Visual Collector. Swimwear Hoarder. Accessories Lover. Modern Jewellery Magpie. Pattern and Colour Obsessor. Vintage Fancier. Craft Advocate. Sunseeker. Jodi Muter Hamilton.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

IBIZA 0910 - A Must, Las Salinas



Driving amongst the salt flats on the way to Las Salina we would have never imagined that it was quite a walk to the deserted beach. After parking the car we found ourselves walking through a pine forest in the early morning (8.30am in Ibiza is early, unless you are seeing it from the other side, then it is indeed a late night) with sunshine rays, enthusiastic runners and mountain bikers, we finally came across several small beaches within coves of white rock.


In search of the famous Jockey Club with the hope of a comfy sun lounger and a long awaited decent breakfast, we were not disappointed. The Jockey Club effortlessly chic, with served one of the best breakfasts I have ever tasted. After grabbing the odd piece of fruit in replacement for my normally fairly substantial breakfast, the muesli, fruit, yogurt, sweet honey and crusty toast topped off with a cuppa was perfect, not to mention the idyllic view!
Little did we know that the Jockey Club has a car park, so we needn't have walked through the forest. However we wouldn't have sunbathed in the secluded coves on our way back. Unknowingly these coves are nudist, a point which we later found out when we were descended upon by a middle aged man and wife with a keen interest in playing bat and ball in the sea!




Monday, September 20, 2010

IBIZA 0910 - Hippies and History


Nestled amongst the hills and greenery Ibiza's famous hippy market bares its soul and magic whilst being surrounded with lovely bohemian clothing and jewellery. With its magnetic draw Ibiza is renound for its spiritual inhabitants, as well as the party goers. Often its hard to think of Ibiza before the 60's hippy visitors but there's alot more to this beautiful islands history.

A very brief history.......

Due to its strategic position between mainland Spain and Africa, Ibiza was highly prized as a colony and trading post and was visited by the Ancient Greeks and later ruled by both the Carthaginians and the Romans.
In 654 BC Phoenician settlers founded a port in the Balearic Islands, as Ibossim. The island was dedicated to the god of the music and dance Bes, who could protect men against evil spirits and strangle snakes.
During the 5th - 9th Century's AD, Ibiza was invaded and conquered by such folk as the Vandals, the Barbarians and the Byzantines.
The Arabs came in the 9th century A.D. and stayed for almost 500 years.
The island was reclaimed for Christendom by Aragonese King James I of Aragon in 1235.
Since then, the island has had its own self-government in several forms but in 1715 King Philip V of Spain abolished the local government's autonomy. The arrival of democracy in the late 1970s led to the Statute of Autonomy of the Balearic Islands. Today the island is part of the Balearic Autonomous Community, along with Majorca, Minorca and Formentera.

In its more recent history Ibiza the “island of light” has attracted painters and photographers because of its unusual clarity of air. In 1934 the Bauhaus architects among them Walter Gropius, Erich Bronner and Corbusier arrived to the small island of just over 500 sq miles. They were fascinated by the architecture with its modular, cubic arrangements and the thick walls of its buildings.

From the 1950's the island has attracted those wishing to lead a different kind of life, one in tune with self and surrounding, with the freedom to live the life you wish. The island draws people for many reasons, perhaps because of the world famous clubs (which are famous due simply down to ibiza's unique magnetism) or perhaps because of the islands long spiritual history and mysticism, which ever reason Ibiza welcomes its visitors with open arms, leaving them with a feeling that will never be forgotten.

Beautiful hand made bags by World Family Ibiza consisting of Alok and Merel and their six children. You can feel that these bags, purses and belts are made with love. Prices are around £150 - £600


Apache Indian style leather bags, purses, and head adornments with feathers made by this lovely lady truly represent her taste or perhaps even her soul!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

IBIZA 0910 - Campos de Ibiza

Amongst the rows of yachts and stylish restaurants stands Campos de Ibiza. Selling their own range of fragrances, lotions and candles along side swimwear from Eres and Princess Tam Tam with cover ups from Antik Batik the store embodies sophistication for those who have the cash to splash, certainly worth a visit!

Nicholas Kirkwood / Lust List

Nicholas Kirkwood makes the most desirable, modern, luxurious shoes I have ever seen. His sculptural designs created out of unusual exotic fabrics such python, shaved stingray, laser-cut mirror leather, and cobra, blurs the boundaries between shoes and art. Visiting Selfridges new shoe galleries this was the one shoe that made my heart skip a beat. God I wish I would buy them!


I came across this pic... which compliments the shoes perfectly!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

GO HANNAH!!!

Good luck tomorrow Hannah, watch out London Fashion Week!

Friday 16:45 Hannah Marshall BFC Show Space


Hannah and Erin in this week Stylist Magazine.

Olga Olsson / Brand Feature


Luxury, Ethics & Craftmanship are at the core of Olga Olsson's beliefs. Named after the founder, Ruth Ferguson's grandmother Olga, the brand is true to the Ruth's heart, and everything that true creation should be. Something I remember Katharine Hamnett mentioned to me in passing was that she 'never wants to make something that hurts someone else'. This ethic is something I think Ruth would certainly identify with. Olga Olsson is made in a small atelier in Rio de Janeiro by 8 very skilled women, who are all paid a fair wage with transport costs covered. In addition to this the fabric is hand painted, by young artisans who are part of an NGO founded by artist Ana Castro. Ana teaches hand painting for textiles, dying, tye dye, batik, silk screen, and dip-dye to apprentices with an aim to create new paths for their lives to take, away from the violent district of Complexo Maré in Rio.




Ruth having previously worked for Alexander McQueen, Matthew Williamson, Hackett and Harrods certainly knows the luxury market, here's hoping that we can put British (Brazilian) swimwear on the map in a similar way to women's ready to wear draws the crowds to London fashion week!
SS11 maybe the first season for Olga Olsson, I don't doubt we will see the brand and its creators blossom. Olga Olsson is by far the hottest swimwear brand I've seen in a long time (apart from Black Neon of course!!)
Meeting Ruth at last months Lingerie Collective has been a blessing in its self, not only is she a lovely girl, it's finally great to have someone in exactly the same boat, to bounce ideas around with!
SS11 will be available next spring online at Olga Olsson.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Seventh Wonderland / Brand Feature






As part of August's Lingerie Collective the Australian brand Seventh Wonderland showed their SS11 collection. Having long been a fan of the brand I'm always excited to see what new delights are on offer. Once again Seventh Wonderland delivers fashion forward stylish cuts and great unusual prints, my fav being the marble effect print. I was equally happy to see the introduction of more beachwear, namely shorts and kaftans again in their unique prints. I can't wait to get my hands on a marble print suit!

Ell & Cee / Brand Feature


Ell & Cee founded by the lovely Laura Cloke began life 8 years ago after Laura graduated from the Uni with a Ba in Womenswear. Having worked as a stylist for Cosmo and Company Magazines Laura's tasteful vision creates a brand with enough desirability to make you reach for your cash card in seconds. Ell & Cee's ethereal lingerie is delicate, luxurious, and very stylish all made in the UK. Laura has produced a collection for SS11 that any woman would love to own. My favourite piece, being a print lover is this silk chiffon dress. Embracing the trend lingerie (and swimwear) worn as outwear this dress is as perfect for the bedroom as it is for a cocktail after a day by the beach.

Ell & Cee's attention to detail is apparent in the unique use of trims such as soft pompoms, detachable crystals and pearls, and fine gold back fasteners.



Ell & Cee's autumn winter Gypsy Luxe collection will be available to buy online very soon! You will have to wait for SS11 for a bit longer!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

IBIZA Countdown.. Step by Step

In less than 6 hours i will be in the promised land that is IBIZA. It's the only place that has made me cry (in a good way) I know this is where i want to live, for 6 months of the year at least, but the question is how I'm i going to make it happen?
Step by step is the answer.....
1. Leave uni with a fashion degree and great pattern cutting skills (Tick)
2. Work in fashion, Retail/PR/Marketing/Design for a good few years (Tick)
3. Work in a swimwear factrory in Mauritius (Tick)
4. Research swimwear and shops aka visit Miami/Ibiza/St Tropez/Portofino (Tick)
5. Spend a around 2 years creating a swimwear brand (Tick)
6. Go out again this year and see lovely shops around marina botafoch to with an aim to sell the collection
7. Ibiza loves BLACK NEON
8. Financial investment (currently working in Canary Wharf I have my fingers crosses to find a guardian angel)
9. NYC/Miami/VOGUE ...love BLACK NEON
10. TBC
XXXXX

Jade Jagger has so got the right idea...