Just got a couple more CONVERSE bag and accessories launch related images in!
Some of the UK’s finest experts on style and self expression (including acting fashion ed Britta, whose creation we stuck up here) were invited to reminisce about their school days style their Converse ‘back to school’ bag. The results were almost as impressive as their posing skills. Aspiring fashion models… here is how you work that bag:
HOPE VON JOEL
eyeoftheworlddesigns.com
hopevonjoel.blogspot.com
Hope is contributing Fashion Editor at Fiasco and one half of the talented design duo behind Eye of the World Designs with Liam Motyer, creating stunning handmade wooden accessories, available exclusively at Browns Focus.
What band’s style influenced you at school and why?
At school it was definitely Blur, Nirvana and Pulp! Living like common people and the mod madness of the country! True classic times! 🙂
Describe your school style or your favourite accessory?
Unfortunately we had to wear school uniform but my trick was always dress underneath with style, I love lacey panties and suspenders with pretty bras! I have a lingerie fetish! Favourite accessories was an old doctor’s bag and a big paisley scarf to keep warm.
How did you style up your school uniform?
With a super big smile and old paisley scarf, fur muff to keep hands warm and old second hand shoes in a shiney 60s black and white!
What inspired your bag?
School was all about skateboarding and listening to music so the bag reflects that but it’s also inspired by the film Back to the Future, the first one in particular – where Mcfly steals the skateboard from the kid and does a wheelie. At school we also loved design technology and woodwork and using all the crazy workshop tools! WE wanted to create something beautiful to touch, with a nod to the old school with the reclaimed wood and the future with the super slick red flock I think we achieved something pretty fresh!!
CHANTELLE FIDDY
chantellefiddy.blogspot.com
waynechisnall.blogspot.com
Chantelle Fiddy is a journalist and renowned commentator on London’s grime scene, whose music credentials span from editing titles including Ctrl.Alt.Shift, RWD Magazine, Mixmag and Live, to working with the likes of Dazed & Confused, Sunday Times Style, and Guardian, and as a presenter on Channel 4’s ‘Generation Next’.
What band’s style influenced you at school?
As a teen I was musically confused. My love for jungle and happy hardcore clashed on a daily basis with a growing appreciation for the likes of Morcheeba, Moloko and The Counting Crows. Random I know. Then there were the staple favourites – TLC, Salt & Pepper, Snoop Dogg… It’s no wonder then that I changed my bag as often as the disc in my portable CD player (looking back, how the hell did we even fit those in our pockets?).
Describe your school style or you’re favourite accessory?
As a result of my broadened musical horizons my school style flitted between record bags and (hideous) rave jackets (I hereby admit to rocking a Technics number) to holding my (entire mop of unbrushed) hair up with felt tip pens and wearing leg warmers alongside my yellow shirt and green blazer. I also attempted some trend setting early on, opting for the skirt over trouser look long before actual combos went on sale on the high street.
What inspired your bag?
(Chantelle collaborated with London based artist Wayne Chisnall to create her bag, a design that centered around sending messages to their younger selves.) “Wayne’s dad was a tattooist and artists and I’m a country girl which is where the hand-painted artwork and wild flowers come in. The crossed guns and flower design echo the 60s peace movement and the slogan reads ‘Fire with what you’ve got’ and ‘be good at being you’. We also remembered lots of the old Happy hardcore logos using crossed gun symbols and as for the badges, they’re from my massive badge collection but are applied in a very neat and tidy way – rare for me”
SAM VOULTERS
Sam Voulters is 22, Fashion Editor at Vice, stylist, brand consultant and writer.
Describe your style at school?
It started with the pinnacle of nu metal and went down hill from there.
What was your favourite school bag?
I had a CAT backpack with tippex all over it.
What band’s style Influenced you at school?
I had a Goth phase at 11-12 so that was all about Slipknot, when I was 13 I started going out with this girl and we were hippies and walked around Camden barefoot, then I got a Shot jacket and became a chav, then heard the Libertines and it was all about that for a while, and when I was 16, it was all nu rave…that was a colourful time.
What inspired your bag?
It’s a monster, no reason.
LARRY B and SARA at WORK IT
Work It have a reputation for drawing the biggest crowds with a cult following craving their unique blend of music, hosting nights and events for Selfridges, Lovebox 2010, Warner Music, London Fashion Week and Vogue Fashion Night Out.
LARRY B:
Describe your style at school?
My style at school was your general London rudeboy schoolboy.
What was your favourite accessory?
A fake Gucci/Prada strap pouch from Vauxhall market!
What band’s style influenced you at school?
Definitely So Solid Crew.
What inspired your bag?
I just thought back to being at school and it was all about graffiti, so I wore the bag out, made it dirty and drew all over it. I did name drop a bit though and wrote the names of the people I looked up to in year 11 when I was in year 9. Today we’re wearing my little brother’s school uniform.
SARA
Describe your style at school?
I went through a brit pop phase first (lots of velvet blazers!), then I started to channel a “hip hop honey” look. Lots of baggy trousers.
What was your favourite accessory?
Hoodies
What band’s style influenced you at school?
Eternal
ALEXIS KNOX
Style Mentor on T4’s Style the Nation alongside Giles Deacon and Nick Grimshaw, Alexis Knox is an expert on expressing personal style. By day she is Fashion Director at Notion magazine and a renowned stylist and by night she is a host at the surrealist club night ‘Circus’ produced by the infamous Jodie Harsh.
Describe your school style?
Accessorizeto the max! I went to a Convent school where the uniform was pretty strict…. a kilt! So it was all about customising to the max with plastic bangles, kids accessories and gweebo bunches!
What was your most coveted item?
I really miss my Shellys 6inch real chunky black platform school shoes!
What band was inspiring your style?
Um… SPICE GIRLS OBVS! Everyone wanted me to be Baby Spice and all I wanted to do was rock the Scary Spice leopard and camo combos!
What inspired your bag?
Cartoons! As long as I can remember, I’ve always been obsessed with them. The bag is called Connie, Connie the Converse Duffle!
