Monday 20th Dec: Peter Blake at The Museum of Everything

As their own website states HURRY HURRY HURRY HURRY to The Museum of Everything.......... Exhibition #3 is closing up shop on Thurs so its the last few days to catch Sir Peter Blake's personal collection of schnickle schnackle on show. I did just that and trekked through the snowy streets of North London to get there and I'm so pleased I did. Familiar with collections of historic paraphernalia from visiting prop houses during my set design stints, I have seen some of London's best accumulations of toys and trinkets. But this is not a business, its one man's personal crusade to amalgamate a lifetime of discovered lo-fi / folk / unconscious art. (For example this embroidered pin up girl by ex-serviceman Ted Willcox!)

Each section of the carnivelesque ride is split up with explanations of how the works had been assembled with an endearing personal anecdotal message. One of my favourites was a room decorated with mosaic walls of shells from floor to ceiling - the interior to best house his shell ornaments. Peter writes how he took a fascination with the fact that every charity shop has a discarded shell souvenir and that he couldn't help purchasing each owl/cat/tortoise he caught sight of. They are not the only derided animals that Blake has given new life to ........... the other notable horror is the taxidermy of Walter Potter. The work of Walter Potter's stuffed animals posed and dressed as humans set in fictional sinister scenes has been brought together for this show. Ive never seen so may squirrels smoking cigars and playing poker in my life! Have you? No, I didn't think so .......... this is why you must go to The Museum Of Everything.

ANIMAL MUSEUM

The other hilarious and wondrous installation that made me chuckle was a handmade toy fairground acquired from an ageing antique dealer Arthur Miller who had carefully constructed it in his garage. If you watch a little local newsreel from when Arthur decided to part with his motorised miniature ride he wishes it would be bought by someone who would share it for more people to see............ which became a wish come true now that it is on view!

This is perfect viewing for a festive field day outing just before the big day next weekend ..........a stroll through Primrose Hill to build a snowman or sledge on wheelybin lids......... and you can even bag some Christmas Shopping as there are limited edition signed Peter Blake prints for sale in the museum shop for £100-£150

Sat 17th Dec: Bompas and Parr at The Architectural Association

The Architectural Association decided to deck out their Christmas party in the theme of "The Cook the Thief His Wife & Her Lover". The original art department from the 1989 film by Michael Howells was re-interpreted by new kids on the block Bompass & Parr.. Renowned for their specialist jelly making and in particular dabbling with architectural moulds it was the perfect pairing (remember that gingerbread Gherkin?). In 2008 Bompass and Parr actually invited architects to design a jelly as part of the London Festival of Architecture. Last night's spectacle however was a move on from another project - the Scratch 'n' Sniff cinema event they held where viewers watched "The Cook the Thief His Wife & Her Lover" whilst sniffing synthesised odours of rotting meat! Just a touch of hanging meat was used again to decorate this punch bar. The warm cocktail was a deadly concoction of gin with chunks of pineapple and a whole heap of festive tasting spices, served in a tea cup. The jellys followed suit in the boozy Christmas vein with Absinthe and Lime or Champagne and Violet with suspended blueberries.
After the feast it was time to work off the trifle with a dance on the checkerboard floor............ which is where I stepped in being the dj for the night..........along with Anna Murray who I asked to join me to literally "Pump Up The Jam" (here she is at the very end of the night when we were packing up and the red lights were dismantled)

Friday 17th: The launch of Jez Tozer's Alchemy Series

Photographer Jez Tozer has undertaken a project of putting together his own periodical "The Alchemy Series" which launched last evening at a candle lit exhibition of the prints. It looks like an incredible line up with contributors ranging from Francesca Gavin, Karen Binns, Boo Saville, Kim Howells, Millie Brown.... I'm especially excited about the silver emulsion prints by Walter Hugo. To accompany each issue of the series will be a fashion film with the first "Raven" premiering on SHOWStudio later today.........

(Portraits of Keko Hainswheeler and Kim Howells)

Friday 17th: Christmas Card - Behind The Scenes

For the third year running I have worked with photographers Anna Leader and Amy Gwatkin to create a special Christmas Card............. with regular contributor Megumi Matsuno on makeup......... and a new addition to the mix - Seema Chopra on wig styling. The first year we focused the concept on eyelashes, the 2nd year on a manicure with WAH! and this year its all about the hair! Final image to be hitting your inboxes soon..........here is this year's model Nur Hellmann @ FM

Friday 17th: Sample Sale

Our studios came together last evening for a sample sale and invited a few local friends to join the fun too. Here are a few snaps ............ Noel Stewart's hats ....... Hermione De Paula modelling one of Noel's creations............. Hermione's dog Barbara modelling a Pier Atkinson number........ bikes from Fixed Wheel ........ and a few of my stocking filler treats as demonstrated by Patrycja Grimm...........

We would like to make this a regular event so stay tuned to hear more from the team........

Weds 15th Dec: Sample Sale tomorrow........ Thurs

Sample Sale in Dalston tomorrow evening with my archive and other designers..............lots of treats to snap up......... mulled wine and mince pies...............:

Mark Fast Womenswear
Craig Lawrence Womenswear
Hermione de Paula Womenswear
......Braille Menswear
Jacey Withers Jewellery
Fred Butler Accessories
Noel Stewart Hats
Piers Atkinson Hats

Weds 15th Dec: Christmas at i-D

I popped into i-D today to find their very smart Christmas decorations with a massive plush tree complete with logo star at the top. Apparently its too big to go home with anyone for the festive period when the office break up for holidays.......... if only I had transport, Id love to give it a home at our studio!

Tues 14th Dec: Cat Party!

You may remember I dj'd at the inaugural Cat Party Party last month........... my slot was the final half hour so I was too late to nab some of the special badges made for the special event......... so the furry fellas at Cat Party HQ have posted me some.......... when I felt the envelope I thought it was my Christmas money from my nan.......... love the way they are sellotaped down!!!!!

If you don't already follow Cat Party............ get involved! Its all anonymous but I can confirm there are many creatives kitties snapped and papped for all feline appreciation audiences.

Tues 14th Dec: Festive Message from The Future Laboratory

Future Laboratory Christmas Card 2010 from This Is It Projects on Vimeo.

Bad Things That Could Happen from This Is It on Vimeo.

Let the well wishing commence............ inboxes will soon be flooding with Christmas Cards before everyone clocks off for holidays........... here is my first from those forward thinking Future Laboratory folks who have teamed up with the collective This Is It to create this festive film. The trailer art directed by Ravi Khanna stars the studio's star pet Jasper in lead role - here he is in an exclusive backstage shot whilst chilling out in his trailer.
This Is It have taken over the walls of Jaguar Shoes with the giant cardboard props from their other recent film "Bad Things That Could Happen". If you have found yourself sitting below a massive packet of cigarettes - these are the culprits behind the exhibit.......... I particularly like the flys with big blue eyes........

(Shot of This Is It and exhibit from their site This Is It Blog)

Tues 14th Dec: New Gen Winners Announced - Craig Lawrence

Congrats to my studio mate Craig Lawrence for winning New Gen sponsership for another presentation this season! LOVE YOU!

New Gen Winners

Sun 12th Dec: FKB for AAK

The charity Art Against Knives are producing a series of 3 designer T-Shirts to add to their online shop and asked me to contribute one of the styles. I based my signature polka dot sticker collage artwork on a pair of butterfly wings that I made a few years ago. Ive made it physcadelic and as colourful as possible to brighten up any wardrobe ........... and also make use of this offer of emblazoning a T-Shirt with digital print as Ive never had the chance before! For the price of only £20, its not only a bargain Christmas gift but the profits will go to fund AAK amazing work in youth-led arts initiatives providing an alternative to violent gang culture. AAK works to reduce the root causes of knife crime after the tragic and unprovoked stabbing of Oliver Hemsley, a 21-year-old student from Central Saint Martin’s College of Art & Design. The vicious attack, which has left Oliver in a wheelchair, took place in Shoreditch, East London, in August 2008. It is the impact of this that drives Art Against Knives to create something positive from such a life-changing experience.


To get hold of one of my multicolour t-shirts, you can buy them here

(Pics - the original wings hanging in my bedroom, my desk, the t-shirts on sale at Chica Boutique fashion show at Spitalfields, hosted by Jonny Woo, held in support of Art Against Knives)

Sat 11th Dec: Brie Harrison on Supermarket Sarah

Here is the beautiful Brie Harrison who I collaborate with on print design which has been an ongoing partnership during my collections. A few of these archive pieces are now for sale via her wall for Supermarket Sarah which launched yesterday. Brie's accumulation of goods is a delightful deluge of pattern and colour totally in keeping with her own keen eye for interior style. Since I first saw her digs at University she's always had a knack of creating enviable home decor, especially scattering eclectic cushions. It is as if she has raided her own home to put together this selection which is an exciting prospect as its actually for sale! In amongst the Russian Dolls and ceramic animals are her very own hand screen prints and silk pattern soft furnishings (I received a surprise print in the post!). There are also additional printed treats from Jim Stoten and Anja Sheriden........... go and have a trawl through the soft focus fuzzy delicious details......

Sarah is uploading 2 walls per week in the run up to Christmas so be sure to check back to her check out if you may have missed the incredible selection from Rosy Nicholas........

Sat 11th Sept: Rainbow Drop

This time last week you may have just detected a little rainbow sprinkled onto Fergie for the Black Eyed Peas performance on XFactor............ my rainbow drop earrings from my S/S collection shot here by Elisha Smith Leverock.
To take a peek at how to purchase head to jewellery mecca KABIRI

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