Sun 13th Sept: Craft talk

This is for everyone going a little bit crazy working insane hours to get their collections finished for fahion week..............WORK THROUGH THE PAIN............FASTER FASTER FASTER

Thanks to Rosy Nichols for this incredible tip-off.............

Sun 13th Sept: EK Pop Up

As part of London's Fashion Night Out, Eley Kishimoto opened the door's to their new pop-up shop..............thanks to Victoria for these snaps when my gang nipped down to check it out and Camille picked up a pair of EK socks for £3! Apparently the basement is full of past season bargains .............

Friday 11 Sept: Moonmilk

The title "Moonmilk" is from the myth behind the build up crystalline deposits found on the walls of caves..............its believed to have been formed by light from Celestial bodies passing through rock into darkened worlds below.........
Ryan Mcginley's new body of work is a series of trademark nudes but this time in a totally un-incidental setting.........infact quite the opposite..........apparently he spent a year exploring undiscovered "Wild Caves" across North America as the backdrop for this ethereal project. The result is a soft spectrum scene of stalactite's and stalagmites resulting in a distinctly 70's looking story of images.........here is my favourite "Christopher (Pink Double)" ..............which was echoed in my new Levi's courtesy of Craig Lawrence who recently gave me this pair of grey jeans which Ive dyed soft pink and unconsciously wore to view these pastel pictures...........perfect!

*Thanks again to Amy Gwatkin for the photographs to document the event*
spadgerdisco.blogspot.com/

Friday 11 Sept: 9/11

Just read Scott Ramsay Kyle's twitter this morning and thought how lovely it was
"September 11th, love and light to all who lost and all who lived through ♥"

(This is a pic I took of ADi-dj record shopping on 9/11/2002 in the Lower East Side...............ADi is always full of hope, pragmatism and positivity so a good person to inject back good energy)

Friday 11 Sept: Opperation Pencil Case

100% Successful

Thurs 10th Sept: Allow me to introduce..........

............my new boyfriend.............its been worth the wait..........he is worth his weight in gold..........soulmates, what can I say?!

Thanks to Teo Connor for 2nd guessing my taste and hooking me up with this treasure.

Thurs 10th Sept: And sew it begins.........

Its the first day of fashion week but one New Yorker will actually be in London ..............as Ryan Mcginley will be opening his Moonmilk exhibition at the Alison Jaques Gallery this evening. Here is one of the first images of his that I saw in 2001 which is entitled "The Garden" where his friends model a AsFOUR garments...........Agathe Snow is wearing the 'Snowman' top = how perfect!
So 8 years down the line.........what's the latest news from ThreeAsFOUR? Well I can now talk about something Ive had nestlings in my secret stash not to pass my lips for some time.............their S/S 10 collection is in collaboration with Yoko Ono who has provided them with her dot drawings as inspiration for the prints..............
Ive been so locked into my sewing machine that I haven't had a chance to contact them myself to get a quote or images so here is a pic I have stolen from a great article on the NY Times website which you should check out...........

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/09/threeasfour.html#
http://www.alisonjacquesgallery.com/

*BOTH OF THESE IMAGES ARE STOLEN...........sorry I'm too busy to post original pictures this week.............*

Weds 9th Sept: Penny Martin & Simon Foxton by Amy Gwatkin

It seems like a long time ago when Penny tipped me off about this event where curator would be in conversation with subject. I knew that I had to begrudgingly dismiss attending as it coincided with pre fash week slog but luckily Amy Gwatkin was on que to hot-step it down to The Photographer's Gallery. Even better than that, she agreed to cover it for the FBStyle blog so we wouldn't miss out entirely! Thanks Amy!

It was the nicest evening - a small, eager, and knowledgeable crowd; and an atmosphere more like an informal chat between 2 friends than any of the slightly stilted 'Q & mumbled A', which can so often be the case at artists' talks. Simon came across as a man with a genuine passion and intuition for what he's doing - in his words "I do it because I have to". It was refreshing to hear a sentiment I feel myself reiterated by someone I look up to so much! "I make the pictures that I want to make, and that's my choice". As Penny said, rather than chasing the dollar, he's stayed true to his roots in the fun, the playfulness and freedom of creativity, even when they're "difficult, provocative, challenging".

Ultimately the message Simon imparted was one of reassurance - I walked out feeling as though artistic and personal satisfaction really is valid, and does count for something in a culture/industry where success is measured so much in terms of money, and who you're working for/with, rather than the work you're actually making.

Penny is in many ways the perfect 'referee' for such an evening - inclusive, approachable, yet with an unabashed enthusiasm and scholarship (obvs!) for fashion imagery.

A smashing evening - Sally, Bella and I spilled out onto the pavement full of chatter and ideas...

**********Here is Amy's blog which you should check out if its not already on your roll..........AND HER TWITTER IS ACTUALLY THE FUNNIEST ONE I FOLLOW AND MAKES ME CHUCKLE EVERY DAY...........I URGE YOU TO ALL IMPROVE YOU LIFE AND FOLLOW HER TOO.............***********

http://spadgerdisco.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/amygwatkin

Tues 8th Sept: I feel like.......... Noel Gallagher

Fish out of water type scenario............but very excited and honoured.
Suggestions of appropriate attire will be much appreciated.....................

Tues 8th Sept: I feel like Amelie

...........whilst cycling along Regents Canal getting honked at by Coots...........I overheard a little girl crying because she had lost her pencil case..................a few bridges later I saw a jazzy looking bit of colour on the verge and Magpied in ...........yep it must be said lost wallet............so I turned 360 and peddled back to intercept the casualty.............but to no avail the mother and daughter had left the toe path.............I was left with this bundle of joy.............

I remember the heartache of losing your favourite possessions as a kid so I set about putting up a couple of LOST posters on the Canal ...........this led to some confusion with 2 days of harassment by a sex pest leaving texts and voice mails of "how much do you take"..........BUT then on Saturday the mum rang me! BRILLIANT! On Thurs we are going to meet so I can reunite the water-toy mobile phone to it rightful owner! BLESS!

I lost my seal soft toy when i was 6...........working on my nan's stall at the WI jumble sale............"Sealy" got sold by accident.........I was mortified............but a few years later when I went to a girl's house to play = there he was..........minus nose and whiskers but undeniably soft and seal-like.......i'll never forget how happy that made me so that's the moral of the story

Mon 7th Sept: Preview

So here is the first preview of S/S 2010 pieces from London's new designers as called in by Hilary Alexander herself! How nice to know that she does her own homework!
Here is a necklace and pair of earrings from my new collection teamed with a silk/cotton, backless dress, by Cooperative Designs, ..........who are my friends..........so good on Hilary for having a sixth sense on that one..........or maybe her homework is that extensive!

I made a shout-out to all my photography friends for donations of lighting gels to make my new collection.............which came through with generous packages from Tara Darby, Amy Gwatkin and even a hand-delivery from Akio. Now they can see what Ive been creating from their left-overs..................THANK YOU GUYS!

Sunday 6th Sept: Not Walking Anywhere

As I'm stuck in that biannual rutt of cabin fever from residing solely in my studio............I have missed out on some important things..........one being the "Walking In My Mind" exhibition at The Hayward. Its the last day today so for anyone else that hasn't been here is a taster to tease and tempt you into venturing to the river. For those like me who can't go............here's the 2nd best option.........thanks so much to Alex Cunningham for answering my plea by taking these snaps when I pounced on her as she left the studio one day..........

http://walkinginmymind.southbankcentre.co.uk/index

Sat 5th Sept: No Days Off Update

Just at the moment Im catching up with the lastest news from different departments to see what everyone else has been up to over the summer. Teo Connor and Patrick Duffy are the terrible two that work as the team "No Days Off" who don't just have a brilliantly shrewd name but also turn out equally astute graphic design. Somehow they managed to steal a few minutes from the grindstone to send over these images of their latest projects.

The first client here is Paloma Faith, who's album book and single sleeve they have art directed. They have also informed me that Paloma's is performing at The Scala soon, which everyone should go to as she is amazing live...............

The second album artwork they have been attending to is She Keeps Bees record 'Nests'. It is currently album of the week in NME available at Rough Trade now or on iTunes for the absolute steal price of only £4.99! Its BEEn on constant play in the NoDaysOff studio for ages and according to their personal review "if you like the White Stripes and PJ Harvey, get it. Apparently Morrisey is a fan, which usually mean the band are absolutely shite, but this time he seems to have got it right." You have been told!

The third image here is Electronic Poet which is a design for a new clothing range, soon to be on sale in Oki Ni and also online at www.paper-scissor-stone.co.uk.

Last but not least is a snap from work in progress of a series of 'NO' paintings for an exhibition in the pipeline for a future show. All pieces are designed on reclaimed items from the streets of Whitechapel, where the duo are based.

To check out more new work visit their ace website at www.nodaysoff.com, with lots more to come in the next few months......

Friday 4th Sept: Lucy Aebischer

Here is Lucy Aebishcer who came to help me last season by sewing, sticking and generally keeping me sane over the festive period when I was studio bound in solitary confinement. She just graduated from Bath Spa and has spent the summer assisting other colourful folk such as Jiggery Pokery and most recently Jamie Brown painting the outside of The Old Blue Last with giant cat faces.............check her blog for pictures if you aren't in the East vicinity to see for yourself.......http://lucy-aebischer.blogspot.com/
Here are couple of snaps from time she has spent with me this Summer ........and also her business card which is a rainbow stick of rock packaged with screen printed label and polkadot film..............what a WINNER!

Thurs 3rd Sept: Scott Ramsay Kyle

So Im setting up shop at Supermarketsarah.com today and installing my guest wall which will go live at fashion week. Its going to be an opportunity to buy some of my archive pieces................Swarovski encrusted lobster anyone? But in my nature of collaboration and recommendation I have selected 10 designers to also feature on the site for your chance to snap up other one-off items by some of my favourite creatives. I had to reach for a paper bag to stop hyperventilating when I received the delivery from Scott Ramsay Kyle. Here is a cape that he made specially on commission for Jane How once upon a time.............an original created by a true original.............BEATUIFUL!

He is just wrapping up finalising his new website if you want to check out more:

http://scottramsaykyle.com

Thurs 3rd Sept: I HEART CARR

SO BLOODY EXCITED TO SEE DIANE'S FULL FEATURE! Here is a snippet from her blog today.
Here is one of my mentor's Alistair Carr in conversation about working with one of his mentor's Mr.Pearl.................don't get much better than this............
...........Alistair you are looking HOT my friend!

Weds 2nd Sept: Spadgermatazz for Slashstroke

Amy Gwatkin shot my last collection for an article in the new magazine slashstroke which has launched online today. This is the spread which also features a portrait by Amy in collaboration with Anna Leader with whom she used to work with under the guise of "Mishkin". After the shoot we sat down to drink tea and talk shop for an informal and investigative interview to accompany the images.............all of which we recorded on dictaphone for Amy to transcribe..........but got lost.........isn't it always the way! But it didn't matter because it was the perfect excuse to actually stop working and get together for some quality time for once..........any time spent with these two ladies is an absolute pleasure ........I only wish we could do it more often..............

Tues 1st Sept: Lady Ga Ga in convo with Craig Lawrence

Craig and I are both from the illustrious creative breeding ground of East Anglia UK. Yep, the fields of sheep and combine harvesters nurture some seriously strange talents! The last time we were both back in the homelands, we hooked up for a walk along the blustery beach of Southwold to catch up on how are collections were going. As Craig had been at home that week I assumed that it had been some down-time with the family and keeping local. Oh no! He related that he had just returned from a jaunt up to Manchester for an MTV recording of an interview with Lady Ga Ga. .........as you do, natch! LOL! So here it is! Its just launched on the international music channel but you can check it all out at this link. The series is different musicians meeting up with the creatives that inspire them.............the other episodes feature The Beastie Boys, Marilyn Manson etc.

In the run up to fashion week you can keep up to date with Craigs news as he has started twittering and just launched his own blog in conjunction with photographer Kenzie Burchell called "Chateau De Gateau"..........lots of excitements looming..........

http://www.chateaudegateau.com
http://twitter.com/craigknitwit

Tues 1st Sept: Ritta Ikonen Profile Fin

There are lots more images from Ritta that I could post to give more insight into the workings of her mind and world...........but I have edited it down to give a one-hit, one-stop shop of information. But whilst it has taken a few days to upload them in installments I received a thankyou message from the artist with this photo attached..............exquisite!
Ritta at The Hayward.
Thankyou so much for all your time in compiling everything Ritta, best of luck with all your new secret missions!
Now go and have a poke around all her previous projects:

Tues 1st Sept: Ritta Ikonen Profile Part VI

And these mates, I have lost their origin. But they are important.

Had a wonderful haircut here one day... all done with clippers!

Who knows what this place was called..., but it was pretty incredible. A blessed shop where I finally found a foot for my little random sewing machine, found abandoned on the streets of Brooklyn.

To finish off Ritta's profile here is a selection of random things that made her chuckle on her adventure...........quite a good measure of her comedic sensibility. When I knew that Ritta was going to NY I put her in touch with another NY/LON photographer friend of mine -Annie Collinge as I knew that they would get on.....both with the same ridiculous sense of humour and quirky aesthetic. I was right.......according to Annie :
" thank you for putting me in touch with Riitta, she is very funny, she took me to lecture about NY waste disposal..."
Wish I had been a fly on the wall for that one!