United Kingdom

I love a bit of street style and can easily waste hours checking out how other people dress - not how 'fashionable' they are, but their personal style, how they wear their clothes, put an outfit together. I find how people express their personality through clothing absolutely fascinating.

London is well known as one of the street style capitals of the world - a place where what the cool kids in 'creative' (basically, poorer) areas from Hackney to Peckham are wearing influences international designers. Their raw looks get interpreted into catwalk designs, then make their way through the fashion chain, eventually filtering back down all the way to the high street. But many other cities all over the world influence the process too, notably New York, Tokyo and Copenhagen.

These three collections take street influences, from classic 90s hip hop style, Kawaii and the gritty London realness that is the Tube, and turn them into super cool, easy to wear, edgy fashion for men and women, that references London, New York and Tokyo style.

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Roundel
I HATE the stinking tube, especially in Summer, but I adore its history and iconography, and it's these visual associations with the London Underground that Roundel draws on for its brilliant unisex designs. The latest collection runs from sweats to shirts, jackets and tees, and now some incredible accessories, including a rucksack I really, really recommend you check out for yourselves, I saw it at their press day and was totally bowled over by the gorgeous colours and quality, it's genuinely fantastic (in case you can't get to the store, take a peek at this snap I took). Everything has that easy, edgy London feel and interprets everyday London imagery in a way that's understated, cool and never touristy.

Available in store from Dover Street Market at 17-18 Dover Street, London W1S 4LT and online at www.oki-ni.com

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New Era Heritage Series: Spike Lee 1996 Collection
This is so cool - whilst, according to himself, it was Jay Z who made the cap 'more famous than a Yankee can', I had no idea that the iconic New York Yankees baseball cap only started to come in colours other than the team's signature dark navy blue thanks to film director and Yankees fanatic, Spike Lee. Apparently Lee called up Chris Koch, the CEO of New Era - the heritage sports and lifestyle brand, and absolute kings of authentic baseball style - and asked for a scarlet red Yankees cap. Koch obtained special permission and produced a number of the caps in other colours, including green, yellow, and orange.

New Era have teamed up with Spike Lee to bring out this latest 1996 Collection as part of their on-going Heritage Series, and it includes some super cool leather versions of the ultimate NY accessory. You can see Spike Lee talk about the cultural significance of baseball in this video that accompanies the release.

Available soon from www.neweracap.co.uk and select New Era stockists

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McQ Manga Collaboration with Yoshiyasu Tamura
For its AW14 menswear and womenswear collections, McQ collaborated with Japanese artist, Yoshiyasu Tamura on artwork taken from a fictional manga comic book series. Inspired by Japanese youth culture, the prints reimagine SS14's Angry Bunny as a samurai doing battle on the streets of Tokyo. The energetic sketches appear both as patchwork (a luxe, infinitely more tasteful take on the early 90s cartoon jeans that I've been spotting hipster kids wearing again recently) as well as an all-over print. Meant to convey both 'the DIY feel and the spirit of youthful rebellion' found elsewhere in the collections, I love the fun Manga stylings that are slightly too sinister to tap into the Kawaii trend but definitely work for a wider audience. Also, Angry Bunny aside, this conjures up memories of the legendary a-Ha video for 'Take on Me', which is never a bad thing.

Released this August and available from McQ stores and www.alexandermcqueen.com/gb/mcq

Danielle Tyler from Derbyshire is not eligible to enter Miss England, she was never banned . The criteria is set out in advance for anyone entering. She chose not to read the rules of entry. She was never eligible to enter.

They are many competitions that are aimed at a certain sex, age group or other demographic. There are competitions where you have to be a mum. There are competitions where you have to be an adult over 18, over 25, or over 65 & children's competitions.

If you are married and have kids you can enter one of the Miss GB's ( NOT THE ONE MISS GB UNIVERSE THEY HAVE THE SAME RULE AS US RE- CHILDREN)

If you are aged 17-25, not married and do not have kids then you can enter Miss England with the many opportunities that it offers for young ladies that are eligible to enter.

You must be a role model for your generation, of good character and free and unfettered to enter in to an exclusive agreement with Miss World Limited.

Men cannot enter. Mums cannot enter. Married women cannot enter. Women under 17 (on the date of the Miss World final) cannot enter. Women over 25 cannot enter.

There are many groups of people who fall outside the Miss England entry criteria. Miss England is a competition where the winner wins fabulous prizes and goes on to represent England at the Miss World final.

Miss World is an annual competition to find a beautiful young lady, with exceptional charisma, skill, talent and communication ability, to be a brand ambassador for Miss World's Beauty With A Purpose Charity Programme, on an international level, in more than 150 countries, for up to three years. Many millions of dollars are raised every year through Beauty With A Purpose to assist sick and deprived children.

It is therefore essential that the winner of Miss World be a role model for her community, a role model for her country and a role model for all young people in the world.

Having been Miss England in 2009, and now being a mother I personally feel that the two roles cannot coincide. Until you actually carry out the role of Miss England, you cannot possibly appreciated how much time is spent on the road, travelling from one place, or even country to another - it's all well and good saying but it's your choice etc but it would not be fair on a child to be either left for long periods or constantly travelling.

I'm in the army so used to a high paced constant lifestyle - and even I was exhausted. Would it not be unfair for a mother to win and then realise that the schedule was too demanding, thus having to hand her crown to the runner up.

During my year as Miss England I moved from hotel to hotel, country to country - it was a exhausting but enjoyable time with long hours. I'm used to being away with my job as a soldier in the army and I couldn't deal with constantly being away from my daughter for the periods I travelled as Miss England.

Miss England is a once in a lifetime opportunity if you win, and you only get that year once, so you have to embrace every opportunity that comes your way. If I had a child when I was Miss England my loyalties would have been torn. Let alone on a Miss World level - for a start my years Miss World finals was six weeks travelling all over South Africa. The eventual winner hardly puts her foot on the ground all year! There are a lot of other competitions girls can enter, but all have rules, some have age rules for example. Rules are in place in any competition, usually to protect and be in entrants best interest.

Miss England is in fact the opportunity of winning a job role - there are many jobs which have boundaries set in place. The rules where there for this girl to see before entry. Not everyone has a bank balance like Victoria Beckham. A lot of the Miss England events worldwide are late at night - and you travel alone? Is it suggested that if a mother where to win Miss England that they take their children to social events? If not then the mother would require a huge support network - of people willing to care for their child for very long periods! What if a mother enters who doesn't have this - you cannot allow some mothers but not others to enter. Hence why the rule is there to protect the best interests of those applying. Their are enough competitions out there for this lady to not feel discriminated - other competitions winners don't travel as much hence why they are more suited for mothers. All competitions have rules though and if you don't comply with them you shouldn't enter. I for example cannot be a formula one driver just because I'm female....does that mean I should boycott it?

Katrina Simpson ( NEE HODGE ) is now expecting her 2nd child in September and is mum to daughter Phoenix . 

From well-known high streets brands through to brand new independent boutiques and labels, there's a lot of great male fashion on offer this summer. If you need a little inspiration for a wardrobe refresh this season, check out my men's fashion highlights for this August below.

Model wears Shelby Straight Jeans in Size 34R | £69.50 from Jack Wills here.

Trousers: Vintage Chino in Size 34R | £65 from Crew Clothing Co here.
Blazer: The Franklin Blazer in Size 42 | Currently on sale at £37.50 from Farah here.

Model wears The Kessler Stripe Short in Size 34 | Currently on sale at £32 from Farah here

Model wears Vintage Look Rigid Denim Shorts from Burton in Size 34 | Currently on sale at £15 from House of Fraser here.

Tie: The Nephele Tie | $55 from Pocket Square Clothing here.
Jeans: Straight Leg Dark Wash from Diesel in Size 34R | £110 from House of Fraser here.
Shoes: Tan Toast Belem Shoes in Size 10.5 | £114.95 from Anatomic & Co here.

Verb Dispatch Messenger Bag in Black | $199 from Briggs & Riley here.

All photographs were taken on a Samsung NX300 using a 20-50mm Lens Kit. For more info, visit the Samsung website here.

For more fashion and lifestyle content, as well as food and travel stories, visit us at www.takeontheroad.com or like us on Facebook here..

Summer is well and truly here, as well as a little sunshine, and with the new season comes a series of delectable new collections from your favourite quirky boutiques, high-street brands and upscale labels. Stuck for style this August? Check out my top summer fashion picks below...

Model wears Monochrome Floral Jumpsuit from Wallis in Size 18, priced at £55.00 and available from House of Fraser here. Details of the coat (image on the right) are below.

Model wears Tweed Field Coat from Joules in Size 16, currently on sale at £187.00 and available from webury.com here.

Model wears Floral Wideleg Jumpsuit from Miss Selfridge in Size 16, priced at £45.00 and available from House of Fraser here.

Model wears Calisse Oxford Cotton Shirt from Aigle in Size 16, priced at £65.00 and available from webury.com here.

Model wears The Eastfield Backpack from Jack Wills, currently on sale at $49.00 and available on the Jack Wills website here.

And don't forget to keep it stylish for the little ones too. Check out the super-cute Name It and United Colors of Benetton collections for kids this summer.

For a 15% discount on products from webury.com, enter the code "JOU15" at the checkout (available for non-sale Joules items only).

For more great fashion and lifestyle content, as well as food and travel stories, visit us at www.takeontheroad.com or like us on Facebook here.

Instead of beauty, branding.
Isaiah 3:24

The world's reaction to Vin Los is that of a shared and immediate sentiment of instant fascination. An innate need to understand the psyche of anyone who turns their body into a creative canvas is natural. The appeal of the traditional tattooed male, on varying scales, from the extremities of Zombie Boy Rick Genest to the more subtle increase in presence of male models with ink on luxury brand runways isn't something that is necessarily dying down. Body art as a trend now has unquestionable longevity, but this evolution is moving towards a clear sentiment and purpose-led statement of creativity.

When I first saw Vin Los, I immediately wanted to understand his backstory and ambition for what had taken him to this point. With this in mind, we created a special project for in collaboration with my dark matter menswear brand Ada + Nik and Canadian photographer Naskademini to bring to life a set of portraits based around the quote from Isaiah 3:24 which references the future of humanity, "Instead of beauty, branding."

Vin and I discussed modern day iconography, his creative inspirations and ambitions to change societal perceptions.

What makes a modern day icon in your eyes?

To me, an icon is a mix of many things : aura, soul, personality, actions and charisma. For example Marilyn Monroe, when you look at her in the videos that remain, you see that she has that thing that keeps our eyes on her. I think this is about our energy. Some people have it, some people don't. In my case, I would love to embody pop culture and fame. We are living in a era of "self promotion". Reality shows, music pop stars that also become more than just singers, they are icons in their own right. I want to represent all of that, with strong words... like giving my all, body and soul, to that "representation". Being a living statue of what means "fame".

Who are your creative inspirations?

My inspirations would be, obviously Monroe. Leonardo Da Vinci is also a person that has inspired me so much, by his great intelligence and amazing creativity. Michelangelo, for his iconic paintings. Then, I could say people like Kim Kardashian for her immense and unattainable levels of fame in modern times.

The fact that we just worked together on the Ada + Nik shoot with Naskademini is a demonstration that things are moving in the right direction for you. What do you viably want to achieve in the future? Do you feel that you are hitting the tipping point?

Yes, I do feel that I'm getting closer to my dreams, I'm not there yet, but all the media attention and future shoots are signs that things are getting better! I hope that I get enough international press that designers see me and want to work with me. I could also be in music videos for popstars, or even a TV show, who knows! This would be for my 20s (I'm now 24). In my 30s, I want to be a business man, I have many many ideas for magazines, coffee shops, restaurants, etc. When I'll die at maybe 85, I want the word 'LOS' to translate as 'BIG empire'.

Initial reactions from the public to your tattoos have been mixed, and let's be fair the general public is always going to be critical and find it had to understand. You're a smart man and clearly very self aware, and have anticipated this. Is there anything that you want to say about how you see yourself as a walking body of contemporary art to silence the critics?

As surprising as it seems, I never felt pressure from the people about my tattoos, even before I got media attention. But, I'm now seeing it on the internet. Well, seriously, it doesn't affect me at all, because it just shows exactly what I'm demonstrating. I decided to destruct my clean image with voluntary ugly / raw tattoos, to show that the physical is not the only thing that matters in a human. The inside is far more important. And the negative response I get, shows that society all over the world judges people by their looks. So if someone is fat, with acne, too old etc, they too will be judged. I think this is disgusting and I want to stand up for all of them, for the gays, for the transgenders, for those who are too slim, too fat, for people with acne, for everyone that could be insecure about themselves, and say " Hey! BE CONFIDENT, no matter who you are, I DO LOVE YOU and start loving your life, and make it HOW YOU WANT IT." I want to give people confidence. A society of happy, confident people is a really strong society.

The press have dubbed you a model, but I see you more as an embodiment of iconography and a particular prophetic quote about the future of the world comes to mind, "instead of beauty, branding". What you have achieved takes great ambition and moral strength. What do you have planned to ensure longevity of your presence as a cultural figure?

I'm not just an image, I'm a new thinker, I'm getting people attention by my self-made image, but after this, I will, step-by-step, show a new world, with real good values. For example, when I will be at the point of launching my own magazines, I could put transgender people on the cover, to embrace the T world. I want to make clear action that moves masses into acceptance, love and beauty, real beauty which means less judgment, more peace. I'm giving my life on earth to make it. I think I will be able to do it. There's a lot of fight I want to end.

I'm all about love, I don't have any mean things inside of me. I love everyone.

Do you relate to every single word that you have tattooed equally or are there some that mean more to you than others? If so which...

Every word I choose are in the same theme, all pop culture. So sensuality, over the top expressions, cities. If people take the time to analyze my image, it is basically a reflection/mirror of "where" we are going. This is why "guilty" sits in the center of my brow. Guilty for letting go of good values for the bad ones. I want to be famous to be able to have a big impact in the mind of millions of people. To make them realise what really matters in life.

Image credits:

Vin Los for Ada + Nik by Naskademini

Concept: Nik Thakkar
All clothing: Ada + Nik
Photography: Naskademini
Stylist: Candice Pantin

Do you regard clothing as something that keeps you warm and looking good?
Think again.

What you wear affects you psychologically. It can profoundly alter your mood. It also influences how others respond to you. And the visual illusion created by cut and fabric dramatically changes the appearance of your body. Your clothes can affect your job prospects, your love life and even your self-image.

In my book Mind What You Wear: The Psychology of Fashion I explore the intriguing science behind fashion psychology. Here I've pulled off 30 facts (all based on research) that'll make you stop and think again about what you wear tomorrow:

People who dress like the boss are more likely to be appointed and get promoted quicker.

Men are more likely to approach a women for a date if she is wearing red.

People show more mental agility when wearing a white coat they believe is a doctor's, but not if they are told it's a painter's coat.

Women dress more provocatively when ovulating i.e. when at their most fertile.

Nine out of ten women own at least one item of clothing they have never worn. This is true of only a third of men.

Runners are more likely to greet other runners who are wearing similar kit.

Wearing all one colour blurs the dividing lines and make the body look slimmer.

People stand further away from others who wear dated or unfashionable dress.

Women are twice as likely to wear jeans when depressed than when happy.

Provocatively dressed women are judged as being less competent than those who cover up.

Patients put more trust in a doctor who wears a white coat.

A man in a tailor-made suit is thought to be more confident and more trustworthy than a man in an off-the-peg suit.

The human eye takes longer to travel across patterned fabrics, this makes the body appear larger.

People think they are physically stronger when wearing a Superman t-shirt.

A female job candidate who is dressed in a masculine style is more likely to get appointed than one who is over-feminised.

Women perform worse on a maths test if wearing a swimsuit than in a sweater.

Diagonal lines placed on the body in the form of clothing detail or fabric create a slimmer illusion.

Women are twice as likely as men to own more then ten pairs of shoes.

Dress sense is what men notice first in a woman (before face and body). Women notice face, smile and eyes first in a man.

Offenders receive a harsher sentence in court if they are wearing black.

Dressing in a uniform associated with brutality unleashes aggressive behaviours.

Most women wear less than half of the clothes they own, this is true of only one in five men.

People are more willing to give money to someone whose dress style resembles their own.

Vertical lines on clothing create a longer illusion, but curves or bumps interrupting the lines create the opposite effect.

Men check themselves in a mirror or reflection twice as often as women.

People walk faster when approaching someone wearing red than wearing blue.

A wide shoulder line creates a visual illusion that offsets wide hips.

After trying on clothing men are more than twice as likely as women to buy.

Clothes in the future will be able to transmit a physical hug.

Choosing the right clothes can make a person less anxious and less depressed.

Toronto fashion designer David C Wigley talks to The Leake about fashion idols, his collection for Toronto Mens Fashion Week and the one accessory he never takes off...

David C Wigley certainly knows his way around a tailored suit. His latest collection, WORTH by David C Wigley will be showcased at the first ever Toronto Mens Fashion Week. He talks to The Leakehttp://www.rhiannoncdavies.wordpress.com about his upcoming work...

David C Wigley

Inspired by Einstein's theory of bees, Wigley' s latest collection brings timeless shapes together with pops of colour and patterns and is a daring move away from his previous collections.

1. Describe your latest collection

"It's a very fun collection, very bright and vibrant with a lot of print and colour. It's full of geometrics and polkadots as well as digital prints of bee clusters, florals, skulls and mirror image honeycomb. I've got some new and unexpected shapes, which, along with the styling, is reminiscent of a 50s'-60s' beach party vibe."

2. What is your favourite piece ?

"I haven't quite settled on a favourite yet, but I'm really falling for an ox-blood patent leather sweatshirt with jersey grey/black polka dot sleeves."

3. If you could walk for anyone, who would it be and why?

"Hands down, without a doubt Alexander McQueen. His clothing is so beautifully tailored and structured, especially the blazers. You can just lift them and feel the weight of the craftmanship that goes into them. It's something I really strive for in my own tailoring. I'd love the chance to speak with him one-on-one."

Alfred Hitchcock Collection, David C Wigley

4. Describe the outfit you have on now

"Haha! I was described as a "sexy sailor" at work; I'm wearing an anchor-print tank top, colour-blocked, navy and caramel blazer with cut-off denim shorts and a black ribbed skull cap."

5. What is your ultimate wardrobe staple?

"A perfectly tailored suit: it will last you a lifetime and it's so versatile. I also believe in quality basics: dark, well-fitting denim, comfortable basic t-shirts and a perfect oversized sweatshirt."

6. What is the most important accessory one can own?

"I believe in accessories that mean something, for me, it's my St Christopher's necklace. My mum is a strong believer in it as a talisman so she bought one for every man in the family. It's a tradition that has carried on and it's the only thing I never take off."

7. Are there any fashion stereotypes that you hate?

"I hate fashion "rules", I think that fashion should be fun, it should be a form of self expression and experimental. There's a good chance that sometimes you won't look great, but you have to have the confidence to laugh it off and try again."

Catch WORTH by David C Wigley at Toronto Mens Fashion Week, August 12-14 2014. Huge thanks to David C Wigley and Anya Nordstrom for making this interview happen. This blog was originally posted on The Leake.

It started with the corset. Swoon-inducing, painful and potentially dangerous, the Victorian corset fad signalled the start of extreme body obsessions among women. Sure, there had been diets and weight loss techniques before, but this intestine-twisting trend, known as tight-lacing, focused less on becoming altogether slimmer and more on transforming a specific body part to comply with the current ideal.

By the 20th century, this particular quest for hourglass curves had faded, seen by most as oppressive and low class. But a century later and the corset trend has been revived, appropriated by the likes of Jessica Alba, who wore a "double corset day and night for three months" after the birth of her two children to help her get back to her pre-baby shape.

The corset trend was just the start. Today, we're looking at a society of females prepared to go to extreme lengths to comply with the so-called ideal - an ideal which is realistically unobtainable for most. Alba's tight-lacing routine was a response not-only to the ~~pressure~~ desire to achieve an hourglass figure, but also to trim down to her pre-baby weight in record speed.

19th century tight lacing. CC-PD, Dupont, Das Album, Dupont/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

From Kim Kardashian to Kate Middleton, rapid postpartum weight loss has now become the norm among new celeb mums. A feat often met with admiration among the media, it has subsequently set the standard for weight loss among ordinary women the world over. Of course, losing that amount of weight that quickly is nigh on impossible without a personal trainer, nutritionist and live-in nanny. Oh and it's not entirely recommended by doctors either.

So what came next in the timeline of unrealistic body fads? Oh yes, size 00. While naturally very skinny women rejoiced that their body type was finally recognised by mainstream retailers, a portion of female society saw this movement as a call to action. We were presented with a wave of celebs exercising and dieting in the extreme in order to go one better than size zero. If self-starvation is what it took to reach negative numbers, then so be it. The obsession seemed to pass (or, at least, we stopped talking about it) following the death of catwalk model, Luisel Ramos from malnutrition. But it appears we haven't learnt our lesson.

Last month, Grazia published an exposé on the shocking rise of triple 000 on the U.S highstreet. 'These days, double- zero sizes don't cut it either. Size triple zero is the number-one goal here' proclaimed Grazia's L.A Hollywood source. To put that into perspective, it's the equivalent of a UK size 0, six sizes smaller than 'the ideal dress size' 12 and eight sizes smaller than the UK average.

Bikini bridge. Source: Twitter

Of course, while all this is going on, we're still expected to be working on our thigh gaps and bikini bridges (originally a hoax by 4chan, but a quick search for 'bikini bridge' on Pinterest suggests this recent obsession is no joke), while maintaining a perfect head of hair and mastering the art of contouring. Is it possible to maintain or even achieve this level of "perfection"?

Let's be realistic. There are women for whom a three inch a thigh gap or a sharp pelvage are the natural result of a petite frame. No work required. For many others though, these fads are entirely unachievable - and not just because of financial/lifestyle constraints but literally, physically impossible. Yet we're constantly bombarded with the notion that women can do it all; that there is a breed of super women in both Celeb Land and our Facebook feeds who are completely winning at life.

However, for all the negative messages the internet spreads about body image, there's a plethora of sites, memes and pins that seek to reassure and re-normalise the normal. Fatspo was introduced to counter thinspiration, with sassy Someecards humorously turning thinspo mantras on their head, e.g. 'nothing tastes as good as thin feels. Except cake and pie and not needing everyone's approval.' And, anyone searching for this particular type of weight-loss encouragement on Tumblr or Pinterest is met with concern for their wellbeing and a phone number for eating disorder helplines.

Source: Someecards by lanner.az

Within these social realms are active communities championing body confidence, such as lovingthebeautifulyou.tumblr.com, a Tumblr blog created by Melissa because she knows 'personally how it feels to watch TV and see ads in magazines of photo-shopped models, and unhealthy beauty ads, and to feel pressured to realize this perfection at any cost, even though this "perfection" is unattainable.' These groups achieve a huge following, acting as a place where messages of body pride and self-love can be spread and enjoyed whilst putting into words and pictures the frustration of women who feel marginalised because of the way they look.

But while these voices of reason are growing stronger, they remain outnumbered. Data from Topsy tells us that in the past 30 days #thinspo garnered around 23k tweets, while #bodypositive gained just 1.4k. Isn't it high time we accept that women come in all different shapes and sizes? That although these features are normal for some, they're not the norm? That our expectations for womankind are often unfair and unrealistic? That women can't - and probably don't want - to be #doingitall?

Fashion is a fascinating business, one so versatile that it can collaborate with any type of industry. In the past I worked with Suzuki cars to create a colour psychology car test to help their clients identify the car that suited them best based on their colour preferences. I was therefore interested in meeting Olivia Rubin, the designer that Dove chose to collaborate with to design three fashion capsule wardrobes . I wanted Olivia to inspire you to follow your dreams and to learn how to get the attention of big brands & celebrities in a market filled with talented people.

Flavilla: A usual question to start with (smiling), who inspired you to become a designer?
Olivia: It was something within me. I was always interested in art since I was quite young. I started drawing and painting at a very young age. My grandfather was a painter so it was in my blood. Then I studied art at GCSE and A Level, I set up a fashion show at school and I obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Print at St Martin's. This is really how my journey began; a natural progression.

Flavilla: We all have a source of inspiration, what is yours?
Olivia: My main source of inspiration is modern art and architecture. I like graphic bold lines and shapes and I contrast them with nature and floral prints. Within my work, there is always a contrast with colours and prints, or within the silhouettes.

Flavilla: How did the collaboration with Dove happen?
Olivia: Well, Dove wanted to work with a designer who expresses themselves through colour. As a designer, I am known for my use of colour and prints, so naturally I was the perfect designer as the project involved portraying women and 100 colours through their products. The aim was to bring colours back into women's lives and to help them become more confident. Besides that I'm also launching my own bespoke line which will be made in the UK towards the end of the year.

Olivia Rubin

Flavilla: This is great. As a stylist, I understand how colour can impact on us and influence people. I teach women how to use colours to create a positive image and improve their well being. If you had to describe yourself in colour, what would you say Olivia?
Olivia: Colourful! (Laughs) I dress according to my mood and I never wear black as I don't like myself in black at all. The majority of women wear black. They see black as the most slimming colour and classic style. I love wearing bright colours and putting different colour combinations together. My favourite colour is pink: candy pink, neon pink, etc. Pink was the main colour I used when I launched my collection so it's my signature colour.

Flavilla: My favourite is red!
Olivia: Really? I can't wear a red lipstick but I can wear bright pink.
Flavilla: We need to find your perfect red lipstick then! (Laughing)
Olivia: We do! (Laughing)

Flavilla: You have celebrities who love your brand. How did you make them fall in love with what you do?
Olivia: Well, I used to work quite closely with a celebrity stylist so that's how they saw my collection. Also, some celebrities' approach me directly, ask to see the collection and I help them to choose what works for them.

Olivia Rubin & Flavilla Fongang

Flavilla: Starting as a designer is not easy. So what advice would you give to anyone starting their own brand?
Olivia: It's key to get as much experience as possible. Before I started my label I worked for 5 years in the industry. When I was at St Martin's I worked through the holidays and I had a weekend internship as well. Gaining experience makes you more determined to start up your own brand and also gives you an insight into what work you have to do when you start a label. College students only see the glamorous side of it; fashion, parties, catwalk shows etc, but that's only a small percentage of what running your own brand is about.

Flavilla: I agree, running a brand is not easy and you need to develop variable skills to succeed. For you, what was the moment when you realised you were ready to start your own label?
Olivia: I entered the fashion fringe competition, it's an international competition and I reached the final. I met Donatella Versace as well as other great designers and I had really positive feedback about my work. They said to me, "Go for it!" This was my opportunity to really start. The mixture of having enough experience and positive feedback from mentors in the industry is sufficient to take the fear away so you can start.

Flavilla: It's true, it gives you that reassurance.
Olivia: Yes, it gives you the reassurance that you have support behind you and gives you the confidence you need to take the plunge. It's not a small thing, starting alone. It involves a lot of planning ahead and you have to learn about different areas where you need to be quite strong. You need to have something that stands out against the other collections out there. It's also about selling your collection, doing your PR and being sociable while meeting people. It's about getting the word out there and believing in you.

So remember that standing out in the fashion world requires great creativity, uniqueness, perseverance and sociability. Mix the four together and you have your melting pot recipe to succeed as a fashion designer.

If you'd like to connect with Flavilla directly you can do so via her website or via email at huffpost@3coloursrule.com

The office is silent, people are working away, typing away furiously on their computers. Everyone is buried deep in their work, trying to ensure all the deadlines for the day are met so they can head home and catch the last bits of sunshine (after all, summer is almost coming to an end here in London and people want to take advantage of what's left of the light). This is the scenario you would expect in most firms, at most jobs and none more so at an investment bank. Well, yes, on a normal day, this would be the setting in our office. Except on some days, we veer away from the normal, into the rather bizarre.

The typical image of an investment banker (these days at least) is of a slick salesman that will sell you or tell you anything to get the deal done. This is the wheeling dealing sleazy salesman you must be wary of because all he is doing is looking to make quick buck. These guys are sharp, they're well dressed, extremely savvy and they are the ones that you would envision huddled in a conference room discussing large, multi-billion dollar deals - the kings and queens of finance. Well, on a number of days they would be doing so... But as I said, sometimes, we just veer into the bizarre. And when these guys are discussing pockets... yes, you read right, I said pockets... you know that either (a) these guys have nothing better to do; or (b) it is something that actually really matters to them. Notice, I did say earlier that your typical investment banker is well dressed). After all, they have to spend all those 'fat cat bonuses' somewhere besides flashy cars and big mansions. I just never thought that shirts without pockets would be one of those indulgences. And I bet, neither did you!

To be honest, I never even really thought about my shirts. It's a shirt, it serves a purpose, which is to not show up at the office naked... If I liked the color and it fit, consider it bought... Of course it had to be comfortable too. But a pocket? Really? I never gave it a second thought. It was something that was there to put a pen in, or a quick business card, or some loose change. It wasn't (or was it?) a fashion accessory really. I never thought it accentuated or took away from the shirt really... that is until the heated discussion in the office the other day. A colleague insisted that only folks in IT (and similar back office functions) subject themselves to shirts with pockets (was he implying they had no sense of style? Was he just being demeaning? I have no idea, because again, I just never thought about it). And of course, on the other side was a colleague who insisted that was not always the case (this guy was of course defending his wardrobe that he professed comprised only of shirts with pockets, purchased from the ever reliable and dependable 'Marks & Sparks', as he called it). The conversation of course then took on more bizarre proportions as people were listening in. Neighbors and members from other teams were asked to weigh in. Challenges were thrown out - "Find me an MD or a senior front office banker in this entire building that wears a shirt with a pocket and I will wear one for a week... No make it, find three MDs who do this." A colleague who had just returned from the US chimed in, "All MDs in our US offices wear shirts with pockets." Sounds like the voice of authority, doesn't it? That should've settled it... But no, "This is London, not New York!" A sign of the slowing summer? Maybe. A sign of a superiority complex? Most definitively?

Of course, that was the day I was wearing a shirt with a pocket too. Should I jump in to the argument? Should I let them hash it out between themselves? I had nothing to be ashamed of. Surely a pocket is acceptable in most other parts of the world... No one ever questioned it when I wore a shirt with a pocket in either of India, the US or Singapore... and I worked at top notch firms in all these places too. Since when did London become the fashion capital of the world? Or did it just have a say on shirt pockets? Either way, I went home that evening and checked my wardrobe to see which side of the fence I sat on... Surely enough, every shirt of mine that had been bought in either of the US, India or Singapore had a pocket on it. Every shirt purchased in the UK, didn't. Does this mean that no one in the UK wears a shirt with a pocket or feels the need for it? I haven't reached a conclusion yet, but I did notice that if you are hovering in the areas of Canary Wharf or the City (where the finance bigwigs hang out), you will surely notice a dearth of pockets. I think they are acceptable and very much in vogue in other parts of the city... As if I didn't have better things to do, I now spend some of my limited time on the tube checking out men's chests and how they are adorned. I wonder if people notice me 'checking them out'.

I don't care either way. I am not going to change my wardrobe to adhere to a small section of what my pro-pocket colleague terms "pocket snobs", but then if I have to ever replace a shirt, it is going to have to be without a pocket. After all I am in the 'pocket capital of the world'... Or is it the 'no-pocket capital of the world'?

So, we come down to the vital question - to pocket or not to pocket...

I'm all for this whole heat wave situation, because man it's good to have some consistency on the weather front. And I like it hot.

There is the not being able to sleep thing though, the sweaty commute into work - let's not even go there - and the massive inconvenience of having a full fringe.

Otherwise, having an actual British summertime is amazing. On the matter of style, it's all too easy to throw everything up in the air and opt for something cool and comfortable - I get this, I really do - but in the last few weeks I've seen some real no-nos.

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Crocs, aka THE most hideous design of footwear, are being worn by adults. This is just too much, they may be slip-on and lightweight (blah) but they will never be fashion. If you can't bear proper shoes right now then buy a pair of strap sliders, Topshop and Asos have some killer styles, or a kooky-but-lovable sandal.

Beauty note: the chipped nail polish? We can do better than that.

While most are embracing the heat wave by wearing maxis, cami tops, oversized tees and bermuda shorts, there are those still sweating in denial. I've spotted a number of women in chunky knitwear, scarves, parkas, an unimaginable amount of lycra, corduroy jackets and black woollen tights - all casually smug at their readiness should the weather suddenly change.

If you refuse to leave the house without an item of outerwear, "I just feel naked otherwise" my friend tells my raised eyebrows, then go for a stylish dust coat or plastic mac. Jesus, an umbrella even.

And can we talk about those cool bag lunchbox things? This is the total undoing of that had-to-have-it handbag you've just splurged on.

Then there's the wearing of sunglasses inside - I wore mine on the tube without even realising it this week, the whole way - and I thought it was just the pretentious who did that. Actually, for most it's a case of genuinely forgetting or hiding the fact that your face is literally melting.

Standout heat wave style? Racer-back tanks (nothing is sexier), off-the-shoulder tops, laser-cut midi skirts, denim pinafores, flat cut-out suede ankle boots. To the ladies doing the nude lipstick thing, insanely intricate plaited updos, ponyskin espadrilles, Beats Studio headphones (the real trendsters are styling out the new Champagne shade, yours for a cool £269.95) - I salute you.

When it comes to investing summer wardrobe staples, the pieces that will take you from the office to any after work scene, I'd recommend a double-breasted sleeveless jacket first off. A classic colour like black, navy or white can be paired with anything and the vibe is edgy-smart. Worn with nothing underneath? Pure siren.

A jumpsuit over a crisp white shirt with a statement collar is also an instant head-turner. And a good Breton stripe with ripped boyfriend jeans and a mid-block heel is just classic.

Sure, the heat can make us all a little crazy *fans self with ponytail* but avoiding fashion faux pas territory is key to keeping cool.

Running a boutique model agency is one of the most challenging things I have done in my life - not only do I have the standard stresses of self-employment like fluctuating sales and lack of holidays, but I also have to struggle with the unique problems that working with models and the fashion industry present.

To me my business, Sapphires Model Management, is my entire life. Yet no matter how much hard work I put in to secure work for my models, on some days I'm public enemy number one and when it seems like nothing I do is good enough I ask myself, "Why I haven't given up the fashion rat race and settled into a comfortable, stable job where the evenings are my own and I don't have endless problems?"

But then again, why would I? Despite dealing with all the dramas I get to be my own boss, make my own rules and do things my way. I'm lucky to work in such an interesting industry; meeting and working with some of the most creative and interesting people from all around the world and dealing with some of the most prestigious global brands.

It's an empowering feeling to know that everything about this company has been built by me and the team I have put together and trained myself. As a small company, I couldn't afford to bring in top bookers with bursting contact books; my bookers came in at the bottom and have grown with me so we truly do have a family feel. We share the triumphs and failures together - all from our little office in London's Soho.

When it comes to modelling agencies there seems to be an overwhelming trend to sign models en masse and let the good models rise to the top whilst leaving the majority who don't make any money to simply languish.

In my experience the number one problem models have with agencies is that they feel lost, unappreciated and forgotten about. When I founded Sapphires I wanted it to be different. I wanted to only work with models that I believed in and could find work for. Despite receiving hundreds of applications a week, we are extremely selective. I will only take models I believe in and for me it's not always about the look. I have turned down many stunners with bad attitudes. A good attitude can take a model far in the industry. I know that our models appreciate they won't get lost in Sapphires, like they might in a huge agency that represents upwards of a thousand models. Our models know that we have their backs and there is mutual trust and respect between us, which is what this agency was built on.

Possibly one of the hardest tasks in the modelling industry is keeping people grounded. One of the things I spend most of my time doing is dispelling myths about the modelling industry. Whether it's a model with no experience thinking they can walk straight into a beauty campaign or thinking they are going to be spending their working life flying around the world going to parties, I constantly have to remind people that the industry doesn't work like that. Of course, in some ways the modelling industry is glamorous - I do get invited to good parties and it's enjoyable to work with big fashion brands and gorgeous models, but at the end of the day, I still sit at a desk for most of the day pinging off e-mails.

It's not just the models and employees who are a little misguided though - in my naivety, I believed that when you start a business, your competitors would simply let you get on with things...I couldn't have been more wrong! From the start, our company has been targeted by some of the biggest agencies in the country. People often tell me I should be flattered that these companies see me as a threat, but I personally think they see our agency as someone that needs knocking off the market before we can cause any damage.

Of all the tricks they pull though, the most soul destroying has to be stealing models. When a new model signs to an agency they are like a piece of unshaped clay; they may have the constituents of what makes a model, but they need moulding. This takes the form of training, photographing and developing them before they have the skills and images needed to be introduced to clients. It's all too easy for a large agency to let us go through all the hard work and expense of developing a model, then swoop in at the last minute and steal them from under us.

Models, as much as I love working with them, tend to suffer from the 'grass is greener' syndrome and it's all too easy for them to be lured away by a big agency. But the truth is that being with a big agency isn't always what it's cracked up to be. Large agencies are actually surprisingly non selective when it comes to models. They may have hundreds of models on their books, but very few of them are ever actually working and if one of them isn't getting enough work then really it's their tough luck; they are simply left to stagnate at the bottom of the pile while the agency focuses their efforts on those at the top. I'm delighted to say that I know every model on my books by name. I know their interests and their career plan and I'm personally guiding them towards it.

Of course I'm not here to tell people not to join large agencies - they are large for a reason - but boutique agencies do offer an excellent alternative. At the end of the day that's the reason I set up the agency and it's the essence of small business ownership; finding a gap in the market and offering that product or service. So yes, sometimes it can be a challenge being self-employed, but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way.

This issue has been on my mind for quite some time, but after reading this Buzzfeed article (note the relevant section: 'Journalism students are constantly outraged, but seldom moved to act upon it') and later on coming across this Guardian article, I decided it was time to act on it.

The constant debate of unpaid internships. A quick Google search will retrieve about 983,000 results based on this topic, with headlines such as 'Unpaid internships: are they worth it?', 'Unpaid internships: work for pay, never pay for work', 'Unpaid internships: are they damaging your career prospects?' etc. I am not sure how many of these results actually recount any positive unpaid internship experiences, but from personal experience, it is quite hard to come across such articles - not saying they do not exist, but you might have to dig deeper for them.

Before delving into the topic, I want to underline two things: 1. I do not encourage unpaid internships. I strongly believe that interns should be paid at least the National Minimum Wage or the London Living Wage if undergoing an internship in London, as it's considerably more expensive than other locations. Internships or work placements paying expenses are obviously still better than those offering nothing. However, for people not living in the capital, or without friends whose sofas they can crash on or those financially unable to pay for accommodation in London, the possibilities are indeed limited and the whole process of obtaining relevant experience to their degree or chosen career can become fruitless and frustrating. 2. I am not a wealthy individual. I'm a full-time student with a part-time job, I rent a room in a flat shared with four other people and I cook my meals at home, just like many others. However, out of the six placements/internships currently on my CV, only two have been paid, including the one I am currently doing. Out of these six, three have been at national fashion and lifestyle magazines in London and have been a starting point in my career, as well as providing useful skills and experience (which I would not be able to write about today were it not for my friends' sofas).

What disturbs me is that a considerably high amount of people are sharing their less than fortunate and exploitative experiences of unpaid internships on social media or blogs, but very few are keen to impart their positive experiences and presumably would rather keep them for themselves. According to this article from The New Yorker, this could be because a) their numbers are probably higher than those benefiting from positive experiences and b) as Aristotle discovered when looking into what makes content 'memorable and persuasive' to people, the three principles behind this are ethical, emotional or logical (appeal). In other words, if an article appeals to people's emotion - and a lot of individuals are angered by the prospect of unpaid internships and exploitative, demeaning work - it's more likely to stick.

Indeed, it is very useful to read other's experiences and potentially learn something from them, whether this is avoiding a certain company or publication or simply knowing how to work a jammed photocopier beforehand. We should be grateful for the time they've taken in sharing this with us. But if other people are anything like me, there is a big chance that by reading this, they will be put off or scared of applying for a placement at say, a fashion magazine. Every single one of my internships - and I'm sure I'm not the only one - on such publications has been an immensely positive experience, with no negative elements, which is why I thought sharing this with people would be helpful - for others to find out that not all interns have been sent trekking around London for the editor's dry cleaning or assigned the coffee run from the Starbucks HQ in Seattle (an intentional exaggeration) for the duration of their internship, while expected to be 'grateful' for spending time at a 'glossy'.

In November 2013 I e-mailed my CV and cover letter to Esquire magazine, knowing full well I didn't stand a chance to get in - I had two local placements on my CV and no experience on any national publication. I got lucky - someone had canceled and I was asked on a Friday to go in on the following Monday for two weeks. Contrary to my expectations - from reading the above-mentioned articles - the atmosphere in the office was professional, yet relaxed. People were friendly and joked around, no one snapped at colleagues or interns, everyone said 'please' and 'thank you'. I was given articles to write and each of them was published on the website, with my byline. The online editor would take time to go through each article with me, explaining what I did right and what I could improve on, as well as teaching me how to use the CMS, Google Analytics etc. At the end of my placement, I was given (positive) feedback on my performance, asked about my career plans for the future and also given perhaps the most useful piece of advice - a huge chunk of the journalism industry is, like it or not, about networking (not to be confused with nepotism). It's crucial to stay in touch with people you've worked with - the occasional e-mail, coffee or tweet - because that's how they'll remember you (of course, apart from you having been good at your job). It might be the era of technology and social media, but the power of 'word of mouth' is still going strong. Your name popping into an editor's head when the next job opening arises - that's your break right there.

Case in point, it was through being recommended by Esquire that I got my internship at Harper's Bazaar. I still had to send a CV and cover letter months in advance, but having someone attest to my writing skills made a considerable difference. I was meant to be with the magazine for four weeks, but I was asked to stay one more week because I was doing a good job. The same atmosphere from the Esquire corner of the Hearst building was mirrored in the Bazaar office - they do share a floor after all. I was treated as part of the team, respected and encouraged to write as much as possible - in five weeks I got over 40 bylines on the website, pitched news stories and perfected my writing for that specific audience. The feedback I was given at the end made me confident in my skills and attitude and proved once again how useful that experience had been and how lucky I was to have worked with those people.

My point is - yes, cases where interns are treated like dirt and assigned menial jobs that won't in any way count as relevant work experience do happen and they shouldn't. Yes, interns are lucky to have the chance to spend time in a certain environment, learning from the people they aspire to work with someday, but so are those people - after all, having an extra set of capable hands in the office is an advantage. The other day at work someone said to me: "You're the one doing us a favour by helping during this busy period". So, fellow interns, don't give up - there is still hope. And if you've interned (paid or unpaid) and had a good experience, please share it - we're all in the same boat.

*GIF credit: HuffingtonPost.com and blog.bcm.com.au

Kimonos have been a popular number this year, one that I have underestimated in the past in terms of versatility. It works from day to night, whether you're in the city or escaping on a holiday of sun, sand and cocktails. A big factor to working a kimono is choosing the right style, one which you feel you can work into your wardrobe easily.

The one I have chosen today is a bargain find from Primark. It ticked all the boxes from colour, length and that beautiful soft silk like fabric which is particularly soothing to the skin in the heat.

For the first look, I kept things simple whether you are meeting the girls after work or perhaps you are just looking for a comfortable yet smart outfit for an evening out.

Light wash skinny jeans are ideal for this look to give shape to your body and balance it out from the top half. You can pair the top with a casual cotton vest and denim shorts for a dressed down feel if you prefer. Here I'm wearing a white silk vest to keep in line with more of an evening feel. For accessories I didn't stray too far away from the colour choices in the kimono as there is a lot going on, so I opted for a faux crocodile clutch in fuchsia and kept the shoes interesting yet understated in a neutral tone.

Look 2:

A fresh look of pristine white is always a summer favourite of mine. These high waisted shorts work an absolute treat as they sit nicely on the leg and around the waist giving quite a tailored feel. Up close there is some beautiful embossed detail on the shorts and when paired with this silk vest as seen in Look 1, the two work exceptionally well giving a playsuit effect from certain angles.

For some finishing touches to something like this I used a 3D floral statement necklace ( also seen in Look 1) to bring out more summer colours, a pastel mint clutch which is a soft and easy to wear accessory along with wood platform shoes for a smart and comfortable summer feel.

Look 3:

For the last look I wanted to show a way to wear a kimono easily for an event or a sophisticated evening. Choosing one of the bolder colours within the print is a great option to help you change up a look. I opted for this beautiful pink shift dress which is also from Primark making it a very cost effective summer find.

The length of this dress sits just right as too much length and layers will make you look shorter and sometimes wider than you are.

Photography by Aaron Hurley

I paired the look with a pastel pink clutch and some simple, fuss free strap heels which will elongate your legs. By doing this it will make you appear taller and give more of a toned, streamlined shape to your legs and frame.

Details:

Look 1: Kimono £11, Vest £6, Jeans, last season, similar here Shoes: New Look: Sale £12 Clutch: Primark £7

Look 2: Shorts: Littlewoods Ireland £15 , white top £7, necklace £8, clutch £7 all Primark, Shoes: Miss KG: Littlewoods Ireland £40 - on sale, Sunglasses - Asos £16

Look 3: Dress £10, Shoes £12, clutch £8 all Primark, Necklace: Next similar here £10.

Kimono alternatives :

- Asos Curve - £30

- Motel - £45

- A wide variety from New Look - here

You can check out more fashion inspiration over on Louise's blog Style Me Curvy

Once again the ugly side of the modelling industry has reared it's head. Recently another man working in the industry has been exposed as using his position as a 'casting agent' (note the inverted commas) to try and get young impressionable girls into bed in exchange for promises of success in the industry. One person may have spoken out but you have to wonder just how many people he was able to exploit before this happened.

What's more saddening though is that this is far from an isolated incident. Unfortunately, whenever you get an industry where more people want to do a job than there are jobs available you will inevitably get people who will take advantage, and when you add attractive young girls and guys to the equation it doesn't take much to guess what they will be after.

I have worked in this industry a long time and I'm fully aware that these things go on at every level of the industry from top photographers through to these fake agents and model scouts. But what I can say with 100% certainty that none of my team have ever exploited a model for their own gain and I know that the majority of people in the industry are like us - hard working individuals who represent their companies with integrity and honestly want the best for the models that they work with.

But it's the one or two that do take advantage of the wannabees that ruin the reputation of the industry for the rest of us. It doesn't take much for the media to make the modelling industry public enemy number one and sadly the negative stories will always get more exposure than the many honest people working in the industry that are helping to secure their models a good working wage.

On the other hand it could be argued that these scammers wouldn't keep pulling these same tricks again and again if they didn't work; there are people out there who do allow themselves to be exploited and it's sad to think that they can use their body as a commodity to get a step up the ladder. It's not just modelling where these things happen of course; from the days of the infamous Hollywood 'casting couch' through to rap music video girls there is an endless stream of young people prepared to give their bodies away for a chance at the success in the entertainment industry.

We live in sexually liberated times and I'm not one to judge, but what I will always speak out against people working in my industry making false promises to get what they want off impressionable teenage girls. I work with 18/19 year old guys and girls all the time and although they may physically be grown up many of them are emotionally and mentally still only on the cusp of adulthood. It's time the industry spoke up and did something to stop rogue agents, photographers and chancers from taking advantage of people for their own gain regardless of how willingly the victims go along with their advances.

The fact is that modelling is not the dream career that so many people think it is. It's hard to break into and hard work when and if you manage to do so. Models deal with rejection and negativity on a daily basis and although many models make a lot of money a models salary it takes patience, work and a thick skin to even get close to succeeding as a model.

So to anyone who does want to model I can give you the following advice. Like most things in life if someone is promising things that are too good to be true then they almost certainly are. If anyone promises you that they are going to make you into a successful model then they are flat out lying to you and anyone reputable in the industry will tell you that there's no such thing as guaranteed success for a model. An agent can develop a model and get them in front of the right people but whether or not a model gets any work is down to the clients, not the agency.

What makes me sad though is that no matter how many times I and people like me warn potential models/actors/singers about the dangers of being taken advantage of it will continue to happen. Just please, if you're reading this don't let it happen to you.

The Leake catches up with the designer who creates for "anyone who breathes bad dreams" ahead of his runway show at Toronto Mens Fashion Week. Welcome to the world of Benji WZW...

1. How would you describe your latest collection?

AW14 FALL IN LOVE WITH MACHINERY was my debut menswear collection, with 12 full looks, combining streetwear with a tailored edge. It was all about heartbreak and fast rides - taking the things that made me cry and say F*** U and turning them into garments.

2. What is your favourite piece?

I loved every single piece that went into that collection, because it was my first statement as a designer and I put so much blood and sweat into it.

But if I had to choose, I would pick these as the key pieces: "CRASH" holographic panel men's overcoat, "FETUS FLOWER" printed leather shirt and trailored trousers, "FETUS" printed leather coat, "METAL FLOWER" leather jacket with "BATTERY ACID" silk shirt.

3. Who/What inspires you?

I'm inspired by the kid on the street, taking the piss out of everything and nothing. It's a moment you can only have once in your life, so it's beautiful.

4. What can we expect from your runway show at TOM?

SS15 ROSES DROWNING IN A MOLOTOV COCKTAIL is about self-destruction and pain that becomes pleasure. It's a continuation of the BENJI WZW aesthetic of street attitude juxtaposed with tailored elements, innovative technologies with handcraft, and experimental fabrications that have never been done before.

5. If you weren't designing, where would you be ?

I would be dead.

6. If you could walk for any designer at any fashion week, who would it be, where, and why ?

Paris, September of 1996 - a lupine girl, all thighs, thomping down the Comme Des Garçons SS97 Lumps and Bumps runway. I held the pattern piece for this collection once at the Central Saint Martins archives. I almost cried.

7. Are there any stereotypes about fashion that you hate?

People don't ever realize how much work goes into a single garment. The industry has a very good way of warping our perceptions, because it moves so fast, and there's really not a good record of its story. This filters out to how much value we give to clothing, because we only know how to consume the image and not the craft.

8. You say you are inspired by fringe internet cultures, could you tell us a bit more about that?

I'm fascinated by the subcultures that come from the deep web. Everyone thinks they know everything that goes on, but there are still more seedy dark areas and cultivations of humanity that exist beyond the everyday.

9. What advice/tips would you give for putting together an outfit this Autumn/Winter?

Everyone needs a BENJI WZW unisex black leather jacket! Or else you shouldn't bother, really..

What color should we be adding to our Autumn/Winter wardrobe and why?

I think gold is really hot. All gold everything.

Catch Benji's runway show at Toronto Mens Fashion Week, August 12-14. Many thanks to Benji WZW and Anya Nordstrom for making this interview happen.

My love for fashion consistently feeds my curiosity. I have always been interested by designers who reinvent the norms of fashion, who create a new vision of what defines who we are as women. I'm the type of woman who embraces her femininity. High heels and a fitted dress is my style signature. However I don't believe this is the only way for women to showcase their femininity. Through the women I styled, I learnt to acknowledge their own style persona where they can feel in their own element.

Ellen Page in Wildfang

The Tomboy style is often misunderstood and negatively viewed. This style is often perceived as a symbol of feminism, violence or characterised women with different sexual orientation. However, I discovered a brand, Wildfang, who made the tomboy attitude looks so sexy and cool. Like me, many celebrities such as Janelle Monae, Ellie Goulding, Ellen Page and Kate Mara already fell in love with the brand. I created few looks from the Wildfang collection that might inspire you to embrace the tomboy style with a sexy attitude.

The women who made the tomboy style looks so cool and sexy
Wildfang Founders

Flavilla: How would you describe Wildfang wearers?
Wildfang: Wildfang is a style and an attitude. Our girl has that curious, bold, independent, cheeky tomboy spirit and her style in menswear-inspired. Some of our girls wear it head-to-toe and some don't. But all of them uphold the Wildfang attitude and the tomboy spirit. Menswear-inspired, or 'tomboy style' is such a broad spectrum.

Flavilla: How did you manage to set Wildfang apart from other brands?
Wildfang: Women can feel the passion and authenticity behind the brand.

Flavilla: What advice would you give to anyone starting their own brand?
Wildfang: I learn something new every single day, so I'm far from an expert in anything. That said, there are a few really key lessons I've learnt along the way. First is surround yourself with great people - your team is critical. If you don't have one, don't launch. You need amazing partners. Secondly be prepared to work harder than you ever thought was possible. Get used to an 80 hr work week and being first one in and last one out at night. Starting your own business is the hardest thing you'll ever do and being a CEO is really hard job so make sure you're prepared to prioritize this over everything else. Lastly and most importantly - obsess your consumer. If you're going to build something great, you need to make a meaningful difference in your consumer's life. That means knowing her better than anyone else and caring more about her than anyone else.

If you'd like to connect with Flavilla directly you can do so via her website or via email at huffpost@3coloursrule.com

The first phone call I made after graduating from high school was to a renowned Australian stylist asking whether I could become one of her interns.

A week later I found myself working backstage at the Chanel fashion show that had travelled to Brisbane. I was giddy with excitement and overjoyed with what could only be classified as a Chanel high. The day was going faultlessly until it came time for the dress rehearsal. I had to dress a model in a skin-tight white leather jacket and skirt. I was so awkward and catastrophically bad at doing so that the model walked the catwalk with no shoes on, twice. Needless to say I learnt my lesson and vouched never to stuff up quite this badly again.

Thankfully as I continued interning I improved dramatically. When I was a fresh faced 18 year old on my gap year in London I was determined to get my foot in the door of the London fashion world through a London Fashion Week internship.

I had my heart set on working for a particular brand that I had grown up idolising. I began hassling them with emails, hoping for the best. Eventually persistence paid off and I was offered one of the five internship positions.

On my first day I rocked up to the ridiculously hip East London studio, in what I thought was an equally hip outfit. When I saw the intimidatingly cool staff however I immediately questioned my sartorial choice.

The days were long, tedious and rather tiring and I quickly learnt that everything I had heard about being a fashion intern was frighteningly true. The lows are lower than low, but the highs are pretty darn great.

Some days would be spent running around East London buying an uncountable number of bottled water and packets of kale chips. Steam 100 garments over and over again after each different team member had touched and moved the clothes. Be told to leave the studio at 7pm and return at 9pm to start work again, or be in charge of making 200 goodie bags half an hour before show time.

In all honesty though I had it easy compared to one intern who used to be sent gallivanting around town having to track down bizarre trimmings and seemingly non-existent white boxes, only to return after a number of hours and be told they were not correct.

Other days however were quite the contrary. I had the chance to meet and photograph a myriad of A list models including Cara Delevingne, who at the time was on the cusp of becoming the Cara Delevingne (for the record she is in fact as fun as she seems). Spend my days getting to know some of the most talented and influential people in the business. Eat endless amounts of Haribo and kale chips - I bizarrely opted for the Haribo. But more importantly I learnt invaluable lessons, which simply could not have been learnt any other way.

When it finally came time for the show I recall being so nervous that I could not sleep the night before and on the day the only piece of food I could stomach was a piece of brownie. Thankfully it went off without a hitch and was incredibly well received by both the killer front row and the press.

The next day I showed up to the office still running on nothing but adrenalin. As a thank you I was told to take a few goodies from a rack of clothes and a table of accessories. It was filled with pieces I had been lusting over for months and as a sleep deprived, gap student I almost cried tears of happiness.

Whilst there obviously was a number of hours and days spent completing mind-numbing tasks I think back on this month fondly and as one heck of a learning experience that I would not have changed for the world.

At the time I knew how great it would look on my CV and how beneficial it was to learn from the best, but it is only now that I have realised how much it actually changed the course of my life. The reason I say this is because I distinctly recall an epiphany I had one night when it was verging on 12am and I was carrying boxes up three flights of stairs. I thought to myself, "If I can do this and still love this industry, than this is the industry for me." If I had not had this thought would I have ever had the courage to move back to London to pursue a career in fashion? I really very much doubt it.

To any young hopefuls about to commence a London Fashion Week internship I wish you the best of luck, it may be hard work but it is worth it in the end.

Image supplied by author.

www.victoriadrysdale.com

As well as writing my own plus size blog, I love to read others. If you look online you'll find a plethora of blogs that offer up their own opinions and views on the world. There is no shortage of lists online that can give you recommendations of blogs to read and bloggers to pay attention to. These lists always contain my favourite bloggers and it's great to see other people enjoying them too!
I wanted to take a look at some of the plus size bloggers I really love that aren't always included on lists or perhaps you might not have heard of before.

U Can't Wear That

Lucia from U Can't Wear That is pride to be a blogger on the higher end of the plus size scale. She blogs about all sorts of outfits and fashion, to show that whatever your size you're able to wear whatever you want and not let your size hold you back. Personally for me, reading blogs written by someone I can really relate to is something very important and enlightening and Lucia at U Can't Wear That definitely ticks those boxes.

Diamonds N Pearls

Another blogger that I can relate to size wise is Naomi from Diamonds N Pearls. It's really refreshing to know that if I see something on her blog that I like, I'll be able to buy it and not worry about being excluded due to my size. I love the way Naomi dresses & the way her blog reads, so she is definitely worth checking out!

Sugar, Darling?

What I love about Sugar, Darling? is that Nancy writes about more than just pretty dresses. Nancy tends to share lots of recipes and baking ideas which are all sweet treats that are to be enjoyed. I really love the way Nancy dresses and the fact that she isn't afraid to express herself in the clothes that she wears. If you're looking for a blogger that thinks outside of the box without being too 'out there' then Nancy's blog could well be the choice for you!

Just Me Leah

If there was an award for hard-working bloggers then Leah would definitely be in the running. Leah tries her hardest to blog every day and often covers topics beyond just fashion. I love the way Leah dresses & the fact that the clothes she buys and wears and styles (and prices) that I can really relate to! Her blog always has different topics covered which means that things are always kept interesting.

Mookie's Life

Another lady that always pays attention to her blog and makes sure that she gets things right is Mookie. Her blog Mookie's Life is always updated with interesting new posts and one thing that always stands out is the quality of her photos - which are always fabulous! She always wears different styles of outfits too, which makes it a real viewing pleasure.

And as a little bonus, I'd like to mention my own blog - The (Not So) Secret Diary of a Wannabe Princess! Not to brag, but simply because I love writing it & enjoy sharing posts so much! I try to mix up fashion with body image and confidence, because I know that reading and viewing positive media is so important!

So, if you're interested in any aspect of plus size fashion then read the above blogs & many, many more that are out there.

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