JNCO jeans and other scary memories

Societe Perrier did an article on my style transition, usually I don't post press about me but I thought you guys might like this one, or at least relate. HAHA. Check it out for more pictures HERE

Style Evolution: Wildfox's Kimberley Gordon

by Rana Good

Today we bring to you our first "Style Evolution" story, a feature where we ask some of our favorite tastemakers' to look back at their outfits from their childhood through their teenage years, until they had become the trendsetters we love today. Our first sartorial retrospective is with Kimberley Gordon of Wildfox , the L.A.-based label known for its irreverent slogans, bright colors and California vibe.

Turns out, Gordon's look wasn't always loud and free. In fact, her first fashion memories involved school uniforms in the UK. Find out more about how she went from classic to crimped to cool.

What was your style like as a kid?
Kimberley Gordon: I wore very matchy-matchy sets when I was in the UK. I think because my mother loved me in them, she has amazing style. When I moved to the U.S. it was a lot of Bugs Bunny T-shirts and jean shorts. I was quite a tomboy because I didn’t really care about my clothes, more about the cartoons on my clothes.

When did you become interested in clothes?
I always loved clothes. My mother couldn’t believe how girly I was — she didn’t know where it came from. The first time I can remember being really obsessed with something was my friend Tammy’s coat when I was eight. It fit like a dress, zipped up and was tight on top then A-lined out. I searched everywhere for one with my mum but to no avail. I remember I wanted it so badly I would panic when I thought about it, as you can see it’s haunted me ever since.

Were you a trendsetter in school?
(Laughs) Not so much, but I always dressed very... differently. I wore bell bottoms and vintage T-shirts in junior high — which was a little daring, but no one emulated me at all. In high school, I sewed a lot of my own T-shirts and made denim leg warmers. I was a bit of a candy raver (JNCO jeans, tiny tanks, scratch-and-sniff  T-shirts, heavy lip liner). I know people noticed my style and pointed it out a lot but mostly because they didn’t understand it. I totally feel them...

Any cringe-worthy outfits to look back on?
Oh yeah, my worst time was probably aged 19, I was the most obsessed with Britney Spears at that point and I showed belly that should never be shown. I also crimped my hair in sections and wore denim hats... Oh lord.

What is the most memorable outfit from your youth?
Probably my tiny Spice Girls T-shirt (it was kids' size) and my JNCO jeans. The boys used to stick their binders in my back pockets, that’s how big they were.

Has anything you liked to wear as a kid made a comeback recently?
That would be frightening. Maybe neon stuff? I hope Tevas come into style, they almost do and I cross my fingers every time. They are hilarious!

What's your favorite fashion piece of the moment?
I'm obsessed with my black Prada platforms, I wear them with little white socks. I cradle them like a baby.

For more images from the past and in-depth descriptions of what Gordon was wearing, click on the gallery below.

Thank you Societe! Very fun interview.

To inspire you over the weekend...

Paint this weekend! Here is one of my favorite artists, Jean-Gabriel Domergue

Dear Ajak, I love you

Ajak Deng is so beautiful, I die, and her story is very touching! Ajak is definitely joining my model muses, obsession!

"From the gunfire and violence of war-torn Sudan to the bright lights of New York, emerging Australian model Ajak Deng is taking her modelling career to the world catwalks, writes CHARMAINE CAMILLERI.

The bright lights of New York are a world away from the dusty, violent villages of war-torn Sudan.

Sudanese refugee turned international model Melbourne’s Ajak Deng remembers not daring to dream, as children escaped violence and were forced to build huts to sleep in at night.

"There were some days that were rough. You would just have to run and hide, you couldn't stay in your village,'' the 19-year-old Melton schoolgirl recalled, of the military invasions."

"I remember running. We had to carry food, blankets to sleep on ... I used to sit down and cry."

"If you had access to school, you could dream if you really wanted to be someone but there was not much room for dreams. ''

At age 12, Ajak fled her troubled African homeland with her mother, four brothers and three sisters to a refugee camp in Kenya, where her mother died of malaria.

"We had to make our own brick hut to live in,'' Ajak said. "I had to take care of my sister; she was only six months old when my mum died. I would wake up at night to feed her. I thought, "This is just not fair"… [and] it was so hard in the community to trust a young girl."

"When I found out I was coming her to Australia, I thought, ‘I'm finally escaping this country!’''

Ajak and her family, with her father and stepmother, moved to Australia in 2005.

Young, brave Ajak was determined to follow her dreams and make the most of her better life.

She made her catwalk debut at New Zealand Fashion Week in March last year, modelling for the likes of fashion designer Kirrily Johnston, and has been hot property ever since. All while juggling with VCE studies - her second aspiration is to study law.

"This is freedom for me. I've got to do what I've always wanted to do and I thank God for that,'' Ajak said.

Ajak's folio has included work at world-renowned L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival and Melbourne Spring Fashion Week.

With the support of her agent, the Kurunjang Secondary College student has been placed with IMG modelling agency, which backs some of the world's hottest international models such as Heidi Klum, Kate Moss and Alek Wek.

"I'm so excited because it's what I've been looking for. It's always been my dream to go to New York. I'm ready for it.''

Ajak – who ironically admires fellow Sudanese refugee turned international supermodel Wek – aims to one day grace the catwalks of fashion capital's Paris and London.

FRM Model Management director Stephen Bucknall, who spotted Ajak at the Miss South Sudan Australia competition a year ago, said the young star has what it takes to go a long way in the fashion world.

"Her look is very unique,'' he said. ''There are a lot of Sudanese girls that are tall and striking, but she has the uniqueness and an ability in front of camera which is above and beyond many of the Sudanese girls now entering the modelling arena.''

Inspired by her own journey of self-sacrifice and bravery, Ajak said her beloved mother would be amazed.

"Wherever she is, she is looking down on me proud.''

http://frm.cinder.ddsn.net/press-archive.asp

She's a Minimale Animale

Cassandra Kellogg is a triple threat BFF I’ve loved for many years, we’ve stormed festivals dressed as ponies, roller skated through discos, hula hooped at the beach  on 4th of July and eaten cold veggie dogs on her kitchen floor, laughing hysterically.

Surfer, stylist, hula hooping extraordinaire and now swimwear designer, Cass brings a collection inspired by 70’s, 80’s and 90’s super models. Her passion for the ocean, Venice Beach (where her office is located, conveniently close to the sand) and running around in bikinis definitely brings something unique and delicious to her designs. She’s the girl who always has a towel in her trunk, a bikini in her purse and sunscreen in her glove compartment, she’s always got a surfboard strapped to HER roof or sticking out over the passenger seat, dressed in an Isabel Marant sweatshirt, ripped old denim shorts and a see-through white T shirt, and blasting Suzie Q, Cassandra really knows what it is to love the beach lifestyle.


If you could have one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?

can I say cereal?


Which marine animal is your favorite?

don't think its an animal, but definitely a mermaid! I still pretend im one, when i go swimming in pools!



What color looks best on tan skin?

tan on tan is the way to go..




If you could live as a famous bombshell in any decade which one would it be and why?

Christie Brinkley  circa 1980's- the 80's were s so big on many things, hair, cars, and especially Swimwear! It would have been amazing to  be Christie, modeling for all those Sports illustrated shoots all over the world, driving Ferrari's for movies and just being that classic 80's TRUE California girl!
 




Best beach moment ever?

singing our favorite Beatles songs with YOU  and our friends at 2am, in Malibu a few years ago,  while standing on pillars in the ocean as the tide came up.. and then.....
                                    getting lost in the forest  right after





Saddest movie you have ever seen?

sad as in sad- March of the penguins, sad as in crying- The Notebook.

I go barefoot when

I 'm near water!

Photos of Cassandra Kellogg wearing her own bikinis, by Kimberley Gordon

lookbook photos for Minimale Animale by Henrik Purienne. Notice little model muse Jennifer Pugh? WOO

Shop her swimwear and go "get wet" at Minimale Animale

Suzanne Rogers closet made me cry.

I dont think I've ever been more jealous.

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