Silent Storyteller

Solitude

  
  
Vilhelm Hammershoi 

"The whole value of solitude depends upon one's self;

it may be a sanctuary or a prison, a haven of repose or place of punishment,

a heaven or hell

as we ourselves make it"

John Lubbock

Blowing your own trumpet - Lessons in Social media and the art of self promotion

 
 
Sometime this year I was asked about social media and if I recommended up and coming designers (or any designer or self employed for that matter) to avail of the opportunities the internet offers.

My initial response would be absolutely yes!

But I'm afraid so many get it really really REALLY wrong.

The following points are applicable to Facebook, Twitter and any social media/ self promoting activity.

Stay grounded and modest. Self obsessed self centred and obsessive trumpet blowers will just achieve one goal...

Bore the hell out of everyone!

I've moaned about this before, but the amount of people who self obsess on the internet is unbelievable.

We are all trumpet blowers to some degree, and this is part of presenting oursleves to the world.

Small designers, especially, who try to work on an equal playground with others who may have PR budgets to back them, make this whole 'comminicating task' even more challenging. They have others, who are paid to blow their trumpets for them.

But it is up to others (paid or not) , and not you, to say how terrible or how great you are. Even quoting what they say about you is ridiculous.

If it's out there.. people will find out

Always say the truth. Don't make up stories. There is a saying in Spanish , which may make little sense in English, " It' easier to catch someone who lies than someone who hobbles."

Keep your stories real. Self inflated, with twisted or relative realities will always be uncovered. Remember the world is tiny and degrees of separation are reduced considerably with the internet. Someone you know, may know someone so be careful if you namedrop

There will always be time to showcase your work, but most of the time you should be sharing your inspiration, the process and also sharing work from others. This is part of the internet protocol and it is considered rude not too. 

The pay off for being generous and considerate is invaluable

 

Photoshoot by Sarah Doyle

 
 

 

Sarah Doyle is one of the loveliest people in the industry in Ireland. I can spend hours talking to her about everything and anything.  She's has been asking to use my collection in a few test shoots and sent me these images a couple of weeks ago which I had to share with you.

www.sarahdoylephotography.com

Roberto Kusterle

 

via dossentidos

This is Couture

 

 

Photo via www.thelovelyroom.com

A few months ago, I wrote a small piece about the protection and definition of the word Couture. Response was incredible and I received dozens of messages here,  by email, and through Facebook

I really have no intention of being some kind of linguistic fashion police. But the over use of the word is still omnipresent and infuriates me. (I may sound like an old broken record too!)

The main issue that was discussed, was the definition of Haute Couture and how this could only be created in Paris. This of course provoked a huge reaction, especially amongst some of my wonderful Indian designer friends who feel that this kind of work could be developed in India.

I have had no doubt that 'couture like' work can and probably is being developed in India, and also in China.

After reading Cathy Horn's NYT piece on Gou Pei only confirms that of course this is possible. ( I recommend anyone interested in fashion and Couture to read this)

Exquisitely designed dresses weighing 50 kilos, taking 55,000 hours to embroider and probably at a cost of over 100,000$...YES..

THIS IS COUTURE

Labour intensive and intricate work like that can, and will only, be possible in these countries in the future

But there is a standard which, in some way, needs to be set and controlled. We need this artistry to be protected so that others can aspire or have a standard to look up to, as consumers and as designers

Probably if the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture recognises this work in the Far East, as it does with its correspondent members, will make it clear to everyone how the standard is defined and that it welcomes work made elsewhere.

If collections are made to order, limited or one off's they are not automaticaly entitled to be defined as Couture.

And as many friends commented last time...it's worse when designers use it.

Everyone one knows that 25 € encrusted Swarovski T shirt in H&M is not Couture...but if you are selling a dress for €1000, the deception is real if the customer truly believes they are buying couture

Annakin The Trooper

 

Let me introduce to the incredibly talented Annakin. She's launching her new album 'Icarus Heart' next month and I couldn't resist sharing a couple of videos with you. I'm sure many Silent Storyteller friends will love her unique musical style and wonderful aesthetics!!

Her video Alive won many awards including best music video at the London independent film festival!!!!

 

Annakin Alive from christian ammann on Vimeo.

 

Annakin The Trooper from christian ammann on Vimeo.

 

Video directed by Christian Ammann

Styling by Sonya Lennon

Hair & Make up by Steinunn Þórðardóttir

Annakin's new single "The Trooper" is now available on itunes

Annakin's new album "Icarus Heart" will be released on January 21!

www.annakin.net

www.myspace.com/annakinnet

The Video was shot on Location in Iceland. It conveys Annakin's gloriously unique image and style.

Paris Please!!!! Faye Dinsmore launches award!!

 
Irish model (slash) superstar Faye Dinsmore  has launched  an award to look for

 Ireland's most Influecial in Fashion.....

Prize is to meet up with friends and collegues in my favourite place on Earth

not much more needs to be said....

Send me to Paris

 PLEASE!!!

http://blog.fayedinsmore.com/irelands-most-influential-in-fashion-2010/

Purity of colour, beautiful work by Helen Steele

 
"Art can question, educate, repulse, depress, anger, refresh, enlighten and uplift. It is a union of body, mind, nature and spirit. My work is not political analytical or intellect!ual. It is a purity of colour and flow"

Helen Steele

www.helensteele.com

The Silent Gallery - Embroidered sash

 

Embroidered sash on  The Silent Gallery

A busy week ahead!!

 

As Ireland has embraced itself for the heaviest snow fall in decades.

At  The Silent Gallery headquarters we've been busy shipping orders all across the country, Canada, US and the UK!

Thank you so much for supporting our new venture

Our month long online pop up shop will close for the holidays on the 9th of December

In the next 24 hours we will be uploading new pieces, including one of Tim Ryan's best sellers!

www.thesilentgallery.com 

'Curse and pleasure...like all addictions' Nick Knight

 

Nick Knight for Pop Magazine

 

BoF Fashion Pioneers | Nick Knight in conversation with Imran Amed from The Business of Fashion on Vimeo.

Some of my favourite quotes of the interview

" It's an addiction you can't stop, as much as a curse as a pleasure"

(refering to photography)

"I wanted something that hadn't been seen or done"

"Photography is dead" "There is a new medium and we keep trying to redefine it by the old medium"

"Fashion is poorly served by the media, it's trivialised and scandalised"

"There is a sea of change ahead, a revolution"

(refering to impact of film, live shows and internet and how it's changing distribution channels and media)

"Fashion has to articulate through a new medium"

"When we are creating a vision of ourselves as a race to be aspired too, the fashion industry is so frustratingly narrow. Our society isn't well represented in fashion as it should be"

My favorite bench in Paris and sharing lunch

 

 Feeding birds in cities is probably a huge NO NO

 Having lunch at one of my favorite bench's in Paris at Palais Royal, turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip last week.

I couldn't believe the courage they had to come right up to us and was so impressed how they could 'hover' whilst snatching a piece of bread off my hand.

 

Markets in Paris

 

 

 

 
 

  
 
 
 
 

 I went to Paris for a few days last week..

From les Marches aux Puces de Saint Ouen  to Marche aux Puces de Vanves, and casually  finding one in the Place du Temple we spent hours walking and looking at all the treasures..

Temperature was freezing so I can't wait to go back in Spring!

(Was surprised most pictures weren't blurred by the shivering)

Thank you Jane!!!

 

Jane from illseenillsaid has been an ongoing support, almost since the day I set up this blog .

 Being part of a larger community with common aesthetics and finding friends like Jane who are encouraging and supportive, especially in harder times has turned this blog from a playful experiment into an indispensable part of my life.

Today I discovered this post ...

A Diary of Lovely

Merci, my friend!!