Tuesday 29th August: "Joy and Peace" by Morag Myerscough & Luke Morgan

Here is the "Joy and Peace" installation by Morag Myerscough & Luke Morgan in the Rotunda Garden at Smithfields for the Culture Mile week of performances.  The artists translated six symbols: the heart, representing love; the globe, representing society; the sun, representing joy; the eye, representing wide open; the star, representing energy; the flower, representing peace.  The entrance walls to the Peace Pavilion & Garden incorporate patterns developed form workshops with local schools.  Each section of the wood sculpture was hand-painted by Morag, Luke and a team of painters in her studio.  I went on Friday evening to see the Gambian musician Jally Kebba Susso play the Kora as part of the programme in association with the Barbican, London Symphony Orchestra, City Of London, Guild Hall School and the Museum of London.  It was the beginning of the heatwave bank holiday weekend and the perfect setting to enjoy escapism in the bright positive space and make the most of being outside in the end of Summer in the city.  

Thursday 24th August: Dan & Sarah's Wedding

Here's a #ThrowbackThursday to this time last year when I made the bridal & bridesmaids headdresses for Sarah Anderson's marriage to Dan Wilton.  Here are a selection of shots from their photo album of incredible moments as you can only imagine from a photographer and guestlist of London's best snappers.  I used the offcuts of Sarah's dress by Bombe Surprise to make a matching satin swirl of spheres to echo the ellipse lines of the gown.  This was replicated in Silver and Iridescent for her bridesmaids as a sprinkle of cosmic detail to the proceedings which included top-hots exploding with confetti!  A dream commission for me to do what I love doing, for a day of love and cinematic stills to capture it all.

I've put together this edit from a compilation by  theo, steph, bradley, alex,

marc, carl, rosie, jesse, jonang, tim, jean paul & nina.

Wednesday 23rd August: Craig & Karl's Petrol Station installation

To complete my street-art tour of London's graphic & optical murals, I visited White City where the artists Craig and Karl have brought colour to a derelict petrol Station on Wood Lane.  The pastel pink roof should be replicated in all petrol stations in my opinion!  Obviously its my dream scenario for an instagram-friendly fuel stop!  I spent ages snapping all the different angles of this public artwork in West London.  It's totally magic and I'd love to see more commissions like this over the city!

Wednesday 23rd August: Felipe Pantone for River Island

I’m in LO❤️E with the Felipe Pantone denim collaboration for River Island, bringing one of my favourite artists aesthetic to my wardrobe.  I'm a massive fan of his graphic optical style which graces walls and galleries across the world.  I went for a mini street-art tour of London to get the best backdrop to snap the graphic applique jacket. Here I am surrounded by public art from Lakwena in Carnaby Street (top) and Morag Myerscough at Battersea Power Station. I accessorized the white look with a Keith Haring tote from Uniqlo and ASICS Gel Lyte III trainers.

Photos by Mitchell McGillvary & Magda Kagwa

Tuesday 22nd August: Chris Ofili "Weaving Magic" at The National Gallery

It was when I first returned from Trinidad Carnival that I started seeing press about this show and couldn't believe I didn't know Chris Ofili lives and works on the island! The YBA relocated to Trinidad in 2005 and has been inspired by the country's culture in his work ever since. It's a particularly exciting discovery for me as some of his recent pieces are based on the "Jab Jab" Blue Devil character from Carnival! Those oil paintings have now moved on and morphed into this latest piece which is a handwoven tapestry Commissioned by the Clothworkers’ Company (a livery company in the City of London).  Here you can see the original sketches and watercolour that have been translated into looped stitches with the bleeding water-mark spots particularly beautiful.  This story continues his interest in the classical mythology, stories, magic, and colour of the Trinidadian landscape.  The title of the tapestry "A Caged Bird's Song" relates to the tradition of underground songbird competitions with his own contemporary twist of mixing in a portrait of legendary footballer Mario Balotelli.

The labour of love took two-three years to weave and is epic in proportion, with the triptych filling the Sunley Room of the National Gallery.  It's the final week of the "Weaving Magic" show which falls on the build-up to Notting Hill Carnival this weekend and Trinidad Independence Day on the 31st.  If you haven't had a chance to see it yet, I whole heartedly recommend a journey to the museum for a very moving magic piece indeed.

Monday 21st August: #MarawaLovesKevin

"I Am Blessed" was the theme tune for Marawa & Kevin's first dance at the UK edition of their wedding and that title sums up exactly how I felt to be in attendence.  Their marriage celebrations are a triptych of cities and themes between L.A, Australia and London.  To kick-start the international tour Marawa took the "Blessed" African wedding vibe as inspiration in the Pinterest mood board for the dress code which she circulated with the invites.  The pressure was on!  Luckily my friend Bombe Surprise kitted us out in enough wax cotton prints to cover from head to toe, finished off with Chale "Melanin" socks for my date.  Here is Marawa in her violet look for the night which was swapped for a red lace heart dress later on for the dance and final send off.  Her outfits and the backdrop for the portraits were put together by the deft hands of Rosy Nicholas who Swarovski'ed every rhinestone to Marawas's trailing veil.    
Every detail of the night was epic from the venue of the Barbican Conservatory to the soundsystem selections by NTS to the luxury cake hand-made by Lily Vanilli herself.  I was in love with the spectrum lighting in the disco and the room was wall to wall loved-up vibes.  The happy couple's infectious fun lit up the room even more than the rainbow rig and we all had the best night to remember forever and ever after!!

Friday 18th August: Lazy Oaf X Dr Martens

The perfect pairing has come together in the form of a Lazy Oaf and Dr. Martens collaborating on a pair of shoes, boots and a bag.  The iconic subculture footwear brand has partnered with cult cute-girl chic label Lazy Oaf on these Gothic-Lolita heart-shape styles.  I can see these selling out very quick!!!

The launch took place in the new flagship store within the Stables Market in Camden which doubles up as a gig space for special events.  The 60 person capacity space hosted a venue as part of the Camden Crawl festival and puts on concerts for the public every month.  To qualify for a ticket you just have to sign up here.  I'm so glad Ive discovered this as its right on my doorstep round the corner from Dingwalls and the Roundhouse!

The shop walls are decorated with vitrine's of paraphernalia from the brand's history showing the complete story from SKA to Kate Moss's jacket from Vogue.  Here you can see Horace Panter (The Specials) artwork installation which includes this amazing Keith Haring patch!!!  There's so much to see and interact with to learn about the lineage of how each decade's youth movements have embraced the boot.  

It was the 90's grunge sirens of Kim Gordon and Courtney Love that influenced Gemma Schiel's designs for the Lazy Oaf collection.  Just like me she grew up as a teenager in the era and now the style has come back around its right on time!!!   You can see the capsule range in Camden or in Lazy Oaf's own HQ in Covent Garden.

Shop online here. 

Thursday 17th August: Survival Techniques for Tina We Salute You

The latest slice of sunshine positivity from Survival Techniques is for the side of Tina We Salute You cafe in Dalston.  Follow Naomi's exploits over on her Instagram and if you see a message that you'd like for your own wall, order a print from her online gallery here!

(Work In Progress shots by me & final imagery from Naomi)

See archive posts here & here