It was such a pleasure to meet British transplant Ruby Jean Wilson during London Fashion Week. As I drooled over her bag and we chatted, I thought of Karl Lagerfeld’s words… “I don’t like standard beauty, there is no beauty without strangeness.” Ruby Jean was born in Scotland “in the hospital in the overdose scene in Trainspotting.” and subsequently both it and ‘This is England’ are her favourite movies. “I miss Scotland and England” she explained “I moved to England when I was five and then to New South Wales when I was fourteen.” Now at eighteen, she’s constantly on the move. So hence that big bag! I love its oversizedness.

Taking these photos on the street in London was fun but I wasn’t about to ask Ruby Jean to pour her life onto the pavement so we peaked inside instead. “Anything head-to-toe is not in my vocabulary” she laughed even though on this occasion both her grey sweater and black trousers are both from Uniqlo. And the Alexander Wang bag? “I carry my life around in it,” she says, pulling out two jackets rolled into one. “To be worn together, layered,” she specified. Her Alexander Wang bag also held Rescue Remedy Pastilles, her model portfolio, many books and bags of products which is a whole other post soon. We talked about the nutrition books she hauls around and then she told me that a book that she thinks everyone should read is “Journey of Souls by Dr. Michael Newton. It’s not to everyone’s taste, but it’s fascinating. I love reading.” So do I.

And there’s something else I have in common with Ruby Jean, her love for high street labels… her American Apparel micro mesh top for example which is a micro-mesh dress. We agreed that we love AA because it always has pieces that are hard to find in other stores. As for her simple socks and these Doc Marten 1461 shoes. “Anyone can wear these,” she says. I will have to try a pair soon.

Meanwhile she’s an anomaly to the fashion mold because she just so humble. You’d never guess that Stefano Pilati chose her as an Yves Saint Lauren exclusive model to open the Autumn/Winter Yves Saint Laurent show in Paris last March. “I only realised a few minutes before I was about to step onto the catwalk that I was opening the show,” she said. No surprise then that she modeled at Paul Smith’s Spring/Summer2012 show in September at London Fashion Week. See my shot from the show frow above. (Thanks Mr. Smith). Oh and good timing to maybe mention this, as it was announced today… Sir Paul Smith @PaulSmithDesign is to receive this year’s British Fashion Award for Outstanding Achievement on November 28th. I filmed this little movie with him here a little while ago and if you haven’t seen it, he’s so lovely. Today’s news makes me so happy. It’s nice to see lovely people in fashion being honoured. Speaking of which to see more of Ruby Jean Wilson’s style you might like to look at this tumblr a super-fan of hers set up here.
I think my next fashion challenge should be to fill an Alexander Wang bag like this one and see how long I can survive marooned in a city Bear Grylls style.

• November 22, 2011
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Many thanks for the response to my last post on superhero special powers (I wish I’d had some last night). I’ve had mails and comments from all over with the best (and last) coming from a girl called Weda Larsen so I’ll take a wild guess and say that Weda might be a Dane. (Hope I’m right). I’ve always admired the Danes, partly because of their noble record of helping their Jewish compatriots during the war and most recently because of Helena Christensen, Lego and my friend Nik (my three favourite Danish exports).

So to these pictures here. They do have a point. Maybe ask yourself these three questions while looking at them: Do I want nails this colour? (YES). Do I want nails this long? (NO)
Don’t you think this Kiki De Montparnasse ring is lovely? And Lisa’s finger tattoo backstage at Marios Schwab Spring/Summer 2012 show? I lapsed into silence while I photographed it and realised that I really wanted the ring. The thrill of shopping for it, the trying it on. Shopping is a bit different when you see so much clothing and collections but I’ve only recently started to relish the experience of real shops again as opposed to online shopping (it’s crept up on me. Most likely because I’ve scraped together a proper budget and my fingers are a bit less fat.) So I really enjoy trying on things. Right near the door I met Lisa and seemed to have met myself. Let me rephrase that, Lisa told me “I mix masculine and feminine but I dress for nobody but me”. And do you mix masculine and feminine and dress for just you? Or do you dress for other girls and boys???? My own answer to Lisa was rather simple. My style = Anything that will confuse a boyfriend and my mum.

You might remember that I mentioned meeting Terry Richardson’s favourite model here a while ago – fuck yeah it’s Charlotte Freed, well I was telling Lisa about Charlotte’s pink hair. A tomboy attitude but with pink hair like the characters in my favourite annual. She asked me to explain. So I put my camera down and announced, “Applejack and Fluttershy,” to a backstage full of people.
“Sparkleworks, Rainbow Dash and Wisteria, Cheerilee and Hearthrob.” I was getting funny looks.
“Pinky Pie, Lily Blossom, Rarity and Sweetie Belle.” Seriously. Anyone! “And Starcatcher?” By the time I’d finished, those around me unfamiliar with My Little Pony characters (let’s say everyone) just stared as if I’d stoopped maturing at seven. Still, Lisa understood because she told me her cute “My little pony” blouse (and her leather trousers) were from Zara. (And that’s what I really wanted to know).

In truth I could justify the purchase of this blouse as a quick way to transform my hard edged separates. But with a closet full of black things already, if I were to add these trousers, what would my justification be? Let me try to find one (or five). First, I already have trousers like these, a present a year ago. I’ve worn them a lot and now they’re getting kind of baggyish. If I buy two pairs of these a year, realistic at my current rate of usage, that averages out at £4 a week on trousers, not so much in the great scheme of things. Second, I barely drink alcohol and go almost everywhere by Tube, bike and bus. Third, throusers are useful. Fourth, they contribute to my calmness, and thus to that of those around me, immeasurably. Fifth, I’ve learned the secret of having them altered to suit me (Designer Alterations in London 020 7498 4360). There’s a lot that can be done – the waist can be taken in through the sides or back and the width can be tapered. Convinced?

And it’s a great way to toughen up that feminine “My Little pony” blouse especially with these nails. I like the way Lisa has made the blouse and trousers work simply for her.

Oh and this nail colour (Lady in black by OPI used in the Marios Schwab Spring/Summer 2012 show) toughens up this very delicate ring. I suppose what I’ve been trying to say all along is that it’s a very delicate little balancing act.

• October 25, 2011
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Hi, my name is Gisèle Scanlon and I love fashion adventures. This is a place to share fashion, beauty, travel experiences and new inspiring things.