Sat 3rd Dec: SHOWstudio "In Your Face"

SHOWstudio In Your Face has taken over from the Cafe concept in the shop with an incredible list of 39 artists included in the exhibition, crossing many disciplines connected to fashion. Here are images from the private view where models were live in the space to demonstrate the accessories including this iconic Shaun Leane spiky mouth guard from Alexander McQueen's Autumn/Winter 2000 collection 'Eshu' . Alongside famous works such as this and Nick Knight's Devon print and Mapplethorpe nudes are totally new talents commissioned for this term. The portrait watercolours above are a couple of new works by Stephen Doherty who the team discovered when he illustrated live on the walls during Craig Lawrence's recent residency. They are so beautiful, I think this is a brilliant addition to the other classics such as Franko B's embroidered canvas works. Visit the actual premises to see the pieces and make sure to check the brand new re-vamped site bursting with content and information on future projects to unfold in the New Year..................... here. Tune in on Tuesday when Hywel Davies will be interviewing Louise Wilson and Alexander Fury talks to David Koma.

(Top to bottom: Stephen Doherty Water colours, Douglas Gordon "Self Portrait of You + Me", Gareth Pugh, Peter Philips Mickey Mouse, Shaune Leane mouth guard, Debra Baxter Crystal Brass Knuckles, Franko B "I STILL LOVE", Void Of Course - Triple head mask, Hank Willis Thomas "Black Power")

Sat Dec 3rd: The Museum of British Folklore Christmas Shop

Im sure many readers of this blog will be fans of Simon Costin, and keen to keep up to date with news from his Museum of British Folklore project, so we visited the latest installment - the 'Paper Hare' pop up shop. Hidden in a cave of enchanted glittering branches are hares weeping glass tears, felt firework hair-slides, stained glass love potions, Punch and Judy prints, delicate golden sculptures and miniature Christmas trees. The Museum aims to promote, celebrate and revitalise the folk heritage of Britain with exhibitions, workshops, lectures, digital platforms and pop-up shops like this. If you head over to his site there are some great behind the scenes snaps on set of the Tim Walker folk story shot for a British Vogue feature on the mission (see portrait here). With this latest venture they hope to raise funds for their upcoming exhibit at the Museum of Anglian Life which will highlight the importance of the Doc Rowe Archive......................... which makes this the perfect place to spend your Christmas shopping budget!

Nov 28th-Dec 21st 2011, 10-12 Exhibition Road SW7 2HF, Thurs-Sat 11am-6pm

Sat Dec 3rd: Craig Lawrence & I at the British Fashion Awards

Here is a look at our outfits for the night ......... at the moment we were in total shock at having just arrived - hence we are both a little lost for words............ I suffered a total memory blank............ smoooooooothe.

Interviewed by Naomi Attwood for Grazia. See all the other designers here.

Thursday 1st Dec: David David new premises

David David's new location at 36 Earlham St is about to open with a bang...........

just in time for Christmas there are items ranging from as little as £1, perfect for stocking fillers......... and for those searching for something special and totally unique, individual pieces can be created by the David David team. Enquire within...........

36 Earlham st, London WC2H 9LH, 5:00pm until 10:30pm

Weds 30th Nov: Shucks One "Foundation Rocks"

Tonight is the unveiling of the new show at Dalston Superstore by Shucks One so I popped in earlier today to have a little sneak peek whilst curator Saskia Wickens was adding the finishing touches. The first thing that hit me was the new wallpaper that has gone up to replace Anna Bruder's previous white and black cartoon interior........ see here in the last photo - the spectrum print by Jonas Ranson. This is the perfect patterned back-drop for the new pieces to take over the walls which comprise of brightly painted panels of reclaimed wood, skateboards and denim jackets. Shucks One Is an artist, Radio DJ, youth worker and journalist specialising in hip-hop music and culture. With this exhibition "Foundation Rocks" he is investigating important figures in classic UK and US Hip-hop culture by exploring its wider implications on modern culture. The accumulation of works are a visual interpretation of interviews Shucks One conducted with hip hop pioneers of the 1980s, whose music influenced a whole generation of young men and women in the UK. Themes addresses issues of history, identity, religion and cultural heritage................

“The term ‘old school’ is often banded around without any real understanding of the underlying themes. With this series of works I intend to explore messages and concepts, not just from hip-hop, but human history as well. It is part history lesson, part hip hop project.”

Through this fun fine art version of graffiti, Shucks One has developed a way of expressing and contextualising the history of modern day street music and art. Using found objects for canvasses, Shucks One creates a sketchbook and almost mix tape way of exhibiting work layering bold colours and pattern reminiscent of tribal fabric prints and ancient symbols. "Foundation Rocks" plays on the original hip hop mantras of ‘peace, love, and unity; knowledge, wisdom and understanding’, to oppose the dominant lyrics of violence, negativity and corporatism in hip-hop today. The project is the artists’ search to rediscover the foundation principles by retracing the history of UK hip hop music and the individuals responsible.

You can check out all of these works from tomorrow and treat yourself to some of the fine food from the kitchen........... or just trip-out staring at the wallpaper like its a MAC spinning spectrum wheel of doom as I did .............

Tues 29th Nov: Rosy Nicholas for HEROES EXHIBITION BY LEISURE at Jaguar Shoes

Rosy Nicholas from LEISURE on Vimeo.

For my profile on Rosy Nicholas for Fashion 156 I I discussed her inspirations and heroes from art history which included a heavy admiration for David Hockney. Her most recent commission is on the subject of "Heroes" for an exhibition at Jaguar Shoes curated by Leisure. Five different illustrators were asked to create new work of moving image including Daniel David Freeman, Christopher Wright, Will Rigby and Oliver Jennings. Rosy decided to "worship" her own personal heroes with a stop frame animation of a day dreaming about going on holiday to Egypt with David Hockney and Grace Jones - excellent! Here is a snap of the lightbox at Rosy's studio on which she moved her hand-cut silhouettes around to shoot her clip. Without bias, I have to say that hers was my absolute favourite and I really want to see more moving image work from her dexterous hands .............. in addition to the out of the world cosmic shoes that she made for my SS12 collection.
To see these works on the screens of the exhibition, walk down the stairs of Jaguar Shoes for the video basement bar.

Tues 29th Nov: British Fashion Awards

Last evening I went to my first British Fashion Awards ceremony at The Savoy Hotel. Firstly there was a drinks reception with a blue carpet entrance and cluster of photographers and journalists catching the establishment royalty as they entered the venue. After a mingle and chance to catch up with everyone, a bell was rung and we were whisked outstide the hotel to be seated in its resplendant Art Deco auditorium. Lauren Laverne and George Lamb compered the proceedings, introducing each category and guest to announce and award the winner. Mary Katranzou was the first recipient up on stage taking away the title of ‘Emerging Talent – Womenswear’ which was welcomed with a warm reception as she is such an embraced talent down to the fact that she's a genuinely nice person!! Mary thanked Louise Wilson which was a theme throughout many of the speeches to follow including Kim Jones who had recorded his words of thanks from his position at Louis Vuitton in Paris. Despite not being able to leave the LVMH HQ to attend the event, Marc Jacobs did make an appearance presenting Victoria Beckham with the award for ‘Designer Brand’. Victoria included Katie Hillier in her list of mentions who is responsible for the label's handbags in addition to having her own nomination in the Accessories category. Tabitha Simmons snapped up the ‘Emerging Talent Award- Accessories’ award which was a very exciting moment for me seeing Nazir Mashar and Jordan Askill both in the running.
The whole spectacle was fantastic for a fashion fiend like myself witnessing the entire industry under one roof - all equally excited to be there and turned out in their finery. Louise Gray, Edward Meadham and Fran Burns were flying the flag for colour wearing pop bright outfits amidst a sea of the standard black uniform and I was particularly pleased to see Hillary Alexander with some silver glitter in her hair! With two new categories added to the agenda this year "New Establishment and Emerging Talent – Menswear" I would really like to see a further stream in following years to make space for extended roles in the industry "Art Department" which would cover set design, art direction, beauty etc............. and perhaps a fourth for "Editorship.Journalism" which might answer the question of what is missing which Melanie Rickey was musing after the proceedings.......

(Outside the Savoy, Craig Lawrence and Holly Fulton, Mary on stage, Brix Smith being interviewed, Michael Van Der Ham and Susie Bubble)