Finding Fashion: Luna Viola Design

Evening all!

You probably already know I graduated this summer, followed by a busy and exciting few months. Now I'm settled in Glasgow and looking to start a new journey for 2017. I’ve enjoyed seeing what fellow classmates have been up to over the past summer. Some have moved on to new courses, others, internships and grad jobs. This week I want to bring everyone’s attention to Sally at Luna Viola Design, a Fashion Management graduate who has proceeded to create a brand of her own selling handmade jewellery and homeware. I had a chat with Sally about prepping products, getting into the creative mood and her future plans. 

WHAT LED YOU TO START YOUR OWN BRAND?

I had always wanted to work for myself and loved being creative so when I was unable to find my dream job after university I decided to create it myself.

WHY ‘LUNA VIOLA’?

Well, to be honest, I wanted something short and snappy to begin with but kept coming back to Luna Viola Design for some reason. I’ve always loved the name ‘Luna’ and have a fascination with the moon and space and thought that I would be able to incorporate this aspect into my collection designs as the business progresses. ‘Viola’ is a family name – my grans cousin who died at the age of 14 in the 1940’s and I have always been fascinated by her beauty and the way that she stood out in photographs. Then… ‘Design’ to tie everything together – I hope it worked!

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE LUNA VIOLA DESIGN IN 3 WORDS?

Colourful, Personal and Creative

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?

This may sound cliché, but all around me. I love the seaside and adventure so that has become a big part of the inspiration for my first collections. Pinterest is great for on trend colour inspiration too!

WHAT'S BEEN THE HARDEST THING ABOUT STARTING UP LUNA VIOLA?

I do everything on my own from physically hand-sculpting the jewellery and gluing on countless buttons to photography for the website and social media to tracking down supplies and everything in between. It’s a lot of work for one person especially someone who is just out of uni and still trying to find her way in the world. But I love every minute of it.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU PARTICULARLY ENJOY LISTENING TO IN ORDER TO STAY FOCUSED? 

I love listening to various podcasts about creativity and business – TED Talks are great and really inspire my work and drive to keep pushing forward. I love a bit of country music too!

TAKE US THROUGH YOUR WORK PROCESS?

I usually begin with putting a Pinterest board together of colours, textures and shapes before moving onto sketching up some ideas. Once I have a clear idea in my head of what I want to produce I then get making. Most of my work is made from Polymer Clay so I would select the general colours that I wanted to work with, condition the clay and then go ahead and blend colours together to make a unique set of colours and patterns. Once I am happy with the combinations I would roll them into beads, or sculpt the clay into necklaces, little dishes or whatever else takes my fancy. If I am making beaded necklaces for example I take all the different beads and waxed cotton cord and decide on what look I am going for before stringing them and adding final touches. Then it’s time to shoot them for social media and the website and then they are available to buy. Working with polymer clay is quite a long process and can get a little frustrating at times but once I have the finished product sitting in front of me I know that it’s all totally worth it. Watching Netflix always helps too!

WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL WINTER MUST HAVES? 

Bright colourful necklace to add a little something to a cosy outfit – just like our SMILE necklace, Gilmore Girls on Netflix and Earl Grey tea.

WHAT DO YOU SEE IN LUNA VIOLA'S FUTURE?

I’d love to open my own shop alongside other creatives so it would kind of be a design collective. Hopefully a little café could be added to the shop along with a workshop area for people to come and learn different crafts. So really my ultimate dream is to have a design hub because I think creativity is really important in all aspects of life and handmade items should definitely be favoured over the mass produced items we see across the board.

Until the official website launches, you can always check out some products on the Luna Viola Design Etsy or check them out on Facebook and grab yourself a Black Friday/ Cyber Weekend deal.

Broke BB x

Back with the Music Monday

I'm officially done with classes and only have a couple of coursework deadlines  to go, then it's 'goodbye uni', hello adulthood! I am both excited and absolutely terrified but trying to stay positive about the unknown future.

While I have a little more time I'm going to get back to blogging and, as it's a Monday and a new month, why not start today?

For my music Monday, I've picked a selection of songs that I'm clearly obsessed with... Apologies to my sleeping flatmate who overheard me singing along to these tracks the other night. It was basically a full-blown kitchen performance. There's nothing particularly new and special about these songs, I just love them, there is no criteria.

1. Meghan Trainor- NO ft. Almost every girl in the club.

I actually couldn't stand Meghan Trainor but this song is converting me because, not only does it sound like a R&B girlband from the noughties, but it speaks the truth. Go away.

2. Jenifer Lopez- Ain't Your Mamma

It would probably help if she stopped dating guys young enough to be her son but I love this song and I love J-Lo so no shade here.

3. Blonde and Craig David- Nothing Like This

Craig David keeping garage alive. Nothing but good vibes!

Nick Jonas ft. Tove Lo- Close

4. Space is just a word made up for someone who's afraid to get too close. Poetic love or psychotic ex? You choose. Either way this song is perfect.

5. Beyonce- Eveything that is Beyonce

So I clearly couldn't put up every LEMONADE track and about 1 week from releasing it, all the videos have now been removed from social media and Youtube. So i've got Formation repping the album because I'm STILL not sick of it. Slay


Peace and love
Broke BB xx

Music Monday: LION BABE

Today I've gone for a song that, compared to previous Music Mondays, is pretty old. I picked this song as my Monday sound 100% because it just makes me happy. Today's been a "swollen throat, sneeze every 5 seconds and put honey in everything I drink" kind of days, but none the less, I powered through work. I'm home and have a load more stuff to sort out so 1st things 1st, imma need a power track. The right song can change your entire mind set and, today, mine has to be LION BABE- Wonder Woman. I've picked the Joel Compass Remix because as it took something great and made it perfection!! 

There's no music video but I hope you love the song. Turn this right up!!! 

Broke BB xx

Finding Fashion: ELB Handmade

Today's fashion find is ELB Handmade- a cute and affordable handmade lingerie brand.
Around 7 months ago, I basically gave up bras. I hated the restricting wires and cups and decided decided that they were an uncomfortable way to make other people comfortable around your body, but that was before I bought my first ELB Handmade bra! Yes, I know, some girls have no choice but to go full support when bra hunting, but for others like me these wireless ones are the perfect solution. They feel great on and the price is perfection, with sets starting from only £15!! Emma Brown has definitely won me over and, after this, I'm hoping she'll win you too!

WHEN DID YOU START CREATING LINGERIE AND WHY?

“I started creating lingerie when I moved to Norwich – I’ve known how to sew since I was little (thanks mum!) and I’d been walking past this fabric shop on my way into uni for a few weeks when I finally decided to go in and have a look around. By chance they sold some beautiful lace so I got some, had a little experiment and that was it! I remember uploading it to Depop one night never imagining it would get me this far, when I woke up the next morning I couldn’t believe the response it had received and I still can’t!”

DESCRIBE YOUR BRAND IN 3 WORDS.

“Flirty, simplistic, and lightweight.”

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT WORKING ON YOUR LINGERIE BRAND?

“Whenever I’m not sewing lingerie or planning new designs I’m either working towards my photography degree or sewing clothes for my boyfriend and myself – my poor sewing machine never gets much of a break!”

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO STYLE AN ELB BRALET?

“They can be styled any way that you’d like! I wear them every day in so many different ways – it’s really up to you”

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE ELB SET ?

“I think my favourite set has to be the classic short bralet with the boy short pants – it’s my go to set almost every day, so comfy and still super flattering”

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE TREND FOR THIS SEASON?

“I really love henna tattoos at the moment, and there are so many amazing pairs of lace up shoes around”

WHAT ARE YOUR SUMMER ESSENTIALS?

“Bralets (of course) to keep you cool and comfy in the heat, loose fit trousers, and Dove intensive treatment conditioner to keep my hair happy”

HAVE YOU BEEN TO ANY FESTIVALS THIS SUMMER AND WHO WAS YOUR FAVOURITE ACT?

“I actually managed to get tickets to both days of Radio One’s Big Weekend – I was most excited to see Florence and the Machine and she was amazing! There were so many people to look forward to, Imagine Dragons were great and of course so was Taylor Swift”

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

“There’s an artist named Lorraine Loots who paints and draws a different miniature every day – They’re always so delicate, intricate and cute! Seeing her work always inspires me to push a little bit every day and keep going.”

WHO WOULD BE YOUR ULTIMATE MODEL FOR ELB HANDMADE?

“Jourdan Dunn or maybe Kendall Jenner”

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS FOR THE BRAND?

“I’ve got a few collections brewing up in my office, some new lace on the way, and I’m hoping to expand to a website so that I’m more accessible to everyone! I’d love to have a little shop somewhere one day too.”

 If you have any questions about the fit of these bras (I'm taking about you gals in the E+ club), send an e-mail to (emmadepop@hotmail.com) or a message on Depop and Emma will help you out. Check out Emma’s Instagram and Depop for a peak into her new season products and chances to win some gorgeous pieces for yourself!!

Broke BB xx

Music Monday: Josef Salvat

This week's Music Monday tune is Open Season by Australian artist, Josef Salvat. I've been a lover of this lad since his song, This Life, came up on a Youtube mix that I listened to back when I was a poor naïve fresher, all stressed about coursework. That minimal, deep bass came blasting through my headphones and I was hypnotized into chilldom- his tracks just have that effect on me.

The song Open Season was written by Josef in 2013 during a new chapter of his career as he was about to sign a new record deal after a recent move to the hustle and bustle of LDN from Austalia.

Here's a little newsletter snippet (join the mailing list yo!):

"On paper everything looked so bloody exciting but the reality was a bit lonely and frustrating...So Open Season was, structurally, melodically and lyrically, a readjustment of priorities. In many ways so is the video.

It seemed to me that the whole process of making music videos can sometimes be frustrating for everyone involved... So we decided to lay that bare, remove the 'torture', and just make something beautiful and fun."- Josef Salvat 

Check out the wonderful and witty video shot in Cadaques, Spain and directed by Ollie Wolfe. WARNING: SUMMER FEELS AND HOLIDAY CRAVINGS AHEAD!

Music Monday: Everything Everything

An album I have been obsessively playing on repeat is Get To Heaven by Everything Everything (Duluxe). Why? Because everything EVERYTHING they produce is beautifully intense.
I am a mad fan of these guys and need everyone else to appreciate their magnificence so here's my favourite track off the album, Hapsburg Lippp. I genuinely believe that the hip hop vibe of this song combined with the distorted guitar can only lead to a love of this band. But have a listen and decide for yourself!

Broke BB xx

12 Wonders of Black Hair & Skin

Maybe you've got yourself your first black friend or you're just intrigued, but you have so many questions but don't want to come across like a clueless country bumpkin. From my primary to university years, I am used to being one of very few (if any) black kids in my class and I'm pretty light hearted about other people's curiosity and have decided to list a few of the most common queries I get.

Source: shutterstock

Black hair probably sparks the most questions as the difference of coarse Nigerian hair compared to theirs can be intriguing. Now I'm not easy to annoy but one thing I do have to insist when it comes to all black people- ASK BEFORE YOU GO PETTING SOMEONE'S HAIR... I'm likely to say no. Respect that.

1. When I have extensions- "What part is your real hair?"
 Extensions have become much more mainstream as I got older but people do still ask this so check below about how it works. Still confused? Google it!

2. With braids- "How do they put it in?"

Here's a tutorial vid by Kali Kashmere because, after repeating myself to multiple people for15 odd years, it can get tiring...

3. "How long does it take?"
6 hours and a sore bum later- I look fabulous! Sitting on a chair for half a day obviously isn't fun but after all these years, it's not as big of a deal as you think.

4. "What is a weave?"

Aaand another tutorial, this time by HairByLin.

5. "How do you wash it?" 

The same as how you wash yours really...
When hair is in braids or a weave, it's really not necessary to wash it much but when I have natural hair, I probably was it every 3ish weeks. No, it's not dirty. White hair gets greasy if you don't wash it often however afro-caribbean hair dries out and breaks if you wash it too frequently. Natural oils take longer to affect black skin, I assume it's because of the fact that black skin is thicker with more layers than white (but I'm no doctor) which is why we apply hair oil and other products to give it more moisture.

6. "So is your hair, like, an afro?"

No. My hair is relaxed instead of 100% natural. Relaxer is a type of long-term straightening formula however I do cheat an 'afro' every now and then using bantu knots.

7. "Why don't you keep your hair natural?"

I know afros are just oh so more interesting but I relax my hair because it makes it easier to maintain and I'm super lazy with my hair. Props to the girls taking that #NaturalHairJourney, it's just not my choice at the moment.

8. "You change your hair all the time!"
Well I can't sit with the same weave for 2 years now, can I? Black people can use braids and weaves as a way of protecting natural hair whilst still looking uber cute but, eventually, it will get messy so it kinda needs to be redone. Just sit back and enjoy the variation.

9. That "Yes, I have tights on my head" moment...

Night Time Weave Routine Using Tights | Edee Beau

If I stay over, I'll probably put on a head scarf to stop it getting messy and dry, but you know what's just as good?? Tights! Perfectly elasticated for ideal hair protection.

10. "Do you have to moisturise EVERY day?"
I usually have to explain this when it comes to changing after swimming and everyone's like "what are you doing?". Yes, I moisturise on a daily basis because dry skin feels as bad as it looks. Just accept it as something every black person does and move on. The faves are Palmer's Coco Butter and, for the dry winter, Vaseline jelly (because it's not just for lips!).

11. "Why are your palms and the bottom of your feet white?"

Why does it matter? They just are...

12. "Do you tan?" 
Well yes, I get darker in the sun. Although, for me, it has to be super sunny so this British summer isn't really cutting it.

So that's all I have to tell you this time round. Take this information, hold it close to your heart and avoid asking again. 

Broke BB xx

P.S. No, I won't teach you how to twerk and no you're not 'blacker' than me because you listen to more rap music. 

Love ya!

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10 Things You’ll Only Understand If You’re A Black Girl Dating A White Dude - gurl.com