Fri 27th June: The Fashion Almanac

Laura Bradley has just graduated from CSM with 1st class honors. I can see why. Today I received her magazine "The Fashion Almanac" in the post in a very well considered silver and transparent envelope. The whole concept, design, content and execution is far superior to many of the major titles currently of the shelf. I particularly appreciate the wit in several of the articles. For instance one breaks down and analyses a designers bow at the end of a runway show........another is a list of difficult fashion names with their phonetic pronunciation. My favorite that particularly tickled me is a time line chronology of Nick Knights assistants. This is such a smart entry into the editorial world. Smart but not smug as so many other officious fanzines of the moment.

Thurs 26th June: Bishi & LSO

Last night St.Luke's church in Old Street was flooded with sweeping siren song and strings from Bishi the London Symphony Orchestra. Mesmirsing melting arrangements from her album "Nights at the Circus". The orchestra turned her love songs into multi-layered passionate journeys and her upbeat tracks into vibrant anthems - explained by Bishi asking them to play as if they were out enjoying a great night!

We celebrated the concert's success afterwards at The George and Dragon which is one of the locations in the video to her next single "On M y Own Again". This beautiful photograph is from that scene by Anna Leader who captured a series of fantastic atmostpheric portraits during the 2 day shoot. She is relaunching her website soon so watch this space for an insight into the special talent behind the lens!

Bishi is playing at Glastonbury so if you are heading West, be sure to track her down..........

Thurs 26th June: A bit of Ruff!

Maki Lou Lou in one of her creations as featured in the new Toni & Guy magazine. Im guessing a shot taken at the last fashion week when she was working on the set for Peter Jensen's show.

Weds 25th June: don't leave me this way

"Don't leave me this way" is the latest performance piece by Franko B in collaboration with lighting designer Kamal Ackarie (seen here in left corner). I left the sun shining on The Mall and entered the pitch black theatre at the ICA. You experience the piece as the only audience member. You are guided in the dark to a seat and left alone for a few minutes. Then just as you begin to wonder what will occur, a blast of strobe light triggers straight at you leaving a silhouette of Franko B in your eyes when the room goes back to black. You realise he has been sitting directly infront of you, not a foot away. I have never seen anything like this before! Artists using their body as sculpture in different ways is something that always intrigues me. Funny that I picked up a postcard in the ICA shop of Leigh Bowery's performance from the Anthony D'offay from 1998.

Franko B and Kamal are holding a documentary screening and discussion about the tour this evening. The performance also continues today so you can do both! See link below for details.......

(NB. This is not an image by me but a screen grab from their website which does not have a photo credit so please comment here if you know who it is)

Tues 24th June: Sigur Ros

Icelandic stylist Raven commissioned me to make a piece from my collection for the drummer of Sigur Ros for their new tour. They played a spectacular concert at Westminster Methodist Church in London last night and here is Orri wearing his new crown. Photos by Mari who has helped me make this in time for their gig, thank you!

They are playing 3 dates in the UK in November so check out www.sigurros.com for details......

Mon 23rd June: Mary Queen Of Shops

Viva Hair Salon was featured on this week's episode of "Mary Queen Of Shops". Im so glad our hard work on the window installation paid off for the boys to get this coverage!

Sun 22nd June: Tagged!

I have been tagged by disneyrollergirl who was originally tagged by Madame from shop at maisonb. The quest is to discover other blogger's favorite 7 tunes of the moment. It seems I share an appreciation of Jackson 5 so far.

I dj'd at Teo's party last weekend under the moniker of "Strictly Vinyl". It was my 2nd time ever. The first was at my "80's kids TV" themed 18th birthday. So with trepedation from a 10 yr gap since my last assault at a dancefloor, I was stunned when the response was a general thumbs up!

Anyway, this is an edited list from my set:

1) "Reet Petitie" - Jackie Wilson
2) "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" - Michael Jackson
3) "Lets Dance" - David Bowie
4) "Rokin Robin" - Michael Jackson
5) "Love Action" - Human League
6) "Poison Ivy" - Rolling Stones
7) "Cool For Cats" - Squeeze

I have also included a video here of my Ultimate Favorite dance song which sadly I don't own, but couldn't help adding it here. Now I know how to upload from youtube, thanks to Mari!


The rules of the game as set by Simon Reynolds: “List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to.”
I'm tagging:

http://bishi.co.uk/diary/
http://bybellazine.blogspot.com/
http://livinginmagazines.blogspot.com/
http://plushpatterns.blogspot.com/
http://therealkesh.blogspot.com/
http://www.spadgerdisco.blogspot.com/
http://www.zezizezi.blogspot.com/