I told you before I went to Brighton and I was hoping for some nice shots from my Olympus XA. These are they. No filters or Photoshop, just good old fashioned 35mm film photography.
Therese from Smoke Out TV. I just call her Therese tho.
All images (c) Jane Alexandra
And here’s me, beside a merry-go-round on the beach. Thanks for the pic, Tee.
So, Brighton Rocks. I must actually watch that film…
Hello! Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful NYE and start to 2012. I forgot to bring my digi camera home to Dublin with me so if any of the 35mm evidence develops to be suitable, I may just share mine with you. In the meantime, here are some of my snaps from 2011.
For those of you that noticed (hi mum…), I took a little hiatus there. There was lots going on and the last thing I wanted to do was blog, OK? Jeez. Gimme a break already.
I’m back now though. And hopefully with a little bit more focus. 2011 was good in parts but really really sucky in others so I am pretty much glad it’s behind me. I am looking forward to this year and I plan on embracing it, and just being really really really good at stuff. Ha! I am giddy, as I am going back to London tomorrow after two weeks back home, and I am feeling restless for the big smoke.
So, here are my resolutions for this year. I feel that this is an appropriate thing to share with you because this blog is a resolution that I am still keeping two years on. It’s like my blogging birthday and I’ll do what I want I guess?
1. Get Fit.
I am not a naturally active person. My favourite things are napping and cheese. But I am pretty sure that I need to get up off my hole and take some responsibility for my body, both in terms of health and aesthetics. My friends deserve more from me than the usual wailing “WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY WON’T THIS OR THAT THING LOOOOK GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDD ON ME????? UUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGH I HAVE NOOOOOOOOOOTHING TO WEEEAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR”, etc, ad naseum. Sorry guys. I am going to do some jogging (i believe they pronounce that with a silent J) and some yoga style stretching…and generally be a bit better at being fit. Apparently being fit makes you happier too, but seeing as I have never been fit, I cannot verify this. Will report back later. I have also been toying with the idea of giving up smoking, but let’s be honest here – baby steps.
2. Take more responsibility for stuff
I am really good at letting things happen. And I have been pretty lucky that some really great things have pretty much fallen in my lap. But this year, life, I am coming for you. I wanna own up to my own shortcomings and fix them. Fix the crap out of them. And just push myself and be aware that I am responsible for the stuff that goes bad, as well as the stuff that goes good. And hopefully more good stuff will happen. Like Holidays. And new shoes.
3. Take a sun holiday
It has been YEARS since I have been on a hot sunny beach. I am going to fix that in 2012.
I hope that you have all made resolutions and have wantonly and gleefully broken them already. Well, that or kept them, and are on the path to a better you. Resolutions are important, because they are benchmarks we set for ourselves. Often who we think we want to be turns out to be a pain in the ass – trust me on this, detox Jane is boring as hell, and where’s the fun in that. I like breaking resolutions – blatantly and unashamedly breaking them, sticking two fingers up to self improvement and revelling in the fun of life the way it is. So this year, if you are going to break them (I probably won’t be too far behind you), do it as you do everything else in life – with style 
…………..Or with a pair of mouse ears.
all photograhy (C) Jane Alexandra – ie ME! if for some bizarre reason you want to use them, credit & link or die.
Today has been a great, if long, day! Had a really fun shoot this morning for my new Jane Alexandra lookbook to accompany my new collection that will be available in Om Diva soon! With the help of stylist and general lovely bird Lisa Lú, and Kimberley and Martha in front of the camera, I am really happy with the results.
Here are a few snaps of the behind the scenes action – getting my candid shot practice in for FASHION WEEK ON SUNDAY, WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
ahem.
A big big big thank you to the girls, they were all so great to work with – that wonderful mix of professional and super fun. Gah I love shooting, wish I did it more!
Following on from yesterday’s Sunday Funday I have one more addition, that warrants its own post – the Style Swap hosted by the lovely Lisa Lu in The Grand Social yesterday evening. Clothes were swapped, and stylist extraordinaire Lisa was on hand to talk style with those experiencing sartorial mental blocks, which happens the best of us every so often.
Lisa invited me down to show off some of my work at the event, giving me the perfect deadline to finish off some new pieces. I managed to get them done with about 5 minutes to spare (we’re talking Project Runway style last minute panic sewing here) and legged it down to the Grand Social to showcase them along with other designers such as my Om Diva stablemates Tokiki, Aliquo and the lovely crew from Horse & June. It’s still such a strange feeling showing my work to strangers, but I overheard one girl saying really nice things about the new pieces, so that makes it totally worth it!
I actually think I might keep this first dress for myself, I tried it on and I actually really like it! I suppose I should really like everything I make, in a if-you-don’t-love-yourself-who-will sort of a way, but still. This one I might wear. We’ll see.
tasty treats
Aliquo Jewellery
I know I am beginning to sound like a broken record, but it’s events like these that make Dublin great, and I really feel like more people should take part in them, as they are fun, free and offer something a bit different. If I hear one more person moaning about how there is nothing going on and then they sit at home on their bums watching crappy tv while fun evenings like this ARE going on, well, I probably won’t do much, but I will quietly think less of the moaner. So there.
This Sunday, as part of Dublin Fashion Festival, there is a wonderful Style Swap taking place in The Grand Social (what used to be Pravda). While the Festival takes its cue from Fashion’s Night Out, offering events and discount around the city’s retailers, hosted by the wonderful stylist Lisa Lu, this Style Swap is a slightly different take. In the words of Lisa herself, “the aim of the event is to breathe new life into unwanted clothes – reclaim them as something new, or set them free to woo another. Make use of what you already have, or pick up something shiny and new from the pop ups by local clothing and accessory designers”.
Lisa is as lovely as she is talented, and has decided to host an evening where the you can bring your tired clothes and relax with cupcakes, live music (as part of Saucy Sundays), make up advice and demonstrations, and best of all Lisa will be on hand to help you look at your wardrobe with fresh eyes, and come up with different ways of wearing what you already own – creating a new look without spending a penny! Or bring a few bits and swap them with other like minded folk – one woman’s “so last season” could be another’s “just what I was looking for to go with that blouse/trousers/skirt”…..
Givenchy AW11
Someone bring some Givenchy to swap with me?!
There will also be an array of local clothes and accessories designers showcasing their work on the night, if you do feel like having a bit of a splurge on something that you won’t find on every second bird you pass on the street (also known as highstreet syndrome*). I will be showcasing some of my new work, so it will be an exclusive preview, I was putting the finishing touches last night and I have to say I am really pleased with my new capsule collection! It’s a small edit of casual dresses, tanks and tshirts in beautiful silks. Pictures to follow!
Givenchy AW11
seriously though, can we talk about this for a little minute….the cat hats…the prints…swoon
Apart from being involved, I cannot recommend this event highly enough. Money is tight for everyone, and events like these really prove that you don’t need to spend loads to have a great wardrobe – a fresh pair of eyes can be just what you need to take what you already have into the new season feeling confident and happy.
Did I mention that there is going to be cupcakes?
*It’s actually not know as that, I just made it up right now. Catchy, no?
Givenchy AW11
so just to reiterate, if you have some unwanted Givenchy, come on Sunday and give it to me. thanks
So, my news….
I am proud to announce that my degree collection is now available in Atelier 27, Om Diva, Drury Street. I have a STOCKIST!!! Which means I guess I’m a real designer now? The whole thing is a bit surreal, I am still getting used to the idea. Hopefully there will be some interest in it, otherwise there will be serious egg on my face… For those of you that missed it, my collection is a range of romantic, flowing silk dresses and strong, cropped leather tops, all with custom prints. My muse for this collection was the Disco Warrior, and it embodies a strong, romantic, free spirited and feminine woman. The pieces are a play on hard and soft, of revealing, concealing and protecting the body. Using long sheaths of transparent silk, the body is covered but revealed, using leather is reminiscent of armour and strength, hinting at an inner strength.
I am also currently working on a more ready-to-wear range using some of my prints from the year, if frocks are not your thing. So stay tuned, hopefully simultaneously working full time retail and designing a range won’t kill me….I mean, sleep is so overrated anyway…..
And if you can, drop into Om Diva to check out all the designers they have in the Atelier, there is a wealth of young Irish talent on display. Ruth, Om Diva’s owner, has a wonderful sense of the times, giving the new breed with a bit of get up and go a place to showcase their work – and hopefully sell some of it. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, these dark times have thrown up some really great opportunities for those who are willing to put themselves out there, and people like Ruth and Om Diva are instrumental is making Dublin an exciting place to be. Long may it last, and hopefully when get out of the doldrums, these brave people will flourish. One of my favourite stable mates is Capulet & Montague, a jewellery line, pictured with my dress below.
And I know I put this up before, but here are a few images from the lookbook, featuring the stunning Sharon Love at First Options. Get in touch if you have any queries, of if you like what you see, or if you want to use the garments for shoots. It’s noisyshoesblog[at]gmail.com.
Did you miss me?! I am finally finished college, and so am back and ready to resume normal programming. I am still really exhausted, given that I havn’t really slept since Easter trying to get everything done…So, while I get myself together and start figuring out to do with myself (someone give me a job, please?!), here are some images of what I have been doing with myself. Hope you like them! For anyone around Dublin, the NCAD degree show opens next Friday, the 10th June and runs until Sunday 19th June. I highly recommend popping down to check out this year’s crop of next big things across fine art and design.
Photography: Jane Kenny, Model: Sharon Love
Also, Forbidden Fruit tomorrow! Very excited, the line up is amazing and I have been helping to organise a fashion challenge where a bunch of fashion students are going to create garments out of recycled paper on stage! Should be a good laugh, will have pics to follow soon!
Happy Bank Holiday Weekend! xx
