#it was red and blue plaid and mega old and the best thing ever

[holocene-sims]

next // previous

august 16, 2021 8:45 a.m. paradise hotel

[otp4lyfe4eva]

The Star in My Universe

A/N: Hey Guys, I just wanted to thank you for taking the time in reading this story. You are probably wondering if this journey is even worth the hassle and all I can ask is please give it a chance before writing it off. I hope you enjoy it as I have enjoyed writing this. I have posted this on AO3, Fanfiction and Wattpad and figured I'd share it here. Feel Free to expressive your thoughts, concerns, opinions and comments or not…you taking the time in reading this is an honor.

Well here we go! The first chapter to the first adventure!

Chapter One:

     “Brick, there’s something I need to tell you—"

     “What do you think of Berserk, Bubbles?” He interrupted while watched the combative redhead roam down the hallways with her sinister smile distilling fear in everyone.

“I didn’t know bullies were your type” I answered as I leaned against the locker next to Brick.

“Berserk isn’t like that, she’s—different” Brick answered, I looked at him watching her waltz down the hallways and noted how the other students practically ran in the opposite direction. Berserk has always been a deranged girl who looked exactly like my sister Blossom but the only difference between the two aside from style were their personality. Blossom was sweet while Berserk was a nightmare. Ever since Buttercup and Blossom got accepted into some private school for junior high, I got stuck going to public school alone. It wasn’t always the best especially when people realized my two sisters weren’t attending with me; it gave them ammunition to become monsters. It gotten so bad that I had to spend one semester being home schooled. Blossom and Buttercup tried their best to have me transferred but I wasn’t “talented” enough like my sisters. Blossom was the smart one, Buttercup was the athletic one and then there was me, Bubbles. Because I couldn’t get into Townville Prep the Professor and I had to move while Buttercup and Blossom lived in the dorms and visit during breaks and holidays. I envied that they attended Townsville Junior high Prep being close to our old friends, while I went to Citiesville.

“All you have to do is study your butt off and you can apply for Townsville Oakes Academy” Blossom’s words resounded in my head countless times for the past two years. I worked my butt off to be the top student here and making sure I don’t get nothing but an ‘A’. I couldn’t afford a distraction which is when Brick asked me what I thought of Berserk I simply ripped my locker door opened. Not bothering to give Brick a warning I was annoyed by that comment and I didn’t know exactly why. Brick and I became best friends since he moved here two years ago and stood by each other when things got rough. He was my rock when I told him I needed to bring up my grades and end the year with all A’s. I remember him bringing me snacks and food in the library because he always knew I forget to eat. I was his backbone when he was going off the reins during his parent’s divorce and decided to stay with his brother and father here in Citiesville while his other dad moved. I remembered when he was evasive when I’d ask about his parents. It wasn’t till he invited me to dinner three months into our friendship I found out he has two dads. It was surprising but amazing how two individuals found each other and loved each other only to end that happinesses. The only thing I was concerned about was how Brick would bring up HIM moving away from them and just leaving his kids behind. I stood by Brick every moment of the way till he felt strong enough to be on his own again and even when he claimed to be strong, I would walk behind him with a safety net ready to catch him when he falls.

It was a hectic, yet we stood by each other’s side like glue. There were times I wondered why we were friends; we were clearly from different worlds with different ambitions in mind. Waiting for the homeroom bell to ring, I secretly stole a glance at Brick who was too busy watching the red head eighth grader chatting with her equally deranged sisters: Brat and Brute. I rolled my eyes at the Punk girls who clearly weren’t going to class. I observed Berserk as she laughed while fixing the ribbons in her long red hair. Her plaid top was way too tight on her revealing largely enhanced breast while her skirt didn’t leave anything to the imagination. Berserk was your average girl trying to grow up too fast and convincing everyone, including faculty, that she’s an adult—which she’s not. She wasn’t right for Brick; one time Berserk didn’t even know where the bathroom was and there was a sign of a girl on the door. I remember I had to literally walk her to the bathroom just so she wouldn’t walk in the boys’ room, again. I don’t understand what Brick sees in her, if anything I always figured he would be interested in someone intelligent or be like me and not be interested in anyone till marriage.

“She’s also an airhead with an evil smile who can’t tell the difference between Picassos’ blue period and cubism period” I added.

He smirked before replying, “No one except you can tell the difference. You’re the smartest girl in school”

“Obviously, but I always thought you would want a girl with—I don’t know, an actual brain.” I finished, I looked at him and could see he was too busy being infatuated with Berserk’s outfit.

“I don’t know, I thought you had higher standards— “

“Bubbles, what’s your deal?” Brick questioned “why are you acting weird?”

His gaze switched to me, but I didn’t flinch when his eyes were trained on me waiting for an answer. I kept my eyes on Brick, not afraid to challenge him. I remember I use to be afraid of him and couldn’t even look him in the eye like everyone else in school. But once we became friends, I become the only one who didn’t feel scared by his presence or felt like he could crush my entire existence. I simply would tell him point blank if he was in the wrong, or even how I feel because we’ve evolved in our friendship where there are no secrets between us.

Yet, I didn’t understand why I was getting worked up on Brick’s taste in women, he is a known player with no standards. Looking down I felt like a complete idiot for putting that act, he’s free to be interested in whomever he wanted, so why did it bother me?

‘You just care about your best friend’s wellbeing’ I thought, I looked at him and thought back to the time we first met:

“Morning class, today we have two new students” The teacher announced.

I was quite excited to see who the new kids were, I wasn’t exactly the welcoming committee, but I always felt if someone greeted me with a warm welcome they’d smile. I looked at the other kids who were uninterested and were busy scribbling in their notebooks or on their phones.

“I wonder if they are ugly” I heard one kid whisper; I bit my inner cheek hoping they wouldn’t get picked on like I was when I first came here. I was terrified for their wellbeing; another set of kids being thrown in the lion’s den with no protection. It was my duty to warn these newcomers. But my thoughts vanished when they walked into the classroom. The teacher introduced him, but he seemed so distant about it. he loud beating from my chest filled my ears. My palms grew sweaty and there were goosebumps all over my body. A cold shiver went down my spine causing my back to straighten. I didn’t pay too much attention to the other kid, Inuyasha but I noticed some similarities between the two.

They look so gorgeous, like models; athletic physique, long legs, beautiful hair and clear skin. Their skin was so pale it looked like ice; the boy’s eyes were extremely darker but different.

‘Could they be related?” I thought.

“Brick sit next to Bubbles” the teacher instructed, I was eternally grateful that we had name tags, at the time, on our desks. My body suddenly turned into jelly that felt too heavy to move.

“Hi there, I’m Bubbles” I introduced, this was first time I have been strongly bold to someone let alone a boy. My cheeks were suddenly hot, and my tongue was dry, but I did my best to avoid being awkward. Which was hard since I had a boy haircut, metal wire filled inside my mouth and thick glasses with tape to hold the middle because some kids, i.e. Brat felt it needed to ‘compete my look’. So therefore, the tape in the middle of my glasses.

He finally said in a very robust voice, “Go away”

I had a half of a mind to run for the hills, but I simply smiled and shared my book with him. I needed to make sure he felt welcome here even though half the student body were teasing me and ignored him. I could feel his eyes burning through my neck, so I turned my head to have his eyes burn through my eyes.

“I hope you like it here Brick” I replied, admiring his features; his red hair reminded me of Blossom’s only his was dark. It made me think of fire. And his eyes were blood red that screamed danger—

“Whatcha looking at four eyes”

I gasped at the mega spit ball that landed on my glasses. I looked up to see the green eye boy laughing with the straw in his hand. The entire class went wild with laughter. The teacher continued with the lesson and ignore the obvious events of the other kids following his league by spitting spit balls at me. Leaping out my chair, I ran to the bathroom without missing a beat. I cradled myself in the bathroom stall and cried as I picked the still wet spit balls out of my hair. It was times like this I wished Buttercup would be here and yell at the bullies. She’d probably make them eat it as they apologize to me. Chuckling at the thought, I took a deep breath and exited out the stall to clean the remnants off my glasses. Keeping my sisters in mind, I held my head up and decided to go back in the lion’s den. The only way to survive is to show no fear—which clearly failed. I didn’t want to throw in the towel and go back to homeschooling, after begging the professor I needed to be strong so he wouldn’t take off work. The last semester nearly cost Blossom and Buttercups their housing and if it weren’t for their scholarships, they would have been sent to Citiesville and I couldn’t have that.

“You got this bubs” I whispered. Pushing my shoulders back and holding my head out I walked out the bathroom only to get bumped to the ground.

“Sorry” I muttered.

‘So much for not backing down’ I thought, looking up it was the red eyed boy named Brick towering over me. His shadow cast a dark aura around him. I watched as he shifted his feet making sure his shadow didn’t touch me.

“Watch where you’re going” he muttered, he didn’t move he simply stood there towering over me. I stared at him wondering if it was his way of apologizing or telling me something completely different. Nodding, I picked myself up and noticed how he was still standing in front of me with his hands in his pocket.

“Did you need something?” I asked,

“Butch is an idiot, don’t let him get to you”

I felt myself exhaling a lot of air, not realizing I was unconsciously holding my breath. His deep blood eyes penetrated past my weak walk and could probably see everything inside me. If he wanted, he could kick me down with one look. Yet here he is apologizing for that kid’s behavior.

“He’s your brother” I noted, Brick sighed and twisted his cap to hide his face.

“How did you know” His facial expression stayed the same, but these eyes gave him away when a spark of shock flashed.

“You guys have the same facial features, despite having different color eyes and hair; you act pretty distant when he’s near so you must be the oldest and you flinch, well your eyes darken when I mentioned your relation” I answered “Plus you two have the same last name, so it’s pretty much common sense”

He chuckled softly I couldn’t help but smile too. He turned his baseball cap forward so he could hide his face which probably revealed I was right. I felt like I did something good.

“You’re something special Bubbles” He stated before walking away back to the classroom. I lingered a moment, the smile I had on my face stayed the entire day. I was in such a good mood; I swore my heard skipped a beat. It didn’t bother me that the Powerpunk sisters dropped their yogurt on top of my head along with their assorted toppings. Nothing could ruin the fact that at that moment I knew I was going to be friends with Brick Jojo.  

Snapping out of my trip down memory lane. That little kid I met on his first day transformed himself into the man right in front of me. I watched as Brick’s eyes darken and lighten up as he continued to stare at my face. It’ s almost as if he’s searching for something in my eyes. I kept staring at him for some reason my eyes could not look away. I just wanted him to look in my eyes all day while I did the same with him.

“I’m sorry, I just want you to date a girl who’s actually worthy of you” I started.

His eyebrow lifted curious where I was going with my little speech and to be quite frank so was I.

“I hate seeing you” I paused, unsure where I was going with this, some little voice inside my head wanted to scream “I hate seeing you with other girls” but I shook my head and took deep breath. It was weird and gross to think of my best friend that way.

“I hate seeing you with girls’ that don’t deserve you because they only want what you can provide for them” I explained, Brick lifted my chin up watching my messy bun come undone. A few pieces fell from my now sloppy bun to my face. I watched as his eyes sparkle with—something I never knew he possessed—excitement.

‘How come I never knew your eyes did that’ I thought as I felt his eyes reaching inside my soul.

“Brick?” he snapped out of his thoughts and looked at me in a platonic way, it is the same look I’ve grown accustomed to over the years.

“Bubbles you’re— “

He couldn’t finish his thought. The whiff of cinnamon and fear filled his nose and nearly suffocated me, but it also made him forget what he wanted to say. Turning around to see Berserk right behind him with a nervous look on her face and crooked smile resting on her lips. I was quite shocked at her demeanor, normally Berserk would be firm and confident but here she is looking like, a nervous kid. I too wanted to melt from the sight of Berserk, at this very moment she looked innocent.

I felt Brick’s hand drop from my face. Captured by the siren’s presence, I felt disappointed, but I didn’t understand why. Part of me wanted to ask him not to move his hand but it wouldn’t mean anything. His attention was to his ‘dream girl’ of the week. My body felt heated, charged with rage but broke from the way he kept staring at her. It made me feel so inadequate, like I was suddenly invisible.

“Hey Brick” Berserk smiled at him while brushing a piece of hair away from her face.

I watched the girl fix her red ribbons and look at Brick with her unique red eyes. A black hole started to grow inside my stomach. I wanted to pull her ribbons and stuff it in her mouth, but I snapped out of it.

‘What the hell?’ I wondered but I just couldn’t help it. The more I stared at Berserk the bigger that black hole grew in my stomach. I didn’t understand why I felt animosity towards the girl. It didn’t bother me that he was talking to her, but it bothered me how he was giving her his time. Like she was all that mattered, no one else existed; especially not me who was less than three feet away from them.

“Berserk” Brick responded, I watched as she giggled at him and rubbed her arm in a nervous manner.

“I was wondering if you don’t have any plans tonight—no wait you probably do, but if you don’t have a date to Butch’s party would you go with me? She finished.

“And that’s my cue to leave” I slammed my locker shut once the bell gave the second warning bell to head to class.

‘Stupid Berserk and her perfect skin, her stupid perfect crooked smile with her perfect teeth’ I thought as I held my books tight to my body, fearing I would fall apart if I let go.

“Bubbles, wait up!” Brick yelled, I wanted to keep walking and ignore my best friend who probably agreed to go on a date with that perfectly stupid air head.

Stopping at the corner I cling to my books even tighter as a life raft, not ready to tell Brick why I walked off so fast without waiting for him.; I fixed my thick framed glass, with the same tape in the middle, because Brat is nothing if not consistent. As I waited for Brick, I looked at the School’s mirror that is right above the water fountain and closed my eyes quickly after seeing my reflection.

‘Why do I care about my appearance’ I thought.

I knew I didn’t have a perfect smile, my braces made sure of it and my eyesight wasn’t the best because I had to get an even stronger prescription this year. I never have time to do my hair so I always either kept it in a messy bun or in pigtails because I was too busy trying to make straight A’s. And being the perfect daughter at home while the other two perfect sisters lived far away not fearing the hell of Citiesville.

“Why’d you run off?” Brick asked

“I didn’t want to get in the way of your plans with Miss dictator over there” I answered sourly, I felt so childish, but I just hated Berserk more than for the obvious reasons and I don’t know why and that frustrates me even more.

He sighed and shook his head, “Don’t be that way Bubbles.”

“Brick you’ve had your eye on that girl for a few months” I whispered, when he didn’t say anything, I knew I had to make a point.

“I just didn’t want you to miss your chance with her” I added.

“Well too late for that” he answered, I cocked my head to the side confused by his response.

“What do you mean?”

“I told her I was taking you instead” He replied “I couldn’t let my best friend miss an epic Jojo party”

I giggled at Brick’s sudden hospitality and all of my insecurities vanished into thin air—like magic. I suddenly wanted to jump into his arms and hug him for thinking of me. It occurred to me how I should have stayed a little longer to see Berserk’s face when he told her he was taking me instead of her. I felt victorious, like I won the grand prize, like I could accomplish anything.

“So, I’ll pick you up at eight, dress to impress” He told me before ushering me to my Honor’s English Composition class. Smiling I sat in my usual seat and ignored all the teasing remarks of the other kids. All I could think about was my plans to hang out with Brick tonight.

[lyarraofhousestark]

In case you're looking for prompts--how about PI Jon Snow and photographer Sansa Stark working together for lawyer Tyrion Lannister?

So yes, I haven’t posted in forever, my b everyone. But finally my life has calmed down and I got some inspiration back. That said, this may not have been exactly what you were looking for.

And when I say not what you’re looking for I mean I wrote a Veronica Mars AU. Though to be fair, everyone is still in the positions you asked for and damn, I just couldn’t resist, making Jon a sarcastic, loner teen detective a la Kristin Bell.

So without further ado:

Jon usually handled cases by himself and now he wasbeginning to remember why.

“I’m just saying, I feel like it’s a bit conspicuous sittinghere in your car,” Sansa said, takinga massive bite of her Red Vine (because snacks were essential to the stakeoutexperience. C’mon, Snow.) “I mean,how many of these old shit-mobiles are there still in circulation anyway.”

She kicked the dashboard to emphasize her point and Jonswatted her leg away testily.

“The Le Baron is a classic car, Sansa,” Jon answered her.“Besides, not all of us had mommy and daddy to buy us a brand-new Jeep for ourSuper Sweet Sixteen.”

Sansa crossed her arms and shifted her gaze out the windowsullenly, camera still hung around her neck.

Jon winced as he played the sentence back over in his head.He shouldn’t have mentioned her dad. Mr. Stark had been a great guy, kind ofthe father he never had if he was being honest. He spent pretty much every dayover at the Stark house after he and Robb finished soccer practice.

But even then Sansa hadn’t been a huge fan of his, and hewasn’t a fan of hers. To him, she was always a spoiled, little, rich girl,flaunting her wealth in a way Robb never did. And to her, he was a boy from thewrong zip code, only tolerated because his mother was the sheriff.

But he was Robb’s best friend and she was Dany’s, whichmeant they were always hanging out together nonetheless.

That all changed after Dany dumped him, and then Robb andMr. Stark…

Well, they didn’t really talk anymore. Sansa still ran withthe rest of the 07’ers and Jon had embraced his inner loner (though to behonest it had always been lurking just beneath the surface.) He had Sam andGhost and helping his mom out with cases. After all, it didn’t specify whichSnow would be investigating on the sign for Snow Investigations.

But when Tyrion had come to him with yet another soon-to-bedivorcee searching for evidence of a cheating spouse, Jon found himself in needof a photographer to nail the perv.

Why he thought of Sansa was anyone’s guess. The only thingshe had in common with Nancy Drew was their fondness for plaid miniskirts.True, she was the best photographer at their school paper and the yearbook, butreally it was probably because she had that expensive telephoto lens that Jonjust couldn’t afford.

It certainly wasn’t because he missed her.

In any event, it was clearly a mistake. Because now theywere sitting outside the skeezy motel off the bay waiting for Tyrion’s mysterydivorce client for god knows how long and she wasn’t even speaking to him. Justpassive aggressively eating Red Vines.

“I don’t even know why I said yes to this,” she finallysnapped at him.

“Trust me, I don’t know why I asked,” he muttered.

She turned sharply to glare at him, a wave of red hairflipping over her shoulder.

“You think you’re so much better than us now, just becauseyou sit by yourself at lunch and make snide comments about us all to yourlittle friend,” she sniped.

“I don’t think I’m better than you all, but if I did, couldyou blame me?” he asked. “You all order a hundred bucks worth of food each dayto the school cafeteria, just so you can flash your new AmEx to the studentbody, it’s pathetic.”“It wasn’t so pathetic when you hung out with all of us, was it?” she quicklysnapped back, leaning toward him, her camera swinging angrily from her neck.

“Hey, you abandoned me, not the other way around, remember?”Jon scoffed.

“Oh please, you were out of there the minute Robb died!”

Her eyes widened as soon as the words were out of her mouth,as if she couldn’t quite believe she said them.

Jon sat back in his seat, more than a bit stunned himself.Sometimes it seemed like Sansa had forgotten about it all, the way she justcarried on after Robb and Ned died.

Arya had been so depressed she’d begged her mother for atransfer just to get away, and though he didn’t see the younger kids as much,he’d heard through the grapevine that they were in therapy weekly.

But Sansa had been back to her pink cashmere sweaters andstunning smiles the day after the funeral.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you actually talk about it,”Jon mumbled, staring stubbornly at the wheel to avoid her gaze.

Still, he heard her scoff.

“You don’t just forget a double homicide,” she retorted.

Jon snuck a glance over at her just as she wiped a tear fromthe corner of her eye. It was small, but it was the least composed he’d seenher since middle school.

He opened up his mouth to say something but the moment wasquickly gone as she leaned forward with a gasp, smacking him across the chestto gain his attention.

“Oh my God, is that Cersei Lannister?” she asked in shock,quickly raising her camera.

Jon leaned across the dash to look up to the parking lot ofthe motel where, indeed, a furtive Dr. Cersei Lannister was making her way to amotel room, throwing nervous glances over her shoulder.

Sansa was already snapping photos of the well-coiffedsocialite as she made her way to the second floor.

“You didn’t tell me this was who your mystery client was!”Sansa gasped. “This is too good. She was such a mega-bitch to me when I wasdating Joff. Serves her right for Mr. Baratheon to serve her with divorcepapers, I just can’t believe her own brother would represent her husband in theproceedings.”

“I can,” Jon mumbled under his breath.

Somehow Tyrion almost always managed to work a dig at hisfamous sister into conversation, though hiring a P.I. to catch her in the actwas admittedly a bit much. Still, it explained the need for secrecy and hisnone-too-subtle, “you’ll know her when you see her,” comment when he inquiredabout the client.

Cersei finally stopped in front of Room 217 and with onelast look around she knocked on the door.

Jon leaned forward and placed a hand on Sansa’s shoulder,momentarily forgetting their earlier argument.“Get ready, this is the money shot.”

Sansa snapped the photo the moment the door opened, thoughJon was too stunned to hear the click of the camera when he saw who it was.

Rhaegar Targaryen was shirtless in nothing but a towel whenhe answered the door.

He pushed his wet, silver hair back and grinned at hisguest, quickly ushering her into the motel. He kissed her as she walked pasthim in the doorway and Jon was vaguely aware of Sansa taking another photo.

No doubt, Tyrion would be pleased.

And just like that it was over. The door shut and it wasonce again just Sansa and Jon in the Le Baron.

Sansa slowly lowered her camera and looked at him withworry.

“God, Snow,” she said. “Are you alright? Dany told me thereason you broke up is because she found out that…”

Jon set his jaw and turned the key in the ignition, theengine revving to life.

“I think you got the shot,” he said shortly. “We don’t needto stick around until she leaves. I should get these to Tyrion ASAP anyway andyou probably have—I don’t know—a party, or something to get to.”

“Jon—,” she started to say, laying a gentle hand on hisshoulder, but he abruptly shook her off.

“God, Sansa, it’s fine!” he shouted. “I don’t want to talkabout it and certainly not with you.”

She reeled back, hurt in her eyes, and Jon was immediatelyready to take it back. But he bit his tongue instead and pulled out onto thehighway. The last thing he wanted to do was talk about Rhaegar Targaryen, and he wasn’tabout to apologize to Sansa if it meant having to talk about the thing thatmade bile fill the back of his throat just thinking about it.

The ride back to Snow Investigations was made in silence. Atone point Sansa rolled her window down and let her hand drift along the airrushing by and Jon was immediately reminded of when she would do that verything on late night McDonald’s runs with Robb and Dany.

The sun was sinking into the water and the red lightreflected back onto Sansa’s auburn hair, making it appear even more red than itwas.

As if feeling his eyes on her, she looked back at him, blueclashing with grey and Jon quickly reverted to the road.

As soon as they pulled up in front of his mom’s building heonce again opened his mouth to say something to her, but she unbuckled her seatbelt and pulled out the SD card from her camera.

“Get this back to me by Tuesday,” she said, handing it tohim while avoiding eye contact. “I have to shoot the basketball game at four.You can just give it to me at school, but notin front of anyone worth knowing. Okay, Snow?”He nodded dumbfounded. She quickly made her way across the street to her babyblue Jeep, her camera held in front of her like a shield.

Jon waved half-heartedly at her retreating back and made hisway into the office.

He sighed as he sat down at the front desk and put the SDinto the card reader attached to his laptop.

He didn’t even notice Tyrion sitting on the waiting roomcouch until he spoke up.

“You know, for a detective, you’re really not veryobservant,” he said.

Jon jumped slightly in his chair, a hand flying to his chestin a most unmanly-like way.

“Christ, you nearly gave me a heart attack,” he told him.

Tyrion jumped off the couch, making his way to stand beforeJon’s desk.

He put his hands in his slack pockets and smirked.

“Was that Sansa Stark’s Jeep I saw out front?” he asked.

“I don’t ask you about how you do your business, you don’task me how I do mine,” Jon retorted, pulling up Sansa’s photos and transferringthem, without looking, to a flash drive.

“Oh, it was business then,” Tyrion said, disappointmentevident in his voice. “And here I thought it might be young love.”

Jon glared at him over his laptop and handed him the flashdrive.

“Please, 07 princess isn’t exactly my type,” he said. “Butshe’s a much better photographer than me. I think you’ll be pleased. And don’tworry, she knows the confidentiality deal. She won’t be telling anyone aboutyour ‘secret client’ even if your sister was a mega-bitch to her.”

Tyrion laughed, whirling the flash drive’s dangle around hisfinger.

“Mega-bitch,” he chortled. “That’s a new one. I like it.Tell Ms. Stark she’s really captured my sister’s essence. I’ll wire you themoney tomorrow, Snow.”

Tyrion turned to leave and his hand was on the door when Jonfelt the words bubble to his lips.

“Tell your brother, he’d be better served keeping his eye onDeputy Tarth,” Jon said, seeing Tyrion’s back freeze. “Turns out your sister’snot one to keep it in the family after all.”

Tyrion turned his head to face him with a tight grin.

“Confidentiality, remember?” the lawyer said.

“Of course,” Jon replied, spinning in his desk chair. “Justthought I’d remind you that this P.I. isn’t as unobservant as you give himcredit for.”

[fashiontrendin-blog]

LFW: Who the hell is Richard Quinn and why is he fit for a Queen? And other LFW news…

http://fashion-trendin.com/lfw-who-the-hell-is-richard-quinn-and-why-is-he-fit-for-a-queen-and-other-lfw-news/

LFW: Who the hell is Richard Quinn and why is he fit for a Queen? And other LFW news…

From Richard Quinn, the young designer who made history with his royal Frow to Christopher Bailey’s last-ever Burberry show – here’s all the LFW news…

First things first. This was going to be the usual kind of London Fashion Week chat – you know, a few trends, a few hot new labels to know, that sort of thing. But it’s all been blown out of the water by the ONLY LFW news we can think about. That’s right, the epic unseen-ever-before moment that was HRH Queen Elizabeth’s Frow debut. And not at a mega-brand show at a grand venue, either. No, HM toddled down to the good old official BFC showspace on the Strand, to watch the creations of Richard Quinn, a young designer most people have never heard of. And she actually sat on an uncomfortable plastic chair just like the rest of us hardy fashion frontliners. She did have a purple velvet cushion on it. And she did get to sit next to the other Queen of the Universe, Anna Wintour – who actually looked nervous (in Wintour world, that means a slight fiddle with her bob and a strange rictus smile). But nevertheless, throne it wasn’t. HM’s visit was cloaked in secrecy until the moment security in the BFC space suddenly got rather tense at around 3pm. The first thing the fash pack knew was when the monarch, accompanied by BFC chief executive Caroline Rush, popped up at ‘the stands’ (a room full of new brands displaying their wares)for a quick chat with a hat designer or two, en route to the Richard Quinn show. So, without further ado…

Who the hell is Richard Quinn and what was The Queen doing at Quinn?

Richard Quinn only launched his label in 2016, after doing both a BA and then an MA at Central St Martin’s, having interned at both Dior and Richard James on Savile Row. He specialises in textile and fabric innovation, and has spent his first two years in business rocketing to the top of industry ‘one to watch’ lists. He’s already worked with Liberty and won H&M’s 2017 Design Award. His own designs – a riot of very English wallpaper prints and florals rendered in crazy techno fabrics – are pretty standout. He has a particular penchant for covering models’ faces in matching fabrics – eerie, but fabulous. But what’s also special is his commitment to helping fellow designers. He runs an open-access textile printing studio in Peckham, South London (he grew up nearby) to give students and other designers access to resources for a reasonable price. And that’s why Richard Quinn was picked to receive the first ever Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design— a new award that recognises British fashion’s role as one of the country’s key industries. Each recipient will be an emerging new British designer who contributes to the community and/or has strong sustainable policies, according to the BFC. The award itself was designed by the Queen’s longtime personal designer, Angela Kelly (who also attended the show). Just imagine what Richard’s proud mum and dad (who he sweetly thanked in his show notes) had to say last night…

Adwoa Aboaw at Richard Quinn

  Richard Quinn

2. Christopher Bailey has left the building. But who’s next at Burberry?

Burberry AW18

After a mammoth 17-year stint at the helm of Burberry, Christopher Bailey has left the plaid-checked building. He was the man who reinvigorated the house, turning it from a chav-check backwater into the jewel in the crown (see what we did there?) of British fashion. And bringing the chav check back as a fashion statement last season, into the bargain. Bailey’s sign-0ff was epic. One of Christopher bailey best moments. All his ‘Burberry girls’ were reunited again – number one was a certain Cara Delevingne, who he discovered and put in so many ad campaigns we’ve lost track. She returned the favour by taking a break from her starry new acting career for a catwalk return. There was Sienna Miller, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Keira Knightley…and Chelsea Clinton – who is best friends with Bailey’s husband Simon Woods (who knew?). Bailey collaborated with United Visual Artists for the lighting, and also worked in an art installation in the form of rainbow lasers – ‘Our Time’, loaned from an Australian museum. The collection was heavy on LGBT rainbows – including a special Rainbow Check collection, (which is already available to buy) sales of which will go to support LGBT charities. There were lashings of ironic sportswear (including some pretty spectacular shellsuits and tourist-tastic chunky checked trainers), and a melange of some of Bailey’s greatest hits, including shearling aviator jackets, military coats and brightly coloured dresses. Now, the big question his – who’s the new Christopher? Previous hot tip Phoebe Philo has apparently taken herself out of the running and the money’s now on Kim Jones, former head of menswear at Louis Vuitton. His gender-fluid, streetwear-inflected aesthetic would definitely take the brand to the next level of cool. Place your bets…

3. New names to know

You can always rely on London to bring all the fierce creativity and fashion craziness. And this season didn’t disappoint. Our gold medals for cool go to…

Matty Bovan

Matty Bovan

He’s been part of new talent showcase Fashion East for three seasons, and this week saw his first solo show. The vibe: think the new Gareth Pugh (huge inflatable balloon headpieces, aggressive silhouettes), with lashings of drag queen – via Shoreditch. Uber-stylist Katie Grand is a supporter, and he’s a contributing fashion editor at Grand’s Love magazine.

Isa Arfen

Isa Arfen

Ever since she designed a colour-block ruffled blouse that sold out everywhere (it practically needed its own Instagram account), Isa Arfen (aka designer Serafina Sama) has been on the ascent. Her maximalist approach and love of bold colours are the kind of pieces a modern-day Frida Kahlo might wear – and she wowed the crowd at her first full runway show this season. Inspired by Seventies flea markets, everything about it was uplifting. From the melodious tunes of a steel band, drumming away at the end of the catwalk, to the frilly 1980s tartan and the dancing crowd of models having a party on the runway for the finale, it was one big smile of a show.

Richard Malone

Richard Malone

Hailing from Wexford in Ireland, Malone is the cool new face of sustainability. His sculptural shapes in dazzling colours like cobalt blue and tomato red are made using ethical textiles and recycling a-plenty. He’s worked with a co-operative of female weavers in India since his graduate collection, and his creativity knows no bounds when it comes to making best use of existing materials – from sourcing yarn recycled from dead surplus stock, to tassells woven from recycled plastic. He designs for strong women, and he believes in diverse show casting – his model lineups represent women of every colour and ‘look’. And we love him for it.

Lastly…the pound-shop styling tricks

Faustine Steinmetz

Simone Rocha

Yes, that’s right. From the smorgasbord of accessories and styling on the runways, we’ve managed to filter out a couple of ways you can give yourself a little AW18 panache on the (very) cheap. Hurrah!

Pile on the haircombs. Tortoiseshell as seen at Faustine Steinmetz and beaded overload at Simone Rocha. DIY it for pennies on Amazon….

Well, well, well. How on earth will Milan and Paris live up to the LFW that hit headlines around the globe? Stay tuned…