Stylists Talk Bags As Converse Launch New Range

With Converse launching their first bag collection just in time for the new school year, a handful of the UK’s finest experts on style and self-expression representing fashion, music and culture reminisced about what defined their own unique style, getting nostalgic about what it means to be an individual once the new term begins. Provided simply with a canvas duffle bag from the Converse Bags & Accessories launch collection, a pencil case and notebook, they got creative to express their personal style in their very own special way…

Sam Voulters
About: Fashion Editor at Vice, Sam Voulters is 22, stylist, brand consultant and writer.
What was your favourite school bag? “I had a CAT backpack with tippex all over it.”

‘Synamatix’ – The Daily Street
About: ‘Synamatix’ is Editor in Chief & Mixtapes Director of the UK’s finest streetwear blog The Daily Street and specialises in sneakers and menswear as well as covering the UK underground dance music scene.
What was your favourite school bag or accessory? “I had a wicked rucksack in olive green, covered in band logos, skate logos etc. That was my greatest bag by a mile.”

Chantelle Fiddy
About: Chantelle Fiddy is a journalist and renowned commentator on London’s grime scene, whose music credentials include penning for Ctrl.Alt.Shift, RWD Magazine, Mixmag, Sunday Times Style and Dazed & Confused as well as presenting on Channel 4’s ‘Generation Next’ and making multiple appearance on BBC Radio 1’s Review Show. You’ll mostly find her online.
Describe your school style. “My school style flitted between record bags and (hideous) rave jackets (I hereby admit to rocking a Technics number) to holding my (entire mop of unbrushed) hair up with felt tip pens and wearing leg warmers alongside my yellow shirt and green blazer.”

Larry B – WORK IT
About: Ripe for reminiscing are some of the team behind London’s coolest 90s night, Work It. Work It have a reputation for drawing the biggest crowds with a cult following craving their unique blend of music, hosting nights and events for Selfridges, Lovebox 2010, Warner Music, London Fashion Week and Vogue Fashion Night Out.
Describe your style at school. “My style at school was your general London rudeboy schoolboy.”

About Converse Bags:
For AW ’11 Converse took the illustrious heritage and iconic style, that has seen their classic sneakers and Chuck Taylor All Star logo omnipresent since the 1900s, to create their first ever dedicated Bags & Accessories Collection. The debut collection reflects the simple and versatile styling synonymous with Converse complete with the iconic Chuck Taylor All Star logo, steel eyelet details and the ever versatile canvas.

The new line of Converse Bags & Accessories is available now at stockists including Schuh, JD Sports and www.blackleaf.com. Prices range from £19 – £54.95

A Lesson In Style With Alexis Knox

As Style Mentor on T4’s Style the Nation’ alongside Giles Deacon and Nick Grimshaw, Alexis Knox knows a thing or two about personal style. Not only is she the Fashion Director at Notion magazine and host of the surrealist club night ‘Circus’ with the infamous Jodie Harsh, but now the fashion fabulous Ms Knox has teamed up with Schuh for the launch of Converse’s first ever Bags & Accessories collection.

One fashion savvy girl or guy can win a day of one-on-one fashion tips and personal styling with Alexis at London’s Oxford Circus. Meeting at Schuh’s Oxford Street store, the trend-hungry winner will select the Converse accessories of their choice before going for lunch and an afternoon’s styling and fashion advice, where Alexis will pass on her finest trade secrets including how to wear your new accessories.

The prize includes a Converse bags & accessories shopping spree at Schuh’s flagship store on Oxford Street, lunch with Alexis and an afternoon of styling tips with the T4 ‘Style the Nation’ Fashion Mentor, with spending money.

Entry is free via Schuh’s Competitions page, here http://www.schuh.co.uk/competitions.aspx?CompID=127 and you can follow Alexis’s Styling adventures on Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/alexisknox/. Competition closes on 10th September.

Foot Phobia – Dressing our Feet for Summer! {Style}

It’s an everyday scenario that when the sun comes out, so too do our feet. Our feet which have been locked away in the chastity belt encasements of lace-up shoes, trainers, and brogues have spent most of their time being battered through the winter months; toes are stubbed on bed steads , objects are kicked, and some have walked the distance from earth to the moon to the requirements of the lunch-break dash for the shops, lost car keys, housework, and trips to the supermarket (amongst other things).

As we look forward to our summer holidays away in Benidorm, Scarborough and the like, us girls especially, will almost certainly have a fit of panic (duration of a personal choice) when we look to our footwear, and hence contemplate the exposure (god forbid) of our feet. One must assess the situation with calmness and rationale and then organise the mandatory pedicure of the year pronto. If on a budget then a home kit will be satisfactory, but a speed read through the instructions shouldn’t go amiss.

Personal foot issues are not rare, the odd protruding fourth toe, or a ‘stumpy’ shape (always over exaggerated by the foot’s owner) for example, will have some walking around Ibiza in wetsuit boots. But this phobia can be overcome with some gentle persuasion and a friendly open door into the magic world of shoe engineering and design.

The seasons’ trend of gladiator sandals, along with a strong nail colour, have enabled us to really make a fuss of our feet. And whether we like it or not, those feet will be exposed sometime during the summer, even if it’s only to a household pet. So the only thing to do is to embrace this opportunity; get to Superdrug straight away and start buying out a range of incandescent nail varnishes. Then elaborately paint those toenails to one’s desires. Its carte blanche baby, rainbow colours all the way!

One can complement their foot shape, be it short, long, wide, narrow, etc, with a sandal. However, this is not just any sandal. With so many on the market, especially gladiator sandals, one can really pick and choose one that will show, or hide, the foot appropriately. For example, chunky ankles may require sandals with an ankle cuff like these from Dorothy Perkins £28. 

Alternatively, a long elegant foot may require little embellishment, hence a sandal with just a minimalist thong will do, such as these from ASOS.com.

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A sandal which encases the entire foot, almost like a shoe, would suit a wider foot as the lines will create the illusion of a more slender form, try these from Schuh for size. £39.99.

If walking around a lot, it’s worth investing in some rubber soled sandals. Hideous as this may sound, one can always fall back on a lifelong pair of Birkenstocks. This may well save you the humiliation of walking around in trainers for the forthcoming weeks on your return. But above all, ‘tis the season to have fun with your feet!!

By Katie Fremantle