modern mix.

I'm in love with LOVE

2009-02-19T22:11:00.004+01:00

Katie Grand's new fashion magazine, LOVE, hit the glossy newsstands today! It's described like this on their website:

Love is more than just a fashion magazine. Love is a twice-yearly compendium of inspiration - for designers, for artists, for anyone looking for visual ideas; for anyone who loves fashion and design so much that they want to climb inside the heads of their heroes. Love doesn't follow fashion: it sets fashion's agenda.

Grand was previously the editor of POP magazine, who closed down last year. I'm hoping I can get my hands on this magazine somehow, it is 2009.

Never Denim

2009-02-18T23:50:00.002+01:00

Norwegian brand Bik Bok launched its new collection, Never Denim, in January. This brand has previously been considered a bit of a teen brand, with the likes of Miss Sixty, but it seems they're trying to change that now. This is something else! I'm loving the studded denim dress in the first picture - praying that my local store will pick it up!!

Rodarte FW/09

2009-02-18T23:38:00.001+01:00

My favourite collection from today's shows was Rodarte:

MJ! Oh MJ!

2009-02-17T21:31:00.003+01:00

I've been warming towards the 80s for a while now. Luckily, so has Marc Jacobs! He's not only referencing the 80s, he's recreating it! His FW/09 collection takes it almost painfully far out; he calls it a tribute to New York in the 80s. Lots of vibrant colours, shoulder pads, bubble skirts, curly hair á la Alexis in the Dynasty and printed tights - it might be what women need in these difficult times? Power dressing never hurt anyone.

More posts on New York Fashion Week the following days!!

Credit crunch fashion

2009-02-12T19:32:00.004+01:00

So New York fashion week 09 hasn't officially started yet, but a few designers have started showing their collections already, namely Jenni Kayne, Acne and Lyn Devon. Their collections are quite classic, based on simple, clean-cut clothes, but with energetic colours. Must be the credit crunch effect kicking in.

(Jenni Kayne FW/09)

Acne SS/09

2009-02-05T20:35:00.003+01:00

This is how I wanna look this spring:

http://www.acnestudios.com/collection/fashion-show-ss-09

Acne always does it. Cool and functional, with a Scandinavian twist. You can definitely see some Marc Jacobs in there (the see-through pants, the art deco references) but it's done in a simpler cut with cleaner lines and less accessories. Except for the cowboy hats, of course. How can you go wrong with cowboy hats named Sue Ellen? A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

Topshop, how I miss thee

2009-02-04T19:26:00.001+01:00

God, I really miss having Topshop just a short busride away... Here's a few items I'm craving this spring...

When the going gets tough, get creative

2009-01-31T18:00:00.002+01:00

Fuck the financial crisis! You can still look cool and extravagant. "When the going gets tough, get creative", as the magazine Plastique put it. With this in mind, Balmain is spot on with its SS/09 collection. The amazing collection consists of bejewelled marching band jackets, ripped acid washed jeans, skin-tight glittery dresses and high-heeled shoes with studs. It oozes 80s power ballads, Madonna, Mick Jagger and groupies. It might not do anything for your bank account, but be sure: It will lift your spirits in these doom-like times!

Julie Driscoll

2009-01-28T22:13:00.003+01:00

Heard about this amazing singer named Julie Driscoll in a lecture the other day (!) This version of Dylan's "Wheels on fire" is absolutely fab! Note to myself: Must look more into this.

You can see the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA0Z-5jXBL4

Boikott

2009-01-27T19:37:00.004+01:00

Dei nye bergenske it-banda Fjorden baby! og Jon Olav Nilsen & gjengen oppførte seg som drittungar då dei deltok i Urørt-finala på Samfundet i Trondheim forrige helg. Etter finalen starta dei slåsskampar bak scena og slo ned to av dei frivillige studentane som jobba der. Den eine måtte på sjukehus og sy fleire sting. Samfundet har meldt dei til politiet både for dette og hasjrøyking backstage. Verkar som om Loddefjord-kidsa har misforstått begrepet punk. Trur neppe dei startar ein revolusjon ved å slå ned frivillige studentar. Samfundet har sendt ut e-postar til andre studenthus for å advare dei mot å booke bandet. Eg henger meg på.

Ser ut som punkeopprøret er over for banda før det hadde byrja. Litt synd eigentleg. Dei hadde unekteleg kule namn.

Today's outfit

2009-01-26T21:40:00.004+01:00

Cheap Monday leather skirt, 2ndhand sweater, H&M cardigan.

Acceptable in the 80s

2009-01-25T23:01:00.005+01:00

It's official: My new style icons are Krystle and Fallon from Dynasty! Since the re-runs of this old Spelling-show started running, I've been hooked. And it's not because of the storyline (although it's pretty good, to be honest). No, it's because of the huge shoulder pads, the big hair, the amazing jewelry, the high-waisted jeans and the suits in pastels. Bomb! Everything was big in the 80s. Everything was great in the 80s.

Get on it.

Red haired beauty

2009-01-24T12:10:00.003+01:00

The movie "The curious case of Benjamin Button", starring Cate Blanchett and Brad Pitt, is based on a book by Scott Fitzgerald. It looks odd, to say the least, but I'm really looking forward to seeing it, mainly because of the fabulous styling of Cate Blanchett. She's got red hair for this movie, and seeing as the movie takes place in the 40's, the clothes look very chic. At least from these pictures!

Been thinking of dying my hair this colour actually...

January playlist

2009-01-22T19:40:00.002+01:00

January is a cold, dark, shitty month. Thank God there's some hot electro-tracks out there to bounce to!

Move - CSS (Cut copy remix)

Never miss a beat - Kaiser Chiefs (Cut copy remix... again!)

Rock'n'roll attitude - Calvin Harris

Headlock - Esser

Golden cage - Whitest boy alive (Fred Falke remix)

Bloodshed in the woodshed - Modernaire

Paris is burning - Ladyhawke

Disco sirens - Justice vs. Soulwax

Spring campaigns

2009-01-22T15:34:00.005+01:00

The new SS/09 ads have started popping up. Here's a few of my faves so far:

YSL

YSL's ads are always sooo elegant, but they've really upped the game this time! Claudia Schiffer clad in a white suit outside the Hollywood signs? Amazing!! Reminds me a bit of my nowadays style icon, Crystle from The Dynasty. (More on that later...)

Topshop have gone for the 80's rock look, with the acid washed tight denim and leopard sofa. Not bad.

Sportmax's ad shows one of springs huge trends: Bold colour-blocking.

Versace has gone for those models: Kate and Gisele. Not the most exciting choice, but the styling of this ad is really simple and therefore showcases this amazing dress in the best way, Kate or no Kate. I love the idea of mixing a detailed high fashion dress with tussled beach hair!

Kings of indie

2009-01-13T00:02:00.003+01:00

I've recently discovered a new Norwegian band called I Was a King. Well, not exactly new, seeing as they released an EP beginning of 2007 to rave reviews in the UK press, but new to me. Haven't heard their full new album yet, but it's already crowned best album of 2009 in the Norwegian press.... The song "Norman Blaik" is filled with references to Teenage fanclub, very melodious and reminds me a bit of Lemonheads. No wonder it consists of one part Harrys gym frontwoman Anne Lise Frøkedal and Serena Maneesh's Emil Nicolaisen. It's also recorded in good old Sufjan Stevens studio in New York. Thank God for a decent Norwegian indie band - there's not many around...

www.thebulgariandisco.no

www.myspace.com/iwasaking

Mini-dress and -5 degrees.

2008-12-10T19:32:00.005+01:00

I've been looking through some photos at The Sartorialist (http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/), and I love how smart and elegant these people look - it looks very effortless, although I'm sure it's not... But maybe it's just a different way of thinking about dressing in Paris and Milan? For them it's all about the aesthetics. Here in Norway you have the horrible cold weather to adjust to, and it's not that easy to look effortless chic when the wind is ruining your hair, your legs are cold and your high heels are struggling with the slippery ice. Most people dress for functionality alone - trainers, woolen jumpers and big coats. It's not very inspiring...

I've given up on dressing for the weather, really. Most of my dresses are short and thin, my jackets as well. Today I wore a mini-dress with tights and a short fake fur in -5 degrees. Ouch. I've bought some proper boots though, finally, and do have to give in to that functional, warm wollen jumper sometimes. But only when alone!

A Damien Hirst exhibition and bad excuses

2008-12-02T20:47:00.005+01:00

I'm not even gonna try and explain why this blog has been down for about two months now... Let's just say it's got something to do with me doing a journalism degree. Funnily enough, I'm writing now, two days before my exam! I'll try and keep the blog updated more often - need to keep my English up and running...

A few weeks ago I went to an art exhibition in Flø, about 40 min from here. It's a small island with just a few people and one art gallery. The owner of the art gallery is a young man, and he's been doing good things there. This time he actually got the English mastermind Damien Hirst to exhibit his works there! I went to see the exhibition and it was really interesting, especially in that context - you look outside and see the waves coming against you and can hear the old school building (which is what the gallery used to be) bending over... There were a couple sculptures, including the famous head skull, and about 20 prints. It's only the second time Hirst's work are being exhibited in Norway, and they came straight from New York, Tokyo and London. Talk about sensation! The gallery owner talked us through the works, and even my grandma got something out of it.

The exhibition is open 'til the 28th of December in Gallery Hugo Opdahl, Flø.

It's the best time of year! (Fashion week)

2008-09-11T18:53:00.005+02:00

N.Y Fashion week is almost over, and we still have London, Milan and Paris to look forward to! As much as I love taking a peek at the spring shows, I find myself often looking at the frontrow and behind the scenes pics first. Here are a few of my faves so far:

(Pics off Style and Facehunter)

Chuck Bass I hardly knew you

2008-09-08T21:23:00.003+02:00

The new Gossip girl season has begun, and man does it kick ass!! I've just seen the 1st episode and the 2nd one is out tonight. Epic comments and outfits gives hope that this season is even better than the first one! Not surprisingly it's CHUCK BASS who steals the show... who gives a crap about Serena?

Some legendary one-liners:

Blair: "Damn that motherchucker!"

Eric: "He's got the PA on speed dial???" (about Chuck)

Watch it here: http://www.sidereel.com/Gossip_Girl

Let's put on checked shirts and chop some wood

2008-08-24T14:19:00.004+02:00

(In case you didn't get it: Checks will be BIG this season!)

Øyafestivalen 2008

2008-08-09T19:38:00.006+02:00

All in all, this year's Øyafestival line-up disappointed a bit. Too much depressive indie (and that's coming from a die hard Smiths fan!) and too little danceable fun. However, it all made sense Friday night when Fleet foxes went on stage - the sun even came out. I've raved about this Seattle band before, and had great expectations before their set y'day. Somehow they managed to fulfill those, and more! The band's still not bigger than that they do their own soundcheck. Looking part grunge, part 70's hippie in their lumberjack beard and checked shirts, their sound is more of the latter than the first. From the opening verse of the first a-cappella song we, the 3000 people who missed N.E.R.D to see the new CSNY, were swept away by the amazing presence and warmth of singer Robin Pecknold and co. Beautiful vocal harmonies backed by eminent guitar playing and songs that carry you into a dreamlike state. The band were very chatty in between songs and clearly touched by the audience's response. Best gig I've seen in a long time! I spotted the guitarist Skye Skjelseth later and expressed my gratitude towards the band - according to him, they might be back in Norway in November. I suggest all who missed out this time keep their ears and eyes open, 'cause the tickets will most likely be sold out as soon as they go on sale!

So Fleet foxes was definitely this year's Øyablikk (=highlight). What else? Well, Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine, Sigur Ros and Dirty Pretty Things all delivered respectable sets, and Okkervil River, Diskjokke, Telepathe and Lightspeed Champion were the most talked about "newcomers". Unfortunately the club nights were completely sold out, so I missed my favorites Whitest boy alive.

Oh Versace!

2008-08-02T19:44:00.004+02:00

So it turned out the blazer I found in my trusted £3 shop in Manchester is actually an original Versus by Versace!! For 3 quid, I would say that's the best buy I've ever done! It was quite disgusting when I found it, but after a dryclean and removal of the shoulder pads it's looking pretty swish I would say. I've worn it heaps already; I prefer it with my name necklace and cheap sunglasses to extort a Miami Vice coolness....

Lazy summer

2008-08-01T20:48:00.002+02:00

I guess I have to say it: The summer and sun is making me lazy - a blog post is highly due. Seeing as I'm at work right now, I might as well do something about it. Melt fest and Berlin was pretty amazing: For me, the highlights were Robyn, Friendly Fires, Whitest Boy Alive and Adam Green. The festival was a bit disorganised, with huge delays, which meant that I missed Kissy Sell Out and Thomas Andersson. Hercules and Love Affair didn't show up, and I had to leave before Hot Chip and Bjork went on. So I was sorta just checking out bands as I went along and chilling with a bratwurst and Jackie Cola inbetween.

A few purchases were made in Berlin: Gladiator sandals from Zara (yes, I know they're so last season, but they're also so comfortable), punk zine and a book about Television (more about them later) and a short grey top from American Apparel. Didn't find that many second hand shops; I feel Berlin is a city where there are exciting things hidden behind every corner, you just gotta know where they're hidden! Will post pics of the Berlin experience later and of my pink blazer which I discovered is original Versus by Giovanni Versace (!!) Stay tuned....

Art Nouveau - cut copy edition

2008-07-11T00:09:00.005+02:00

The love for art and rock'n'roll shouldn't be underestimated.

Picture 1: 2nd hand shirt and bag, top from Cubus and skirt H&M. (Background: Warehouse Project flyer, http://www.thewarehouseproject.com/)
Pic 2: 2nd hand shoes and belt, dress inherited from grandma. (Background: "A basket of roses", Henri Fantin-Latour)
Pic 3&4: Sunglasses from Urban Outfitters, shoes from Nilsson, Levis jeans and jacket inherited from grandma. (Background: Happy Mondays album cover)
Pic 5: 2nd hand sunglasses and dress inherited from grandma. (Background: The Guardian Weekend 28.06.2008)

Ed Westwick

2008-07-03T20:25:00.004+02:00

RANDOM RANDOM RANDOM.

Who could've known that Ed Westwick aka Chuck Bass in "Gossip girl" had a past as a chav??! In a movie, though.... I watched "Breaking and entering" last night, a not very remarkable film, but worth every second to see Chuck as a criminal Bosnian-English chav boy!! Apparently this was the first movie he starred in... The transition he's gone through since those days is pretty incredible... See for yourself:

Above: Chav in "Breaking and entering".....

.... Several years later he's grown up to be a real hunk....

You know you love me....xoxo gossip girl.....

A room of my own

2008-06-30T20:12:00.005+02:00

So I've finally moved, and for the first time in two years I've got all of my stuff in one place! It feels kinda great; I must confess I'm a bit of a neat nerd. I'm back in my old childhood room, a place where I always feel comfortable and inspired really. Growing up, I always longed for a minimalistic, clean room where everything matched and I only had cool art posters and prints on the walls. But over the years I've come to appreciate my personal, mismatched, "incorrect" room. There's always gonna be mess in there that I don't really want, but that I feel I have to hang on to; old photos, children's books and birthday gifts...but it doesn't matter if my room isn't perfect - that's what makes it personal. My room express my personality and tells a lot about me. My CD collection, books, magazine, posters and old necklaces are all connected to my personal style and recently I've just loved surrounding myself with these familiar things....

Now, what does your room look like?

Kate Moss and Kurt Weill

2008-06-27T16:46:00.006+02:00

My lack of posts is due to my venture back to Manchester this week. I've been here since Tuesday, packing up my stuff, eating well and hanging out. Not much shopping really, but I did find a smashing pink 2ndhand blazer today which is very 80's. Also bought a navy skirt with pockets at American Apparel in L'pool yesterday. The floral crazyness in the shops doesn't really excite me that much... I always look forward to wearing summer clothes, but feel I'm less creative this time of year. It's so nice and easy just to put on a pair of shorts, sandals and a simple top! Read in Grazia today that the fringe is out, and something called "frown" is in (sort of a longer fringe which bends to one side..) Why? KATE MOSS.

Over to something completely different: I went to the Royal Northern College of Music Big Band & Colin Towns concert Wednesday night and it was fantastic! Colin Towns' reworkings of Kurt Weill's music was different, interesting and extremely impressive, and the RNCM big band didn't disappoint. Will order one of his CD's first thing when I get home! Check out his music here: www.colintowns.com

Score!

2008-06-19T01:09:00.004+02:00

After being moody for days because I didn't buy tickets for Neil Young, I finally got some good news... A festival called Melt will be taking place in Berlin when I'm there, with a pretty amazing line-up: Bjørk, Hercules and Love Affair, Robyn, Hot Chip, Kissy Sell Out, Roisin Murphy, Friendly Fires and The Teenagers, among others! I'm also excited to see Erlend Øye & co. in Whitest boy alive again. A three-day pass is cheap compared to Norwegian prices; 85 EURO's (680 NOK) and the festival will be taking place from the 18th to the 20th of July. Check out the rest of the programme here: http://www.meltfestival.de/
Exciting stuff!

A fashion moment: France summer '04

2008-06-16T19:12:00.003+02:00

Ok, so here's my first contribution to a column I've decided to call "A fashion moment":

This "moment" was in the summer of 2004, in Normandie in France on a family holiday. Looking back at it, me and my sister are quite surpised at how nice our style was. I mean, looking back at old photos can be a nightmare....it ususally is! Anyway, it seems we packed a perfect amount of clothes for this holiday and dressed casually cool - maybe not the french way, but pretty good!

Seattle surprise: Fleet foxes

2008-06-13T22:56:00.002+02:00

I was watching a documentary on Norwegian television the other day about the new wave of music in Seattle. It's nothing like grunge, except in the name: Grange (?) I fell in love with the music of Fleet Foxes (www.myspace.com/fleetfoxes), who are now out with their debut album and currently touring the UK. Like their fellow Seattle inhabitants Band of Horses, they posess an incredible skill of mixing whatever they have in their record collection with their parents' old records and coming up with a sound of their own. The rural landscape of Seattle is apparent in their music, as is their love for CSNY, folk music and Fleetwood Mac. I've only heard a few songs so far; beautiful vocal harmonies, gentle guitars and fairytale lyrics show a band on the way to much bigger cities than Seattle (gigs in LND and NY are already sold out!) So I suggest you order their album right now (also out on vinyl) and book a ticket to one of their shows before they sell out quicker than you can say "Arcade fire."

They're playing the UK 'til the 18th of June (Roadhouse in Manchester on the 17th), then touring America before it's back to Europe to play festivals. I'll see them the 8th of August when they play Øyafestivalen!

Resort wear

2008-06-11T12:37:00.005+02:00

The new resort collections have started popping up at style.com. These collections tend to bore me, seeing as they consist of "easy to wear" items. There's nothing wrong with simple, uncomplicated clothes that are comfortable and easy to pack, as resort items should be. But, in my opinion, these clothes don't represent the current trends, time and climate in the same sense that RTW and Haute cutoure do. There's no statements. No showpieces. They're sort of the designer's vision paired down to practical outfits. I guess this fits with Wikipedia's definition:

"Resort wear is a specialized clothing style, as well as a year-round fashion "season". Sometimes known as "cruise wear", it was not long ago resort collections were worn only by "jet set" celebrities who would purchase such garments while on vacation in warm-weather climates. Today, these garments are a growing part of many wardrobes. (...) From walking shorts, caftans and sandals, to full-length evening dresses for women and light dinner jackets for men, resort wear is unique in its design and function. It is generally made from cotton, silk, denim, microfiber, straw and poplin that are easy to pack, lightweight and breathable. They are easy to clean and look great without ironing or fuss."

However, even though resort focuses on functionality and comfort more than fashion, you can still spot current trends in the collections, but a bit paired down (as I mentioned). My favourites so far are Phi and Jonathan Saunders, because they do just that. Phi, designed by Andreas Melbostad, have gone for the "peekabo" trend, by mixing sheer fabrics and lace, as seen in Marc Jacobs spring collection. Melbostad's also designed a dress that looks a bit like the Acne skirt Susie Bubble was raving about. So this is quite an edgy and strong collection on the resort scale!

Jonathan Saunders have made his prints a bit easier to wear, and mixed in some office wear in his collection as well. You can easily see the links to his ready-to-wear collection.

(Pics off style.com)

Too bad I live in Norway, where resort clothes couldn't get you from your house to the shop. It's too frigging cold!

Made in Norway

2008-06-07T23:24:00.008+02:00

Today I went to the small town Stryn, a couple of hours drive from where I live in Norway. I was walking around, looking in various shops, not expecting to find anything cool. But as it turns out, Stryn is something of a textile innovator! The town, with its 5750 inhabitants, is the home of three distinctive and well-renowned textile brands (at least in Norway); Aloha Hemp, Ricco Vero and Moods of Norway. Aloha Hemp and Moods' clothes are produced outside of Norway, but Ricco Vero's clothes are actually sewed in Olden, an even smaller town outside of Stryn. This is something I find very charming and unusual in these days when most textile products are made in China and India. It's very rare that you as a fashion consumer find a product that says "Made in Norway".

Moods of Norway's clothes are made in Turkey, but the brand's still got a unique Norwegian identity to it. According to their website, the brand started "in Honolulu, Hawaii as an after party idea between the two designers Simen Staalnacke and Peder Børresen. After finishing their studies in Australia and Hawaii, a night of sizzling cocktails resulted in the concept. When returning to the country known for polar bears and expensive gasoline, the duo drew their lines for the coming collections." Their headquarter and showroom is in Stryn, but they've recently opened their first flagship store in Oslo (right next to Louis Vuitton, no less) and plan on opening another one in Reykjavik, Iceland now in June. The brand is also sold in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Jamaica, Japan, China and USA. When looking through their collection "Cocktail hunting" today, it's clear that these designers have captured the Norwegian identity and made it fashionable in a way no one has done before them. By naming all their products after locals, using pics of their grandma in their adverts, decorating their shops with typical Scandinavian items and putting recipes and funny facts on their clothes, I think they've achieved something truly unique. Not only is it a smart way of marketing themselves; the clothes look and feel good as well. The designers work towards the goal of " making our grandma happy, and make happy clothes for happy people around the world", and prove that fashion doesn't have to be all that serious. I dig!

Yes, I'm a copycat

2008-05-24T22:02:00.005+02:00

I'm loving all of the new pics from Stockholm over at Facehunter! Seems the androgynous, slightly avantgarde look is big there right now.

Usually I don't copy whole looks, when looking at inspiration, whether it's from the catwalk, stage or street. But there was one look I absolutely fell in love with:

I've just gotta dress like this!!

(Picture from facehunter.blogspot.com)

One stylish New Yorker...

2008-05-23T17:25:00.005+02:00

Whilst waiting for the new "Sex and the city" movie, I looked through some photos from the series. Here's my favourite Carrie fashion moments:

Was that it? Really?!

2008-05-16T19:26:00.005+02:00

Remember that band back in 2001....the ones who saved rock'n'roll, made Converse and skinny jeans a part of every indie boy/girl's wardrobe, dated all the girls and made fucking cool music? I think they were called something like THE STROKES.... Whatever happened?

2001: I was 14 years old. Pretty much liked what everyone else was into - charts music and shit. Then, sometime after 9/11, a revelation came to me on the radio - it was a song called "Last nite". There was something special about this song, I don't know what, but it started something "new" (I later discovered they'd heavily borrowed from older heroes) both in music and in me (Ok, I know I'm being cheesy here, but it's the truth!). So I put "Is this it" on my wish list for Christmas that year, and my lovely younger sister delivered. I'd only heard "Last nite" a couple times on the radio, and although I loved that song, I did not expect to hear what came out of the speakers the next day when I put the record on. 36 minutes of perfect rock, a hybrid of amazing bands that I still didn't know, Julian Casablancas desperately dangerous voice, Nick Valensi's short and concise solos, rebellious lyrics, the sound of New York... I think I played the record 4 times that day, and the next day, and the next, and the next...

Music aside, of course it didn't hurt that the band looked like THAT. So I read interviews, watched videos, analysed everything they said. I bought my first pair of Converse and started looking for skinny jeans, which at that point were impossible to find (You can't imagine it? No?). Julian Casablancas and co. might not have said much interesting when being interviewed, but they kept mentioning all of these bands; Television, Velvet Underground, Magnetic fields, The Clash, Sonic Youth and Blondie. And 'cause I was sooo caught up in this Strokes-thing I checked it out. And liked it. And loved it. Soon my CD collection had gone from being a typical 14 year old girl collection to a collection consisting of 70's rock, old school punk, Jimi Hendrix and noisy indie.

There's only two bands that's had this major influence on me personally (the other one being Norwegian act Bigbang). I mean, I always discover new bands and get totally addicted to their music, but these days it doesn't change me as much as it naturally did as a teenager. The Strokes came back a few years later with the follow-up "Room on fire" and by this time I'd started playing the guitar and thought I was a hippy. I still thought this album was great, even if every critic was saying it wasn't. But come on, how can you top an album like "Is this it"?

Then the band disappeared for a bit, was it two years? Hundreds of "Strokes"-bands had by that time appeared, and disappeared. I ordered the new album online, "First impressions of earth", when it finally came out on my birthday, the 2nd of January 2006. But the thing about this album was that it seemed like the band had actually listened to the critics and tried to create a totally new sound. Instead they ended up sounding like Guns'n'Roses, and to be honest, commercial. There's a few good songs on there: "Juicebox" blew my mind the first time I heard it, and I remember thinking "They've done it again!" Well, no. Maybe the pressure was too hard, maybe Nick Valensi got a bit cocky, maybe Casablancas shouldn't have written all the songs. But even if they missed with this album, I still expected them to come back. They're a great band, and great bands do miss sometimes.

So what now? It's 2008 and we haven't heard anything from the band since 2006. There's no news on their website, the last few posts being "Happy Birthday Albert/Nick/Niko" etc. Bassist Nikolai Fraiture posted on the band's website that "we just need to work out a few technical kinks" and promised a fourth album, but it sounds less than definite. Albert Hammond Jr.'s out touring with his debutalbum. When I interviewed him back in 2006, he seemed pretty content with that and not that eager to get back with the band. He got annoyed when I asked about The Strokes, and even said he didn't see the guys anymore. Doesn't bode well, does it?

Well, maybe they were just one of those bands that make one-two great albums, change rock music and disappear into more or less successful sidebands. It's just a shame...and I never got to see them live!

Cheesy electronica up north

2008-05-09T13:21:00.003+02:00

Because my Ipod needs charging and I haven't got a cable, my life has been pretty quiet lately. So today I've just been listening to all kinds of blogs and myspace. I'm digging this new remix by Get shakes of Norwegian iceprincess Annie's new song, "I know your girlfriend hates me." Check it out here:

http://discodust.com/files/Annie%20%20I%20Know%20Ur%20Girlfriend%20Hates%20Me%20(Get%20Shakes%20Remix).mp3

Also I've fallen in love with the music of diskJokke - his new album "Staying in" has gotten excellent reviews, for instance over at Pitchfork, and he just recently put some new songs up on his myspace. Including a remix of The National Bank's "Home". www.myspace.com/diskjokke

diskJokke has also remixed another favourite of mine; Ost&Kjex! Hailing from Oslo, "the city of cheese" (Ost&Kjex meaning cheese and biscuits), they make funny electronica with amazing beats! Listen to the hilarious impression of "Drop it like it's hot" in their song "Milano model": http://www.last.fm/music/Ost%2B%2526%2BKjex/_/Milano+Model+%28A+Thrilling+Mungophony+In+Two+Parts%29

Hmm, I just now realized that all of these tracks are Norwegian. It's cool to see that there's a range of good electronica here right now!!

Superboring superheroes...

2008-05-07T11:22:00.009+02:00

When I heard the theme of this year's Costume Institute gala (Superheroes!), my mind wandered: Strong Wonder women, nerdy Clark Kent's, Batman masks etc etc. A costume gala with this theme was almost too good to be true! But looking at the pictures now, the turnout proved to be very boring: A typical polished NY ball event, with tiny tanned women in Armani, Michael Kors and Vera Wang, accompanied by old rich men in suits. Anyone can look good in a LBD, why not try something a bit more interesting for once?!

Well some did try at least, but with various results. A few managed to incorporate superhero details into a modern outfit in a subtle way, like Kate Bosworth, Christina Ricci and supermodels Caroline Trentini and Raquel Zimmerman. Others looked...cartoonish, but fun! (Hamish Bowles, Zac Posen) What I don't understand is why no one opted for the Luella Batman look SS08? I mean, it's perfect! I'd happily go in that batman suit!!

On a different note, there were some beauuuuutiful couples... Now I just can't decide if I wanna be Karen Elson or Diane Krüger:

The Gossip girl cast has been called the most beautiful tv-cast ever, I can't say I disagree when looking at these pictures! ("Chuck" looks pretty good, surprisingly...)

It's the Shout out louds, for crying out loud!

2008-04-12T14:03:00.002+02:00

I don't know much about science, but I do know that you need a negative and a positive polar to get electricity.... Swedish band Shout out louds have taken this idea and translated it into music that is truly electrifying, mixing the shameless synth lines of Abba (negative) with the indiepop of The Cure (positive)! Their gig at the Ruby Lounge, Manchester, yesterday quite surprised me with its energy, tightness and power! Their songwriter skills are excellent, almost on a level with, say, Shins, and it's refreshing to see a band that's just happy on stage and engaging with their fans. Apparently they've got a new album out now, so I might see them again at a festival this summer? Hmm... Check out their music here: www.myspace.com/shoutoutlouds (My favourite being "Impossible")

Support band The Brunettes was also a good new acquaintance with their brass-pop about "Mary-Kate and Ashley." The Olsen twins should be proud.

(Unfortunately I managed to miss first band The Answering Machine. Again. I've been meaning to see them live for about two years now, but it's just not happening...)

Matthew Williamson - Ten years in fashion

2008-04-10T21:05:00.005+02:00

It's a long time since Manchester was centre of the textile industry, but the city still fosters design talents. The best example is Mancunian Matthew Williamson, who this year celebrates 10 years in the fashion industry. I went to see the exhibition "Matthew Williamson: Ten years in fashion" at the Urbis this weekend, organised by the Design Museum, London. The exhibition presented some of his most iconic dresses (as worn by Kylie, Sienna and Kate), as well as pieces from his newest collection. What I found most interesting about it, was the videos about his design process and inspiration. I must admit that Williamson has never been a favourite of mine, simply because I feel his clothes wouldn't work on me, but it's still impressive to see the clothes up close and study his use of patterns and excessive details. It seems he's always had his distinctive own style, from his days as a student at Central St Martins, to the jet set life he's living now. Anyway, pictures speak more than words!:

From top left: Sketches, the finished dress, patterns, dress and bag from SS08 collection.

Elegance; a forgotten word

2008-04-03T20:14:00.007+02:00

...so I finally got hold of a copy of Acne paper (yes, I know it's a bit late), the bi-annual magazine published by Swedish brand Acne, and I absolutely loved all of it! The layout, the paper, the writing, the fashion shoots...and the theme: Elegance. I'm pretty impressed by the interviews they bagged: Manolo Blahnik. Alber Elbaz. Jarvis Cocker. Paulo Melim Anderson. All of these had interesting and different definitions of elegance, and this made me think about what the word is all about. For me, it's about someone who doesn't compromise when it comes to style. It's someone or something that's dignified and confident, but not loud - he or she doesn't have to scream to be noticed in a room. It's about balance and calm, and as much about your attitude to life as your clothes. Names that popped into my head were timeless icons like Audrey Hepburn, but also contemporaries like Diane Kruger and Cate Blanchett. For me, elegance is in a way also about doing things properly, not half-way. (There can be something very elegant in using correct spelling and punctuation in text messages!) When it comes to fashion, I think tailoring and simplicity is very elegant, and this is obvious in the design aesthetics of YSL and Balenciaga, for instance. I can conclude with that elegance is all that I'm not; it's something unattainable and mysterious for me, and I guess that's just what makes it so interesting and attractive!

"I think that if you are dignified you will get elegance for free. That's the only way you can get it. (...) It's an instinct, and that's why it's so desirable, because it's a very rare instinct. (...) Elegance is hybrid. It's an orchid that looks different every time. An undefined nimbus. It's like the stars. You dream of them, but you will never get there." (Paulo Melim Anderson)

"Elegance is only in the attitude. (...) It's not about getting, getting, getting. It's about giving. That's what elegant clothes are all about. Elegant people are also about giving. I don't think of elegant people when I think of selfish people." (Alber Elbaz)

Candy shop

2008-03-25T22:15:00.013+01:00

Ever since I saw the editorial "Light and fantastic" in the Feb issue of Vogue, I've been obsessed with pastels. Especially bubblegum pink and spearmint. Maybe it's the thought of sweets, but it seems I want everything that's got those colours these days. Now, when the SS08 collections were presented last autumn, I felt a bit sceptical about the whole thing. Pastels? Ruffles? With my blonde hair that would just be too Barbie. But now I've rather warmed towards the idea. After all, it doesn't have to be all Clueless and Versace. Deconstruct the pieces, add some graphic elements and chunky boots, "mess it up" the way Jonathan Saunders and Marc Jacobs (also for Louis Vuitton) have done:

I also like the way Jil Sander used the colours in sheer, transparent fabrics layered over each other:

Melim Anderson did a bit of the same for Chloé (before he got fired!), and paired the more romantic floaty dresses with geometric heeled shoes. The inspiration from The Memphis Group, which transformed product design in the 1980's, was evident in all of these collections. Described as "A way of life, of transferring into the world of the western home the culture of rock music, travel and a certain excess", this design was again inspired by art deco, kitsch and pop art. So if you get some comment about looking too Barbie, just mumble something about "postmodernism...referencing popular culture in an ironic way....art deco..." and walk away. That's what I'm gonna do.

Anyways, I went to get candy, I mean clothes, today and found 4 things for 16 quid! Not bad! Two of them were in above-mentioned pastels:

Then I finally got a jumpsuit, which, let's face it, is so short it could be mistaken for a swimsuit,

but WTF, I'll find a way to make it work. I've been looking for one for ages, and most of them seem to be too big, so when this fitted me perfectly (well, apart from being dangerously short) I didn't care that it has a Hawaiian floral print on it. Pink is good!

Finally, I picked out a simple white shirt with a nice detail on the back. I'll wear it with mentioned tuxedo, or tucked into a high waisted shirt. Just hope it fits, as it said "petite" on it...

And that's all in a days work! Ahh, I feel exhausted...

(Again, sorry for pictures not being top quality, I'm getting used to this blogging business...)

The daydreams of a nation fulfilled!

2008-03-25T12:07:00.008+01:00

It's now been confirmed that Sonic Youth will play at this year's Oyafestival in Oslo, Norway! Apparently the band themselves asked to come back (after playing there in 2005) when they found an opening in their touring schedule. This will be an "ordinary" set though, not the "Daydream nation"-in-full set they've toured with recently. But with Sonic Youth, how can it ever be ordinary?

Since I missed them last time, I will definitely try and secure a pass for this year's festival! Other acts playing the festival from 5th-9th of August include My Bloody Valentine, NERD, Beirut, Holy Fuck, Sigur Rós and Yeasayer, alongside Norwegian Pitchfork darlings Ida Maria, Silje Nes and diskJokke.

Stating the obvious

2008-03-20T17:46:00.009+01:00

I'm not gonna spend a lot of time on the new Kate Moss for Topshop collection. We all know that she had nothing to do with the design process (as with all celebrities-turned-designers) and that it's ridiculously overpriced blah blah... But I just have to say that this is the most boring of all "her" collections to date. It basically consists of stuff Kate's worn that's already been copied by Topshop for a few years now.... Skinny jeans, short shorts, bohemian prints, rock tees, sandals and leather belts. 10 plain vests in the same collection? Come on. This is just lazyness, Topshop. But I guess as long as it's got the "Kate Moss for Topshop" tag on it, sales will go smoothly.

I'm all tuxed up

2008-03-19T22:09:00.008+01:00

Finding that special item you've been looking for for ages, can really make your day. Especially if it's on sale for a fiver! I've been longing for a pair of tuxedo trousers, and happened to stumble over some on sale in Urban outfitters (of all places!) today. Now I can fulfill my dream of wearing a tuxedo! Since I've been into the androgynous look lately, I'll probably pair it with my white pleated shirt, black schoolboy blazer, red lipstick and slick hair. A different take would be to go for the more sporty look, pairing it with my friend's grandma's wicked turqouise blouse and high heeled burgundy shoes. Either way, it's quite a statement garment and that's exactly what I love about it!!

(The lighting is kinda crap here, so you don't really see the details... I will improve!)