Archive for the 'Me' Category

Nine things I like from Twenty-Seven Names’ S/S 2012-2013 ‘Nine Lives’ collection.

Published on May 16, 2012 in Awesome Things, Me and new things. 13 Comments

Dolores t-shirt dress. All photos of me/Louise Hatton.

While I was in Wellington a couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to see the girls behind Twenty-Seven Names – Anjali Stewart and Rachel Easting – for a catch-up, a bit of breakfast, and whilst I was doing that I was lucky enough to have a little in-person sneak peek at their forthcoming Spring/Summer 2012-2013 collection, ‘Nine Lives’.

I popped into their new workroom to see the samples – a bigger, airier and lighter space than their old place, and because Because I’m a little kid and I have a problem with ‘look and don’t touch’, of course I had a try on. And because Wellingt0n-based photographer extraordinaire Louise Hatton had also stopped by, I capitalised on my situation and got her to take a few shots of me, in the new workroom, in some of my favourite pieces from the new collection. For some reason, photos of one of my favourite outfits disappeared and got lost in The Matrix, so I’ve supplemented with some looks from the not-seen-before lookbook (shot by Guy Coombes, modelled by Georgia Fowler). Check it out:

Continue reading ‘Nine things I like from Twenty-Seven Names’ S/S 2012-2013 ‘Nine Lives’ collection.’

New week, new things.

Published on May 14, 2012 in Me and New week new things. 7 Comments

Little Brother spotted chambray shirt. Images/James K Lowe.

This week:

  • When I originally shot some pieces from the Little Brother Winter 2012 collection a few months back, I really wanted to include the above (and below, and here) Cruiser polka dot chambray shirt. Unfortunately, at the time, the sample wasn’t available to me so I had to forgo it, but ever since seeing the sketch and fabric swatch I’ve kept my eye out for the shirt to arrive in stores. A couple of weeks ago, I saw the thing had finally dropped and I got my hands on one. It is so good. It’s a deep baby blue, has a washed, lived-in softness about it, and best of all, the XS fits my shoulder like a dream. I don’t know how any man would fit that XS, but to be honest I don’t really care because mine is el perfecto. The other day I wore it with a crew neck sweater and full skirt – damn it was cute. You can grab your very own for NZ$149.00 at Barkers stores nationwide, or online here. And what’s more, (but wait! There’s more!) right now you can actually grab the shirt and a knit for the bargain price of NZ$180.00 – great for those who were into that navy striped sweater too. (PS. Yes that cap is the Arcade x Pass-Port collab one – they’re selling out fast so if you want one, be quick.)

By the way, I’m on my way to Sydney.

Published on April 29, 2012 in Me and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia. 4 Comments

Me, half dead at Auckland Airport.

This is me, in the Koru lounge, right now at Auckland Airport. I look tired, and that’s because I am. I think it’s safe to say I am not a morning person, unless you count mornings as 2:00am-4:00am when I haven’t gone to sleep yet.

You may or may not have heard that I’m off to Sydney this week for MBFWA (Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Australia). It’s going to be a crazy week. I have a lot of shows on my schedule and a few meetings sprinkled in between. I think it may be my busiest fashion week yet. Because of my hectic schedule, don’t expect to see the usual blog posts I do (‘Models I met and liked’ etc) this week – this week is all about MBFWA. For those who aren’t interested? I’ll see you next week. For those who are? Expect 5-10 posts a day on here (fingers crossed), numerous ‘instagrams’ (username: thedownlowe) and Facebook updates.

Wish me luck, guys!

PS: My suitcase was 24.1kg. Absolutely ridiculous. I have six pairs of pants (including the ones I’m wearing), five pairs of shoes, three skirts and at least five dresses. I’ve obviously completely lost it.

The Sylvester Party dress.

Published on April 27, 2012 in Awesome Things, Me and Rant. 9 Comments

All Images/James K Lowe.

Before I start, less address the elephant in the room: The pinecones. Why the hell am I holding a pine cone? Why do I even have pinecones in a bucket? How are pinecones relevant in any way whatsoever?! I have to be honest with you – I have no idea why I am carrying one in every single photo. No idea at all. It seemed like such a good idea at the time. Or not even an idea, I just started doing it. And look how happy I am to have the pinecones in my life! They really are the focus of the image.

The other focus (and much more exciting thing) is the dress I’m wearing. It’s Sylvester by Kate Sylvester and it’s called the ‘Party’ dress. What do you think? Quite apt, I say. I’m very keen to wear it to a party of some sort. I’m a sucker for a prim, girly dress and this one really hits the mark. Sure, the blue of the dress is pretty bright for someone like me, but I’m getting used to it (it also comes in black for those less daring). The full skirt, the cap sleeve – you can’t get much cuter. The pictures don’t really show it (unless you click for larger) but the fabric is of a decent weight, and is textured, which I like. It’s a little bit different to your typical party dress. A little bit quirky and maybe even a little odd.

Just like the pinecones.

Continue reading ‘The Sylvester Party dress.’

What's good, Wellywood?

Published on April 19, 2012 in Awesome Things and Me. 13 Comments

The Twenty-seven Names workroom.

Yesterday morning I touched down in our capital city and the first thing that struck me was the cold. No, actually, the very first thing that happened was I was notified of this (BEST NEWS EVER!) but the second thing was the cold. Jesus Christ it is freezing here in Wellington. (In comparison to Auckland, anyway.) Despite my adverse reaction to the ridiculous temperature and wind outside, I was determined to make a go of the day in Wellington, as opposed to spending the whole day in my hotel room.

I started with dropping my bags at my premier studio (balllllerrrrr) at the Museum Hotel. The room wasn’t ready but that was okay – I had plans. I walked more than 100 metres for the first time in months – 15 minutes to Floriditas -an all day eatery on Cuba Street. I was meeting Anjali and Rachel from Twenty-seven Names for breakfast. I had buttery scrambled eggs. They were good. For anyone who is visiting Wellington, I highly recommend them and the ginger loaf with caramel icing. The rest of the day was filled with a lemon honey ginger at Fidel’s, a mission to find a place that would get rid of my gel nails (Roisna at Classiquo came to the rescue – thanks Roisna!), a meeting with Louise Hatton – Wellington’s finest fashion photographer, a trip to the new(ish) Twenty-seven Names workspace, a trip to the Ruby store, two meet ups with friends, a quick wardrobe change, an attendance at the Wellington Fashion Week opening function where the Mayor of Wellington flashed her spanx/bike pants under her dress during her speech (on purpose) – no joke and I met a lollipop-toting Issy from Season 3 of New Zealand’s Next Top Model, a fashion-week-esque dinner of fried chicken and macaroni cheese at Sweet Mother’s Kitchen and drinks at Hawthorn. I got back to the hotel at 2:00am, dead. It’s surprising how productive one can be when they wake up at 7:30am.

Now it’s 11:55am the next day and I haven’t ventured outside. The first Wellington Fashion Week show is on tonight but I’ve got a good 6 hours until then – Wellingtonians! What’s good?! Hit me up!

The Juliette Hogan Maxwell trouser.

Published on April 17, 2012 in Awesome Things, Me and new things. 3 Comments

All Images/James K Lowe.

Everyone who knows me knows I’m partial to pants (as opposed to skirts and dresses) and although I have about 10 pairs my wardrobe right now, I’m always on the look out for the next great pair. My latest and greatest is this pair I picked up from Juliette Hogan a few weeks ago. They’re called the ‘Maxwell’ trouser. They’re a light, grey wool with a slight stretch and a great looking texture. The good thing about these pants is they’re cropped. For your average tall person (ie. not my short ass) they’d be a bit more ankle exposing, but for this dwarf they’re just that little bit longer – the perfect length to cuff. I feel like they’re the perfect fancy version of schoolboy pants. All I need is a short-sleeve white shirt, some tortoiseshell round glasses and a rucksack and I’ll have the look down. You can grab your very own pair, here.

Continue reading ‘The Juliette Hogan Maxwell trouser.’

I'm sick, can't have my photo taken, look at these links instead.

Published on April 12, 2012 in Me and Rant. 7 Comments

Me over Easter weekend, at 100% health and in 100% sun. A huge contrast to today where I am at 40% health and in 10% sun and 90% rain. Image/Maddy Budd.

Today I had planned to post some kind of outfit post of some of the new clothes I’ve acquired recently, but then on Tuesday night at precisely 8:22pm, the darkness hit. I swear to god I have never caught a cold so quickly. It’s like, one minute (at 8:21pm) I was feeling right chipper and the next I had that gross feeling in the back of my throat and my brain was pounding the inside of my skull. Anyway, fast forward a couple of days and I am currently in bed still (it’s 12:47pm) – which is not really much of a difference to my usual day if I’m being completely honest – but this time I am surrounded in tissues and teacups and empty packets of Panadol. What happened? I don’t know, but it feels like this is some kind of karma. I knew I shouldn’t have parked in that loading zone the other day, damnit.

So, because I am not looking or feeling anywhere near good enough to have my picture taken, I am bringing you a list of things of other interesting things to look at instead:

Continue reading ‘I'm sick, can't have my photo taken, look at these links instead.’

Hey I don't know you and this is crazy but I made this video – watch it, maybe?

Published on April 9, 2012 in Awesome Things, Me, Models and OMG. 18 Comments

If you’re good at the internet, you’ll know where I’m going already by reading the title of this post. If not, get with the programme! Long story short, a good few weeks back I saw the original parody of Carly Rae Jepsen’s music video for her single, ‘Call Me Maybe’ (starring tween heart-throbs Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez and Ashley Tisdale) and I was immediately obsessed. Then and there I vowed to make a parody video of the parody video.

I promised myself I would remake the video as part of promotion for Isaac and my ‘Thugged Out Since Cub Scouts‘ tees back in February, but life got in the way and it didn’t get done in time. Nevertheless, a solid month later I did manage to truck on with the project and finally last Thursday night (and Friday night, and Saturday night) I (and a whole host of friends and models*) got together to create what I like to think is nothing short of a masterpiece.

I do realise there are a lot of people who won’t appreciate this at all, but screw them, it was ridiculously fun to make (aside from the 20 hours of editing using iMovie when I don’t know how to operate it). I mean, how often do you ever get to just let loose and act like a 15 year old girl and have it all documented? Exactly! Hardly ever. It was the best time I’ve had in a long time. So with all that in mind, I hope you enjoy.

Happy Easter Monday folks. We up in here.

Continue reading ‘Hey I don't know you and this is crazy but I made this video – watch it, maybe?’

Highs and Low(e)s.

Published on April 8, 2012 in Highs and Low(e)s, Me and Rant. 5 Comments

Photo/James K Lowe.

Highs:

  1. Alexi Wasser does it again, this time with a story about a pick-up artist convention and a not-particularly-revealing-yet-incredibly-interesting-video-interview with Tyler, the Creator. Both make for excellent Easter entertainment. You can thank me later.
  2. Three new clothing acquisitions, none of which I had to pay full price for (if at all)!
  3. Took a few photos for The Caker… Something a little different to last time – keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks.
  4. The Auckland weather this weekend – I think I got a bit of a tan on. I know, right?! It’s actually amazing out there, who would’ve thought Summer would arrive so late in the game? I kind of hate it when people use French phrases in the middle of their English, but now just seems like an appropriate time: C’est Incroyable!
  5. This – one of the funniest things I’ve read all year, let alone this week. Literal lols, LITERALLY. Also, ‘Single Ladies’ will hype me up and make me want to dance no matter how many times I hear it. So good.
  6. Speaking of catchy songs and dancing around, Thursday night (and some of Saturday night) was spent putting together a little something I spoke about a while back but never actually ended up doing. Let’s just say be prepared to be entertained – check back tomorrow morning.
  7. The revamped Glassons store on Queen Street. I never go into Glassons, just because I never really go out shopping, but I was pleasantly surprised when visiting on Wednesday. The store has improved ten fold since I last set foot in it (over a year ago) and is full of super cheap, super on trend stuff. Yeah, a lot of it is ‘inspired’ by other designers, but you know what? It’s fast fashion and not everyone can afford the higher end. Fake it ’till you make it.

A week in my shoes.

Published on April 7, 2012 in Me. 0 Comments

Photo/Brad Franklin.

Not this week just been, but the week before, I was asked to visually document my goings on for Shop What’s New. When I was first approached to do the ‘week in my life’ I was worried – I mean, what do I actually do? I get that question all the time and I’m never quite sure how to answer it. I don’t have a ‘real’ job, I spend hours and hours at the computer, and a hell of a lot of the time in the car driving from place to place.

Surprising, documenting my week was pretty easy. Too easy. I did so many things it was hard to narrow it down to a maximum of 12 events. But I did, and it’s a good summary of the types of things I get up to. So if you’re interested in what I was doing last, last week, you can check it out here!

The Untouched World model casting. (I may have found my calling.)

Published on March 29, 2012 in Awesome Things, Me, Models and Rant. 6 Comments

Some of the faces that cast for Untouched World.

I rarely ever claim to know much, if anything, about fashion. I like what I like and I know if something fits and generally I have an idea of whether it’s commercially viable (read: going to sell) or not, but ask me anything beyond that and I’m stuck. Ask me about Prada’s Spring/Summer 2004 show and all I can tell you is that there were probably clothes in it. Ask me about silhouettes and what they’re influenced by, and about anything technical or about the history of fashion and I’ll just give you a blank stare. Ask me about New Zealand models, however, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to school you.

Continue reading ‘The Untouched World model casting. (I may have found my calling.)’

Gorman opened up shop, I tried on some clothes, now you can too.

Published on March 27, 2012 in Awesome Things and Me. 167 Comments

Gorman's 'Aran' Jumper. All Images/Hone Hernandez.

Saturday marked a pretty special occasion for New Zealand (well, Auckland) retail. Melbourne-born and much wider known womenswear label, Gorman, opened up shop in the old Trelise Cooper Kids space on Nuffield Street in Newmarket. Not one to shy away from the opportunity to a.) see new clothes, b.) try them on and c.) have my photo taken, I rushed down on Monday with a new photographer in tow (one that I’d never met until 5 minutes before these photos were taken – check his work here) and had a little try on of my favourite pieces from A/W 2012. These are the results:

Continue reading ‘Gorman opened up shop, I tried on some clothes, now you can too.’

Behind the scenes at Remix.

Published on March 23, 2012 in Me. 2 Comments

All Images/James K Lowe.

A good month and a half or so ago now, I woke up to find an email in my inbox from Tina Moore – the editor of Remix magazine. The subject read: Remix Style Feature, and the gist of the email was that they’d like to put me in the magazine dressed as, well, myself. In something that I considered my style. Now, I know I have a fashion blog and all, but I don’t usually get emails like this. I was pretty excited. I have never really considered myself to have a great sense of personal style – getting dressed in the morning does often involve jeans and a t-shirt – but of course I was up to the challenge. Who wouldn’t be?

So, after a few visits to showrooms and a lot of new-seasons-clothes-wish-list-making later, I found myself at the local tennis courts wearing some of my favourite pieces from A/W 2012, with photographer Oliver Rose pointing his bloody camera in my face. I say that with love. It was actually quite fun, although quite nerve-racking – I brought along my brother to document the afternoon and friend-to-everyone Maddy Budd for moral support. She brought along Erica Rosen – a model from New York. Do you know how terrifying it is to have your photo taken infront of a 5’10″ skinny girl who does it for a living? Let me tell you: heaps terrifying.

The outfit they’re featuring in this month’s issue (which is out now!) is the above. Some out-takes from the day, below:

Continue reading ‘Behind the scenes at Remix.’

Highs and Low(e)s.

Published on March 18, 2012 in Awesome Things, Highs and Low(e)s, Me and Rant. 5 Comments

Maddy Budd.

Highs:

  1. On Friday night I spent a good hour yelling at models backstage at The Department Store show. I had to shoot as many outfits as possible while the show was going, and I needed the girls to ham it up for the camera. The pressure. So much pressure. So little time and so much yelling. It’s surprising what a psycho you can become when you need a shot. I distinctly recall screaming several times, ‘YOU CALL THAT EXCITED?!’ and ‘GET CLOSER TOGETHER! I WANT HAPPY! YOU DON’T LOOK HAPPY AT ALL. LOOK LIKE YOU’RE LOVING IT! ARE YOU LOVING IT?!!!’ It worked though.
  2. Later on, on Friday night, I went out. And I mean out, out. I hardly ever go out, let alone with people I don’t usually hang out with. I got home at 7:00am. It was amazing. The consequential hangover, however, was not (see ‘Low(e)s’).
  3. Speaking of Friday night, had this amazing taxi driver who, because I don’t know the word to explain it because I’m not down with the kids, would pump his breaks to the beat of the hip hop he was cranking (at our request). Most gangsta taxi driver in Auckland.
  4. This. When someone with upwards of 15,000 followers on Tumblr gives you a shout out, you know you’re doing okay.
  5. I’ve mentioned the trailer to this new tv show, ‘Girls’, which is launching next month, but what I didn’t mention is this amazing interview with the writer, director and star, Lena Dunham. Read it, and watch the trailer. I swear 90% of you will love it.
  6. Zara Mirkin’s new tumblr.
  7. Going to see Taylor Swift tonight. Is she going to wear her t-shirt? Unlikely, but at least she got it. Am I going to be the oldest non-chaperoning attendee? Likely, but I’m owning it.

Low(e)s:

  1. Saturday was pretty much a complete write-off. 3 hours sleep, followed by a shower and a 2 hour afternoon nap and it was 3:00pm before I knew it. Also, the tiredness and hangoverness meant my driving concentration was worse than usual. A near car crash. Not good.
  2. Sometimes I don’t think before I speak.
  3. Sometimes I don’t think before I spend.
  4. Tomorrow I have to reshoot a shoot I did a few days ago. :-/
  5. I am so low buzz today it is ridiculous.

Verve Magazine has written a little piece on me.

Published on March 15, 2012 in Me. 5 Comments

Image/Supplied.

A few weeks back I woke up relatively early (when I say relatively, I mean relative to the 9:30am/10:00am wake-up I have become accustomed to with this ‘no real job’ situation I’m in) after a pretty average night’s sleep, to rush to Café Twenty-Three at the top of Mt Eden Road where someone called ‘Inger-Lisa’ from ‘Verve Magazine‘ was going to be waiting for me. I was wearing a t-shirt that I had slept in and jeans and I am pretty sure I looked a bit of a mess, but mess or not I got there on time – two minutes early, in fact.

Inger-Lisa walked in, she was tall with friendly eyes and we made our introductions and sat down. For the next hour we talked about one of my favourite topics: me. My life, how I got to where I am today, the trials and tribulations of being a blogger, the trials and tribulations of being a twenty-something year old girl who has no idea what they’re doing with their life, what motivates me and several things that were preceded by an “okay, this is off the record so don’t write this down” or followed by a “don’t publish that!”.

I’d never properly been interviewed before and I have to say it was quite a fun experience. This month I happen to make appearances in a few publications (more on those later), but Verve is the only magazine that has a proper article on me. Feel free to read it by clicking the image above for a larger version.

Happy Thursday folks.