Sat 30th May: Last Days of 143

This weekend is the final stint of the pop-up shop "143" curated by SilverSpoonAttire, designed by Kate Morross and selling my caterpillar necklaces (amongst many other lines). So if you are in Soho, drop by. Its right round the corner from the Pam Hogg pop-up shop. So you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone before they vanish. You can even win this bike!

“The Candy Floss Pink Sparkle Lo-pro”, as customised by Kate Moross for 143, has been produced by Fixed Gear London and is valued at over £2,000, it can be won by raffle via 5 pound tickets with all proceeds going to the chosen 143 charity, Barnardo’s.

143 POP UP BOUTIQUE

3 LOWNDES COURT,
(OFF CARNABY STREET)
LONDON W1F

NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

MON - SAT 11-LATE
SUNDAY 12-6

Thurs 28th May: Primavera Day 1

Whilst London is tentatively sizing up the summer, the sun is shining out over Mont Montjuic in Barcelona for Primavera. Having lost an assistant to My Bloody Valentine, I wanted to know what was going on at this 3 day, 6 stage music festival!? The line-up looks scarily sizeable, so if I just stick to "S" for Spain ...........some of the acts are Spiritualized, Saint Etienne, Simian Mobile Disco, Squarepusher, Sunn o))) AND Sonic Youth. In addition to these distractions, its located next to a white sand beach with free option to leave and return. Apparently things get going at 7pm and carry on till 7am when the transport links start running again. I hope Camille comes back!

Fingers crossed, we have an inside peak at the proceedings courtesy of music/portrait photographer Dan Wilton who has also split from the smog in search of Europe's finest sound systems. For the first day of his"Uncle Travelling Mack" style contributor status, we have some choice cuts (!) of phone-pic action. Tune in tomorrow to see more direct from the Catalan serving of cutting edge and classical...


http://www.danwilton.co.uk/
http://www.primaverasound.com/

Weds 27th May: Corsetorama

I have to make a corset today.  As you do.  Or don't!  So I'm getting some guidance from looking at a corset kindly donated to me by Alistair Carr from one of his first collections.  Its a hand-dyed and embroidered satin piece with gold matador detailing which I'm scared to hazard a guess at how long it took!  I think the original structure was made for Alistair by Mr.Pearl who he originally trained under.  

Here is another corset that Mr.Pearl made for Alistair as a birthday present in 1997.   It is in the permanent  fashion collection on show at The Royal Pavilion Museum in Brighton.  So I feel very privileged that I have been entrusted with one of these beauties.  But even better that I can use it to continue the flow of work................although I wouldn't want either of them to know that I only have 1 day to make one instead of a few weeks/months!   So here goes..........

To see what else is on show at the Museum :  http://www.virtualmuseum.info/collections/default.asp

Tues 26th May: Dust on The Ground

Since casting her soft touch over my film and subsequent images for Heliocentric Electric, Elisha Smith-Leverock has taken on a new music promo.  Bombay Bicycle Club will launch "Dust On The Ground" on June 29th to follow up the storming "Always Like This".  

Its more like a mini movie clip than your regular music video.  There is something significantly unnerving about Jack Steadman's deep wavering vocals and this has been echoed in Elisha's surreal/mildly disturbing treatment.  (His voice reminds me of the first time I heard Gomez and wrongly assumed Ian Bull was some kind of old time Chet Baker crooner.  11 years later we have another disorientating killer talent to step up and take the mantle.........or sombrero).

I can't wait to see it on the telly but until this time you can check out the director's cut here!  I will be doing a more in depth interview/feature on Elisha's work soon so watch this space..................

Tues 26th May: Raison d'etre

Sunday 25th May: Really, Really Good Looking

SHOWstudio.com have launched a new project titled VMan Model Search.  Any male viewers can enter this competition which will be judged by Nick Knight himself.  The face that fits will win a model contract with Ford Models and will be photographed by Nick Knight and styled by Simon Foxton for the cover of the upcoming VMAN 15.   So if you fancy your chances, the deadline to upload your mug shots or video clips is the 15th June.

Here are a couple of pages from Simon Foxton's sketchbook archive which he kindly sent me once as homework for a props job.  They are various scraps of found imagery that he has collected for his own research.  I am beside myself with excitement (and I know I'm not the only one!) for the upcoming show at the Photographers Gallery.  Penny Martin is curating the show "When You Are A Boy" which will be the first exhibition dedicated to Simon's work.  Yipee!!!!!!!!!!!  Check the deats at the link below:

http://www.photonet.org.uk/index.php?pxid=954

Sat 23rd May: Embellished Faces Part 3

We found out that more work by Maurizio Anzeri is on show at The Rifles Gallery including 3 of the afore mentioned hair sculptures. So I was even more pleasantly surprised to find work by other artists in the same location. The shows are currently split across three floors with the ground floor dedicated to tapestry. In 2005 "Banners of Persuasion" commissioned 14 artists to design an edition of five handwoven tapestries. Originally shown in 2008, this is now a mini selection including Peter Blake, Gary Hume, Kara Walker and Julie Verhoven. I can't believe that I have only just found out about them. The Julie Verhoven hanging "Far from the madding crowd" is suitably delicious in her signature style psychedelic faces and places.  I wanted to rip it off the wall, stash it in my swag bag and run straight home ("I'll ave that" Burgler Bill style - for anyone who had that book as a kid! ).  But they are only on show until Weds before they head off  to exhibitions in New York, L.A & Moscow so I would hate to deny the rest of the world!   

Sat 23rd May: Embellished Faces Part 2

Next stop, a talk by Maurizio Anzeri at the new Photographer's Gallery. Previously known for his sculptures of plaited hair, Maurizio has recently transferred his embroidery skills onto vintage photographs. He has amassed black and white posed portraits from flea markets and carefully characterized individuals with coloured threads. Maurizio explained that some are easier to transcribe than others. The anonymous faces gazing out give away a certain glimpse of narrative for him to interpret in addition to a few being dated and titled as starting points. The result is impassioned pin hole weavings of geometric patterns applied in painstaking precision and optical intricacy. In the end he regards them still as sculpture due to the relief surface texture. So although my photos are perhaps not the most clear view of the finished article, I have tilted the camera to try and illustrate this way of looking at the 2D object.
The talk was a refreshing affirmation of proper REAL art because not only are the works beautiful but he came across as a very naturally contented soul with no delusions of artifice or.pretension. Full of affection but not affected.

Sat 23rd May: Embellished Faces Part 1

With the rare opportunity of a day off, I took a tour of the sun drenched jasmine-scented streets of London in search of some cultural enlightenment............... I had a blissfull run of encounters and discovered some real gems.

First stop "Unordinary People" at The Royal Albert Hall. I didn't even know they had an exhibition space? But they do!
Along the circular twisting atrium on the ground floor was the latest installment from PYMCA's subculture photography archive. It started with the birth of youth style in the swinging sixties all the way through each and every "style tribe" to the contemporary 00's. The unique quality of this collection is that the images have been sourced from photographers that were immersed in the actual movements rather than spectators. Therefore the majority of the atmospheric shots were genuine insights into the seminal moments that were impalpable to the subjects living their every day lives.
Each segment of the timeline was explained in captions by Ted Polhemus. Being abjectly warned against the reliability of his meditations during my own dress-history lessons tarnished the education factor of the exhibit BUT the shots were incredible. (Although I certainly question the authenticity of the BoomBox snaps at the end which didn't look like any of the Sunday nights I frequented on a weekly basis!). However I loved this collection of predominantly unseen portraits, and was very glad to have caught the last day.

http://www.pymca.com/

polaroids by Paul Hartnett

Friday 22nd May: Cooperative Designs in Browns Focus Windows

In an attempt to house some of our left-over props I have gradually been turning our loo into what now appears like a Tony Heart type gallery. I think its the perfect place to decorate, as its the only time when you stop working, sit down to look at your surroundings.........(without going into too much detail here!)............so it makes sense to poster the walls with lookbooks to have time to appreciate the complexities of collections. However, not so flattering for the designers when they become synonymous with being "those dresses in the loo" to our visiting interns. That has happened with Cooperative Designs who have the honour of 2 hangings in our curated water-closet. But this week Dorothee and Annalisa are showcasing their S/S collection in a West End location arguably slightly more prestigious than our Candid Arts local ; ) Cooperative Designs have taken over the windows at Browns Focus, where they are selling their delicately crafted signature striped knit dresses. The collection was inspired by MEMPHIS, the 1980’s Milan-based collective of young furniture and product designers led by the veteran Ettore Sottsass and known for its post-modernist style. So perhaps its not so bizarre that I have implemented thier look-books into our own interior design!?






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Here is Amy Gwatkin's genius film that opened the runway show for the collection:

Thurs 21 May: Team Kruger

Here are our next door neighbours........Team Kruger. What fantastic neighbours to have! They run their own incredible free music magazine which we have watched grow from strength to strength and is now a fully functioning operation with as many arms as a Hindu Goddess. For example last night was their monthly event at The Social. Another monthly feature is a free download singles club alongside regular podcasts, blogs and tour diaries. This is one of the best bits..........each issue a new act is handed over the baton of a suitcase to take on tour whilst blogging their exploits............and when finished, put their sticker on it like an old destination stamp..........so that one day it will be covered with a plethora of memorial graphics with the first being Micachu and currently Little Boots.
The current issue has answered all my questions about Plugs (the band not electrics!), that Owen Pallett has worked on the new Rumble Strips album - not just Mark Ronson, who the hell Marina and the Diamonds is (that ignorance is not going to last long) and some really beautiful portraits by their NYC photographer Christopher McLallen.
So to find out more about what the guys are concocting up at Kruger Laboratories head to : http://www.krugerlabs.com/

They even turned their hand to a spot of prop making for the last issue! Making this robot to replace a missing member of the Rakes for a photoshoot!

(Another bonus is that we can raid their promo CD reject stack. I discoverd a new Larry Tee album which features a single by Jodie Harsh called "Agyness Dean"! Hilarious! Looking forward to seeing how that one is going to be marketed..............)

Weds 20th May: Somebody got a nice surprise!

A goldfish grows as big as its bowl. My kleptomaniac fins are squished right up to the concave walls.
That doubled with my uncontrollable habit of giving presents, meant that there was only one option to deal with dismantling my installation at Kokon To Zai. With no room at the Inn (studio) for the new 2.5, I knew exactly who would find a good home for it - Chanel devotee Mandi Lennard. So Sara and I knocked up some fancy wrapping and dropped it off at her showroom with an equally giant Barbie's hand laying in wait. We had so much fun making the giant bow. I wish you could see the scale of this beast. Its 1.5 metre square so if Clinton's were to ever diversify into outsize gift wrap, they might need to give the "Forever Friends" aisle the old heave-ho to accommodate these bad boys.

See Mandi's pics on her blog:
http://blogs.colette.fr/mandi/

Tues 19th May: Fashion Saturdays

As part of The Big Yellow Festival Centenary celebrations at Selfridges, Satrudays are the designated day for fashion shows. Each week Lulu Kennedy pulls together different looks from the store's shop floor selection and style's a different story. This weekend was a colour blast and my A/W archive pieces were requested to compliment some of the outfits. At three intervals during the day, the central escalators are roped off and a guest dj plays a set to accompany the models travelling catwalk. Next week Lou & Nova will be spinning the tunes ...................after Frankmusik plays on Friday and Rory Hammond plays on Sunday. Nova is currently looking for assistants.............so check her blog for details: http://novadando.blogspot.com/,

Tues 19th May: Boom Boom Pow UK's No.1

Is it just me or did someone not tell them?
(shame they disabled the official video link so this unofficial version is the best i can find)

Mon 18th May: Lazy Oaf

No that's not a description for my absence from blogging this weekend* but the name of the fun filled label of goodies that make burger beanies and donut design tees.
Although the online store is a visual treat, it doesn't beat the real deal and going along to the shop on Kingley Court. Infact, no time is better than the present, as the windows have just been overhauled with hilarious faces to launch the new specs range. The illustrator behind the cheeky chappies is the ridiculously rainbowlicious Rosy Nicholas who I profiled here when I discovered her talents (http://fredbutlerstyle.blogspot.com/2009/03/tues-10th-march-rosy-nicholas.html). Sorry Rosy, but I had to put this portrait up to give a little insight into how you might come up with the characters that you draw............I love this photo!

* FredButlerStyle has had a technological meltdown and resuming regular opperations is proving too ANNOYING when phones and computers decide to say "No" at the same time.
Apologies to anyone I have ignored since Friday, its not personal, I just went AWOL

Fri 15th May: The Bachelor

Nick Thornton Jones and Warren du Preez have shot the artwork for Patrick Wolf's new album "The Bachelor" with set design by Gary Card and styling by Susie Lloyd (who used a butterfly quilted piece from my S/S 08 on his shoulder).

The Bachelor limited edition is available NOW and is completely exclusive to Bandstockers. Numbers are limited, so hurry on over to the Bandstocks shop now! The Bachelor limited edition will feature a beautifully crafted box set, complete with a heavyweight slipcase that features the album cover in all of its glory without any title or logo. Inside of the slipcase is a perfect bound 28-page book, which tells the story of the album with the use of photos and lyrics throughout. Remember, if you aren't already a Bandstocker, you can still buy stocks. Just head on over to www.bandstocks.com to do so, and you will be entitled to privileges like these and much more in future.





(Still Life shots by Mishkin)

Fri 15th May: If gesticulating was an Olympic Sport

I would bring home the Gold for Britain

Interview by Sophie George for her degree.

Thurs 14th May: Marianne Vitale @ Ibid Projects

I have had a tip-off from GABi of ThreeASFOUR about an event in East London this evening:

"Our good friend Marianne Vitale is having an Art Opening in London
for her amazing sculptures this coming Thursday .
Her work is intensly beautiful"

So..............here are some images to explain what might be instore at Ibid Projects tonight. These are some previous works with the bronze sculpture being the latest. For her exhibition opening in London she is showing ink and charcoal drawings with sculptural installations. Marianne (born NY 1973) studied BFA Film at the School of Visual Arts in New York and still lives and works in the city..................so go and see her latest offering whilst she is in town!

IBID PROJECTS 210 Cambridge Heath Road, London, London, E2 9NQ
Bethnal Green (tube)
020 8983 4355

Weds 13th May: Soren Bach is back

Last week when I was guest contributor to www.itsnicethat.com I had to post a different "favourite thing" each day. Being me, I couldn't keep it to just 5 so unfortunately one didn't make it into the designated days. So here is my original prose for the piece accompanied by new pictures that I haven't seen before, kindly sent over by Soren's PR:

"Breaking new ground for many a barnet, is Danish designer Soren Bach who started creating sculptural adornments for the head in his previous career as an editorial hairstylist. His specialism was painstakingly hand dying multicolour patterns on hair sections before applying them to the model. He took his craft to another level studying millinery at the RCA in 2005 and working with fur to create kaleidoscopic pom-pom pieces as worn by Bjork on tour. Here is his latest sci-fi cosmic craziness ……….."