Saturday 13th Dec: Pop up

Last night was the London launch of Carri Mundane's latest project which is a collaboration with Nike. The pop up shop is open to the public today so if you can, make the trip down to Brick Lane this afternoon. Including limited edition new + archive pieces from c a s s e t t e p l a y a + the Ldn release of our CP X Nike Blazer. CP X Nike Blazer also available in Dover St Market Ldn and internationally from this weekend at: Colette Paris + Slam Jam IT + Nike Mercer St NY+ NSW Tokyo.
I missed the party as I was helping Teo set the dance floor on fire at Visions but Carri came down after to represent as an original supporter of the Work It! team. Last night really was the best so far with Blaise Belleville's endless and relentless trail of tunes. I kept picking up my boliler suit in preparation to depart and then another classic anthem would be dropped............. I would have to turn straight back round and throw my hands in the air. No room for self-conscious shapes last night, it was back to back joyous booty shaking (tastefully I must add!). Roll on New Years Eve for the next installment!

(Here is an archive portrait taken by Andrew Gow at the Gareth Pugh Fashion in Motion at the V&A as I don't have any pics from last night)

CP X NIKE POP UP STORE = SAT DEC 13TH 11.30 - 6.30PM

@ NIKE 1948 space LDN.

477 - 478 Batemans Row.

Shoreditch

EC2 3HH

Friday 12th December: New Gen

The British Fashion Council have officially announced the winners of this year's New Gen sponsorship program.
Here is some edited text from the release on Vogue.com
"DANIELLE SCUTT, House of Holland, Louise Goldin, Mark Fast, Mary Katrantzou, Meadham Kirchhoff, Nasir Mazhar and Peter Pilotto all got an enviable pre-Christmas boost today as the British Fashion Council named them recipients of its coveted New Generation catwalk sponsorship, which is supported by Topshop, for London Fashion Week in February.
The award will allow them to show their autumn/winter 2009-10 collections on the official show schedule - for the very first time, in the case of newcomers Mark Fast, Mary Katrantzou and Nasir Mazhar.
In addition to the designers showing on the catwalk, New Gen is also supporting a swathe of talents - namely Anna Vince, Borba Margo, Craig Lawrence, Cooperative Designs, David David, Emilio de la Morena, Felder Felder, Fred Butler, Hannah Marshall, House of Holland, KTZ, Krystof Strozyna, Louise Gray, Mark Fast, Mary Katrantzou, Meadham Kirchhoff, Nicholas Kirkwood, Peter Pilotto - by providing them with sponsorship to show their collections at the London Fashion Week Exhibition."
Im having a bit of an out-of-body experience reading my name is on the list and still can't quite believe the news since I first heard it.
It seems so funny that exactly a year ago I met Craig Lawerence when we were both working on Patrick Wolf's finale at the Shepherds Bush Empire (purple ribbon garment by Craig seen here). Little did we know that we would both be recipients of this exciting opportunity the following Christmas! I love how funny life can work out in these strange mysterious ways. Congrats everyone else who won and also everyone else who entered, the future is another day and another opportunity waiting to happen.............

Fri 12th December: Glam Cult

Here is the result of the portrait shoot I did with Edmonds and Rodgers, commissioned by GlamCult Magazine.
The journalist Aynouk Tan spent a fun afternoon at the studio exploring my inner cosmos which was very refreshing compared the usual email questionnaires. In equal attention to detail, Kate and makeup artist Valeria spent a separate day getting me to not be so shy and crack a little smile for the camera to come up with a ridiculously colourful collection of shots. I'm so pleased with the outcome which was a final chance to shoot my A/W pieces and see them so saturated in zingy hue.
The Dutch Independent style magazine is a large format paper which also has music articles on Grace Jones, Micachu, Black Kids and Ladyhawke which you can download as a PDF at their site: glamcult.nl/glamcult.pdf.

Thurs 11th Dec: Sara's got it, Tina's got it

Teo and & I are staying strictly vinyl and spinning some tunes at "Work It" tomorrow night.


Work It

10 – Late

Visions Video
588 Kingsland Rd
Dalston


Lixo
Johnny Dett
Maxwell Jaye
Battlecat and Spectrum (aka Teo & Fred)
Blaise Bellville

www.youworkit.co.uk

Thurs 11th Dec: Millinery Magic

I had the honour of being the sole student on a millinery course by RCA trained Andrew Macdonald who has made hats for both Couture shows and editorial commissions. It was such a lovely experience learning how to make a hat and also getting to know Andrew. Spending time in the tranquil surroundings of his studio based in The Chocolate Factory (Stoke Newington) was a very therapeutic way to while away a weekend. We sipped coffee, listened to Grace Jones and discussed everything from the hilarity of Diana Vreeland to Hibiscus of the Cockettes. I have an inkling that hat makers are born from a particular stock of serenity and silliness and I think I have finally found my calling. I have caught the millinery bug good and proper. Patiently hand stitching for hours on end to produce a finished article that you can wear on your head ................if only every day could be like that weekend..................to find out more about Andrews courses check out his blog...............

Weds 10th Dec: Headcases

I am currently at the V&A doing research, the place is so big it needs a few days to get round. (Can I just interject here that it is really the best place in London). So where was I? Aha. I actually needed a paper bag to stop myself from hyperventilating when I read through the new brochure of activities. With the onset of the Stephen Jones Hat exhibition (Feb) there is a comprehensive list of seminars, demonstrations, short courses..............everything from a political debate with Vivienne Westwood to a class on the craft of feather trim! For any other mad-hatters out there, have a look, the V&A are doing us proud!

Here is a photo from the new fashion story on website 156 which is dedicated as "The Headpieces Issue" with other designs from the likes of Jeffrey Portman and House Of Flora (No prizes for guessing whose this is, sorry to repeat myself but I really like this new shot, thank you to 156!)

Tues 9th Dec: Electrical banana

I remorsefully had to avoid the Angel's Costumiers Sale at the weekend to work on my business plan. Fair trade? The pain of wondering what I was missing out on was gleefully interrupted when this number came into my hands. It seems one of my aunts has actually held onto some of her 60's outfits and kept them in good condition. She recently found this and .............thought of me! Its a 2 piece with the biggest collar a mini-dress can uphold. Hooray for holding onto things, thank you so much Diane!

Monday 7th Dec: The Ring Finger

So onto Anna Leader's film stills work and one for which she shot the poster image. It is one of my favourite projects where she caught the mystery and magic on set. The French film "L'annulaire" (the ring finger) directed by Diane Bertrand with original score by Portishead's Beth Gibbons. You may recognise the lead face of Olga Kurylenko who I believe was a model until head hunted by Diane to take this role. So Anna had the first chance to capture the celluloid moments of the latest Bond Girl............

Monday 7th Dec: The Cloud That Was Europe

Photographer Anna Leader has just re-launched her portfolio online by adding new work and redesigning her website with Luke Tarpey. Anna left London for the the Italian Swiss mountains in 2005 and has been snapping her way round Europe ever since. I am a staunch fan of her mesmeric portraiture but here is a new crop of breathtaking landscape work which I'm sure Anna wasn't expecting herself! These works have been exhibited in Berlin, Zurich, Rome, Barcelona.........not bad going Miss Leader!
By navigating your way through the archive you can see her range of fashion, still-life, interior and an impressive menu of film still (more of which I will touch on later). Her catalog of commission work is an multicultural melt pot of experiences from Social Enterprise in Brixton to the deepest depths of the Congo with Oxfam. ......................

Thurs 4th Dec: Its Nice That

This week graphic duo "No Days Off" have been the guest secret squirrels on the aptly titled blog "Its Nice That". The site was launched in 2007 by Will Hudson and Jez Burrows as a platform to both feature and inspire the creative industries. Under the subheading and catergory of "Its Not Us", Pat and Teo have so far written entries on Photographer Jason Evans and Musicians Sian Alice Group. Today's write up was about my work and how I regularly make things that never actually get seen. Here is a necklace I was commissoned to make for the Roald Dahl story in the summer for last months Vogue but didn't make the final cut. It now adorns my studio wall and will come in use one day I am sure. Its funny how that happens. My archive pieces sometimes get a 2nd lease of life and chance to blossom after an initial false start .
Check out www.itsnicethat.com for an extensive archive of ......................well............things that are nice..............

Thurs 4th Dec: Piece Of Mind

I have been able to put my patchwork penchant to perfect use with a new charity project for Shelter, UK and Bowery Mission, NY.
Graphic design mavericks Marque have requested cooperation from international creatives to come up with a square to contribute to a complete work of art. Quilts assembled from each "piece of mind" will be exhibited and then auctioned with the profits going directly to the cities respective charities tackling homelessness. What a fantastic idea, to get the creative community collaborating by hand-making an artwork. To put love into each piece and extend this positive energy by financing solving a global epidemic that we are each powerless to change on a personal level. I'm so chuffed to have been asked to get involved. Here is my square which was painstakingly sewn and painted by my latest placement student Laura Gostling who has finally finished her 9 weeks. Laura, you have been an absolute star and will be sadly missed!
(Photo by Chloe Bell)

(The exhibition will come to London in April so I will update nearer the time with details. Other contributors so far are: Giles Deacon, Luella Bartley, Hussein Chalayan, Stephen Jones, Eley Kishimoto and Alice Temperley. Check link for more details)

Weds 3rd Dec: Happy

Photographers Mishkin pitched a Christmas card idea to me which was so genius, I jumped on board straight away. Every year I laboriously hand cut a new design and mail out to all my friends and contacts. However this year I am so snowed under with commitments, this is not going to be an option. Sorry to those of you needing a 2009 entry for your collection : (
So this year I'm going to rely on the predictable and boring email format. But to make it as fun as possible we have devised a cute image with the makeup artist Megumi Fuku and gorgeous graphic designer/model Sara El Dabi. Here we are on our extracurricular evening time shoot at Mishkin HQ.

Tues 2nd Dec: Magic Fingers Magnay

For a few years now Sarah Magnay has been collaborating and creating Allison's "Couture" costumes. The latest frock for this final tour show was a black silk blousen number with subtle fabric contrast Harlequin panelling. Sarah is known for her precision in pattern and execution which borders on terrifying in the process but results in exquisite garments. For her own MA collection at CSM she embellished her knitwear with reams of hand tarnished studs in tessellating borders.
Sarah is also known for her wicked sense of humour and here she has sent me a video of herself doing an important test-run to check the flow of the dress .............or perhaps just having a little moment of madness after an all night stint of sewing........I leave the decision up to you on that one
Thanks for all your images girls!

Monday 1st Dec: Golden Girls Part 3

So onto the dancers.................who appeared for the final song in these shinytastic black harlequin costumes which moved perfectly with the choreography. Dazzling cats eyes, bouncy big ruffles and swirling ribbons trailing from the wrists. The girls were given a starting point from Allison Goldfrapp and here you can see a snapshot from the mock up stages.

Monday 1st Dec: Golden Girls Part 2

The team also designed a one-off set for Goldfrapp's special show for the BBC's Electric Proms last month at Cecil Sharp House (home of English Fold Dance and Song Society). Here is the technical drawing, test using projection and Maki as a model!, in house prop making and a photo from the final performance.

Monday 1st Dec: Golden Girls

This weekend I was invited down to the Brixton Academy for the finale of Roisin Murphy's tour which was a stunning send-off concert . It has only been a couple of weeks since I was last there when Emma Roach and Sarah Magnay invited me along to the Goldfrapp gig to see thier beautiful costumes. Emma has sent me an incredible compilation of images to show the process of inspiration through to the final pieces so I will post a few different entries throughout the day.
Firstly here are the choir masks which were inspired by a Wicker Man/Pagen/Folk concept and made using the technique for corn dollies. Different animals were made including a dear and an owl. How clever and intricate, its great to see them up close and the detail in these pictures.

Fri 28th November: Christmas at Comme

My studio-mate set designer Andy Hillman installed this year's christmas window at Dover Street Market early yesterday morning. So last evening we headed down to celebrate the unveiling with the annual mulled wine and Rose Bakery seasonal snacks. To walk through the door and be greeted by a life size antler adorned horse was such a nice way to arrive back to London life after my trip. Now it has left the building, headed up west and collected a few CDG trinkets along the way..........a Swarovski necklace and space raider knitted twin set..................

Fri 28th November: Jim The Illustrator

I am aware that my write-ups are typically glowing and full of superlatives which in the end may dilute particular favourites. BUT I can't help sharing so many things that I love. BUT here is one special talent that I am reassuringly touched whenever I see new work by Jim Stoten. We graduated the same year at Brighton and since we have flown the Brighon Pier nest I have enjoyed finding his signature signage popping up. And 'pop up' would be an accurate description of his style. It is a peculiarly sensitive and psychedelic dreamscape that is evidently his brain directly extruded through a felt tip nib. The mix of perfectly drafted pattern and fine line come together in bizarre and hilarious constellations of characters and narratives.

Last evening was the preview for his latest work in the group exhibition "This Tiny World" at Dream Space Gallery. I have pinched this photo from his blog where he comments about apprehension of unveiling the work. " SHUT UP" I exclaim in full-on Jerry Springer slang with obligatory hand gesture. It was just fantastic and took so long to look at! I confess that usually I chatter at private views and miss the art. But not this time. I was totally sucked in by each cosmic clash of his new venture into collage and water colour. A departure that seems the best foot forward, if it was possible to progress an already deftly disgusting prolific talent. Good on you Jim, I wish so much I could buy one for my wall. A reproduction just wouldn't do justice to the gorgeous glowing neon colour schemes. However, I would love to see them turned into scratch and sniff wall paper! The toast, strawberry, banana, ice cream cone and hot dog characters are just crying out to become multi-sensory beyond the frame and glass. Also, how about light boxes? "Stoten Stain Glass"? Add that to the online store!!!!!!!!!

Thurs 27th Nov: Studio Visitor

For the end of the week we are hosting Archie the Future Laboratory's Wippet. His look is a mix of Simpson's "Santas little helper" when up and about and a peacful pooch Lucien Freud painting when he is asleep.

For any prospective animal sittings we are open for bookings. Provided they sit when told and look pretty on a plaid rug.

Weds 26th November: Time for Change.........spare change

Fittingly the 444th post to be entered on my blog is about my best friends ThreeAsFOUR who I had the absolute pleasure of seeing whilst visiting their hometown of NYC. Last week they held a pop-up store to mark the time of change in the current political and financial climate.........and to also acquire some loose change! Never to pass up an opportunity to stage something progressive, they contacted performance artist Michael Portnoy. He dressed in an all-in-one black outfit and paraded the sidewalk with a sandwich board of collaged dollar prices. I unfortunately missed the event so GABi has sent me this picture to share with you. They are turning footage of the day into a mini movie clip so I'll update on details when they arise..........

Until then, if you are in NYC head to Barneys to see their beautiful peace dress as part of Simon Doonan's Christmas Window scheme.