Kloss Lovin'

Source: Allure via Fashion Gone Rogue

Photographer: Mario Testino

Everything about this is amazing.

I lost my faith in the summertime...

Source: Urban Outfitters

I couldn't even tell you that these are some of my favourite images from the Urban Outfitters Spring Twenty Twelve Lookbook because truth be told I love every shot. The styling is brilliantly positioned between 90s sports luxe and bohemian, hippy patterns. Set in a dusty valley in what appears to be the early, hazy days of summer, the fluidity between the images is completely appropriate for the mood that the photographer is trying to create. The whole combination screams at me to prepare for summer, if only the English weather (and my student loan) would allow me to.

The P Word

    

Prada. We all know of the brand Prada, and more than likely know of the mastermind behind the global design powerhouse: Miuccia Prada. But what does this word, act as a symbol for? To me Prada is a brand of high intensity, influenced by years of design culture and informed by everything that surrounds us from retro art prints, to fruit, to Hot Wheels. But almost more importantly than that, it is a brand that likes to have fun. Those who are familiar with the brands RTW accessories such as the prestigious Prada luxe tote bags, may perceive the brand to be more serious than that, but let me show you a thing or two.
Prada's biannual Fantasy Lookbook for SS12 takes a playful view on high-end design by incorporating her models into nostalgic and crafty scenes to depict her Spring/Summer collection. I have to confess, my appreciation for Prada is usually just that: appreciation, as her eclectic taste is not often one that I would wear myself. However, her SS collection is completely on point and full of shapes that any woman can wear (the pastel palette is to die for). This season's lookbook makes the brand entirely accessible, at least in the way that any woman with any price range can find herself flicking through and falling in love with styles that she will no doubt be able to find near-enough copies of on the established British high street. Enjoy.

Into the Blue

Source: Numbero Magazine

Photographer: Camilla Akrans

Fashion Editor: Franck Benhamou

Model: Toni Garn

I first came across Camilla Akrans when admiring some campaigns she did over the previous two seasons for Swedish brand Fillipa K. I was immediately captivated by how whimsical and relaxed her shots were and the hazy aura that she created was what first attracted me to her work. Although continuing a similar vibe in this shoot for Numero magazine, what struck me most when I first came across these shots was the striking use of lighting and variety in the composition. The contrast between light and dark and the way the shimmering styling reflects light particles makes for an extraordinary picture and Akrans has depicted this beautifully in every shot; the most drastic of these being in the black and white shot. I love the way the light has captured both the delicacy and ferocity of Toni Garn capturing her as a juxtaposition of a siren yet vulnerable. I also really love the use of blue in these shots, the composition only emphasizes how lovely the shade is and it adds a really relaxed notion to the glamorous dresses and sparkle. The notion of something natural becoming glamorised is really prevalent and there is something truly enchanting about every picture in the spread.

Keep your head down...

...You don't want to miss anything.

 Source: Designer Daily

Looking at some guerrilla marketing campaigns online after one of my course friends recommended the book Guerrilla Advertising 2, I noticed a common thread between a number of the campaigns. Obviously the entire point of guerrilla marketing is to design the strategy around its every day use, and how it can be integrated into people's lives; places where it will get the most attention. One popular destination for a number of brands trying to catch the eyes of the public are the man holes and drains we pass daily on the sides of the roads. So simple yet effective and guaranteed to get people talking. Folger's Coffee, Vijay Barbecue Sales and Amnesty International have both cottoned onto this trend in 3 very different and interesting ways.

Berlin

It has been an excruciatingly long January, as it usually is. The anti-climax from Christmas is always a disappointing time for me being the avid Christmas lover that I am. This particular year however, this was greatly eased by the anticipation of a trip to Berlin with my lovely FCPers. During the trip we visited various trade shows including: Premium, Bread and Butter, Bright, Seek and Capsule, all entirely different and unique. I also managed to pick up a little street style whilst at Premium as a blogger and a couple of other shows, although it was a little too miserable outside to get any cheeky snaps and everyone was bundled up in bulky coats and infinite layers huddled under their brollies! Here are a few snaps and more from individual posts from the trade shows will follow!

All images my own

I Need

Source: Pinterest

Have a feeling I'll be needing one of these over the next couple of weeks. So much to do and so little time.

Forever Young

Source: The Cool Hunter

These days, vanity consumes society. Be it in the culture of celebrity, where women and men vie for media attention with their award-winning good looks; seamlessly coloured hair well into their 50s and 60s; perfect curves and flawless skin, or a teenage girl touching up her Facebook picture so she looks as skinny and flawless as those women in the magazines. So it came as no surprise when I came across this ad mock-up on The Cool Hunter, advertising Photoshop as a skin cream that restores people's looks, making them appear perfect. This advert is witty and clever and mocks the people that use Photoshop for these reasons, as well as highlighting the genius software that Photoshop is.

Who Am I?

As I've mentioned previously, part of my current assignment is identifying who I am as a professional, and along with that comes the design of a business card and CV etc etc. So here are some ideas I've had for the business card, this time promoting my blog. I've had a couple of ideas that I have begun to execute regarding other topics but until they are finalised I'm keeping them under wraps! These are what I've developed to promote my love of writing and blogging.

New Identity

All my own graphics

The time has come and 2012 is now officially here. And with a new year, I felt that it would be fun to bring a new identity to Curiosity Killed the Cat, a blog I have now had for nearly 2 years! So I've been playing around with a couple of ideas for the header and I'm trying out this new one (as you can see) but I wondered on your thoughts of a couple of these. Have a gander and tell me what you like best?