italy

Towards the end of last week, I was off on another trip in Italy, this time to Bologna (as well as San Marino) to visit the David Bowie Is exhibition. As soon as the tickets went on sale, we purchased them knowing that it was the last time the show was being held in Europe. I came out feeling so inspired and even more in admiration for Bowie and his work, and seeing as I can still intertwine the whole experience with fashion, I decided to write down some of my thoughts after visiting…

  LOCATION: MAMbo Bologna, IT  🇮🇹

Okay let’s first of all start with the above pictures – I’ve already posted them on Twitter and Instagram and basically everywhere (including Tumblr) because they are just so magical. Shoutout to my brother for capturing such an epically timed set of photos of myself crossing the road to the MAMbo, just as a guy on his motorbike passed wearing a black star helmet. He wasn’t visiting the exhibition either just FYI – he drove past and proved that Bowie is still using his magic even now. It’s actually pretty crazy – I mean, what are the chances that someone would be passing at that exact moment with the exact same star?

Speaking of the MAMbo; that’s of course where the exhibition was held. It was a fairly big exhibition, but just the right size that if you aren’t a super fan of Bowie, you won’t get bored or uninterested. I’m not going to say I know everything and anything about the man himself, but I’ve definitely learnt a lot over the past few years with the help of my aforementioned brother, and was of course hugely hit by Bowie’s passing in January.

The cool thing about the exhibition is that you’re given a headphone and audio set that automatically plays when you walk around. It plays a mix of music, interviews and recordings, and as soon as I heard a faint whisper of a song in the first room, I could feel my emotions coming to the surface. I never really knew how much somebody I didn’t know could effect me, but I’m still not fully recovered from the news, and I’m not sure any of us will be for a while. So really, you can probably guess what it felt like to see some of his work (whether that be costumes, lyric sheets or paintings) up close and personal, just an arms stretch away.

WHAT I WORE: DIY ★ Jacket // Blouse (Charity Shop) // Super Crop Top (ASOS) // Printed Trousers (ASOS Africa) // Sunglasses (Topshop – Old) // White Vagabond Dioons (Mastershoe)*

A lot of people only know certain parts of Bowie’s story, whether that be his life as Ziggy Stardust (only a very small part of his career), his acting career in films like Labyrinth, or even for younger generations, his latest albums like The Next Day and ★, but there’s so much more to him than all of that, and that’s what the exhibiton really brings to life. There’s a dedicated section to his time in Berlin in the 70s, which includes some of the artwork he produced as someone who has always had an interest in art; there’s a film room dedicated to more than just his role in Labryinth and The Man Who Fell To Earth and there’s the very first original letter which shows the change of his name from Davie to David Bowie…

…and then of course, there’s the costumes. As an aspiring designer, you definitely won’t be surprised to hear how much time I took to look at each piece in detail. There’s an incredibly well preserved collection from most of his tours, including of course the more well known outfits and designs by Kansai Yamamoto (seen above – a scan from the David Bowie Is book). Seeing the textures and three dimensionality of everything really brings to life Bowie in front of your eyes, and is worth all the odd looks of being down on my knees in front of fifty odd people to inspect that knitted jumpsuit in dim lighting through a mesh panel…

…the mesh panel being in one of the most incredible rooms. A 360 degree square of lights and projections showing various concerts including the last ever for Ziggy and a performance of Heroes. I may have been in that room for longer than most, but it was genuinely breathtaking and made my heart warm when a few people started dancing – although the legend might not be with us now, it’s a time to celebrate his influence and how he’s changed the lives of many; past, present and future.

I’m not sure how many times I’ve now said this, but it truly was an incredible experience. I came away feeling truly grateful of the fact I was able to see Bowie create new music and leave behind such a powerful message. There are many reasons why he has such an inspiring story, but if you really want to learn why, you’ll have to visit the exhibition yourself. It’s worth all the travelling, all the money and all the emotions you may (and probably will) experience. Even just seeing the imagery outside the museum overwhelmed me…

Have you been to the David Bowie Is exhibition? How did Bowie inspire you? Let me know in the comments!

I thought it would be nice to do a little round-up of brands that I’ve discovered whilst travelling around Italy. Not only can you take note for your next holiday, but you can get a taste of the sorts of things I’ve been loving recently. The price ranges vary and I’ve included a brand that you may have heard of already, so hopefully all of you can discover something new that suits you!

~ STRADIVARIUS ~
Low-end, high street bugdet 💰🇮🇹

If you read my post on combating feeling judged and self-conscious, then you would have seen me wearing a Stradivarius piece already. Mama Posh kindly bought me a little number from them and I soon fell in love. Although I’m trying to shop more ethically, I absolutely love their aesthetic and the prices are pretty damn good for what you get. It’s nice finding a brand that is fresh and sticks to a clean theme, especially when it’s on the lower end of the price range, so I’m in awe of everything really.

My two favourite pieces currently are this satin rucksack and this ruffled blouse. I’m huge on blouses so any chance I can get at adding another to my collection, I’ll take!

~ GILMAR LAB* ~
High-end, designer labels 💰💰🇮🇹

On the higher end of the scale, I was recently introduced to Gilmar Lab which has a collection of lovely Italian designers, including ICEBERG who’s pieces I have featured above. Another brand which is simple and sleek, with a clear vision and aesthetic.

I’ve chosen yet another blouse because I adore the embellished panel detailing… the colours are really satisfying together. On top of blouses, I’m also loving sweatshirts (usually with slogans), and this embroidered one is such a stunning piece.

~ PULL AND BEAR ~
European, high street budget 💰🌍

Lastly, but not least, is a brand which we have back in the UK too – Pull and Bear. It’s actually a Spanish brand but seeing as I only started browsing their shops in Italy, I thought they were worthy of a mention.

I’ve already picked up a sweater from here which is a mustard yellow 70s style piece, and it was Made in Portugal which made me extra happy. Not all of their pieces are made in Europe, but going in store to look at the labels is definitely something I’d recommend. I’m very tempted by that Forget The Rules top because it is totally me. One for the birthday wishlist, perhaps?

What brands have you recently discovered? Do you know of any other Italian fashion brands? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to discover more 🙂

(This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Gilmar Lab. All opinions are 100% honest. You can read my full disclaimer here.)

For today’s Scrap Social, I wanted to do something a little different… if you are into fashion design, or you are interested in starting on that path, one of the important stages in bringing a collection together is research. I researched a whole heck of a lot for my sock collection and I’m researching a whole heck of a lot for my current ART & Design project which is a collection based around the great Italian renaissance painters, Giotto and Pietro Lorenzetti, and more specifically, their work in the Basilica S. Francesco in Assisi. But what is fashion design research all about? Well, let’s dive in…

If you don’t know much about Assisi then this might not be of much interest, but the Basilica of San Francesco is one of the main places to go for renaissance art. It’s split into two sections; the Upper Church and the Lower Church. The Upper Church is home to some of Giotto di Bondone’s most well known works, as well as some of his earliest, with the Lower Church being home to some of Pietro Lorenzetti’s greatest pieces.

Before I visited, I did a little bit of research, mainly using one of the most detailed books I own (A New History of Italian Renaissance Art) to gain some knowledge. It really is quite incredible when you look at pictures in a book and then go and see the real thing, especially when it’s something so vast. An important thing to take note with research is that it doesn’t need to be perfect… it’s basically just a more specific, in depth version of a scrapbook, so having rough notes and scribbles actually adds to the whole effect.

Another important note about research is that people love to see your own pictures and art work. It’s fine to use pictures that you’ve found online, but honestly, your work will improve one hundred times over if you start to use your own work. Go out and experience what you’re learning about. I know not everyone can travel to Italy, but if you live near museums and galleries; go to them and use your own mind. This is your research after all.

On the flip side of that, you can totally use postcards and photographs from a gift shop… because that’s still something you went out and personally purchased. As you can (hopefully) see above (and in the next few images), I collected a few postcards and prints to bulk up my scrapbook… adding notes and captions when necessary.

For both the Upper and Lower church, I decided I wanted to focus on shape and colour because they both have beautiful examples of this. Giotto’s colour palette is one of my favourite things about the whole church – it’s a fairly simple collection of colours in rather pastel shades, but they bring just the right amount of depth and can still work in the darker scenes.

Lorenzetti is a better example of shape, especially when it comes to how he used the actual architecture of the Lower church. Every surface and curve is covered with the most beautiful, intricate shapes and patterns, which I was in awe of. Taking elements from both and thinking up how I could incorporate them into designs is always quite fun.

WHAT I USED:
White POSCA PC-1MR Pen ✏
Pilot Super Color Extra Fine Gold Pen ✏
Winsor & Newtown Watercolour Paints 🎨

I thought I’d give you a quick glimpse to some patterns from a quick rough idea to a final piece. I’m still learning on making my repeat patterns perfect (digitally that is), but I’m pretty happy with the ones I did come up with. The pink horse is inspired by a piece by Giotto which involves a fire cart. I loved how it looked and how striking it could be, even in a pastel, “typically girly” shade.

I also added a quick list there for you, so you can see what pens and paints I used through out the whole book. I’m honestly obsessed with outlining things in white, and I love a bit of gold.

I hope you liked this little insight to my research! Let me know what you thought…

The reason this outfit is having a public display of affection is because this is probably the most public My Style outfit shoot I’ve ever done. There were people looking for sure which definitely makes you feel a little weird but what can I say? This is the time of the internet, you should know the drill by now! I also just really love this outfit at the moment so it should have some affection, right? I hope you like it too!

WHAT I WORE: WOW Jumper (River Island Kids – Old) // Maison Scotch Blouse (Jumble Sale) // Valentino Inspired Trousers (Mötivi) // Black Floppy Hat (ASOS) // Vagabond White Dioon Platform Heels (Mastershoe-MyShu)*

I think this outfit sums up a lot of what I’ve been wearing recently. I am obsessed with blouses (I now own six – four long sleeve, two short sleeved) and they’re perfect for this time of the year where we’re not really sure what’s going on. It really messes with your mind because you think “Ooh, it looks lovely and warm and sunny today” and then you walk outside and regret your outfit choice immediately.

That means layering is a go to option, especially with sweatshirts and jumpers, which I also have a growing collection of. I especially love this one which I’ve had for a couple of years now (which you can probably work out due to the very scraggy loose threads around the arms) and it’s still going strong. It works perfectly with every style… grunge, minimalist, khaki seventies etc… it’s a very versatile piece, surprisingly!

In terms of the trousers, well let’s just say…. I AM IN LOVE. They’re very Valentino inspired, and although I don’t usually gravitate towards knock-offs, I absolutely loved these and I couldn’t resist them when they went into the sale. They’re so gorgeous and the style fits like a glove. I can also imagine wearing them on a summer evening so I’m sure they’ll work perfectly throughout the year.

To complete everything, I usually leave my blouse hanging loose for that kind of casual vibe (it also gives me an excuse for skipping out on ironing…). My hat ties in the black from the jumper, where the navy of the trousers clash and my shoes are just doing their usual awesome thing. Honestly, I only wear these and my Dr Martens. You don’t see me in any other shoes at all… no. joke.

NOW PLAYING:
Sing For The Wind (Roo Panes) 🎶

To finish off this post, here’s a little sneak peek of what I’ve been listening to recently. I’ve enjoyed adding these little elements to my posts so far this year and I hope you have been too! I love the “Little Giants” album by Roo Panes. Super relaxing but still some nice sing-a-long tunes too. “Because love’s a journey of a lifetime… and where you finish isn’t where you start…”

What did you think of my outfit? What have you been wearing recently? Let me know in the comments!

First of all, Happy New Year! This is officially my first blog post of 2016… which also means the first blog post for my 4th year of blogging… crazy! I still can’t quite believe 2015 is over, I think it genuinely was the most fast paced year of all time, I mean seriously, where did it go?

~ MMXVI ~

2015 was an odd year for me… a lot happened but it’s as if I didn’t really have the right sort of grip on it all. Like it just sort of blurred past me and then I was like, oh wait, that happened, didn’t it? (That probably makes no sense at all, but this is just going to be one of those updatey type posts so bear with people, bear with!) And that’s why I want 2016 to be different… I want to be able to actually grasp onto opportunities and realise exactly what’s happening.

I want to really just go for it, because quite frankly, I need to. Even if I start with small things, I think it might actually work this year. I’ve already taken a pretty big step in telling myself that after April, I will most definitely be dying my hair a washed out navy blue… the April part is rather specific as I’m going to be maid of honour at my sister’s wedding and I’m not quite sure I’m brave enough to walk down the aisle (um… sort of) with my new-do. But it will happen people! I will dye my hair and it will in some way help me to step up to bigger things. I can feel it.

WHAT I WORE: Faux Fur Coat (Jumble Sale) // Maison Scotch Blouse (Jumble Sale) // Good Morning Sweatshirt (Wildfox Kids)* // Ripped Flares (New Look Teens)* // Nike TR Fit 5.0 Trainers (JD Sports)* // Personalisable Necklace (Primark) // Sunglasses (SCOUT)

In terms of real goals… I’m not sure. I used to do real step by step goals but now it’s just sort of a general aim to get things going. I have a few plans for my blog example, including a new interview feature that I’ve been working on for a really long time and just the overall idea of extending my content to more intellectual and in-depth topics.

I started to do this towards the end of last year, but things got hectic with #MooiEnLiefbyTDP (oh yeah, I launched a collection last year, didn’t I?) and I ended up putting too much pressure on myself… hence my drop in blog posts. After running a site like this for so long, I suppose you set yourself up for expectations when really, the only expectations are in your head. I’m doing this for me after all, right? The added bonus is all of the opportunities and amazing readers on top.

  LOCATION: Sirolo, IT  🇮🇹

I’m forever grateful for what blogging has given me and I don’t regret a single bit of it. I hope 2016 brings even more to TDP, in whatever direction it takes. I’m thinking I might refresh things again too, so it might not be just my hair getting a change. If I do change things up, it won’t be anything too drastic… it’s just with my age, I’m always changing and I feel like I’ve already grown out of my 2014 update (two years is a long time for a teen, just sayin’)… so who knows. We’ll see!

As for you, I hope you stick around and that you all have an even better year than the last. You’re all awesome and I absolutely love being able to chat and converse about things we all love and enjoy. Who knows, maybe we’ll meet in person this year? There are endless possibilities waiting for us… I guess it’s just about going out and grabbing them.

Good luck you crafty jack rabbits… 100 brownie points if you can point out that reference. 100 brownie points if you can’t either, because you’re all equally awesome.

I don’t think my life has ever been so manic… okay, maybe it has been but seriously, I’m launching a collection of socks with Mooi en Lief next week (EEEP!) and now, I’m off on a road trip to Italy! Yup! More deets here if ya’ wanna’ know…

~ ANDIAMO! ~

As you may know, I’m currently home schooled which allows me more time to do things like blogging and focus on things that I’m truly passionate about. It also means that I have time to travel, seeing as my “school” could move into a jungle if it really wanted (okay, maybe not), so as you can probably tell, I’m going off to Italy on a road trip!

You may have seen that I say I am in “UK & France”, because it’s kinda’ true. I’m back and forth quite a bit, and I think for now, it will more be “UK & Italy”. I think it’s going to be really exciting… I suppose I haven’t really been excited for the journey yet, but now I write this, I kinda’ am!

WHAT I WORE: Stripey Top (Johnnie B @ Boden)* // Leather Backpack (Dr Martens)*

I have been to Italy before (specifically Rome, Venice and Genoa) but that’s just a small percentage. It will be really interesting to see the difference between France and Italy, and even England! I think I’m most excited to try real pizza, I mean who wouldn’t be?!

It will also be my first experience of a campervan which I’m also ridiculously excited about! Even our furry little black cat friend, Paloma, will be joining us on our adventure. If you have any tips on travelling on long journeys with cats, do let us know! She’s been from the UK to France and didn’t make a single noise, so fingers crossed she’ll be fine!

This does also mean that all of my blog posts coming up are going to firstly be scheduled, but they’re also all going to be Mooi en Lief by Tolly Dolly Posh related. There will be give-away’s so you won’t be missing out on too much! I’ll also give you a break half way through with an ordinary post from yours truly!

Also, I’m really sorry for not doing the second instalment of Changing With The Seasons – Summer, but as you can tell, I just haven’t had the time! I’ll be back in October though…

Are you excited for the next few weeks to come? Leave a comment and we can chat when I get a spare moment. For now… andiamo!