#Hardtimes

in moments like these you have to detach yourself from emotion and just do what has to be done!

..Regrets collect like old friends, here to relive your darkest moments. I can see no way, I can see no way. And all of the ghouls come out to play. And every demon wants his pound of flesh, but I like to keep some things to myself. I like to keep my issues drawn, it's always darkest before the dawn. x

Quotes I love. x

"Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress. Don't strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt"

"Some people are made of stone, others just pretend to be"

'There's always a moral, always a meaning, always a concept that's been left demeaning, two sides and the true side is deceiving, like the right thing to do left with the wrong feeling..' - Zaffer Hussain.

'Life's for living, not worrying' - Hannah Vernon Daly.

“I believe there are certain moments that occur in a person’s life that act as catalysts of self destruction, causing them to move from one extreme to another. However, when least expected revelations take place... helping them to find that middle ground, & find themselves again!” – Nailah Rena Lone.

“Practice what you preach! ...Don't point the finger at someone if your own hands aren't clean!” – Nailah Rena Lone.

'Every opportunity has a shelf life..' - Burlesque.

‘Dream It, Earn It, Live It!’ – Fame.

“Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they just need to run free 'til they find someone just as wild to run with them.” - Carrie Bradshaw (SATC)

"Show a man what he expects to see, and he won't look beneath the surface." – Catwoman.

"..It's not who you are underneath, it's what you do that defines you" - Batman Begins.

"Why do we fall? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up" - Batman Begins.

"Too many guys think I'm a concept, or I complete them, or I'm gonna make them alive. But I'm just a f*cked-up girl who's lookin' for my own peace of mind; don't assign me yours." - Enternal sunshine of the spotless mind.

"Every action has a reaction" – Shank.

'Fake it until you make it. Act good until you are good. Practice confidence until you're confident, be patient even when it's killing you, consider yourself interesting until you truly believe you are, and eventually you won't be faking it anymore -you'll be living it.' - Janice Dickinson.

In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.' - Coco Chanel.

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” - Coco Chanel.

“We must never confuse elegance with snobbery.” - Yves Saint Laurent.

"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust noone but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."- Marilyn Monroe.

‘A wise girl kisses, but doesn’t love. Listens but doesn’t believe, & leaves before she is left’ – Marilyn Monroe.

“Be a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else” - Judy Garland.

"How wrong it is for a woman to expect the man to build the world she wants, rather than to create it herself." - Anais Nin.

"We were meant to survive because of our minds ability to reason, our ability to live with frustration in order to maintain our virtue..." - Anchee Min.

'Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. But it's not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won't. it's whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere.' - Barack Obama.
'live without pretending, love without depending, listen without defending & speak without offending' - Drake.

'The abundant life does not come to those who have had a lot of obstacles removed from their path by others. It develops from within and is rooted in strong mental and moral fiber' - William Mather Lewis

"Who are we, if not a combination of experiences, information, books we have read, things imagined? Each life is an encyclopaedia, a library, an inventory of objects, a series of styles, and everything can be constantly reshuffled and reordered in every conceivable way." - Italo Calvino, Six Memos for the Next Millennium.

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” - Ralph Walso Emerson.

"I've learned that things change, people change, and it doesn't mean you forget the past or try to cover it up. It simply means that you move on and treasure the memories. Letting go doesn't mean giving up... it means accepting that some things weren't meant to be." - Lisa Brooks.

'If you love something, let it go. If it comes back to you, it’s yours forever. If it doesn’t, then it was never meant to be.'

‘Always forgive, never forget. Learn from your mistakes, but never regret’.

"Every sinner has a future, every saint has a past"

'Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.’ - Alexander Pope.

'Behind every trial and sorrow that He makes us shoulder, God has a reason.' - Khaled Hosseini. (A Thousand Splendid Suns)

'Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.' - Lao-Tze

‎'There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time' - Malcolm X.

My recently published article. x

MOVE OVER MILAN... LEEDS STRUTS ITS CATWALK STUFF

Youngsters from the city are now rivalling the best in the world, according to Nailah Rena Lone. 

You often hear about aspiring fashionistas travelling far and wide to renowned fashion capitals to pursue careers within the industry.

But there is a new city setting the scene for the cool and exclusive crowd. Forget about Milan, Paris and New York – Leeds is now taking the limelight. Now a prestigious city, it has encapsulated fashion students, photographers, make-up artists, designers, stylists, models, and the like. Leeds Fashion Show has taken full advantage of that fact, providing a platform for hopefuls to show off their talent.

The show looks to work with young people to bridge the gap between education and the fashion industry. Young adults are given the opportunity to take part in the full range of tasks essential for production of the show, including designing the garments for the red carpet. The chance to make frocks for Leeds’ top models gives the designers and stylists a real-life insight into the fashion world.

Organisers hope the event will unearth the next Alexander McQueen. Such a chance is given by fashion label Accent, as they hold the competition ‘Dress me beautiful’ which allows up-coming fashionistas to show case their most favorable designs to an audience of public’s, experts and celebrities.  Accent Clothing sponsors the winner of the Designer of the Year Award, and in doing so last years winner Samantha Davy has her collection from the show available on the Accent website.

Samantha Davy says her designs for the show were inspired from laid back festival styles, while the fabrics and colours were influenced by different cultures and hand-crafts. Upon winning she said “I was so shocked when I won, I was worrying about the sewing all day and hadn’t even thought about winning, but I couldn’t be more excited to have my designs on the Accent website”.

The aim of the Fashion Show is to attract up-and-coming, undiscovered talent to the realm of fashion. The Fashion Show believes in spotting a new generation of fashionistas and putting them in the spotlight. This gives the new generation of fashion designers a chance to be valued in the limelight.

The young people of the Fashion Show are provided with hands on workshops and industry days to high profile catwalk events. Developing the confidence and experience they need for succeeding in the future. 

The event is held during the same time as similar fashion related events such as; the Harvey Nichols in association with Elle magazine Beauty Event, and Vogue’s Fashion Night Out which is held at Harvey Nichols too, Leeds Loves Shopping week, VQ Birthday Celebration, and also Leeds Rocks. It gives Leeds even more clout in the fashion world - allowing local guys and girls to rival the likes of Givenchy.

Time for change. x

It's a lot harder to say no, than to smile and nod. But remember, you're a leader, not a follower. Stand up for what you believe in because you can fool the world, but you can't fool your heart. Don't settle for the easy options in life when you know better! ‘Ignorance is bliss’ is nothing but a lie. x

Realisation. x

Deep Thoughts.

..This song has just put into words everything I have been feeling and thinking about recently. <3 x

Ayo - Life Is Real. x

..Some people say
That i'm too open
They say it's not good
To let them know everything about me
And they say one day
They will use every little things against me
But i don't mind
Maybe they're right
That's just how it is and i got nothing to hide


I live my life the way i want
I got nothing to hide nothing at all
Life is not a fairy tale
They should know that life is real
I live my life the way i want
I got nothing to hide nothing at all
Life is not a fairy tale
Life is about more cause life is real


A friend of mine gave me an advice
He said be careful and think twice
Before you talk about your life
Protect yourself just keep quiet
The more they know the harder they try
To spoil your ways to spread lies
And even though i know he could be right
I just said i...


I live my life the way i want
I got nothing to hide nothing at all
Life is not a fairy tale
They should know that life is real
I live my life the way i want
I got nothing to hide nothing at all
Life is not a fairy tale
They should know that life is real


Me i be ayo ogunmakin fear no foe
I am real from head to toe
Like life is real and you should know
Me i be ayo ogunmakin fear no foe
I am real from head to toe
Just like my heart and like my soul... ♫ x

♥

Real Music. x

..We're all here for a reason on a particular path
You don't need a curriculum to know that you are part of the math
Cats think I'm delirious, but I'm so damn serious
That's why I expose my soul to the globe, the world
I'm trying to make it better for these little boys and girls
I'm not just another individual, my spirit is a part of this
That's why I get spiritual, but I get my hymns from Him
So it's not me, it's He that's lyrical
I'm not a miracle, I'm a heaven-sent instrument
My rhythmatic regimen navigates melodic notes for your soul and your mental
That's why I'm instrumental
Vibrations is what I'm into
Yeah, I need my loot by rent day
But that ain't what gives me the heart of Kunte Kinte
I'm tryina ‘Give us us free' like Cinque
I can't stop, that's why I'm hot
Determination, dedication, motivation
I'm talking to you, my many inspirations
When I say it I can't, let you or self down
If I were on the highest cliff, on the highest rift
And you slipped off the side and clenched on to your life in my grip
I would never, ever let you down
And when these words are found
Let it been known that God's penmanship has been signed with a language called love
That's why my breath is felt by the deaf
And why my words are heard and confined to the ears of the blind
I, too, dream in color and in rhyme
So I guess I'm one of a kind in a full house
Cuz whenever I open my heart, my soul, or my mouth
A touch of God rains out... ♫

♥

True love never dies. x

Hand in hand we stand, waiting for the wrath of love to pass us by,

 till death do us part.

Fashion Journalism - Article. x

Ever wanted to be economically friendly yet thought it outdated by tree-hugging hippies? ...Well, now is the time to revive this image and get fashionistas to leap on the eco bandwagon. 

Ethical Fashion represents the idea of adopting fashion, yet, following fashion in a way that is environmentally conscious. With an approach to design, source and manufacture products that have combined standards of fair trade with the current on-trend style.

Although we love synthetic fabrics, from the Teflon in our nonpress shirts, the Nylon in that unmistakable attention grabber, and our favourite acrylic crafted pieces. The reality is that these man-made materials abound in our closets are not only linked to economical problems by creating harmful greenhouse gases, the chemicals used within their creation can be damaging to our bodies too. Therefore, it is foolish for us to ignore the concept of ethical fashion as it will be beneficial for those of us that are health-conscious within the fashion world.

By contributing to the growing market revelation of ethical fashion you will be caring for your environment. As it is a means of protecting the rights of Mother Earth and the people who contribute in the preparation of wearable cloth.  

Although it isn’t easy to find clothing and products that follow the ethics of eco-friendly fashion, in recent years a number of pioneering brands have started making clothes this way. Best of all these clothes are superb, stylish pieces that make you look good and feel great. Isn't that what fashion should be about?

They play a significant role in making the fashion industry socially and environmentally sustainable. Considering that the fashion industry itself is the most exploitative in the world, in terms of people as well as the environment.

Upon realising the importance and popularity of ethical fashion many Brands / Organizations are following and promoting it as they have introduced special lines or even based their business upon ethical fashion itself. This essentially reinforces the importance of the idea, as ethical fashion serves a multiple variety of purposes. The most important of these ideas are; a reduction in environmental damage, reduction in poverty, and a raise in the image and standards of the fashion industry.

A few years ago ethical fashion seemed to be light years away from the catwalk trends. However, now thanks to a number of a few fantastic designers, such as; Ciel, Annie Greenabelle and Edun, ethical fashion is finally offering discerning customer’s fashionable alternatives.

A few notable online ethical fashion stores are, for example;

http://www.ethiquemode.com/

http://shop.hempworks.nl/

http://www.truly-organic.com/

http://www.edunonline.com/store.aspx

http://www.mybagcares.com/

http://ansdesigns.co.uk/default.aspx

http://www.notjustpretty.com/shop/index.php

- Brands/ Organizations that also promote ethical fashion, include; Topshop, Marks and Spencer, Gap, Howies, People Tree, Kuyichi, Patagonia, Timberland, Equop and Little Green Radicals ...amongst others.



 

Welcome. x

Hi everyone! 

Well, this is my first ever blog, I have been meaning to start writing it on a number of occasions throughout the last year but haven't quite had chance to get around to it. In all honestly it's just because I’m far too lazy :-p

The main reason as to why I wanted to start the blog is because my brain is constantly going off on different thought tangents, generally because I am always allowing my creative mind to run free. Due to this I often have my imagination captured and become inspired by my passions.

If ever such a moment occurred, I would often update my facebook status, post music videos or even take photographs. However, from now on I will be sharing such information with you, as this blog is essentially going to be a random and unorganised collection of my life with accounts relating to personal experiences, my thoughts, and most importantly my views on the fashion industry.

It will also consist of; inspirational quotes / song lyrics, music videos, photographs, the latest fashion trends / best buys, street style updates, news on the industry’s hottest new additions from photographers and MUAs to models and designers! ...and pretty much anything else I find to be of interest throughout my day to day life! ... I look forward to being able to share this with you, and possibly being able to relate to a few of my readers who may be in search of some form of guidance if they are a lost soul like myself too.

I hope you enjoy reading this blog just as much as I will enjoy writing it! 

Ciao for now. x