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)

Sat 27th Dec: Festivities

I have been ill since waking up last Tuesday. I'm still ill. I can't stand this any longer. Any advice for shaking the cold from hell, please let me know...........I'm desperate

(image, christmas card from Andy Hilllman)

Mon 22nd Dec: Ministry Of Fun

When we received summons for the Andy Knight's Christmas Party via a Ration Book with vouchers for drinks, we might have been able to guess the attention to detail on the WWII theme. The South London set builders (to the likes of Tim Walker & Hermes) went CRAZY this year building an entire set straight out of the blitz. They are quite the best "scenesters" in town and this is why:

1) The smoking area outside was a constructed subway station with curved tube wall, black painted tunnel with lights, posters and even a cheeky little banksy graffiti!
2) The band's stage had a video 'sky' showing spitfires in flight through a bombed hole in the fake wall......
3) The dj booth was a masterpiece in scenic painting ......... shrapnel damaged stone, shadowed with meticulous one direction perspective
4) There was an English pub area with real ale and on the opposite side a French bar with wine and a Parisian night sky silhouette through a glass "French" door....................("Double Club" Eat your heart out!)
5) Not to mention the guy wearing an actual life sized grenade costume complete with pin

So what was our studio response to the theme? Andy Hillman's team made a plane for us to carry in sections on entry to the venue. Alex made the pilots moustaches and goggles and I made a couple of quick scarves wired to look like they were flapping in the wind. But the fancy dress winner was photographer Jo Lacey (seen here) who had her hair set especially for the occasion!

Thank you to everyone at Andy Knights for an astonishing evening! An annual event without fail!

Sun 21 Dec: No Days Off Take on The Pallyacho Tapes

The designer's behind the identity of Pure Groove have recently been getting literally hands-on with records, devising a limited edition artwork for London Folktronic act "Barbarossa". Patrick Duffy and Teo Connor have left their computer screens to get messy and double dip a run of 12". Each of the 100 articles has been hand made at their studio by fixing plasticated sleeves with a neon latex seam along each edge. The colour was mixed specially and is that perfect fluro colour that I love which is half way between orange and pink. On the subject of such a colour.............

(Absolutely useless and tenuous trivia from Fred: "Barbarossa" is the Italian for "red beard" due to the facial fuzz of James Mathe, the man behind the music. HOW BIZARRE since the other hotly tipped London act of the moment "La Roux" means "red haired one" in French. La Roux is Kitsune's latest hyped act Elly Jackson who is on tour in Jan/Feb and supporting Lily Allen in March, see: http://www.myspace.com/larouxuk)

"The Pallyacho Tapes" is released tomorrow so to guarantee getting a piece of original vinyl wrapped with love, click on the following:

Roughtrade.com

Puregroove.co.uk

Fencerecords.com

or visit the Rough Trade shop in Notting hill or the Pure groove shop in Farringdon.

Sat 20th Dec: Something for the weekend

We have had the delight of Laura McDougall joining us in the studio for the last 3 months (more info when I write up Andy Knights Christmas Party on Monday). She has sent me this link to her friend Tom's video work. For some reason she thought I'd like it?! Be warned, its both cosmic and catchy................ and check out this suit!



Bileebob - Get a Phone (Underground Resistance) from Konx-om-Pax on Vimeo.

Sat 20th Dec: The Financial Times

So Teo and I are now officially up and running as a DJ duo under the title "The FT" (Fred & Teo) which we thought fitting under the current monetary climate. We premiered our skills at Work It last weekend where I confess to just passing the records to Teo as it was her 90's collection that we used for the night. However we have secured our 1st booking where I will be spinning some of my own choice tunes in addition. On 27th of Feb we will be performing at the V&A Friday late event which is dedicated to the idea of domesticity - the evening is entitled: "Home sweet home". The evening starts at 6.30pm and finishes at 10pm with a line-up of designers and illustrators doing workshops, projection, talks, performances. I'm very excited about blasting out my latest procured tunes from my weekend charity shop digging.


On the last Friday of every month, the V&A hosts a contemporary late night event in the museum. Centred around a theme or exhibition, the evenings feature live performances, guest DJ's and often hands-on activities as well as a late bar.

photo: Patrick Duffy

Friday 19th Dec: Sample Sale

Nin from "Goodone" clothing invited me to take part in a sample sale this week with my fellow Cube represented NOKI, also Cassette Playa and Judy Blame. It was a lovely day having visits from Maki Lou Lou, Susie Bubble, Patrick Wolf & William who won a pink porcelain dog in the lucky dip! I sold a few pieces but it turned out to be another reason all together that I found myself out of the studio on that day. It was not for the sale but to have the opportunity to meet and make a connection with Judy Blame. Our stars alligned and in the way fate always guides my life, it was an incredible encounter and Im now looking forward to see what unfolds in the future. In the morning we saw a magpie out on the roof and by the evening I was the proud owner of a magpie t-shirt and rainbow keychain/necklace that Judy generously gave me. How lucky am I?! Its actually obscene how lucky I am. I feel like Gollom or Fagan as I gleefully inspect each piece that are a collection from Judy's trips around the world....Brazil, Paris.........there is so much detail I have had a problem trying to fit it all in this photo (see bottom) but Im sure that I will blog it again as I don't intend on taking it off for quite a while!

Weds 17th Dec: Snow Queen Spectrum Special

So whats going on at Torrens Street this week? Well, whilst Double Club revellers are checking out the Prada Congo experience downstairs, we are getting up to the usual old tricks in the studio upstairs. Since I began work in the prop world it has been a continuous onslaught of spray chemicals on my poor abused lungs. It seems that spraying random objects different colours is the best treatment for most jobs! I love having a full palette of colours on the shelf, just waiting to be used on something new. Chloe Bell took this snap of me looking like a snow queen on a white day and also this rainbowlicious selection that she has been preparing for Andy Macgregors latest project.

Tue 16 Dec: Get your hands on some clobber......

Mon 15th Dec: It's Christmas!

Photography Amy and Anna AKA Mishkin, Eyelashes Fred Butler, Make-up Megumi Matsuno, Model Sara el Dabi

Mon 15th Dec: It's War

The newly overhauled and unrecognisable "War" magazine has launched with this fantastic cover by fashion editor Kim Howells (snapped here at the launch party). There are profiles on next generation designers such as Bethan Wood and specially commissioned advertorials to platform young designers (NOKI & Louise Gray). Contributors include other emerging talents including Matthew Josephs, Justine Josephs, Jenny Hueston and Maki Lou Lou. The redesigned, spine bound format with shiny paper stock is now edited by Chris Murdoch and no longer in the hands of the original team (Molaroid) for anyone who may be wondering.





Photo borrowed without permission, sorry:
http://glamcanyon.blogspot.com/2008/12/war-magazine-launch-party.html

Sun 14th Dec: Get out of your lazy bed

A little something for a dark winter Monday morning to spring out of bed. This was one of my favourite songs when I was little............going ballistic dancing round the house with my best friend Elly. I think its high time for a revival and want to hear it again on a dancefloor. Looking back now I realise that Matt Bianco is a dead ringer for Roland Mouret.............or is that just me on both counts?