The iconic Karl Lagerfeld

Guest post by Hannah Littler

An instantly recognisable name and face has sadly left the fashion industry today. Karl Lagerfeld, famously known for his triumphant take over of Chanel and Fendi, whilst simultaneously running his own brand ‘Karl Lagerfeld’ has passed away at the age of 85.

Thousands have taken to social media to remember the icon, from those who admired him as a role model, to those closest to him, including Naomi Campbell, Winnie Harlow, Elton John, Victoria Beckham and Anna Wintour.

This post is a tribute and reflection upon the life that the famous German designer lived, whilst discovering some interesting facts you may not have known about Karl.

To begin, his signature ponytail, which has been with him a long period of time, since 1976 to be exact. After growing tired of long, curly hair Karl pulled it back into a ponytail where it has remained an iconic look ever since.

Many may have noticed his favourite companion, who accompanied him everywhere, his cat, Choupette Lagerfeld. Possibly one of the most pampered felines, Lagerfeld was truly devoted to her, providing her with not just one, but, two personal maids to dote over her every need! If you have yet to have the opportunity to see his furry friend, you can still admire her from her own personal Instagram account @choupettesdiary

True to form when Living an extravagant busy lifestyle, Lagerfeld had houses across the globe from New York to Paris. However, the designer took extra living to another level by having TWO homes a short distance from one another. One is provided purely for Karl to regain his beauty sleep and sketch new designs when he’s ‘in town’, whilst the other is for entertaining visitors and arranging meetings. Although only a short distance from each other, Karl ensured the house in which he only sleeps in, does not have a kitchen of any sort. Instead, his food is brought to him as if he is staying in a hotel.

With the power to have anything he wanted, you’ll find it surprising to discover that his favourite drink was, in fact, Pepsi. However being Karl, whilst attending parties and events he would have a personal butler following him around to ensure his favourite drink was always close to hand in a moment of thirst.

Finally, Lagerfeld took great pride in his appearance and skin care routine, keeping his small collection of products in a separate fridge in his bathroom. The designer additionally avoided the sun and wore gloves to protect his hands to ‘exude his natural glow’.

Karl Lagerfeld, thank you for your contribution and immense success within the fashion industry, you will truly be missed and remembered for many years to come.

Fast-Fashion: resisting the Temptation to Buy More in a Consumerist Society

Guest post by Ffion Lovelock

I think you will agree when I say that Instagram has certainly changed the world of fashion. It provides somewhat regular but largely followed Instagram users the opportunity to work with brands to promote products to their following and in doing so, has created the role of the influencer. A role that is now completely embedded within our culture and motivating our consumption. This contemporary method of marketing via social media allows influencers and brands to really work their magic to increase our retail purchases. On Instagram for example, you can swipe-up to purchase an item in seconds, come across links to a brand on almost every profile and find exactly where they bought that amazing skirt just at the tap of a finger. However, it is wise to consider if this is only adding to the detrimental consequences that fast-fashion has on our environment?

Browsing the likes of Instagram makes it incredibly hard to not be encouraged to buy more and more, especially when our society is so consumer orientated. Instagram is a digital space where we can be constantly exposed to an endless amount of branded content and we are all guilty of scrolling through its feeds tirelessly, so it is no surprise that we take such an interest in buying so much new clothing when the fashion influencers we follow wear it so well.  It is this temptation that can sometimes convince us that we need the item as much as their sponsored posts say we do.

However, some influencers are using their status to provide awareness of what a difference sustainable fashion can make to our planet. Even Emma Watson had her say through creating the Instagram account, ‘@the_press_tour’, to raise awareness of the designers who are dedicating their time to producing clothing from organic and recycled fabrics. Proving that those with a large number of followers do not only have the power to increase our consumption, but the power to convince us to limit it. They are influences after all, and we do often take on board what they have to say. So, go follow some vintage enthusiasts or an influencer who encourages sustainability and you will be surprised how much your outlook can change. Then through turning your attention towards how you could provide a more sustainable fashion footprint with the industries levels of environmental harm could be lessened.

       

Then why not make an active start by investing that temptation into vintage clothing through considering an independent vintage retailer like The Stellar Boutique, and making that conscious decision to re-wear, re-buy and re-sell?

We are all guilty of buying for the sake of it, I know I certainly am. Whether it be for a one time occasion or just because I thought it looked great on the 6-foot-and-tiny model on the website, we always give in to the prospect of something brand spanking new. Vintage clothing, however, allows you to still add something new to your wardrobe and get that exciting feeling that we all crave when we do make a new purchase, but you are contributing to sourcing that fashion ethically and sustainably. You can still shop to your heart’s content but at least you can be a small part towards solving a much wider matter; that being the fashion industries harmful effects on the environment. Not to mention that vintage clothing can also provide you with something that no one else has – a one of a kind item that people can wow over. Investing in something other than mainstream retail is always hugely beneficial and through learning to love what you have or what is already out there, the threat of irreversible climate change could be put to a halt.

The Stellar Boutique’s latest collection of eco-friendly slogan t-shirts and sweatshirts is another perfect example of how retail can eventually become far more sustainable. Through the use of organic cotton, the entire collection is free from any artificial growing processes and sets an example of how natural textiles can cater to our ever-growing retail consumption without our ecosystem having to suffer. So, whether it be vintage or made from sustained and natural materials, our societies love of fashion and constant desire for more of it could eventually be made less problematic in the future.

Read more from Ffion here Lifeandlovelock.com

 

New and exclusive customisation service

Have an old piece of clothing that needs revamping? The Stellar Boutique is offering an exclusive customisation service, designed to the uniqueness of customers to let them strut their stuff on a daily basis.

Whether this is an unloved sweatshirt or tee. A favourite jacket or anything customers think requires a little bit of creative ‘TLC’. The Stellar Boutique offers a new lease of life to customers loved or unloved garments.

This service is quick and easy.

All it takes is to pick the garment they have decided to revive, followed by a design from The Stellar Boutiques pre-made jacket and tee selection. Or, if none of these suits their style they are welcome to share their own ideas, whether this is a name, message, slogan or lyric that fits them perfectly.

Once both sides have had a chat and everything has been finalised, all there’s left to do is send over the chosen garment and The Stellar Boutique puts their creative skills to work.

Prices for the customisation service will begin from £10 depending on production time, this can vary between from 1-2 weeks, and costs of the materials.

Once everyone is happy payments can be made via PayPal. With a service completed in such little steps it would be crazy to not take part, so start rummaging and selecting a garment to customise.

If customers have any questions, do not hesitate to ask at info@thestellarboutique.com or contact via WhatsApp at 07495 58575

The Stellar Boutique – Exclusive customisation service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Stellar Boutique – Exclusive customisation service

Have an old piece of clothing that needs vamping? The Stellar Boutique is offering an exclusive customisation service, designed to the uniqueness of customers to let them strut their stuff on a daily basis.

Whether this is an unloved sweatshirt or tee. A favourite jacket or anything customers think requires a little bit of creative ‘TLC’. The Stellar Boutique offers a new lease of life to customers loved or unloved garments.

This service is quick and easy.

All it takes is to pick the garment they have decided to revive, followed by a design from The Stellar Boutiques pre-made jacket and tee selection. Or, if none of these suits their style they are welcome to share their own ideas, whether this is a name, message, slogan or lyric that fits them perfectly.

Once both sides have had a chat and everything has been finalised, all there’s left to do is send over the chosen garment and The Stellar Boutique puts their creative skills to work.

Prices for the customisation service will begin from £10 depending on production time, this can vary between from 1-2 weeks, and costs of the materials.

Once everyone is happy payments can be made via PayPal. With a service completed in such little steps it would be crazy to not take part, so start rummaging and selecting a garment to customise.

If customers have any questions, do not hesitate to ask at info@thestellarboutique.com or contact via WhatsApp at 07495 58575

Note to the editor:

The Stellar Boutique is an online fashion and vintage store for bohemian babes, eco-fashionistas and vintage junkies.

New Vegan Fashion Week has arrived

Guest post by Hannah Littler Jones

Fashion week has only just begun. New collections and designers bring a breath of fresh air and the buzz of who is where, who wore what and what we need to know leaves us at the edge of our seat, whether that is from the front row of the runway or behind a computer screen.

As we live in a conscious, ever-evolving world, I strongly believe 2019 will be the beginning of new ventures for Fashion Weeks to come, beginning with a new and exciting launch. February 1st brings the first-ever Vegan Fashion Week, hosted in LA, which recently became the biggest city in America to ban the use of fur. This four-day event aims to educate and enlighten fashion lovers from across the globe into making a change about the social, ethical and environmental issues surrounding the use and impact of animals in the fashion industry. Whilst additionally touching on social justice, technology and intersectionality through a series of runway shows, exhibitions, talks and panels.

Founder and animal rights activist, Emmanuelle Rienda commented, “I want to ignite conversations and debates within the industry by educating, elevating and drawing connections between our most important values: our respect for human life, animal rights, and the environment.” For its first-time debuting, the event has already gathered a substantial support system from animal activists group PETA and non-profit organisation Fashion Revolution.

Additionally, Rienda has displayed no signs of slowing down after Vegan Fashion Weeks first debut, instead the organiser will be using this event as a platform to promote these issues to a wider audience whilst encouraging designers from across the vegan spectrum and further to collaborate and interact, whether this is producing fully vegan products or a sustainable clothing line with a result of redefining the concept ‘veganism’.

If you agree that is time to make changes within the fashion industry, there are simple ways to begin. How about checking out our latest sustainable slogan collection ‘Blame it on the moon’ made from organic cotton, eco-friendly fabrics, recycled poly materials and low impact dyes.

Instagram: @hannahlittler1 and @hannahljonescreative

The Stellar Boutique – ‘The February Knitwear Collection’

The Stellar Boutique – ‘The February Knitwear Collection’

  

Introducing ‘The Stellar Boutique’s’ latest vintage collection for all of you retro babes out there.

Featuring a range of clothing dating back from the 40s all the way up to the 90s, you will be taken back in time with this new selection of hand-crafted knitwear and timeless outerwear. Brighten up your wardrobe with the collections beautiful pastel colour palette and choice of bold prints. From crochet to chunky knit, choose your era and wear it like it never went away.

The printed woollen oversized jumper boasts 60s bohemian design that is practical, warm and carefully made.

Sea-foam green is a strong colour throughout several pieces in a variety of hand-knitted jumpers, as well as a knitted gillet, all of which maintain the same preppy and feminine style that they wore so well in the 50s.

The double-breasted, button-up cardigan features balloon sleeves straight out of the 80s where bold was best and less was certainly not more. Its tonal colours make it incredibly wearable, but its daring silhouette gives it that edge that we continue to love so much.

From stripes to ombre effect and even knitted artwork the latest collection offers a wide range of vintage treasures.

The collection is all up and available on The Stellar Boutique website, so go and take a look.

  

The Stellar Boutique – ‘The February Knitwear Collection’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  

The Stellar Boutique – ‘The February Knitwear Collection’

Introducing ‘The Stellar Boutique’s’ latest vintage collection for all of you retro babes out there.

Featuring a range of clothing dating back from the 40s all the way up to the 90s, you will be taken back in time with this new selection of hand-crafted knitwear and timeless outerwear. Brighten up your wardrobe with the collections beautiful pastel colour palette and choice of bold prints. From crochet to chunky knit, choose your era and wear it like it never went away.

The printed woollen oversized jumper boasts 60s bohemian design that is practical, warm and carefully made.

Sea-foam green is a strong colour throughout several pieces in a variety of hand-knitted jumpers, as well as a knitted gillet, all of which maintain the same preppy and feminine style that they wore so well in the 50s.

The double-breasted, button-up cardigan features balloon sleeves straight out of the 80s where bold was best and less was certainly not more. Its tonal colours make it incredibly wearable, but its daring silhouette gives it that edge that we continue to love so much.

From stripes to ombre effect and even knitted artwork the latest collection offers a wide range of vintage treasures.

The collection is all up and available on The Stellar Boutique website, so go and take a look.

    

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask at info@thestellarboutique.com.

Note to editor:

The Stellar Boutique is an online fashion and vintage store for bohemian babes, eco-fashionistas and vintage junkies.