Sunday 18th Jan: A Moonlanding & A Moonstomping

Is there anything Set Designer Helen Macintyre cannot make? Akin to the A-team's consistant reliability to inconcievably produce something out of nothing.......Helen can rustle up a cuckoo clock from some cardboard. In this instance its a space odyssey for the new video release from Esser "Work It Out". Helen says that even for her, this was a tricky task as it was flimed in Black Island Studios which was an intimidating size. She hand-dyed 65 meters of fabric (which was the surface of the terrian) in the sink which turned her studio a "pooey orange colour". Never mind that, I cant get over the actual space capsule and crafted interior. Its great to have these pics to really appreciate the attention to detail which is not so easy to see amongst all the other action in the final cut directed by Kinga Burza.
Since the moon landing, Esser have been planning a Moon Stomping, taking place tomorrow night at the new London Venue, The Lexington. As Im not exactly sure what this Ska dance is, Ive looked it up so here is the (un)official urban dictionary explanation of how to stomp:

" To moonstomp conventionally, it is suggested that you raise your left leg along with your left arm and produce a low kicking movement towards the ground in front while making a slow and gentle "punching the air" movement with your fist, sweeping it behind your right leg and doing the same movement symmetrically with your right leg and right arm and thus repeating, to the rhythm and tempo of the ska or dub song, until the end of the song "








Esser - Work It Out - Out 23rd Feb

Friday 16th Jan: Head In The Clouds

Last year I was joined for a week by Bournemouth Fashion student Jessica Dance a.k.a Jessica Rabbit - hence her blog name "Lapin Dance Hall". She has been fiendishly busy since this time, getting her work debuted in Amelia's Magazine and now an installation at Top Shop, Oxford Street. A big pat on the back for such fantastic initiative, having secured both of these projects purely from pitches. A lesson in the classic mantra " if you don't ask, you don't get ".
So although this latest venture is named "Head In The Clouds", it is quite obviously the antithesis of Jessica's sensibility! She has teamed up with graphic artist Robert Francis Muller under the guise of "Get Müllerd and Dance". Combining disciplines from his 2D expertise and her sewing penchant, their work to date has been experiments in typography and scale within set/prop design. Their emphasis is always to have fun (right on!) and create works that offer escapism whilst simultaneously conveying a narrative. To see the set-up, it is on the lower ground floor by the fitting rooms for the next 2 weeks. Or alternatively watch this great time lapse documentation of the process.
I used to work with a set design team who did over-night installations whilst the store was shut to the public. There was a specific turn of phrase attached to these sessions of "getting Top-Shop lips" (symptom - dry,chapped). This is the "Achilles Heel" / "Tennis Elbow" ailment aligned to said job, brought about by sleep deprivation combined with over exposure to air conditioning and general de-hydration. I wonder if "Get Müllerd and Dance" have discovered the scurvy of Philip Greene's particular inflicted affliction?






Head in the Clouds by Get Müllerd & Dance (TOPSHOP, OXFORD STREET)

Thurs 15th Jan: Loopy Ladies

Becoming part of the New Gen scheme this season is paying off in so many unimaginable ways and is really a life changing opportinity. Besides the bonus to my business, on a personal level I am loving getting to know the other designers and building a network. Its a very natural process and not a cliquey imprenitiable fash family that you may expect. I am particularly warming to the wooly side of the team - being both of the knitters Craig Lawerence and Cooperative Designs.
Annalisa Dunn from Cooperative has sent me this logo which is comprised of stills from thier recent film and catwalk show. She tells me that the new collection currently under construction in thier Hackney studio is inspired by thier ultimate muse and coincidentally thier director of photography, Amy Gwatkin.
Thier latest exciting news is the capsule collection comission at Henri Bendel for the store’s guest designer initiative. Henri Bendel New York Limited Edition Spring 2009 by Cooperative Designs is made up of dresses and cardigans in both skinny and oversize shapes in the team's trademark primary colors and stripes. For readers not able to nip down to 5th Av, NY, Coop are also available at Browns, London or online at Brittique. I recommend investing now in key early pieces of this label set to take over knitwear as we know it (never mind the fact they are bloody lush clothes).

Weds 14th Jan: Disguisery of Tailors

My night time shift is sweetened by switching from radio to the wonder of iplayer and the AMAZING fashion documentaries (that or I have to confess - Eddie Izzard stand-up, which makes my cheeks unbearably painful after an hour of constant chuckling).
One particular program I have to share is the Saville Row documentary focused on Oswald Boateng which crosses over with the current 30th Anniversary of 2-tone Ska. Oswald and his best friend Chris Cleverly grew up in Notting Hill, as they dubbed it "Thatchers Bastards" amongst the riots and fires at Carnival. Oswald's first foray into tailoring was straight cut suits, drainpipe trousers, Prince of Wales check and loafers for footwear. It was all about creating a positive image for themselves in the time of social change and racial inclusion. Oswald went one stage further in his dapper appeal by being known for his bright colours. HELLO! Chris described it as looking like "pouring acid down the middle of the road" when he walked along. I never really knew this history attatched to him so its a great piece of telly for this insight and also his interview with Suzy Menkes and Georgio Armani.
Ive put in here a personal favourite track, just because I love it on the dance floor!
But seriously ........there is a link..... ... Although The Beat made purely awesome tunes, there was a political message. Ranking Roger was on BBC6 on Saturday discussing their track "Stand down Margaret" which was probably the anthem to the movement I mentioned earlier. (Sorry for adding the wrong tune to fit the text, but just gotta love this one! Turn it up LOUD)

Tonight there is yet again another killer schedule of fash type telly, go check out....................

Tues 13th Jan: Pigeon Street

What is PlushPattern's Victoria Langdon up to? She's paying tribute to her nemesis in printing a triptych of pigeons. It is a known fact that in Vicky's presence you must immediately duck when a pigeon comes near as her arms involuntarily swing out at a 45 degree angle. She has a phobia of the urban vermin and has quite a physical reaction to the pest on encounters. So she has turned the irrational reaction round to produce a run of 35 prints based on Darwin's "Origin of the species". They are jazzy detailed birds, each with a neon beak and feet, complemented by an irredescent shiny foiled breast.
When not squeegeeing her screen, she is tip-tapping up trend analysis at The Future Laboratory. BBC "One Show" visited Future Lab for last evening's report on emerging "Homedulgence" and "Bleisure" activities. Here are screen grabs from the feature where I have proudly picked out her stripey scarf self in the background for the benefit of any other friends who want to fluff up (pigeon style) and be proud of her appearence.

Mon 12th Jan: Quote of the Day

I'm counting down the days till the Stephen Jones exhibition at the V&A and a welcome distraction came today with an in depth 3 page interview courtesy of hintmag.com


Anything else from the wild side of Stephen Jones?

There's such a freaky, eccentric side to every milliner on the planet. It goes with the territory. We drive people nuts. You have to be manic obsessive to do it.

It's like a cult.

Yes, there's a real cult aspect to making and wearing hats.

No idea what he means?!







(Thanks to Richard Toon for prompting paranoia by pointing out that the tone of my blogging is somewhat akin to the Blue Peter presenter that I look like. So I'm going to consciously review this situation and get more "street". I guess its one of those "telephone voice" scenarios. I just can't help myself. When writing I slip back into English lesson lingo.................watch this space, its gonna get colloquial .........well kinda)

Sun 11th Jan: Chloe Bell

Chloe Bell is an illustrator by training but multi-material creative by profession. Previously I have blogged the wonder of her hand sewn rainbow swimsuit and charmingly ethereal underwater photography to document it. The latest project named "Forced Flash" is embellished sweaters shot at some seemingly crazy interactive light show. I would love to know what the location is and how she found it but perhaps its best left a mystery to maintain the magic. (Model: Simon Jeal a.k.a Panda)

Sat 10th Jan: Quicksand

The BBC have announced the 15 winners of "Sound of 2009" with Le Roux entering in at No.5 just losing out to contemporary songstress Little Boots. 130 of Britain's music critics voted their predicted top up and coming acts for the forthcoming year. The other female singer/songwriters in the shortlist include Lady Ga Ga, VV Brown, Florence & The Machine.
Here are some behind the scenes snaps of Le Roux on set of her latest video for "Quicksand" which I have lifted from Nova Dando's blog. Nova styled the story which was shot by Kinga Burza. So this project was also a combination of other burgeoning female talent, all on with an exciting year lying ahead. The team are now working on the next video for future release "For The Kill". For "Quicksand" Nova put Elly in a mix of Margiela, Ksubi, House of Holland and her own leopard print creations which she made especially for the day.

Thurs 9th Jan: Brianciaga

Having discovered my multicolourtrianglegeometricallytwintransatlanticwestcoast answer to all things cosmically lush, it seems the fellow is equally refreshing. I contacted Brian to see if he could send over any pictures for my blog and damnit he got back in touch with the following. I harass lots of people whose work I like, to no avail. So when a good egg responds, I know I really am onto a winner and not a Veruca Salt. Thanks Brian! You can see Beyonce rocking some Brian Lichtenberg in her latest vid.


Mark Hunter (The Cobrasnake)


Dirk Mai


Beatrice Neumann

Weds 7th Jan: Jewellery Shapes

What an exciting surprise to find my A/W triangle necklace in V Magazine and the double whamy bonus is that is on one of my favourite new bands "Micachu & The Shapes" (http://www.myspace.com/micayomusic). I have seen Mica and her shapes (Mark & Raisa) perfrom a few times and can't wait to hear the debut album which is aptly going to be named "Jewellery". The original tracks recorded in her bedroom have been jazzed up by producer Matthew Herbert and the outcome is a pop allmagamation of sounds (grunge, hip hop, garage, grime, experimental percussion). If you haven't checked out their live performance yet, they are playing at The Barfly in Camden on Friday night.
The other band featured in V are "Telepathe" who are wearing a laminate necklace from the latest collection by RCA product designer Bethan Laura Wood. (http://www.woodlondon.co.uk/)

Tues 6th Jan 2009: New Year Greetings

The postman is still delivering beautiful New Year Wishes which is very exciting.
The 1st card here is from the team at SHOWstudio. It looks like an image from another era in its muted tones and timeless setting, not to mention the stunning headpiece. It is a shot by Set Designer Gideon Ponte taken at Abbey Road Studios during the Fashion Dj's project in the summer (the blues diva looking model being Jourdan Dunn).
The 2nd card here is a sparkling hand made collage from Heather Turnbull who joined me at the studio to help with the last collection. She is currently finishing up her own degree presentation in multi media textiles at Loughborough University.

Mon 5th Jan: Spadger Studio 54

Amy Gwatkin has gone pink. Formerly a lighter shade of violet. A new year, a new colour. Im loving it, can't wait to see it for real.

Sun 4th Jan 2009: Frock Me Revisited

Nova Dando has just got in touch with me to send over her photos from our day on set at "Frock Me" which I didn't get to snap myself, so thanks Nova (seen in bottom pic)! These pictures are hilarious and totally sum up the whole experience. Its a nice opportunity to see Gary Card's incredible set stationary as apposed to in motion . He had to assemble it for each episode as the filming days were weekly and the venue only rented the space for the allocated time. I remember him saying that it was like looking after your child........... having to lovingly get it ready for the day and then carefully transport it home at the end. On the subject of children, I look distinctly Blue Peter here, all I need is an elephant taking a dump in the background and the similarity is uncanny...............

3rd Jan 2009: Good Day, Bad Day Part II

Our studio is always tuned into BBC Radio 6 and the highlight of the day for me is Steve Lamaccq. I spent my formative years listening to him and Jo Whiley every night presenting The Evening Session and used to tape and catalogue each session like the otaku indie kid I was. So now I'm so pleased he still presents a daily show. However I occasionally get riled with the feature "Good Day, Bad Day" when guests who phone in are so boring! It got to breaking point and I emailed in. The result?! I somehow managed ending up doing it myself?! The 1st one of 2009 which was quite cute. He was really sweet and it was actually a bit of a moment for me to get to talk to the man who helped me get through the dark days of school.
In an ironic and predictable outcome, I accidentally fell into the trap that I hate by being totally unoriginal and saying the same droll thing everyone else says. It was a "good day" just because I got to do "Good Day Bad Day". So shoot me?! Or have a go yourself, just email in.................

Here was my good day record:

Good Day, Bad Day

Thurs 1st Jan 2009: nouvelle année heureuse

Happy New Year from Sarah Lerfel (or "Colette's Girl" as goes the listing in Ezra Petronio's Bold & Beautiful book)

Weds 31st Dec: Aurevoir 2008

New Year Wishes from metal guru - Husam El Odeh

Tues 30th Dec: Soul mate?

Since my profile appeared on MySPACE Fashion, I have had a scarily sizable friend request box that I don't really touch. But one picture made me stop and here he is. I looked him up and it seems I have a double-ganger in L.A. Its a mix of rainbow colours, with accents of black'n'white and then a side line in holographic cosmicness. HELLO! Where have you been all my life?!
Brian is a designer based in Los Angeles who has created stage outfits for an amazing list of singers: M.I.A, Santogold, Beth Ditto, Peaches, Katy Perry, Lady Ga Ga and Yelle. Wow. Thats a healthy client list for someone who discovered fashion via Hussein Chalayan as worn by Bjork.

I have borrowed (without permission) these beautiful photos from my favourite interiors site www.theselby.com.

Monday 29th Dec: Lucy Aebischer

Over the Christmas holiday I am blessed with the help of Visual Communications student Lucy Aebischer who has given up her free time to come and listen to my ailment moaning. Lucy is in her final year of studying so not long before she can unleash her illustration and prop styling into the big wide world. Another forte of hers (much like the infamous Maki Lou Lou, of "Boss" cupcake fame) is baking. To demonstrate her skills we have already sampled choc chip cupcakes decorated with her new Internet aqcusistion of edible glitter icing. To view more of her culinary conquests go to this blog: http://fifiandlola.blogspot.com/ and to view more pioneering sparkle glass lens photography (seen here) go to this blog: http://lucy-aebischer.blogspot.com/

Sun 28th Dec: Brie Harrison

The last issue of Amelia's Magazine EVER has been published, typically teaming with illustrations galore and great photographic music profiles to put faces to the new names bounding around town. Each issue has always had a gimmick to mark its number in the order.........scratch'n'sniff, colour-by-numbers, glow-in-the dark etc. For the 10th and final edition, Amelia has treated us to a sewing kit akin to the Cloth Kits that were iconic in the 70's. I was over the moon to see the print design of this special textiles commission is by Brie Harrison who was one of my favorite peeps that I graduated with from Brighton. Here is a scan of one of her graduation zip prints that she generously gave me at the time............or perhaps more accurately, I probably obliged her to donate it to me as its so lush. Either way I have treasured it, as you can see!
In our sandwich year, Brie travelled to India to do a placement at a hand block print studio and since her degree, lived in NYC and worked for Design Works International. Now based in London, she has left a stint at Accessorize to freelance and currently designing a new range of greetings cards and wrapping papers for stationery company Art Angels ...http://www.art-angels.co.uk/. She has previously been published in Amelia's and recently been featured in Mike Perry's new book about hand drawn pattern design....'Over & Over' http://midwestisbest.com/work.php
The ethical company Brie collaborated with for the cut'n'sew kit for Amelia's are Lewes based "Gossypium" who have also had history with the Indian textile industry. They are in partnership with Agrocel, who supply the highstreet with fairtrade cotton. To find out more about the finer details or how to get hold of your own dress to make: http://www.ameliasmagazine.com/
(Photo; Chiara Romagnoli, Styling: Oxana Korsun)