Girl About Town : Chelsea Art School Fashion Show

If you say that you are paying a visit to a college but are not a student this may give a rather dull impression of an outing. Not so with an art school, and certainly not so with Chelsea art school. This week I had the pleasure of having an elusive invitation to the First Year Textile student's first fashion show at Chelsea School of Art, very exciting. You dont have to twist my arm to visit Chelsea as the grounds are just lovely, and there is that un mistakable vibe of excitement and creativity to be found in all good art schools - I just love it - so many young people crammed together, just gasping to be given the tools to do something amazing (can you tell I miss it?). Anywho, I was front row, and managed to grab some great, if albeit fuzzy, photos of the show - you get the idea.

There was so much good work in this show - really interesting uses of materials, making unlikely sucessful unions. A few that have really stuck in my head were a recovered lampshade as headwear, and white wadding foam (the kind found inside oven gloves) worked with some kind of hard plastic in to a tailored garment. Other students had gone for a traditional process but had really pushed it further - most memorably were the coral skirt which was pleated in such a way that it appeared to take on the form of a huge tulip and the pleasts waved at you as the model walked by, and of course the knitted horn headwear  piece - strange and wonderful!

The great thing about first and second year is that this is the time when students are able and encouraged to take risks, you are still finding out your own creative identity so you end up moving in new directions and testing the waters. It is in the final year that you have to hone things in, tone it down, and start putting your work in an marketable 'box', so it is just great seeing shows at this level - it really is what you would call raw talent.

I leave you with said fuzzy photos - I defy you not to be inspired. Enjoy!

Homage: Wolf & Moon

OK so you know that I love, love to share what and who I know about designers, makers, artists - creative people doing cool stuff - right? The thing is since I discovered this absolutely gorgeous jewellery brand I have found myself jealously guarding it as a treasured secret. Two reasons; one, I should not alert my loved ones to this brand so that I can spend the rest of the year buying all my gifts for them from Wolf & Moon, and two...because I want it all to myself! (I do realise that point one and point two dont really correlate, I really do). Wolf and Moon is the brilliant work of Hannah Davis, and is based in Hackney, London. What might be at present a modest size company, is I am sure destined for world domination.

Kaleidoscope Necklace

Crystallized Earrings

I cant quite  remember how I stumbled across this brand, and I immediately purchased a necklace and a pair of earrings. And this wont be the last purchase, of this I am sure. 

I actually find it really hard to find jewellery that I like which is also less than my years salary, and these pieces are affordable and yet so well made and presented. I am hoping I can persuade them to accept a commission for a brooch or two....

I leave you with a couple more lush images from their site, prepare to fall in love.....

Sun Burst Bangle

Crystal Collar Necklace 

Homage: Sanguinello

To say that Sanguinello is 'upcycled vintage jewellery' would be a careless oversight. Look a little closer and you will see that the head wear and accessory line of Sanguinello, the blossoming brand by designer-maker Gemma Sangwine, and is going from strength to strength as Gemma carves her place within the field.
Gemma uses antique lace, beadwork, feathers, costume jewellery and recycled materials to create new accessories with a vintage twist. Each piece is unique and assembled with care, and although it's no secret that I love a bit of 'vintage' these pieces really are something a bit special.

Gemma offers a bridal service and is available for bespoke commissions for clients and I just love the idea of getting something so decorative and cool, that is also unique - always a winner for me.
My favorite pieces from her current range are inspired by the carefree and decadent era of the 1920s  and features flapper-style head bands using reconstructed vintage necklaces - pure genius in my opinion - which are finished with diamante and lace. I think they look just fantastic! Other current favorites are the block colour alice bands in understated glittery shades- very cool.
 Find a stockist of Sanguinello near you

All images by permission of Sanguinello 

Man About Town

In the past I used to think that men had a bad rap for having a far more limited wardrobe than women. But that was when I was a young and ignorant tadpole and hadn't yet set eyes on real tooled shoes and 1940s knitwear (I'll have you know that I am learning to knit, but it took me several months just to knit a humble beanie, so it'll be a while yet before I can dream of conjuring up some real beauties like these).

Have men always looked so good? Perhaps not quite, but since the humble brogue has been working its way through mainstream culture things are certainly looking sharper around Bond Street. Take a look at the shoes that are stomping all over London right now - many are the same kind of shoes which were being worn a hundred years ago, and made by the same companies, like Grenson and Churches, who are now even making womens ranges and seeing their clientel broaden. This is not to mention the millions of designs that are currently on the highstreet, endeavouring to emulate these show-stoppers.

Not toally related but nevertheless go exceedingly well with a good shoe; a good sweater. A treat for the eyes, this gorgeous menswear ad from tailored brand Brioni is so masculine but also romantic and reminiscent of a 1950s christmas flick. I cant remember how I discovered this company, but Im sure that life has been a little better ever since, you know. Sign up to their mailing list and let their gorgeous monthly newsletters wash over you. Thats what I do. With a flat white.

So I decided that if Im going to be in town I might as well have the correct footwear, and I took the plunge on a pair of Grenson Rose brogues in navy. I must say - so comfortable. Now Ive got my brogues, my sweater - what better way to finish off your new taps with some super sharp accessories? Your first stop for these should be Mavericks, an Australian laces brand who seem to have cottoned on to the void in the life of a shoe-obsessed, tooled-footed individual - they realised that I needed smart as hell laces before I did! I particularly love their styling- who can resist these blue on blue pumps with a cheerly lacey-pop? No, I thought not. The next thing to hope that it comes back in a big way: hats. But more on those another day.

Sources for images used, with thanks :

Brioni sweater // Dapper chappy // Rose brogues // Blue pumps

A Mother Curtain Mission

Hello! I have several half-finished projects that have been hanging around the old abode that I want to finally take on, make some bold decisions about, and be able to ENJOY!
First up - Curtains. I have taken on the challenge of reworking a huge pair of very lovely but rather dull brown and yellow velvet curtains in to something far more exciting. I have spent too long puzzling over how to tackle this problem, until I asked myself 'Are you a textile artist or not?!' and decided to come at the milking cow from a different angle. Armed with a colour palette that will work within the pad, and aspiring to create something a little bit unexpected, I think I am ready to begin cutting. I will also be working with areas of the fabric which are already worn away and discoloured to enhance and make a feature out of them.



Im thinking triangles. After a breif bit of hunting on Pinterest I came up with these four beauties to use as a visual aid. Now, I know that usually when we think of patchwork we think of bedspreads and cushions galore, but what about patchwork curtains? But not flowery, cute cottage stuff - what about a mid-century / contemporary feel with block colours and mixed textures?

Im going to experiment with mixing the short pile brown and yellow velvet with a hot pink and a tangy yellow, with black and some natural linen to add a nice contrast of textures and shades.
These ideas often take me so long to actually realise because I deliberate about whether it will all be "too much" - but then I have to ask myself "well, what's wrong with that?!"

Sources of images used - all via Pinterest :

 Chair // Cushion // Triangle print // Patchwork bedspread

Paper Cuts

Since I landed back in London a few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be able to help out with a really exciting show: 'The Paper Architect' in Leytonstone in East London, by the hugely talented and very lovely couple Davy and Kristin McGuire.

image original source: Davy and Kristin McGuire website

This particular work tells a beautiful story of a man in solitude, with an exquisitely intricate 'set' of paper and projections. The story makes me think of longing, and of the big crazy dreams of a quiet lonely person. This particular show was in partnership with The Barbican and was quickly sold out- but there is so much more to see of these remarkable artists, if you are like me and and have only just 'discovered' them!

image original source: Davy and Kristin McGuire website

I was invited to assist with the hanging by Corinne Hockley of Studio Seven, who creates the most incredibly delicate and strange 'worlds', and who was in brought in to take charge of cladding the space with cardboard, which just increased the feeling on being in a wonderland, with characters, shadows, things both big and small. I ended up spending the day cutting stencils that were to be sprayed on to the cardboard walls, while the technicians were working quietly away- often in the dark (luckily I had my own source of light!)



image original source: Davy and Kristin McGuire website

Even though this show has ended you can still visit the window installation at Leytonstone Library. Also do take a look at their website which features the infamous Icebook work and tour info. I can't wait to hear what they've got coming up next.....

Art Everywhere!

I have started working in London again and it's been a real change from my sweet little life in the country! My commute is no longer a 5 minute walk down a steep hill with views of the river Severn, but is now more like Oyster card, 40 minutes and a Metro. But you know, summer in the city is a wonderful thing. Floaty dresses, fresh sushi on every corner and London parks. What better way to celebrate being back in my home town than taking part in the amazing new project Art Everywhere - they call themselves "a very very big art show". Here's what they say about it...

Showcasing great British art across the UK, Art Everywhere will be the largest exhibition of its kind in the world. For two weeks in August some of the nation’s greatest art will be on display across tens of thousands of billboards up and down the country. Artists, curators, media owners, and entrepreneurs joined by a love of art are fuelling this massive charitable celebration.

You can choose what art you want to see, you can donate and make it happen AND you can even walk away with a poster the size of a billboard of your chosen art work and other cool prizes. Check out the site here to vote, choose and donate, and find them on facebook too. I dont know what I'll be going for yet- so many choices!

Please Note: I am in no way affiliated with this event, opinions expressed in this post are solely my own. To see the original context of the event blurb text and the above film please visit the official website here