Higher Ground

Dashiki Top - Vintage

Cowboy Boots - Vintage ( Similar Here )

"Till I reach my highest ground 
No one's gonna bring me down 
Oh no 
Till I reach my highest ground 
Don't let nobody bring you down (they'll sho 'nuff try)" 

Anyone see the recent tribute to Stevie Wonder? I just saw a few clips this morning which reminded me of some of my fave songs by Stevie and I had also just watched the movie Begin Again and one of his songs is also in it. I actually wasn't expecting to like the movie so much but actually ended up watching it twice which is rare for me considering it takes a lot for a movie to hold my attention. If you like music and you feel like watching a chilled out story then highly recommended. 

The Butterfly Effect

Cut Out Embroidery Butterfly Top - Vintage

Brown Acid Wash Leather Skirt - Vintage

Boots - Windsor Smith

Vintage cut out embroidery tops have always been a favourite of mine and the butterfly ones are always particularly lovely. I have owned different ones of different colours and styles including ones with flowers. They are also sometimes referred to bali cutwork tops and can occasionally also be found in dresses and playsuits which are even more gorgeous!

80s Airbrush Art

Syd Brack

Syd Brack

Syd Brack

Syd Brack

Syd Brack 

Syd Brack

Syd Brack

Syd Brack

Syd Brack

Peter Sato

Peter Sato

Peter Sato

Hajime Sorayama

Hajime Sorayama

Libero Patrignani

Toshikuni Okubo

Artist Unknown

Artist Unknown

Artist Unknown

Artist Unknown

Occasionally I stumble upon airbrush art at garage sales or at op shops, usually they are faded and worn or mouldy from being neglected in someones basement.  But these images once were the pride of place in teenage rooms everywhere.

Syd Brack is probably one of the most recognised artists in this genre from the 80s, with his images being quite iconic. They were heavily influenced by punk and new wave fashions of the late 70s and early 80s. Images were published by the Athena publishing group including on postcards and posters. He also did airbrush illustration for advertisements for companies using his iconic style.

Hajime Sorayama was an artist who focused mainly on adult content and robot women were featured heavily.

There is also other little known or even unknown airbrush artists from this period as it was the trend at the time and as time goes on this artwork I am sure will become even more collectable.

Future Beauty - 30 Years of Japanese Fashion

 Ohya (Hiroaki Ohya) / Spring/Summer 2000 /

Collection: Kyoto Costume Institute /

Photograph: Masayuki Hayashi

 Junya Watanabe Comme des Garçons /

Spring/Summer 2003 / Collection: Kyoto

Costume Institute / Photograph: Masayuki

Hahashi

 Undercover (Jun Takahashi) / Undercover /

Autumn/Winter 2000-01 / Photograph: Takashi

Hatakeyama

 Undercover (Jun Takahashi) /

Spring/Summer 2007 / Collection: Kyoto

Costume Institute / Photograph: Kazuo

Fukunaga

If your idea of fashion wants to be challenged than the Future Beauty exhibition at GOMA in Brisbane  featuring 20 years of Japanese Fashion is probably a great place to start.

I am yet to travel to Japan but in the past imported Japanese stationery and then developed a fascination for street style of places like Harijuku as often photographed in Japanese magazine such as Fruits which I spent many hours poring over.

This exhibition in Brisbane which has been curated by Akiko Fukai, Director of the esteemed Kyoto Costume Institute in Japan features designs from the 80s to today and includes fashion from esteemed designers such as Issey Miyake and Australias own Akira Isogowa.

It took every strength of my being to not sneakily whip out my camera to take pics inside the exhibition so I have included some of the gallerys own photos to give you a taste.

In the foyer were many books on Japanese fashion for us to peruse  including ones dedicated to street style and sub cultures of outrageous Japanese fashion. Many of these were also for sale in the gift shop.

I went away feeling inspired to keep pushing the envelope in regards to my own style.

High On a Mountain Top

Leather Hat - Vintage

Mountain Top Ballet Tee - Idylwild Clothing 

Suede Fringed Vest - Vintage

Black Leather Shorts - Vintage

Tooled Leather Belt - Vintage

Cowboy Boots - Vintage ( Similar Here)

Assorted Jewellery - Sportsgirl & Thrifted

"High on a mountain top
We live, we love and we laugh a lot
Folks up here know what they got
High on a mountain top"

I discovered this wonderful brand Idylwild a couple of years ago and fell in love with their vintage style logo tops that are 100% American made. Stating they are inspired from folk legends and the sights and sounds of the 70s is something I can certainly get on board with! I've worn my tee with everything from flared jeans, flowing vintage skirts and now with my vintage leather shorts. I have had so many positive comments on it with people loving the song lyrics and graphics printed on the front.