Little fashionistas at Hooligans Magazine

The award for the No Debutante fashion shoot of the week goes to......a children's wear fashion shoot for Hooligans Magazine?? Oh my gosh! This photoshoot is the bomb! Brilliantly styled by Yeon You, an 80s inspired concept by creative photographer Michelle Marshall who has created this super styled up fashion delight! 

Where to begin? The colour, the oversized, mish-mash styling, bright colours, kawaii cuteness, crimped hair, socks and sandals? Oh stop it! Just look at these kids, they are cooler than all of us! 

I love the way the girls are styled up in adults clothing in a clown like oversized style rather than in a inappropriate kids dressed as adults way. It's a fine line but it has completely been achieved in this photoshoot! I am barely interested in where the clothes came from as it's all about the styling here! 

I am feeling inspired to recreate these looks No Debutante style, actually it does look a bit like they are wearing my wardrobe! Sadly, my 6 year old daughter Sylvie has different ideas about her style than me, so I don't think I shall be recreating a similar photoshoot with her anytime soon (mores the pity!). 

Hooligan mag also welcome contributor's so any budding photographers and stylists out there should give it a go should get in touch. The June theme is We're All Animals. What? A No Debutante photoshoot? Don't encourage me! 

Random shoes and red tights 

Yellow faux fur and polka-dots? Yesssss!

Animal paw gloves, a gingham smock and sports socks! 

Clown style cuteness

Crimped hair and a rainbow jumper and a ballerina skirt - amaze!

An oversized jumper worn as a dress

Loving the oversized red mesh adult garms layered over white. 

All photography by Michelle Marshall for her Double Trouble fashion shoot for kids fashion and art magazine Hooligans. (images were originally sourced from Junior Style blog). 

If you are having a fashion event, a new collection or fun event you would like No Debutante to promote please get in touch!

No Debutante promotes fashion independents, new designers & sustainable fashion. 

Check out my work with Bristol 24/7 magazine here under my name 

Emma Gorton-Ellicott

If you are interested in collaborating with No Debutante or getting featured on the No Debutante blog please contact me nodebutanteblog@gmail.com

Keep up with No Debutantes OOTD posts, collabs and current fashion obsessions posted daily on all of the following. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest all under the #nodebutante name. 

Thanks for checking in Fashionistas

ND xx 

Sista Fashionistas

I have many fabulous & creative friends, each have their own style & dress well, but there is one friend who is positively on the same fashion wave length as me. We barely see each other anymore & live in different cities but we always seem to rock up with similar looks. My fashion twin is Selena,we are sista fashionista's, who are inspired by street style, bright colours, clashing prints & have been working the Harajuku girl look since the early noughties. 

Streetstyle devotees No Debutante & Dilly Foxtrot on our recent meet up

I met Selena when I lived in Leicester (where I also went to uni), at the time we both liked skate style & punk so were already on a similar fashion vibe, we then discovered Fruits, a Japanese street style book & magazine that featured quirky, Japanese kids from Tokyo, wearing the most amazing outfits. I was hooked from the moment I bought that book & went on a hunt to buy as many stripey long socks & brightly coloured tights as I could to perfect my Harajuku (the area in Tokyo where many of the Fruits photographs were taken) look. Independently to me, Selena was doing the same thing.

Winter layering featuring my new favourite polka dot trousers, a polo neck & a Fix Up Look Sharp sweatshirt.

I am not as influenced by Tokyo fashion as I used to be, the original Harajuku scene ended years ago & Fruits Magazine,sadly, no longer exists. It was also kinda ruined a bit for both Selena & I by Gwen Stefani (who was one of Selena's style icons up until this point) Gwen in 2005, announced she had discovered a new look & started the Harajuku Lovers perfumes, had the 'Harajuku Girls' dancers in her shows & just completely took it for herself, Harajuku had gone mainstream, everyone was into it. 

The Fruits style had been sold out to the corporate giants & whenever something starts 'trending' like that I immediately jump off the bandwagon. Selena and I were late-comers to the scene ourselves back in 2001, as the Harajuku style was first documented by Fruits creator & photographer Shoichi Aoki back in 1997. I, like a lot of people, wanted to remain unique in my style, so the popularisation of kawaii fashion was a fashion nightmare for me, the high street went Harajuku! Nooooo! 

Selena rocking her layers in a mustard jumper & tights, with a cute monochrome shirt & camouflage shorts.
"I got the shorts in the mens department in Primark" 

There is another side to the Fruits style that I am not too comfortable with; these Japanese kids were mass buying clothes, they were from comfortable backgrounds, had disposable incomes & nearly everything they wore was branded with labels from Vivienne Westwood to Super Lovers. It was more bling than the DIY kawaii-punk style that it first appeared to be; although the styling was amazing, there was a price to pay for kawaii fashion & that's not just lining the pockets of big brands, it was also wasteful, unsustainable & ethically bad. Disposable fashion is not something I want to be associated with. 

I took my inspiration from the styling alone, there was no way I could afford Comme des Garcons & Jean Paul Gaultier, so I became inspired to make my own clothes & recreate the look mixing my existing wardrobe with clothes I had created & contemporary items from the high street. The Fruits styling was always about the accessories too, so that was another easier way to covet the style, I am highly inspired by streetstyle these days but the roots to my look stem from Fruits magazine & a need to wear playful, comfortable, non-conformist fashion. 

Don't forget the twinning short crop pink hairdos - another fashion coincidence! 

Selena is also a fashion blogger & is known as Dilly Foxtrot Investigates in the blogging community, the blog is based around childrenswear, as Selena (like me) also used to be a childrenwear designer & (like me) had to put a hold on her fashion career to look after her (yes, like me again) three children (I told you we were fashion twins) & (there is a pattern emerging here.....like me) started a fashion blog to keep spreading the fashion love whilst looking after small children; blogging was a away in, to remain in the fashion industry & by any means necessary! 

The Dilly Foxtrot Investigates blog covers topics from raising children to her latest fashion obsessions. I personally get just as much fashion inspo from childrenswear as I do from adult fashion, the colours, prints & shapes are always so playful, I'm gonna dress like a kid for the rest of my life! Being a blogger, Selena also gets it that I love to document what people wear, many friends like fashion but aren't too keen to have me sharing their looks on my instagram & blog, which I totally respect, Selena let's me photograph her which is inspiring & much more fun! 

Modern vintage twinning back in 2003

Despite our love of playful styling Selena & I are still inspired by underground fashion trends & streetstyle, which is why, even after not seeing each other for a year, except on Instagram (which we both love), we still manage to have followed similar fashion routes & end up looking like we planned to dress the same way. It's laughable really, as we both get comments from people about the way we dress, we know we don't dress the same as the people around us but somehow we seem to follow the same fashion paths without being influenced by each other. As Selena put it at our most recent meet up "People think I am unique, that nobody else dresses like me but I tell them, there are thousands of people who dress like me, all over the world, I follow them on Instagram!". 

We both agree that we love Instagram, it is so friendly, people actually talk & compliment you, there are so many different people to follow & it's great to connect with fashionistas all over the world who have the same fashion vision as you, which was a connection we didn't have before social media. This platform really works, if you don't get hung up on how many followers you have, blissfully ignore the false/ like for like followers & just follow people that generally inspire you, it will make you feel happy, supported & inspired in a positive safe place. Spread the fashion love we say & find your fashion twins they are in this big world somewhere, in their thousands! 

All photography by No Debutante

If you are having a fashion event, a new collection or fun event you would like No Debutante to promote please get in touch!

No Debutante promotes fashion independents, new designers & sustainable fashion. 

Check out my work with Bristol 24/7 magazine here under my name 

Emma Gorton-Ellicott

If you are interested in collaborating with No Debutante or getting featured on the No Debutante blog please contact me nodebutanteblog@gmail.com

Keep up with No Debutantes OOTD posts, collabs and current fashion obsessions posted daily on all of the following. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest all under the #nodebutante name. 

Thanks for checking in Fashionistas

ND xx 

Woof Woof

Since the No Debutante blog has been promoting all things Bristol Fashion, I have been introduced to so many new Bristol fashion designers, that I am overwhelmed by how much is going on in our beautiful city, The great thing about fashion is it changes & there is always a new collection to inspire, to love and promote, Bristol fashion has now become a full time passion of mine, I could talk about it all day there is so much talent....so let's get started...

I'd like to introduce you to Laa Woof. 
This sparkly fabric hoarding Bristol based fashion designer creates festival fashion & party wear under the name Laa Woof from her studio at The Island, which is such a creative space in Bristol with so many interesting things coming out of there including No Debutante favourites Neat Frontage and Tezla Designs. The designer Laura Wood creates limited edition and bespoke customised creations that will make you stand out form the crowd in a clash attack of matching patterns, sparkly custom made catsuits, leggings, crop tops, skirts,bombers, hot pants and kimonos making all your sparkly dreams come true. No Debutante has fallen in love with the supercute Mermaid Kimono, holographic mermaid bombers (there's a theme building here...) amazing shimmering catsuits and sequin embellished mesh tops, I just want to be a shimmering mermaid but you knew that already! With kawaii graphics, fun anime influences, Manga styling and a love all of all things sparkly Laa Woof has definitely caught No Debutante's attention.

I asked Laura at Laa Woof a few questions, here's what she said......


What inspired you to start Laa Woof?

I have always been a hoarder of shiny things and since working in a fabric shop it grew out of control . I started making outfits for fancy dress parties, whilst teaching myself how to sew by taking clothes apart and recreated them using sparkly fabrics. Over the past 4 years my brand started to emerge  and became Laa Woof.

Where did the Laa Woof name come from?

I first started making animal hoods to sell and had to create a name for a market stall. So I brain stormed with some friends and we came up with Laa Woof which is a wordplay on my name.

Whats your favourite thing about Bristol?

The music scene has always been the biggest pull for me, when I was living in Brighton I would travel up each month for a night. Its great for gigs and dirty raves! I don’t go out as much as I used too, but it’s great to know when you are going out there’s always something on!


Do you think Bristol gets much fashion media attention?

I think Bristol receives more media attention for its music and graffiti. I would hope that with the ever growing talent there is here in Bristol, the fashion scene will get more limelight! I think as a community we should organise fashion show events to draw  attention here!

You offer custom orders, how does that work with Laa Woof?

Clients usually send me a message wanting something special. I gather as much information from them about the outfit and start collecting samples. I usually send photos of the fabrics I’ve found and some drawings of the garment. Once the client is happy I take payment and start creating !

There are a few festival style Fashion brands in Bristol, what makes Laa Woof unique?

Its great to have a big scene of amazing diverse designers here in Bristol !! Many of us share a love of all things sparkly and shiny!!

My influences and inspiration come from everywhere and are always feeding into my new designs.

I come from a fine art background so I think that practise is always relevant in my work. I enjoy the process of how I source the fabrics and piecing them together to  the overall construction of the garment.  A lot of my most recent pieces have involved creating patches and more time consuming methods, which are usually one offs or very limited editions ! Making them super special and unique to treasure and feel fabulous in !! .

Whats with the Panda obsession?

Pandas have always brought me much joy they are just so silly and cartoon like !! When I’m blue nothing makes me smile more than watching a baby Panda go down a slide on youtube!!! One of the 1st garments I made was a Panda onesie which I still love and and am actually wearing now as I write this!!!


Did you collaborate with a local designer to create your panda print?

Whist living in Brighton I commissioned a local artist David Waterhouse to come up my Panda Logo! His artwork was spot on and represented the fun I wanted to unleash in my brand.

One of my models  from a previous fashion show worked on my latest fabric print. Ebun was great I shared my ideas and she came up with a few mock ups until we settled on the chosen one!! I’m so in love with it!!

Favourite designers / artists?

I’m in love with Independent designers such as Lady Gonzalez and Arteporvo really amazing styles and inspiring ladies!

There are so many amazing designers emerging from Australia at the moment my favourites are  Di$count Universe who create incredible sequin designs and NixiKillick whose work is so fresh and vibrant using modern, futuristic elements in her pieces.

Current favourite record?

I'm absolutely hooked on Bonobo ‘Black Sands’ Album! It’s pretty much my soundtrack to sewing and life! Makes for a zen head, even whilst I’m having a sewing meltdown...sometimes...


Whats your favourite festival?

Balter Festival is a small and growing festival in wales! I’ve had a stall there shared with friends for the past few years and it’s been a great success each year. It has the best crowd and the right amount of muntiness!!! Amazing ska, punk and balkan bands and an incredible amount of electronic music !!!! Totally recommend going!!!

Current obsession?

MERMAIDS!! I find it to be an ongoing source of inspiration and creativity for me!! I melt every time I find iridescent sequins and shiny spandex.

There is an event in Brighton called March of the Mermaids, where thousands of people dress up as all things sea related, to raise awareness for sea conservation. It a create excuse to cover yourself in as much glitter as possible, channel your inner mermaid and sashay along the seafront for the day!!

Whats next for Laa Woof?

I have a few projects going on at the moment! One that's secret that I’m very excited about !!!

I really enjoyed having my first fabric design printed, can’t wait to design more. I would love to work with local designers to create new exclusive prints each year!

Am currently planning my festival circuit, I should be appearing at Balter Festival , Secret Garden Party, Boomtown, Shambala and Illusive!!

Keep ya eyes peeled for my summer collections and my stock appearing in That Thing over the festival season!

Check out the Laa Woof etsy shop

Follow Laa Woof Facebook


All clothing by Laa Woof

 MUA  Sophie Moore
 

Photographer & Direction Maka Iriek 

If you are having a fashion event or a have a new collection you would like
No Debutante to promote please get in touch!

If you are interested in collaborating with No Debutante or getting featured on the No Debutante blog please contact me on nodebutanteblog.gmail.com


Keep up with No Debutantes OOTD posts, collabs and current fashion obsessions posted daily on all of the following. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr,  Pinterest. all under the #nodebutante name.

Thanks for checking in Fashionistas xx

Peskimo, Pandas and Custard Creams

Driven by a love of robots, kittens and evil monkeys Peskimo designers Jodie and David create super cute characters and illustrations that never fail to make me smile! Jumping from Japanese kawaii, anime to vintage Miffy style adorableness and a Great British 'how do you do' element to their artwork Peskimo create a fun, cute and colourful world. 

The Bristol based artists prints and illustrations have been adorning screen printed t shirts, children's books, billboards, magazines, interactive media and nightclub walls since 2004 as part of Bristol's bubbling creatives scene.

New for 2017 Peskimo have launched a range of the cutest wooden brooches and enamel pins ever and have asked to collaborate with the No Debutante blog mixing kawaii cute with bright prints, colours and fun! From sleeping cats on 1950s furniture, custard cream biscuits, happy Pandas, sleepy lions and snug as a bug ladybirds, check out the cutest Peskimo shop  and stay cute and happy!

Images courtesy of Peskimo

Images courtesy of Peskimo

Images courtesy of Peskimo

All images (except Peskimo images) by No Debutante

If you are having a fashion event or a have a new collection you would like 
No Debutante to promote please get in touch!

If you are interested in collaborating with No Debutante or getting featured on the No Debutante blog please contact me on nodebutanteblog.gmail.com


Keep up with No Debutantes OOTD posts, collabs and current fashion obsessions posted daily on all of the following. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr,  Pinterest. all under the #nodebutante name.

Thanks for checking in Fashionistas xx

More Culottes Love!

I love my culottes from The White Pepper and after this post I already have enough images for a third Culottes Love post so let's crack on and see how I've been styling them lately. Well, it's all about the white t-shirt today, it's a look that could be quite minimal in monochrome but where would the fun be in that?? I have styled mine up with a fun kawaii style tee (my husband Phil bought it in Tokyo years ago and loved the print, he had no idea it was a Comme Des Garcons copy and I don't think he really cared either! It's a great print!) a topknot, ankle socks, creeper pumps AND no tights which I got very excited about on Instagram. For the second outfit I have styled up the culottes with my rad crop (with a black vest underneath, it's not that warm in the UK yet!) polka dot ankle socks, creepers and a plaid shirt, more grunge than kawaii. Which is your favourite? Watch this space for more Culottes love styled up by No Debutante over the next few weeks and go get your culottes!!

All clothing from The White Pepper, Shimo Kitasawa markets- Tokyo, Primark, Topshop and Underground Shoes.

All photographs by No Debutante

Thanks for following fashionistas. Don't forget to let me know what you think of the No Debutante blog and follow No Debutante on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest.

ND xx

Primark Sunday Spring / Summer 2014

It's that time of year again when I get a Sunday all to myself to do a big Primark shop for the current season. Today's Primark Sunday is all about shopping for Spring Summer 2014 and it was certainly inspired by a hot, hot summer holiday in Ibiza and surf style.

My obsession of the day was definitely the Maui collaboration with Primark, my husband Phil started off my interest in Maui by asking how Primark were allowed to get away with ripping off Maui, or so he thought, as we drove past the Bristol Primark window display. I had to go and investigate this, so called, Maui ripping off but was pleasantly surprised to find it was indeed a Maui and Primark collaboration! The range is so late 1980s early 1990s beach style, think surf shorts, logos, neon vests and Hawaiian prints mixed with Vision and Stussy retro skate style, I just loved it! I loaded up my Primark bag with everything Maui and tried it all on, managing to cut down the amount of Maui purchases to the ones you will see below. It didn't stop there......I got into the kids dept and there was the coolest range of Maui t-shirts, vest tops and shorts for boys, I had to restrain myself from buying the whole collection so I just got my two sons a Maui top each, we don't want to go around looking like the Maui family. However, I also checked out the mens dept and there were even more Maui items, I have told Phil who is also interested in having a browse, I feel another Maui/ Primark shop coming on.....I have to mention that being a reputable brand you would think that the Maui items would be a bit pricey but I am happy to say it is the opposite. The prices are the same as the usual Primark bargain prices, it really is a brilliant range, go check it out!

I didn't just return home with a bag full of Maui items, I also bought little Sylvie some more of the, cheap as chips, Kawaii print t-shirts, aztec trousers and some flip flops. For myself, as well as the Maui haul, I bought more frilly ankle socks, an aztec bag and two pairs of white shoes. White shoes are everywhere this summer and I thought I'd try out some cheaper versions from Primark. I really love the creeper style high tops, they are so comfy but I am afraid to say the (rather flimsy) white sandals have already become a casualty of the summer and have broken, which was a little disappointing. I really loved the style of the sandals though so it has inspired me to perhaps splash out a little more and get a better quality pair elsewhere! The final garment for myself was a sleeveless monochrome checked shirt. I am loving this shirt and have worn it loads of times already, watch this space for how I wear it! 

In conclusion, I managed to buy all of this for under £100, apart from the broken shoes, it's brilliant value for money! I love Primark!

All clothing from Primark. (above photograph clothing from Primark, H&M and Underground)

Thanks so much for reading and following! 

Don't forget to like my facebook page and follow me on Instagram for daily No Debutante fashion updates!!

ND xx