False Productivity

If you were to look at my life over the past couple of weeks you’d think I’m an extremely productive person. My house is spotlessly clean, I have finished reading my book, the folders on my laptop are exceptionally organised, I have discovered and downloaded vast amounts of new music, my leather shoes have been cleaned and polished, I have organised and booked most of my Christmas plans, I’ve watched numerous documentaries I’ve long been meaning to, I’ve even started doing some home workouts again...

All this just to avoid doing work. 

New Country, New Home

So I have recently moved to France. I am now a fully-fledged Lillois and, so far, I’m loving it. I’ve moved here for one academic year as part of my degree, and I couldn’t have chosen a better city. The fashion here is fantastic, with every single person in my neighbourhood looking constantly chic. The women are glamorous and the men are handsome. There are some fantastic little vintage shops around my house, which seem to hide beautifully amongst the crumbling French walls and cobblestones. In contrast to this, brands such as Louis Vuitton and Zadig & Voltaire have sleek stores made of glass and steel squeezed between the historic Architecture. 

Talking of architecture, I thought I’d share with you my house here. I have become completely obsessed with it, further increasing my love for properties and furnishings! Although I’m not even close, I’ve had great fun filling it with vintage furniture. Here’s a couple of photos of what I call home. 

Summer in the City

It’s been a very busy summer. I moved to London at the beginning of it to start interning at Code Le Vush, an emerging luxury fashion designer. I love London and was so excited to be in the city for longer than a weekend break. I’m fortunate in that a family member of mine owns a beautiful flat on the South Bank, with incredible views over the expanse of urban jungle we call our capital city. So for me, accommodation was very much sorted. 

In my first week of work I attended the launch of Exalt Magazine. It’s an incredible publication with beautiful editorials from front to back, including big names such as Oliver Cheshire. The editor, Emma Breden, is a dream to be around, on both a professional and personal level and threw an awesome launch. I opted for a casual look, in all black with a light denim jacket over the top. Excuse the shameless selfie. 

Love Affur

  For decades fur has caused controversy in the fashion industry, leaving many people in the age old dilemma of ethics or style? However, in recent times animal rights activists have experienced a string of success, with rising public awareness, shops like Forever 21 promising to stop selling fur, and Kim Kardashian being flour-bombed. Although I don’t condone cruelty to animals, I have a bigger dilemma facing me. Forget protests, placards and throwing red paint. I don’t care for exposé documentaries or fur trading legislation. What I want to know is; Can I wear fur even though I’m a boy? 

  I love fur. I am completely obsessed with any girls who wear fur. To me, fur represents youth, class, elegance and a glamorous, carefree attitude. However, when fur garments are transferred to the opposite sex, it seems to convey less glamour and more seedy-transvestite-with-a-troubled-upbringing. The reasons behind this are unclear to me. Men have worn fur throughout history, from the caveman’s loincloth to King Henry VIII’s gown. It once represented wealth and success, with some prestigious graduation cloaks enjoying a fur lining. This is evident even without having to delve into the depths of history (my own headmaster wore a graduation gown with white rabbit trimming). So when did it suddenly turn? Why can I not enjoy this natural fabric as my ancestors once did?

  I have come to the conclusion that, nowadays, men do not wear fur because other men do not wear fur. There is a fear of standing out, or being categorised as gay. This connotation has only attached itself to fur because of it’s stronger presence in modern day womenswear than in menswear. It has somehow become socially unacceptable for men to wear it, and the longer this continues the worse the situation becomes. 

  I appreciate many fashion designers still use fur in their menswear collections. However, although this is praised on the catwalk, I wonder whether I can realistically wear fur on the high-street. Can I, a male 21 year old student in Manchester, really walk into Sainsbury’s to pick up some eggs wearing a vintage fox scarf? 

  I am serious. I want an answer. Not from left-wing hippies who obstruct the entrance to Selfridges with their sorrowful attempts to rally consumers. They can keep their annoyingly clear conscience. I want an answer from the everyday guy. Can a boy wear fur? Alternatively, as I am likely to disregard any unfavourable answer, I might just don a floor length mink coat and strut around town with confidence anyway, cigar in hand. Besides, I hear flour is a good look this year. 

You're Tacky And I Hate You

So this week's fashion theme in The Mancunion was 'tacky'. Here were my suggestions... 

Picture: viviennewestwood.co.uk

Tacky’s not an outfit, it’s a lifestyle. However, if you’re unable to fully dedicate yourself to the cause, this bag from Vivienne Westwood should just about cover it. The luscious mock crocodile effect in hospital-curtain pink just screams ‘all-money-no-taste’, topped off by the perspex amber glitter orb on the front. But don’t be fooled, this bag is not just about ultimate tacky style. The heart-shape body is just the right size to fit absolutely nothing inside it, while the handles ensure not even Katie Price could fit it over her arm. What’s not to like?... The £225 price tag.   

Picture: pauls-boutique.com

However, if you’re still desperate for that garish edge to your outfit but are on more of a student budget, this bag from Paul’s Boutique should fit the bill. At just £40 it retains the all important ‘tack’ through the similar heart-shape style. Although you’ll need to sacrifice Vivienne Westwood’s crocodile effect for the poor-man’s version of snake skin, the chunky gold chain strap will actually fit over your shoulder. Plus it brings an element of versatility, being grey on one side and green on the other. Who would have thought something so stylish could be so cheap- in every sense of the word?