Vogue House!

 Dress - Oh My Love
Jacket & Shoes - Topshop

When in England I try to resist such obvious touristing, but I quite literally couldn't stop myself! I got carried away with the excitement of being at the place where dreams are made (mine at least) - aka Vogue House, home to the style bible that is British Vogue. As part of the CNC Intensive Summer Course we popped over for drinks - prosecco anyone?! - and to soak up the atmosphere. I must admit we all probably looked a bit silly taking photos as all the people who actually work there walked in and out, but it was exciting. It was also a perfect opportunity to finally wear this gorgeous print dress that I have been saving for a while, ever since I picked it up in the Topshop sale! This really was the definition of difficult dressing because when contemplating my outfit in the morning I had to not only dress for drinks and the evening, but I had to combat the early morning chill and be comfortable enough for a day of classes at the college. Thankfully my latest purchase was this casual denim jacket which was perfect for daytime and also fended off the cold in the evening as I navigated the train home..

Tara India x

Can fashion be art?

 Varying slightly from my outfit-oriented posts, I wanted to share some photos from my excursion to the Tate Modern with the CNC crowd - we went on Thursday, specifically to see the Sonia Delauney exhibition but of course we explored the main gallery spaces too. I have to admit that a lot of modern art goes over my head, that I don't completely understand it, but above are some of my favourite pieces (and a totally unposed shot of me in contemplation..). My absolute favourite was the Warhol 'Marilyn' piece - two of my favourite cultural icons combined! Unfortunately we weren't allowed to photograph the Delauney exhibition, but it has got me thinking... Can fashion be art?

Specifically this week we have spent time on the influence art has on fashion, and that has led me to the definitive belief that fashion cannot be understood without art. I won't go into any detail since I am currently working on the effect of art on fashion as part of the course, but we debated whether fashion could be art and it really has me divided. Having seen the Savage Beauty exhibition there can be no doubt that some designers are artists working with clothes as their medium, but I don't think it follows that all fashion is art - nobody could argue that a Ralph Lauren polo shirt is art. Many designers, such as Lagerfeld, will say that they merely make clothes and draw reference from art but do not create art. Personally I do not agree. A great designer's clothing and collection is his masterpiece, and his catwalk show his gallery. I even believe that the streets can be galleries, with street style increasingly important.

This leads me to think that art may be found in different aspects of fashion. In the more basic, wearable clothes that in themselves do not make a statement, often it is the craftsmanship and construction; sometimes the runway shows become almost an art installation (as many of McQueen's were); sometimes it is the consumer who may hang a piece on the wall as art, or put outfits together with such creative flair that it moves beyond merely dressing; sometimes the clothing is simply art. I don't see how anyone could look at some of the couture collections and deny fashion as an art form - it is creative, thought provoking, innovative, and often shapes other areas of design and creation.

Tara India xo

Finding my metier.

 Top, Bag & Sunglasses - Topshop
Skirt - Vintage
Shoes - Asos

 Featuring a much more relaxed look from Vienna last week, proving that on holiday I really do simplify things - exemplified most by my pared back makeup and lack of jewellery. This skirt is usually far more dressed up, but I love it so much that I had to bring it with me and wear it! This feels like it's going to be quite a 'life-update' blog post because I haven't been able to post much in a while, and may not be able to since I am currently so busy studying at the Conde Nast College of Fashion & Design! I'm doing the 4-week Summer Intensive Course and I don't think any of us were prepared for just how intense it would be..

I won't tell you all of what I'm doing because if you want all the information I highly recommend the course! Suffice it to say that it's been five days and I've already heard talks and lectures from some of the Vogue fashion team, Angelica Cheung, Dr Neri Karra, and Suzanne Lussier - it's been fascinating, informative, and I'm so excited to go in every day. The projects and technical skills (such as photoshop) are quite challenging, but also stimulating, and it's really confirming for me that I want to work in fashion. It's a fast-paced, exciting industry that appeals to my creative mind, my love of art and words, and it has always drawn me - but one week at Conde Nast and I've got my heart set on it!

I have one serious point to make now - fashion is not frivolous. If you talk to anyone who works in the industry (whether theoretically, designing, publishing, styling etc) or even pick up a copy of Vogue and read the articles you can see that it is a pivotal part of popular culture, commenting on the key issues in society today while cleverly linking fashion to art, history and all aspects of culture. Also let's not forget it's a multimillion dollar industry headed by some incredible people with genius minds for business - it combines art with precision and marketing. The influence and insight of fashion is incredible, and does not deserve to be treated as some shallow fun. Yes it is fun, but it's so much more. And just because you enjoy dressing well does not make you shallow or frivolous either!

Tara India xo

Travelling!

 Outfit - Topshop
Shoes - Asos
Earrings - Forever 21

It seems crazy that these photos were taken only about a week ago - it feels like so long ago that I was travelling, even though I landed on Sunday! I guess it's because I'm so busy at the Conde Nast College, since I'm currently doing the Vogue Intensive Summer Course (more of which in a later post)! Honestly, I could write pages and pages about all my travelling experience and my tips and tricks, recommendations etc, but I'm not a travel blogger so I'll try to keep it succint.. Last week I was travelling, and I went to Istanbul, Budapest and Vienna in 9 days. These photos were taken in Budapest, from Buda Castle with the gorgeous view over the Danube - I couldn't resist some tourist photos and some cheeky outfit shots! I have to say that Budapest was my favourite because the city seemed so alive and pulsing with energy, yet was also a heaven of old architecture and beautiful attractions. I could have done with another few days there, especially since it was so cheap..

The first thing I noticed when travelling is how much more relaxed my style gets, and especially how much less time it takes in the morning before I am up and out - especially in hot countries (it was 45 degrees in Budapest!) - and how much simpler my makeup routine was. I'm hardly OTT with makeup back in England, but I pared it right down to primer, eye makeup and brows. I also hardly ever wear denim, or even shorts in this country, but I broke out my Topshop shorts because it was finally warm enough to justify them! I tried to keep it a fairly put-together outfit with the lace top and sunglasses, but practicality won out over heels or jewellery..

Now I'm just going to apologise for having neglected my blog recently, if anyone has noticed. It's just because my life has suddenly kicked into overdrive - I've been travelling and then came straight back into this course, and the crazy long days don't leave much time for blogging or anything! But I have so much to say about the Vogue course that I think I'll be posting again soon - suffice to say I'm loving it.

Tara India xo

Growing up?!

 Top - Topshop
Skirt - Cow Vintage
Shoes & Earrings - New Look
Necklace & Watch - Vintage

Welcome to yet more musings on what it means to grow up, courtesy of being told I'm getting too old to wear jelly shoes .. Yes, they essentially were my childhood footwear and are potentially more suited to a seven year older than my 21 year old self, but they are so comfy and summery and playful! I do not think becoming an adult means you have to let go of all your fun clothing! Obviously there are times when you need to be Appropriate, such as work or formal events or interviews etc (the many dull adult things that have to be attended) - but in my spare time I fully intended to wear whatever I like! Besides, we're living longer these days so the early twenties is pretty much an extension of your teenage years considering we're mostly still studying - maybe by the time I hit 30, it will be time to age gracefully and put away my jelly shoes .. but for now I'm wearing them proudly, especially this new pair of gorgeous glittery mint jelly sandals with soles - it was love at first sight. I literally could not stop myself. And as much as I've said I do not count the nineties as the vintage, and as much as I remember the fashion from when I was a kid, there seems to be a distinct nineties vibe in my wardrobe these days. It seems that fashion gets faster and faster and recycled things from ten, twenty years ago are suddenly on the trend again (or maybe I'm just getting old!). This outfit has a definite 90s vibe mom .. I can not resist a bit of vintage, and this is part of a coord skirt I picked up a few weeks back in the Cow Vintage. I have not worn the full coord enough, but mixing and matching is part of the fun of them! I went fairly simple piled them on top and than some vintage jewelery for an outfit that's quite typical me these days ..

Tara Indian xo

Just a little postscript now - I'm posting from my hostel on my last night in Istanbul! I've been away for a few days and it is incredible - I can feel my travel bug coming back again .. if and when I get access to a computer I'll try and post more about my trip, but for now I'll just say I'm loving it (and sorry for being absent) and can't wait to head to Budapest tomorrow (but I'll miss Istanbul and could have spent much longer here!)