It is so weird not having any sort of real schedule at the moment. School used to be so regimented, and revision so inundating that even my weekends had a sort of structure and routine. With sixth form, you have so many different free periods and such a varying workload that your time seems to oscillate between going out every day or spending a whole week without seeing anyone at all. I quite like it though, as I am a terrible creature of habit and like the way I now have to be spontaneous and do things without planning for them in advance (which is actually so much nicer, as without expectation you can never really be disappointed). It has also made me become much more of a 'yes' person - I have spent the vast majority of my life being a bit of a homebody and so it's been really nice seeing the other side of that, and actually enjoying going out as often as I can (although the fact that my friends are so accepting of my weirdness has definitely contributed to that).
Also, the work I am doing in college at the moment is actually really nice, if you get my drift. It's still work, but it's nice work - the sort that is equally interesting and relaxing, and not too demanding just yet. It's such a nice break from last year, and I kind of wish it would just stay like this for a while but I think January mock exams are really going to put a dampener on all of our good moods (which in my case is literally just because I never have to do maths or chemistry ever again).
Anyway, these photos are actually from before Fashion Week (and actually before I started college) but everything has been a little hectic recently in terms of posts and so I haven't had the chance to share them until now. As is custom, I spent a day wandering through the Camden Passage market in Islington, browsing through all of the gorgeous vintage shops and wishing my jewellery collection was as vast as the ones for sale on the various stalls. I love taking pictures in markets, for some reason they strike me as being particularly photogenic, I think maybe because everything is so perfectly arranged (or perfectly disarranged).
I never seem to buy that much there, but the recent decorating of my tiny little workroom has led to me becoming much more interested in vintage homewares as well as just clothes and jewellery. It's nice to be able to try (and amazing when you actually achieve) an all-round aesthetic with all three, but as my style is the opposite of minimalistic there always seems to be space for one more frame or one more ornament, leaving me with a terrible amount of clutter. It's nice having my Etsy now though, as I can start to sell off pieces that I don't feel that I need to keep anymore.
I wore a top from Rokit, skirt from
Beyond retro, socks from
Topshop, tights from H&M and shoes from the Vintage Attic in Brighton. The bag is from People Tree. I've had this top for almost a year now, but have found it's length difficult to wear as it's too long to wear with jeans or shorts, but too short to wear alone. It led me to a six month long hunt for a brown skirt to wear it with, which finally resulted in this
Beyond Retro one which not only gives me a way to wear the top but also goes with pretty much all of my wardrobe.
I've mentioned my little workspace quite a bit recently but I don't think I've ever actually posted any proper pictures of it. I was originally going for a very clean, blank slate kind of approach, however I keep finding cute little oddities to add to it. I love how bright it is - my room is dark grey so working in natural light after all these years is the best thing.
And last but definitely not least, I was asked to interview Si Cranstoun, a singer signed to Warner records who has had a big impact on the underground vintage scene. He has played festivals such as CarFest and Twinwood, and has a very catchy, r'n'b meets rock and roll kind of style that I'm sure will be a big hit over the next few months. His latest record 'Modern Life' will be available to buy from the 13th of October.
Hi Si! Your new album is going to be released in early October, could you tell us a little bit about what inspired it, and what it sounds like?
Yes it's out on the 13th October - can't wait to unleash it !! The inspiration for new album 'Modern Life' came about from how the vintage sound/ lifestyle seems to always play a part, whether it be big or small in in our modern lives/ what we class as modern.
You seem to be quite heavily influenced by Vintage. How does his affect your style, and how does this work when trying to get on in the modern day music industry?
Old school roots can be a real blessing but they can also be a bit of curse too - so it's crucial to get the balance right while at the same time maintaining my identity which I think centres around my voice which I don't try to change !! ..I can't really sing in a modern style !! besides theres plenty of young singers who have the contemporary approach to singing fully covered - so hopefully my roots help me to stand out.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke & Nat King Cole.
Do you have a particular genre you like...
Yes the one genre I really like ( and please excuse me as I failed at maths) is : doo - wop, vintage gospel, 50's R&B, Jamaican Ska, Rock & Roll, Western Swing ..
...or one specific artist you admire?
...like I said excuse the maths here : Etta James, Ruth Brown, Lavern Baker.
What can we expect from you in the next year?
My expectations are based upon radio and TV exposure .. if they are kind and gracious enough to shine their wondrous light my way then you can expect to see & hear a man singing at the top of his voice while grinning like a Chesire Cat!!
You played Twinwood and CarFest, are there any other festivals or venues you would like to play at?
Glastonbury - MAIN STAGE
What is your pearl of wisdom? (The one piece of information you have picked up that you now live by (like a motto) and would pass on to others?)
There is only this moment - so accept it for all that is, breath it in a make your peace with it..
I hope you all have a good week!
