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Today was a kind of special day. Yes, peeps, there is a new record here at Black Milk HQ - it is the record for the highest number of items sewed in one day... and it is:
80 pieces.
In one day. And I'm going for a holiday tomorrow. And I'm not allowed to talk about fashion on the holiday.
Fat chance.
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1. Okay, so people seem to be divided over the issue of flared leggings.
One one side you have people who think it is the worst idea ever in the history of fashion, but wouldn't actually be motivated to the point of violence over it.
And on the other side you have people who think it is the worst idea in history, and actually would commit acts of violence as a result.
So that would be a 'no'.
Do svedanya, druzya...
2. Got some more beautiful pics from the talented Brooke. Some pics I would LOVE to show you... but I can't because I'll get a squillion people asking me when they'll be available. But I can show you this. Leg Bones!:

And for those who are interested - lots of people have now got them in XS!
2. Just so you know, a lot of girls have been contacting me about the shredded sheer leggings, they are well and truly gone. Soz.
Notice how I photoshopped this picture to make it look like the model is a 15 year old girl who is over 6 feet tall?
Hahahaha. That's crazy.
Actually... no, this really is a 15 girl who is over 6 feet tall. NP, you are a legend.
3. I think for my next collection I will do something inspired by people who have both their first and last names beginning with the same letter.
I've decided upon Coco Chanel:
...and Tila Tequila:
I put these two in the same category - fashion pioneers who went against the tide of public opinion. [For those of you who are looking at me funny - that was a joke. A j-o-k-e.]
Although, I think I need to point out a problem with Tila's outfit here. It's kind of obvious. You probably spotted it yourself and are having a good giggle right now:
The outside seam on the lace leggings is twisted around so that it sits on the front of the shin instead of the side of the calf! People must have been pointing and giggling at that one all night
"Hehehe - look at Tila's side seam - all twisted LOL!"
Maybe I should do some more lace leggings. I have black and white. Maybe even try half/half like Chanel did a while back... except with lace. Could work...?
4. Speaking of animal prints (we were doing that on the last post) how awesome is this artwork?
Loving tiger girl. Who would wear that catsuit?
Prints by Yumiko Kayukawa.
5. WARNING: POTENTIALLY SELF OBSESSED SECTION AHEAD, CONSIDER SKIPPING TO POINT 6
All this fashion talk over the last few weeks as a result of RAFW has got me thinking about the industry. You hear about this designer who is the next big thing, that designer who 'saved' Australian fashion, and the other designer who brought tears to the eyes of the audience with their 'clean lines' and 'flawless tailoring'. You get to know who the players are in the fashion game.
... and you try to figure out where you fit in.
And you discover that you don't.
You have no shows, no shops, no photo ops at parties, no financial backers, no factory in China. Hell, you don't even have any training or qualifications. You don't spend your weekends shmoozing with the 'in' crowd. The 'in' crowd have no idea who you are. And don't care.
Guys like me - where are we in the industry?
The Keyboard Cowboys. The Web Warriors. The Digital Dealers. The Paypal Perps.
Even the fact that I use the word 'we' - I mean, how many of us are there out there anyway? How many people have their entire business model based around blogging pictures taken in their lounge?!
And people treat you kind of like Pinocchio ("One day I want to become a REAL boy fashion designer!"), because why would anyone choose to stay on the internet when they could be part of the real industry? It's unthinkable to a lot of people that you would intentionally choose to do online fashion and not 'real world' fashion.
So is internet fashion design 'underground?' Are we 'punk'?
Some people talk about 'underground' fashion. What the hell does that mean? Is an underground fashion label one that doesn't sell anything? Does 'punk' mean your customers don't shower? Can you really be underground if you have a store in the fashion district and sell basic tops for $250?
I don't have answers for these questions. But I like asking them.
Although, on the subject of being underground - I have noticed an interesting paradox. A lot of girls have told me they buy Black Milk pieces because they're different and people don't instantly recognise them, but ... if they do see someone else out wearing a Black Milk piece they run up to them and say "Hey - those are the Gold Spartans right?!"
Funny.
Anyway, here's a picture of me... not attending glamourous parties.
Check out my beast - 5000 stitches per minute. Oh yeah...
6. I know we've seen these tights before, but how styly is this girl?! (The one with the head)
I shredded a top today. So cool. I should show you guys so you get an idea... I'll take some pics next week.
And I have a lace panelled top. (The suspense!)
Actually I still have a few pieces from the Ice Queen Collection to release... should probably do that next week. Oooops!
xx
jL