Sat 25th October: Block Party

The last block party I went to was in the Summer of 2006 when I was living on 123rd Street, Harlem NYC. The venue was "Billy Jean's" braid shop and the fierce competition started with "girls Age 6 and below" and literally ended up in blows with "Girls 16 and above". Potentially one of the most fun and informative nights in my dancing career. Dosed up on generous donations of blue liquor and rice'n'peas, I had to keep up with the winners of both heats till the early hours. I have to hold that day as a fond & special memory and not get despondent about the lack of such riots in my London neighbourhood.
So when I ran into Tina Turnover at the BFC earlier in the week and found out that Dalston's own "Work It" is having a special one-off at the ICA...............I promptly got out my Sharpie and penned it in the calender...........I don't know if the The Mall is gonna match up to the sidewalk of Malcolm X Blvd, but Im there already................very very excited

photo courtesy of Sara El Dabi



Work It Block Party
15 November 2008
Take a trip down Memory Lane and reminisce on the 90s. Complete with movie screening, hula hooping, double dutch, photo booth and more. Brush the dust off your Nike Air Max and bump'n'grind to the sounds of the Work It DJs spinning the freshest hip hop and R&B.
Free.

Date Time Venue Book
Saturday 15 November 2008 10:00 pm Bar

Friday 24th October: Incoming info on illustrator Laura Gill

A work update from a project called 'Sink or Swim' about the falsely accused and the idea of the witch hunt.
This will be shown and printed as part of an exhibition by Toy Pirate and will take place at No:One, Kingsland road, Shoreditch, E2 8AA, Private View Thursday 30th October.

There is also currently an exhibition at the Macbeth Distillery, 70 Hoxton street, N1 6LP, by the collective The Horn of Plenty, featuring Laura and ten others from RCA, Central Saint Martins, Camberwell, who have taken the theme of fear to produce new work. This show is called 'On The Night' and a closing party will be taking place on Monday 27th October with live music and dancing.

Thurs 16th October: Synphonic skulduggery Part II

So a week after our shoot, here are the final images that have gone to press for the Cube PR press day invitation.
Note the stunning Cooperative design knitwear which is just becoming ever increasingly covetable the more I see it...............
Also note the cheeky integration of the photographer's name by my cunning "Mishkin" sign on the speaker...........
As I don't actually work in a record shop (my second love) I manage to wangle it into my artwork...........yipee..........I love it when a plan comes together............

Weds 22nd October: Pop Up

Its the 10th anniversary of Tank Magazine. I remember shelling out the 8 pounds because it was the most exciting mix of shoots that didn't seem swayed in any direction other than its own creative joy. Stories that had obviously taken consideration and attention to detail in a time when it was about the "incidental" if not grimy snapshot. So congrats to Tank! You can take a peak at the back catalog at a celebratory pop up gallery. From 24th to 31st October the images will be on show and sale at 9 Newburgh Street, London from 10a.m to 6p.m. The birthday issue has been a long time in production so I can't wait to see what will be in store in the latest edition to the empire........

Tue 21st October: MySPACE literally

I am a featured profile on MySPACE fashion today so check it out to see lots more portraits by Mishkin .....................

Mon 20th October: Horticultural Hilarity Part II

How did they know at 125 Magazine that this is actually what I look like up my brother in-law's allotment! Here is another recent tearsheet for my press book with Bambi Ear Friends from my A/W collection being put to good use. In actual fact it was a visit to said allotment that gave me inspiration for a piece in the new collection...........unveiling next week at the Cube Press Day................

Sunday 19th October: Frock Me

Today was my television debut on Henry Holland's new T4 Fashion Show Frock Me in the episode focusing on "Club Chic". Can't think why I was hired?! It finally becomes clear why all those Boom Box nights were actually legitimately work related! Sheepinshly remembering events such as accidentally bumping into my assistant Holly in the Tube when I was done up to the nines on my way out when she was on her way home for a school night in. But relentlessly sporting those headdresses on a weekly basis has evidentally payed off. Not to mention the fact I love to dance and a certain degree of therapy on the dance floor was also necessary at the time! Thanks go out to K A B I R who first plucked me out of the crowd at a fashion week party, on the onus of my headgear which started my London clubbing career.
So I went on to show my secrets in a Blue Peter style format of no brand Pritt Stick assembly. All considered, it went well so hopefully the next generation of suburb stars have been inspired on a Sunday morning. My fascination with all things Bromley Contingent, Studio 54, Mudd Club, Disco Bloodbath (the original please), Kinky Gerlinky, Taboo etc etc has finally made sense. My professor of Fashion History at Brighton. Lou Taylor was always refreshingly understanding when I obstinately focused on these "subcultures" for thesis work!
I don't have any pics of the actual day so here are some tenuous HOH snaps from my Kickers installation at fashion week Sept 07. Maki's incredible pop up - cut out of Agyness with a winking eye and lit cigarette........