Sunday 25th May: Really, Really Good Looking

SHOWstudio.com have launched a new project titled VMan Model Search.  Any male viewers can enter this competition which will be judged by Nick Knight himself.  The face that fits will win a model contract with Ford Models and will be photographed by Nick Knight and styled by Simon Foxton for the cover of the upcoming VMAN 15.   So if you fancy your chances, the deadline to upload your mug shots or video clips is the 15th June.

Here are a couple of pages from Simon Foxton's sketchbook archive which he kindly sent me once as homework for a props job.  They are various scraps of found imagery that he has collected for his own research.  I am beside myself with excitement (and I know I'm not the only one!) for the upcoming show at the Photographers Gallery.  Penny Martin is curating the show "When You Are A Boy" which will be the first exhibition dedicated to Simon's work.  Yipee!!!!!!!!!!!  Check the deats at the link below:

http://www.photonet.org.uk/index.php?pxid=954

Sat 23rd May: Embellished Faces Part 3

We found out that more work by Maurizio Anzeri is on show at The Rifles Gallery including 3 of the afore mentioned hair sculptures. So I was even more pleasantly surprised to find work by other artists in the same location. The shows are currently split across three floors with the ground floor dedicated to tapestry. In 2005 "Banners of Persuasion" commissioned 14 artists to design an edition of five handwoven tapestries. Originally shown in 2008, this is now a mini selection including Peter Blake, Gary Hume, Kara Walker and Julie Verhoven. I can't believe that I have only just found out about them. The Julie Verhoven hanging "Far from the madding crowd" is suitably delicious in her signature style psychedelic faces and places.  I wanted to rip it off the wall, stash it in my swag bag and run straight home ("I'll ave that" Burgler Bill style - for anyone who had that book as a kid! ).  But they are only on show until Weds before they head off  to exhibitions in New York, L.A & Moscow so I would hate to deny the rest of the world!   

Sat 23rd May: Embellished Faces Part 2

Next stop, a talk by Maurizio Anzeri at the new Photographer's Gallery. Previously known for his sculptures of plaited hair, Maurizio has recently transferred his embroidery skills onto vintage photographs. He has amassed black and white posed portraits from flea markets and carefully characterized individuals with coloured threads. Maurizio explained that some are easier to transcribe than others. The anonymous faces gazing out give away a certain glimpse of narrative for him to interpret in addition to a few being dated and titled as starting points. The result is impassioned pin hole weavings of geometric patterns applied in painstaking precision and optical intricacy. In the end he regards them still as sculpture due to the relief surface texture. So although my photos are perhaps not the most clear view of the finished article, I have tilted the camera to try and illustrate this way of looking at the 2D object.
The talk was a refreshing affirmation of proper REAL art because not only are the works beautiful but he came across as a very naturally contented soul with no delusions of artifice or.pretension. Full of affection but not affected.

Sat 23rd May: Embellished Faces Part 1

With the rare opportunity of a day off, I took a tour of the sun drenched jasmine-scented streets of London in search of some cultural enlightenment............... I had a blissfull run of encounters and discovered some real gems.

First stop "Unordinary People" at The Royal Albert Hall. I didn't even know they had an exhibition space? But they do!
Along the circular twisting atrium on the ground floor was the latest installment from PYMCA's subculture photography archive. It started with the birth of youth style in the swinging sixties all the way through each and every "style tribe" to the contemporary 00's. The unique quality of this collection is that the images have been sourced from photographers that were immersed in the actual movements rather than spectators. Therefore the majority of the atmospheric shots were genuine insights into the seminal moments that were impalpable to the subjects living their every day lives.
Each segment of the timeline was explained in captions by Ted Polhemus. Being abjectly warned against the reliability of his meditations during my own dress-history lessons tarnished the education factor of the exhibit BUT the shots were incredible. (Although I certainly question the authenticity of the BoomBox snaps at the end which didn't look like any of the Sunday nights I frequented on a weekly basis!). However I loved this collection of predominantly unseen portraits, and was very glad to have caught the last day.

http://www.pymca.com/

polaroids by Paul Hartnett

Friday 22nd May: Cooperative Designs in Browns Focus Windows

In an attempt to house some of our left-over props I have gradually been turning our loo into what now appears like a Tony Heart type gallery. I think its the perfect place to decorate, as its the only time when you stop working, sit down to look at your surroundings.........(without going into too much detail here!)............so it makes sense to poster the walls with lookbooks to have time to appreciate the complexities of collections. However, not so flattering for the designers when they become synonymous with being "those dresses in the loo" to our visiting interns. That has happened with Cooperative Designs who have the honour of 2 hangings in our curated water-closet. But this week Dorothee and Annalisa are showcasing their S/S collection in a West End location arguably slightly more prestigious than our Candid Arts local ; ) Cooperative Designs have taken over the windows at Browns Focus, where they are selling their delicately crafted signature striped knit dresses. The collection was inspired by MEMPHIS, the 1980’s Milan-based collective of young furniture and product designers led by the veteran Ettore Sottsass and known for its post-modernist style. So perhaps its not so bizarre that I have implemented thier look-books into our own interior design!?






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Here is Amy Gwatkin's genius film that opened the runway show for the collection:

Thurs 21 May: Team Kruger

Here are our next door neighbours........Team Kruger. What fantastic neighbours to have! They run their own incredible free music magazine which we have watched grow from strength to strength and is now a fully functioning operation with as many arms as a Hindu Goddess. For example last night was their monthly event at The Social. Another monthly feature is a free download singles club alongside regular podcasts, blogs and tour diaries. This is one of the best bits..........each issue a new act is handed over the baton of a suitcase to take on tour whilst blogging their exploits............and when finished, put their sticker on it like an old destination stamp..........so that one day it will be covered with a plethora of memorial graphics with the first being Micachu and currently Little Boots.
The current issue has answered all my questions about Plugs (the band not electrics!), that Owen Pallett has worked on the new Rumble Strips album - not just Mark Ronson, who the hell Marina and the Diamonds is (that ignorance is not going to last long) and some really beautiful portraits by their NYC photographer Christopher McLallen.
So to find out more about what the guys are concocting up at Kruger Laboratories head to : http://www.krugerlabs.com/

They even turned their hand to a spot of prop making for the last issue! Making this robot to replace a missing member of the Rakes for a photoshoot!

(Another bonus is that we can raid their promo CD reject stack. I discoverd a new Larry Tee album which features a single by Jodie Harsh called "Agyness Dean"! Hilarious! Looking forward to seeing how that one is going to be marketed..............)

Weds 20th May: Somebody got a nice surprise!

A goldfish grows as big as its bowl. My kleptomaniac fins are squished right up to the concave walls.
That doubled with my uncontrollable habit of giving presents, meant that there was only one option to deal with dismantling my installation at Kokon To Zai. With no room at the Inn (studio) for the new 2.5, I knew exactly who would find a good home for it - Chanel devotee Mandi Lennard. So Sara and I knocked up some fancy wrapping and dropped it off at her showroom with an equally giant Barbie's hand laying in wait. We had so much fun making the giant bow. I wish you could see the scale of this beast. Its 1.5 metre square so if Clinton's were to ever diversify into outsize gift wrap, they might need to give the "Forever Friends" aisle the old heave-ho to accommodate these bad boys.

See Mandi's pics on her blog:
http://blogs.colette.fr/mandi/

Tues 19th May: Fashion Saturdays

As part of The Big Yellow Festival Centenary celebrations at Selfridges, Satrudays are the designated day for fashion shows. Each week Lulu Kennedy pulls together different looks from the store's shop floor selection and style's a different story. This weekend was a colour blast and my A/W archive pieces were requested to compliment some of the outfits. At three intervals during the day, the central escalators are roped off and a guest dj plays a set to accompany the models travelling catwalk. Next week Lou & Nova will be spinning the tunes ...................after Frankmusik plays on Friday and Rory Hammond plays on Sunday. Nova is currently looking for assistants.............so check her blog for details: http://novadando.blogspot.com/,

Tues 19th May: Boom Boom Pow UK's No.1

Is it just me or did someone not tell them?
(shame they disabled the official video link so this unofficial version is the best i can find)

Mon 18th May: Lazy Oaf

No that's not a description for my absence from blogging this weekend* but the name of the fun filled label of goodies that make burger beanies and donut design tees.
Although the online store is a visual treat, it doesn't beat the real deal and going along to the shop on Kingley Court. Infact, no time is better than the present, as the windows have just been overhauled with hilarious faces to launch the new specs range. The illustrator behind the cheeky chappies is the ridiculously rainbowlicious Rosy Nicholas who I profiled here when I discovered her talents (http://fredbutlerstyle.blogspot.com/2009/03/tues-10th-march-rosy-nicholas.html). Sorry Rosy, but I had to put this portrait up to give a little insight into how you might come up with the characters that you draw............I love this photo!

* FredButlerStyle has had a technological meltdown and resuming regular opperations is proving too ANNOYING when phones and computers decide to say "No" at the same time.
Apologies to anyone I have ignored since Friday, its not personal, I just went AWOL

Fri 15th May: The Bachelor

Nick Thornton Jones and Warren du Preez have shot the artwork for Patrick Wolf's new album "The Bachelor" with set design by Gary Card and styling by Susie Lloyd (who used a butterfly quilted piece from my S/S 08 on his shoulder).

The Bachelor limited edition is available NOW and is completely exclusive to Bandstockers. Numbers are limited, so hurry on over to the Bandstocks shop now! The Bachelor limited edition will feature a beautifully crafted box set, complete with a heavyweight slipcase that features the album cover in all of its glory without any title or logo. Inside of the slipcase is a perfect bound 28-page book, which tells the story of the album with the use of photos and lyrics throughout. Remember, if you aren't already a Bandstocker, you can still buy stocks. Just head on over to www.bandstocks.com to do so, and you will be entitled to privileges like these and much more in future.





(Still Life shots by Mishkin)

Fri 15th May: If gesticulating was an Olympic Sport

I would bring home the Gold for Britain

Interview by Sophie George for her degree.

Thurs 14th May: Marianne Vitale @ Ibid Projects

I have had a tip-off from GABi of ThreeASFOUR about an event in East London this evening:

"Our good friend Marianne Vitale is having an Art Opening in London
for her amazing sculptures this coming Thursday .
Her work is intensly beautiful"

So..............here are some images to explain what might be instore at Ibid Projects tonight. These are some previous works with the bronze sculpture being the latest. For her exhibition opening in London she is showing ink and charcoal drawings with sculptural installations. Marianne (born NY 1973) studied BFA Film at the School of Visual Arts in New York and still lives and works in the city..................so go and see her latest offering whilst she is in town!

IBID PROJECTS 210 Cambridge Heath Road, London, London, E2 9NQ
Bethnal Green (tube)
020 8983 4355

Weds 13th May: Soren Bach is back

Last week when I was guest contributor to www.itsnicethat.com I had to post a different "favourite thing" each day. Being me, I couldn't keep it to just 5 so unfortunately one didn't make it into the designated days. So here is my original prose for the piece accompanied by new pictures that I haven't seen before, kindly sent over by Soren's PR:

"Breaking new ground for many a barnet, is Danish designer Soren Bach who started creating sculptural adornments for the head in his previous career as an editorial hairstylist. His specialism was painstakingly hand dying multicolour patterns on hair sections before applying them to the model. He took his craft to another level studying millinery at the RCA in 2005 and working with fur to create kaleidoscopic pom-pom pieces as worn by Bjork on tour. Here is his latest sci-fi cosmic craziness ……….."

Tues 12th May: Pop-Up Shop "143"

As Soho starts to become blighted by abandoned retail units, one space has been resurrected and re-birthed into a pop-up shop entitled "143". It has been devised as an experimental shopping experience to run for 2 weeks, situated inbetween Carnaby Street and Newburgh street. The mixed merchandise laid out like a gallery, features an edited selection of exclusive
products chosen by Silver Spoon Attire and art-directed by Kate Moross (seen here together last night at the launch). Kate has designed the interior aswell as a special program outlining each designer and pieces stocked. She herself is selling prints, t-shirts, records.........even a bike which she has customized! I'm representing amongst the accessories section with a few of my S/S 09 Caterpillar necklaces. I have only produced 7 pieces from the season and this is where they will be selling! They are all hand-made and took bloody ages so I'm never doing it again! Each is made from hand-painted satin and this fabric turned out much better than the original samples so its been tricky letting go of them as they are so lush (even if I do say so myself)!
I'm gutted I didn't get a photo of Carri Mundane infront of the ice-cream stand lamp as she was wearing an ice-cream cone print ruck-sac............so hopefully someone else caught that moment and it will turn up on a blog somewhere in the blogstratosphere......











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Tues 12th May: Portrait Photographer Profile - Dan Wilton Part III

So to wrap up the weekends profile and find out future plans.............

Do you have a personal favourite portrait from your archive and if so, what is the story behind it?


I met Buffalo Bill in the Birdcage last month. He's part of a gang who tour a different East End pub every Saturday night, all decked out, proper Western style. I mean, he's got a real human tooth necklace on - literally no messing about. I liked him a lot

I'm starting a personal project shooting them in their homes this month, should be good

Sun 10th May: Portrait Photographer Profile - Dan Wilton Part II

When I do a profile I like to show an image of what the artist's work space is like and here are some snaps from Dan's Bethnal Green studio. Just at the moment its full of free newspapers but not because he's hoarding them for future papier-mache exploits or swatting up on exactly what time which Girl's Aloud was spotted wearing Wang at whatever pop-up shop launch for a new limited edition endorsed collaboration with guest TV presenter irony dj whose dating a Z- list celebrity's child that's out caning London Town mid GCSE revision ............ So what exactly is going on ?


"I'm in the final stages of a stills & animation shoot for the wonderful people at Choose What You Read. CWYR are standing up against the rubbish thrust into our hands every evening like the London Lite & London Paper - instead offering free books every first Monday of the month at major London rail stations. Free books donated by the public, for the public. With new CWYRs opening up in other UK cities as well as New York I really hope you'll be hearing a lot more about them in the future

The shoot's based around the simple idea of people making an individual choice of what they read. Normally my work doesn't involve much photoshop work at all but with this shoot there's a ton of post production to be done in piecing the shoot together and editing the stop motion animation. So it won't be finished for a while...

I still might need some more people to come stand in front of the camera next week so if you're interested gimme a shout......"

0044 (0) 7779 101241

So if you want to hop off the Central Line with your current favorite book to pose for a quick portrait, its all for a good a cause ..........

Watch his blog (www.danwilton.blogspot.com) & their website (www.choosewhatyouread.com)