Sat 1st Dec: Incoming - Gary Card's Cosmic Cyber Christmas Tree

My first post of December is a festive one to kick start the Christmas season - commencing with a ceremonious turning on of lights.  This was no ordinary advent event as the Christmas tree in question has been designed by Gary Card for the King's Cross Filling Station to light up the adjacent Regent's Canal.  The cybernetic design, and mechanical structure which you can see here in his process pictures came about from a partnership with Vauxhall Ampera relating to the engine of the electric vehicle:    

"When Vauxhall approached me to design a Christmas tree, my immediate response was to create something mechanical.  I loved the idea of applying the almost alien cybernetic design of the Ampera engine, to the familiar silhouette of the Christmas tree.  The overall design is inspired by the angles of the Ampera with a little nod to the robot iconography I loved as a child.  I wanted to celebrate the fact that the Ampera is an electric car by having an electrical mechanism powering the Christmas tree."  

The setting of the site at Shrimpy's restaurant in a converted petrol station is a slightly eerie industrial vibe so Gary's almost Blade Runner-ish neon interpretation of the traditional tree is the perfect cosmic addition!  You can see it any evening until the 6th January at King's Cross Filling Station London.

Keep up to date with all things Card at his Blog, at CLM, Twitter,  Instagram, 

Friday 30th Nov: "Leather: Second Skin" at Fashion Space Gallery

"Leather: Second Skin"
23.11.2012 – 19.01.2013

Fashion Space Gallery
London College of Fashion
20 John Princes Street
W1G 0BJ

Featured works include one of my favourite creatives!  "Untitled" by Dai Rees

Mon 26th Nov: Hyper Japan

A selection of my photos from visiting Hyper Japan on behalf of Haunt Mag for whom I was guest reporting.  Check out the biannual online magazine here and keep up to date with news of the next issue via their Twitter and Facebook.

Sunday 25th Nov: Incoming PandaParty snaps

To launch both the newly designed Dazed Digital and printed issue guest edited by Nicola Formichetti, the magazine brought back BoomBox to celebrate Nicola's visit to London for a special signing session.  The theme for dressing up was "Panda, JPOP, Fantasia" and the doors were open to any readers to come and revel in the warehouse riot alongside the publication's team and contributors.  Here are a few of Anna Trevelyan's photos from the night showing her kawaii look with Cassetteplaya, balloon ceiling and one of the dj teams with Chris Murdoch and Matthew Josephs.

Head over to the site to see more of the Formichetti takeover and submit your own Panda artwork.

Check out Anna's Instagram, Tumblr, Site, Twitter for more colour and fun.

Sunday 25th Nov: Piers Atkinson's "The Language Of Flowers" at SHOWstudio via Kim Howells

Piers Atkinson had an exciting week, taking part in the live studio sessions at SHOWstudio HQ where designers take residency for the online audience to view their working practise.  "The Language Of Flowers" was Piers addition to the current Flora exhibition at the gallery shop for which he made three hats over the course of two days to be added to the catalogue of pieces.  Whilst Piers and his team of millinery assistants constructed the headwear they chatted and answered incoming questions so the title of "language" had quite a literal context.  In the background illustrator Philip Dunn painted a wall of roses onto the scoop which became the set for an epic shoot at the end of the event.  Kim Howells brought in three exceptional models, some incredible gowns, Andrew Gallimore crafted 3D makeup and Nick Knight captured the whole thing all under the live stream cameras.  Here are Kim Howells photos from the day to show the highlights from Jade Parfitt backstage to Piers wearing his Zandra Rhodes apron.  

And edited version of the footage will be uploaded to SHOWstudio if you missed it and the three final headpieces will now be available to visit and purchase at the SHOP.

(Kim's image Credits top to bottom:  1) Jade Parfitt in Giles - diamonds David Morris 2) Alla K from Union Wearing Jason Wu, belt and shoes A. McQueen diamonds David Morris, 3) Me, piers and model GiGi on set 4) Alla K wearing Marios Schwab, diamonds David Morris shoes Alexander McQueen. Makeup Andrew Gallimore, Hair Lok - both at CLM and nails Marie Isabel at the Book 5) Jade Parfitt backstage 6)Eyebrows by Andrew Gallimore 7) David Morris jewellery 8) Me n piers )