I thought it was about time that I dedicated a post to bicycle fashion, and what better day than on an “inspired” Wednesday? Since I’ve began this journey, I’ve often been asked the question, “why bicyclette?”. Coming up with a name is something that I find extremely difficult. It’s a very personal process, and it is really the beginning of the brand definition and identity process. You need something that is lasting and something that speaks to you. I’m not sure exactly where the name bicyclette came from or why I was so drawn to it, but it speaks to me. I remember traveling to the Netherlands when I was younger to visit family and explore my heritage, and finding so much inspiration in the gorgeous, effortlessly chic women on bicycles in every city.
I still get questions inquiring as to whether I’m selling bikes, which I find somewhat amusing. I know not everyone will agree with my choice, but to me, there’s a story behind it and a meaning that I believe evokes the spirit of the brand I am trying to create.
Awhile ago I came across Copenhagen Cycle Chic, which is a blog that is dedicated to street style incorporating bicycles. Voila! – perfect inspiration. Another, more recent discovery is Riding Pretty, whose blog name I love, and is “dedicated to all the girls in the world who want to ride pretty on a bicycle”. Sounds just about right to me!
Image Sources: Riding Pretty & Copenhagen Cycle Chic
Our current weather in Toronto has been leaning towards the dull and gray lately, and I’ve noticed that this has one of two effects on my daily clothing choices: I either dress monochromatically in blacks and grays, or leave the house in the brightest pieces from my closet.
Case in point, yesterday I not only wore the brightest red sweater dress, but also layered it with my favourite cobalt blue coat.
Red Sweater Dress: Thrifted / Blue Coat: French Connection / Beaded Necklace: Nasty Gal / OTK Leather Boots: Heel Boy
The combination of red and blue always make me think of Alice in Wonderland, and considering the fact that it is one of my favourite fairy tales, that’s exactly what was brought to mind when I looked at these photos.
Inspired by, or simply a coincidence? Irrelevant. Though it did bring to mind the Alice in Wonderland inspired editorial that Vogue featured, with Natalia Vodianova and shot by Annie Leibovitz. Love the drama.
In other, less whimsical news, I’ve officially registered the business name – bicyclette boutique, and set up a business account at my bank. My little notebook is constantly being filled with ideas and to-do lists, and just as quickly, I’m checking things off. Productivity feels good! Next on the list is designing the business card and putting together a budget for the first buy.
To end with, and in keeping with the “inspiration” theme of today, I leave you with this excerpt:
“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, painting, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery- celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: ‘it’s not where you take things from- it’s where you take things to’.”
-Jim Jarmusch
Taken from issue 31 of RUSSH magazine
(Thanks Ruby!)
First off, before we get down to Wednesday business (inspiration day!), I’d like to share my (partial) outfit of the day. For my first thesis creative, I designed a series of three inspiration focused t-shirts, shared here. After handing them in, I kind of forgot about them, until I got them back the other day. As you can imagine, I was excited to incorporate them into some outfits. So here you are, my first outing with the bicyclette tee, off to write an exam.
T-shirt: DIY / Snow Leopard Cardi: H&M / Rhinestone Necklaces: Random Collected
I know I’ve already done a brand spotlight on Wildfox Couture, but I had to do a follow-up when I saw their latest campaign for their Summer 2010 collection, this time as a source of inspiration.
It’s amazing. Like most other girls, I have a soft spot for Barbie, and with her 50th anniversary having passed this year, it seems like a perfect time to pay a little homage.
One of the things I always love about Wildfox is that they don’t take themselves too seriously, and this shoot is a perfect example. Notice how everything’s exaggerated a little and the characters are almost caricatures. I love the styling, and the modeling is executed so well. These girls have the broken doll look down to an art.
Images: http://ilovewildfox.com/
Also, check out their website here. They have a great little behind-the-scenes photo shoot video on their home page that makes me want to dress up and make my own video. Hmmm, extra-curricular project anyone?
Oh, the joys of being a girl!
Which Wildfox Barbie character is your favourite? Who do you relate most to?
It’s Sunday, I’ve been cleaning the apartment all day, and thought I would take a wee break to share some pretty pictures with everyone. I thought I would follow in the footsteps of one of my favourite blogs, Bleubird Vintage, and do an “Oh You Pretty Things” post. Mine has taken on a theme of its’ own this evening: weddings. No, I’m not trying to hint at anything, there’s just a certain type of personal creativity that goes into wedding planning and design, and I love the idea of choosing a theme, however loose, and working around that.
Pretty flower rings...
... with pretty notes
Pretty feather hairpieces (and a bicycle, how fitting!)
Pretty vintage frocks and florals
Pretty settings and sunsets
Pretty mismatched bridesmaid dresses
Pretty glittery garter
Enjoy your evening!
I know it’s late, but I thought I would squeeze in a quick post and give myself a little break from the torture that is Dreamweaver. (It’s now been about 6.5 hours).
As I previewed a few days ago, I’ve been working on my second creative project for my thesis, which is due tomorrow. I’ll post the finals tomorrow, but I thought I would share where some of my inspiration for the photoshoot came from: black and white photography.
I’m a bit of a photo junkie, and a sucker for beautiful, captivating images of all sorts, and black and white photography has a special place in my heart. There’s something incredibly raw and gritty about them, and simplistically beautiful at the same time. They invite you to use your imagination to fill in the tones and shades.
Love the carefree attitude. The street style vibe and the candid quality. And the setting. I kind of want to be her.
I wish I could share the original source, but I have a bad habit of “borrowing” images that inspire me and forgetting to note the source. If anyone knows, please share!
Hooray, it’s….
I’m going to focus less on obvious interior inspiration, and more on the creation of an environment, or a feeling, within the store itself. I think this is something that is just as important as the physical attributes a store interior has, and I came across the most beautiful photostream on Flickr, *oops, that to me, exemplifies bicyclette beautifully.
Love: the delicate sparkles of white light, the ambiguous faded imagery, the dream-worthy subtlety, the muted colour palette and the overall magical feeling that is portrayed so well. I want to live in this world.
All images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/81soul/
Curious what your thoughts are about these photos. I love romantic imagery, which I think is where my attraction to these stems from. They’re so pretty, on such a simple level.
Can you see how these cold be a source of inspiration for the interior of bicyclette, or have I gone too abstract?
Found this and had to share. The message is extremely applicable to my life right now, the illustration is adorable, and it’s a bike. Perfect. Plus, the quote is by Albert Einstein, so there must be some truth to it, right?
I don’t think I’m alone in saying that Balmain sparked a love for embellishment, glitz and all things rock-and-roll these past few seasons.
- Fall 2008
Fall 2009
Unfortunately my bank account doesn’t fully support this affair, and so I am forced to settle for alternate methods of fulfillment.
Forever21 Jezebel Beaded Skirt
I grew up a somewhat deprived child, at least in terms of TV exposure. Not that I’m complaining, but whenever people make references to certain shows and I have to explain that no, I didn’t grow up watching them, I walk away feel like I might have missed out on a pop culture gem. Such is the case with Beverly Hills 90210. (The original series, think 90′s). Which is why I can now justify the need to watch every single cheesy episode, chronologically. Dylan McKay, how did I ever live without you?
We all know that fashion trends are cyclical, and this is a perfect example. Crop tops, florals, blazers, lace and docs? Perfect then, perfect now. Sure, they’ve been updated, but the inspiration is there. Which is where my latest crush, MINKPINK comes in.
I came across MINKPINK the way I first come across many new brands: By falling in love with an item without recognizing the label, purchasing it, and then conducting a little bit of research as my love affair grew. It’s been about a year now since MINKPINK first entered my closet, and since then I’ve watched as the label began to pop up in various shops and in the blogosphere. The brand comes from Australia, but is quickly making it’s way to our part of the globe, wooing girls left, right and center. Or at least me.
Determined to offer the market something new and different, the team takes influence and inspiration from high-end designers, current trends, street styling and vintage pieces, working hard to produce fresh and flattering garments full of signature MINKPINK personality… The entire team bubbles over with enthusiams, ideas and a passion to create garments that are fun, fashionable, affordable and well, just plain fabulous! Each piece is designed with the everyday fashionista in mind – aiming to be fit friendly and work back with an existing wardrobe to create individual style.
The 90′s influences are definitely there, merging with current trends and impeccable styling to bring us a brand that feels new, yet vintage-chic. It manages to perfectly ride that line between girly and rocker (florals and studs, anyone?) without taking the trend too far. Great layering pieces that are ready for the beach… or the streets. And the prices aren’t so bad either.
So what do we think, does MINKPINK have bicyclette potential?
In honour of it being my birthday today and because I desperately need to take a break from business plan writing, I’ve decided that I’m going to be completely self-indulgent and do a wishlist post. This allows me to treat myself to some eye candy while kind of doing research.
So, without further ado, here’s what I’m coveting:
Sequin Leggings from BB Dakota
Perfect for the upcoming Holiday season with a fun dress, or with layers of chunky knits during the day. Great for mixing textures in an all-black ensemble. (Please note: leggings are not meant to be worn as pants!).
Maurie and Eve Tunic
Another great layering piece, very versatile, and yes, with a dash of sequin embellishment (see a trend yet?). The soft colours are great as an alternate to darker winter colours, but still neutral and transitional.
Veda Mercury Leather Stud Skirt
Yes, I have a little bit of an obsession with studs right now. Yes, I am fully aware that I might not wear this often and it’s not the most practical item. But this skirt is fantastic and it’s my birthday, so I’m allowed to dream! Sigh.
J Brand Skinny Faded Ombre Jeans
I’ve seen a few different versions of ombre jeans but these are by far the best. The black to light grey transition is perfect and wearable and the fade is executed in such a way that it doesn’t appear tacky. I can see myself wearing these a lot.
Louis de Gama Leather Braid and Chiffon Dress
This is the kind of dress that doesn’t need words to explain why I’ve fallen for it. The nude chiffon? The braiding and leather detailing? Enough said.
Ka Pow Wow Tulle Ruffle Necklace
I’ve talked about my love for t-shirts as of late, and this is the type of statement necklace that would be the perfect accessory to dress up a simple, casual outfit. The tulle gives it a light look and doesn’t overwhelm the neckline. A future DIY perhaps?
It looks as though I’m drawn towards neutrals right now, especially blacks, which I suppose makes sense given the time of year.
What are some favourite fall trends right now and what are you coveting?
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