Thurs 4th Dec: Its Nice That

This week graphic duo "No Days Off" have been the guest secret squirrels on the aptly titled blog "Its Nice That". The site was launched in 2007 by Will Hudson and Jez Burrows as a platform to both feature and inspire the creative industries. Under the subheading and catergory of "Its Not Us", Pat and Teo have so far written entries on Photographer Jason Evans and Musicians Sian Alice Group. Today's write up was about my work and how I regularly make things that never actually get seen. Here is a necklace I was commissoned to make for the Roald Dahl story in the summer for last months Vogue but didn't make the final cut. It now adorns my studio wall and will come in use one day I am sure. Its funny how that happens. My archive pieces sometimes get a 2nd lease of life and chance to blossom after an initial false start .
Check out www.itsnicethat.com for an extensive archive of ......................well............things that are nice..............

Thurs 4th Dec: Piece Of Mind

I have been able to put my patchwork penchant to perfect use with a new charity project for Shelter, UK and Bowery Mission, NY.
Graphic design mavericks Marque have requested cooperation from international creatives to come up with a square to contribute to a complete work of art. Quilts assembled from each "piece of mind" will be exhibited and then auctioned with the profits going directly to the cities respective charities tackling homelessness. What a fantastic idea, to get the creative community collaborating by hand-making an artwork. To put love into each piece and extend this positive energy by financing solving a global epidemic that we are each powerless to change on a personal level. I'm so chuffed to have been asked to get involved. Here is my square which was painstakingly sewn and painted by my latest placement student Laura Gostling who has finally finished her 9 weeks. Laura, you have been an absolute star and will be sadly missed!
(Photo by Chloe Bell)

(The exhibition will come to London in April so I will update nearer the time with details. Other contributors so far are: Giles Deacon, Luella Bartley, Hussein Chalayan, Stephen Jones, Eley Kishimoto and Alice Temperley. Check link for more details)

Weds 3rd Dec: Happy

Photographers Mishkin pitched a Christmas card idea to me which was so genius, I jumped on board straight away. Every year I laboriously hand cut a new design and mail out to all my friends and contacts. However this year I am so snowed under with commitments, this is not going to be an option. Sorry to those of you needing a 2009 entry for your collection : (
So this year I'm going to rely on the predictable and boring email format. But to make it as fun as possible we have devised a cute image with the makeup artist Megumi Fuku and gorgeous graphic designer/model Sara El Dabi. Here we are on our extracurricular evening time shoot at Mishkin HQ.

Tues 2nd Dec: Magic Fingers Magnay

For a few years now Sarah Magnay has been collaborating and creating Allison's "Couture" costumes. The latest frock for this final tour show was a black silk blousen number with subtle fabric contrast Harlequin panelling. Sarah is known for her precision in pattern and execution which borders on terrifying in the process but results in exquisite garments. For her own MA collection at CSM she embellished her knitwear with reams of hand tarnished studs in tessellating borders.
Sarah is also known for her wicked sense of humour and here she has sent me a video of herself doing an important test-run to check the flow of the dress .............or perhaps just having a little moment of madness after an all night stint of sewing........I leave the decision up to you on that one
Thanks for all your images girls!

Monday 1st Dec: Golden Girls Part 3

So onto the dancers.................who appeared for the final song in these shinytastic black harlequin costumes which moved perfectly with the choreography. Dazzling cats eyes, bouncy big ruffles and swirling ribbons trailing from the wrists. The girls were given a starting point from Allison Goldfrapp and here you can see a snapshot from the mock up stages.

Monday 1st Dec: Golden Girls Part 2

The team also designed a one-off set for Goldfrapp's special show for the BBC's Electric Proms last month at Cecil Sharp House (home of English Fold Dance and Song Society). Here is the technical drawing, test using projection and Maki as a model!, in house prop making and a photo from the final performance.

Monday 1st Dec: Golden Girls

This weekend I was invited down to the Brixton Academy for the finale of Roisin Murphy's tour which was a stunning send-off concert . It has only been a couple of weeks since I was last there when Emma Roach and Sarah Magnay invited me along to the Goldfrapp gig to see thier beautiful costumes. Emma has sent me an incredible compilation of images to show the process of inspiration through to the final pieces so I will post a few different entries throughout the day.
Firstly here are the choir masks which were inspired by a Wicker Man/Pagen/Folk concept and made using the technique for corn dollies. Different animals were made including a dear and an owl. How clever and intricate, its great to see them up close and the detail in these pictures.

Fri 28th November: Christmas at Comme

My studio-mate set designer Andy Hillman installed this year's christmas window at Dover Street Market early yesterday morning. So last evening we headed down to celebrate the unveiling with the annual mulled wine and Rose Bakery seasonal snacks. To walk through the door and be greeted by a life size antler adorned horse was such a nice way to arrive back to London life after my trip. Now it has left the building, headed up west and collected a few CDG trinkets along the way..........a Swarovski necklace and space raider knitted twin set..................

Fri 28th November: Jim The Illustrator

I am aware that my write-ups are typically glowing and full of superlatives which in the end may dilute particular favourites. BUT I can't help sharing so many things that I love. BUT here is one special talent that I am reassuringly touched whenever I see new work by Jim Stoten. We graduated the same year at Brighton and since we have flown the Brighon Pier nest I have enjoyed finding his signature signage popping up. And 'pop up' would be an accurate description of his style. It is a peculiarly sensitive and psychedelic dreamscape that is evidently his brain directly extruded through a felt tip nib. The mix of perfectly drafted pattern and fine line come together in bizarre and hilarious constellations of characters and narratives.

Last evening was the preview for his latest work in the group exhibition "This Tiny World" at Dream Space Gallery. I have pinched this photo from his blog where he comments about apprehension of unveiling the work. " SHUT UP" I exclaim in full-on Jerry Springer slang with obligatory hand gesture. It was just fantastic and took so long to look at! I confess that usually I chatter at private views and miss the art. But not this time. I was totally sucked in by each cosmic clash of his new venture into collage and water colour. A departure that seems the best foot forward, if it was possible to progress an already deftly disgusting prolific talent. Good on you Jim, I wish so much I could buy one for my wall. A reproduction just wouldn't do justice to the gorgeous glowing neon colour schemes. However, I would love to see them turned into scratch and sniff wall paper! The toast, strawberry, banana, ice cream cone and hot dog characters are just crying out to become multi-sensory beyond the frame and glass. Also, how about light boxes? "Stoten Stain Glass"? Add that to the online store!!!!!!!!!

Thurs 27th Nov: Studio Visitor

For the end of the week we are hosting Archie the Future Laboratory's Wippet. His look is a mix of Simpson's "Santas little helper" when up and about and a peacful pooch Lucien Freud painting when he is asleep.

For any prospective animal sittings we are open for bookings. Provided they sit when told and look pretty on a plaid rug.

Weds 26th November: Time for Change.........spare change

Fittingly the 444th post to be entered on my blog is about my best friends ThreeAsFOUR who I had the absolute pleasure of seeing whilst visiting their hometown of NYC. Last week they held a pop-up store to mark the time of change in the current political and financial climate.........and to also acquire some loose change! Never to pass up an opportunity to stage something progressive, they contacted performance artist Michael Portnoy. He dressed in an all-in-one black outfit and paraded the sidewalk with a sandwich board of collaged dollar prices. I unfortunately missed the event so GABi has sent me this picture to share with you. They are turning footage of the day into a mini movie clip so I'll update on details when they arise..........

Until then, if you are in NYC head to Barneys to see their beautiful peace dress as part of Simon Doonan's Christmas Window scheme.

Tues 25th November: Im Back!

Since the inception of my daily(ish) blog I have never neglected entries on a scale of this enormity! I am so sorry! I have had major withdrawal symptoms. I have been totally tied up with work and also it seems that NYC is devoid of any accessible Internet points?!

Whilst touring the prop houses of Manhattan I discovered a real treasure trove to rival any counterpart in London. "Kaplan" was more of a an immense curated collection of interior treats as apposed to a regular inventory of useful items. Every piece was selected according to impeccable "taste" which actually made me question the meaning of that word?! I know mine is regularly questionable but I have a fundamental notion and this warehouse was jam-packed with the best of the best. Better than that, it was organised in colour code!!!!!

So now to the stand out item, that had me reeling in delight. My dream house (albeit doll size...........which makes me think of that Zoolander scene.......how are people going to fit in?)! Look, I can't believe it! Live-edge acrylic walls set in a white frame! If I ever, ever imagine myself on "Grand Designs" this is what I would build! Thank you to Megan Offner for taking these pics for me whilst I wept into my sleeve.

Thurs 13th November: NYC-ya

I have to apologise for my absence. I have come to NYC on a last minute trip so before leaving was frantically preparing............and now here I am frantically working...............so no time to spend over my usual high - callibre of entry..........! ; )

But here is something to look up to entertain you until I return............to get a look at some fantastic New York interiors............

Be prepared for some serious time wasting...........once you start, you can't stop............click on any picture on the main page and it leads you to a whole page more.....................

theselby.com

Tues 11th Nov: Let There Be Light

SHOWstudio is currently running a live video feed from Febuary's V Magazine shoot happening at Park Royal studios with Lily Donaldson. Here is a snap taken by Nick Knight of the images emerging as they happen, kindly sent over to me by Laura Bradley (editorial and production manager). Jonathon Kaye's chosen theme of light is to interpret Spring/Summer's tempered taste using Balenciaga, Lanvin, McQueen and Margiela. The project continues tomorrow with interviews dispersed amongst the fly on the wall coverage. Tune in to see how this established contingent operate, the regular team players being Sam McKnight, Val Garland and Marian Newman.

Saturday 8th November: Saturday Nights Alright

I have been the subject of a portrait series today shot by photographer Kate Rodgers. We had great fun spending time on the makeup with artist Valeria Ferreira. The best bit is that I now get to go out dancing with it still on! I could get very used to having professional Makeup! Bring it on!.............................

Friday 7th November: No Days Off

Well hopefully there will be some days off for the newly formed creative design team Teo Connor and Patrick Duffy who operate under the moniker "No Days Off". Although it would be almost comprehensible that they enjoy days at the office, as the new headquarters are located in a snazzy studio block built from recycled shipping containers! To announce the dawn of a new age for "N.D.O", they are holding an exhibition of special prints that link with the identity of the website. Each time you reload the site, a new and different logo flashes up to entertain your return.
The works on show (as seen here) have been hand-printed from mag plates on an original Heidelberg press in collectable limited runs. If you visit the exhibit you can purchase your own edition or pick up a pack of the newly designed Christmas cards...........which are literally hot off the press..............sorry for the pun guys, just couldn't hold back..................its a laugh a minute on this blog!
To see what other diverse design direction the duo undertake, check out the back catalog containing such projects as Pure Groove , The Design Museum and East Photographic.


Exhibition:
Ada St Gallery
2 Ada St
London E8 4QU
(just off Broadway Market)
Show continues to Sunday 9th November

Thurs 6th Nov: Timothy James Andrews

Last week I had a chance encounter with a designer who I am a BIG FAN of, so I was over the moon to make contact. I didn't realise that the gentlemen in a green woolly wonder with crochet flower pin detail was Timothy until after we had been chatting for quite a while. So when his garment bags opened and I saw the familiar cosmic creations, I couldn't contain my complements! He is the man responsible for the awesome Royal College MA collection seen here in this 1st picture styled by K A B I R. I remember walking past Kokon To Zai and internally self combusting and freaking out at the rainbow attack of patterns and textures in the window.
The latest collection is a barrage of wide tufting edged cable knit against tie-dye colours peeking through black canvas........all topped off with bubbles of overflowing rich stripey pom poms. Timothy has sent me some photos from his work space to give us a glimpse into his brainstorm bazaar and yarn store. The outline of inspiration for his next collection sounds MEGA YUMMY so I will keep track on what gets conjured up and other developments from the next London knitwear maverick.

Weds 5th Nov: Useless Info

On my latest charity shop tune treasure hunt I found a dance floor gem. Probably a controversial choice from Weller's career but I guess that's personal preference or more correctly a plaintive guilty pleasure! However, it was enlightening reading the credits and seeing that the cover was shot by Nick Knight! Perhaps another unexpected fact?!

Tues 5th Nov: Santa Claus is coming

The Selfridges Christmas windows unveiled at the weekend with a scheme of Santa Claus getting up to tricks in funny scenarios, including an underground train carriage! In 2 windows he is doing his Christmas shopping referring to his list which was conjured up by us on commission from the Selfridges 3D team. Chloe Bell channelled Santa all the way from the North Poll to get an accurate hand writing style and list of requests including "Reindeer Chow". Here is a snap from our work-in-progress............the tassels that we hand made to get the right colours............

Tues 4th Nov: Where The Wild Things Are

What an amazing surprise to give me a bounce in my step amidst this grey dismal Autumn. I found 4 credits in the new British Vogue which I wasn't expecting. Lucinda Chambers has jumbled up neon camping and nautical themes for a tropical woodland adventurer. Im so chuffed Patrick Demachelier's zingy saturated colours bring my iridescent oragami to life alongside these delicious Pam Hogg fluorescent leggings. *DREAMY* As a platform for my fantasy wishlist of frocks, I would like to add a new entry of these leggings in a the top slot. If I ever wore these, I would be floating on air.
Pam Hogg's window display for Browns is beautiful so if you are in the South Molten Street vicinity, go and have a peek at the gold & silver leather suit and black spandex bat suit! It is the 1st thing Ive ever seen to make me consider suppressing my gothphobia! But it was originally made for Siouxie Sioux who is one of my style icons so this may have something to do with it!