You Gon Hurt Yo Back Like Dat

So in my last two posts, I embarked on a life altering journey- the figuring out "what I am doing in life" kind of journey.

In any spiritual journey we are told to 'get rid' of material possessions, people who aren't good for you and surround yourself with the things that make you happy. Unfortunately the world that I live in, people are innocent until proven guilty (so I force myself to give them the benefit of the doubt), and I feel slightly uneasy without certain material possessions that I own. This would be completely different if I lived in a small island somewhere, with no care and no hardship... alas, I have chosen to live in the wonderful city of London where money dictates your joy, your looks, and your ability to let loose. 

Throughout my journey thus far, I've realised that my possessions that have truly come to my rescue are........... my bags. Ones bag consists of everything that we (think) need. See it as a metaphor for ourselves, an outer shell, if you will.  

Look at this way. You ARE the bag, everything in the bag is all the small quirks, kinks, etc that make you up. i.e how you perceive yourself or how others perceive you.

Now my bag, however, contains:

• Reading books (I always carry two depending on my mood), 
• Note book, 
• Agenda, 
• Sketch book, 
• Fashionary, 
• Large pencil case, in case I decide to water colour on the tube (which has yet to happen), 
• iPad, 
• Reading glasses, 
• Sunglasses (for when the sun comes out...never, but a bitch gots ta be prepared)  
• Always a random small trinket that puts a smile on my face when im angrily rummaging through my bag.

This is what I refer to as my B.J bag.. don't get too excited B.J = Before Journey.

What does this bag say about me? I would like to think; full of ideas, eager, wants to be inspired, and have very light sensitive eyes. What would other people think of me when looking through my bag? artsy hipster dick. But oh well, I AM my bag.

I would say my B.J bag was fairly organised. I knew where everything was and those days my bags were more totes than weekend bags.

Nowadays the bags have become bigger my life a bit more hectic. So in addition to all the above, throw products in there, clothing, shoes etc the bag becomes a mobile room- ready to change into outfits at any point depending on where I was sleeping, and also keeping all my things in one place so my things didn't overflow into the people and friends who were kind enough to let me stay in their places, personal space- because I am a considerate mo fo like that. But god damn talk about carrying around baggage eh, Call me the fucking Mary Poppins of Fashion, with the bag that keeps giving.

The great news is, I will have my own place at the end of the month! whoop whoop! finally I can leave my baggage at home like the rest of us.

So this post is an homage to the bags that got me through this little bump on my journey.

1. My large Longchamp:

My flexible travel buddy: we had a great time me and Longchamp. He took a few hits, I wasn't always as kind as I should have been to him, but he understood. We were handle in hand a lot of the time and when he couldn't bare the weight, I was more than happy to carry him like a child. I love him, so much so that I feel he might need a personalised brother:

Longchamp

2. My delicate Christian Louboutin:

Sensitive and demands attention, my Syd bag by Christian Louboutin also took a slight beating, which is quiet visible- serves me right for getting him in white. However, very robust and easy to carry either by its delicate handles or its strong straps as a backpack, giving me the option of taking its front pouch off and using it as a small man bag....who are we kidding? a clutch, I use it as a clutch bag so the fuck what?

Unfortunately the Syd bag is no longer available in this shape.. The new shape definitely seems like it could potentially take a beating or beat the shit out of someone else. My kind of bag.

Christian Louboutin

So to conclude; in order to actually progress in your life, you need to look back and see what has been holding you back/down and get rid of it. Too much baggage weighs you down. Living out a suitcase is never fun. We are people that can't go without different clothes, underwear, combs brushes, etc etc etc..not for necessarily superficial reasons...but for hygienic reasons. Use your bag as another metaphor for your life, what do you want to carry with you, emotionally/physically?  What do you want to let go of and leave behind? - Your bag represents you, inside and out. Don't carry around unnecessary bullshit that is only taking up space, treat your bag (you) well and fill it up with what fulfills you- but whatever you do, wear a fucking fierce bag and make them eat it!

x

Comfort is where the sole is

Day in and day out I run up and down steps, walk for hours and am on my feet constantly for my job. Adorned in spikes, snake skin or the finest of leathers, my feet get to live in the lap of luxury while I am constantly reminded of how wearing tight shoes might ruin ones feet in the long run. However this is how I like my shoes. Call me masochistic if you will but I do love getting my shoes a half or full size smaller as I believe they last longer and make my feet look more in proportion with the rest of my petite fisique.

Now the thing is this; when the day ends and my once lavished feet are ready to commence their long journey home, I take off the snake skins keep them safe for another day and put my feet in something supposedly more comfortable shoes.

For a while the trainers, sneakers, plimsolls DM's, boots etc etc etc never really did the trick. My feet would still not feel the ease that everyone says they are meant to. So after thinking long and hard I decided to go back to my past. Remembering what shoes used to make me feel uber comfortable.

Much like all of you  I had fashion transformations; ghetto, skater, indie boy, preppy, grungy- which is why I like clothing, design etc because looking back you can always see who you were and where you've gotten to until this point, and trust me even though you might think you are not part of a group, someone will always label you, and once you're labeled, your subconscious frustration will make you move on to something new.

Anyway whilst thinking about my previous styles and phases, I remembered an argument I had with my mother ( nothing new) at the age or 15. She continuously attempted to throw out my favourite pair of shoes away and I would always find them in the bin. Now let me just let you know that I have never been a unwashed, dirty teenager. I bathed regularly and did take care of my appearance, having said that; there were a pair of shoes that I wore until they were completely cut up, whole infested and all in all just horrendous, yet they were the most comfortable of shoes. These were my black and white checkered slip-on VANS. At the age of 15 having begged and pleaded for these shoes, I remember the abuse I would get for wearing them. People didn't seem to understand the checkered pattern, but I believed there was something very serene and yin and yang about them (thats me tapping into my early Deepak Chopra). Although the harass from what is now known to be one of the biggest fashion capitals in Europe did not stop every time I wore these shoes, I did not mind, as I knew and truly felt I had the happiest feet in all of Copenhagen.

So dear readers, 10 (nearly 11) years later, after remembering my happiest feet moment, I realised that although I sometimes choose to forget the past, sometimes the small things that creep up, creep up for a reason. They remind you about good times and how you have become who you are today. Therefore I have succumbed to going back to my checkered VANS, the best shoe I had in my life. The one that made me stand up for ridiculous comments, step on negative thoughts and arise to my stronger self at the same time whilst being incredibly comfortable. 

 
I am not the only one who has picked up on this. High end Luxury designers have done so too. effortlessly chic Celine, constantly creative Christian Louboutin, and a collaboration with an homage to vintage Hermes. The cloud like pillowed soles have made their way in to high fashion, it doesn't necessarily mean it will take over, it just means you have more options to play footsie.

Andrew

Celine, Pony Hair & Snake Skine

Christian Louboutin, Roller Boat 

VANS & Hermes Collaboration.

VANS

a kiss to build a dream on

More Shoes!

-Christian Louboutin Exhibition- sneak peak

More pics and Articles to follow...stay tuned. 

-A

Louboutin's, Make it last

It has finally happened. on the 20th Anniversary of the brilliant Christian Louboutin I, for my 25th (and late Christmas present) was graced with beautiful killer loafers. I have wanted them for heaven knows how long and after my boyfriend had told me that they would be a present for me I immediately got myself on 3 waiting lists around London for them.. I have never really done anything like this before...waiting lists, paying 2 months rent on a pair of shoes: however, call me shallow if you will, but it was the first thing that put a smile on my face in a while. 

It could have been the idea that my gorgeous lover even contemplated getting me them and i felt uber loved; it could have been that sense of relief when you want something so bad and you try to devise ways of getting them but the only solution you have is turning trick for a couple of nights in the seedy streets of London. Either way I got them, I did feel a bit guilt after wearing them for the first time and the red soles were scratched; but everyone that has a pair says it fine and its what happens. 

Lets not beat around the bush here- my life style does not entail being driven around, to fancy carpeted  events (well not all the time)- i'm more of a walking to my destinations type of guy, to derelict buildings that usually ends up with me not remembering what occurred the following morning; having said that I always try to look hot. Anyway, its safe to say that the red soles will not last for too long if i wear them too much whatever i do, even if it were for a snazzy event i would still have to go out and introduce the red soled beauts to the concrete as they have yet to allow smoking inside.

lets just make them last as long as we can.

-a