Sun 1st Dec: IN THOSE JEANS X LIZZIE KING

Safia El Dabi's 90's high-waisted jeans company "In Those Jeans" is back for the third time, collaborating with Lizzie King who was part of the previous group collective project.  Lizzie King who is a set designer/ jewellery designer/ props maker/ dip dye queen, has designed a special limited collection of embellished jeans.  She has her trademark pineapple obsession in embroidered appliqués along with other motifs such as pencils, palm trees and peace-sign fingers.  Adding to the jazzy detailing are sprinkling patterns of rhinestones to outline pockets and seams.  To launch the line, the girls held a workshop for you to come and design your own bespoke combination of these elements.  The event turned into an after-hours party with dj's RADI DADI, Crack Stevens and Big Ted.

To get your own pair of Lizzie King customised unique original 90's jeans, visit NoONE store at Old Shoreditch Station.

Friday 29th Nov: Guest Post - Paloma Faith's "Faith in Art"

My second exhibition of the day was Paloma Faith's "Faith in Art", at The Gallery In Redchurch Street.  This is another one like WORK | HOME | OUT yesterday which ends soon, and is another must see!

The imagery explores and shows the features Paloma has become so famous for, and the ones we all adore for, since her debut album in 2009. Curated by Paloma herself, along with Album Artists. The exhibition contains images of Paloma taken by David Standish, Finlay MacKay, and live photography by Saul. 

Faith is displayed in all of her glory, throughout her Live concerts, as well as the beautiful album work we are familiar with. Portraying her visionary unique aesthetic, in the dramatic show style that she does best! 

The Gallery in Redchurch Street, 28th November- 1st December. 50 Redchurch St, E2

Words and pictures by Charlie Milton, except private view portrait of Paloma by Fred.

(See Fred's first post on Paloma Faith, detailing the release of "Stone Cold Sober" and the art direction "No Days Off")

Thursday 28th Nov: Guest Post - Studiograbdown's Work Home Out

WORK | HOME | OUT A project comprised by Studiograbdown, currently situated at The Rose Lipman Building in Dalston. The space is only available to see until tomorrow and it's incredible, so hurry on down! Presented by Slashstroke, and The Mill Co.

The space is based around Studiograbdown's own personal encyclopaedia of imagery, including selfies and past events. These images are displayed as the first thing you see on entrance - as these were the basis of inspiration for the large scale installations curated by artist Eleanor Davies.

Each area allows you to experiment with your own photography, and disposable camera's which will create a narrative documenting peoples different reactions and experiences within the spaces.

An exhibit which allows the viewer to enter a world they know from an entirely new perspective. Entirely created on collaboration, which transports you from a world you recognise somewhere else. It's definitely a priority if you've got some spare time!

Words and Pictures By Charlie Minton - except last photo of Amy & Charlie by StudioGD

Monday 25th Nov: RunDemCrew Youngers Women's Program

You may have detected a new running directional slant to my life via this blog and here is another twist to the RunDemCrew cheetah's tail.  The founder of my running club (Charlie Dark) set up an initiative called "Youngers" to "get into the heartbeat of the younger generation, and give them the tools to change their lives through sport and creativity".  Here is the latest venture in association with the movement that has a female specific targeted outreach.  "RDC Youngers Women's Programme" is a women's empowerment project aimed at getting young women to make fitness a part of their lives and educate them in how it can empower and motivate them to be and feel amazing!

"As a group of women we know that navigating the media portrayal of how we should look is challenging and occasionally infuriating.  For young women especially we know that body image issues can cause huge problems with confidence, self esteem and even depression. Advertising and Media often tell us that we are not good enough as we are. What we aren’t told is that being active, fit and healthy is the best way to feel empowered, inspired and motivated for all areas of our lives.  We believe that donning some trainers and getting into the community of women (of all shapes, sizes and cultural backgrounds) in London embracing fitness at every level is an amazing way to own our bodies and feel empowered to achieve great things. "

They are working initially with City of Westminster college, holding a series of fitness workshops and asked a few of us RunDemCrew runners to inspire the students to sign up to the project.  Here I am with blogger & journalist Bangs and dj Josey Rebelle who both gave magnificent and perfectly pitched talks on their own personal experiences and how it might relate to each girl in the audience.  By the looks of it this introduction worked wonders as the final photo here shows the first week's workshops success.  Not only will the girls be coached in running but also have creative challenges set each week.  I wish I had discovered running when I was at college (rather than in my 30's) so I was more than happy to help with promoting the scheme.  I hadn't expected the bonus of discovering the amazing architecture of this college which felt like London's very own Guggenheim!

To find out more about The City of Westminster College women’s empowerment project, supported by The Parliamentors Programme, go here.

(Photos pooled from our various instagram pages)

     

Friday 22nd Nov: "No Future Nomad" Fashion Film for SHOWstudio's PUNK season

As part of the SHOWstudio's ongoing PUNK project, the home of fashion film commissioned different creatives to collaborate and contribute a piece of moving image ……...

"Using Punk's central themes of dressing to provoke, DIY and self-expression, SHOWstudio asked a wide range of contemporary creatives to express their vision of punk now by creating a fashion film and garment. 'Punk was one of the most culturally important and far reaching movements in the last 100 years. Its influence is repeatedly seen every fashion season,' explains Nick Knight." 

I worked with my bessies Tom Ryling and Kim Howells to bring together our individual skills and style to join forces in one unique multi-disciplinary package.  It's been about grafting different elements together due to the nature of collaboration - which started with the cross textiles of denim from me and leather pieces from Tom, ending with Kim's canvas of casting and styling Jace - culminating in footage we shot together; to produce our combined interpretation of Punk, personified by our "No Future Nomad".  The film has just gone live over on SHOWstudio and the individual garments are also on sale at their SHOP.  I recommend checking out the entire expanse of content which includes enlightening interviews between Nick and each of the photographers behind the iconic Punk photos in the exhibition………… 

(Above snaps from the filming, my studio work in progress and Tom's studio mood board)

(Concept & Direction: Fred Butler, Kim Howells, Tom Ryling; Cinematography: Tom Ryling; Performance: Jace Moody; Styling: Kim Howells; Hair: Bianca Tuovi at CLM using Bumble and Bumble; Make-up: Yin Lee at ERA Management using M.A.C Cosmetics; Edit: Tom Ryling; Fashion: Fred Butler and Tom Ryling; Production: Fred Butler, Kim Howells, Tom Ryling; Thanks to: Ciara Clark, Chelsey Clarke, Nicci James and Amy Lee)

Friday 22nd Nov: Keely Hunter in KCC Alumni millinery show

This blog sees a lot of Keely Hunter action and here is another post to big her up on her birthday.  Last evening was the opening for the alumni group show at her old college, KCC.  Its been an exciting year for Keely since her last birthday, she has gained presence on schedule at London Fashion Week in Headonism and been part of the BYT scheme at Selfridges.  I can't wait to see what happens in this next year coming up……………. her millinery is light years ahead (pun intended) of what has been explored in the art form to date, and the only way is up, up, up …………..

Thurs 22nd Nov: Tom Guy at MACHINE A

Machine-A have just launched their Graduate Designers scheme by selecting three of this year's finest to have their first stockist.  One of these fresh talents is Tom Guy who I included in my report from Westminster College's show (see first pic).  Since this time I have got to know Tom and been lucky enough to acquire a pair of iridescent shoes from his collection.  Apparently his sister helped stick the Swarovski crystals and by the looks of it she has been on board again, as some of these pics are her record of last night's install at the Soho store.  Both Tom and Beth Postle have been given a window each to display their capsule collection for the boutique.   Tom has created ready-to-wear interpretations of his catwalk looks including a pink and yellow brocade biker jacket (available crystalized as in the show by special order) with matching skirt, metallic organza space suit, yellow glitter mesh dress and silver peplum skirt and crystal embellished side panels.  These spectacular Dolly Parton inspired pieces are now in place alongside MACHINE-A's rails of Ashish & Chalayan, ready to be snapped up by future talent investors………….. thanks to the selecting talents of owner & buyer Stavros Karelis and fashion director Anna Trevelyan.

(Thanks to Tom Guy, Laura Guy and Stavros for additional photos in this post)