Monday 22nd January: Patternity X John Lewis "POSITIVE PATTERNS"

I’ve been a fan of pattern powerhouse “Patternity” since their inception and enjoyed following their success from screen printing tights to exhibitions, events, book deals and collaborations such as The Imperial War Museum and Clarks shoes.  The latest and most epic venture is with John Lewis to bring a range that merges home and fashion of over 100 pieces. The collection is called ‘POSITIVE PATTERNS’ with the concept to address and inspire positive rituals and flowing transitions in daily life.

My flow has literally been inspired with the athleisure line which I wore to Chromayoga before the official launch over the road at The Ace Hotel.  A whole day of workshops was laid on to to dig deeper into the themes of the collection, focusing on both our wellness and also practically using the pieces.  This involved mindful marble printing to match their gratitude journal and a meditation practise supported with the sweat towel and cushion!

Organic cotton and recycled materials have been used on these items where possible and designed to be multifunctional and inspire mindful living.  The event taught us that by taking time out for ourselves during a working day is ultimately more productive.  So it’s a double whammy of relief to our consciousness to be assured that the items are ethically produced.  Another bonus has resulted by John Lewis researching and adopting these manufacturing processes so that it will carry into other products across their departments.

So, congratulations Anna & Grace for both this beautiful collection and for actively championing Fair Trade practises to one of the county’s biggest high street retailers!

Tuesday 2nd May: "Mycoocoon" chromotherapy

Colour dictates everything in my life, conciously but mostly subconsciously.  I think that I must sense it more deeply than the average person as I have a much stronger reaction to it in my life experience.  For example I only really like eating or drinking from white crockery so that I can fully appreciate the colour of the food and drink.  I also attribute memories to the colours I can recall in the way that smell is so vividly nostalgic - I might not remember key details but I'll know what I was wearing!  On that subject I have always worn colour in harmony with my mood each day.  Although my monochrome wardrobe has recently de-railed slightly, I'm still drawn to dressing in specific shades each morning.  This was confirmed when I went to visit the chromotheraphy experience of Mycoocoon.  

This "colour well-being" theory explores your own personal colour profile to determine what hue you are needing to balance your energy levels and stimulate your senses.  I was guided thru this test and as the outcome of Magenta appeared I took off my jacket to reveal the magenta jersey that I had put on before.  It was so weird - the exact same shade.  What followed was a a light bath in a cosy cocoon with a complimentary scent and soundtrack on headphones.  I was tucked into the snug and exposed to a morphing gradient of pinks from bio compatable bulbs (anti-flicker) that provided a soothing relief from every-day artificial lighting.  I imagine that it is the closest feeling to returning to the womb and for this, ultimately relaxing and meditative.  I wanted to stay in there for hours.  Luckily the technology is available as an APP so you can keep up the therapy at home without the Coocoon or larger scale cloud.  

MyCoocoon combines ancestral beliefs with modern technology to address and relieve the modern urban mayhem.   We not only become accustomed to grey concrete skylines living in cities, but also become detached from the shifting scale of seasons. This is something I bang on about ALOT.  I beleve its crucial to our core senses to appreciate the natural morph of sunlight and it's connected impact on the colours in the flora and fauna of the natural world and landscape.  This must be why Londoners have gone crazy Instagramming the Spring pink cherry blossom and lilac wisteria in a frenzy over the apparent magic of these frothy flowers.  Colour must be something we instinctively crave.  Pink is currently all the rage, but hey, forget the fashion industry's fads and reach for what you're drawn to.  

Purple = Protection

Blue = Harmony

Turqoise = Clarity

Green = Regenerate

Yellow = Optimism

Orange = Creative

Red = Passionate

Magenta = Emotional

Therefore, if you're feeling run-down and in need of an immediate little uplift, don't pour a glass of Rosé but bask in a beam of blush.  Colour is intrinsically and undeniably linked to our psyche and emotion.  The colour science that is used to manipulate us in advertising and retail environments is now being embraced for the better in holistic remedies.  This treatment incorporates physical, mental, emotional, social and environmental wellness via the energy transmitted thru colour.  I've tried and tested it to conclude =  Beam me up!

Watch the colour in motion here