If there is one thing I am obsessed with this season, and maybe all seasons, it would have to be STRIPES! Stripes add something special to any look – they are great layered and they are great on their own. They are classic but not in a stuffy, boring way – they are chic.

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With this obsession, I was pleased to find that the Quiksilver Women’s spring collection featured many options for me to choose from. Their take on the stripe has a bit of a tough-girl-edge that makes it all the more appealing.

I see the Evershlott and Wonderwall stripes mixed up with contrasting prints, maybe thrown on with a floral blazer, skinny jeans and wooden platform sandals.

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The St. Mary and Kerrington stripes get a more classic twist, wearing them with a trench coat, knee high socks and a pair of clogs.

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How will you be wearing your stripes this season?

To tie in with the release of Waveriders in the USA, I was invited as the film’s writer, along with Gabe (who stars in the movie) and the Director, Joel to attend surf night at the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival, where Waveriders was the headline movie. Two weeks in the California sunshine, a green carpet premiere, meetings in Hollywood and many occasions to dress up in my new Quiksilver Women outfits - how could I say no….?!

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Gabe and I flew out a week early to LA to make the most of the occasion. We spent a few days with our great friend Pat O’Connell in Laguna, surfing Trestles daily with a very friendly pod of dolphins and a fun day with Jaws at Universal Studios (in the name of movie research of course!)

We then travelled north to reach San Luis Obispo, which is in the heart of the Californian wine region, in perfect time for the St Patrick’s Day party and wine tasting. Our film is set largely in Ireland so we were the party’s special guests. I wore this season’s stunning Emmanuelle dress in platinum, teaming it with the tuxedo style jacket from the winter collection. The vertical ivory piping on the centre back of the jacket matches the black piping on the back of the dress, which I thought was a very clever detail tying the two collections together.

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St Patrick’s Day is a huge occasion in the USA. So much so that drinking in San Luis began at 6am. We joined in late in the day with the wine tasting but we let the Irish side down when it came to achieving complete intoxication! The local wines were great but we had to be sensible as we had work to do.

The following day we had a live radio interview about the festival and lunch with the festival organisers, sponsors and Dana Cummings who runs Ampsurf. This is an inspirational organisation encouraging amputees to take up surfing through their surf clinics. Ampsurf were sharing our premiere night and, after meeting Dana who is himself an amputee, and watching their emotional film depicting what they achieve at their clinics, I was delighted part of the proceeds of the Waveriders evening were being donated to Ampsurf. I hoped the promotion would further help their cause that literally changes lives.

I was as nervous for surf night as I was for the first ever screening of Waveriders. Every audience is different in their reaction and one never knows how many people will turn up. The festival is a great event, however and the passionate organisers Wendy and Tim Eidson assured us the night would be a great success. I chose the Quiksilver Women maxi dress, the style of which matched the colours of the interior of the 1940s Fremont Theatre where the film was being shown. Because I am only 5’3”, I wore some very high heels and prayed I wouldn’t trip up when I had to go on stage for the Q&A session!

We were picked up in a vintage woody surf car, which really befitted the occasion and a very Irish green carpet greeted us at the door of the theatre, as did (thankfully) a queue of cinemagoers stretching down the street and around the corner! Peter Mel and Kalani Robb joined us as special guests with Peter acting as MC for the Q&A. He was a fantastic host and knew all the questions to ask Gabe about big wave surfing, being a big wave legend himself. We ate popcorn, we watched the film, we held our breaths at the end, the crowd erupted and I didn’t fall over as we took to the stage! It was a fantastic evening and one I hope to repeat with future films.

Our beautiful Quiksilver Woman Mahara Mac Kay was dijing at the X-Games in Tignes, France. As a professional and recognized international DJ, Mahara played for Quiksilver at the Trapper Party and at Torah Bright Private Party . And as usual, this creative dj rocked the place mixing Rock and Dance Music. Gosh we had fun ! Check out the photos below to have an insight of what went down.

Remember when we first met? We warned you back then of the randomness of things that we get inspired by. More often than not, its non-fashion ideas and images that get the wheels turning the fastest … there’s nothing like seeing someone else doing something incredible to kick start the creative process. And then, just like magic, these tidbits somehow get spun into some new design that you might be wearing now — or next year. Music and dance are two biggies for us in QSW design — both are forms of expression that are so pure and direct at communicating a feeling, idea, or moment. And its just cool to see others out there making things happen, pushing forward, motivating, innovating, and evolving.
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Amazing.
Oh, and if you haven’t checked out the TED Talks series, go now — ideas worth spreading for real.

Quiksilver Woman Leddra Chapman is about to tour the UK to promote her debut album “Telling Tales”. With heartfelt, honest lyrics that come straight from the soul, Leddra-Chapman is truly one of the most gifted young songwriters and vocalists in Britain today.
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Leddra will be playing live in York, Essex, London, Channel Islands and much more. So make sure to get your spot!
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25th March 19:00 - Great Barfield - Essex
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26th March 20:00 - House Concerts - SOLD OUT- York
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30th March 20:00 - The lexington - SOLD OUT Islington, London
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14th April 19:00 - Hootanany’s - Inverness
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15th April 20:00 - Lemon Tree - Aberdeen
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18th April 20:00 - Fibbers - York
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15th June 20:00 - The Stables - Milton Keynes
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2nd July 18:00 - Sark Folk Festival - Guernsey, Channel Islands
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And if you can’t make it, don’t worry. You can download for free her amazing mini acoustic album which includes the tracks «A little easier», «Picking Oranges», «Wine Glass», «Summer Song» and «Saving you» by logging onto our free music download website.

 

Denim on Denim – it’s a tricky trend…but it is one worth trying. The key to keeping it cool and far from the “mom-jean” days of old, choose a distressed pair like the Pretty Tough Skinnies and mix it with a denim shirt in a different shade. To finish off the look, buckle up some spring sandals and toss on a shoulder strap bag and aviator sunglasses. Keep it effortless with beachy waves and a sun kissed face.

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If you are a tight budget.. most thrift stores have a treasure trove of denim shirts.. it just takes a little digging.

It has turned into spring here in California! The birds are chirping, the sun is soothing and flowers are smelling sweet, which means of course, it is time make the closet switcheroo. The furs, heavy coats and flannels can be stored away and the lightweight knits, gingham prints and sherbet colors can make their way into my closet doors

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With all this change and sunshine I am craving a few new things – the basics to a great look for spring. Number one on my list is the Chancery Lane Tank from Quiksilver Women’s spring collection. I love it’s loose fit and the cropped front with an exaggerated shirttail. The shredding at the back just make it all the more appealing.

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Getting my hands on this tank will mean wearing it with bell bottom jeans and sandals for day time or with a bandage skirt and booties for a night on the town. Spring is so easy and effortless.. I can’t help but love the change.

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Another day in New York City and though I am here to find fashion for a friend and client.. I can’t help but splurge on a few things myself! Enter, shopping in Soho, where finding treasures becomes addicting and spending becomes the norm.
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The weather has been amazingly warm and has made walking the streets oh-so-pleasant – but today it turned cold and blistery. It was the perfect chance to wear my Quiksilver Women’s Vagabond jeans and pair them with lace up boots, a denim shirt and tweed blazer. Since it is New York.. I added a little more drama with a workman’s hat, printed neck scarf and fingerless gloves.
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A few more places to hit up, and then jetting back to sunny California…

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Version Française ci-dessous
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With a particular fondness for Brazil in her heart, Caroline Manuel, the founder of ‘L’atelier des Dames’ (The Ladies Jewellery Workshop), discovered a surprising activity in Cabo Frio: fish scale recycling! To improve their standard of living, fishermen’s wives from this historical town in the state of Rio de Janeiro siphon off fish scales from their husbands catch, then use a unique process to work the scales into jewels and decorative items. Drawn to promote this unique craft, Caroline created ‘L’atelier des Dames’ at the beginning of 2008, launching the first costume jewellery brand with an eco-label certification. She was soon joined by her business partner, Quitterie Devilder, in June 2009 and the adventure has been getting more exciting ever since. So impressed by their creations we bugged Caroline to tell us more…
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Who are the people behind L’Atelier des Dames (The Ladies Jewellery Workshop)?
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‘L’atelier des Dames’ is the story of two women; I created the brand in March 2008 before Quitterie joined this crazy venture in June 2009. I’m a blond hair girl who loves vintage stuff, pink, kitsch and sings really bad. Quitterie is a brunette who doesn’t really like pink, but loves anything beautiful, anything classic and peoples hidden charms.
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How and when did this adventure begin?
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During a trip to visit my father, who lives in Brazil, I met the women who create these beautiful items using recycled fish scales. I spent a bunch of time with them from which came the idea to create a rose using the scales as petals. Then I put the rose on a chain and the first long necklace was born. When I came back to France, all the girls (including my now business partner, Quitterie) were jealous of my necklace, so I created L’Atelier des Dames - designed in France, Made In Brazil.
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Why ‘L’Atelier des Dames’ (The Ladies Jewellery Workshop)?
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‘L’atelier des Dames’ is a reference to the all female team that we are; ten women in Brazil, two here in France. We don’t really need men…Well, except to go fishing and bring us back scales that is…
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What is a typical day in the life of a designer?
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Everything depends on the season because we make everything by ourselves. During slack times, we think about new ideas and creations, we make a lot of drawings that often go in the bin and design a lot of prototypes. Roughly speaking, we make mistakes before creating the pieces we love, and sometimes we argue because we don’t have the same tastes at all! Then come the trade shows and distribution of the collection, which is a really hard time - too hard in my mind. To finish, there is the more exciting part: making the press packs, preparing photoshoots, updating our website, building partnerships, organizing shows. Then, of course, the less exciting part: accounting, administration, posting boxes, and sometimes bad meetings with people that are not very kind to you at all.
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What sense of satisfaction does it give you?
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Today ‘L’atelier des Dames’ brings me a lot of little pleasures. My first great satisfaction was when I saw a girl wearing one of my creations. Although, she didn’t know the story of the brand when I asked her if she knew where her lovely necklace came from, but at least she was wearing it I guess… It’s also a great feeling when shops like Franck & Fils and Galeries Lafayette present your new collection to all your girlfriends. The satisfaction of winning a designer contest, to live for your true passion and to do what I want to do is also great.
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What advice would you give to aspiring designers ?
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My first bit of advice is a cliché, but true; “never give up”. Yes, the French administration is long, it feels like it’s never ending and it’s always complicated with banks. What’s more, so many people around you might not understand your concept. This period is definitely the hardest one, winning some recognition and finding crazy people to follow you !
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Particulièrement attachée au Brésil, Caroline Manuel, à l’origine de L’Atelier des Dames, a découvert une activité surprenante à Cabo Frio : le recyclage des écailles de poissons ! Pour améliorer leur niveau de vie, les femmes de pêcheurs de cette ville historique de l’Etat de Rio de Janeiro récupèrent les écailles et les travaillent selon un procédé unique pour créer des bijoux et des objets de décoration. Souhaitant valoriser ce savoir faire, Caroline crée début de l’année 2008 la première marque de bijoux de haute fantaisie labélisée commerce équitable : ‘L’Atelier des Dames’. C’est en juin 2009 que Quitterie Devilder, l’a rejoint dans cette aventure. Rencontre avec cet artisan de la fantaisie equitable …
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Qui se cache derrière L’Atelier des Dames ?
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‘L’atelier des Dames’, c’est l’histoire de deux dames, l’une a créé la marque en mars 2008, Caroline et l’autre l’a rejoint dans sa folle aventure en juin 2009, Quitterie.
La première est blonde, aime bien le vintage, le rose, le kitsch et chante très faux, l’autre est brune aime le beau, le sobre, pas trop le rose et les trucs qu’on ne voit pas sur tout le monde !
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Comment et quand a débuté cette aventure ?
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Lors d’un voyage pour aller voir mon père qui vit au Brésil j’ai rencontré ces femmes qui créaient des objets de décoration en écailles de poissons recyclées. En passant beaucoup de temps avec elles, est née l’idée de faire une rose avec des écailles comme pétales, puis je l’ai montée sur une chaine, le premier sautoir était né. A mon retour en France, après avoir fait de nombreuse jalouses (dont Quitterie aujourd’hui mon associée), j’ai crée ‘L’atelier des Dames’, création en France, fabrication au Brésil.
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Pourquoi L’Atelier des Dames ?
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‘L’atelier des dames’ c’est une référence à cette équipe ultra féminine que nous sommes. Dix dames au Brésil, deux ici en France, en fait on n’a pas vraiment besoin des garçons (bon pour aller pécher le poisson et nous ramener les écailles en fait c’est vrai !).
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Quelle est la journée type d’une créatrice ?
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Tout dépend de la saison de la journée type, car on fait tout nous mêmes. Alors pendant les périodes creuses, on pense, on réfléchit à de nouvelles créations, on fait beaucoup de dessins qui partent à la poubelle, on fait beaucoup trop de prototypes, bref on se trompe avant d’arriver à ce qu’on adore et des fois on se bat un peu l’une contre l’autre car nous n’avons pas du tout les mêmes goûts.
Puis pendant les salons et le démarchage, on passe au côté commercial, beaucoup trop dur à mon gout ;o) Mais bon il faut vendre ses créations pour vivre, ce n’est pas nouveau !
Et puis après il y a tout le reste, tout ce qui est super sympa : faire les dossiers de presse, shooting photo, mise à jour de notre site internet, faire des partenariats, des défilés… Et puis le côté beaucoup moins sympa : la compta, l’administratif, la poste et les mauvaises rencontres, les gens qui ne sont pas gentils du tout avec vous !
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Quelle satisfaction cela t’apporte t’il aujourd’hui ?
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Aujourd’hui L’atelier des Dames m’apporte de nombreux petits plaisirs ;o) Mon premier vrai plaisir a été lorsque j’ai croisé une demoiselle qui portait l’une de mes créations, bon elle n’avait pas retenu toute l’histoire quand je lui ai demandé d’où venait ce magnifique sautoir, mais au moins elle le portait ! Ensuite évidement, il y a toutes les autres satisfactions, celle d’avoir des magasins comme Franck & Fils, Galerie Lafayette, celle de présenter ta nouvelle collec à tes copines sous un thème de soirée entre fille, celle de gagner des concours de créateurs, celle de vivre de sa passion, celle de se dire je me donne les moyens de ce que je veux faire…
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Quels conseils as-tu à donner pour les apprenties créatrices ?
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Je leur donnerai le premier conseil cliché mais vrai : « ne vous découragez pas ». Alors oui, l’administratif c’est long, les banques c’est compliqué, les démarches sans fin, et l’entourage ne comprend vraiment pas toujours cette décision folle qui un jour nous passe par la tête. Cette période là est la plus dure, acquérir un peu de légitimité pour faire valider son projet, trouver des fous pour vous suivre !

Hello! I had a photo shoot with Company magazine in London for the May issue last week and it was so much fun! I wore my favourite QSW roundhouse romper for half the shoot and then they put me in a cheeky red tu-tu as the theme was Burlesque!

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The article is about the growing trend in crowd sharing and me and 3 other creatives in the fashion and music world are featured. I had an interview about my career so far and my plight as an independent artist. The section is called “be inspired’.

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We are all raising funds for our creative projects with our fans. I’m with the site Slice the Pie and you can invest any amount in my next album which will get you a digital copy of the album as soon as its finished. To invest go to: Slicethepie

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Check out the magazine. It’s out in April (the May issue) I am also currently on the front page of the WE7 website for the next 2 weeks as well! Lots more fun things to come as I will be announcing details of my UK tour in the next 3 weeks.

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Ellie xxx

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