It’s hard to write about London, girls and empowerment without wanting to break out the Union Jack teatowel dress. But it’s not the 90s, and I’m definitely not Ginger Spice, so last night I exorcised a few teenage demons by popping by the launch party for Girlcore‘s new book and exhibition at the Orange Dot Gallery.

For the uninitiated, Girlcore is the kind of project  I wish had been around when I was 16, kicking about with my hair twisted into a poor imitation of Bjorks’ and consoling my best friends over the break-up of Take That. It’s an online and real-life community of like-minded girls who provide a showcase for other like-minded girls working in the creative industry, in the kind of supportive, mutually inclusive environment that makes me want to put on a Patti Smith record. The online portfolio of works from photographers and illustrators is an inspiring collection; it’s genuinely a club you might want to belong to. And nobody is screaming BLOODY FEMINISTS at them… and it doesn’t scare off the boys either. I know because I saw some last night.

The girls behind the Girlcore concept started out as friends still high on festival vibes who wanted to recreate their summer of love in the form of a London club night. Using their network of DJ and promoter friends, they started to build this mini-empire which was all about pushing forward their equality as talented female mates. From there grew the website, the online portfolio and now this book and exhibition which kind of solidifies the Girlcore identity. The influences and role models are varied, old and new; they’re Peaches and they’re Virginia Woolf and everyone in-between who has ever inspired anyone to do something creative.

Girlcore Magazine runs at the Orange Dot Gallery in London until February 27th. Head over to LOOKBOOKS to see the original story.

@CFashionista: Question 1: What runway jewelry are you seeing students wear a lot this summer? #FashionTalk

@fashionindie: We love stacking multiple watches! Also wearing rings to the first knuckle and jewelry that looks like weapons #fashiontalk

@mollivitta: i’m also seeing a lot of knuckle rings as well! very grunge meets bohemian accessories this summer. #fashiontalk

@fashionindie: @janebhaynes a body chain necklace by http://louisemanna.com is a MUST HAVE #fashiontalk

@franimalRU: @mcarthurjoseph I love body chains but i’m also falling in love with leather harnesses. #fashiontalk

@CFashionista: Question 2: What is a versatile bag you can wear to an internship but also out at night? #FashionTalk

@JessicaLapidos: #versatilebag BRIGHT satchel: room for plenty, no hands needed.fashionindie.com/brief-your-wor… #fashiontalk @fashionindie #fashioneditor #fashiontalk

@CFashionistaUK: @AlexanderWangNY is the best! RT @frontrowfashion: RT @fashionindie: Alex Wang bags go really well from day to night #fashiontalk

@KateLCooper: cross body bags will never go out of fashion for students, they are the best option for dancing with on a night out! #fashiontalk

@hannahryan_park: @piperlime has amazing amazing designer crossbody bags for a decent price! check it out everyone!#fashiontalk

@CFashionista: Question 3: What are your thoughts on flatforms? What other shoes trends are prevalent on Fashionistas this summer? #FashionTalk

@JessicaLapidos: #flatforms grab the eye, they’re gorj AND points for us -they never hurt. Thanks @ladygaga & the 70s @fashionindie #fashiontalk

@BreanneRochelle: Am I the only one that will hide a sprained ankle or foot injury by wearing platforms or strutting in pain in heels #fashiontalk

@Lposts: @BreanneRochelle totally had a pair of black platform combat boots total spice girl love.. I was very proud.#fashiontalk

@BreanneRochelle: @Lposts I had the Sketcher platforms like Ginger Spice. Yeah, I thought I was cooler than I was.#fashiontalk

@caitlinsole: sometimes flatforms remind me of those moon bounce shoes people had as kids… http://tinyurl.com/4y7ghp8#fashiontalk

@hannahryan_park: @swh33lz @symaspeaks NUDE PUMPS ARE PERFECT for any outfit! love love love #fashiontalk

@CFashionista: Question 4: What summer headwear can’t you live without this season? Turbans, fedoras? #FashionTalk

@JessicaLapidos: @fashionindie @iamsamlim #headscarves and giant derbies, the two can interplay#fashiontalk

@ElizTaufield: What’s so great about turbans is that you don’t even need to buy one… make them out of what you have- scarves, bandanas, rope #fashiontalk

@fashionindie: Headwear trick: cut off the sleeve of a tshirt, automatic oversized turband! (@iamsamlim) #fashiontalk

@fashionindie: Im also still into the braided rope headbands around the forehead, hippie chic is timeless really #fashiontalk

@maricorgaraniel: fascinators are fun, too (ala princess catherine), for weddings… can you really rock them outside of teh UK though? haha #fashiontalk

@skiesbelow: Fishtail braids are great, so easy to do when you get the hang of it! Love all hair pleats RT @marleegiglio#fashiontalk

Props to @dynamicbovine for the profound fashion randomness.

@dynamicbovine: Maxi dresses are the ultimate way to survive the summer heat WITHOUT shaving your legs. #jussayin #fashiontalk

@dynamicbovine: Seeking high-waisted bathing suit bottoms! It seems worth the sacrifice of a bad midriff tan. #fashiontalk

@dynamicbovine: Shoutout to all my 5″8 and up girls that STILL wear wedges and skyscrape tiny boys with bad height genes. #fashiontalk

Clueless (1995)- If this 90′s classic wasn’t already on your top 10 movies list of style and rich girl ways well then start jotting! Alicia Silverstone is the best prepster out there, and no matter how old we are or how many fashion trends pass by Clueless will always remain a fashion favorite… through knee-high socks, more than enough argyle to handle, feminine school girl blazzers and especially because Britney Murphy was in it too!

Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion (1997)- A little on the dumb-ass side and I’m pretty sure no one would wear as much metallic and glitter as these two on screen best friends, but it’s still fun to watch their adventure in going back to their high school reunion and dominating the Madonna-inspired blasts from the pasts.

Spice World (1997)- Victoria Beckham‘s style may be taking over the style headlines a lot more than the Spice Girls do now, but it doesn’t mean that we would ever forget baby spice, scary spice, ginger spice, posh spice, sporty spice, or any other spices that I’m forgetting in between!

Jawbreaker (1999)- Catty and backstabbing what other way would a girl like their movies, when you accidentally kill your best friend in your favorite pumps?

The Virgin Suicides (1999)- When it comes to Kristen Dunst’s careless ways she makes any film look awesome! Sofia Coppola (director) filmed the movie in an angelic sort of sunlight state, and with the simplicity of the style on the girls, from sundresses to school outfits, the obsession of five boys falling in love with mysterious sisters begins, and they watch them on the road to suicide.

Factory Girl (2006)- Starring Sienna Miller as Edie Sedgwick a muse of all muses for the New York City life style of Andy Warhol. Not to mention, Mary-Kate Olsen gets her five minutes of fame getting to rock the furs and the smoking glam of this crazy 1960′s fashion filled film.

500 Days of Summer (2009)- Zooey Deschanel would be the perfect heart breaking type girl, with her vintage dresses and humorous ways as she completes every girls dream to crush the boy who’s insanely in love with her in nonchalant ways.

Whip It (2009)- Ellen Page plays a rebellious small town girl who creates a wicked life for herself in Austin, TX. And along with Drew Barrymoore and Landon Pigg she rocks her indie-child style with combat boots, random skirts, and bizarre rock band tees!

The Runaways (2010)- When hearing the names Dakota Fanning and Kristen Stewart you don’t normally think of one on one girl make out sessions or drug addict… which in their case would be a good thing but luckily these two actresses rocked the hell out of bringing the Joan Jett and Cherie Curie’s wild child style to life!

Black Swan (2010)- Obviously what kind of timeline would this be without listing Natalie Portman’s surprise act of dealing with perfection and giving us a mental image of just how good Rodarte ballet wear could be!

Just a wild guess…

IMAGE: Superficial

Red- the loudest member of the primary colors. It represents anger, passion, speed and… circus sideshows? Not really sure which pornographic ballet company the ringmaster stole these from, but ’tis the season to be giving, not taking.

Celebrities from the world of film, TV, music and sport at the 13th Annual British Academy Childrens Awards ceremony.

Pictured: Geri Halliwell

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Picture by: Solarpix / Splash News

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