Sunday, 22 April 2018

THE ZEBRA PRINT JACKET

May I introduce to you - The Ruby Jacket. This is the jacket I've been so excited about! I mean just look at it, and wait until you see the lining. I think you'll agree with me in saying it looks bloody cool. This is the new jacket from Phix Clothing, which drops on their website tomorrow.

I was lucky enough to get my hands on the very first one made, perks of the job right? We shot this jacket on Thursday in Manchester city centre, on one of the hottest days of the year so far. It really was perfect weather to shoot our new season garments. This is my favourite new item from the days shoot, and possibly my all time favourite Phix piece.

This jacket is right up my street, I've never seen anything like it, well except on the likes of Keith Richards or Mick Jagger in the early 70's! What I'm trying to say is I've never seen anything similar to this on the high-street. In my opinion this jacket encapsulates what Phix Clothing is all about, rock and fucking roll, by pushing the boundaries of classic vintage styling and contrasting patterns including zebra, tiger and leopard prints. By combining a diverse range of prints Phix has created this stunning statement piece.

The jacket has a 100% cotton shell, which is thick and substantial, a velvet collar and bright red satin lining. It's gone straight up there as one of my favourite jackets in my wardrobe. It looks and makes you feel so bloody cool when you wear it and believe me, grabs the attention of a room when you walk in. It really is one of the coolest statement jackets I own and that's not me being biased.

It has three golden zips integrated into the jacket, a central zip and two more which close the hand pockets. It's one killer piece and I love it. I think the photographs look amazing too, animal print always looks killer doesn't it? I'd love to know your opinions on the jacket. You can talk a closer look at the Ruby Jacket across on my YouTube video by clicking below.

Click here to check Phix Clothing out.

Photographs by Deniss Gimbickis

INSTAGRAM

Evening guys, it’s the middle of the week again! I've spent an awesome long weekend back home, relaxing and chilling out with my family. I've been lucky enough to have taken some much needed time out.

Anyway, back to tonight's post, I want to talk about something which is integral to my blog and which always runs alongside each blog post of mine. My Instagram account. It’s such a huge part of how I promote my brand and my blog, it's how I share my content with my followers. I do have a love / hate relationship with the app, as does everyone else at the moment, due to Instagram's changing algorithm! But I can tell you this, the app has opened so many doors for me!

I remember joining Instagram very late in the game, my friends were telling me about this new app again and again, until finally I joined back in back in 2010! What a journey I’ve been on since my very first post! This is something I’ve never really talked about before on my blog, and I have no idea why not!

Everything from making friends, finding out the best places to visit in a new city, exploring new places to eat. I use the app for pretty much everything! Instagram really has opened my eyes to what is possible and obtainable out there in the world, all through a mobile phone.

I have always been one of those people who super is active on Instagram. I really care about my Instagram feed, I realise this is all but material however I generally enjoy creating content and making my page look the best it can. I have a go-to filter, I have a colour scheme and I always aim to achieve a consistent look, conveying my personality through the images I post.

I’ve always cared about what I share on the app since day one. This was back when I thought I’d broken Instagram when the likes changed from peoples' handles to an actual number. YES, YOU HEARD CORRECTLY 11 LIKES. I mean I had a lot to learn, now,I can tell you it’s a little more different!

I plan out my Insta feed meticulously. I take into account my upload timings, as well as take into consideration which post compliment one another on my feed. I know, its an obsession, an addiction even! However in this post I’m going to discuss the app from more of a self branding aspect. The Instagram account I use now, was initially created as a platform portray my personal style, without exposing my identity (hence the unidentified part), I mean what an idea ha! This was the Instagram I used for a short time when no one knew it was me, that’s until my friends found me, then it sort of turned into my main account. Even though I've had my Instagram account for a few years now, I've only started taking it more seriously, since I started my blog 15 months ago. I’ve always liked the name of my alternative account 'The Unidentified Rocker' it just has something to it, I still think it sounds cool, that's my pseudonym and I’m so happy I've stuck by it and built my blog around the name.

I didn’t think this post would be long, but I’m sitting here now with my laptop in front of me and I have so much more to say on the topic, it’s pouring out! I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not as it’s only an Instagram account, but I feel as though I have a lot to say on the matter. I’ve talked about the topic more this week on my YouTube channel. I’m going to stick to the positives for now, then maybe in a few weeks time do a post on the apps negatives. I’d really like to know your outlook on Instagram too!

Batteries recharged I'm ready to head back to Manchester, I'm really looking forward to getting back out there, as the last few weeks I've been a bit of a recluse. I've got a lot of things on with work this week along with thinking of blog post ideas. I'm visiting London this weekend which I'm very excited about indeed, it's been too long since I last visited!

Stay tuned in via my Instagram @theunidentifiedrocker and I'll speak to you guys again Sunday.

REBEL REBEL

Fashion

Good evening, I hope you’ve all had another great weekend! Right so what's happening in tonight’s post, well as you can see this post features one of my all time favourites, a black leather biker. However, this particular jacket has a lot more about it than its obvious uber cool first impression.

It’s a vintage biker from America which I was gifted by Lost Highway who you can find on Instagram. Lost Highway is an online vintage boutique which has big plans for the future! It really is one to keep an eye on, check it out for hand picked, quality vintage goods. They even specialise in leather jackets for girls and guys.

The creator behind the business is Brandy Worthington. Brandy is one cool character, who has thrifting in her blood. She finds inspiration from past rockstars like Jim Morrison to film stars like Marlon Brando, and every cool individual in-between. Brandy grew up with ‘thrifting’ as they say in America, vintage to all us Brits. She says she has always had a passion to thrift, finding those stand out pieces ever since she was young, as she used to thrift with her grandparents, remembering how much easier it was back then as 60’s & 70’s items were plentiful, before the likes of eBay came along.

Go across and check her out on Instagram, you’ll be able to see the style and look of her brand, is reflected in her own personal style too. All the items she curates and picks out to sell on her online shop, have the same rock and roll vibe. Brandy is inspired by the film The Wild One starring Marlon Brando, he wears a Schott leather biker, which is synonymous with that rebel look and is the ultimate cool. In her own words 'when you wear a leather jacket you stand out, you fork away from the norm'. When you decide to wear a biker leather yourself, you are transported to a bygone era along with paying respect to those who have gone before, the trailblazers that made the biker jacket look and feel cool. Which I totally agree with, what an outlook to have!

This jacket is from the 80’s, with its cropped shape and classic zips and belt, make it stand out from the rest, I mean you’ll know by now my leather jacket collection is extensive, especially when it comes to biker jackets, however this is one of my favourites. It’s a quality, thick American made leather jacket. I have added a few selected pins which I've always wanted to attach on to a lapel of a leather, I think this adds personality to the jacket as well as making it even cooler, if that's even possible!

Look out for her brand new website which is launching this year, you'll see the vintage American influence which she loves so much. They’ll be a range of custom designed t-shirts, but most importantly a hand designed collection of leather bikers, made from a very soft leather, ideal for daily wear. For guys and girls. You might even be lucky enough to spot the odd individually painted or badged accessorised jacket available in the future too!

This is a brand, run by one, made by one and created by one. This is a small business we should all get behind in supporting, as it takes a lot of time and effort not to mention courage to go out there and forge your own path. I’ll make sure to tell you all when the new website goes live, but for now you can go and follow Brandy on Instagram @shoplosthighway or check out her Etsy page which has a select few jackets for sale by clicking here.

BURNT RED

Fashion

It feels like spring has finally sprung here in Manchester, summer is on its way. Next weeks weather forecast is predicting temperatures of up to 21* and after the freezing winter we've all experienced, I am so looking forward to warmer temperatures!

It's finally time to loose those coats and jackets and start dressing for the sunshine! With warmer weather on the horizon, it got me thinking of the outfits I love wearing in the spring and summer. There's nothing I like more than a summer shirt and you can't get any cooler in my opinion than one made of linen.

I love linen, it's such a light breathable material perfect for those long summer days. I own a few different coloured linen shirts which I featured across on my blog last year, if you missed that post, you can still check it out by clicking here. However, this particular shirt really jumped out at me, with its bright burnt red colour. It just looks so cool, yes it's a little brighter from what I normally go for, but I think it really suits me.

A linen shirt is a must for a summer holiday, I mean, it's the perfect item to achieve that super cool beach look. But I also wanted to show you how they work just as well in the city, again for that effortless style and laid back vibe. I don't think you can get a cooler look than an unbuttoned linen shirt, sleeves rolled up and of course, teamed with a killer pair shades, it just screams cool!

It's an easy summer look to achieve without breaking the bank. The shirt cost less than £20 and when styled up with the odd accessory, a bandanna tied loosely around my neck which matches the colour of the shirt looks very smooth indeed. A linen shirt like this is the perfect item for the months ahead. It's a very basic shirt but worn the right way I always think it looks incredibly cool.