Thurs 24th May: BT ARTBox - the 1st drop - instore at Harvey Nichols

Here are the first BT Artboxes to be unleashed for this public art project in support of ChildLine in time for the Jubilee and Olympics.  Before the 80 in total hit the streets and sidewalks of London, seven have taken route at Harvey Nichols.  The department store has installed a few of the fashion related artists from the mix, including top to bottom Steven Gregory, Loz Atkinson, mine, Margot Bowman, Giles Deacon and Willie Christie, Stuart Semple. ............ head over to the site to see more........... and follow the Twitter for updates............. 

Weds 23rd May: BT ARTBOX cont........

So here it is........ my complete BT ARTBOX (refer to previous post for full explanation).   It's a giant version of the phone cover I designed for CANDY with added crystal bling and a bell on a lanyard to complete the total authentic look.  I also made the screen section from a mirror so that passers by can take their photos in the reflection........... on their phone!!  I love a bit of irony!  
Its going to be on display on the 3rd Floor of Harvey Nichols for two weeks from tomorrow along with the other fashion related artists including Margot Bowman who I'll blog tomorrow.......... head over to the site to see more.
Massive thanks to my landlord Robert for letting me squat upstairs, and thanks to Michael and Dan for carrying down three flights to safety!


(instagram photo c/o No Days Off Studio)

Mon 21st May: TOMS SHOES POP-UP SHOP

TOMS have opened their very first pop-up shop in Covent Garden with the mantra that for every pair of  shoes sold, a set of footwear is donated to a child in need.  The company constantly campaign to tackle the situation in developing countries where millions of children grow up without protection on their feet putting them at risk of injury and disease. Therefore the aim of marketing is not simply to raise awareness of their brand but also highlight the impact new shoes can have on a child's life. Shoes mean a simple step towards health and access to education, which is why I got involved with one of the schemes of the pop-up shop.  Designers have customised a pair of espadrilles which go on sale via a silent auction to pull together some extra funds and interest to the cause.  Charlie Le Mindu, Pam Hogg, Yang Du, Joanne Stoker, Felder Felder and MARIMODO have all taken part with the final designs being exhibited on May 31st.  The London College of Fashion will be decking out the store with window displays and installations for the special event .................. here are my finished plimsolls now sent off for the students to work their magic to put instore.  Check out the TOMS blog for more information on how to purchase these one-off releases........... I can't wait to see Yang Du's!

The TOMS pop up store will be open at 69 Neal Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9PJ between 3^rd May and 28^th June, and opening hours will be Monday to Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday 10am - 8pm and Sunday 11am – 6pm. 

Sun 20th May: BT Artbox

Here are some work-in-progress snaps of my piece for this year's public art project sponsored by BT to celebrate The Jubilee and The Olympics.  80 artists have been given a replica Gilbert Scott Telephone boothe to decorate for a spot somewhere dotted around London.  The main studios in Lewisham are the creative hub for everyone to work, but Margot Bowman and I picked ours up to bring them back home to our  HQ's in Dalston ........... which made me think about it literally being a mobile phone............ hence my idea of painting it like a giant cellular phone.  I have a theory that the downfall of man will be the mobile technology so it's also a little nod to that idea......... we are walking around looking down at our handsets instead of standing tall ........in turn, becoming increasingly socially incapable........ not long before we are totally hunched over and have lost the ability to interact ......... full circle back to being Neanderthal.  But I don't want to get too serious, so Ive made it pretty with polka-dots like my trademark graphic style from thankyou cards to parcel tape.  

Head over to the BT Artbox site to check out all the other participants including Zaha Hadid, Giles Deacon, Zandra Rhodes, Corrie Nielson, Philip Treacy, Lily Cole etc............... where you can access their photostream of recording the process.  All finished works will be auctioned for ChildLine so save your pennies on your phone bill to save up for your own giant tardis.......... 

(instagram photo c/o The WProject)