Tues 28th Oct: Excitement in the air

Today has been very exciting with an interrogation at the British Fashion Council, then onto Cube PR to set up my collection for its launch tomorrow...............here is a sneak peak.................



clip of photograph by mishkinmishkin.blogspot.com/

Monday 27th October: Rainbow Day Part 3

Photographer's Mishkin have turned up trumps once again. When Susanna Lau (a.k.a Susie Bubble) asked me if I would like to discuss my style for Dazed Digital, I automatically asked if i could use the girls to capture the looks. I generally hate being infront of a camera so to do 10 outfit changes and photos demanded some rapport! That is not short with the Mishkin duo! If you want a dose of chuckle medicine in addition to fantastic photography, then get on to this pair:

http://mishkinmishkin.blogspot.com/

Monday 27th October: Rainbow Day Part 2

I had to go to Selfridges today to drop something off and FLIPPED OUT! Where did these devine rainbow Prom Dresses come from? Who gave me a brain scan and fed the data into a pattern cutting dream machine? PETER JENSEN that's who. Peter, if you are listening, I NEED THESE!!!!!!!!!!! I have a suspicion you know that anyway!
(Anecdote time for anyone who is interested..............Q. Where were you on the 11/09/2001? A. I was interning for Peter Jensen. At the end of the placement, his studio mates Abake gave me a yellow T-Shirt to commemorate the daily laugh I had unwittingly given them with an in-house guessing game of what colour I would be. Thanks guys!)

On a day like today when I see something so pertinently supposed to be in my wardrobe, but sufficient funds non applicable, it takes me back to another occasion of remorse. I once found this Thierry Mugler jazzy number in a thrift shop in Chinatown NYC for $460. I had to try it on, take it off, bid farewell to an undiscovered friend and leave with the pain of suppressing tears welling. I just found this pic on the net at a current price of $15,000! OMG! Why, oh why, oh why...........

Monday 27th October: Rainbow Day Part 1

Annalisa Dunn of Cooperative Designs has been a knight in knitwear armour at the end of my panic stricken emails recently. I need advice and she has been obligingly supportive and reassuring. So nice to have a little fashion family in close quarters. On top of the pearls of wisdom, I got a bonus snapshot of her newly organised yarn store! Hello!

Sunday 26th October: It Must Be Love

I'm back home for some R&R and the last time I was home, was for my parents Ruby Wedding. That's 40 years for anyone who doesn't know their jewels. They had a party and got out all the photos / contact sheets which I wanted to scan but still with no device to hand, I have just photoboothed them in for now. So cute. So 60's! Especially my aunts! They look like the East End's equivalent to The Supremes!

Sat 25th October: Block Party

The last block party I went to was in the Summer of 2006 when I was living on 123rd Street, Harlem NYC. The venue was "Billy Jean's" braid shop and the fierce competition started with "girls Age 6 and below" and literally ended up in blows with "Girls 16 and above". Potentially one of the most fun and informative nights in my dancing career. Dosed up on generous donations of blue liquor and rice'n'peas, I had to keep up with the winners of both heats till the early hours. I have to hold that day as a fond & special memory and not get despondent about the lack of such riots in my London neighbourhood.
So when I ran into Tina Turnover at the BFC earlier in the week and found out that Dalston's own "Work It" is having a special one-off at the ICA...............I promptly got out my Sharpie and penned it in the calender...........I don't know if the The Mall is gonna match up to the sidewalk of Malcolm X Blvd, but Im there already................very very excited

photo courtesy of Sara El Dabi



Work It Block Party
15 November 2008
Take a trip down Memory Lane and reminisce on the 90s. Complete with movie screening, hula hooping, double dutch, photo booth and more. Brush the dust off your Nike Air Max and bump'n'grind to the sounds of the Work It DJs spinning the freshest hip hop and R&B.
Free.

Date Time Venue Book
Saturday 15 November 2008 10:00 pm Bar

Friday 24th October: Incoming info on illustrator Laura Gill

A work update from a project called 'Sink or Swim' about the falsely accused and the idea of the witch hunt.
This will be shown and printed as part of an exhibition by Toy Pirate and will take place at No:One, Kingsland road, Shoreditch, E2 8AA, Private View Thursday 30th October.

There is also currently an exhibition at the Macbeth Distillery, 70 Hoxton street, N1 6LP, by the collective The Horn of Plenty, featuring Laura and ten others from RCA, Central Saint Martins, Camberwell, who have taken the theme of fear to produce new work. This show is called 'On The Night' and a closing party will be taking place on Monday 27th October with live music and dancing.

Thurs 16th October: Synphonic skulduggery Part II

So a week after our shoot, here are the final images that have gone to press for the Cube PR press day invitation.
Note the stunning Cooperative design knitwear which is just becoming ever increasingly covetable the more I see it...............
Also note the cheeky integration of the photographer's name by my cunning "Mishkin" sign on the speaker...........
As I don't actually work in a record shop (my second love) I manage to wangle it into my artwork...........yipee..........I love it when a plan comes together............

Weds 22nd October: Pop Up

Its the 10th anniversary of Tank Magazine. I remember shelling out the 8 pounds because it was the most exciting mix of shoots that didn't seem swayed in any direction other than its own creative joy. Stories that had obviously taken consideration and attention to detail in a time when it was about the "incidental" if not grimy snapshot. So congrats to Tank! You can take a peak at the back catalog at a celebratory pop up gallery. From 24th to 31st October the images will be on show and sale at 9 Newburgh Street, London from 10a.m to 6p.m. The birthday issue has been a long time in production so I can't wait to see what will be in store in the latest edition to the empire........

Tue 21st October: MySPACE literally

I am a featured profile on MySPACE fashion today so check it out to see lots more portraits by Mishkin .....................

Mon 20th October: Horticultural Hilarity Part II

How did they know at 125 Magazine that this is actually what I look like up my brother in-law's allotment! Here is another recent tearsheet for my press book with Bambi Ear Friends from my A/W collection being put to good use. In actual fact it was a visit to said allotment that gave me inspiration for a piece in the new collection...........unveiling next week at the Cube Press Day................

Sunday 19th October: Frock Me

Today was my television debut on Henry Holland's new T4 Fashion Show Frock Me in the episode focusing on "Club Chic". Can't think why I was hired?! It finally becomes clear why all those Boom Box nights were actually legitimately work related! Sheepinshly remembering events such as accidentally bumping into my assistant Holly in the Tube when I was done up to the nines on my way out when she was on her way home for a school night in. But relentlessly sporting those headdresses on a weekly basis has evidentally payed off. Not to mention the fact I love to dance and a certain degree of therapy on the dance floor was also necessary at the time! Thanks go out to K A B I R who first plucked me out of the crowd at a fashion week party, on the onus of my headgear which started my London clubbing career.
So I went on to show my secrets in a Blue Peter style format of no brand Pritt Stick assembly. All considered, it went well so hopefully the next generation of suburb stars have been inspired on a Sunday morning. My fascination with all things Bromley Contingent, Studio 54, Mudd Club, Disco Bloodbath (the original please), Kinky Gerlinky, Taboo etc etc has finally made sense. My professor of Fashion History at Brighton. Lou Taylor was always refreshingly understanding when I obstinately focused on these "subcultures" for thesis work!
I don't have any pics of the actual day so here are some tenuous HOH snaps from my Kickers installation at fashion week Sept 07. Maki's incredible pop up - cut out of Agyness with a winking eye and lit cigarette........

Sat 18th October: Namazonia

I'm updating my press book and here is the latest piece that has appeared from the A/W collection. Namalee Bolle has used my sequin top in this month's Super Super magazine. She has modelled it herself in a story shot in her own bedroom and my boxes have been incorporated as props in the background which is great. I'm so chuffed that the boxes get their own appearance rather than just being containers!
Super Super have lots of exciting news which I will do a feature on next week but just for now here is the flyer for the premier of their new night which has relocated from Punk to Shoreditch...........

Thurs 16th October: Synphonic skulduggery

The Mishkin girls and I disturbed the peace at Synphonic Records on Lamb's Conduit street yesterday to shoot the artwork for the Cube PR press day invite. Much fun was had as always, with the dancing divas who literally don't stand still in the same spot until they have to press the trigger. All in a days work.................

Thurs 16th October: Who's a Lucky Girl!

Look at this silver baloon Andy Warholian looking present!
The contents was Chloe's rainbow swimsuit!
Bloody Hell, I am overawed!

Tues 14th Oct: The Convenience Store

I had such a magic day on Saturday due to the sun that decided to make an appearance in debt to its shameful performance over the Summer and also due to discovering a new pocket of London. I took Anna up to Rellik to get some feedback on a Vivienne Westwood jacket and we ended up spending more time on Golborne road than we had bargained for! We escaped the cattle market squash of Portabello and stepped out Mr. Ben style, to a laid back (virtually horizontal!) little community road lined with food stalls serving up tantalising world cuisine. On deciding which to try, Vanni's quote of the day was "its not a case of being hungry"............true, but still too many to sample in one day so a revisit is in order.
But this is not the only reason to return. We discovered and duly had a good poke around the new Kokon To Zai west side boutique which has taken over a traditional tiled butchers premises. Then furthur up the road, we came across a converted cobblers that is now home to The Convenience Store. So this triangle of shopping loveliness is a new mecca for style seekers under the architectural feet that is Trellik Tower.
The Convenience Store is holding an evening of music and merriment this Thursday to celebrate and spread the word of its launch. Andrew Ibi has set up a definite unique environment to secure your key item for the season. He might even prophetically know what it will be and hold onto it just for you! Within his selection of old guard and emerging stars, he brings together pieces to compose a story that will regularly change in chapters according to his instinct for the next mood. I was excited to see a Sophie Hulme Sequin parker along side a Rick Owens blazer and an opportunity to get your hands on some Clare Tough. Another exclusive that Andrew gave us a 1st hand explanation and experiment is Boudicca's venture into fragrance. It sprays onto skin the violent violet "Wode" colour and then disappears like vanishing ink. So to have a go yourself or if you fancy finding some Hannah Marshall dark side feminine treasure, join the fun on Thurs..................
Thank you to Andrew for these atmostpheric snaps

Mon 13th Oct: Mary Katrantzou

From a post about Athens to one about a London based designer who originates from the city, Mary Katrantzou. I first blogged her work when Michael invited me to the Central St. Martins M.A static show and only 6 months down the line, he now informs me of her success with sales for S/S. No wonder when you see her identifiably beautiful trompe l'oeil jersey dresses in the new zingy bubble gum palette inspired by Jeff Koons. From an "accessories-appreciation-party" point of view, I lay down my hat in respect to the concept and construction of combing jewellery into the digital print. Here are some detail shots of the new collection from her showroom in Paris. Her signature woven bonded silk jersey/wool shifts look to me like a perfect blend of the technological advances in the futuristic patterns but a classic chic sensibility with the interjection of naval stripes. So now the question is what are we going to see popping up from this glossy pop art offering.............will the dresses or necklaces be most popular...........or both..............? (I'll have one of each!) I can't wait to see these graphic punchy pleasures saving the pages of the new season's fashion spreads.

High-Five to Mary for such a fantastic collection and taking the time out of her production negotiations to send me all of these images.

Sat 11th October: Athens Fashion Week

Athens Fashion Week has just been held in the newly re-located downtown Technopolis which is an old gas factory complex. It is the 1st year that it has become a complete cultural festival with music, film and exhibitions in addition to the runway schedule. This season the guest Art Director is Jean Charles De Castelbajac who has set up a retrospective for the event.
Athens based style magazine "Ozon" interviewed me for the street style special addition in conjunction with the fashion week. Here is the page of my feature and you can download the whole magazine at the link below to see what is going on ...............

Friday 10th October: AWOL

Apologies for my absence in posting. I have been in uncomfortable territory of deciphering different application forms in dyslexic terror. Hopefully abandoning the sewing machine and picking up the pen will result in some funding to keep the sewing flowing.............

However I have been mucking-in with the overly familiar glue gun for a night shift...........assisting Andy MacGregor with the next installment of Uniqlo flagship installation. The rainbow gaffa tape web has been replaced with multicolour pipes which rotate in the display tubes reminiscent of Disney Land Fairytale Rides...........to tie in with the new soft fleece collection.........

Tues 07 October: Rainbow Water Baby

I still can't get over the Fredtasticalaesthetical heaven that was the JCDC last week. Clouds on blue sky? Rainbows? House Hat? Sgt Pepper Jacket in primary felts? Ouch, its a 'tick every box' in my dreamland overload. I kind of don't want to believe it really happend. Just the store opening in London left me with a heavy dose of chromatic psychosis.
So I need a few more days to process all the information.

I had a similar incident when I discovered these insanely cosmic colour delights on Chloe Bells blog "Chloe Makes". On an application to join me at the studio I knew she would be an instant addition to the team. Look at the attention to detail with the mosaic steps! I would swim every day if this was my bathing outfit............or can you imagine on a white beach or...........in a rainforest waterfall..............