Sun 29th June: Reykjavik Grapevine

I don't have enough insight and authority to write a comprehensive statement about the message of the concert on Saturday. (The crux is that large areas of Icelandic countryside are being demolished to build dams to run new Aluminium plants to export. With other knock-on implications to the countries economy......... )

For the best explanation, follow this link to a Reykjavik publication to download and read an article and interview with Bjork who initiated this event.

(illustration from front cover by Bobby Breidholt)

Sat 28th June: Reykjavik: Náttúra

Sat 28th June: Reykjavik: Aftur

Here is the boutique of the line "Aftur" which Raven runs with her sister Bara (seen here). Their signature style is to compile recycled materials into their own voluminous designs. Some are cloaks of plaid patchworked together in circular seams and some are oversized sweatshirts in horizontal stripes of polkadot jerseys. Textiles are hand dyed/bleached and embellished to make each garment a unique piece.

Sat 28th June: Reykjavik

I arrived late Friday night/early Sat morning to begin a weekend of never setting sun.............here are a couple of snaps to set the scene of the blue sky. I met Raven in Boston Bar which is a new destination in the city since the lamentable closure of legendary "Sirkus" owned by her friend Sigga. The decor features illustrations on the bar by artist Gabriela Fridriksdottir who represented Iceland when I was a the Venice Biennale in 2005.

Fri 27th June: The Fashion Almanac

Laura Bradley has just graduated from CSM with 1st class honors. I can see why. Today I received her magazine "The Fashion Almanac" in the post in a very well considered silver and transparent envelope. The whole concept, design, content and execution is far superior to many of the major titles currently of the shelf. I particularly appreciate the wit in several of the articles. For instance one breaks down and analyses a designers bow at the end of a runway show........another is a list of difficult fashion names with their phonetic pronunciation. My favorite that particularly tickled me is a time line chronology of Nick Knights assistants. This is such a smart entry into the editorial world. Smart but not smug as so many other officious fanzines of the moment.

Thurs 26th June: Bishi & LSO

Last night St.Luke's church in Old Street was flooded with sweeping siren song and strings from Bishi the London Symphony Orchestra. Mesmirsing melting arrangements from her album "Nights at the Circus". The orchestra turned her love songs into multi-layered passionate journeys and her upbeat tracks into vibrant anthems - explained by Bishi asking them to play as if they were out enjoying a great night!

We celebrated the concert's success afterwards at The George and Dragon which is one of the locations in the video to her next single "On M y Own Again". This beautiful photograph is from that scene by Anna Leader who captured a series of fantastic atmostpheric portraits during the 2 day shoot. She is relaunching her website soon so watch this space for an insight into the special talent behind the lens!

Bishi is playing at Glastonbury so if you are heading West, be sure to track her down..........

Thurs 26th June: A bit of Ruff!

Maki Lou Lou in one of her creations as featured in the new Toni & Guy magazine. Im guessing a shot taken at the last fashion week when she was working on the set for Peter Jensen's show.

Weds 25th June: don't leave me this way

"Don't leave me this way" is the latest performance piece by Franko B in collaboration with lighting designer Kamal Ackarie (seen here in left corner). I left the sun shining on The Mall and entered the pitch black theatre at the ICA. You experience the piece as the only audience member. You are guided in the dark to a seat and left alone for a few minutes. Then just as you begin to wonder what will occur, a blast of strobe light triggers straight at you leaving a silhouette of Franko B in your eyes when the room goes back to black. You realise he has been sitting directly infront of you, not a foot away. I have never seen anything like this before! Artists using their body as sculpture in different ways is something that always intrigues me. Funny that I picked up a postcard in the ICA shop of Leigh Bowery's performance from the Anthony D'offay from 1998.

Franko B and Kamal are holding a documentary screening and discussion about the tour this evening. The performance also continues today so you can do both! See link below for details.......

(NB. This is not an image by me but a screen grab from their website which does not have a photo credit so please comment here if you know who it is)

Tues 24th June: Sigur Ros

Icelandic stylist Raven commissioned me to make a piece from my collection for the drummer of Sigur Ros for their new tour. They played a spectacular concert at Westminster Methodist Church in London last night and here is Orri wearing his new crown. Photos by Mari who has helped me make this in time for their gig, thank you!

They are playing 3 dates in the UK in November so check out www.sigurros.com for details......

Mon 23rd June: Mary Queen Of Shops

Viva Hair Salon was featured on this week's episode of "Mary Queen Of Shops". Im so glad our hard work on the window installation paid off for the boys to get this coverage!

Sun 22nd June: Tagged!

I have been tagged by disneyrollergirl who was originally tagged by Madame from shop at maisonb. The quest is to discover other blogger's favorite 7 tunes of the moment. It seems I share an appreciation of Jackson 5 so far.

I dj'd at Teo's party last weekend under the moniker of "Strictly Vinyl". It was my 2nd time ever. The first was at my "80's kids TV" themed 18th birthday. So with trepedation from a 10 yr gap since my last assault at a dancefloor, I was stunned when the response was a general thumbs up!

Anyway, this is an edited list from my set:

1) "Reet Petitie" - Jackie Wilson
2) "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough" - Michael Jackson
3) "Lets Dance" - David Bowie
4) "Rokin Robin" - Michael Jackson
5) "Love Action" - Human League
6) "Poison Ivy" - Rolling Stones
7) "Cool For Cats" - Squeeze

I have also included a video here of my Ultimate Favorite dance song which sadly I don't own, but couldn't help adding it here. Now I know how to upload from youtube, thanks to Mari!


The rules of the game as set by Simon Reynolds: “List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now, shaping your spring. Post these instructions in your blog along with your 7 songs. Then tag 7 other people to see what they’re listening to.”
I'm tagging:

http://bishi.co.uk/diary/
http://bybellazine.blogspot.com/
http://livinginmagazines.blogspot.com/
http://plushpatterns.blogspot.com/
http://therealkesh.blogspot.com/
http://www.spadgerdisco.blogspot.com/
http://www.zezizezi.blogspot.com/

Fri 20th June: Dance the pain away

After Grace Jones, we joined Jamie E17 and hair stylist Charlie le Mindu to see one of his clients dj.at the silent disco - the ever cooly coiffed Peaches. On entry you are passed the obligatory headset which allows you to switch channels between the sets of either dj at one time. Or you can just take them off and laugh at everyone dancing to their own beats. Her spinning technique involved squatting on the desk and jumping from deck to deck whilst swigging Verve Cliqot. She finished on a Nina Simone number and handed over to Noel Fielding........I can't tell you who was battling her as I never changed over to find out..........but apparently he played a song from Jungle Book, so perhaps he stole some audiences members for that but its really no contest when Peaches is in residence.........

Thurs 19th June: Here's Grace!

The volume that wowed the Royal Festival Hall last night is only accountable by the acoustics from the vibrations bouncing back off Miss Jones bionic booty.
No more to be said.
LEGEND

Fri 20th June: Mao Mao

My friend Angela (of Three As FOUR) listens for little miows wherever she goes. The latest discovery is this little definition of cuteness she found in the trash!

Weds 18th June: Amelia's Magazine at Pure Groove

Amelia's Magazine launched the new issue at the record store "Pure Groove" which has recently relocated from Archway to a very snazy Smithfield's store. Here is my studio mate Andy Macgregor who had a double whammy of celebration as his work coincidentally features in the magazine and also the newsletter for Pure Groove. Go to any number of the evening events and pick one up for yourself. It is an exciting list of "goings-ons" (e.g Partizan film night or Peter Saville installation). Just a visit to see the interior design is worth a check...........re-branded by Patrick Duffy of "No Days Off" and wall illustrations by Kate Moross.

Weds 18th June: Heres something Im making at the moment

A few different varying commissions on at the moment..............im enjoying the way my desk is looking..............

Weds 18th June: Heres something I made earlier

Anna Leader has very kindly been helping me find old picture files for a requested image. In doing so, I unearthed some treats I had forgotten about. Here is a little chap that I made as a thank you present in 2005 and snapped before I wrapped him up to put in the post.

Mon 16th June: Im a Barbie

My friend Michael Vanderham sent me this hilarious picture he found and thought that if I were to be a Barbie, this would be it! Oh yes, I would love this jacket!

I first met Michael when he was interning for As FOUR in NYC in the summer of 2005. He returned home to Holland and decided to leave studying fashion in Antwerp and continue work placements. He moved to London and diligently undertook placements at McQueen followed by Sophia Kokosolaki. Now he has gone back to his studies on the womenswear MA at CSM. I am very excited to see what he will come up with for his final show................updates will appear here in due course..............

Sat 14th June: Teo Fest

Andy Macgregor and Rich Stevens have been planning a monumental "Dirty Thirty" birthday celebration for Teo. They set up a mini festival in a field with green parrots in the willows and a yellow flowered lily pad pond inhabited with jet blue dragon flies. Here are Maki and Steve who brought spicy prawn skewers and marshmallows (not together!) to christian the BBQ. We made the most of the open air dance floor and bopped ridiculous moves under the canapy of Kate's beautiful bunting and nearly solstice stars. The nights ended trying to fall asleep against the mega decibel last act in the musical line-up............ a frog chorus of apparently randy reptiles in full mating mode.

Fri 13th June: Mishkin a la Newton

Top Shop collaborated with the Helmut Newton foundation to re-instate his " Newton Machine" in store. His invention from the 1970's was devised to create a catalyst for a photographic self-portrait. As the model, you can work out your stance in a mirror and then just "click".
I was in town with the photographer's Mishkin for a meeting, so we had a quick hit and run encounter with the equipment. Coming from a set designer background, I would prefer to have been better equipped. Sadly Top Shop staff were not in alliance with our spontaneous gathering of props from in store. So our final image involved putting our hands in each others pockets which was quite fun. Here are some previous Newton road testers ..................