Blogger of the month: Sea of Shoe's Jane Aldridge

Jane Aldridge is the 18 year old face of footwear obsession blog Sea of shoes. along with her former model mother, the two are quickly conquering the fashion world. In the past 12 months Aldridge's profile has exploded into the industry, her blog of nearly 3 years (started in April 07) tells a story of a young girl's fascination with the world of high end designer shoes. Aldridge has combined this love of shoes with a quirky vintage inspired style to create one of the most popular and high profile blogs circulating the web. In the past 12 months Jane has gone from documenting her daily outfit choice from her lab top to quickly becoming a highly soughted fashion personality. Vogue and most recently Vanity Fair, have already declared their love for this label loving connoisseur, with numerous mentions and profiles of the Texas native.


While most normal high school seniors find it hard to balance college applications and a social life never mind updating daily one of the most popular blogs of the web, Aldridge however, has managed to keep on top of the fashion game by switching to online classes whiles still having time to meet with Urban outfitters executives to discuss her up coming shoe line, host exclusive cocktail receptions for Guess and Harper's bazaar as well as debuting at the prestigious Paris based Crillon ball in Chanel haute couture, at the whim of a Mr. Lagerfeld of course. Her fans also don't extend to just those in the fashion world, Aldridge also has a fan in Kanye west, who ceasisily praises Aldridge and her style.


Blogging has also opened up the world of fashion design for Aldridge, who along with Atlantis home's Judy Aldridge (her mother), was asked to design a trench coat for indie label Gryphon by former Vogue staffer Aimee Cho. The post apocalyptic inspired design with bell sleeves and waist pouch is certain to be a surefire hit, with such up and comers behind the design. Also in the works is a rumoured book deal for the mom and daughter blogging duo, which will throw this Dallas beauty among the ranks of renowned bloggers such as the Satorialist.


As for her personal style, Aldridge updates daily to satisfy her fashion famished followers with a mixture of vintage inspired pieces such as quirky animal jewlery (squids, monkeys and sea monsters), long boho-inspired skirt, exaggerated jackets by the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, wet look leggings, her mom's designer hand me downs and simple basics, like white shirts and marl sweatshirts. However the staple of this fashionista's wardrobe, her vast collection of shoes; with everything from Balennciaga, Ann Demeulemeester, Prada and Miu Miu.


However while Aldridge's personal style has ganrered thousands of fans, there are a lot of critics who have an aversion to her label laden style. While i don't not like sea of shoes i find my self agreeing with the masses, that fashion's obsession with Aldridge is slightly biased by her capability to afford the latest Prada platform or The Row sweater. i don't see Vogue being so interested in her and her style if she bought her shoes at the nearest Payless or Forever 21. While it cant be said everything this girl wears is new season high end stock, her posts do include the odd basic sourced from a more high street boutique or quirky find from eBay or a thrift store, but the majority of her clothing seems to come directly from the nearest top department store all thanks to daddy's credit card. I prefer a blog which emphasises the message money doesn't buy you style; where a blogger is able to construct a really unique yet relatable outfit without breaking the bank, like early Rumi of fashion toast (before all the designer freebies) or french blogger Betty from blog de betty.
Then there is the other side of the battle who argues that it isn't about the exact pieces that these bloggers wear but the way they put things together. I will admit Aldridge has a unique personal style that will continue to inspire her loyal fans, maybe its just the way she combines a basic shirt with a more dressy constructed skirt or the way she wears a certain belt,but Aldridge shows how bloggers are out there to inspire and exhibit their own style, not to dress to cater to the tastes of every critic (myself included) out there.

Model to watch: Lindsay Wixson

With a career barely spanning a few months, Lindsay Wixson has already gained the levels of notoriety more associated with models on the scene for years rather then a couple of a months, however a stint on the Prada runway has propelled this fresh faced Amercan beauty into the spotlight. This 15 year old Kansas native has enraptured the attention of the industry with her bee stung lips, bright blue eyes and long lean lines. Her voluptuous pout and gap toothed smile are reminiscent of the Bardot-esque look that is raging through the industry and which is heralded by 2009's it girl Lara Stone as well as rock offspring and model on the rise Georgia May Jagger.


Wixson's career began with a signing with Vision models; an attempt to move to IMG saw her rejected from their ranks before finally settling at Marylin. 2009 saw her book a highly coveted spread with Steven Meisel for Italian Vogue, a place reserved for models at the top of their game. The September shows for spring marked Wixson's debut on the catwalk at the Cynthia Steffe show in New York, followed by opens for United Bamboo, Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti and Miu Miu, However it was her opening for prada as an exclusive that garnered her the title of one of the seasons most talked about newcomers. Following her show stopping runway appearance Wixson has landed editorials for Teen Vogue (a magazine known for its turnout of future top models...Karlie Kloss or Chanel Iman anyone?), W, Lulu, I-D and Japanese Dazed & Confused.


As for campaigns, Wixson has just landed her first big advertisement, the spring 2010 Miu Miu promotions. With such high profile jobs under belt, and not even a year in the business, this girl is definitely one to watch.

Model of the month: Karlie Kloss

While Lara Stone undoubtedly reigns supreme as 2009's model of the year, 17 year old American Karlie Kloss is no doubt a close second, who is hot on Stone's heals. A Vogue favourite with no less then an amazing 37 international vogue editorials in 2009 alone, this statuesque St. Louis natives star is progressively on the rise. Discovered at 13, while helping a friend organize a charity fashion show, by 15 she had already landed exclusive catwalk contracts with luxury fashion houses Calvin Klein and Gucci for the spring shows as well as being signed by renowned modelling agency, Elite (now with Next). Kloss's now prospering editorial career began like many of her fellow young and prominent models, such as Chanel Iman, in Teen Vogue of August 2007.


In recent years Kloss's good girl American beauty, swaying and statuesque frame and alluring downcast eyes has propelled this Missouri teenager into the realms of top model status. With a diverse portfolio, encapsulating the elite of the international fashion industry, Kloss's runway career has included opening for the Marc by Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera and Chloé shows as well as stints for Alexander McQueen, Rodarte, Alexander Wang, Valentino and Givenchy. Her editorial work on the other hand, has spanned the global fashion publication industry including appearances in Numero, Korean and American W, Australian fashion bible Russh, I-D, Vanity Fair, as well as reocurring feautures in French, Italian, British and most reoccurring, American Vogue. On the campaign front there has been no shortage of jobs either, with campaigns for See by Chloe, Topshop Bvlgari, Nina Ricci, Gap, Dolce & and Gabanna, Marc Jacobs perfume Lola as well as most recently Dior and Hermes.


However while Kloss is presented as an all rounder, working for the elite of the fashion industry in all aspects, fame hasn't gone to this young models head. She still attends high school, even taking online courses while travelling and cites baking cookies and going to Disneyland as her favourite activities.As for her personals style she wears "something Alexander Wang every day". But it her dancing background, with 5 years as a student of ballet has given her an edge in this competitive business, allowing graceful, flowing and ever conscientious movement in front of the camera.


Photographer Arthur Elgort has described Kloss as "disciplined, has danceability, repetition and gorgeous legs and shes happy to hang her clothes up after each picture. Fashion connoisseur Steven Meisel portays Kloss"an amazing model. She knows clothes. he has tonnes of energy. She will add things to the shoot i would have never thought of. she thinks from the point of view of an editor and a photographer , not just that of a model". With such glowing recommendations, Kloss is no doubt a supermodel in the making.

A/W Trends: La Parissiene

(Chanel, Meadham Kirchhoff, Nina Ricci, Erdem, Louis Vuitton)

The femme fatale of 80's Paris was the main star of the fall collections. Seductive stockings, glimpses of lingerie and red lips were the accessories of choice to compliment the often coquettish and frivolous glamour of our over the top french heroine. Silks, bows, lace and ruffles embellished the sophisticated sexiness of the Paris inspired stylings. By day she revels in left bank inspired ensembles which payed homage to Coco Chanel. The look was strictly monochrome from Breton stripes at Meadham Kirchhoff to conservative lace necklines at Chanel. At night her fanciful bourgeois side emerges with cascades of gold brocade(seen at Roksanda Ilnic) blue or red stain(Erdem and Nina Ricci) and intricate detailing such as surging ruffles and frills (like at Marchesa). Typically the Paris collections reigned supreme with designers such as Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu completely defining the look.

A/W Trends: Metallic Embelishment

(Balmain, Balmian, Calvin Klein, Jean Paul Gaultier, Julien MacDonald)

The a/w catwalks were laden with sparkling gem encrusted ensembles from Balamin's sequin covered mini dresses to Isabel Marant's Delicious studded ankle boots, metallic embellishment established itself as a key trend for fall. Jewels wern't just reserved for evening wear though, at Balmain a casual Breton striped sweather was swathered in sequins,and at Calvin Klein a subtle knee length day dresses offered a twist with its glittering fabric. Everything from leggings at Gucci, harem pants at Preen and jackets at Paul & Joe were burnished with sparkly sequins. Studs and spikes offered an aggressive alternative with a glamorous edge. Jean Paul Gaultier sent models in antagonistic stud encrusted leather jackets storming down the catwalks and At Julien MacDonald shoulder padded jackets were coated with jagged spikes. This punk inspired edge suggested a rebellious remedy to the glamour infused fall collections.

J'Adore

Isabel Marant a/w 09

Model of the month: Lara Stone

As W Magazine declared fashion has a new it girl. At 25 years old Lara stone doesn't seem like a likely candidate for the next top model, but her quirky look, voluptuous figure and versatility are a potent mix which has shaken up the fashion industry's perspective of what is beautiful. Stone isn't your typical cookie cutter model, with her infamous tooth gap and womanly figure, the Dutch model has been branded the anti-model, Unlike the innocent doe eyed look of now-a-days typical model, stones overt sexuality and Bridget Bardot-esque look exert a powerful femininity and a dominating presence.


However stone isn't a completely fresh face to the modelling scene, at 12 years old she was discovered in a Paris metro by a model agent's wife. At 15 she entered into the Elite Model Look competition. While not winning she didn't go unnoticed. For the next few years she worked internationally, doing regional print in places like Japan and Barcelona. However Stone wasn't getting the recognition she has hoped for and at 22 years old felt that she was too old to make it big. Then with the switching of agents from Elite to IMG, she was relaunched as a fresh face even though she had been working the industry for years. IMG'S tactics worked as she was became bombarded with requests for runway shows and editorial work. It was however Ricardo Tisci, creative director of Givenchy who really helped her establish her position in the modelling industry by casting her in his Fall 2006 show.


Her feminine frame and feline features enthralled the fashion industry and with editorials, covers and campaigns galore Stone doesn't have to worry about her hatred of the runway hindering her career. With her unusually small feet not fitting into the catwalk standard size shoes, her fear of falling has made her catwalk appearances far and few. But when she has graced the runway it has only been for the best, including Prada, Chanel, Balmain, Marc Jacobs, Victoria's secret and Miu Miu. As well She has become a sort of muse for Vogue Paris editor Carine Roitfeld, and was the sole model featured on both the cover and editorials of the February 2009 edition.

Stone also has managed to capture some of the most coveted campaigns in the industry such as Givenchy, Hugo Boss and Dsquared as well as replacing Kate moss as the face of Calvin Klein. With her soft curves and atypical features this girl is a refreshing shake up in the monotonous modelling industry.