Test Presents: Vera Chytilova's Daisies (1966)

I recently headed down to Test Presents most recent fashion film screening to see Vera Chytilova's Daisies the film was hosted in the very, lovely Council Chamber Screening Room at Bethnal Green's Town Hall Hotel. I had a little, look at what the film was all about before watching it, and on reading the film described as a “psychedelic, surreal Eastern European answer to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, I knew I'd love it. 

Daisies is a Czechoslovakian film made in 1966. It's a totally, bonkers, tripped out tale of two wild, teenage Czech girls called Marie I & Marie II who are trying to understand the meaning of the world & their own lives, they decide that since the world is spoiled they will be spoiled as well and accordingly they embark on a series of destructive pranks, in which they consume and destroy the world about them. 

The film was banned by the Czech Government as a feminist farce...

Who wouldn't like a film about two, crazy girls who twirl around in fields of daisies, swing on chandeliers whilst having food fights, swim in psychedelic multi-coloured sea, wear thick layers of black eyeliner, pop coloured shift dresses & cute little handbags, wobble around train tracks, restaurants theatre shows with their sugar daddies... & are always on the hunt for some kind of debauched adventure?

This is my favourite scene from the film, the fashion show food fight, I want to act out this whole scene one day!

http://www.testmag.co.uk

Harajuku Girls & Boys

Takeshita Street, Harajuku, Tokyo

I'm pretty sure there is no where else in the world you can walk down one street and see girls clutching teddy bears & strawberry shortcake bags, dressed up as pirates, bunnies, nurses & dolls with rainbow, bubblegum hair, like a Victorian lady complete with a parasol & loads of lace, neon cartoon characters, gothic fairies, cyber punks & men dressed in leopard print trousers, like Clockwork Orange characters or some kind of space cowboy.

Whether you think its weird or wonderful, its definitely interesting. I loved Harajuku, even though everyone dresses insane, each person still looks individual - being there is a bit like being in a trippy, fantasy, cartoon dream with goodies & baddies. Harajuku is all about rebellion & expression and its amazing to see how the Japanese shout through their outfits.

The shops down Takeshita Street sell every type of clothing you could ask for, I bought a cream & navy striped sailor jacket with gold buttons, a vintage polka dot shirt with white trimmed collar, and a pair of aztec patterned hareem trousers. I nearly bought a logo Fendi cardigan from one of the vintage shops but decided my spending was getting out of control & stopped myself - still not sure if that was a good or bad decision.

Fruits Magazine is a Japanese fashion magazine, basically a picture book, showing all the individualistic street style around Harajuku, it's inspirational & fun to look at, I think us London girls & boys should take it into our head to try & brighten up the concrete Japanese style! 

http://www.fruits-mg.com