Weds 28th April: Its Grace!

"Drag me across the floor"

When Grace wasn't spellbinding the audience with her incredible crystal costumes and unbelievable body..........she was creasing spectators up with her banter.  Too many anecdotes to try and remember but there was some mention of how she was the only other royalty to come to The Albert Hall other than the actual royal family!  When she introduced her son on drums in the background, I realised that a few songs previously she had a completely open back dress whilst recounting stories of doing cocaine in toilets.......midst supping an entire glass of wine thru a straw in one go, announcing not to worry as there was a whole bottle backstage.  As she is exactly the same age as my own mother this did only add to my complete incomprehension of this bionic lady............(no offence mum, you rule too obvs).  Her booty shaking in a micro mini grass skirt for "My Jamaican Guy" would and should make Rhianna wince.  Grace is undoubtedly the ORIGINAL and the BEST.  All hail Queen Grace.  Miss Jones.

Thanks to Rosy Nicholas for the pics who sent the accompanying message

"im still buzzing off how amazing that woman is.

the lesson i learnt last nite is, sex it up to the max. forever. i am a woman. get over here!!"

Quite!

Tue 27th April: Patternity Launch : A Tapestry Of Dalston

Art Director Anna Murray and Textiles Designer Grace Winteringham a.k.a Patternity have curated their first show "A Tapestry of Dalston".  The girls set up the company to search out and celebrate pattern hidden in everyday instances from the mundane to the magnificent.  To bottle this formula in an essence for an exhibition they invited artists local to thier own practise to reference the area's sights to design a screenprint.   The result is 12 works by 12 designers to represent the 12 months of life in Dalston and its multilayered fascinating contradictory landscape and life.  Continuing the theme, the private view was lit with black-light taking the Eastend's omnipresent shop facade flickers inside.  In this way, simple black and white optical arrangements looked like they were actually mounted on light boxes.  I was VERY IMPRESSED!

I was also instructed to wear a white bra for the event.  In utter obstinance I dug out my only flesh colour bra but I did represent by also digging out a whole look of Bridget Riley type bonkers bold patterns.  I was right at home in this UV environment.............instantly taken straight back to memories of the cosmic carpet in "Zeus" nightclub in Chelmsford..........(all Essex girls know what Im on about here).   I even got my hand stamped with a day-glo logo!  (see top two images  - all photos c/o Rory DCS)

The show is on until the 4th May at Bootstrap in Dalston with the limited edition prints going for £90 unframed by artists Inventory Studio, Jake Blanchard, Colin Henderson, Audrey Roger, Karrolina Kling, Marcus Oakley, Melvin Galapon, Jann Brien, Dan Has Potential, James Dawe and Louise Nowell.

Mon 26th April: Grace, LOVE YOU TO LIFE

I live for Grace.
So when Emma Roach hinted at undertaking the set design for a shoot with the Queen, I insisted on updates.........which resulted on a midnight text message report that the diva had just gone into makeup......what else should one expect?! LOVE IT
I also made presumptuous pleas of promise for snapshots from the experience to share on here but understandably Emma was a) more focused on the job at hand and b) too scared.............natch!

"Well the images they used didn't show a lot of set... but I don't care so much as I MET GRACE JONES!!!!!!!

The shoot was a for an article based on her current workings with Chris Levine..

"Now she is working with Chris Levine, another artist straddling sculpture and photography. In the corner of the room is a huge multicoloured image of Jones with her eyes shut. Stand at different distances and angles, and the image changes. This 3D photograph, made up of 30 images of Jones hit by lasers, has the wizardry of a hologram and the humanity of a classic portrait – Madame Tussauds meets Irving Penn."

I didn't take any pics on my phone too scared, apart form this one which was a shot of one of the 3D photographs."

If you are in London, you can see these artworks for yourself as they will be on show from the end of the month at The Vinyl Factory. I was lucky enough to be in the audience of her Royal Albert Hall concert tonight to witness the crystal outfit flooded with cosmic laser beams. I don't really need to go into explanation here.............I think anyone can picture my ridiculous smile and continual pointing at each outfit as it appeared on stage "Its Grace"........just for the benefit of anyone that may not have noticed.......
......full report to follow but for now, one of her best one-liners of the night was "don't die for the one you love.......live for the one you love ........then you can demolish them and ravish them".........

Sunday 25th April: The Knocking Shop Launch

Here are Sarah Barrow and Cilla Zack - the official presenters of new televisual delight "The Knocking Shop".  Despite being named after the colloquial term for a brothel, the production is actually filmed at The Stags Head public house, where the launch was held last evening.  Friends of the crew and band members featured in the first installment gathered round a preview projection of the premiere episode.  I got a good dose of doctor's orders as I cried tears of hysteria at the interviews and features squashed into this multifaceted chat show pilot.  

"An Englishman, An Irishman and a Scotsman walk into a pub - have you ever seen  Karate Kid?" is set to unsettle a guest with dry delivery from  the hostess with the mostess Sarah.  This line is handled and answered with ease by the savvy cocknbullkid.................whilst like a lamb to the slaughter, the lead from Danimal Kingdom squirms nervously to probes Q:"Whats your favourite colour?"  A: "Red"  Q:  "Is that because its the colour of my lipstick?"

Stay glued to your sets like MikeTV, as this brilliantly executed and edited new concept from Danny Sangra and Ollie Evans may be hitting the Radio Times hit list anytime soon........

Sarah Says from the knocking shop on Vimeo.

Sunday 25th April: I want CANDY : Craig Lawrence

Craig sat patiently twiddling his thumbs and clicking his knitting needles waiting for the dust cloud to disperse and news of his rescheduled flight to Japan.  Candy invited Craig to exhibit his last 2 collections at their boutique alongside a retrospective photographic display which had documented the process by Kenzie Burchell.  Fortunately the event could be postponed in anticipation of the duo getting through the chaos in the sky and touching down in Tokyo to set up their wares.  Craig conducted an impromptu "performance" of live knitting in situ at the opening.............an activity usually observed by my eyes only............little does he know that in his absence I have been padding around the studio wearing the rest of the collection that he has left behind!  JOKES!

I can't wait to hear what else they get up to whilst in the city........apparently eating in the metropolis  has been inspiring "And we went into a restuarant where you had to pick what you wanted to
eat and pay from a vending machine outside! It's the future!".........I wonder how this dining would take-off in Dalston?.........our typical 5 a day is derived from a Turkish Lamuchan washed down with a Caribbean coconut cake and pineapple punch........or what I like to call "fusion" food.

Thanks to Kenzie for sending me these snaps from the private view.  To see more check out Candy's blog and twitpics.

Sat 24th April: Peter Jensen Sample Sale

One of the advantages about being back in Dalston is being on everyone else's doorstep........so I was able to nip round the bend (of Shacklewell Lane) and drop in on Peter Jensen's to say hello at the opening of his sample sale last evening.  Its carrying on for the whole weekend so get a wiggle on and hop down there to bag your own bunny print resort collection bargains or magnificent silk print summer dresses..........my favourite design being ants carrying sewing equipment and leaves on their backs across the garment........you can even pick up your very own vegetation as Peter has potted up some spider plants specially for the sale!?!?  Classic Jensen!

(This skirt doesn't represent what is on sale at all, I just unearthed it and really loved the vintage print!  If you dig deep you can also find Bernstock & Spiers hats for £5!)

Friday 23rd April: Into Africa at The Darkroom cont...

It was the launch of "Into Africa" at The Darkroom last evening after the Cube press day across the road on Lambs Conduit Street.  Here are some of the special pieces designed for their S/S range........David David's screenprints,  Florian beaded jewellery, my designs with Brie Harrison's print, Noel Stewart hats and The Darkroom's own line of interior decorations........all one-offs and all available now....

Fri 23rd April: Russellgg'n'Cress

(Its rare that I divert from my USP of original imagery, but I just had to post this today if it makes anyone else laugh as much as it did me!)

Thurs 22nd April: R.I.P Malcolm McLaren

Can't believe Malcolm Mclaren departed at only 64.  

............. so live every day as if it was your last and watch this today if you do anything.

(Thanks to Alex Cunningham for the pics from the start of the parade at Portland Street earlier today)

Thurs 22nd April: Into Africa at The Darkroom

The Darkroom boutique are celebrating the leap into the new Summer season with a special edition exhibition "Into Africa".  They have invited a selection of designers to take traditional African arts and textiles as a starting point to produce a mini range exclusively for the event.  The participants are as follows:  Corrie Williamson, David David, Despina Curtis, Florian, H by Harris, Lizzie Finn, Michelle Lowe-Holder and Noel Stewart...............and myself with print designer Brie Harrison.  

For this project I asked Brie to collaborate as I thought it would be fun for us to invent our own vision of a contemporary African print. Brie created a gorgeous graphic silk habitai with which I have made a showpiece from my Spring/Summer collection  "Hibiscus Ridiculous" and additional limited edition brooches and necklaces. I chose to reproduce this design as it is both an accessory and a unique object that could integrate into interior design which fits perfectly to The Darkroom's product range. Its interactive tactile nature is like a game as it turns infinitely in your hands and can be worn either on the head, neck or shoulder.  Here are the pieces at my studio when I finished making them yesterday...........before pedalling like a mad man on my mountain bike to deliver them...........megalomaniac, doing everything myself..........CURRENTLY RECRUITING INTERNS>>>>>>>>>>>

Head down to Lamb's Conduit Street today to check out not only The Darkroom but also Cube PR press day where Supermarket Sarah has transformed the shop front for the occasion..............that girl gets around!  (No offence Sarah  ;  P  )

See the design in motion when I illustrated the original to Diane Pernet at LFW:

Weds 21st April: Birthday Wishes from ROWDY SUPERST*R

In amongst my own razamatazz rik rak, dice and caterpillar necklace is nestling a new plastic fantastic necklace from ROWDY.  Possibly the last present in............but there was a post-it note  saying "Numero Uno"..........so there's still hoping.........

Weds 21st April: You do the mash, you do the SuperMash

"Clash Mash" is the name of Sarah's third and final Supermarket Sarah Wonderwall installed at Selfridge's Wonder Room.  The poor girl can now return to normal sleeping pattterns...........after the de-install next week that is!  I can't quite see exactly what is going on in this new theme from the phone pic that she sent me yesterday after completion but I think that might be some Wood London hanging in the centre.  YUM!  My bow stars are still up with the addition of the silver hat from my "Heliocentric Electric" collection and 2 Caterpillar necklaces from my "Dahlia Fantasia" Collection..............all hand made and never to be reproduced so its an investment!  

Its the last week for Sarah and also my windows at Selfridges so have a look if you are passing......

Check out more at the Selfridges blog......

(Top image of my hat and breast plate ontop of a Gemma Slack dress styled by Masha Mombelli)

Tue 20th April: The Gentlewoman: Penny Martin

Reading Penny Martin's editor's letter in the first issue of "The Gentle Woman" I can almost hear her voice reeling off the words as its written in replica of her patter.  I can also hear the tapping of her laptop keys through memory of listening to her live interviews previously broadcast on SHOWstudio.  So it was a pleasure to be able to tune in to her latest offering in person, at her inaugural lecture at LCF where she is Professor of Fashion Imagery.  

The  opening topic of "Off The Page - Fashion Imagery's New Futures" was a breakdown of a recent media stunt at a Milan Fashion Week show.  One of the major players positioned celebrity bloggers pride of place front row, between the recognised royalty.  We learnt that the pretence of the stunt was merely a smokescreen for the brand to prove acknowledgment of new media but without the actual promised follow through.  As it turned out none of the pioneering peers uploaded reports until the following day.  Penny divulged the statistics of the outwaying volume of viewers to these named blogs versus unit sales of the key international Vogues.............which brought her onto the question "Print vs. Webpage".

As a blogger myself, I started to feel self conscious of persecution as part of the parasitic plague gathering prominence.  However, the audience were soon assured with credible authority that the two can co-exist.  With an associated analogy, Penny likened the partnership to the arts of Painting vs. Photography............there is no contest as both are valid and have stood the test of time together.  With equal appreciation, both editorial formats carry content in parallel proximity but will not necessarily cross paths to collision.  Periodicals will just have to switch course to become chronicles of quiet, considered and edited appraisals that will transcend day to day trivia available online.    Indepth interviews and interrogations will rival the influx of forgettable featherweight flotsam on blogs.  Not only can Penny prove this with a precise PowerPoint presentation but also with a primary resource of her own publication "The Gentlewoman".  (If you haven't yet picked up a copy, get one pronto..............if you can find one as rumour is rife that it has sold out.)

I am an obsessive magazine collector and otaku geekoid on the subject.  It is a crazed addiction I can liken to any sick irrational reliance.  I find myself anxiously darting in newsagent doorways to scan shelves to discover new issue arrivals.  I take great delight in arranging each title to my current compilation as they home into view.  So it has been disheartening of recent times that these bound resources have been out of date and unreadable by the time they have been dissected on my coffee table.  Evidently it is only a temporary glitch before publishers review and redefine the role of the hardcopy.  

I would hate to be part of the opposition and responsible for the extinction of my initial passion for print.  But now, after Penny's justification I can relax and enjoy contributing to the plethora of replenishing personal viewpoint platforms online.  Paper pages will maintain their place without sufferance.......albeit in a morphed guise..........which is no bad thing as each title will become more characteristically independent and identifiable.  For this is where The Gentlewoman is a perfect case in point............. 

(Thanks for this portrait entitled "Penny and the Duke" which is a little insight into "The Gentlewoman" that is Penny Martin.  I specifically requested a phone-pic from her for this post as a tribute to her early days revolutionising catwalk reportage at SHOWstudio.  It was their astute embrace of technology that had immediate imagery direct from the runways via mobile snapshots LONG before the rest of the industry where it is now common place.........lets not forget!) 

Mon 19th April: Birthday Wishes from Team Wolf

Yes, my birthday presents are still trickling in!  Here is a late entry courtesy of Patrick Wolf who has been away in the States working on his next album.  This is the face of "Gayonce" which he made with William, Orla and Michelle for a round in Cozette's "A Fashionalbe Pub Quiz" back in London last week.  The teams were asked to design a mask of their ultimate fashion icon - theirs being a hybrid of Gaga AND Beyonce - the ultimate American woman.  Once they completed the look with a telephone hat, Patrick realised it should be my birthday present and here is a phone pic from the pub................still got to get my mits on the real thing.  

If you fancy checking out the fashionable pub quiz, the next installment is on Monday 26th at The Marksman in Shoreditch.  "Fortnightly pub quiz that tests your knowledge of fashion, dress and design".  Check here for details.

Sunday 18th April: BOY London

Thanks to Rowdy for introducing me to the East End HQ of BOY London.  I don't know which rock Ive been trapped under but I had no idea it was there now?!  Aswell as original pieces and re-issue t-shirts the establishment has diversified to reconditioning vintage European bikes.  Another thing I had no idea about and have now learnt about stripping a bike of all gears and breaks to become a fixed wheel model which is light enough to carry into your building without risk of locking it up outside to be stolen.  A bike with no breaks?    That's the new trend apparently.  Have a look at whats whizzing past and you'll start to notice!  Yikes!  

Here is Elisha trying on a covetable coat which she had to reluctantly leave behind.  I would love to see her barking orders from the director's chair wearing a gold BOY bomber jacket!  Perfect!  So if you want to snap up a piece of BOY, a copy of Blitz (see Boy George wearing some Blame on the cover above) and a flash new bike for the Spring, spend your Sunday down at Brick Lane Market.

To see a great selection of original imagery, click here.