Confused girls do it better

By Neslihan

There is actually no clue or consistency in the collage I've created above. It was just a way to share one of the many enchanting Lana Del Rey pics featured in this month's L'Officiel Paris. In that photoshoot we see a furiously sexy Del Rey, who remains mysterious with every taken picture. The setting, the outfits, the make-up, the hair, everything was in balance and the whole story about a certain 'Rosalita' (impersonated by Lana) was just so credible. And even though I would like to go on and on about Lana's pictures this post was meant to be about something else.
Let's talk about confusion. Confusion is when you enter a twilight zone. Confusion is when you know the answer but your lips are too afraid to form the words. Confusion is screaming in your head while everything around you is quiet. Confusion is being in the moment but not daring to use your initiative. Love is confusion. Friendship is confusion. And confusion is either downfall, either enlightenment.

Collage
Editorial picture from L'Officiel Paris, April 2013
Glasses from A-mourir
Oxford creepers from Marc by Marc Jacobs
Flower crown with little 'veil' from etsy
Red bra from Eberjey

Let there be a game without rules

By Neslihan
I feel like I'm becoming more consistent on this blog. As if I've reached my temporary destination. Notice how I consciously said 'temporary' as I don't believe a person can have ONE eternal style, unless your name is Anna Piaggi, Karl Lagerfeld or Rei Kawakubo. Unless you've become a cult figure. But I do believe one has a thing in his/her outfit that keeps on appearing. My thing for example is this sort of uncoordinated childishness, that laid-backness and tamed quirkiness. Lately I've been obsessing over a pair of sporty trainers (see previous post) and I discovered they really are versatile. You just have to think out of the box and experiment because the new casualness demands a dash of sportiness. And you choose how to fill that up; whether it's a pair of trainers or a T-shirt, anything goes. It creates this amazing clash between the chic and the sportiness. As if you're saying: "Hey, lighten up, it's only fashion." Just the way I like it.

And that easy laid-backness is exactly what I found in Ashish Gupta's S/S '13 collection. He translated lazy quirkiness into grey sweaters, sweat pants, white trainers, oversized withe shirts and lots of denim. But he also added some tule and glitters to make the totality look a little feminine. Maybe 'feminine' isn't the right word though, maybe I should've said 'girly' because the models remined me of rebellious school girls, you know the kind that leads a whole army of girls and smokes in front of the school gate . Her hair looks messy but she works it anyway. She's effortless, as the unbuttoned shirts are telling us, she's playful but above all she's a ruler.

Moschino Cheap and Chic's collection on the other hand had this childish naiveté with a sparkle of classiness. There were pineapple prints, bright pinks, shiny embellishment and sky high platforms but there was this kind of sporty balance, hence the trainers, the see-through tracksuit and the fishnet shirts. I love how the trainers break the elegance in the last outfit but also how they contribute to this classy, nerdy style. Can we also take a minute to admire that pineapple-shaped bag? This collection is very 'Lolita meets tomboy' but the emphasis lies on 'Lolita' of course. 

The concrete jungle wakes up its own soul

By Neslihan
Summer hour has been set, which ends our winter blues partly. More sun equals a better mood. Don't you just love that feeling of having a lot of time to do the stuff you really like? It feels like an unlimitied sea of possibilities. Even though spring has arrived a short time ago, we weren't getting anything but snow and harsh temperatures. I don't know what the weather forecast is giving us for the next days but I'm hoping for the best because I'm just that optimistic. Winter definitely isn't my season, nor clothing wise, nor complexion wise. I just love the impression of having a sparkling skin when the sun appears. I might be in a springy mood mentally, I can't go all the way though because this is Belgium. And you know how Belgian weather is. Or you don't, well, let me explain. I'm talking about an amazing day filled with sun, that ends abruptly because of the angry rain gods. You have to be prepared for everything, so sandals are out of the question, you don't want them to be soaking wet. That's why I've created three looks that are based on three amazing pairs of trainers, showing you they really are varsatile.

This look was inspired by Paul Smith's spring/summer campaign. I just loved the red and the soft pink together. Since you can't wear skirts or dresses without stockings I just thought why not wear splashy red suit pants to cheer ourself up? I wanted to break the polished and classy vibe by adding up New Balance trainers and cool shades.
WEARING:
Shirt: Paul Smith
Pants: Zara
Sunglasses:  sarahaghili.com
Trainers: New Balance
Watch: Michael Kors

This look is for the casual sporty girls who don't care whether their hair's looking all neat. This dress is ideal for a walk in the concrete jungle. It's an extremely simple cut but the print adds up to this dress' amazingness. I've been dying to own a pair of Air Maxes and I've found the perfect pair yesterday, might buy that one! Since you can't leave your house without a coat these days, I've chosen for a jean jacket. The leather sleeves make the totality look edgier.
WEARING
Dress: Topshop
Jacket: Rag & Bone
Trainers: Air Max Nike
Nail polish: Nars

I'm in awe with this one because isn't it amazing how well those classic and urban pieces go together? We're talking about a 50's Dior dress and Adidas trainers, you guys! Gold and burgundy are a great duo and I like how chunky it looks with the elegant dress. Oh Polyvore, I love you.
WEARING
Dress: Dior
Necklace: Ben Amun
Gloves: Haider Ackerman
Trainers: Adidas

Rearrange your chaos

By Neslihan
It's hard to go back to basics once you've tasted the delight of tackiness. Once you've drowned your soul in excess, the excess of bad taste. Those volatile fantasies offering you the escape of firm lines and tasteful reality. It's hard to take it down a notch when you've created little houses of daydreams, daydreams that could be yours but who are about to slip through your fingers like a soft summer breeze during the 1st of July. And you let them slip because it's time to get off your cloud, it's time to leave your safe garden and hit the harsh realness of the streets. Throwing away your ripped trousers, Spice Girls tee and Nike traines. Those items that have been through a lot of impulsive kicks; time to say goodbye. And it's a sad goodbye because it's the end of an era. It feels as if you're burrying a part of yourself but it's not an eternal burial because you can comprimise. Because that's what we do. We promise ourselves to be consistent but we fail once in awhile and that's ok. As long as you have embraced your new motto, the rest will come. It'll take you some time of course but you'll get there. Just give it a chance.

1) Leather bomber jack from Christopher Kane (SS '13 RTW)

2) Photograph from the 'Plain Song' photoshoot (Vogue UK, April '13)

3) Yves Saint Laurent loafers (Net A Porter)

4) Time line-shaped piece of art

5) Bandeaus from H&M (set of two)

6) White Doctor Martens brogues (I WANT!!!)

7) Cruella is the queen of villian fashion

8) The XX- XX album case

9) Maison Martin Margiela (Fw '13 TRW)

Because I will stay a dreamer at heart.

Istanbul Fashion Week

By Neslihan
I know how hard it must be for starting designers in the fashion industry. You're unknown, have great ideas and want recognition for your work. But where and how do you start? That's why 'Fashion Weeks' are a true blessing for upcoming McQueens, Erdems and Katrantzous because we need to look for the next generation of geniuses, who are going to transform our closets according to their own imagination. And I'm always in awe when I discover a new designer, who totally fits my fashion philosophy. Up next: a selection of my personal favourites from the IFW collections I've checked so far.

The sporty one:

Meet Ece Gözen, an Istanbul based designer, who has also participated in many collections, that were already shown during London and Paris Weeks. She isn't new in the industry because she has already worked for Hakaan Yildirim (HAKAAN).  She has her own line since last year and is known for her sporty yet feminine style. This A/W collection has this strong futuristic vibe with strong lines, geometrical shapes and flashy hints of fluorescent yellow.  In love with the first and last dress, could kick some ass in it.

The floaty one:

Nejla Güvenç founded Nej in 2002 and things have been going well ever since she started. She believes in sustainable fashion  because she says that designing is a long journey and she uses natural fibres that correspond to her ecological thinking. Just look at those fabrics, how effortless and soft do they look? It's as if they're about to caress your skin. I really like the see-through aspect, I like how it always creates mystery even though almost everything is revealed. This collection seems like a mix between Maison Martin Margiela X A.F. Vandervorst X Ann Demeulemeester, which is a huge, huge, huge compliment. 

The hipster:

Arzu Kaprol is really well-known among Turkish celebrities but she doesn't only appeal to Turkish fashion lovers but she can also count Monica Belluci as one of her customers. But Studio Kaprol is something new she founded in 2011. It's a platform for young designers, who work on different projects concerning fashion, graphic, music, print, etc under Arzu Kaprol's mentorship. It started with 5 designers but now there are 13 designers. This collection looks really modern and wearable and it also follows every trend we've seen this winter. Think of geometrical shaped necklaces,   lumberjack shirt, lammy coats and classy dandies.

More at:  http://istanbul.mbfashionweek.com/

Inspo: Eastern nights

By Neslihan
First of all, I'm sorry for the lack of posting. It's not gonna get any better, and I'm sorry for that too. I'm drowning in work and when I'm not, I'm relaxing while watching my favourite series in my huge sweater. Or I'm being down on Lana Del Rey (this sounds so wrong, but whtvr) and my Lana Del Rey expressions are getting better, I assure you. I've got tons and tons of selfpics on which I'm being like flawlessly unhappy. I guess I've accomplished my mission.
But there's something I'm stressing about: we got this '100 DAYS' thing at our high school, which basically means we're celebrating the last 100 days of high school. And in order to do so we dress up according to a theme (it's 60's this year) and we put together a show for lower year students. The 60's are a pure blessing for every fashion lover, like seriously but there's so much to pick from. I feel like I'm being overwhelmed with hundreds and hundreds of icons imposing their style on me and I don't know whom to choose. It feels a little frustrating. That's why I've created a collage. I'm trying to get it structured and pick out which style fits me the best.

1)This dress is probably the most amazing thing I've seen lately (here)
2)Elizabeth Taylor in 'Cleopatra' (1963)
3)Chanel Paris-Bombay Pre Fall (2012)
4)Songul Cebaci look from her A/W 2013 show during Istanbul Fashion Week
5)No print screams 60's like a paisley print
6)90's galore with Gwen Stefani, in love with her bindi look
7)Arabic writing: 'Ishq' meaning 'love'
8)Abbie Hoffman quote, a bit overrated maybe but true in a way

Sophia Loren and I have the same haircut (straight bangs). The only thing I'm sure about is using fuck loads of eyeliner and fake eyelashes.

Jane Birkin has got straight bangs too and eventhough I love her style, I think it's a bit too casual for that day.

I'M SORRY FOR THE RAMBLING POST. IT WILL GET BETTER. SOMEDAY.

τὰ πάντα ῥεῖ καὶ οὐδὲν μένει

By Neslihan
skip-skip-skip-skip-skip-skip-skip-skip-skip-skip-skip-skip-skip-skip-skip-skip-skip-skip-skip
OMGZ U GUYZ IVE GOTZ SO MUCH TO DO
AND SO LIL TIME 2 BLAWG
It's the typical blogger talk, blogs are made for complaining, so what's the fuzz? We're not saving the world, we just trend volatile stuff and hop to the next big thing. Please do read those previous lines with the required irony because I try to trend as little as possible. I try to register the things I like, you know, creating this archive for myself. And if you're willing to read my bs, then I'm more than humbled, dear reader. So yeah, things are quite wild at the moment, I've got a lot of deadlines for school that I have to meet. But I'm keeping calm, since that's only the way I'll make it to the end of this schoolyear. I realize I sound a little negative but that's because of the lack of sleep. Yesterday was my friend's birthday (happy birthday, J! 11th time already!) and we went out to get some drinks. I really had the best time and at a certain moment I wanted to stop time and step out of my body and look at us. Just look and let the moment last a little longer. Don't you love being a teenager? One moment the whole world stops turning and you're just indifferent about the things around you and then life sucks you back into the moment. I feel like I'm still going through those extreme moodswings. And I don't have to justify myself for it. Cuz I'm just a teenage dirtbag, baby (I just had to)! I guess what I'm trying to say is that time does go by really fast and things don't stay as they are now. I mean if I compare myself to the person I was 6 years ago, I wouldn't recognize myself. Even if I'd compare myself to the person I was a year ago. I know this sounds a little drastic but a lot can change in a year. The people you hang out with, the way you perceive things, the way you look at some people. Things that dawn, just like that and you see the importance of some things, some poeple in life. I guess I'm having a profound personal moment here. The title remains a mystery until I feel ready to reveal my initial plan with you.

read-read-read-read-read-read-read-read-read-read-read-read-read-read-read-read-read-read

Meet Andrea Dezso, a Transylvanian-born artist who embroiders the most spectacular scenes. Embroidery sounds really boring and dusty but look what she does with it. The embroidery above is from the 'Lessons from my mother' series. In this series she embroiders a couple of her mother's sayings that are based on superstition or old Transylvanian sayings and legends. This creates sometimes funny and sometimes surrealistically weird effects. This also reminded me of a couple of Turkish sayings (based on superstition):

1)Wash your face in the morning or else the devil will wash it with his pee 

(I ALWAYS wash my face in the morning 'cause ew, no.)

2)Don't cut your nails when it's night

3)Don't go to bed crying because this delights the devil

 4)Wear slippers indoor because the cold floor will leave you infertile

5)Never spoil your last bite because your food will cry after you

Visit her site for her other artworks: http://andreadezso.com