21

I turned 21 this month and felt an urge to update this page, as I feel this is from where everything I am now began, so to neglect it completely felt wrong, in a way. I first wrote a post for this page sitting at my living room table at home, age 15 (I think), as a way of trying to validate myself in a world, environment and body I didn't really fit into or feel comfortable with. A lot has changed since that first post: numerous successes and small victories have come all from just writing pieces on my laptop, and despite the natural lulls and ebbs and flows of life I still feel this page is solely responsible for a lot of the confidence and clarity I have today. I'm writing this post in bed, in my new room in a shared house with creative, artistic people, waiting to go out this evening for drinks with friends. I feel content, not completely, as I have a multitude of work to do and projects half-completed; but busy is how I belong and at least I am sure of myself and where I want to be. Right here and right now is pretty sweet, despite outside's rain and the slightly less than comfortable temperature. 

I spent my birthday in Paris with my parents and my boyfriend - it was a busy time of walking, gallery trips and the necessary revisit of Shakespeare and Company that I think has been a long time coming. I also had a party throughout which I wore a tiara from Hirst Antiques (the shop I've worked in since I turned 17) and I felt probably the best I have in years.

House pumpkin carving, halloween, bedroom sorting, an outfit with a skirt and top I made.

Some recent looks and a photo from walking for Adam Frost's show.

Settling into my new house.

Some recent looks, our house herb plants, a lilac dusk in Kingston, Izzy in the garden, Alexi in the garden and our regular cat visitor.

Remember to follow my instagram to keep up with what I am doing - I post a lot of my work and photography there too. Also my website has a succinct CV and some projects to browse, and is worth checking every now and again as I post work frequently.

http://ellieconnorphillips.com/

Thanks as always, and here is to the next few years and all they bring. 

with no words, with no song

A new post in a while! An older outfit from a day spent wandering through the British Museum. I've been at uni for about three weeks now, about two and a half of which I spent crying...I have actually started to enjoy myself now, although the realisation that life really won't ever be as good as foundation was did take a while to settle in.

I've been really into the clown makeup for a while now, and getting this lace ruff from Jender Anomie has genuinely completed my life so much. It also makes my huge earrings from Hirst Antiques stand out. The skirt is Beyond Retro, the shoes Demonia, and the shirt is Lazy Oaf. The top and beret were from Depop.

Some recent photography work for Alexjustspat accessories.

PUSSYLIQUOR performing at The Old Blue Last.

An old outfit / new work for my current project. 

I think I've settled into the swing of things now so I just need to make sure I keep up with doing shoots, making zines (ahem bloom 2) and posting on here. Hopefully I'll manage it!

You can always keep up with me on instagram, twitter or see my work on my website.

twisting through the fog

I know I literally just posted but I wanted to share some recent things before I forget and they become irrelevant. I always leave things too long and then when I try to write about them the words don't flow as well, so apologies but hopefully it'll be an interesting read.

This outfit was from last Sunday and a morning spent working for XXY Magazine at fashion week. It was the first time I've done makeup without winged eyeliner in literally years and it was strange but quite a nice change.

As usual, jewellery is from Hirst Antiques. The clothes are a mixture of vintage and the shoes are Demonia. I love how colourful the jacket is but had to make it a little more dark just as otherwise it's too much brightness!

It was also my last day working at Hirst Antiques on Saturday, after nearly three years of dressing up in and selling vintage jewels every weekend. It has been honestly such an amazing job and I don't think I'll ever find anything like it. Above is one of my bosses, Shirley, who founded the shop as an antiques shop back in the 60s, in the cardigan I gave her as a leaving present. I bought the skeleton earrings and a pair of Shirley's handmade huge red clip earrings as keepsakes, although I am sure I'll be back within the week as I cannot get enough of that shop.

Then on Monday was my first day of first year fashion degree. I have studied at Kingston for a year already so it's familiar to me, but obviously degree is a lot more intense and exciting. The first day was mostly talks and information. I then met up with my boy in the evening for food (Wahaca has an entirely vegan menu!) and to see IT in the Imax, which was terrifying but also a really nice way to relax after being nervous meeting new people all day.

Tuesday was another mostly talks and lectures day, we got the brief for our first project, then I stayed with Alexi again and started my work. Wednesday was a day off, which was useful to get started with the sketchbook they wanted us to complete.

Thursday was a nice day looking at the archive of really old clothes we have at Uni for referencing, seeing the workshops, enrolling and then heading to Spitalfield's market for our projects. Which of course meant brick lane bagels.

Friday was hand-in day, so a lot of work to finish before the deadline but I managed it (although I became a glasses-wearing school person in the process). The yellow bracelet and fish earrings I bought whilst at Spitalfield's the day before.

I couldn't help but do a little update just as I know in the future I'll be grateful for documenting it. I hope you are all having a good week!