A colourful fashion blog supporting independents & sustainable fashion in Bristol and beyond since 2011

Monday 26 November 2018

Super Stylin'



I was inspired to start the No Debutante blog after receiving a lot of lovely compliments about my style. Blogging had been mentioned on several occasions encouraging me to document my style, this was way before instagram kicked off properly, so sharing your style was still relatively new to most people. 

My husband Phil had tried to get me to start a blog a fair few years earlier than I actually did (I finally started the No Debutante blog in 2011) but, I have to admit, I was a bit of a technophobe and didn't really understand what blogging was! I certainly did not see myself as a writer.




Roll on a few years and I have been blogging for over 7 years and through the blogging I have managed to bag myself the title of fashion editor at Bristol 24/7 magazine, which is pretty good going for a technophobe with no confidence in writing.

One thing I have to encourage is to keep at it. I stuck at writing a blog after many bloggers gave in, I kept at it because I loved doing it. The dream of having thousands of followers and making a tonne of money as an influencer went out the window, I just liked writing and sharing amazing things in fashion and if people were reading about it that was great too! 





One thing that got me more attention as a blogger was writing about other people in fashion, especially unique and independent fashion designers.  It's all well and good sharing photos of your latest outfit and where you can buy it but creating content that makes people listen and think about stuff, makes for a more varied and interesting blog.

The No Debutante blog started as a pregnancy fashion diary, I struggled with pregnancy styling, I didn't embrace my amazing growing body, as it brought a life into the world, I lost my identity and it sucked! That was my niche back in 2011 with a few posts on designers and high street fashion here and there.





Now, the No Debutante blog represents, supports and promotes independent designers and creatives with a few anti-fashion brands like Typical Freaks chucked in just because I love them! I also promote sustainable and slow fashion which to me is no longer an inspiring way forward in fashion, it is the only way forward.

To be clear, I still buy from the high street, I am no fashion angel, bringing awareness, for me, is a start and giving people ideas on how they can introduce slow fashion into their lives is very important to making a change. People laughed at the idea of recycling rubbish, now look at us!



Looking forward, I'm not sure how much longer the blogging world is going to continue, things will become more video based with IGTV, Snapchat and YouTube leading the way and podcasts are a big thing now too. 

One thing I am sure about is that things always change and change is good. The No Debutante blog will continue in one guise or another. I don't think I could ever stop sharing fabulous fashion stories, there is always something new happening in fashion; my style and inspirations are forever changing and developing and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next! 

Today's photographs take me back to my blogging roots with a few shots of me wearing my fave outfits from the autumn months, which mostly consists of independent fashion items, high street buys and slow fashion pieces, all in big bright, bold and colourful clashes of fun and fashion.

The independent fashion designers featured include Manners London Mango Tango Jewellery Kuccia Fruit Salad Duvet Days  Tail End That Thing  




Thank you for supporting and reading my blog and for all those good vibes you fabulous fashionistas! You are AMAZE! 










Friday 16 November 2018

That Thing AW 18 Launch Party



Streetwear and lifestyle queens That Thing dropped their AW18 fashion collection yesterday.

Bristol really supports it's independents and this launch party was full of fashionistas, friends and customers checking out the new collection and hanging out with the That Thing girls whilst Bristol's Bitch Please DJ's provided the soundtrack for the night. There was even a queue outside to get in! 




Inspired by the mossy greens of the designer, Joh Rindom's, Scandinavian homelands, this collection features warm earthy tones of forest and fern greens, creamy golds and a black contrast.  The collection comes in cuddly knits, lurex sparkled tops and super soft jerseywear pieces, perfect for the winter months whilst adding a bit of glam for that sparkly Christmas season that is rapidly approaching. 



"I was really deep nature inspired so we have a lot of soft textures and darks greens and black, a real comfort feel for autumn/winter".  Joh Rindom - That Thing 




Joh was resourceful in her pattern cutting with this collection. By combining the top half of one design and the bottom half of another, she created block paneled garms that also reduced fabric waste. You know how we love a bit of sustainability here at No Debutante! 





No Debutante's fave pieces included the luxe double trumpet sleeve t-shirt dress, the super-soft unisex trackies, and this years streetwear staple - the bucket hat. Now what to add to my Christmas list this year? 








The AW18 collection is currently available in the Stokes Croft shop in Bristol and will be available online alongside the Lookbook shortly. Watch this space. 















Monday 5 November 2018

Sonic Youth - A photo shoot by No Debutante




I have always been really interested in reportage photography. I am not what I would call a professional photographer but I have been photographing Bristol night life for over 15 years, recording what happens and what people are wearing. My photos are less about portraits and more about catching these clubbers in a moment, dancing, laughing and generally having fun.

My camera of choice is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-G60 and my other camera is my Pixel 2 phone! My photography is more point and shoot and very DIY! Despite this I do know what I am after in a photograph but I mostly enjoy the randomness of seeing what happens! It makes the shoot more fun.

I have taken up a more photojournalism style since becoming a blogger and journalist, which requires paying a bit more attention to detail and lighting to achieve perfect high resolution shots for online articles and magazines. It has taken me out of my comfort zone but I have learnt more through doing this. 



I love the 90s photographs that Corinne Day took of Kate Moss and the more contemporary style of Gosha Rubchinskiy's photographs of Russian Youth wearing his fashion brand, they  often feature real models rather than professionals in very urban and often gritty backdrops.

Both photographers seem to be inspired by youth and although I am usually capturing movement and moments in fashion rather than specific age groups, I have been inspired to capture my own images of youth.

Coincidentally, my eldest son Lucian, was happy to model for me. Result! 












The shoot took place at the glamorous location of 'our house' keeping it real......

Lucian is wearing a long sleeve Zoo York t-shirt, H&M jeans and Adidas trainers.

Model Lucian Hendrix Ellicott
Photography by No Debutante










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