Kling: Spain do more than Flamenco

Over the summer months herds of British sun-seekers typically flock to bathe under Spanish skies, where warm weather and sunshine is usually a little more stable than it is over here. Spain might be an ideal sun spot, but thanks to outfitters like Kling, it’s becoming a fashion hot spot too. You’re going to love their clothes, I can tell. Kling are adept at merging colours and shapes. Here you can find clothes that stand out from the crowd; from t-shirts with billowy arms to retro sun dresses, there seems to be something for every taste.

Summer's Here!

Summer's Here!

Even though it is summer, it’s worth having a gander at the autumn and winter collections too, not just because it’s good to plan ahead, but because their seasonal collections have amazing titles such as ‘Spring 09: I love mornings’ and ‘Winter 08: The Coquette’. Kling offer more than just clothing because they help you to style your look too. They offer weekly deals where you can buy the Total Look, and if you don’t know just how to wear your new Kling clothing, all you need to do is drop an email to Emma the stylist who will ‘work out your look’. Keeping things simple but stylish, there’s also a section of the website where ordinary folks, like you and me, can send in our pictures and become international supermodels (don’t laugh). So if your holidaying in Spain this summer, make sure you seek some shade in a Kling store – oh and take some extra spending money too.

Red and spotty has never looked so good

Red and spotty has never looked so good

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Pinecone & Chickadee Tees

Pinecone + Chickadee might sound like a children’s storybook duo, but they’re actually a t-shirt designing duo from Portland, across the pond in New England. Their studio is formed by a married team: s collaboration between the graphical designer wife Amy, and musician husband Noah. Pinecone + Chickadee silkscreen all their imaginative artwork onto a range of apparel including t-shirts, journals and greeting cards. All their papery goods are made from recycled materials, and even the ink they use is water based and earth friendly; a preservation attitude that is encouraged by looking at the beautiful Maine coastline I’m guessing. Currently, men can choose from designs including giant pandas, a cyclops and this stripy whale and lighthouse shirt. Some of the designs are printed on organic t-shirts, but not all of them, so it’s best to check first if you want to stay super earthy.

Admittedly this whale doesn't look as friendly as Free Willy

Admittedly this whale doesn't look as friendly as Free Willy

For women, the designs are slightly more peaceful and subdued, including this red and black bird design on a long grey shirt and a gold wolf on navy blue, which would incidentally look great with a green shopping bag…hmmm perhaps this handsewn ‘Broccoli’ bag? I can’t help but love it when veg gets promoted through artwork.

Mmmm, broccers

Mmmm, broccers

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Indigo at the Botanical Gardens

Indigofera Tinctoria

Indigofera

An Indigo Clothing fan sent us this image from the Birmingham Botanical Gardens: a label for an Indigo plant. Ironically the gardens are one of Indigo’s clients – we make their staff uniform!

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The look of the Irish

All Irish people are like this aren't they?

All Irish people are like this aren't they?

The Irish have brought many wonderful things to the world. Guinness, leprechauns, potato based foods, a very unique way of pronouncing the word ‘tart,’ and lots of general cheery charm. No wonder I’m moving to Dublin, what’s not to love? Hmm, the exchange rate maybe – but that aside the emerald isle is one of the most iconic places in the world, and then there’s the street art scene which turns the city wall into a canvas itself. Turtlehead are a t-shirt design collective stemming from Dublin, but also featuring artistic collaboration with designers from New York and Canada. They have been ‘touching cloth since 2006′, and they have a solid mission statement. Aiming not to bring down corporations or presidents, Turtlehead simply want to show that they care, which they do by donating 5% of their profits to a charity of the customer’s choice and printing on ethically and environmentally friendly tees. If this isn’t enough to whet your appetite and get your teebuds tingling then you should know that all their designs are limited to 500 pieces, so your shirt will be pretty original. And if you’re an aspiring designer your artistic submissions will be welcomed, with all winning designs rewarded in prize money and your very own Turtlehead line of shirts!

But before your incredible winning design is featured on Turtlehead’s website, maybe you’d like to have a peek at their current edgy designs, firstly from Irish designers Chris Haughton and Will St. Leger. St. Leger’s design features a taster of the artist’s famous stencilwork, and handily reminds us that not all pigeons love bread. Haughton’s more colourful purple-headed, yellow-eyed, big-bearded posing man is printed on a bright yellow shirt and accompanied with a bit of Irish vocab: ‘ag damhsa,’ which means ‘dancing’ in the Gaelic language – and as you can see, this guy sure has some moves

Chris Haughton's Dancing Man

Chris Haughton's Dancing Man

If you prefer dentures to Irish dancers then maybe Marc John’s ‘Famous People’s Teeth’ shirt is the one for you. This could be part of the perfect outfit if you’ve scheduled an appointment with the dentist in the near future. But if famous artists rather than famous teeth are more your thing, then you might like to display the progenitor of pop-art on your chest. Why not wear this Andy Warhol shirt by Italian designer Laura Paperina, which shows the famous artist looking worried while he eats a banana. Maybe it had gone mouldy, I hate it when that happens.

I can see Brad Pitt's molar

I can see Brad Pitt's molar

Just in case none of these capture your eye, you’ll find it impossible to dislike my all time favourite Turtlehead shirt, which has to be Mountain Man, designed by Melbourne artist Adam Cruickshank. Simple and effective, this shirt works because specs and beards are cool, and it’s like carrying a friendly little friend around with you. If you spill some soup down your t-shirt, don’t worry – you were just feeding him, if you need to go somewhere fancy dress – wear your shirt over your head, and if you get lonely – have a little conversation with the guy. People won’t think you’re strange, promise.

Your new best friend

Your new best friend

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Jeans+Leggings=Jeggings

The first time you see these you’ll probably do a double-take. Ever feel that denim is just too heavy to walk around in? Do your favourite pair of jeans become much less appealing on a warm summer day? Have you got the guts to wear something a bit weird? If the answer to all these questions is ‘yes’ then a pair of “Jeggings” might be just the thing you’re looking for. Are they jeans? Or are they leggings? Would be ok questions to ask, either way there’s no doubt that they’re tighties and definitely not  for the feint hearted. I’m sure that if you layer your outfit up enough so that you can only see from the knee down they might work out. The Jegs are a summery alternative to wearing jeans, whilst giving a denimy feel to a plain old pair of leggings. Some of them are a little bizarre looking, like these crazies by Silence & Noise which are available at Urban Outfitter, but there are some that look slightly more appealing.

 

Pull-ups

Pull-ups

As a rule of thumb I’d advise opting for the ones that look darker and more like jeans, these ones designed by James Jeans seem to fit the bill. I don’t think there’s any way to really avoid these this summer, as much as you might want to, but perhaps they’re one of those things that you said you’d never wear and by next week you’ll have three pairs hanging in the wardrobe. 

 

They might look like Jeans, but they're actually James Jeans Jegs

They might look like Jeans, but they're actually James Jeans Jegs

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Homecoming Bear Hug

Hello readers, I’m sorry it’s been so long since I wrote regular fashion snippets here…you’ve probably forgotten the sound of my voice by now. Over the past month I’ve been finishing off my degree and doing pesky finals so my fashion tendrils have been a bit lax, but don’t worry I’m back now.

When you’ve been away from home for a long time it’s always nice to come back to the place where everything looks pretty much the same only a little smaller than you remember. Yesterday I packed up my little house by the sea and came home. After finishing up all my work, doing my exams and a long drive home I was ready to see my parents waiting on the doorstep. I’m not going to deny that I envisaged them looking slightly distraught at the fact that I had been away from home for so long but with an excited glimmer in their eyes because their prodigal daughter had finally returned home, and preferably they would shower me with gifts and tears of joy. It’s meant to work the same way whenever you are reunited with loved ones, whether it’s at airport arrivals, on Christmas day, or simply when you’ve been to buy the morning paper and it’s taken a little longer than usual; however, my parents had gone on a tropical holiday when I returned (not jealous, not jealous at all. promise) so all my teary reunion ideas were shot to pieces.

I like reunions, but the best part about them are the hugs. Those big bear hugs that greet you when you’ve been away for ages. In fact the best ones are when you can’t really breathe so good and you get lifted off the ground a little and here cracking noises around the ribs. One of the ‘Design by Humans‘ artists clearly has the same love of bear hugs if you take a look at this shirt. Thankfully the bear hugs I’ve had haven’t been from frightening grizzly bears, or from men in a baby blue shirts that say ‘hugs’, but if you did want to combine the two…tahdaaaaa! Now I’ll just have to spend some time thinking up a new reunion image for when my parents come back looking all sun-kissed - my thunder has totally been stolen here.

Looks so soft and huggable

Looks so soft and huggable

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Recycled Saris from People Tree

If you’re interested in ethically attiring yourself, People Tree are among the specialists. Since 2001 (in the UK), People Tree have pioneered exclusive fashion with fair-trade standards, offering quality and style alongside genuine ethical principles. Their products have consistently matched their stringent policies. The world of ethical fashion has always been interested in recycled fabric, so it’s no great surprise that People Tree have joined in through giving a whole new lease of life to traditional Indian dress.

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If you’re on the lookout for something a bit unique, this might just be the answer. Sewn into a black organic poplin skirt, the recycled sari dress combines tailoring with traditional hand embroidery at the hem and neckline, and ties with a matching belt at the waist. Excitingly, each dress is unique, so when you order you’re guaranteed that your new gear will definitely be one of a kind – though you can order from a whole spectrum of colours, which you can carefully match to bring out the colour of your eyes (because apparently that matters when you’re deciding what to wear). Made in India, your sari dress will be genuinely Eastern, and you can rest assured that when it was transforming from sari to stylish summer wear, everything was fair.

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Where’s Your Head At?

Ever wished that you could have a different head? Maybe you’d like the chiseled features of Michelangelo’s David, the wide-eyed elegance of Audrey Hepburn, the winning smile of Barak Obama, Marylin Monroe’s iconic beauty spot or Elvis Presley’s upper lip? You’re not alone, there are times when I would like another head. At the moment I think I’d opt for a combo of Albert Einstein and Willy Shakespeare to help me with some pesky Literature exams, though that might result in some premature aging. HeadHoods have come up with an original way to get another head, or more accurately, 3 faces. They’ve cleverly styled some regular hoodies by printing some well-known faces onto either side of the hood. The idea behind HeadHoods stemmed from a coffee buzz which just didn’t stop, and now they’re lovingly hand-printed by one man in his Brooklyn studio. The result is quite bizarre but I like it, and from the photos you can see just how unique they look out-and-about.

Here's something you never thought you'd see

Here's something you never thought you'd see

HeadHoods have a wide range of faces to choose from, including famous heads and some that are just for fun. Some of my favourites include the gorilla face (perfect for anyone who likes bananas), a crying baby’s head (would work anyone who’s either pregnant or has a bit of a childish temper), and Michael Jackson, back in the day (to remind you that You Are Not Alone).

Hungry Gorilla

Hungry Gorilla

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Purple fuzzy day at Indigo

Post by Meeha:

Oh Meeha, keep in mind we’re very casual and jeans will do just fine.”

Just the words any intern/workshadowing student wants to hear when trying to venture into the world of the working kind. I didn’t really know what to expect  when I got accepted to do a workshadow with Jo and the gang at Indigo Clothing. All I can say is, quickest six hours of my life, apart from the really, really , REALLY fast six hours of sleep that preceded the working day.

I was taken by Jo, my mentor for the day to the warmest, most comfortable studio room-office ever. T-shirts hanging from a clothing line, of course, they customise shirts, among other things. Was introduced Eleni, who works with Jo, and got right down to work, being explained bits and bobs along the way.  After a  few additions and multiplications, sending back quotes to potential customers  it was time for lunch. Guess what, they feed you too!! Well, only if you’re interning I guess . Yummy chicken sandwich baguette from a bar across the road, you will truly be missed. When we got back from lunch I was introduced to the Blog on which these few words will be put up, I’m assuming. FUN! Although I’m not sure if this particular post will be half as popular or fun to read as any of Kate’s. Wow can that woman write or what?

As I write this, I’m getting my very own t-shirt printed.  It took me nearly half an hour to think up what I wanted to have printed on my shirt. I think it is quite near perfection.  Almost.

You readers should be so lucky to get a day to intern with Indigo Clothing, I did, so BOOYA!! I’m thinking of throwing in an evil chuckle somewhere, yes totally should.

*RUBS HANDS TOGETHER AND CHUCKLES*

And because I have a train to catch back to Loughborough University, I must stop writing this post from this big city computer, in this big city work place, in the big city.

This sheep in the big city and alien to fast walking, tube-taking, hustling and bustling must go back to the Village that is Loughborough.  Adios!

Meeha's new t-shirt!

Meeha's new t-shirt!

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Run Forrest Run

The famous London Marathon has just passed us by, and with it has passed a whole world of fashion, from freakish costumes to personalised team gear; these days running events are more about sporting fashion that you might think. Some of my favourite fancy dressers from this year’s race included a dashing Rubik’s cube and a giant, if a bit disproportional looking, running nurse. Though big congratulations also go out to classic dressers like Paul Simons who set a new record as the fastest Santa on record.

Florence Nightingale?

Florence Nightingale?

Next weekend I will be participating in the Great Edinburgh run, and though it’s no 26 mile marathon I am still having nightmares. As I’m accustomed to running in a used-to-be-white-but-now-it’s-a-bit-greyish men’s tee and some embarrassing ’Yale’ shorty shorts, I thought that it might be time to invest in some uber cool running gear (ideally to make me look faster than I actually am).

A sweat band is the first essential for all serious runners, as is an accurate watch to time your speed. Thankfully TimeBandits have combined the two. Though the watch may not be digitally sound, it will add a little bling to your get-up, and resting on a blue and green toweling sweat band will ensure that you keep the sporty vibe alive.

tick tick tick

tick tick tick

Next in importance are the running shades – don’t want any sun glare to impinge on my athletic abilities now. I think I might opt for these Galactic sunglasses from Lazy Oaf to add a trendy retro feel to my pace. They’ll protect my eyes, and as you might be able to see, they are slightly(ish) streamlined down the sides for ultimate performance.

The afro rules out the streamlining effect a little bit

The afro rules out the streamlining effect a little bit

Finally, as every professional sports personality knows, the key to success lies in the visor. These days you can glam up your visor with sequins or get on in the shape of your favourite foam animal, will that be toucan or shark? In fact you can even get your hands on ones that light up and flash a rainbow of colours. There’s just too much choice, I can’t decide. But hang on one second, there’s something crucial I’ve forgotten: the trainers…oops. After having a leisurely browse I think my feet would be on fire in a pair of these houndstooth high-tops from Nike, available at Flatspot. They look super-soft too – though maybe not so good for actual marathon running.

Old man smoking jacket meets trainer

Old man smoking jacket meets trainer

With my sweet-sweat watch, streamlined shades, visor and trendy trainers, I’ll be a sight for sore eyes. Watch out Edinburgh. But if you fancy some more scary looking fitness gear then you could always play it conventional with Stella McCartney’s designs for Adidas. You might think this is just a white t-shirt, but it’s actually a ‘Perf Run Tee 09‘ with breathable ’ClimaCool’ fabric, sounds very technical and complex, but if you’re a stylish pro then it could be the perfect shirt for you.  Gees, you’d think with all this hi-tech runner-wear they’d have designed something that could just do the running for you?

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