Not that far off...

New Illustrator Crush: James Jean

Came across this dude whilst doing research for Uni (oh and if I haven't mentioned already, I've gone back to Uni. Starting allll over again at Istituto Marangoni London - 3 year BA Fashion Styling degree).

James Jean is a Taiwanese born, LA based artist and illustrator. His works are macabre and surreal yet beautiful at the same time. He takes inspiration from Asian art, mythology, and anatomy. Childhood, sexuality and transformation are common themes in his pieces. His use of soft colours make the depicted grisly scenes somewhat inviting and strangely friendly.

Although he's knew to me, his resume is pretty impressive. He's been exhibiting his works since 2001 and even worked with Prada on an animated film for the S/S 08 collection.

Fashion for Dummies: Pronunciation

If you want to stand out in the fashion industry, you got you have a catchy or unusual name (unfortunately the latter are usually impossible to pronounce). We’ve all been there; faced with a name of a designer you have no clue how to pronounce. You have two options – admit you haven’t got a Scooby or say it really fast /mutter it under your breath and hope no-one notices. Major fashion faux pas (pronounced ‘foe paw’)!

But so you never end up in such a situation, here’s a list of fashion peeps you should know how to pronounce like a pro.

Let’s start with the big guns:

-Aquascutum: Ah-kwa-SKEW-tum

-Azzedine Alaia: Aza-deen A-LYE-a

-Bvlgari: BOOL-ga-ree

-Lacroix: la-KWA

-Christian Louboutin: Kree-styan Loo-boo-tahn

-Comme des Garçons: Comb day Gar-SON

-Dries Van Noten: DREEZE van KNOW-ten

-Hermès: AIR-mehz

-Hervé Léger: Air-vay Lay-jay

-Hussein Chalayan: Who-sane Sha-lion

-Junya Watanabe: JOON-ya Wah-TAH-nah-bay

-Lanvin: Lon-VAN

-Loewe: LOO-eh-VAY

-Moschino: Mo-SKI-no

-Proenza Schouler: Pro-EHN-za SKOO-ler

-Rodarte: Ro-dar-tay

-Thierry Mugler: TEh-ree MOOH-gleh

-Versace: Ver-sah-chee OR Ver-saw-chay

-Yves Saint Laurent: Eve Sane LAUR-ahn

Sample Sale Alert

Well thats my Christmas presents sorted then. For myself.

Designer Colab: Lanvin for H&M

Oh! What's this? A Designer colab with H&M that doesn't totally suck? Thats right boys and girls (mostly girls) H&M have teamed up with Lanvin for their next collaboration and I don't hate it! Sure it's all about how you wear it of course. Some of the dresses could look like Lipsy on a "The Only Way Is Essex" night out on the wrong person but overall - not bad, not bad.

The collection hits stores on 23rd November. Expect sleeping bags set up the night before, huge lines and maybe even a fashion cat fight or two.

Lina Osterman & Pudel Sample Sale