As an art buff, I appreciate most artistic efforts. However, I will forever be obsessed with abstract art in particular. The vibrant colours, outrageous shapes, exaggerated lines, original themes and insane ideas are far more interesting then those of perfectly normal, classic and traditional influences from fine art. Don’t get me wrong; as I said; I appreciate and have been inspired by the classics, but abstract art is definitely more me.
Across 2 years, 13 countries and 4 seasons, The View From The Top reaches over 300 posts. What started as an inspired photo challenge, has now become a visual journey of my travels as well as day to day living captured in squared snapshot views from the top!
Focused around imagery of the waist down (legs and feet), often featuring specific items/ objects (exotic fruit/ entry tickets) and more so, my surroundings (the beach/ landmarks); The VFTT takes on the same basic layout in every shot to express consistency across foreign settings and to explore a sense of creative consensus of different views. In other words, and something I picked up on my travels; Same Same but Different; The VFTT series could not be described any better!
As summer approaches, so does the urgent desire to have that “bikini bod” and the need to look “summer-time-fine”; so I am sure I’m not the only one who is eating healthier, detoxing and exercising more with the promise of feeling good!
Although I am yet to start (maybe) the completely green detox juices/smoothies, I have jumped on the green drink bandwagon- I’m just mixing it slightly more and cutting out the kale! I know, I know, its a superfood and all and probably one of the most vital ingredients but I can’t- It’s just tastes awful. I’ll stick to the spinach and banana for now thanks! #GoingGreen
Inspired by ancient traditions and the Sicilian Cart, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have created a special Sicilian Carretto eyewear collection. With only 100 numbered pieces, the mixture of both optical and sun glasses have been individually crafted by hand; representing the definition of “One of a Kind”; as no two glasses have been decorated the same – making each one completely unique!
Made from canaletto walnut, each frame has been delicately hand-painted with images, symbols and iconography of Sicilian folk culture and history of the Italian island’s famous artistic mode of transport; the Sicilian Cart! Just like the original Sicilian Carretto, every one of the 100 limited edition pieces in the special eyewear collection, reflects Sicily’s tradition and culture through the ample use of of bright colours, multiple layers of paint, Carretto motifs and a great attention to detail!
Personally, I think this is amazing! Dolce and Gabbana have out done themselves in terms of creative inspiration, but on this occasion I have to compliment the artists/decorators for the precision, time consumption and delicate craftsmanship. The results are truly beautiful. I only wish I could afford a pair and be one of the lucky 100! The pieces from this special eyewear collection are definitely collectable pieces, worth treasuring. Like any high-end limited edition fashion piece, I’m sure these glasses will increase in value and be considered a stylish investment!
When fashion is inspired by art and art is inspired by fashion; its just one big cycle; and it will continue to go around, then come back round again!
A contributor to the De Stijl art movement, Piet Mondrian was (and still is today), known for his abstract compositions of primary colours (red, blue and yellow) in a black grid of vertical and horizontal lines, against a white background; Mondrian !
His classic compositions were also used as backdrops in the fashion industry, before taking the catwalk in 1965 in the form of an A-line shift dress by Yves Saint Laurent. This iconic “Mondrian dress” was debuted in the Autumn/Winter ’65 season in both a jersey and wool knee length style shift dress.
Since then, similar dresses and other garments alike have been re-inspired and reproduced. Some taking the runway like the infamous YSL piece and others straight to high-street stores or street fashion.
…Well some of it. It may have been Bali, Cambodia and briefly Malaysia last year, but this year it was time to revisit Thailand and take my first trip to China. Honestly, with weather as cold as it is in Beijing at this time of year, I never saw myself visiting China anytime soon, but as a stop over destination en route to/from Thailand, I thought why not. After choosing the longest layover time, I looked into things to do with eight hours to spare in the capital of China and lo-and-behold I found myself at one of the “New 7 Wonders of the World” – The Great Wall of China! – And The View From the Top came too! Before jumping to The Great Wall, let’s not forget the craziness yet awesomeness that is Bangkok, along with the amazing sceneries of one of Thailand’s beautiful islands; Koh Tao! The VFTT tells all…
VFTT 233 Smoothies on the beach
VFTT 237 Boat Bound
VFTT 232 Wat Po
VFTT 241 Wat grounds!
VFTT 235 Pennies and Wish making
VFTT 234 Shake it like a polaroid picture!
VFTT 236 Fresh Fruit…
VFTT 259 Chang Chang Chang
VFTT 239 Pretty in Pink!
VFTT 240 Passion fruit pud!
VFTT 242 Bubble tea 🙂
VFTT 243 “Street” Fruit Juice
VFTT 249 Sunkissed Waters
VFTT 238 Coconut Ice cream- YUM!
VFTT 247 Corn on the Cob on the beach
VFTT 246 Blue Breeze!
VFTT 245 Iced Coffee..
VFTT 244 Elephant Imprints
VFTT 252 Oh Foam
VFTT 257 “PINEAPPLES!!!”
VFTT 253 Wahed Up!
VFTT 254 A Rocky Climb
VFTT 255 The Secret Island!
VFTT 265 The Gulf of Thailand.
VFTT 256 Longtail boats and clear blue waters!
VFTT 250 Walking the Plank…
VFTT 260 Green with Envy!
VFTT 263 Mini Cupcake 🙂
VFTT 275 Fisheye and the Great Wall
VFTT 248 Sunnies on Deck
VFTT 268 Shadow game!
VFTT 266 Sunnies on Deck 2.0
VFTT 261 Florals and Shadows
VFTT 262 Rocky Views
VFTT 272 The Great Wall of China!
VFTT 273 Chair Lift to The Great Wall
VFTT 258 Free Tea
VFTT 251 Fisheye and a Hike
VFTT 264 Floor 23!
VFTT 270 Elephant Imprint 2.0
VFTT 269 Fisheye on Deck!
VFTT 267 Sunkissed Waters 2.0
VFTT 276 Taboggan Ride @ the Great Wall of China 2.0
