Friday 18th Sept: London Fashion Week - Zandra Rhodes

Opening London Fashion Week this morning was a riot and welcome crusade of colour from the legendary princess of print, Dame Zandra Rhodes.  In the gold gilt interior of David Chipperfield's Hotel Cafe Royal on Regent Street, the models made a salon style presentation.  Zandra's trademark bright colour breezy organza shapes were mixed with emblazoned denim and accessorised with Kitty Joseph Perspex sunglasses.  I absolutely loved the visors and plimsoles decorated with her swirl motif in puff pen and crystals.  Cant think of a better, more uplifting way to start the Spring/Summer season!

(Makeup by @andrewgallimakeup 🎨 Hair by @biancatuovi 💇 Nails by @amaquashie )

Tuesday 15th Sept: Serpentine Pavilion 2015 by selgascano

This year's Serpentine Pavilion 2015 designed by selgascano is basically my dream piece of architecture.  The maquette looks like one of my accessories with its graphic shapes, multicolour plastic, iridescent film and rainbow lines.  I haven't had time to visit it before now and here are just some quick snaps from my phone when I was cycling past.  I need to return to get some proper photos - especially at night when it's lit up like a cosmic glow worm.  The Spanish duo have actually called the chrysalis-like structure "The Hungry Pavilion" after Eric Carle's classic illustrated book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar".  One of my favourite books as a kid .............. all makes sense!!!!  

(Post originally filed on Aug 4th, now upgraded with MORE cosmic photos!!!) 

Tuesday 15th Sept: Lakwena installing at "Africa Utopia" Southbank Centre

Always following the trail of Lakwena's graphic art, I headed down to the Southbank Centre a day before the opening of Africa Utopia to see her setting up.  Since her 3D relief pieces as part of the "Africa Calling" showcase last year, this time she was commissioned by the actual event to fill the space.  The site specific installations were puzzle-pieced together in both paper panels and shapes that were cut out of vinyl like giant sticker sheets.  

"Looking back to the flurry of African nations gaining thier independence from the 1950s to the 1970s, these installations echo an optimism reflected in the aesthetic of the moment - the motifs and symbols used in the flags of new nations, the Modernist architecture of new buildings, the stars and icons adorning album covers.  Several decades on, these installations act as a reminder and encourages us to hold on to those original hopes and dreams" 

If like me, you're a fan of Lakwena's mural movement, see her talk at a free event next week at Rich Mix - see more details here. 

Saturday Sept 12th: Vogue Fashion Night Out, London = Lizzie King at NIKE vs. Liberty

The best event of London's Vogue's Fashion Night Out was Nike at Liberty with Lizzie King in store for a tie-dye shoelace workshop.  Alexandra Schulman was in amongst the shoppers for the event which was open to all members of the public out for the night.  Flutes of champagne, pop ice lollies and Eliza Doolittle on the decks.  

Head to the newly refurbished concession designed by Rosie Lee and see mannequins styled by Vogue's Lucinda Chambers.

Saturday 12th Sept: Vogue Fashion Nights Out - London

Teo at Lazy Oaf on Newburgh Street, the interior of the new MAC store on Carnaby Street, and fitness / fashion instore events at Uniqlo on Regent Street.

Weds 9th Sept: Free art in Covent Garden

French artist Charles Pétillon 's first public art installation "HeartBeat" is 100,000 giant white balloons filling the length of the ceiling in the 19th Century Covent Garden Market Building.  Light inside the structure pulsates glowing bright and dull replicating the beat of a heart but a massive cloud cluster of balloons.  Its free to view until the end of month which I doubled up with a visit to see the "Deloitte Ignite 15" light show projection on the Royal Opera House in the main square.  Rainbows and clouds in one night - my dream.

Monday 7th Sept: Anna Lomax "Luxury Goods" at KKOutlet

For the Fashion Week and Design Week month of September, Anna Lomax has a solo show at KKOutlet which opened to coincide with "First Thursday" last week.  Entitled "Luxury Goods" it's a combination of all of her favourite influences and collections from pound shops, kitsch conspicuous consumption and the love of her hometown London.  The narrative that ties the mixed media work is a visual commentary on the meaning of "Luxury" and genuine fakes which carries thru to the Sportsbanger merch in her curated gift shop. The pieces comprise of sculpture, neon light, lenticular hologram, screen print, photography, embroidered textiles and jewellery with her classic £1 coin sovereign ring.  Even the drinks at the party were a work of art in themselves as each vessel was a carved mini water-melon.  I didn't know that such a cute fruit existed so with the addition of a novelty hand-carved emblem, it was the best cocktail I've ever held............ and couldn't put down.............. grasping onto the last taste of Carnival

Check out Anna's show on at KKOutlet, Hoxton Square til 26th September and pick up one of her beautiful prints.  

Follow her fantastic Instagram here.

(All photos by me except bottom pic by KKOutlet)