Saturday 19th Sept: LFW SS16, Sadie Clayton

 "Copper Girl" Sadie Clayton showed her SS16 collection in the drawing studio of The Royal Academy with her models presented as art-works behind the benches and easels.  Here she is modelling her own accessories (top photo) and the mirror mosaic pieces scattered across the main looks are a collaboration with Andrew Logan.   My favourite piece was this geometric copper and cobalt embroidered navy silk organdie bomber jacket like an Art Deco Metropolis motif come to life.  Her notoriety for inventive shoe design has brought about partnering with United Nude and her original archival sculptural shoes can currently be seen displayed at Rellik, who also supported her presence on schedule this season.   
(See my archive post from Sadie's graduate show June 2013 here)

Saturday 19th Sept: Jenkin Van Zyl's "Working Title"

Watermelon and cabbage cocktails were the refreshments at Jenkin's private view of his show "Working Title" which used watermelons as a theme with the fruit's flesh pulped like blood.  The gallery was black lit like a sci-fi set with a post-apocalyptic fallout of fragmented props embedded in crumbling disarray.  But the disorder was actually highly divisive with his trademark prosthetic horns scaled up and included in the sculptures.  Synced films on screens were planted around the room showing a film of a hyperreal underworld, like a love child of a Paul McCarthy and Matthew Barney .  But that's only a loose reference to set the scene, you have to experience it for yourself to see the new unique "Sissy Sound Studio" by Jenkin Van Zyl.

Friday 18th Sept: London Fashion Week - Zandra Rhodes

Opening London Fashion Week this morning was a riot and welcome crusade of colour from the legendary princess of print, Dame Zandra Rhodes.  In the gold gilt interior of David Chipperfield's Hotel Cafe Royal on Regent Street, the models made a salon style presentation.  Zandra's trademark bright colour breezy organza shapes were mixed with emblazoned denim and accessorised with Kitty Joseph Perspex sunglasses.  I absolutely loved the visors and plimsoles decorated with her swirl motif in puff pen and crystals.  Cant think of a better, more uplifting way to start the Spring/Summer season!

(Makeup by @andrewgallimakeup 🎨 Hair by @biancatuovi 💇 Nails by @amaquashie )

Tuesday 15th Sept: Serpentine Pavilion 2015 by selgascano

This year's Serpentine Pavilion 2015 designed by selgascano is basically my dream piece of architecture.  The maquette looks like one of my accessories with its graphic shapes, multicolour plastic, iridescent film and rainbow lines.  I haven't had time to visit it before now and here are just some quick snaps from my phone when I was cycling past.  I need to return to get some proper photos - especially at night when it's lit up like a cosmic glow worm.  The Spanish duo have actually called the chrysalis-like structure "The Hungry Pavilion" after Eric Carle's classic illustrated book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar".  One of my favourite books as a kid .............. all makes sense!!!!  

(Post originally filed on Aug 4th, now upgraded with MORE cosmic photos!!!) 

Tuesday 15th Sept: Lakwena installing at "Africa Utopia" Southbank Centre

Always following the trail of Lakwena's graphic art, I headed down to the Southbank Centre a day before the opening of Africa Utopia to see her setting up.  Since her 3D relief pieces as part of the "Africa Calling" showcase last year, this time she was commissioned by the actual event to fill the space.  The site specific installations were puzzle-pieced together in both paper panels and shapes that were cut out of vinyl like giant sticker sheets.  

"Looking back to the flurry of African nations gaining thier independence from the 1950s to the 1970s, these installations echo an optimism reflected in the aesthetic of the moment - the motifs and symbols used in the flags of new nations, the Modernist architecture of new buildings, the stars and icons adorning album covers.  Several decades on, these installations act as a reminder and encourages us to hold on to those original hopes and dreams" 

If like me, you're a fan of Lakwena's mural movement, see her talk at a free event next week at Rich Mix - see more details here.