Monday, June 28, 2010

Winter essentials.







1) A fur jacket. Duh, it's going to be cold. Rug up. (Lonely Hearts possum fur jacket pictured)
2) Organize yourself with a Moleskine diary. They're always more reliable than your phone's 'notebook' application.
3) Anything from this seasons Celine by Phoebe Philo range. To die for.
4) A sensible pair of flats. Winter is tough enough, don't hurt yourself by running around in heels.
5) Chanel nail polish.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Pictures, People and Places that Pebbles likes.












Where do we go wrong?


Sometimes there are moments in life where you feel confident enough to know you're where you're supposed to be. Mentally and psychically. It's as if you've taken the right twists and turns throughout your life, and the galaxy or some higher power has put you on the right path so that good things will come your way.
The same goes with fashion. There are moments when you feel truly confident that you've made the right decisions. That you've finally figured out that 'this time' you're looking flat-out, and that nothing can bring you down. Finally, you're at peace with the way you look.

As time goes by, we can come to regret these decisions. Some may look back and laugh - others may never look back. And for good reason. I'm talking about our personal fashion faux-pas.
Is it the trends and the times that ultimately dictate these mistakes? Or our own mind playing nasty tricks making you think it was a good idea to team those bell-bottom jeans with that novelty over sized cowboy-themed belt and that plaid elasticated crop-top? I'm still unsure. However i do know that these mistakes are simply incurable, and unavoidable.

From the ages of 5 to 15, i think it is safe to say that between these years, you will make the biggest mistakes of your fashion life. It's not only because your brain is rapidly developing or the fact that your body is changing in ways that you're not yet used to, it is also because this is the time you come to figure out your own style which will carry through for the rest of your life will be, so it is only inevitable that you will miss the mark by a long shot between this time trying to get something right.

Of coarse as i write this, i can only think of my mistakes. They've been locked away in the back of my mind for quite some time now. I would say the extent of my worst ended when i was about 15. Although it took me 10 years to get my shit together. But who is to say i won't look back on today and say to myself "Mess."? I probably will. I'm wearing track pants. But at least no one can see me.

Thinking back, i have to layout the baddies. The handful of culprits that dragged down innocent people with their bad influence.
Firstly, i must mention tight white jeans. They're still all over town. Admittedly much less then a few years back - but they're still out-and-about. Why? There is no real answer for it. None whatsoever. And i'm quite sure that anyone who dares to be seen in them will look back and cringe. Nobody takes out their "Old skinny white jeans" and tries to squeeze into them years from now.

Another is the Ed Hardy craze. Who wants to look like a criminal disco ball? It's beyond me. Not only is the price the equivalent of a high-end fashion house - the designs, concept, digital imaging and even store layout is enough to drive a sane man crazy. It's 'Guido' meets punk meets L.A biker meets Paris Hilton meets The Culture Club. That's too much for one person to take in. However, if you're on Jersey Shore - you're an exception. Guido.

There are however some looks that will carry through without this problem. Basics (however boring) are a given. A good leather jacket will never let you down, and a good fitting basic trouser will always be 'old faithful'. Nothing with too much thought will always be safe - but it's good to take risks, because like i said before, mistakes are inevitable. But don't get me wrong, i am in no way advocating that people should fade away into an abyss of beige turtle-necks. No! I believe we should keep experimenting, take the risks of absolute failure. I would rather surround myself with clueless interesting people rather than average boring people.

So will anything change? No. Just acknowledging these moments in life will suffice. Keep experimenting and mixing things up. Who knows, you might land a look that triggers the hottest new trend? But if not, keep at it. Laughter is the best medicine.

Image from http://thestylerookie.com

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Up close.





Out take shots taken by Hannah Wilson.
Styling: Pebbles Hooper
Models: Emma Champtolup & Samantha Shorter @ 62 Models

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Whats our look?






I like to think of our little island in the Pacific as something unique. Not because we are quite literally detached from the rest of the world, or the fact that no one can say "Fish and Chips" quite like us - No. It's because no matter where in the world you travel, people are truly intrigued about our corner of the planet. We have so many things that America, Europe and Australia (but they'll surely steal it soon enough) don't have. And style is one of those things. Now don't get me wrong, we have our fair share of 'Slip-ups' in this country, and we can be lazy as all hell - but for those who make a proper effort, i think i can honestly say that us kiwis can be pretty
slick.

But there is a flip side to this slickness. And that is the fads. It seems like anyone with a camera these days is a 'photographer', anyone with a sewing machine is a 'fashion designer', and anyone who can pretty much put clothes on their backs are 'stylists' - and this is the foggy line between the future WORLD's, Zambesis, Nom*Ds and Kate Sylvesters, and the drop-kicks you'll eventually see in a years time - probably drinking at the same bar, talking about how they "hung out with Mark from Cobrasnake." That makes you wonder who will make it and why.

I don't want to preach, predict or plug what i think deserves to take the place of next generation kiwi fashion, but now that technology is so readily available and our designs are easily accessible to the international stage - I'm afraid I'm going to have to. Unlike the late 90's when becoming a fashion designer was something real - and easy, back before blogs, fads and copycats, there were gaps in the market. Gaps that needed to be filled with direction, focus and originality - by those who we now recognize as our top New Zealand fashion designers that have put our name, New Zealand on the global fashion map. These days there are fewer gaps. We don't need another Ksubi. Really, we're good. The last thing i need right now is another campaign with some underage girl who has obviously been told she's going to make it big, if she poses topless with lank hair and drab makeup in some crap motel. That shit is not edgy. Please. Give NZ more 'props' than that guys.


So far we have a huge range of up-and-comers, but what does this mean? How do we define success nowadays? Is it who you're represented by? Where you sell your product? How many followers you have of Twitter?? How are we supposed to know??
One thing that i do see lacking in this industry is true creative talent. Designers who create what inspires them. Not people who call themselves designers, but instead travel to China and buy bulk rip-offs. This is a design fail. In fact, it's not design at all, and these 'so called' designers are in fact manufacturers pure and simple. Take an idea, copy it, pretend it is yours, voila, fame. They should be recognized for what they are. Charlatans.
However, i know that the industry cannot be what it is without those who rip-off the international trends. We need them to keep the mainstream fashion industry afloat. If all we had were visionaries - we would go belly-up, because it's only a small percentage of people who truly understand and appreciate original ideas. And we also need them to have as a comparison of what fashion shouldn't be.

So far, there are dozens of people established with their own stores and are represented by PR agents who set up 'swanky' events to promote the brand - but this doesn't excite people enough to carry these brands into the future. How many times do we hear that yet another fashion house is sinking in the toilet? Not just in NZ, but overseas as well. It's a tough business.

To focus on who is hot - what brands are covering the backs of New Zealand's slickest?
So far, I've picked up on a handful. None of which are represented by agents or have any strategy with advertising. Just young up-and-comers with a fresh approach to style.
Firstly i feel i must mention Areez Katki. This young man is a knitting genius. His eye for detail and complex pattern work within his pieces are astounding. Although he is limited in ways of developing a collection - his work is undoubtedly an expression of his personality.
Secondly i must mention Kylie McKenzie. She is the one covering the accessories side of things with her label 'Dear Prudence'. Bags made from deer, cow-hide, and old faithful - leather. The concept behind her brand is playing with shapes and textures, as well as designing what she would like to wear - and ultimately what she would like to see other people wearing. And although only babies - these are the talents built into those who will fill the gaps in the kiwi fashion market. No more jeans, jumpers made entirely out of 'fashion rips', Doc Martins and hot pants. Yes we all make mistakes. And now it's time to move on.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Remix Magazine - Accessories June 2010








Photography: Mark Barber
Hair & Makeup: Hannah Wilson using M.A.C PRO
Model: Natasha @ Red11
Styling: Pebbles Hooper

Remix Magazine - Texture June 2010








Photography: Mark Barber
Hair & Makeup: Hannah Wilson using M.A.C PRO
Model: Natasha @ Red11
Styling: Pebbles Hooper