Tuesday 15 July 2014

My Rural Italian Holiday


   







 

Hello all 

I'm sorry I haven't been posting much lately, but the reason why is actually what this blog post is all about. I was on a much needed relaxing holiday in Southern Italy with my boyfriend Kurtis for most of last week and the week before. This is the second time I've been to this particular area of Italy, and I love it there so much that I thought I'd share a bit about it with you. 

We stayed in an apartment in a very small town in the Region of Calabria called Caulonia Marina. What I love most about this place is that it's untouched by commercialism and tourism. You really feel like you're getting an authentic taste of Italy when you're here. The areas main industry is agriculture, so it's incredibly green and packed full of olive groves and orange farms. 

Now when I said relaxing holiday, I really meant it. Unless you hire a car or are brave enough to tackle the public transport, you're in for a very chilled holiday. Sunbathing / reading a book on the beach, swimming, and eating copious amounts of ice cream, pasta and pizza is what's in store for you. For me and my boyfriend, this was perfect. The beach was a 5 minute walk from our apartment, and most days we had it all to ourselves. No screaming kids, no struggle to find a place to put your towel, just you and the sound of the waves. Bliss. 

The sea is stunning, the people are lovely and friendly, and the sun was at a constant 35°, but my favourite thing about this place is the food. Oh my lord the food. Every morning we'd head over to the local supermarket to get our breakfast and some stuff for lunch. The only bread they have is fresh bread made that very morning, in a variety of shapes and sizes, and it's the best bread I've ever had. We'd also buy a selection of cold meats e.g mortadella and some mozarella to make sandwiches for us to take to the beach. Italians siesta from 1-4.30pm, so the chance of being able to get something to eat around that time is pretty thin, and also this was a really good way of saving our money so we could go all out at dinner time, and boy did we. 

The food in the restaurants out there puts the food Italian restaurants serve over here to shame. One thing this region of Italy specialises in is seafood, caught fresh daily and cooked to perfection. The recipes are simple but packed with flavour. The second from last picture above is an octopus pasta I had one night, with a sauce so rich but so moreish I never wanted it to end. Another night, Kurtis had a mixed seafood grill that consisted of a huge chunk of swordfish, a whole seabass, two huge langoustines, calamari and two whole squids on a skewer. All of this came to 13 Euros. Everything is so ridiculously cheap out there. A huge ice-cream cone (don't even get me started on the ice-cream) with two flavours was 1.50, and you'll never pay more than 7 Euros for a pizza, with most costing 4/5. I must say it was a carb filled holiday, but it's not very often I'm going to get to eat food like that. 

A holiday like this is such a contrast from my every day life, but one thing I love about travelling is really getting to know a country and it's culture. In all honestly, I don't think you can get more authentic Italian than this. 


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Tuesday 1 July 2014

Northumbria University at Graduate Fashion Week

The Northumbia show was the last show I got to see on the Saturday of Graduate Fashion Week, and it was my favorite show overall. Here is a selection of some of the collections that really caught my eye: 




Emmie Vincent
Opening the show was noted one-to-watch Emmie Vincent with a stunning white-on-white collection. Using a variety of materials to explore fabric density, texture, matte and shine, the result was a serene range of garments that were minimal yet striking in style. Transparent tulle and silicone rubber responded fantastically to the light of the runway bringing fresh, crisp vibes to each piece. 





Anna Murphy
Yet another white-on-white collection took to the runway, however this time with a glistening insertion of silver. Laser cut leather pieces and paperclip style embellishments create a futuristic vibe, whilst low necklines, pencil skirts and crop tops add an element of femininity. 



Amy Pearson
A darker contrast to the two previous collections, Amy Pearson mixed a dark, tonal palette with gold metallic creating an image reminiscent of Autumnal leaves and petals. Draped and over sized silhouettes bring a masculine edge to the collection. 





Charlotte Grant-Mills
A menswear sports collection with an 80s vibe, Charlotte Grant Mills was inspired by the body's production of adrenaline. Pink highlights and piping imitate the color of the cells within our adrenal gland. High shine bomber jackets contribute to an over sized silhouette that contrasts with the sleek streamlined lower-half. 





Caroline Smith
One of the few swimwear collections at Graduate Fashion Week, Caroline Smith reminded everyone that it was Summer with a covetable, modern and  interchangeable Summer wardrobe. Inspired by St Ives in Cornwall, this collection is very reminiscent of 1950s resort wear. Bold colors and harbor visuals created a palette so zesty and fresh I was salivating as I watched it. 





Chloe Sanders 
Kaleidoscope prints in blue, white and black made this collection a visual masterpiece. A muted palette subtly hinted to the inspiration of the Scottish landscape and its natural elements. Silhouettes mimicked the traditional Scottish highland dress, whilst checks and graphic prints brought a punk element to the collection. 





Taja Bright
Inspired by the sense of belonging to something greater, Taja Bright used denim, knitwear and patchwork to create a nomad-style collection. Silhouettes were reminiscent of vintage work-wear, but were modernized with bandana scarf prints, bomber jackets and baggy drop-crotches. 




Esther Rigg
Taking us into the future, Esther Rigg's collection was inspired by our ever-growing knowledge of space in contrast with our lacking knowledge and understanding of the oceans on our planet. A blue, silver and black palette brought the two worlds together alongside geometric prints and space-suit style silhouettes.





Ciara Artt
Inspired by the regeneration of Belfast and the community divisions that still exist, Ciara Artt used innovative pattern cutting and contemporary digital printing to create garments and silhouettes that reflect armored vehicles and body protection. 




Rachel Jefferson
If I was to ask you to imagine a womenswear collection inspired by Margaret Thatcher, I'm sure the conjured image wouldn't be all that fetching, let alone something you'd find at Graduate Fashion Week. Rachel Jefferson however has proved us all wrong and put powerful women in politics on the fashion map. Strong, over sized yet relaxed silhouettes hark back to the Margaret Thatcher days, whilst imagery of graffiti and street art and the reworking of traditional woven cloths into prints add a modern edge. Experimental layering of a range of textures from wool and leather to silks and foil bring a deconstructed grunge element to the collection. 


Katrina Wagster
Inspired by Roma travellers, Katrina Wagster mixes traditional tailoring with contemporary pattern cutting. Distressed 1930s style work wear such as heavy black work boots contrasted with a range of soft, light textures that added femininity. 





  








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