"Nicki what you think? I got two White Russians but we also need some drinks." - Kanye West

Top -TK Maxx

Skirt - H&M

Tights - H&M

Ankle Boots - H&M

Cardigan - H&M

Various bracelets & my grandpa's watch.

Love Safari.

Cardigan - H&M

Shirt - H&M

Pencil skirt - H&M

Shoes - I honestly have NO idea.

Waist belt - Sixx

Choker - Vintage

Necklace - Christmas gift from my mom

The Skater Dress.

Skater dress - TK Maxx

Ankle boots - H&M

Tights - H&M

Cardigan - H&M

Waist belt - Aigner

Bag - TK Maxx

Alo dolls : )

This outfit contains two of my newest purchases: A skater dress and a leather bag, both from TK Maxx. My opinion on TK Maxx? I like it since you get stuff cheaper than usual and you get bits and bobs you normally wouldn't in Germany. The only problem is that it's a little bit hit & miss: At times they have a bunch of awesome stuff and then it is just blah... lol Furthermore even though they claim their stuff is "real" I still feel that the quality isn't the best. Anyways I'm completely in love with the dress and the bag (which I have worn every day since I got it).

Yours, Lea.

P.S. Please don't be so harsh on my face... I had to fight with neurodermatitis the last weeks.

Days That Remain. Tage die bleiben.

 

Alo everyone : )

Last Friday some of my friends & me went to the premiere of a German movie called "Tage die bleiben" ('Days That Remain') by Pia Strietmann who is - btw - AWESOME! 

I loved the movie - very touching and with a great cast. I even managed to take pictures of my bestie Kathi with Max Riemelt (one of the hottest German actors around... Just sayin'...) who played one of the main characters in the movie. You can imagine how proud I was that I got a picture as well ^.^ Nice dude! We even got to talk to him. 

The last picture was my O.O.T.D. - in front of the cinema and their Marilyn garage.

If you're in Germany you should def check the movie out!!!! It officially premiered this Thursday.

Here's a summary written by "Toccata Film":
"When novelist Andrea Dewenter dies in a car accident, the lives of her husband Christian, grown-up son Lars, and adolescent daughter Elaine go off the rails. For all three, the few days between Andrea's sudden death and her funeral turn into an emotional roller coaster that eventually shows them the virtue of being a family."  

And the trailer... (in German)

Yours, Lea.

„Doesn’t fit together? Perfect!“

Another old one... Did this article for my German class after our last trip to Berlin before graduation. Finally translated it. : )

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'Tacheles'

 

„Doesn’t fit together? Perfect!“

An article dealing with different subcultures and their co-existence, as well as my fashion experience in Germany’s capital Berlin; Or: My German major’s last class trip in high school

„It’s just that it seems like forever since I saw so many strange people all in one place...“ said Mr Katernberg – looking kind of paranoid – on our first day in Berlin as we made our way around a well-known flea market among fashionistas near the ‘Berlin Mauerpark’. He was referring to those ‘odd fish‘ we just met, experienced and saw there. In fact there were nearly all subcultures mixed together, meeting, colliding without crashing: Hip Hop folks (including dancers and rappers), alternatives and fashion students who were on the look-out for ‘new-old’ trends such as vintage gems, or nice fabrics to work with.

I think it is unbelievable how many different subcultures & characters meet in this city, live together and – in my opinion – form a great mix of all ‘worlds’. Living in Bonn you always have the feeling that you meet more or less two types of people on the street, everything else almost automatically falls out the picture and is labelled ‘strange’ or ‘freaky’. In Berlin those people either disappear in the crowd or flourish in combination with the rest of Berlin’s funky population, building a totally new piece of art. You get the feeling that Berlin’s citizens are completely different, randomly conglomerated, but still fit together perfectly. To such a degree as I did not just saw art presented in ‘Tacheles’ as colourful masterpieces but rather the constellation of city and people. In my opinion you wouldn’t find a house like ‘Tacheles’ next to a hamburger stand and/or a chic cocktail bar in Bonn.

It’s obvious that a mixed population like that does not only – at least in parts – share the same lifestyle & views, but also fashion trends. Since I – myself – do designs and plan on studying Fashion Styling or Journalism in the near future these ‘voguish dainties’ caught my eye. Until I really visited Berlin for more than two days I would not have thought that it was even possible to mix so many different styles together. I remember one of my classmates telling me one evening: “Combining that dress with a leather jacket is somehow classy… even though it should definitely CLASH!”. Well… I guess the ‘Thick B’ already fixed me – mental and fashionably. On the street I saw punks with pearl necklaces and matching earrings. Girls with skin-tight pencil skirts, blouses and sneakers. Men and boys in baggy jeans with button-downed shirts and ties. Women with long, military-looking coats, shorts and ties. Ladies pulling off a red lip, backcombed hair and the highest heels I have ever seen during the daytime without looking anything near ‘overdone’. The most striking thing was that no one really tried to look stylish. It even seemed like it didn’t even matter, like people did not care whatsoever. The day we went to the Berlin Philarmonic we noticed that even the well-dressed audience radiated a form of effortlessness. You can find that effortlessness in every corner in Berlin, not only in fashion. Exactly this ‘I-don’t-care-what-I-look-like’-attitude (or just the impression) makes every style wearable and every outfit matching. In Paris for instance people are trying so hard to catch up with the latest trends, to be ‘fashionable’, to be good-looking, to the point where people just look fake. That is definitely not the case in Germany’s capital. IF something seems artificial or fake you can almost be sure that this is the volitional effect. Out here the consumer is not just a mannequin, dressed by designers. He or she is a living piece of art that can be re-invented whenever it is needed or wanted.

All in all, this last trip was not only a lot of fun, hanging out with great people, an important cultural experience, but also an inspirational pool. Now I can sit down again, draw, sew & cut new pieces, always keeping one line in mind: “Doesn’t fit together? Perfect!” Now I know that even things, which do not seem conventional or matching in the first place can be a new trend in no time, especially since fashion has no borders anymore. This teaches us a lot about today’s understanding of the whole industry. Ever since Beth Ditto came along we know: Not only all sizes, but also all styles are allowed in fashion. Fashion is fun. It embodies art and life. In Berlin’s case the life of a pulsating city, full of different characters, which could not be more different. Restraints are completely out of place here. Thank God! 

"Show your love... for Freiburg!“

Now... this is actually super old. I wrote it about 5 years ago. I just translated the first page of a nine page report because I needed it for my portfolio of artwork. I still thought I'd post it because I know some people who might be interested in what I said about them. If I ever get the chance and you guys want me to I'll translate the full article. Let me know what you think! Thanks!

Yours, Lea. 

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„Show your love... for Freiburg!“

Tommy the Clown and his Hip Hop Clowns at the ‘Zelt Musik Festival’, June 30^th 2007, Freiburg

 “It’s the R-O-C-C-O! Show your love fooooooooor Roc’co!!!” Red lights. He enters through a side entrance. Interminably cool, chilled, walking slowly, the hood of his bright, airbrushed sweatshirt on his head, pulled down low. He stops right at the centre of the stage, stares at the audience, pulls the hood from his head. The female part of the audience starts screaming hysterically while the present male fans just applaud and nod their heads in appreciation. Arms are raised high in the air. Their hands build the ‘roc signs’, triangles, reminding you of a big diamond. Suddenly the speakers start blasting Kayne West’s ’Golddigger’, just the beginning, the part Jamie Foxx sings: „She takes my money, well I'm in need, Yeah she's a triflin' friend indeed, Oh she's a gold digger way over town, that digs on me!“ The dancers move to the beat. Roc’co moves his lips in synchronization with Jamie’s words and suddenly he cuts loose: The beat comes in and the young black man, with the skilfully painted face starts dancing. „Yeah, you already know what time it is! This is yo boy, Roc’co tha Clown. Left side, right side, in the middle, in the back: Roc’s up! Put ya roc’s up!“ Then lightning seems to electrify his body: His chest pops up and down, arms rotate, rushing up and down the stage. „He is getting krumped“.

One day before, lunch time. My friend Charlotte and me are tired but still made it to the hotel after a six-hour train ride and a long search for our hotel crosstown Freiburg. We unpack our stuff and rest for a couple of minutes before we take a look around the city to buy some last important bits & bobs for the upcoming evening. Slowly we are getting excited. What if they are staying at our hotel? If not, in which one are they staying? Are they in the city right now? Like us? Some where in Freiburg? Are they bored? Goddamn it, what are they doing?!

Of course the question pops up why we put all that effort and time in the upcoming evening and ‘them’. Why we hopped on a train to travel half of Germany and stay in a city we don’t even know. ‘Is it worth it?’ The answer is – quite honestly – YES! ‘Well has to be something big and great then… if you are willing to do all that.’ Again: A definite YES! ‘Now, what the hell is all this?!’ people might ask.

It’s a dance, it’s a group, a movement, a lifestyle, a man, a clown, born, originated, raised and founded in Los Angeles, California. The dance is called ‘Krump’ or ‘Clowning’, the man who started the movement and heads the group, we were coming to see, calls himself Tommy the Clown. His dancers are the Hip Hop Clowns. […]

 

Fashion? Hold On A Second.

Alo people! 

So.... this will be my first entry featuring an article of mine. : ) I will do this more often. Enjoy!

Yours, Lea. 

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Fashion? Hold on a second!

What German Sixth Form Students think about clothes and style

“Wow, wow, wow… Hold on a second! You want to take a picture of me in my outfit? Not gonna happen… What about tomorrow?” My friend Lukas whom I’ve known since 5^th grade was stunned– even though I thought he was just as neatly styled as he always is. On point. Colours, shoes, hair, everything.

Two weeks before. Browsing down my tumblr timeline I keep wondering: How come I have never seen anyone dressed like that in my high school? Are German students really that backwards regarding fashion? Is fashion important out here? It seems like every country is more fashionable than Germany.  Germans are good in engineering, but in design, especially fashion? Never, is the worldwide opinion. I wanted to know why.

To get some first-hand, „real“ information, we conducted a survey among German sixth form students between 16 and 20 years of age. Interviewed about fifty people (26 girls & 24 boys)... The result? Astonishing! Only one year ago the dress code was: Dark colours, nothing special. Do not attract any attention. The survey partly reconfirmed but also declined this.

Let’s start off with the ladies. Most of them said that fashion – indeed – has an important meaning for them as they’re influenced by media and friends. “Fashion is always around… you are going to be confronted.” Fashion is a form of self-expression and a way to make you feel good and comfortable. “I am automatically happy as soon as I wear something I like. It directly affects my mood”, says an 18 year old girl. A minority thinks they don’t have to follow every trend, fashion itself though still has an inspirational meaning to them. Others said that they don’t care about any trends but fun. Apparently, the fact that fashion is completely subjective is fascinating as well as annoying to a lot of the interviewees. Asked about their style, most of the girls felt very uncomfortable. No one actually wanted to be defined. Some even said they didn’t have any. “Well… I guess it depends on the season…” some said. Others: “I just wear what I like.” Most of them could give tendencies: Feminine, independent, colourful, fantastic, extravagant etc. The minority is actually really interested in expressing something through the way they dress. Openly supporting fair trade, braveness or independence is no issue. “I just want to inspire people”, “want to bring art to the world”, they say.

Some people want to catch people’s attention though a lot prefer not having any attention at all – which seems kind of contradictory as the same people still intended to express themselves. Surprisingly, none of the surveyed ladies was interested in brands – especially not in brands “more exquisite” than H&M or Zara. The reason is not that they dislike them. “Quality isn’t guaranteed by prize and brand”, they say. “There is no need to buy a shirt for 50 bucks.” Furthermore, it is important to them that the clothes don’t look cheap – it doesn’t matter whether they are though. Fashion’s function is to make you feel good and express yourself. It gives you the chance to be creative and provides social orientation. Mostly fashion can also act as some sort of wall and defence from the outside. It has to be fun, pretty, nice. Functionality does not seem to matter that much to girls. They tend to buy things they saw on blogs, in magazines or their friends wearing as well as “inspiration from within”. There is one other aspect though: “Of course… if there is one piece and it is love at first sight all other criteria of selection lose all significance.”

And the guys? Throughout the survey two completely different groups could be identified. No matter what question asked the minority (let us call them group #1) was always against it: “No, we don’t care about fashion. It has no meaning for me as I define myself through other values. I don’t care what other’s think – I am an individual. I just get whatever fits me well.”

And then there was the majority, group #2. They feel that fashion makes them strong and sort of functions like a wall. But it is more, it is representative: “I want to make sure that my friends and others know that I can afford certain things.” Regarding their style, most (whether they call it style or not…) want to be sporty and a little elegant. “I know that is probably kind of mainstream”, as one of them said. Some claim they mix a little bit of everything just because they do not want to be put in a box and “seem like they care too much about the way they look”. They want to get attention with their looks but not seem ‘zesty’ or fancy. At the same time they want to make sure that it’s obvious that they care about fashion – also to girls. More than ¾ of the interviewed guys admitted that brands and labels were very important to them. Unlike the girls, they think that prize and brand guarantee quality, which equals an improved feeling about their body and themselves. They are more interested in clothes which are harder to get and more costly (like Abercombie & Fitch in Germany), because of the attention they get and their status. They want to show their independence and strength and therefore buy brands with that image (like Ben Sherman). “It is important not to look German”, admits a 17 year old student. “Germans don’t have class. I don’t want to be like that.”

Finally, fashion, to them, also has to be comfortable and functional. “I have to keep my keys, wallet and stuff in there…” Guys mostly get their inspiration from trips to other countries, music or their peers. Criteria for selection are mostly: Style, fit, prize (‘the higher the better!’), cut, look, colour and the possibilities of combining it with other items of clothing.

It is interesting how often German youngsters say they are not interested in fashion or do not have a style – almost as if it is something bad. Among aspiring intellectuals, fashion seems to be something negative, or in the least superficial. Most of them don’t think that fashion has any impact on people except supporting anorexia. In fact they do not realize that it is way more than this and that nowadays fashion – whether you like it or not  - can have a bigger impact than books. Regarding the guys: Maybe saying ‘I have a style’ is not “manly” enough but none of them admitted to that. The funny thing is how a majority of the surveyed people put an emphasis on being ‘individuals’, though nearly all of them want one simple thing: Attention.

"I feel more complete than I've ever felt. I feel more beautiful than I've ever felt... stronger.. and proud of myself."

© Ian Umlauff

© Ian Umlauff

© Ian Umlauff

© Ian Umlauff

© Ian Umlauff

 

Alo dolls!

These are some 'exclusive behind-the-scenes' pictures my daddy took on set of my first photo shoot. A collection of the actual pictures will be uploaded as soon as the universities (hopefully) took the time to take a look at my portfolio & of course decided to take me. ; ) To be quite honest... This is MY DREAM! I have never been happier than today. I was a stylist, a make-up artist, a photographer, a creative director & a manager.

Yours truly, Lea.

"I feel more complete than I've ever felt. I feel more beautiful than I've ever felt... stronger.. and proud of myself." 

- Beyoncé.