Photo Diary: Easter and Other Stories

A little update from last month and now

Easter - the best holiday

I wore my new shoes today, they're from New Look and the socks are from Topshop

I went to Morrissey last month :) I seen him in November and he was amazing. He didn't disappoint this time either. The set list was quite similar to last year but he added a few more classics this time. Stop me if you think you've heard this one before, What She Said and The First of the Gang to Die were amazing. I'm really starting to get into World Peace is None of your Business now too. 

So naturally, Ive been listening to The Smiths and Morrissey constantly. I usually listen to Meat Is Murder because its my fav <3

I was home for a week in March because I had a midterm break. I went to Derry shopping and picked up two amazing playsuits in Topshop. I got the one in the picture in the sale, it was reduced to £15! I also picked up this cute little black one. I wore it to Morrissey.

I went to a folk park in Wales last month. I really want a pet duck now, look how cute they are <3

me pretending to be a tree

I've been reading the March issue of i-D today (I'm always a month behind). It's the music issue and it features Lily Allen, Sky Ferreira and Alice Glass

I have such a long reading list for uni. Im determined to read William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury and Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald by the end of this month

I've been listening to Keep on Your Mean Side by the Kills today. I heard it for the first time last month and I'm really into it now 

all photos from my instagram

Annie Atkins: Graphic Designer of The Grand Budapest Hotel

Yesterday I went to a screening of The Grand Budapest Hotel. It was actually my first time seeing it (yes I have been living under a rock for the past year). My university was screening the movie as part of their annual film festival so I had another chance to see it in the cinema... yay! After the screening, the graphic designer Annie Atkins gave a presentation on her experience working with Wes Anderson on the set of The Grand Budapest Hotel.

The Grand Budapest is one of the most stylish films I have seen this year. I love the miniature model of the hotel, the unique styling of each character and the impeccably beautiful set design. I can see why The Grand Budapest won Oscars for production design, costume design and makeup. Annie Atkins worked in the art department as a graphic designer. She was responsible for the set design and the production of props - everything from the pink Mendl boxes to the interior of The Grand Budapest. In her presentation she described the process of approaching graphic design in film. The first week of production involves the breaking down of the script and the highlighting of important design elements. The graphic designer must then immerse themselves in the style of the period or in the case of The Grand Budapest, the world of Wes Anderson - a task that was made considerably easier by the fact that the art department was located on set in the abandoned department store that functioned as The Grand Budapest Hotel.

During production Annie Atkins moved between the digital design of the set and the practical making of props. In order to produce authentic looking props, Annie attended flea markets and vintage stores to become familiar with the style of old telegrams, bank notes and antiques like vintage keys and perfume bottles. In order to make objects like the Last Will and Testament of Madame D. look old, she would use techniques like distressing and soaking paper in tea. As The Grand Budapest involves a fictional world, Annie had a lot of freedom to experiment with the typography and graphic design of props like the pink Mendl boxes. Annie described Wes Anderson's interest in all aspects of stage production. He even became involved in the production of the newspapers by writing each article on the front page himself.

Annie Atkins is currently working on a new movie directed by Stephen Spielberg and written by the Coen Brothers called Bridge of Spies. Annie has previously designed for TV shows like The Tudors, Penny Dreadful and animated films like The Boxtrolls.

Prada Autumn/Winter 2015 RTW

Prada is definitely my favourite show this year. As a fan of the sixties, I love pastel suits, mary janes and empire dresses. However, Prada presents a modern version of the clean cut mod look. The neoprene-like material, enlarged brooches and almost shoulder length gloves give the prim look a lot more edge. I like the contrast between the pastel palette and the bold greens, yellows and reds. The splashes of colour in the collars, fir trims and embellishment are so striking. I love the unique layering of the empire line top over the sheer blouse. The collection has inspired me to try on my pastel pink suit again, sadly I haven't worn it since this post two years ago. I'm determined to find an occasion to wear it this summer :)

Miu Miu Autumn Winter 15/16: Details

all photos from style.com

 Miu Miu's Autumn/Winter collection is the perfect wardrobe for the eccentric - where else would you find leopard print, crocodile, patent and tweed in a single outfit. The collection is conceptually difficult to pinpoint. The styles range from pilgrim shoes and over-sized jewellery to fifties tweed coats and glitter Mary Janes. It seems that thrifting and charity shop dressing has influenced this collection. Eras collide and styles clash forming a mismatched collection that flaunts its pecularity