Following yesterdays 'best frock' of 2011, todays category is the worst outfit of the year. Though, in general I'd like to think that 2011 has been a year of clever, edgy and innovative outfits with a mix of classic, comeback and contemporary trends, there have been a fair few fashion faux pas! Some of the celebrities at the fore front of creative and experimental fashion sometimes get it wrong, unfortunately we can't all pull off a 'meat' dress like Lady Gaga. There have been many red carpet catastrophes this year from the three piece D&G white tux worn by Justin Bieber, which was so oversized it looked like he had delved into his dad's wardrobe and ditched the dinner shoes for his new basketball trainers to Barbra Streisand's over the top, baby pink, two sizes too small dress and velvet pink cape which got the comedy actress laughs for a different reason. However, there was one outfit out there that shocked more than any others and received much scrutiny from the press.
The winner of 2011's outfit shock category is:
Nicki Minaj's MTV Music Video Awards circus style outfit
Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of time for Nicki Minaj, how can you not respect a woman who is so motivated with a policy of, 'Refuse to lose. Refuse to be defeated. Refuse to regret. Will you accomplish your goal or pretend your life is changing when you know it's not? A wonderful world awaits you.' In many ways her 'I don't give a fuck what you think about me and what I do' attitude is inspirational and this can be seen in this brave outfit choice. It is a shame that the statement piece went so wrong.
Nicki, like her personality, has an upfront, fearless and colourful dress sense. Sometimes this results in outrageously wonderful outfits that push the boundaries of fashion, for example her fitted, cat woman style jumpsuits and other times it results in a wardrobe suicide like this.
It seems as though Nicki has taken trying to compete with Lady Gaga for the title of Queen of bizarre style a step too far. The original bodice of the piece, reminiscent of Gaga's disco ball dress would have been considered both edgy and chic if it was teamed with simple accessories. However Minaj ruins the outfit with her baby toy add ons. It looks as if she decided to pop into Toys 'R' Us on the way to the show and has left with half the under 5's department attached to her dress.
There is just too much going on with the outfit at once, from the candy floss hair to the risqué bodice and kids department toys. As sad as I am to say it Minaj looks like a circus performer and 2011 could have done without this outfit eyesore.
At first this was a very difficult choice for me as 2011 has brought so many clever, beautiful, unique and edgy outfits to my attention, from British actress Andrea Riseborough's understated yet striking, unique red carpet choices to Jessie J's controversial but edgy wardrobe wonders, a favourite being the leopard print jumpsuit worn at the MTV Europe Music video awards. However, after a good long think the triumphant tailoring became so obvious that I was almost ashamed I didn't think of it sooner.
The winner of the best frock 2011 category is (drum rolllllll)....
The Sarah Burton Royal Wedding dress designed for Kate Middleton.
The fairytale worthy frock matched Kate's understated sophistication as she sat smiling next to her prince waving to the crowds from her horse and carriage. I was just waiting for a Fairy God Mother to flutter in followed by the inevitable, jealous ugly sisters chasing after the carriage, stopping every so often in an attempt to squeeze into a shoe the size of their big toe. Instead, sister Pippa Middleton nearly stole the show as she worked the younger Prince Harry with her figure hugging bridesmaid gown also designed by the Alexander MacQueen creative director.
The moment when Kate stepped out of the Rolls Royce to reveal the well kept secret wedding dress will be a moment forever cherished in fashion history. The intricate and exquisite hand embroidered lace appliqué bodice complimented the simple but classic floor length skirt, train and the ivory silk veil. As soon as I saw the dress my cynical views about the fact that the event resulted in a public holiday were a mere memory as I felt all mushy inside, that feeling of instantly falling in love with a dress that I am sure all women must have felt at some point in their life.
Not only did the piece itself receive an inordinate amount of press coverage both before the secret outfit was revealed and after but it also proved that Sarah Burton is more than capable of filling her role as successor to the Alexander MacQueen label and has resulted in her becoming one of 2011s most high in demand designers with her winning the designer of the year award at Harper Bazaar's Women of the Year Awards.
So with a cup of English tea in hand and pinky raised I propose a toast to Sarah Burton for designing the dress that defined 2011.
I have decided, since it is now December, to have a blog countdown to the New Year. Each post which contain the best and worst of 2011 in fashion, music, entertainments and in my personal year, from the my best designers of the year to my biggest guilty pleasures. I will try my absolute best to be a dedicated blogger and to stick to my daily posts. I hope you will enjoy counting down to 2012 with me,
A sigh of relief and sense of satisfaction, my last piece of journalism course work done and dusted after weeks of intense university work and no social life. Yet, there is no celebration drink or even evening of guilty pleasure viewing: mind numbing reality TV accompanied with a glass of wine in my onesie no less. Instead, it is time to tackle the pile of books and make progress with my History of US essay.
Less than half an hour into research and I find myself browsing facebook, blogs and shops online. How did this happen?! Either way, my classic procrastination session lead to a beautiful discovery which immediately drove away all feelings of guilt...
The 'Cutie Pie' vintage inspired, limited edition jewellery collection is designed and handmade by Danielle Butler. Considering the brand was founded in 2007 and has been featured in magazines I read religiously such as Grazia I am surprised I that I have not came across Cutie Pie before.
I want absolutely everything in this collection. My absolute favourite pieces have to be the 'Monsieur' moustache ring, the 'play us a tune' piano ring, the 'alice' playing card ring, the 'up up and away' necklace and the 'antique rose' bracelet.
Last week I was fortunate enough to attend the first Universal music 'Utalk' in Scotland on behalf of the Strathclyde Telegraph. Those on the panel were Jim Chancellor - MD Fiction Records, Steve Warby - Label Manager Ficiton Records, Thom Powers and Aaron Short - The Naked and Famous and Universal Music Staff: Selina Webb - communications director, Morna Cook - director of human resources and Mike Seymour - head of communications.
It was a fantastic experience and chance to network. Not only that but I gained some invaluable insider knowledge on the music business and then was lucky enough to be offered the chance to write a piece for the Umusic blog!
Is it just me or is Ian Kilmister, better known as ‘Lemmy’ from Motorhead a bit of a modern day style icon?
It was bon fire night and instead of going to a fireworks show the McConnachie family headed to the O2 Carling Academy in Glasgow to see Motorhead. I must admit when my Dad suggested a family gig I was a bit sceptical, however, when Motorhead was mentioned I could not pass up the opportunity. Though I may not seem like your regular head banging, heavy metal lover, Motorhead are a band I have been brought up with and I can’t help but have a wee soft spot for them…so I put on my Docs and headed for the Carling.
As we entered the venue I was met with the inevitable middle aged metal mob: bald men who had delved into their 70s wardrobe and returned, beer bellies bulging out their band tees, leather trousers bursting at the seems and toes crushed in their scuffed up cow boy boots. Yet, I was surprised to see an even balance between old and young, including some who had barely even reached their teenage years. It appears that Motorhead have managed to span across the generations. Young boys and girls made their way to the front of the stage, clutching cups of JD and coke. They too don the leather trousers and jackets, Motorhead band tees, steel-toe capped boots and doc martins but with a modern edge adding skinny jeans, blazers and shirts into the mix.
When looking around the packed, sold out venue I couldn’t help but ask why? Why are Motorhead still popular in 2011? Yes, this is perhaps due to the loyal, die-hard fans of the seventies but why are they also noted amongst the young music scene when most tracks have the same uncanny resemblance from the likes of 1984s ‘Killed by Death’ from 2010s ‘Outlaw’?
Maybe the question is in itself the answer, the fans know exactly what they are paying for when they buy an album or a gig ticket. They know that Motorhead will stick to the same, fantastic formula and wont move in a new direction. This perhaps explains why Motorhead fans are so loyal. However, I think a lot of the bands modern popularity is due to the legendary status of front man Lemmy.
Though the front man has always been looked up to by fans it seems that in the past decade he has become a legendary face in the rock ‘n’ roll world, with members of bands claiming to be friends with him, a movie recently made about his life and an unholy amount of merchandise that could compete with Disney’s standards. The most successful of such merchandise has to be the Lemmy clothing line. It is impossible to drop into Nice N Sleazys for a pint and not see at least one Motorhead t-shirt, hoodie or hat.
From the moment the lights dimmed and the piercing sound of an air raid siren filled the room, the crowd began cheering as Lemmy sauntered on stage, donning the classic cowboy hat with a Scotland flag on the front. Fans looked up at him mesmerised as the opening riff of ‘Bomber’ rang out. It was then that I began to look at Lemmy as a bit of a style icon for modern fans.
From the start of ‘Bomber’ to last drum beats of ‘Overkill‘, there was much head banding as the mosh pit grew larger. Men, young and old ditched had ditched their tops by the second song, showing off their Lemmy tats as they moshed.
As the gig ended and the band took a bow, I stood with my family impressed and content after what had been a great night. I think it’s safe to say that the Motorhead gig in Glasgow will now become an annual McConnachie family tradition… On the note I am going to start preparing for my wardrobe for next year, and there is no better time than now with the a/w mod vs. rockers style in shops from leather trousers, to peter pan collars.
