Weds 31st Dec: Aurevoir 2008

New Year Wishes from metal guru - Husam El Odeh

Tues 30th Dec: Soul mate?

Since my profile appeared on MySPACE Fashion, I have had a scarily sizable friend request box that I don't really touch. But one picture made me stop and here he is. I looked him up and it seems I have a double-ganger in L.A. Its a mix of rainbow colours, with accents of black'n'white and then a side line in holographic cosmicness. HELLO! Where have you been all my life?!
Brian is a designer based in Los Angeles who has created stage outfits for an amazing list of singers: M.I.A, Santogold, Beth Ditto, Peaches, Katy Perry, Lady Ga Ga and Yelle. Wow. Thats a healthy client list for someone who discovered fashion via Hussein Chalayan as worn by Bjork.

I have borrowed (without permission) these beautiful photos from my favourite interiors site www.theselby.com.

Monday 29th Dec: Lucy Aebischer

Over the Christmas holiday I am blessed with the help of Visual Communications student Lucy Aebischer who has given up her free time to come and listen to my ailment moaning. Lucy is in her final year of studying so not long before she can unleash her illustration and prop styling into the big wide world. Another forte of hers (much like the infamous Maki Lou Lou, of "Boss" cupcake fame) is baking. To demonstrate her skills we have already sampled choc chip cupcakes decorated with her new Internet aqcusistion of edible glitter icing. To view more of her culinary conquests go to this blog: http://fifiandlola.blogspot.com/ and to view more pioneering sparkle glass lens photography (seen here) go to this blog: http://lucy-aebischer.blogspot.com/

Sun 28th Dec: Brie Harrison

The last issue of Amelia's Magazine EVER has been published, typically teaming with illustrations galore and great photographic music profiles to put faces to the new names bounding around town. Each issue has always had a gimmick to mark its number in the order.........scratch'n'sniff, colour-by-numbers, glow-in-the dark etc. For the 10th and final edition, Amelia has treated us to a sewing kit akin to the Cloth Kits that were iconic in the 70's. I was over the moon to see the print design of this special textiles commission is by Brie Harrison who was one of my favorite peeps that I graduated with from Brighton. Here is a scan of one of her graduation zip prints that she generously gave me at the time............or perhaps more accurately, I probably obliged her to donate it to me as its so lush. Either way I have treasured it, as you can see!
In our sandwich year, Brie travelled to India to do a placement at a hand block print studio and since her degree, lived in NYC and worked for Design Works International. Now based in London, she has left a stint at Accessorize to freelance and currently designing a new range of greetings cards and wrapping papers for stationery company Art Angels ...http://www.art-angels.co.uk/. She has previously been published in Amelia's and recently been featured in Mike Perry's new book about hand drawn pattern design....'Over & Over' http://midwestisbest.com/work.php
The ethical company Brie collaborated with for the cut'n'sew kit for Amelia's are Lewes based "Gossypium" who have also had history with the Indian textile industry. They are in partnership with Agrocel, who supply the highstreet with fairtrade cotton. To find out more about the finer details or how to get hold of your own dress to make: http://www.ameliasmagazine.com/
(Photo; Chiara Romagnoli, Styling: Oxana Korsun)

Sat 27th Dec: Festivities

I have been ill since waking up last Tuesday. I'm still ill. I can't stand this any longer. Any advice for shaking the cold from hell, please let me know...........I'm desperate

(image, christmas card from Andy Hilllman)

Mon 22nd Dec: Ministry Of Fun

When we received summons for the Andy Knight's Christmas Party via a Ration Book with vouchers for drinks, we might have been able to guess the attention to detail on the WWII theme. The South London set builders (to the likes of Tim Walker & Hermes) went CRAZY this year building an entire set straight out of the blitz. They are quite the best "scenesters" in town and this is why:

1) The smoking area outside was a constructed subway station with curved tube wall, black painted tunnel with lights, posters and even a cheeky little banksy graffiti!
2) The band's stage had a video 'sky' showing spitfires in flight through a bombed hole in the fake wall......
3) The dj booth was a masterpiece in scenic painting ......... shrapnel damaged stone, shadowed with meticulous one direction perspective
4) There was an English pub area with real ale and on the opposite side a French bar with wine and a Parisian night sky silhouette through a glass "French" door....................("Double Club" Eat your heart out!)
5) Not to mention the guy wearing an actual life sized grenade costume complete with pin

So what was our studio response to the theme? Andy Hillman's team made a plane for us to carry in sections on entry to the venue. Alex made the pilots moustaches and goggles and I made a couple of quick scarves wired to look like they were flapping in the wind. But the fancy dress winner was photographer Jo Lacey (seen here) who had her hair set especially for the occasion!

Thank you to everyone at Andy Knights for an astonishing evening! An annual event without fail!

Sun 21 Dec: No Days Off Take on The Pallyacho Tapes

The designer's behind the identity of Pure Groove have recently been getting literally hands-on with records, devising a limited edition artwork for London Folktronic act "Barbarossa". Patrick Duffy and Teo Connor have left their computer screens to get messy and double dip a run of 12". Each of the 100 articles has been hand made at their studio by fixing plasticated sleeves with a neon latex seam along each edge. The colour was mixed specially and is that perfect fluro colour that I love which is half way between orange and pink. On the subject of such a colour.............

(Absolutely useless and tenuous trivia from Fred: "Barbarossa" is the Italian for "red beard" due to the facial fuzz of James Mathe, the man behind the music. HOW BIZARRE since the other hotly tipped London act of the moment "La Roux" means "red haired one" in French. La Roux is Kitsune's latest hyped act Elly Jackson who is on tour in Jan/Feb and supporting Lily Allen in March, see: http://www.myspace.com/larouxuk)

"The Pallyacho Tapes" is released tomorrow so to guarantee getting a piece of original vinyl wrapped with love, click on the following:

Roughtrade.com

Puregroove.co.uk

Fencerecords.com

or visit the Rough Trade shop in Notting hill or the Pure groove shop in Farringdon.

Sat 20th Dec: Something for the weekend

We have had the delight of Laura McDougall joining us in the studio for the last 3 months (more info when I write up Andy Knights Christmas Party on Monday). She has sent me this link to her friend Tom's video work. For some reason she thought I'd like it?! Be warned, its both cosmic and catchy................ and check out this suit!



Bileebob - Get a Phone (Underground Resistance) from Konx-om-Pax on Vimeo.

Sat 20th Dec: The Financial Times

So Teo and I are now officially up and running as a DJ duo under the title "The FT" (Fred & Teo) which we thought fitting under the current monetary climate. We premiered our skills at Work It last weekend where I confess to just passing the records to Teo as it was her 90's collection that we used for the night. However we have secured our 1st booking where I will be spinning some of my own choice tunes in addition. On 27th of Feb we will be performing at the V&A Friday late event which is dedicated to the idea of domesticity - the evening is entitled: "Home sweet home". The evening starts at 6.30pm and finishes at 10pm with a line-up of designers and illustrators doing workshops, projection, talks, performances. I'm very excited about blasting out my latest procured tunes from my weekend charity shop digging.


On the last Friday of every month, the V&A hosts a contemporary late night event in the museum. Centred around a theme or exhibition, the evenings feature live performances, guest DJ's and often hands-on activities as well as a late bar.

photo: Patrick Duffy

Friday 19th Dec: Sample Sale

Nin from "Goodone" clothing invited me to take part in a sample sale this week with my fellow Cube represented NOKI, also Cassette Playa and Judy Blame. It was a lovely day having visits from Maki Lou Lou, Susie Bubble, Patrick Wolf & William who won a pink porcelain dog in the lucky dip! I sold a few pieces but it turned out to be another reason all together that I found myself out of the studio on that day. It was not for the sale but to have the opportunity to meet and make a connection with Judy Blame. Our stars alligned and in the way fate always guides my life, it was an incredible encounter and Im now looking forward to see what unfolds in the future. In the morning we saw a magpie out on the roof and by the evening I was the proud owner of a magpie t-shirt and rainbow keychain/necklace that Judy generously gave me. How lucky am I?! Its actually obscene how lucky I am. I feel like Gollom or Fagan as I gleefully inspect each piece that are a collection from Judy's trips around the world....Brazil, Paris.........there is so much detail I have had a problem trying to fit it all in this photo (see bottom) but Im sure that I will blog it again as I don't intend on taking it off for quite a while!

Weds 17th Dec: Snow Queen Spectrum Special

So whats going on at Torrens Street this week? Well, whilst Double Club revellers are checking out the Prada Congo experience downstairs, we are getting up to the usual old tricks in the studio upstairs. Since I began work in the prop world it has been a continuous onslaught of spray chemicals on my poor abused lungs. It seems that spraying random objects different colours is the best treatment for most jobs! I love having a full palette of colours on the shelf, just waiting to be used on something new. Chloe Bell took this snap of me looking like a snow queen on a white day and also this rainbowlicious selection that she has been preparing for Andy Macgregors latest project.

Tue 16 Dec: Get your hands on some clobber......

Mon 15th Dec: It's Christmas!

Photography Amy and Anna AKA Mishkin, Eyelashes Fred Butler, Make-up Megumi Matsuno, Model Sara el Dabi

Mon 15th Dec: It's War

The newly overhauled and unrecognisable "War" magazine has launched with this fantastic cover by fashion editor Kim Howells (snapped here at the launch party). There are profiles on next generation designers such as Bethan Wood and specially commissioned advertorials to platform young designers (NOKI & Louise Gray). Contributors include other emerging talents including Matthew Josephs, Justine Josephs, Jenny Hueston and Maki Lou Lou. The redesigned, spine bound format with shiny paper stock is now edited by Chris Murdoch and no longer in the hands of the original team (Molaroid) for anyone who may be wondering.





Photo borrowed without permission, sorry:
http://glamcanyon.blogspot.com/2008/12/war-magazine-launch-party.html

Sun 14th Dec: Get out of your lazy bed

A little something for a dark winter Monday morning to spring out of bed. This was one of my favourite songs when I was little............going ballistic dancing round the house with my best friend Elly. I think its high time for a revival and want to hear it again on a dancefloor. Looking back now I realise that Matt Bianco is a dead ringer for Roland Mouret.............or is that just me on both counts?

Saturday 13th Dec: Pop up

Last night was the London launch of Carri Mundane's latest project which is a collaboration with Nike. The pop up shop is open to the public today so if you can, make the trip down to Brick Lane this afternoon. Including limited edition new + archive pieces from c a s s e t t e p l a y a + the Ldn release of our CP X Nike Blazer. CP X Nike Blazer also available in Dover St Market Ldn and internationally from this weekend at: Colette Paris + Slam Jam IT + Nike Mercer St NY+ NSW Tokyo.
I missed the party as I was helping Teo set the dance floor on fire at Visions but Carri came down after to represent as an original supporter of the Work It! team. Last night really was the best so far with Blaise Belleville's endless and relentless trail of tunes. I kept picking up my boliler suit in preparation to depart and then another classic anthem would be dropped............. I would have to turn straight back round and throw my hands in the air. No room for self-conscious shapes last night, it was back to back joyous booty shaking (tastefully I must add!). Roll on New Years Eve for the next installment!

(Here is an archive portrait taken by Andrew Gow at the Gareth Pugh Fashion in Motion at the V&A as I don't have any pics from last night)

CP X NIKE POP UP STORE = SAT DEC 13TH 11.30 - 6.30PM

@ NIKE 1948 space LDN.

477 - 478 Batemans Row.

Shoreditch

EC2 3HH

Friday 12th December: New Gen

The British Fashion Council have officially announced the winners of this year's New Gen sponsorship program.
Here is some edited text from the release on Vogue.com
"DANIELLE SCUTT, House of Holland, Louise Goldin, Mark Fast, Mary Katrantzou, Meadham Kirchhoff, Nasir Mazhar and Peter Pilotto all got an enviable pre-Christmas boost today as the British Fashion Council named them recipients of its coveted New Generation catwalk sponsorship, which is supported by Topshop, for London Fashion Week in February.
The award will allow them to show their autumn/winter 2009-10 collections on the official show schedule - for the very first time, in the case of newcomers Mark Fast, Mary Katrantzou and Nasir Mazhar.
In addition to the designers showing on the catwalk, New Gen is also supporting a swathe of talents - namely Anna Vince, Borba Margo, Craig Lawrence, Cooperative Designs, David David, Emilio de la Morena, Felder Felder, Fred Butler, Hannah Marshall, House of Holland, KTZ, Krystof Strozyna, Louise Gray, Mark Fast, Mary Katrantzou, Meadham Kirchhoff, Nicholas Kirkwood, Peter Pilotto - by providing them with sponsorship to show their collections at the London Fashion Week Exhibition."
Im having a bit of an out-of-body experience reading my name is on the list and still can't quite believe the news since I first heard it.
It seems so funny that exactly a year ago I met Craig Lawerence when we were both working on Patrick Wolf's finale at the Shepherds Bush Empire (purple ribbon garment by Craig seen here). Little did we know that we would both be recipients of this exciting opportunity the following Christmas! I love how funny life can work out in these strange mysterious ways. Congrats everyone else who won and also everyone else who entered, the future is another day and another opportunity waiting to happen.............

Fri 12th December: Glam Cult

Here is the result of the portrait shoot I did with Edmonds and Rodgers, commissioned by GlamCult Magazine.
The journalist Aynouk Tan spent a fun afternoon at the studio exploring my inner cosmos which was very refreshing compared the usual email questionnaires. In equal attention to detail, Kate and makeup artist Valeria spent a separate day getting me to not be so shy and crack a little smile for the camera to come up with a ridiculously colourful collection of shots. I'm so pleased with the outcome which was a final chance to shoot my A/W pieces and see them so saturated in zingy hue.
The Dutch Independent style magazine is a large format paper which also has music articles on Grace Jones, Micachu, Black Kids and Ladyhawke which you can download as a PDF at their site: glamcult.nl/glamcult.pdf.

Thurs 11th Dec: Sara's got it, Tina's got it

Teo and & I are staying strictly vinyl and spinning some tunes at "Work It" tomorrow night.


Work It

10 – Late

Visions Video
588 Kingsland Rd
Dalston


Lixo
Johnny Dett
Maxwell Jaye
Battlecat and Spectrum (aka Teo & Fred)
Blaise Bellville

www.youworkit.co.uk

Thurs 11th Dec: Millinery Magic

I had the honour of being the sole student on a millinery course by RCA trained Andrew Macdonald who has made hats for both Couture shows and editorial commissions. It was such a lovely experience learning how to make a hat and also getting to know Andrew. Spending time in the tranquil surroundings of his studio based in The Chocolate Factory (Stoke Newington) was a very therapeutic way to while away a weekend. We sipped coffee, listened to Grace Jones and discussed everything from the hilarity of Diana Vreeland to Hibiscus of the Cockettes. I have an inkling that hat makers are born from a particular stock of serenity and silliness and I think I have finally found my calling. I have caught the millinery bug good and proper. Patiently hand stitching for hours on end to produce a finished article that you can wear on your head ................if only every day could be like that weekend..................to find out more about Andrews courses check out his blog...............

Weds 10th Dec: Headcases

I am currently at the V&A doing research, the place is so big it needs a few days to get round. (Can I just interject here that it is really the best place in London). So where was I? Aha. I actually needed a paper bag to stop myself from hyperventilating when I read through the new brochure of activities. With the onset of the Stephen Jones Hat exhibition (Feb) there is a comprehensive list of seminars, demonstrations, short courses..............everything from a political debate with Vivienne Westwood to a class on the craft of feather trim! For any other mad-hatters out there, have a look, the V&A are doing us proud!

Here is a photo from the new fashion story on website 156 which is dedicated as "The Headpieces Issue" with other designs from the likes of Jeffrey Portman and House Of Flora (No prizes for guessing whose this is, sorry to repeat myself but I really like this new shot, thank you to 156!)

Tues 9th Dec: Electrical banana

I remorsefully had to avoid the Angel's Costumiers Sale at the weekend to work on my business plan. Fair trade? The pain of wondering what I was missing out on was gleefully interrupted when this number came into my hands. It seems one of my aunts has actually held onto some of her 60's outfits and kept them in good condition. She recently found this and .............thought of me! Its a 2 piece with the biggest collar a mini-dress can uphold. Hooray for holding onto things, thank you so much Diane!

Monday 7th Dec: The Ring Finger

So onto Anna Leader's film stills work and one for which she shot the poster image. It is one of my favourite projects where she caught the mystery and magic on set. The French film "L'annulaire" (the ring finger) directed by Diane Bertrand with original score by Portishead's Beth Gibbons. You may recognise the lead face of Olga Kurylenko who I believe was a model until head hunted by Diane to take this role. So Anna had the first chance to capture the celluloid moments of the latest Bond Girl............

Monday 7th Dec: The Cloud That Was Europe

Photographer Anna Leader has just re-launched her portfolio online by adding new work and redesigning her website with Luke Tarpey. Anna left London for the the Italian Swiss mountains in 2005 and has been snapping her way round Europe ever since. I am a staunch fan of her mesmeric portraiture but here is a new crop of breathtaking landscape work which I'm sure Anna wasn't expecting herself! These works have been exhibited in Berlin, Zurich, Rome, Barcelona.........not bad going Miss Leader!
By navigating your way through the archive you can see her range of fashion, still-life, interior and an impressive menu of film still (more of which I will touch on later). Her catalog of commission work is an multicultural melt pot of experiences from Social Enterprise in Brixton to the deepest depths of the Congo with Oxfam. ......................

Thurs 4th Dec: Its Nice That

This week graphic duo "No Days Off" have been the guest secret squirrels on the aptly titled blog "Its Nice That". The site was launched in 2007 by Will Hudson and Jez Burrows as a platform to both feature and inspire the creative industries. Under the subheading and catergory of "Its Not Us", Pat and Teo have so far written entries on Photographer Jason Evans and Musicians Sian Alice Group. Today's write up was about my work and how I regularly make things that never actually get seen. Here is a necklace I was commissoned to make for the Roald Dahl story in the summer for last months Vogue but didn't make the final cut. It now adorns my studio wall and will come in use one day I am sure. Its funny how that happens. My archive pieces sometimes get a 2nd lease of life and chance to blossom after an initial false start .
Check out www.itsnicethat.com for an extensive archive of ......................well............things that are nice..............

Thurs 4th Dec: Piece Of Mind

I have been able to put my patchwork penchant to perfect use with a new charity project for Shelter, UK and Bowery Mission, NY.
Graphic design mavericks Marque have requested cooperation from international creatives to come up with a square to contribute to a complete work of art. Quilts assembled from each "piece of mind" will be exhibited and then auctioned with the profits going directly to the cities respective charities tackling homelessness. What a fantastic idea, to get the creative community collaborating by hand-making an artwork. To put love into each piece and extend this positive energy by financing solving a global epidemic that we are each powerless to change on a personal level. I'm so chuffed to have been asked to get involved. Here is my square which was painstakingly sewn and painted by my latest placement student Laura Gostling who has finally finished her 9 weeks. Laura, you have been an absolute star and will be sadly missed!
(Photo by Chloe Bell)

(The exhibition will come to London in April so I will update nearer the time with details. Other contributors so far are: Giles Deacon, Luella Bartley, Hussein Chalayan, Stephen Jones, Eley Kishimoto and Alice Temperley. Check link for more details)

Weds 3rd Dec: Happy

Photographers Mishkin pitched a Christmas card idea to me which was so genius, I jumped on board straight away. Every year I laboriously hand cut a new design and mail out to all my friends and contacts. However this year I am so snowed under with commitments, this is not going to be an option. Sorry to those of you needing a 2009 entry for your collection : (
So this year I'm going to rely on the predictable and boring email format. But to make it as fun as possible we have devised a cute image with the makeup artist Megumi Fuku and gorgeous graphic designer/model Sara El Dabi. Here we are on our extracurricular evening time shoot at Mishkin HQ.

Tues 2nd Dec: Magic Fingers Magnay

For a few years now Sarah Magnay has been collaborating and creating Allison's "Couture" costumes. The latest frock for this final tour show was a black silk blousen number with subtle fabric contrast Harlequin panelling. Sarah is known for her precision in pattern and execution which borders on terrifying in the process but results in exquisite garments. For her own MA collection at CSM she embellished her knitwear with reams of hand tarnished studs in tessellating borders.
Sarah is also known for her wicked sense of humour and here she has sent me a video of herself doing an important test-run to check the flow of the dress .............or perhaps just having a little moment of madness after an all night stint of sewing........I leave the decision up to you on that one
Thanks for all your images girls!

Monday 1st Dec: Golden Girls Part 3

So onto the dancers.................who appeared for the final song in these shinytastic black harlequin costumes which moved perfectly with the choreography. Dazzling cats eyes, bouncy big ruffles and swirling ribbons trailing from the wrists. The girls were given a starting point from Allison Goldfrapp and here you can see a snapshot from the mock up stages.