ONE TO WATCH: HANNAH MAE CLARK

It's no secret that London living is expensive.

Coming out of university and looking for a job may be a scary prospect within itself, but the truth is we're all stuck in this harsh post-Brexit gloomy Trump reality.

At a time when zero hour contacts are a thing, it's important we use whatever inexpensive resources are available to help get each other on our desired career path. Essentially, creatives supporting other creatives. What better way to explain this incentive then with budding photographer, Hannah Clark.

"I think that being a young creative in London comes with both perks and downfalls", says the 20-year old. Hannah doesn't deny the endless opportunities the city has to offer. From creating contacts and networking, to the endless creative inspiration but "money and funding is such a challenge."

Whilst trying to balance the struggles of photographer living costs in her final year of Fashion Communications and Styling at Middlesex University, this young woman is really carving a name for herself in the photography world. "I do believe that if you do what you love for work, you will never work a day in your life", and if her work is anything to go by, her words prove true. She's just been published on Sticks & Stones.

The artist in question, Hannah

Hannah's main work experience may be in retail, but more recently, she has found work in photographing "cool" women for brands. "I get to meet so many creative and inspiring people in London", says Hannah, who originally hails from Plymouth.

Hannah's images completely speak for themselves. Her inspirations come from a variety of places. The 60s and 70s feature heavily in her work and are incorporated with an American surrealist dreamscape. Her gentle colour pallets are inspired by "weird dreams and soft tone", she says.

Shot on expired film, her favourite image is the house over the valley of her garden. "I don't know why it gives me a lot of warmth and nostalgia but it makes me feel at home when I'm missing all of the amazing landscapes that I don't have in London", reflects Hannah.

Hannah's favourite image

She is currently producing her portfolio, engaging in collaborations, experimenting and building on her own work pile. 

In the near future, Hannah would like to travel for half a year. She's hopeful that by doing this, it will help to develop her work by surrounding herself with different cultures of the world.

A chance encounter brought me to Hannah and her work. Immediately then, I could see this young woman was destined for good things.

Follow her on Instagram to keep updated.

Farrah Storr: An evening with Cosmopolitan's leading lady

Everyone has their childhood career dreams. From world-famous ballerinas to fearless fire fighters, the imagination of a child is boundless. However, when you meet the editor-in-chief at one of the UKs biggest magazines, you really stop and wonder, these ambitious goals from your youthful past can actually become a reality.

It was 1 degrees outside. It’s was also like London’s toxic air has combined with the bitter cold and created this heavy mist. Nonetheless Old Street Records, just off the lively Curtain Road, provided much needed warmth - and luckily, 2-4-1 cocktails.

EC1

The front of Old Street Records

Bar this way

Down in the basement, a small crowd was gathering. The hostess informed us that our first drink was free. With a large glass of red in hand, a black leather booth -- that resembled a quilted Chanel bag -- caught our eye. Seated left of the stage, small red candles lined the tables whilst the entire room was dimly lit - giving off an intimate vibe.

Table candles

2-4-1 cocktails run every day from 5-8pm

The event we are here for, An Evening with Farrah Storr of Cosmopolitan, was organised by the Professional Publishers Association (PPA). This network promotes media publishers in the UK and recently ran their first live event a couple of months ago with Terri White, editor-in-chief, of Empire magazine.

The show is running fifteen minutes behind, understandably, Farrah is fashionably late. Eventually, two figures step out into the small spot light. One is Barry McIlheney, CEO of PPA and former editor of Smash Hits and Empire, and the other is the main event, Farrah. It's straight down to business.

Describing her dreams of going to Oxford getting crushed as the "best thing that ever happened", she quickly realised that she had to get to London.

During her time at King's College doing a degree in English Literature and French, she also did work experience during any holidays - laying the foundations of her career when she could. To make ends meet whilst studying, she took a cloakroom job within the Soho House family. Jokingly she says, "The cleaners are managers now", claiming, if she had stuck at it "I would have a better career then I would now!"

Mancunian Farrah is a case of, if you work hard, it most definitely pays off. After her degree, she took on an internship at More Magazine. She's insists that going out and doing vox pops, and staying late at work is a key to succeeding - confirming that the editor always stays late.

Farrah explains that a period of confusion followed. Uncertain about journalism, she took a job at a PR firm in Leicester Square, which she described as "awful". Afterwards she took roles at Marie Claire, Eva Magazine and eventually at Women's Health - before she made the move to Cosmopolitan.

Since being at Cosmo, she's taken the magazine through a rebrand. She points out that it wasn't bad before, but it had this "ladette" feel to it. The transformation went from "a guy fifth in the apprentice" as the naked centrefold to the "fun, fearless female" magazine it is today. Farrah has also changed the average age of it's readership from 20-years old to 27. Alongside nearly 450,000 copies being sold each month, she informs us that Cosmo UK is steadily being taken on as the European template. Even with each issue costing a bargain £1,"we're in a good place", Farrah confirms.

Another credit to Cosmo's ongoing success is their Snapchat. Joanna Coles, the editor-in-chief of the US Cosmo, told publishing house, Hearst, that they would be idiots to not get on with this ever-growing social media channel. In 2015, the magazine decided to introduce this new way to connect to it's audience, and boy, have they not looked back. Posting 12-14 "snaps" at 11am and with over a million people subscribed to their channel, they've even had to have their own dedicated team to look after it. 

When asked by an audience member about the sustainability of print magazines, she declares that you "must be number one in your market". She added, "people do come back to print, you just need to be at the top of your game". Reassuring.

Watch Farrah's TED talk showing why she's such been such a good leader for Cosmo UK.

Images are not my own

Fear Factor

Say what you want, but in a woman's life, there are some things that are customary. From a day at the spa to watching The Notebook, or as I found out recently, getting your makeup done.

Unfortunately, I also hate people touching my face. What could go wrong?

MAC cosmetics is also part of the Estée Lauder company

Disregarding my eternal fear of a single finger touching my mug, I booked an appointment easily online for the MAC store in Covent Garden. Like most women, I've had MAC products before and I was happy with whatever they did with my face. Noticing that the 60 minute Full Makeup Application for £40 was redeemable against any purchases made, and on further inspection of my makeup bag, I was definitely due some new cosmetics. 

Being the pessimist that I'am, I went into this with many doubts. I may have had this underlying lurking fear to start with, but also I've stupidly booked it for a busy Saturday afternoon in Covent Garden. The store was also as hectic as the famous surrounding West End area. Brilliant.

Feet in the door, I swiftly figured out that upstairs was for customers looking for a fast transaction. I spotted a staircase leading to a basement floor. Arriving downstairs a vexed customer, trying to get passed me, is quite loudly saying "No, I think you're wrong" to a man dressed in the famous all black MAC attire. Who pissed in her cornflakes?

Standing there patiently, it's at this point, I'm thinking about that whole year I worked in high street retail. I'm noticing it's a bit strange that no staff have asked me if I'm ok. I flog down a woman to tell her I have an appointment at 4 o' clock, to which she shortly makes me aware that I'm early. Confused by this comment, I'm trying to figure out if she's said this in a narky way. I take out my phone. It's 3:54pm.

After I'm eventually seated, I'm introduced to my artist for the next hour. I show her some inspiration pictures and my outfit for the night. Lashes, heavy eyeliner and bright lippy. Not too complicated, a little bit 60s and trying to steer well clear of the drag look. With friendly chit-chat flowing, I've just got to not concentrate on her hands touching my face.

Moodboard vibes

It's 30 minutes in. I may have slightly felt like getting sick when the white pencil eyeliner was dragged across my lower lid, but I'm doing well. Breathe. Eyes done, moisturised, and my foundation is on. I'm a neutral cool if you care.

However, feeling optimistic, I'm beginning to feel that I can do this look myself. Yes, on those rare occasions I do wear makeup, I can do a decent job. I ask to make my contour darker. My face is being softly skimmed with a brush. Lastly, some hot pink lipstick is applied. And voilá. 40 minutes in and I'm done. She asks if I would like anything else. I ask for highlighter, she says it's already on. Oops. Oh shit, my eyebrows aren't even filled in. I stay quiet.

Now, this is where I finally get a bit annoyed. Not only do I have 20 minutes left to my appointment, but I feel like I'm being rushed out of my seat to make way for their next client, whose promptly seated after I get up. I don't make a fuss. I buy my products, and ever so quickly, get the hell out of a crowded Covent Garden.

Before and after

I can understand this beauty pamper session if it's your wedding and you've got a gaggle of your girls with you. Nevertheless, fear overcome, I think with MAC you pay for the experience, and I feel this busy Saturday fell short of my expectations. Perhaps it's my own idiotic fault for not planning this better, but I don't think it's going to be something I would rush back and do soon. 

As for the MAC products used on my face, well, they were as magic as ever. 

Not every makeup brand will hold when you've slept in it over night and followed this with your head down the toilet throwing up the contents of the many, many cocktails you had the night before.

Pastel Perfection: Esther Loves Oaf

Every now and again a beautifully bonkers brand comes along. Your first opinions are probably "this is so not me", but on closer inspection, you see the clothes for what they actually are; quality, quirky and fit for a queen.

Amongst the hustle and bustle of late night Soho shoppers on a bitterly cold Thursday evening was the Lazy Oaf, Esther Loves Oaf collection launch.

The Ganton Street shop front

Bold prints, playful illustrations and stylish colours account for the ongoing buzz about this outlandish brand. However, Lazy Oaf has come a long way since its humble East London beginnings.

In 2001, with a penchant for illustration, Gemma Shiel began selling her hand printed t-shirts at a stall in the famous Spitalfields Market. These screen printed t-shirts, which were made in her fathers garage, are the foundations of a brand which is now available in 250 stores worldwide, including online retail favourite, Asos.

It would be an understatement to say that Lazy Oaf has evolved into anything short of a success. Along with a strong social media presence, the Brit born brand is always staying relevant. Instead of focusing on current trends, the brand collaborates with other cartoon based brands to create youthful, colourful street wear. Notable collaborations include Disney's Aristocats and Warner Brother's Looney Tunes. It's like this brand doesn't want to grow up, and it's all very wonderfully weird.

Los Angeles artist, Esther Kim, provided the latest source of inspiration. Esther Loves Oaf is a pastel perfect dream. With a love for fashion and multicultural backgrounds, her art has a simply sublime girlishness. The cherry on top of the entire collection is her cutesy kawaii-esque bunny motif.

In a packed out launch night, pink lemonade and gin cocktails eased the amount of times I had to say "excuse me" to get passed hoards of fans waiting to meet the artist. Rooting through the rails, white rabbit dungarees quickly became the star of the show.

Hardcore Lazy Oaf fans could be found roaming around in the labels clobber. These stand out characters were also seen getting their picture taken, and rightly so. They all seemed to be decked out with fluffy rabbit backpacks. Completely eye catching, but the same can't be said about the queue at the till. The perfect excuse to go back.

Millenials: The Most Nostalgic Generation Ever

I'm a bit concerned that my beloved Reebok trainers might be losing their identity.

They're charging nearly £65 a pop for a pair, and just because Gigi Hadid signed her name to them. Honestly, they're the exact same as the traditional Classic, except they've got an iridescent strap, not your typical ground-breaking design.

The Reebok Iridescent Classic Leather Trainer retails at £64.95

Moving on from the price hike, the top supermodel, was cast in July 2016 to be the newest addition to Reeboks international #PerfectNever campaign, which was previously fronted by UFC champion Ronda Rousey because of the brands sponsorship deal with the mixed martial arts promotion company.

With the athleisure trend showing no signs of slowing down, renowned models becoming ambassadors for sportswear brands is not a new thing. Since 2014 it has become a reoccurring strategic move by sportswear manufacturers. Furthermore, In 2005, German sportswear giant Adidas also bought Reebok for nearly £3 Billion. Whilst the wee Union Jack still proudly sits on their logo, is the Bolton born brand losing touch with its roots?

As a 90s kid, my first pair of Reebok Classics had a sparkly red strap, they were tacky and I loved them. I wore them until they had holes.

Similar to my first pair of Classics

When I think of Reebok Classics, I don't think of a gorgeous millionaire supermodel. I think of these beautiful trainers as an icon for an entire subculture, even if the dreaded Daily Mail described them as a burglars top choice of footwear. 

Thankfully, "chav culture" has become trendy once again. 

When I first heard the 90s being a trend about four years ago, I thought it would just be a fad, ridiculous 90s chokers and all. However, it's stayed. Colossal amounts of young people are wearing sportswear garments in their everyday life leading to the 90s style resurgence. Are brands like Wavey Garms and Sportsbanger to thank for this or are millennials playing catch up on a period of time that they missed out on?

Whatever it is, we don't need a Victoria's Secrets model to remind us why we love our Reeboks.

Millenials, the most nostalgic generation ever.

Illegal 90s Rave - Frankie Knuckles

One To Watch: Bottle Blonde

Sparkly New Year's Eve fashion may have just passed and flamboyant festival season is no where near, but what's to stop us planning ahead?

Bottle Blonde is an independent female clothing and accessory brand. Its ready-to-wear garments include dresses, tops, co-ords, leggings, bodysuits, kimonos and chokers. In addition, it also specialises in custom made statement items as well. Prices range from £5 - £175.

The outlandish brand is heavily influenced by 60s sci-fi and 90s rave culture. The brand value is all about female empowerment, and the ethos echoes in making women feel invincible.

The cascade tinsel jacket

The cascade tinsel jacket

The studio 54 dress

Rainbow tinsel festival monster jacket

Candy cane tinsel jacket at LFW Sept '16

The small company operates through its own online website, whilst also having online retail platforms on Asos Marketplace and We Koko. Not only does the brands blog page host customisation tutorials, but Bottle Blonde has a strong overall social media presence through its Instagram and Tumblr pages, which is helping to develop its up and coming status.

“Bottle Blonde is clothing for the bold and the brave, handmade for the psychedelic babes of the future. We don’t live in the real world and that’s how we like it. We’re all about intense colour, texture and surface design. Our vibe is sassy and sci-fi.”

Bottle Blonde owner, Chloe, graduated from Coventry University in 2013. The first steps on her career ladder began when she worked in areas such as designing, marketing and controlling social media platforms for a series of individual labels.

With enough adequate experience and training, she created Bottle Blonde.

In October, the brand came second in the ‘The Best Independent Designer of the year' at the Midlands Fashion Awards. The event, which took place at the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra Centre, celebrates local designers and lets them showcase their collections.

The eccentric nature has caught the eye of celebrities like girl band Alien Uncovered, Paloma Faith and it even commissioned eight jackets for the Britain's Got Talent Live Semi Final last year.

The brand also pays attention to bloggers, particularly during the summer festival season and London Fashion Week just past. Bloggers are a great source of inexpensive marketing. The brands custom made pieces speak for themselves. The materials used are completely unique. It has minimal competition, therefore, Bottle Blonde has found a niche in the clothing market.

Check out Bottle Blonde for yourself here.