All is Full of Love

That Swan dress: 2001 Academy Awards

Bjork is someone whom I admire for two things: her overly dramatic and unique style of dress and her intense but often melodious musical tastes. In terms of her clothing, she knows no boundaries; there are no restrictions, unbalanced opinions in how she went about creating a look with a wonderful mantra- she went for it by no way following a set of ‘rules’. And not once did any of this overrule the strength of her music, nor was it the reason for its success. 

Biophilia (below) is her latest and ninth studio album which looks into scientific analysis and technology, adding another dimension to her music, for example, the Earth’s rotating force. The series of 10 apps, are each relating to a song from the album, delving into, exploring and interacting with the song’s themes. I find this such a clever and unique idea emphasising further, the fascinating characteristics of Bjork and her interesting way of recording. What fascinates me is her ability to reference the scientific through her music. For instance, the intense gibberish sang throughout “Dark Matter” (cosmology phenomena) is a direct reference to how “unexplainable” this overly scrutinised theory is. I find it such an unusual way of explaining it, but a completely fresh remarkable way of studying and analysing a subject as complicated as physics. 

My mother is an immense fan of Bjork- someone who is notoriously attracted to the out of the ordinary, bizarre sounds of artists ranging from the lyrical genius that is Kate Bush to the electronic stance of Moby. I always remember feeling captivated by the eccentricity of It’s All So Quiet, her most commercial and perhaps famous song amongst those who are not as familiar with her work. I myself am familiar with various albums played on countless occasions. I find her music incredibly powerful, slightly eerie and mystifying and I think that is the effect she hopes it will have on a listener and certainly what she was expecting with her latest album.

   
Whether you enjoy or are confused by her music, there is no denying the talent and inspirational force of Bjork- she has inspired so many. There will never be another like her.

All Is Full Of Love is one of my favourite Bjork songs. From Homogenic, the song is beautifully sounding, powerful and takes over your emotions as the strings fade and echo throughout, drifting and dipping in and out of electronic pounding sounds and loud beats and of course, the brilliance and strength of Bjork's voice and the notes she holds onto, they too overlapping the background singing, repeating. I just love it. It also holds a really positive message: Just look around you and you will see all is full of love. 

Play Dead from album Debut featuring David Arnold and written as the soundtrack to film The Young Americans has one of my favourite pieces of string music and is possibly one of my favourite songs of all time. It is complex and forceful and a lot of instruments play their part throughout the track. Drums and tambourine slam together with drums and the intermixing of trumpets before Bjork screams and then sings pretty harsh lyrics: "...where no one cares and no one loves / no light, no air to live in / a place of hate, the city of fear", "Curling up inside my private tortures / I nestle into pain", though sang above the mellow guitar notes which you hear faintly alongside the string orchestra which remains upbeat working with the constant (apart from the second break before it makes it impact again) banging of the drum, all complimenting well the overall trip hop beats.

 

As you can imagine, I have been listening to a lot of her mateial of late. I have gone through the back catalogue of Bjorks singles and listened to them all; some I had never heard of and others I recognise from my Mum having played them at some point at home - if I like them they will stay in my head. She is so headstrong and manages to get such a powerful message across with her music, whether mystical, startling or terrifying. 

An example of this is the famous Pagan Poetry from Vespertine which is accompanied with a music video directed by photographer Nick Knight (below). It is fantastic and the song is beautiful; the harp, the crashing background synth and the brilliance of not only Bjork's vibrating, breathy voice as she repeats the lyrics, but the expression in her face and hands. She shakes about the screen wanting to cry, then smiling all whilst wearing a beaded dress hung around her neck which she pulls at with the wind forcefully caressing her face and hair. It is stunningly horrifying, the beginning even more so. I won't spoil it. You must watch it- both are geniuses and have created something truly amazing.

More great songs:

Joga (Homogenic) - Mix of varying string & heavy synth

Hidden Place (Vespertine) - Strong vocal with eerie electro

Who Is It? (Medúlla) - Beautiful vocal, cow bells & tapping beats

Did you know?

She was awarded/nominated for 25 awards for her role in Dancer in the Dark, including Best Actress at  the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. 

She was in a relationship with English actor Goldie during the 90s.

She was voted 60th in The Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers of all Time.
She provided the music for the intensely beautiful SHOWstudio tribute to Alexander McQueen with Nick Knight.

 WONDER FULL

More than one red carpet

Wow, this week has been a busy one indeed, from the incredible night of the Baftas to the craziness of the Grammys and the beginning of London Fashion Week, one of the most exciting times of the year. 

It is clearly apt to share with you my favourite looks from the past week's award ceremonies, my quick of round up because you will have read about it everywhere. So anyway, here are my opinions on who I thought looked the best and who for me stood out stylistically.

There has been much speculation about Tilda Swinton's outfit and in general- whether or not she is attractive and if she looked great or boring at the Baftas- but I, without a doubt, thought she looked incredible on screen in a simple floor length Celine gown. There is no need for adornment of any kind with her; her hair was in the usual curly side sweep and make-up was minimal, as was her dress and the result was amazing. I adored the white oversized pearl ring poking out from her slender finger. She is an incredible actress, interesting in more ways than one and whether you are a fan or not, she never fails to captivate people with her always, although subtle, attention grabbing look. Simply beautiful. 

 

Adele possibly provided us with the best series of photographs ever, as she was seen looking understandably ecstatic with her hands full, clutching each one of her shiny awards and the Grammys, which you laugh at again once more here. I no less feel proud that a fellow British wiped out the awards cabinet and rightly so as she is without a doubt the most original actual singer to have been nominated, compared with those fellow talentless and copy-cat nominees. 

In Burberry and Armani Prive dresses, she looked incredible- polished, uber elegant with her trademark 60s eye make-up. Her hair was glossy and wavy, her complexion, creamy flawless and her dress slinky with thick waistband accentuating her natural form. The Armani Prive gown pictured was my absolute favourite. Basically, she looked the best she has ever looked and there was absolutely no need whatsoever for any flesh.

I saw Christina Ricci arriving at the Met Gala in New York back in May and although I have been a fan of hers ever since her days as Wednesday Addams in Addams Family Values (1993), a film I used to watch constantly, it was then that I fell absolutely in love with her. She is so, so beautiful with her large facial features, definite 60s vibe and looked utterly incredible at the ELLE Style Awards. Like, insanely gorgeous. And she was working a dress by Jonathan Saunders, one of my favourite designers ever. It must be love. 

The dress was sexy, feminine and sheer- everything a red carpet dress should be I think. The accessories complimented it perfectly and her straight and shiny fringed bob was equally as sophisticated. Dewy complexion, peachy lips and soft kohl and ta-dah! She is now third on my girl-crush list. Look out for another post all about her coming soon. Until then, lust some more right here...

 

She also looked fantastic at the Baftas in Givenchy Couture: picture.

WONDER FULL

Chav it up, Bruv

chav

noun

British , informal derogatory 

__ A young lower-class person typified by brash and loutish behaviour and the wearing of (real or imitation) designer clothes. - Oxford English Dictionary

Although not 'chav' per sue as these images are uber stylish and the clothing is certainly not available at Primark or Lipsy, each of these images have a certain aspect reminiscent of the common value of the chav. Whether tapping into the stereotypical ideals, behaviours and styles- draped in bling or with slicked back hair and moody expression- it may well be considered that there is something quite 'chavvy' about each of them. Or so I think.

We all went through the chavvy phase- I know I did. The look consisted of Adidas tracksuit bottoms, gold chain clown hung round my neck (which I still have) and bright yellow Spice Girls puffer jacket, complete with fake Burberry scarf. Nice. A look I'd rather not recreate, but instead cherish as an emblem of my 90s childhood. It was, let's be honest, the 90s for you when the surge of chav began and which eventually led to somewhat tarnishing the value of their signature Burberry print. It was a great era for so many things, though, the music being one.

Whether or not you find them chavvy or not, I simply feel there is an element of it to them, even if they are from high fashion editorials. I like to think of it as a bit of fun, slightly tongue in cheek and secretly, a celebration of the notoriously British notion/traits to the chav. The chav is infamously loud and vulgar, just like some of these photographs- most of which came from my collection of LOVE and Wonderland magazines. And even if you don't see it, which I hope you do, I seem to and the pictures are nonetheless great to look at. Either way, I have a fascination with both.

What do you make of the pictures? Are you a fan of the chav look? 

Which is your favourite image?

WONDER FULL

Current Obsession: Ana Beatriz Barros

Ana Beatriz Barros

29

 Brazil
elite
 

Victoria's Secret Angel

 Walked for: Christian Dior, Valentino, Giles...

Graced the covers of: ELLE Russia, Glamour Italy, VOGUE Portugal

Faced: Diesel, Chanel cosmetics, L'Oreal, Armani jeans, Fornarina  

Appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue a massive 7 times

FHM #84 "100 Sexiest Women in the World"

2010 Pirelli calendar

Lingerie model for the famous Marks & Spencer ads


 It was seeing her captivating beauty and absolutely gorgeous features- bright, wide eyes, impressive cheekbones and full yet subtle lips- that caused me to be instantly attracted to her and fall in love with her. It took me about five minutes. Therefore, I just had to share with you, some of her amazing work. And my God has she been busy over the last 10 years. 
I know her as the face of M&S but she is rather famous for her swimwear/lingerie modelling and I think she can be easily transformed to the catwalk and high editorial work, as well as more commercial features and advertisements. 
Model chameleon if you will.


My favourite image has to be the one with the 
sheer mustard blouse and volumized hair.
Very 70s. 
 But which is yours?


What do you make of her? 

Do you enjoy her work?

Let's just see how long it will take you to fall in love with her...

WONDER FULL