Saturday June 9th: Middlesex University Fashion Show - Olivia Ann May

Another exceptional talent to utilise an oversize theme with this large tufted bolero was printed textiles designer Olivia Ann May who won our hearts with her Little Dragon soundtrack and "Advanced Style" models.  These charismatic ladies moved eloquently down the runway at the perfect pace to properly inspect the intricate layered looks and perspex sunglasses in Olivia's collection.............. so its the second time Daphen Selfe has graced the page of my blog in as many days!  Congratulations to Olivia for her initiative in casting such a fantastic identity for her graduation debut and for being brave with going all out with this bright neon colour palette!  Superb!

If you missed the actual Middlesex Fashion show there is still a chance to see the collections in their static show in The Truman Brewery, Brick Lane until Monday.

Public Show: Friday 8th June - Monday 11th June
Friday - Sunday 10am - 7pm & Monday 10am-4pm 

Sat 9th June: Middlesex University Graduate Fashion Show - Melissa Tofton

Melissa Tofton sent her menswear down the catwalk accessorised in unbelievably gigantic backpacks with the largest being this ginormous green gorilla face swag bag.  I recognised the 3-D relief panel work from a beautiful baggy black jumper that I had seen earlier in the day at LCF, viewing fashion films made by 1st year "Creative Direction" students.  Well done to both schools for syncing up in this way and helping each other create work for all to benefit - the outcome you can see above, named "Ninja Fury".  I wish such formats had existed when I was at college - exciting times for the new generation!  See some of Melissa's mood boards, sketches and samples of knitting fur over on her Tumblr diary.

Sat 9th June: Middlesex University Graduate Show - student streetstyle

................ perhaps a little inspired by the previous exhibition, I felt compelled to do a few snaps of the styles going on with the students of Middlesex University graduate show last night when I noted this trend for out-of-control rucksacks!  I LOVED it!  I was there to watch the fashion show and view the static stands of all the creative courses but simultaneously found myself distracted by the garms scurrying around the private view.  This particular penchant for oversize luggage has been pushed to the extreme by one of the menswear students ............. 

Sat 9th June: Derek Ridgers Selected Works at Dover Street Market

Following on from yesterday's feature on a brand new street-style annual to one from the past................Derek Ridgers came to prominence as a photographer capturing the club kids of London's vibrant scene in the 1980's which was latterly coined "New Romantic" when the movement became mainstream.  Whilst snapping the young Boy George and Spandau Ballet,  he happened across a group of Skinheads who asked for him  to turn the camera on to them.  This was the start of a relationship that led to travelling with the crew on coastal gatherings and collating an extensive and crucial catalogue of the subculture.  From developing his personable portrait skills and establishing a name in the industry, Derek has since carved a career in taking iconic shots of musicians and actors of the last few decades.  To coincide with the current nostalgia for punk surrounding the Jubilee, Dover Street Market have put on an exhibition of Derek's prints from his seminal Skin Head era and partnered with Bunney to produce a newspaper momento.  My ears prick up at anything of this ilk , so as soon as I found out about it I waded through the rain to make it down on the opening day to snaffle one of the papers and also look at the other related books pooled together by Idea Books (including a Brue Webber's The Andy Book).  Their theme is called "When We Were Young" after Ridger's famously scarce book of the Blitz straight-ups which I would love to find and have a flick thru one day to see the unsung heroes of the clique whom Derek immortalised via this record.  

Get down to Dover Street Market to pick up a free copy of the paper for yourself and also see the current window installation by Hillman Studio which I will be blogging in due course.......... the exhibition will run till 21st June............. more info here.

Friday 8th June: Advanced Style - the book launch

Here is author of Advanced Style - Ari Seth Cohen in a zingy and celebratory pink suit which worked like a dream in the orange themed Mary Portas shop in House of Fraser where the event was held.  London's loveliest ladies were out in force to represent their sophisticated sartorial sistership with Sue Kreitzman,  Daphne Selfe, Bridget Sojourner, fellow pinky Zandra Rhodes and guest dj Thelma Speirs spinning Donna Summers.   It was a mini rave in the department store proving no division between the ages with all attendees gracefully shaking their tail feathers whilst catching up over a Campari and miniature lemon meringue pie.  Congratulations Ari ............... on a wonderful book and success on an original and heartfelt idea for a blog and its resulting phenomenon .............. go bloggersphere!
Head to House Of Fraser to pick up a copy, see prints and watch videos streamed on screens across the floors.

Friday 8th June: Advanced Style - the book

Yesterday Ari Seth Cohen came to London on his book tour bringing the hardback version of his blog to House Of Fraser for signings.  I headed down to meet the streetstyle sensation and get my mitts on his inspiring monograph.  Every page is a riot of colour with turbans and Bakelite jewellery - I think I'm right on track to become a little like some of these ladies celebrating life with bright and bold, unapologetic dress sense!  Get your own copy here and follow Ari's original blog here.  

(images - snaps of just a few of my favourite pages / ladies from the book)

Friday June 8th: Piers Atkinson Racing Season Pop-Up Shop & Freinds

Following on from the previous post showing details of Pier's pop up shop - here are snaps from yesterday's event - tea and cake with friends and family.  Pomp De Franc cooked up some Zandra Rhodes print bow cupcakes and Piers brewed afternoon tea to offer sanctuary from the Summer rain.  We piled in to try on more of the hats as the stock is on constant rotation and funnily, Andrew Logan and I were both coincidentally in red.  Here is Andrew with one of Pier's new illustrated umbrellas - the perfect accompaniment accessory to your hat for the races if this weather continues!  Here are the motley crew: left to right - myself, Piers, Andrew, Kim Howells, Anna Trevelyan and Princess Julia with Piers before he started demonstrating how to wear the fascinators himself!

Check out the store at St Martins Lane Hotel any day this week and come down next Thursday when I will be taking residence as shop girl for a special gift wrap service! 

Tues 5th June: Piers Atkinson Racing Season Pop-Up Shop

Just in time for Ascot (see the little horse above) and The Jubilee (see the Princess on the right at the top) Piers Atkinson has opened his very first pop-up shop for public punters to try on and purchase an original headpiece.  HRH Princess Beatrice wore a piece of Piers for the river pageant which is timely endorsement for his festive venture.  Nestled in the foyet of The St.Martins Lane Hotel in Covent Garden, Piers has taken over the space with a magnificent selection of small fascinators all the way thru to straw boaters to his famous neon signage name.  There are the latest collaboration hats with Zandra Rhodes and Andrew Logan accessories in addition to Andrew's mirror portrait of Anita Pallenberg to offer customers a reflection for viewing thier fittings!  Zandra Rhodes will be on hand at the shop on Thursday evening for an event of cone fir tea with the artists after the initial press party tomorrow.  I myself will be taking residency the following Thursday offering a bespoke gift wrapping service (with a smile), so pop down to say hello to us both ......... 

Front Room, St Martins Lane, 45 St Martins Lane, Covent Garden, WC2N 4HX 

Monday to Saturday 11:00-18:30   Sundays 12:00-16:00

Events Schedule:June 1st – Pop-up shop opens to the public
June 6th – Press Launch at St Martins Lane (17:00-20:00)
June 7th – Afternoon tea with Zandra Rhodes (12:00-15:00)
June 14th – Fred Butler bespoke Hat Wrapping (12:00-15:00)
June 19th – Royal Ascot Begins
June 30th – close.

Tues 5th June: Vote for Pomp De Franc

Here are the Sushi cupcakes that Katie Franklin lovingly made for my S/S presentation which were not only an art form but also bloody delicious!   The combination of these two factors makes her an absolute winner, and that's why I have made this little post to spread the word of her nomination in The Telegraph Amazing 15 competition.  The winner receives funding to help their business for two years so please help her get the prize for her category by simply voting here.  See more of her magic cake art over on her Pomp De Franc page for the proof in the pudding!