A break in the sun.

 

glasses1Aztec print jumpsuit and baroque sunglassesAztec print jumpsuit and asos baroque sunglasses full lengthbaroque glasses, perspex moth necklace, turquoise hairasos glasses, blogger turquoise hairblue haired fashion blogger with dogblogger with dog, blue hair, summerI shot these with Richard Ayres, in my parents’ garden on a sunny day last week. My dog, Scamper won’t pose for a photo with me but loves getting in the way.

I’m looking forward to some more sunny days so I can get some wear out this jumpsuit I found on ebay. I don’t usually wear such obvious prints but it’s really comfortable and cool.

Jumpsuit: Ebay

Glasses: Asos

Ring: The rogue and the wolf

shoes: Iron fist

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Showroom trial

Yesterday I set up the showroom in my new house for the first time. I haven’t had the time or money to get everything I need need yet so I was expecting it to look very incomplete but was pleasantly surprised and can already see it’s potential.

walldeerbranches 1 copymirror tree

rail 2I have been toying with the idea of holding an open house event in February for the Eustratia third birthday and seeing the garments laid out has definitely made me feel more confident about the idea. I think the room lends it’s self well to this sort of roll.

 

tree1Of course it is close to Christmas and I do have the tree up, which won’t be a permanent fixture but I have thought of something equally as lovely to replace it when the time comes.

ARMCHAIRSome of the drama in the room is definitely due to my new acquisition, this ornate armchair. I have dreamed of having a chair like this for years and was planning to repaint and reupholster it but I posted a picture on instagram this morning and a lot of people seem to think it should stay gold…

SOFAtable 2TABLEI like the idea of having a space that is beautifully laid out where people can browse products and try stuff on in a comfortable way, while chatting to their friends, maybe taking a snap or two. I think people like visiting boutiques but fear shop assistants asking them what they want or trying to convince them to buy so I hope that creating a more relaxed atmosphere, not so centered on direct purchase will make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone.

heads

The space and layout still needs work and my pictures don’t do it justice but customers who live in/visit Manchester are welcome to book an appointment and come round for tea and a fitting, to see their favourite items in person or even just to get measured for their order.

Details for the upcoming open house event will follow early next month and I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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Christmas list

 

I’m actually quite  organised this year and have done most of my Christmas shopping already! I enjoy picking out presents for people as much as I enjoy compiling lists of what I’d like myself and that’s what makes posts like this so fun.

I don’t think an adult can ever be as excited about Christmas as a child and that’s why I always make sure I ask for some fun things to bring back those memories instead of just boring stuff like money, work stuff and driving lessons (which I did actually ask for this year).

Christmas list 12

1. grey coloured contacts. £15 www.turtlecontacts.co.uk I thought these would be fun to use for shoots, I get bored of my eye colour sometimes.

2. Lindt stracciatella truffles. You can’t have Chrismas without chocolate! I usually list the white ones as my favourite but stracciatella sounds even better!

3. Peal trim earmuffs £12 topshop. I wear earmuffs a lot in winter because they keep your ears warmer and don’t mess up your hair as much as a hat. I thought these were funny because of the pearls.

4. Bligtone eyeshadow in purple haze. This is listed at £16 online but I’m sure it was under £10 last time I got some from boots.

5. Black facet headband £2 ebay. Simple and cheap, headbands are always useful when I’m working.

6. flocked damask leggings £20 Dorothy perkins

7. goldstone saddle plugs £5 urbanpiercingshop.co.uk I really love the colour of these but I think my bf already bought me on and he thought it looked black which is a shame :(.

8. Quartz & silver wire ring $22 bluembrownie on etsy I’ve wanted a silver ring with a big stone or crystal for ages and it’s so hard to find nice ones that don’t cost the earth.

9. skull and flowers plug £10 uk custom plugs. Not usually my sort of thing but I really fancy these for a change.

10. shattered look crystal quartz plugs £10 urbanpiercingshop.com

11. triple septum ring and iridescent plate nose stud honeycomborganics.com . Really like both of these but they were quite expensive and from an American site so I hope to find something similar from somewhere easier to order from.

12. Just realised I have 2 number 12s! studded leather shorts £48 and tie dyes velvet leggings (so comfy) £20 topshop.

13. Jeffrey Campbell Holy . £150.

14. lazer cut shoes £120 topshop

15. Deer washbag £15 randomvintage.co.uk

16. too faced nake eye palette £30 boots (or less on ebay sometimes) Really need to replace this one, it was useful.

17. Little deer iphone case £4 ebay. My current case is pretty dead so I need a new one.

18. contour palette. £15 ebay. Always wanted one of these but never got round to buying it.

19. flocked storage boxes £10 ebay. Been watching these since the summer, I think it’s time…

20. snowflake iphone case $35 society6.com I totally need to get on society6 when I have some time to sort it out!

21. Adjustable mannequin sizes 8-14. £120 ebay. This would be really useful for making clothes, shame it doesn’t currently fit anywhere at the moment.

22. Shabby chic bin. £20 ebay. Everyone thinks I’m crazy for wanting this but not having a nice bin instead of a red plastic one that stands out like a sore thumb would really make a difference in my room.

23. Unicorn purse and beauty products £36 candycandyjewellery.com Not only is the purse cute but the products are colours that I would wear!

24. Mini chest of drawers £18.95 allofmyheart.co.uk These would be perfect to sit on my shelf for some extra storage space.

25. socks £5 topshop. Socks are a classic xmas present and these looked particularly nice and comfy.

Wow, so that look longer than expected! I’m supposed to be making my Eustratia Christmas hamper samples so I better get back to work!

Writing lists is exciting even thought you know that you probably won’t get most of what’s on there but it’s always interesting to compare afterwards :).

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Opulence Collection

Those who follow my work will already be familiar with the Opulence collection that has been showcased that the Manchester Alternative and burlesque fair as well as London fetish weekend as part of the Avalonia fashion show. There is also a wonderful set of photobooth images by Tigz Rice featuring the outfits which can be viewed here.

The official Opulence look book images were shot by the talented Katelizabeth photography who did a great job of realising my vision and adding her own touch without upsetting the balance of the overall feel.

Models Sevensin & Biomechanina

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I’m really pleased with how it all turned out. I was originally worried the weather might ruin it for us and I must admit it was a rather muddy, and at times cold, experience but luckily this doesn’t show in the pictures. I had a great team that made every effort to get the best possible results and if any one of them didn’t believe in the project it wouldn’t have been possible.

I’d like to add a special thanks to Charlotte who isn’t credited as part of the creative team but really played a big part by assisting with pretty much everything and assuring the models’ safe passage to and from the set. She also took some behind the scenes footage which I hope to be able to include in a future post.

An insight into this collection and the influences behind it were published in the last issue of Rebelicious magazine which you can view online here and is also available for free download.

rebelicious opulenceImage: Sevensin by Toria Brightside who also edited together this write up from my interview.

To shop items from this collection please visit www.eustratia.co.uk

The chainmail collar was provided by www.richardayres.co.uk

Images from my second collaboration with Katelizabeth photography are due to be released in a couple of days so keep your eyes peeled! A preview images can be view on the front page of my site!

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