The London Diary: Day 2

So I arrived, I survived the train and ran as quickly as I could away from that horrible man! 

Today, Was spent at Somerset House, I was summoned to hours of Getting my Picture taken by the weird and wonderful! From bloggers to press, For all you non fashionistas, Somerset House is where it's AT! The heart of London Fashion Week Where all the biggest shows are watched in awe. Anyone who is SOMEONE is there for shows or exhibitions. LOT'S OF CELEB SPOTTING TO BE DONE

It was quite dawnting at first but I got into the swing of it and 4 outfit changes later, I was KNACKERED! Being interviewed/Posing my socks off for ELLE, COSMO, VOUGE RUSSIA writers and photographers was THEE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY. Now let's all hope they get published as at LFW everyone seems to be going wild and making sure they look the craziest! I definetly stood out in The beautiful Obscure Couture dresses/shorts,skirts! 

After that we went to an amazing mexican restraunt for some majour grub munching! NOM NOM NOM Everyone was dead on there feet and had absaloutely no chat, pretty rare at a table full of girls! So after we filled our bellies to the brim we grabbed a cab and hit the pillow!

Can I just say, I am FREAKING TERRIFIED for tomorrow

Hopfully my nerves calm over night

Peace & Love From London

La

The London Diary: Day 1

So, as some of you may or may not know, I thought that my London adventure started on Friday at 13.40pm, This was the time I in fact ASSUMED I was leaving my home turf, But in actual fact I was completely and utterly WRONG. Fail on my part. 

Thursday morning, I am a bag of nerves. I wake Un settled and restless, going over and over falling off the runway in my head! Normally I am more excited about shows as they are such a BUZZ! BUT London Fashion Week is a different ball game… I'm sure you will agree. Normal to feel what can't be described in any other way than TERRIFIED. I had the whole day planned, It was my Pre London Prep day, meaning nails hair waxing & packing! So, I started my day off with a much needed nerve settling latte, then got a manicure, met my Mum for another coffee refuel. After my mum had to go back to work I though it would be best to run to central and buy my young persons rail card so I'm all set for Friday, whilst waiting in line I hear a huge "LAUREEENNN" I ignored it at first as I was makeup-less and in a total rush to make my hair appointment. After the 2nd I turned round & It was Obscure Couture's dearest Lyndsay. After a second of disbelief, Reality sunk in and I realised that I WAS MEANT TO BE LEAVING FOR LONDON in 20 mins instead of 24hrs and 20 mins. 

SHEEEIT' MAN SHEEEIT'

So I got myself together, Got myself home & Started the mammoth task of packing for 10 days in London.

& After I had a few serious words with myself, I got a grip & I made the 16.40pm train! Where I'm currently sitting in coach E feeling like a farm animal crushed into truck travelling to wales. I swear to god i've never been on a train so busy! I thought I had totally blagged 2 seats to myself until a kind man grunted to me and pointed to where my bag was sitting quite comfy, I could only assume he meant please can you move your bag miss, I am still waiting on a polite word from the DICK. & He's watching this weird movie that I can only hope he has made himself it's so bad, continuously feeling it appropriate to PISS HIMSELF laughing every 2 mins.

ONLY ME COULD BE SAT NEXT TO SUCH A TWAT

But apart from the unpleasant SMELL that is perched quite greedily over both of our seats. I am fine & well and on route to LONDON FASHION WEEK BABY. Even 5 hours next to HIM will not get me down. Thankfully virgin train has invested in the option of Wi - Fi! So I can write this & equally as important, downloaded Sex in the City from Itunes to calm me down.

Just wanna say a HUMONGOUS Thank You to everyone wishing me well in LFW I promise I will try my hardest to do you all proud.

Write Again Soon

Peace & Love

La

p.s Totally just realised DICK is no doubt reading every word i've just written. 

Double SHIT

Painting Faces

Yes, there is a theme going on at Wannabe She the past two days, HAVE YOU NOTICED? I have been busy interviewing a few of my favourite people in the industry, all of which I have worked with or am going to! I will be doing the same in LONDON, Full on grilling's for all 4 of the photographers i'm working with! Gives you an even bigger insight into my life and who i'm hangin' with or working for! Makes it a little bit more interesting for EVERYONE and the bonus I don't have to ramble on about myself constantly!

I give to you Ms Jak Morgan

Jak can you tell everyone WHAT YOU DO?

I paint faces.

 How did you first have the notion to PAINT FACES?

Makeup has always been a huge love of mine but it didn't occur to me to make it a career until around 5 years ago. I signed up for a makeup course while already at uni (glutton for punishment!) and knew straight away there's nothing else I'd rather do. So after I finished my degree went to London to do a course at London College of Fashion and haven't stopped since!

 Can you share some of the milestones with us?

My first shoot for the Herald was a massive deal for me, especially as they let me loose straight away to paint one of their writers as Gene Simmons from KISS!! Awesome fun. The photography in the magazine is beautiful and it's such a great team so every job with them is always amazing. Getting signed to Model Team was another great moment as they are such a well respected agency and have got me some incredible jobs. Working with Paolo Nutini was good fun and also Clare Maguire at this year's TITP festival. Shooting for Hello Magazine was fab. And of course being Beauty Editor for POSED magazine has been really fantastic, especially as we never imagined at the start it would have grown as much as it has, even in the short time it's been going! It's a great thing to be a part of and exciting to see how it will develop in the future.

What's been your favourite shoot so far?
There have been so many amazing and diverse jobs I've been lucky enough to be a part of! But possibly my favourite is a shoot I did with the Scottish National Ballet for the upcoming issue of POSED. Ballet is a massive love of mine and getting to work with these beautiful girls (and boys) and watch them dance all day was maybe the best day at work of all time!

Do you still LOVE it?

More now than ever. I genuinely can't wait to get to work every day so I know how lucky I am.

What's your favourite brand?

Tricky, tricky, tricky question! I love different brands for different things and can't honestly say I have an absolute favourite. For foundations and concealors my favourites are Chanel or Laura Mercier, for great enhancing products it would be Clarins and I really love Illamasqua, Bobbi Brown and NARS. But, maybe unsurprisingly, the majority of products in my kit are MAC. They just make such great quality products you know you can rely on to last whether for a photoshoot or a fashion show or even a night out! And pretty much any shade of lipstick or blush or pigment you can think of, they will have created. Add in all the different mixing mediums, the possibilities are endless. The MAC Pro stores are genuinely one of my favourite places in the whole world and I could easily lose days in there!

Favourite product?
This is even trickier!! If I could only have one product from my kit it would probably be my Make Up Forever 12 Flash Color Case. It's a mix of greasepaints that can be used all over to create a whole look from something subtle to OTT dramatic! Other than that it would actually be my brushes... I'm a bit addicted to buying makeup brushes and have a huge collection. One time I thought I'd lost them at a job and had a FULL-ON panic attack!!!

What's the plans for the future?  

WORLD DOMINATION!!! Haha. I love fashion and beauty and hope to always  work within this industry but music is a strong passion of mine as well so I definitely want to keep working with artists and get more involved in music videos and the touring side of things.



Jak is not only a talented a make up artist SHE IS SO MUCH MORE and with a heart of gold she is a total keeper in my life. She's completely mastered my face, what looks good and bad, this is ideal as I'll HAVE to use her a lot more on my shoots DAMM! It's a hard life! 


FRIENDS WITH MASSIVE BENIFITS 


Big Love For Ms Morgan, a TRUE Scottish Talent
I've said it Once & I'll Say it Again
Jak Morgan You Rock My World/Face

Just a Smidgen of The Wonderful Jak's Handy Work. For more, Like Her Facebook page or visit her website!

Website

Page

Peace

La

xxx

It's Ten 30 Bitches

Said by the man himself Mr Alan Moore of Ten30. "IT'S TEN30 BITCHES!" After being asked to walk at his show in October (you will need to wait a little longer to find out the nitty gritty of who what where when) & With him owing me a dance in our favourite thursday night destination COMMON AS MUCK I thought I would take full advantage and put the up and coming but equally award winning designer UNDER MY GRILL.

Mr Ten30

& So the grilling commenced....

Ten 30 - Interesting Name, WHY WHAT WHO WHEN? How did you come up with it and is there a meaning behind it?

 The name ten30 comes from my days in first year textiles at Glasgow School of Art. On a class trip to London I shared a room, number 1030, with 4 other students, a fellow textiler, a graphic designer, an illustrator and a film maker. We each shared ideas and ethos of art and design and when coming back to Glasgow we put on our first collective exhibition of work under the title of "1030 collective" When I started out on my own, ten30 seemed like an appropriate name.

If you could categorise yourself in the fashion industry where would you place?

 Ten30 is all about fast fashion with designer quality, both in craftsmanship and design aesthetic. We use the highest quality materials to make our garments and each element of the design are carefully considered.

Who is your target market?

Our target market are women who understand quality, craftsmanship and design in fashion. We put so much time and effort into creating stories and concepts around the garments and the people who buy ten30 are people who buy into the whole brand, our romantic ideas and themes as much as the look and fit of the clothes.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

 I am personally inspired by the 50's and 60's and this is usually reflected somewhere in my work, not always deliberately. Having a background in textiles, I am inspired by patter, colour and textures, a lot of influence comes from films and books, but I'm always really inspired by women, strong female characters usually feature somewhere in my work.

Out of everything you've designed? Whats your favourite piece?

There are a few pieces that I'm especially pleased with, some of the prints and embroidery in the Plissken collection and the coat I made for New York. But the new collection has a lot of pieces that I'm very fond of. They show my progression and maturity as a designer and that's something I'm always trying to achieve.

Whats the plans for the future?

 Immediate plans for the future are to launch the new collection, open the online shop and start researching for the next collection.

Have you got anything in the pipeline you can share exclusively with us!?

I can't say too much, but the new collection, in collaboration with Harris Tweed, will be launching in October and we have a very exciting project lined up for December, that's all you're getting!

What do you look for in models to showcase your creations?

Each collection or project we do, is different from the last, and that is reflected in every aspect of showcasing the final product. In that sense, each model has to be different for each project. The Plissken collection was all about strong, powerful imagery and that was represented in the fierce model we used. In contrast, the new collection is all about vulnerability, naivety and innocence so we needed someone who fit that.

Whats the BIG Dream?
 The big dream is to make ten30 into an internationally recognised brand, to continue to work as we do but on a much larger scale.

What gets you through the blood sweat and tears?

 As everyone in this industry knows, there literally is blood, sweat and tears, but the moment the garments are finished and you see the whole collection come together and you see your vision realised through the clothes, kind of makes it all worth it. I love fashion and textiles and to make something that people love is a great feeling. 

Above is Ten30's designs in past collections. I am so excited about his new stuff, I really think he's going to BRING IT even further. Possible?

Tres Excited about the Show, Let it be FABULOUS

You'll Rock It, Hard Work Pays Off Darling
& You Deserve it

Peace & Love

IT'S TEN30 BITCHES

xxxx

Hooker Heels Day To Day

Originally from Glasgow but currently taking the big smoke BY STORM, The very Busy & Talented Ms Leeann Soki Mak took out the time to answer a few questions for me!  

I think its MEGA important to support each other in our careers and this one has my back 1000%. After shooting with Ms Mak I finally understood, The girl has something SPECIAL going on.. Let's See what she had to say for herself!

Hello Leeann! Can you describe to everyone WHAT YA DO?

I hate saying I'm a stylist as I feel i do more than that but to be easy I'm a fashion stylist and consultant and freelance jewellery designer. I'm working on one off pieces that will be commissioned for music videos and magazines. 

How did you kick start your career?

 I was at university studying fashion design and I just felt it wasn't right for me at the time. I interned at Vivienne Westwood and just made sure i got to know everything about the fashion industry, I then met a stylist, Stevie Westgarth who I assisted for 7 months. He taught me everything I needed to know,I wasn't sure when I knew I would be ready to leave but I started getting work and just felt I could do it myself! Here I am now!

What makes you different from every other WANNABE?

 I don't ever bullshit. Never. Everyone and their mum claims to be a stylist,designer,singer and producer these days and people forget the industry is actually so small. I've started from the very bottom and experienced the amazing highs but the awful lows which push me each and everyday to make sure I'm moving forward each day. I don't really bother about 'wannabe's' anymore as they will always be found out!

Can you pinpoint the highlight of your career so far?

 I can't pin point anything but I receive regular emails from girls telling me they admire me and my work. Oh and when people I looked up when I was younger know my work!

After the blood sweat and tears, are you finally in a place you want to be?

Definitely not even near it yet! 

Whats the plans for the future?

Take over the world! Not kidding.

What do you prefer doing? Styling or desiging?

My ultimate passion lies in design but I will always style.

If you could change one thing about the fashion world what would it be?

The attitude that goes with it. I've worked with so many people that feel if they shout,scream,bitch then people will respect them.

Whats the BIG dream?

I go through this scenario in my head all the time but I will be living In my beautiful boutique style home in london, have an inbuilt studio where I can work from, a beautiful little dog, a fashion empire under my belt and be able to create jobs for my family and friends so we can all enjoy it together. The most important thing is that I'm happy.

When can we see some of your designs?

 Definitely In the next few months, don't worry I'll be sure to blog,tweet and scream about it check www.sokimak.blogspot.com (a little self promotion there)

Have you got anything exciting coming up?

Yes I will be in the next issue of I-d magazine which is exciting as I've never been infront of the camera, I'm also on Radio 1xtra during fashion week giving fashion tips and answering any questions.

Work wise Just been confirmed for some big projects but you'll have to follow the blog to keep updated 

Who's your favourite ESTABLISHED designer?

I don't have a favourite but I love Pam Hogg, Vivienne Westwood, Osman Yousefzada,Craig Lawrence, Louise Gray, Moschino and Versace.

What inspires you?

 Everything around me inspires me,Its quite annoying actually, I'll be in shopping for food and I'll see a certain colour next to a colour and something just sparks in my brain and I have to leave and go and write it down.

Is there any up and coming designers you think we should keep an eye out for?

 Yes I'm a huge fan of working with emerging designers but definitely keep an eye out for Angela Brandys, Nova Chiu, Lara Jensen and Claire Barrow to name a few!

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE BIG WORDS

COLOURFUL-CREATIVE AND INNAPROPRIATE 

Well? PRETTY PHENOMINAL RIGHT?

Leeann. Your a Doll

Below in some of Leeann's AH MAZING Work. In The Words of Rachel Zoe, I DIE

Leeann's not only going to be in I.D She was featured in Japanese Nylon

ROCKIN' IT FOR US ALL

Peace & Loving Soki Mak

I C O W

So I recently met with one of I C O W's Director's Claire Stuart To discuss the up and coming event! 

Hey Claire! Can You tell us what I T C O W Stands for?

Hello Lauren! ITCOW stands for In the Company of Wolves, it's a multimedia fashion show created as a platform for independent talent based in Scotland - directed by myself and my partner in crime Ally Turnbull.

What Is I T C O W & Is the Fore-coming Event Your 1st?

 The show has been going for 2 years, our premier show starting last April in the Sub Club. Since the first show we've gone on to win a Scottish Event Award (another nomination pending!) as well as collaborating with Glasgow Film Festival for Pyuupiru with an after party with Pam Hogg. Our boutique style events are themed - taking influence from everything from German expressionism, David Lynch, dark fairytales, Japanese pop culture...and more recently 70's b-movie horror and William Castle. 

Where Will The Next Event Be Held?

This will be our fourth event, returning to the Sub Club after our event with the film festival at the CCA. As with any event there is always an element of fire fighting. We can plan and plan as much as possible but there will always be something that goes wrong on the night - nothing hummongous but a few technical hitches that were smoothed over. You learn from your mistakes and helps you deal with the problems as in when they happen. For us though as long as the people have enjoyed the show and the designers get more awareness raised about their brand we're happy. We've met soo many amazing people and with all the talent in Glasgow it's been a complete delight working on show after show.

What Designers will be Showcasing?

Designers we're keeping hush hush and leaking them over facebook but confirmed we have Fair Feathered Friend, LilyLoveLock, Bonnie Bling and Isolated Heroes. We've got in total 15 designers showcasing this year so you can follow our progress on our facebook!

Well I personally can't wait! BRING IT ON.

Good Luck To The Whole Team

& YOU ALL Should Get Down & See The Show, As Claire said follow the progress & be the first to know all the ins and outs on the facebook page

I T C O W

Maybe you'll even get to see your truly Strutting her Stuff Down The Runway

Peace & Love
BIG LOVE FOR THE WOLVES

La

The Girl Behind The Model

So I received an email from someone who will remain anonymous, asking where I want to be in ten years time, and who the girl really is behind the model? It got me thinking, Maybe its time to get really up close and personal.

My name is Lauren Elizabeth Andrew, my real friends call me La, I was born on the 24th of June 1992, Yes, that makes me just turned 19. Pretty young for a girl with so much to say? I am the creative director of INAA.COM, most people ask me what I do at INAA, Truth be told my position couldn't actually be defined. I started working for INAA about 14 months ago. I was asked to be the new face of the company, sort of ambassador if you like. When they realised I had a brain, everything changed and the job soon turned into a sales rep position, then a more admin based role, then I ran the INAA office and managed everyone in it. After I cam back from Australia, I was then promoted to Creative director, where I directly assist both of the managing directors to whatever they want from me that specific day, wether it be with marketing, advertising, expansion plans, event planning, debt collecting you name it i've done it! In 14 months I have learned so much & I am so grateful for the opportunity I have been given!

I live at home with my two little sisters and Mum, My Dad lives in Manchester with my step mum and two little brothers. All together I have 4 siblings, 2 divorced parents and one step mum. I moved out when I was 16 into a flat on Fox Street in Glasgow's City Centre, I lived there for 8 months before moving out and crawling back to home cooked meals and Mum doing my washing!

 I'm not a disco kisser, in any way shape or form. Disco kisser means 'going up eh dancin' for a winch' Nope, not me, never have been never will be, don't really get the point in slobbering all over a total stranger and then walking away, equally one night stands are a no go. I would be the clingy bird that wakes up with the guilt and claims she loves the poor guy. Na, that whole thing just ain't my game! This is no doubt why I've been in an on/off relationship with my currently ON boyfriend Mr Adam Light since we first kissed when I was 13!! He's been hanging about like a bad smell ever since. Old habits die hard I guess, but thankfully this time round theres a few less hormones and a lot less mental-ness. Its safe to say I am pretty loved up as it currently stands. TOUCH WOOD.

I am an atheist, I want to believe in something but for now The Secret keeps my mind entertained! My hero is my Papa, I miss him every day. Truly the coolest guy I ever knew & the biggest influence in my whole life. I'm trying to learn not to regret anything thats happened so far as it's got me to where I am, but that's a pretty hard one to grasp as there is so much I would LOVE to change, but I guess i'll have to put it down to experience. My biggest weakness is Hello Kitty, I'm pretty mad for it. I love coffee and most things I shouldn't, slowly but surely I am becoming more boring and letting each and every one of my vices go. I am looking forward to Success and travelling the world. My next holiday destination will be Thailand. Natural Highs such as SKY DIVING are on the bucket list for sure. I have recently started thinking about getting into acting again. I used to Sing, but haven't publicly since my Papa passed away. 

In ten years, that would make me 29, I want to have written a novel and a children's book. I want to OWN 2 pieces of property, I want to succeed in whatever I'm chasing as a model. I want to own my own company. I want to have driven route 66, I want a ring on my finger!! To at least be THINKING about having kids! I want to have done SOMETHING Incredible with my life and know I have made a difference in someway. I want my Mum to meet someone that deserves her. I want to still be the 'cool' sister to my siblings & Ultimately be a better person than I am today. I'm sure in the next ten years alot will change and my hopes and dreams will too. But as long as theres a smile on my face most of the time & i'm healthy, It'll be all good.

To everyone that already knew all of the above, I truly wouldn't be able to do this without you. For the people that really CARE & are reading this smiling instead of using it as something to talk about, I love you. & For the haters, There is a reason you are reading this! ALL PRESS IS GOOD PRESS BABY SO KEEP TALKIN'

Peace Love & I WILL SUCCEED & MAKE YOU PROUD


Let the Good Time's Roll

La