Here are some shots from a really broad selection of brands, showing variations on the cape theme. Which is your favourite?

Louis Vuitton

H&M

Daks

Reiss

James Brown is an illustrator and printmaker living and working in London. Trained as a textile and surface print designer, James worked in the clothing industry for 10 years producing print designs for numerous brands from Levis to Louis Vuitton. James embarking on a new career as an illustrator in 2007.

James has been commissioned to produce work by publishing houses, magazines and newspapers and advertising and design agencies. Recent clients include Oxfam, Cancer Research, The Guardian and Faber & Faber . Alongside these commissions, James produces limited edition screen prints and linocuts. The traditional processes that go into the production of James’ prints are very important.

What are you currently working on and how is it shaping up?
I have just finished printing an edition for the V&A based the William Morris quote;
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
I tried very hard to make it beautiful! I do hope Mr Morris would have thought it worthy of hanging on his wall.

How did you discover your creative skills?
My parents are both illustrators, they didn’t pushed me into the creative industry but helped me in any way they could.

What or who are your longest standing design influences?
Edward Bawden, M.C Ecsher, Victor Vaserely.

What’s currently inspiring you?
Shoes. I’m working on a print of gents shoes to go with my HATS print.

Has your career developed in the way that you anticipated?
I have never really felt that I know where I am going with my career, but if I look back it has a very logical progression.
I studied Printed Textiles at college and spent 10 years working in the clothing industry, so I have just swapped from printing fabric to printing on paper.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?
Familiar and friendly with a nod to the past.

Do you work best alone or collaboratively?
I have never really done it before until recently. In mid September I have 4 screen-prints coming out which I have done with Cath Kidston. We are both happy very with them, so I guess that means the collaboration worked.

What’s the best thing about your job?
Truly enjoying what I do and seeing other people enjoy it too.

Any future projects that you’d like to tell us about?
I have two childrens books coming out next year. Published by Walker Books, they are both board books for babies one about shapes and the other about animals. Both are heavily patterned in high contrast colours. A page of horses from the book is one of the images below.

Pencil and paper or computer and mouse?
A computer is one of many important tools that I have in my pencil case.

Who would you love to work with, past or present?
I really enjoy making prints and posters for small events and businesses that I like and believe in, like the posters I created for The Scythe Festival and The Friends of Homerton Station

Any final word of advise?
Say yes to everything (within reason), you never know where it may lead you.

Designer James Brown in his studio in Hackney Wick, East London.

The flier for James' designs in collaboration with Cath Kidston

'Hats'

from one of the childrens books

The Scythe Festival poster

for the V&A

Thanks so much James. Another great addition to our series of interviews with inspirational individuals, I’m sure you’ll agree. Click here to see the rest of our interviews and get ready to be INSPIRED!

The Halcyon Gallery, on New Bond Street, is wrapped in this HUGE portrait of Ray Winstone painted by Mitch Griffiths whilst the new gallery space is completed. This beautiful artwork was part of an exciting exhibition of Griffiths’ new work which was held at the Halcyon Gallery on Bruton Street.

Ray Winstone's portrait on Bond Street

We arrived at the Tate in time to have a random wonder around the galleries and then head down to the Turbine Hall in readiness to catch the Michael Clarke choreographed dance installation. I’d read about this in the week’s edition of le Cool (if you don’t subscribe already then do it now!) and had been really looking forward to it. Not only is Clark a long term favorite of “Blink”, but I was also really interested in the concept of this ‘installation’.

Michael Clark and his company have been working in the Turbine Hall for the past seven weeks, making the development and rehearsal stages of this piece visible to all. This piece incorporates some of the company’s immensely skilled dancers along with 75 untrained members of the public. During the performance, the division seemed purposefully clear between ballerina and non-ballerina with a difference in costume (the non-dancers in black) as well as Clark cleverly using the dancers in different ways. This created a really great energy as well as a stunning visual spectacle.

The space is immense, but the pumping Bowie soundtrack and the dashing and surging dancers really worked the space brilliantly. The graphic, monochrome floor complimented the linear and sharp shapes in the piece. The only downside was that I wanted to be one of the special 75, not one of the spectators- but maybe next time! This was ‘Part 1′ of Clark and company’s residency and there will be a ‘Part 2′ of the project in June ‘11. So, all that’s left to ask is where do I put my name down for it?

Michael Clark's dance intallation at the Tate Modern

Michael Clark's dance intallation at the Tate Modern

Michael Clark's dance intallation at the Tate Modern

Michael Clark's dance intallation at the Tate Modern

Click here for more “Blink” events.

Ernesto Muniz is a scalpel wielding genius. He very kindly sent us some images of other works from the streets of London as well as his home town of Mexico City. There’s also some really interesting creations with vinyl records. The use of religious iconography reflects Muniz’ Latino roots and makes for some really innovative artwork.

If you like what you see here, Ernesto can be contacted at munizer@hotmail.com. He’ll also be exhibiting alongside artists like Banksy at Liverpool’s Corke Gallery in November.

The artist himself

For more on ‘Graphics’, click here!

We were super excited to see that Lu’s work has made it on to the red carpet. American actress, Brie Larson, wore a Lu Flux frock to the ‘Scott Pilgrim vs The World’ European premiere in London’s Leicester Square.  The dress, called ‘Bluetit’, is from the SS ‘10 ‘The Eco Life of Riley’ collection. Its made completely from salvaged silks and is a total one-off.

Lu Flux will be showing as part of Estethica again at September’s London Fashion Week and we are really looking forward to seeing her new collection.

Brie Larson wearing Lu Flux (image from the Eyeprime blog)

We spotted these animal themed bags in the window of Louis Vuitton’s new Bond Street flagship. It was lovely to see that a brand this luxurious and high end still has time to be a little fun. The beautiful glass cloches added some gravitas and all the animals were really amazingly executed so LV shows us how to have a giggle and yet still retain utter poise and chic!

Enjoy and wishing you a wonderful weekend from the team at “Blink”!

Louis Vuitton, Bond Street

Louis Vuitton, Bond Street

Louis Vuitton, Bond Street

On August 14th, Danish underground DJ, Djuna Barnes delivered colorful and upbeat music whilst more than 200 models, celebrities, babies and ballet dancers began the 1.6  km long walk along the hot pink catwalk, creating a new world record! Starting at Rådhuspladsen down Copenhagen’s biggest shopping street ‘Strøget’ and ending in Kgs. Nytorv, this event showcased Danish and Scandinavian SS’11 collections in a really celebratory way. Forever supermodel and great Dane, Helena Christensen was the hostess for this event and several shops in Central Copenhagen donated 1% of the days income to Chernobyl Children’s project International.

Click here for more from Copenhagen Fashion Week.

The World's Greatest Catwalk, Copenhagen

The World's Greatest Catwalk, Copenhagen

The World's Greatest Catwalk, Copenhagen

The World's Greatest Catwalk, Copenhagen

The World's Greatest Catwalk, Copenhagen

The World's Greatest Catwalk, Copenhagen

The World's Greatest Catwalk, Copenhagen

The World's Greatest Catwalk, Copenhagen

Asta went to the Danish Design School’s show in the old meatpacking district. There were 14 students showcasing their collections. As with any design school the quality levels and aesthetics were very mixed. We spotted a few looks that we loved and wanted to share them with you.

Click here for more from Copenhagen.

Danish Design School's Graduate Show

Danish Design School's Graduate Show

Danish Design School's Graduate Show

Danish Design School's Graduate Show

Danish Design School's Graduate Show

Danish Design School's Graduate Show

Its a supremely stylish city at the best of times. Yes, you have probably gathered from previous posts that we have a crush on Copenhagen. When Copenhagen Fashion Week comes around the style quotient increases even above and beyond this city’s usual high standards.

We are starting this week with a few streetstyle shots from around and about CPH Fashion Week. Asta spotted some really lovely looks for us that reflect the feel of Copenhagen style really well. Its about an understated style that is more individual than big name, more eclectic but not so vintage, quite detailed but not overly complex, glowing scrubbed cheeks rather than knee deep in make up. And doesn’t everyone just look so damned healthy!

Enjoy and click here for more posts from beyond London.

Copenhagen streetstyle

Copenhagen streetstyle

Copenhagen streetstyle

Copenhagen streetstyle

Copenhagen streetstyle

Copenhagen streetstyle

Copenhagen streetstyle