ACCLAIM ISSUE 26



 

This mag just keeps going from strength to strength.  I was in their offices just before the last issue dropped and was fingering through issues from just a little over a year ago and can't believe how they have developed into a force to be reckoned with amongst the other glossy's at your local newsagent.  Not that it was ever bad but you know, it's like someone who was always hot started working out and had a wardrobe makeover and emerged SMOKING.  Acclaim has morphed liked Sandy did in Grease. Look at their alternative cover by NYC artist Dust La Rock for pete's sake...

 



 

If that's not a shiny black catsuit then I don't know what is.

As per, the issue comes with a theme and this one is DIY.  So relevant for the world we live in, seemingly lots of ideas and talk being thrown around and little follow through.  Acclaim have followed through (not in their pants) but with their words.  The team got shit done.  Putting Iggy Azalea on the cover is very apt and goes hand in hand with the message...little blonde girls from New South Wales can spit bars in LA with the best of them if they get off their ass and put their dreams into motion.

Not only is the issue a labour of love and hard work, so is their sparkly new website CHECK IT.

AND they have CARBON on the go....you got tickets yet?  Fuck that's gonna be a mental weekend. But hey...it's all about getting out there and making shit happen and that's what the whole event is about.

 

DROP SOME COIN ON THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY

Hello everyone, how are 'tings?  I'm alright thanks for asking.  I still love Melbourne and have been going through a few adjustments of late.  A few doors have closed on old wounds and a few exciting ones have opened.  But that is life hey?  Imagine there was a nerve connected between our brains and our emotions that could just be switched off!?  If the nurses think they've got something to strike about now, then whoah imagine if that shit could go down.  Haha, I kid though.  Heart break and heart ache and making up and breaking up are character building and all part of life experiences.  Like, how good does summer feel after a long winter?  Exactly.

Metaphors aside and on to some real weather and me self indulgently talking you through my instagram pictorials.

We just woke up one morning and summer had done a runner in the night like a one night stand. 38 degrees on the Sunday and then rain like a cow pissing on a flat rock on the Monday morning and it's been here to stay like the last irritating friend at a party. But then again, this is Melbourne so tomorrow we could all be in our bikinis again. Well not me, but girls who can. FUCKING WEATHER, WHAT A CONVERSATION STARTER.



This was taken in the midst of summer. Australia Day to be exact. My homie Paul with his ginger book ends Dave and Nick. Nick is the bloke on the right who has just moved to Australia from London along with his missus Emily and they are also my new housemates. Australia Day was their induction haha. I think they're loving it thus far but they dun know too many people so be sure to say g'day if you see them about, Most likely to be found in sneaker joints.



This is Emily. She is a vision of pastels and blonde hair and a booty you can crack nuts on. Fashion designer, bike rider and cocktail umbrella wearer. I took this photo last night at The LuWow in Collingwood. Dolly Daydream here was in her element.



They're also really good at dinners. Look at this guy for instance. Yummo. All protein and nutrients up in there. Which is good 'cause I'm back on the protein horse. I had a FUCKED 2011, I really did and this gut I'm carrying around is not only physical, it's emotional so I joined the gym and I told bread to take a long walk off a short plank.



This dress for instance. I used to fit in it like it ain't no thang and now it's just a decoration in my bedroom. Well nah ah gurl fran, I am sorting this shit right out. Stay tuned for the purple dress self shot. Hopefully it's sooner rather than later. Can ya'll feel my determination? I drank soda water and lime all night last night for Gods sake.



So a few weeks back there was the GIRLS IN KICKS exhibition here in Melbourne and yours truly was amongst the girls in the portraits. New Balance sent me these babies to wear to the opening night. Now I have always been a loyal supporter of the swoosh (even though I have been pretty much glued to my Vans Authentic's of late) but you know what? I am feeling NB in a big way. Plus they're made in England and I love England AND they are comfy as fuck. I quite fancy a pair in green hmmmm



What would the OWL experience be without the nail pics? A more tasteful one no doubt haha. WHATEVER, ACRYLICS FOR LIFE. Those who have followed this blog for a while will know I rocked the long, square, hoochie claws for a minute, then I took them a bit rounder and now they are 10 little pointy triangles and I luz dem. These are last month's though...



These are the ones I have currently. Except I broke 2 and then just had them painted black. They did it for free because APPARENTLY I'm 'there all the time' . I wonder if I will ever grow out the nail phase hey? Probs not, it's been 7 years



Every year I buy a new wallet and a new diary. Now I'm involved with Moleskine distribution, they were a natural choice for my diary game and bloody Hell you can see why it's such an iconic brand. I am never looking back. I usually get bored of diaries around mid year and then get stuck in again as Christmas approaches but I would actually be lost without this little guy. Green leather wallet I copped from FAT 4 on Brunswick street, holler.



Notice my cushion covers? A reader from Queensland made them and sent them to me with this cute little card! How is it that a stranger knows me better than some of my own family? Girl, you should give them tips in December. Not even worried if Mum reads this 'cause she quit reading the OWL a looooong time ago. Follow 'erincq' on instagram, she's such a doll. And I'm not just saying that 'cause she gave me stuff, she really is.



Has anyone popped into the Converse store in Melbourne Central of late? I haven't been back in since last year when I copped some black low's but I've been meaning to go because I quite fancy some plain white high tops. How good are their carrier bags?



This is another little addition. It kinda makes my room look like a brothel but maybe that will bring me some action. Nah I've just always liked neon lights, found mainly amongst red light districts and strip clubs. Hmmm, no coincidence I swear but really, it says 'LOVE' for fucks sake, it's cute and innocent like moi



Speaking of love. This broad. I think everyone deserves that friend who will straight up tell you like it is and not what you want to hear, and I have found one in this barrel of laughs. My girl Alex has beauty and brains and can sink beers with the boys with finesse.



Lately...well not lately, I guess I/we have always known that with every action comes a reaction and reactions come with consequences. The chicken and the egg story..how did it all begin, where did it all start, whose fault is it, who can we blame, how do we handle things when we're hurt and confused. The truth is, while there are those that really do just like to fuck things up for people, I think that acting on our emotions are what make us human but what separates us from animals, is our ability to have a little self control. Today somebody told me happiness is letting go and moving on. I agree. Holding the happy memories is a lot easier to carry than the heavy weight of baggage. That reminds me, I need new eye cream.



 

CARBON 2012

I know I know, it's still technically Christmas and we are days away from new years eve, but there are already whispers at the ACCLAIM office about CARBON - a contemporary design, style and culture festival taking place from 27 April till the 29th in Melbourne.   Last years guest speakers are going to be hard to top, but the first announcement ain't looking too shabby with Benny Gold, Eugene Kan, Ricky Powell  and fellow South African and dear friend FAITH 47 all on the list.   Keep up to date with the Carbon twitter and grab your tickets as soon as they go on sale because if you live in Australia and you moan that nothing good ever happens here and then you don't support things like this WELL THEN.

Here are some highlights from last year....

(ps, I've had food poisoning for the first time ever over the last few days. Thought I was going to die.)



ACCLAIMmag.com | Carbon 2011 | Speaker Recap from ACCLAIM Magazine on Vimeo.

Here




And then here...


 



And furthermore, how fucking awesome is this weather huh?!


 
I styled an editorial in Acclaim Issue 25 named the AUSTRALIA ISSUE.  Perfect timing as this is the year that I finally have come to call Down under 'Home'.

This was a special project for me because Acclaim was the first magazine I ever bought when I moved to Australia.  The shoot was a load of fun, the kids were great and photographer Chris Polack is a G!

The launch party is tonight at House of Bricks from 18:00.  Cop the mag at the door and it will buy you free flowing booze, food and beats.  And what fine weather we're having for it too!  Melbourne you are a whore with your sunshine, but when you bring it, you bring it good.











 
 


COP IT IMMEDIATELY 

I can't stand the raaaaiiiinnn against my wiiiiindow! I really can't hey. I seriously have always been one of those annoying people that goes 'I don't mind winter or cold weather etc etc etc' but that is when it is actually meant to BE winter, NOT when it is supposed to be the middle of fucking spring. I love Melbourne but hot damn the weather really does suck a dick. Everyone is like, 'Oh but you lived in England for ages, you should be used to this!' Yes but you EXPECT shit weather in England, this is Australia God dammit! This is the view from my living room last Saturday morning. When I say unimpressed I mean it.



If summer won't come to the OWL, then the OWL will come to summer. I know I went on bit previously about Melbourne's shit weather, but in it's defence, it's been pretty good this week. FUCKING WEATHER. Anyway. I bought these sherbet fruit plastic thingo ma bobs and they are just little kitsch pockets of summer in my opinion.



This is my friend Alex and her fella PJ, two of my rather new but very dear friends. They are also the machine that run Acclaim magazine and I spent quite a bit of time with them this weekend because I helped style an editorial for their new issue. It was a very long and tiring day, but working with them was an absolute pleasure. I tell you what though, LOVE is an important factor in a relationship, but integrity is the real glue that holds shit together, and these two have that in abundance.



And these are my feet. I got some new authentics, you like? I don't get a major hard on for VANS at all BUT they are pretty easy to wear, I won't lie. Plus I needed some new shoes for my London trip I'm embarking on this weekend. Do you like my little floral mini skirt? $10 from Kmart! Kmart is my mother fucking jam! I love that place. I got those plastic fruit things from there too. I could spend hours in that mass produced Mecca.



So I'm tryna do that thing where you light candles in a bottle and the wax drips down and eventually it's like COVERED in wax and it looks cool. I know, it's quite indie of me. We are at the beginning stages here as you can see.



A printing company sent me this for free this week! I couldn't bloody believe it when I opened the box haha! So funny! I'm thinking about getting them printed for realz (your plan may come to fruition Vista Print!) Cute right? I mean, my logo WAS designed by Cape Town uber artist MOTEL 7 so it's not like it's some shit thing. I dunno, would you cop one? I might source some better T's and get this done. I'm gonna cut the neck out though and let it drape over my shoulder like it ain't no thang. I'm a bit embarrassed by the lame mirror/iPhone shot but I am SINGLE TO MINGLE so how else am I s'posed to document this shit? Exactly.



*Legit though, if you would be keen on an OWL tee then inform a home girl!

/\CCL/\IM ISSUE 24

It's the issue built around FANTASY this time with Acclaim.  I think the word 'fantasy' strikes a different chord amongst people when they hear it. For some they get excited at the thought of Harry Potter and are instantly whisked away to small boys and their wands. For others it's being lost in a comic book or video game. Others (not me) think 'fantasy' which brings to mind being accidentally on purpose locked up in a max security prison amongst sex starved hard nuts with shaved heads. Ehrm. ANYWAY Above is the general release cover with rapper Lil B but even more snazzy is this limited edition number that GLOWS IN THE DARK!
Swedish artist Kilian Eng whipped up this little beauty and he can be found in the pages as well.  This short run cover is available on subscription and in Australian Mag Nation stores only.  Get lost in these pages baby, and not just because I'm telling you to, but because you have taste.

I've taken my sweet ass time getting round to showing Acclaim some love but damn I've been snowed under, I am actually struggling to string words together.  I'll tell you who ain't struggling with words, and thats the crew at this rag.  Once again there are two covers, including a short run cover with one of New Yorks finest and oldest graffiti artists FUTURAstaring up at us from the news stands ...


Cop it and sink into your sofa for a bit and read some words on actual paper for a change. 'cause you a old fool who so cool x



Are you into creativity and design? Well get your hot little fingers over to MOSHTIX and get your ass down to Carbon.  Bobby Hundreds, Anthony Lister, Alex Weiland and Perth's very own Matt Thomas from Highs and Lowsare all guest speakers. I'm copping my ticket today and I'm getting excited to shut up for once and let someone else speak ha ha !
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