Race of Style

London Fashion Week A/W 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:16:00 +0000

WHY? Why bother paying any attention to London Fashion week? There’s a question I’ve often asked myself. But it CAN be interesting. So why not?

The very interesting - Luke Brooks. Central Saint Martins MA Collection AW/12

And the Burberry finale wasn’t uninteresting, complete with gold glitter rain (of the finest quality I assume).

Things could only get brighter of course. And they did.

Courtesy of House of Holland

Northern lad Henry always cheers me up.

And as usual I was drawn to Holly Fulton

(well into art deco long before the current trend)

“For the lady that having blown her annual budget takes a vacation a little closer to home. In full holiday spirit and dressed for Vegas - she hits Margate”.

Crikey - brace yourselves Margate!

All of the above a mere fraction of what’s been on show this week of course, some aspects of which might pop up in future posts.

However, as much of the rest was inspired by ‘British heritage’/traditions of the aristocracy (well we are in a Jubilee year) and we’re all familiar with velvet, tweeds and tartans, I’ll spare you on this occasion.

Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:09:00 +0000

So, Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton a Diamond Jubilee Celebration, currently on at the V & A ... what’s on view?

photo via flickr

photos via V&A FB

In addition to around sixty Beaton photographs selected from the royal archive (of around 18,0000 objects!) bequeathed to the V & A in 1987, there are also a number of previously unpublished contact sheets.

A book of press cuttings taken from Cecil’s forty-five volume collection —

and one of Cecil’s original diaries, opened at the pages where he recorded his preparations for photographing the newly crowned Queen.

‘Coronation. Feeling very tensed & highly strung in the face of what I had to go through during the following days’ *

This is a detailed and beautifully laid out exhibition, and for even more information the V&A channel is worth checking out for interviews with curator of photographs Susanna Brown, and Cecil Beaton’s coronation day assistants John Drysdale and Ray Harwood (brought together for the first time in 60 years).

Click here for video.

If you can get along to the V&A (the exhibition runs until April 22) — DO!

Where you’ll also find some particularly impressive visual merchandising going on in the SHOP (it’s a Beatonfest basically) ...

photos via V&A Shop FB

Alternatively, at the end of the run the exhibition will be touring in the UK at —

Leeds City Museum 8 May - 24 June 2012

Norwich Castle Museum 7 July - 30 September 2012

Laing Art Gallery Tyne & Wear 13 October - 2 December 2012

and internationally at —

Fine Art Gallery Ballarat Australia 25 February - 15 April 2012

Royal British Columbia Museum Victoria B.C. Canada - 1 June - 3 September 2012

*CECIL'S HANDWRITING.

Even up close and personal, one line is all I could manage to decipher!

Props to Hugo Vickers who worked on the diaries for around five years.

Photo of the diary extract was scanned from the exhibition catalogue by Susanna Brown — Queen Elizabeth II Portraits by Cecil Beaton — click HERE to view inside.

The Baftas 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:20:00 +0000

And the award goes to ... Jean Dujardin!

Winner Best Actor (The Artist) Baftas 2012 *

* Full list of winners HERE.

********************** NEWS JUST IN !!! ********************

UGGIE wins GOLDEN COLLAR at inaugural awards!

**********************************************************

Next up ... the OSCARS!

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:47:00 +0000

We’re not drowning in Union Jacks here in the UK just yet, (well no more than usual) but the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year is now officially underway.

Earlier today, the sixtieth anniversary of the Queen’s accession was heralded in London by a 41 gun royal salute fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in Hyde Park, closely followed by a 62 gun royal salute fired by the Honourable Artillery Company at the Tower of London.

And Her Majesty has sent us all a message —

Today, as I mark 60 years as your Queen, I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee.
In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth.
I hope also that this Jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look forward to the future with a clear head and warm heart as we join together in our celebrations.
I send my sincere good wishes to you all.
ELIZABETH R.

This years’ many celebratory events (so many I’ve set up links on a separate page HERE!) don’t start in earnest until May, but we’re off!

I’m off too until next week. ~~Bit of~~ tons of domestic catching up to do.

Although I will be taking a short break from that later this week to pop over to the V&A for Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton (on now until 22 April 2012).

In the meantime, an article I came across earlier today by Michael Deacon writing for the Telegraph

A Thought for Anti Monarchists to chew on —

Let's imagine for a moment that the anti-monarchists got their way, the Queen were stripped of her crown, and we were asked to pick a president. What sort of person would we want to vote for, if we were completely free to choose? First of all, we'd want someone who is popular not only at home but abroad. We'd want someone who could be relied on to act with grace, dignity, elegance and tact. We'd want someone who would rise above the childish, bickering scramble of politics. We'd want someone who would perform their duties untiringly and uncomplainingly. And we'd want someone who could be guaranteed never to bring the nation into disrepute. It's hard to think of candidates who would fulfil all those criteria. But one does spring to mind. This is where anti-monarchism hits a snag. Because if the people of Britain were free to vote for anyone to be their head of state, the candidate they'd choose would surely be … the Queen.

Beautifully put.

Forewarned is Forearmed

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:42:00 +0000

My initial thoughts on seeing the new Transport for London ad campaign this week were not ‘OMG not more transport chaos!’ or even, ‘I wonder how much that cost?’* I just wanted to know who was responsible for producing it.

Yes, I know the Olympics don’t take place for another six months, but forewarned is forearmed, so I’ve taken the precautionary measure of signing up for e-mail travel alerts. Took all of two minutes.

Tracking down the creators of the TFL ads however took considerably longer ...

via

Transport for London

The Olympic Delivery Authority

M&C Saatchi (ad agency)

tokyoplastic (cutting edge vector scientists)

and last (but by no means least)

Picasso Pictures.

I suppose TFL could’ve provided those links on their website, but I’d rather they focus on what they do best (worst some would say, but not me) and anyway, that’s why Google was invented surely?

Yes, it was quite a trip. Not all of it to my taste.

And the little fairy tale that follows may not be to yours, (I think it’s great!)

so, a WARNING — if you are easily offended — DON’T click HERE.

* £8.8 million pounds (eek!)

A Tartan For Pandas

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:16:00 +0000

Unveiled earlier this week, yet another new tartan to add to my list

... this time for pandas!

Commissioned by Edinburgh Zoo to mark the arrival last month of giant pandas Tian Tian (Sweetie) and Yang Guang (Sunshine), the new tartan** designed by Kirsty Franey of Kinloch Anderson, features black white and grey to represent the colour of the pandas' fur, green for bamboo and three red lines to represent China.

I am well aware of course that the whole issue of animals being kept or bred in captivity is a touchy subject, and celebrity pandas in particular always generate some controversy or other.

However, whether you or I approve or not, Tian Tian and Yang Guang* are here, so we may as well celebrate!

*Yang Guang is currently suffering from a bout of colic (a not uncommon condition in pandas) but should recover within a couple of weeks.

**View in more detail @ The Scottish Register of Tartans.

The Artist - Believe The Hype

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:57:00 +0000

After seeing The Artist last night, I don’t know who’s tugging at my

heartstrings more, George ... OR Uggie! I’m torn.

I mean, who could resist a pooch who loves to skateboard in his spare time!

Check out Uggie’s moves HERE.

As expected, The Artist is now up for ten Oscars, (sadly none for Uggie, despite a spirited campaign on his behalf) but whether they will be converted into wins remains to be seen.

I will say no more, except ...

Believe the hype! And if you haven’t already, go see!

Accidents Will Happen

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:37:00 +0000

Because there was a remote possibility that THIS! could happen to me, the lovely people at Apple have swapped my first generation iPod nano for ...

one of these.

I must admit I was reluctant to surrender my old (SIX years!) lovingly preserved nano to Apple's giant recycling bin, but hey, better safe than sorry!

And thanks for the upgrade Apple!

Well, sort of (I really miss my click wheel).

Strangely, this track came up when I tapped shuffle for the first time ...

what are the chances?

Blackpool - Reasons To Be Cheerful

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:46:00 +0000

The Comedy Carpet!

Unveiled on October 10th 2011, the Comedy Carpet is a new 2,200 m² permanent artwork sited in front of Blackpool Tower.

Five years in the making, the Comedy Carpet is a giant typographic masterpiece featuring jokes, songs and catchphrases from over one thousand of the UK's favourite comedians and comic writers, from the heyday
of Music Hall to 21st century stand up.

The Tower of Love!

photos via dezeen

A new ‘golden’ building on the Golden Mile, the ‘Tower of Love’ is now the location for Blackpool’s registry and tourist information offices.

Part of the Tower Festival Headland, the Tower of Love’s telescopic wedding tower frames couples exchanging vows within a vertical view of Blackpool Tower.

The first couple to wed in the ‘Tower of Love’ on January 12th 2012 ...

Kelly Goudie and Simon Garrick. photos via Facebook

So, there are at least two reasons to be cheerful about Blackpool.
But why do we need them — Blackpool's great isn't it?

Well no, sadly it's not, according to data collected by The Guardian back in March 2011, placing Blackpool at the top of the table in England and Wales for the prescribing of anti-depressant medication.

I don’t find those results particularly surprising. It’s true that away from the seafront, Blackpool is a somewhat depressing place.*

A view compounded by the short taxi ride I took recently from Blackpool train station (on a daytrip to visit my mother) during which my driver, a rather morose character it has to be said, wholeheartedly agreed with me regarding the general rundown state of things.

Now if only he’d told me about the Comedy Carpet (surely he knew) I might’ve suggested we make a quick diversion.

* I suspect this applies to most seaside towns in the UK, especially out of season.

Go Blackpool Council!

Eve Arnold 1912-2012

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:31:00 +0000

Eve Arnold with Marilyn Monroe during the filming of The Misfits 1960

Eve’s long association with Marilyn always gets top billing of course

Marilyn Monroe 1955

... with good reason.

I’m certain however that Eve will be remembered for giving us so much more.

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor 1963

Bar girl in a brothel in the red light district Havana Cuba 1954

Here in the UK January has come in like a lion.
It rains every time I go out!

And it’s cold rain. Brrrr!

Now if I could just get my hands on a copy of this book ...

In China (1979) — I’d be one happy January bunny.

Ring Out The Old ...

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:22:00 +0000

“Ring in the New - Ring a Ding Ding”.

Jack Lemmon & Shirley MacLaine in The Apartment 1960.

Probably the best New Year's scene in a movie ever.

Well, it’s my favourite anyway.

Although ... little Miss Shirley also delivered - BIG time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Feels Like Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 11:29:00 +0000

Well it does for the THE FEELING anyway. They LOVE Christmas!

And I LOVE The Feeling (mostly because of THIS SONG.)

AND I really don’t mind what they’ve been doing with Burberry this year.

Burberry Body campaign featuring Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, directed by Christopher Bailey and shot by Mario Testino.

No I really don’t mind AT ALL.

Not Christmassy enough for you?

Then how about a bit of festive interaction with Dan Gillespie Sells ?

Click HERE to tailor him to your Christmas mood.

Yeah, I think I’m feeling it now ...

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Dancing Into Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:14:00 +0000

Ballet themed tree by Repetto.

Now I’m not dancing exactly, more limping at the moment, since I managed to drop a large skip on my toes at work today. And I still have one more week of Christmas shoppers to face.

Truly, they are relentless in their endeavours, with so far (here in London anyway) barely a flake of snow to deter them.

So, earlier this week in dire need of some diversion from the aforementioned, I decided a pre-Christmas

treat was in order and I took myself off to see The Royal Ballet ...

photo © Johan Persson

AT THE CINEMA!

Streamed live from Covent Garden to 100 cinemas in the UK (600 worldwide) and a first for me at this type of event, I had wondered beforehand whether it would prove to be an altogether satisfactory experience.

Well, ballet on a budget it may be, but I’m happy to report ... it was SUPERB!

Alexander Campbell & Yuhui Choe

Yuhui Choe gave an enchanting performance as Princess Florine.

Lauren was simply stunning.

Lauren Cuthbertson & Sergei Polunin The Sleeping Beauty December 2011

Rising star SERGEI was ... nope, sorry, I don’t have enough adjectives!

photo © Johan Persson

And if that wasn’t enough dance excitement for one week, Saturday night saw the final of Strictly Come Dancing 2011.

Strictly 2011 winners Aliona Vilani & Harry Judd

More of a popularity contest in the end between Harry Judd and Chelsee Healey, things didn’t quite turn out the way I wanted.

Although I had a 'wild about Harry’ period, (he is a great dancer) I got over it after a few weeks, (unlike the judges) and came out in support of northern lass Chelsee.

Had to really, being one myself. And I was incensed by some of the insults directed at her because of her northern roots.

Alright, I’m willing to admit that Chelsee might be more suited to the role of an Eliza rather than a ‘Fair Lady’, but she’s a lovely young woman, a natural dancer, and if Harry didn’t have more Twitter followers would probably have won the competition. How sad is that?

Strictly 2011 runners up Chelsee Healey & Pasha Kovalev

As for her professional partner Pasha ... well, what is it with these Russian dancers?

Be still my beating heart!

Avoid The Walk Of Shame

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:51:00 +0000

Shop decadent evening wear at Harvey Nicks.

OR just take a cab!

Amigurumi Yeah Yeah Yeah

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:07:00 +0000

Beatles Amigurumi © Crochet Today Jan/Feb 2012

‘The pervading aesthetic of Amigurumi is cuteness’ states the Wikipedia definition.

Well yes, IT is/THEY are.

However, the same Wikipedia entry also says that ‘amigurumi have no practical use’ as they are ‘created and collected solely for aesthetic reasons’.

Which is not entirely accurate. I mean, try telling that to U900 ...

Okay, from the sublime (previous post) to the ridiculous (this one) springs to mind.

Although I must admit to having a soft spot for the little U900 guys.

And will I be creating my own miniature Fab Four?

Er ... nope. No time for such frippery.

Might have ... IF there were eight days (in) a week.

The Artist

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:04:00 +0000

Jean Dujardin in The Artist.

Jean won the Best Actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival, May 2011.

Now there's talk of Oscar nominations.

I watched the trailer earlier today. Over and over and over and over and over.

Then I followed a few links.

Now I have a problem. The Artist is not released in the UK until December 30th!

Here’s the trailer —

And here are the links —

Hollywood Reporter:Behind the Scenes

NY Times:Anatomy of a Scene

The Weinstein Company

No need to thank me — you’re welcome.

Claridge’s Christmas Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:33:00 +0000

Unveiled last week (finally we have pictures!) Claridge's Christmas tree 2011.

Brought to us by Lanvin’s creative director Alber Elbaz.

What a great idea sticking an effigy of oneself atop.

Well Alber is rather cute and cuddly is he not?

Yes, liking this tree. The season — not liking (no surprise there for my regular readers.)

It has of course been all hands on deck for the last few weeks in my corner of retail land. And I can’t begin to tell you how many Christmas ornaments/baubles/glittery reindeers (very popular) I’ve lovingly wrapped in tissue.

And we’re not even in December yet!

Yeah, glitter glitter everywhere ... a bit like working in a goldmine :)

Our love's the sound of broken skies, too blind to see what lies inside
We love what shines before our eyes, why can't we learn what hides?

Waiting on the last train, flicking through the highlights
Livin' in a suitcase, positively uptight
Kissing in the full moon, drowning in the sunshine
Walking on a tightrope, and everything is gonna be just fine
'Cos I believe in your heart of gold, automatically sunshine
Yeah glitter, glitter everywhere, like working in a goldmine
And we believe that there's a heart beats on, in the dark of the closedown
Yeah glitter, glitter everywhere, like working in a goldmine
They'll make you work for everything
Never let it roll - Never let it swing
Take control and let your heart sing.

Now Roddy Frame I really do like.

Best of Britto

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:53:00 +0000

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Conservative, conventional, traditional.

Often seen out and about wearing sombre colours. I like it. It suits them.

I also like (if not love) Catherine’s determination to continue shopping the high street, as it annoys the hell out some fashion editors and at least one designer.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge November 18. via What Kate Wore/Pop Sugar

Oh yes, the more funereal the better in my book.

Which is probably why I’m not really ‘feeling the love’ for these new portraits of the royal couple by Brazilian born artist Romero Britto.

Could they BE more colourful?

Recently unveiled at Imitate Modern gallery * as part of a larger exhibition of Romero’s work entitled Modern Icons, maybe I just need to get myself over there to see the original oil on canvas in order to appreciate them.

* until December 7th.

More Poppy Bling

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:17:00 +0000

I was rather saddened to read this week that a poppy brooch due to be worn by opera singer Katherine Jenkins at the Royal Albert Hall Festival of Remembrance last Saturday, (November 12) was stolen just hours before her performance.

The brooch, crafted by Garrards in aid of the Royal British Legion, valued at £25,000 pounds, (we’re talking serious poppy ‘bling’ here) had been sold to a collector at their annual Poppy Ball auction (November 10) on the understanding that it would be lent to Katherine for Saturday's concert.

Unfortunately, whilst on route to the venue, the brooch was stolen from the handbag of one of the charity's employees outside a Kensington hotel.

Well, I suppose it could happen to anyone.

Red and green translucent enamel poppy brooch, mounted in 18ct yellow gold with pave set ruby and green garnet borders and a central cluster of black diamonds. Engraved on the reverse side with the inscription ‘The Royal British Legion Poppy Ball 2011’.

I remain hopeful for its recovery though, given the distinctive design.

I mean how would one ‘fence’ (I believe that’s the correct term, but I’m no expert!) such a thing?

In the meantime —

‘Police have urged the thief to“look to their conscience”as the charity Crimestoppers offered a reward of £5,000 for the safe return of the gem, and information leading to the crook's arrest and conviction.
Anyone with information should call the police incident room on 020 8246 0145 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111’.

sources Daily Mail/Kensington and Chelsea Chronicle

StickMan

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:17:00 +0000

Anyone can draw a stickman right?

But they always just stand there doing nothing don’t they?

Well not anymore . . .

Try it yourself (it’s only slightly addictive) @ DRAW A STICKMAN (or girl!)

and read more about this brilliant concept here.

Poppy Bling

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:57:00 +0000

YES or NO?

The annual Bling Poppy debate continues here in the UK ─ this despite the fact that the Royal British Legion fully support the idea.

I’m a bit fed up of it to be honest. And in any case, actually acquiring a ‘blinged up’ poppy is impossible (the RBL shop are always out of stock!)

Of course if you feel you must have some sort of 'upgraded' poppy, there are alternatives. Pimp it yourself!

Click HERE for a ‘Bling up your poppy’ how-to (with nail polish) ─ it’s quite effective.

OR check out this video for a crocheted poppy.

AFC YouTube video screenshot

I made one myself last night.

Yes, I actually grabbed a crochet hook! Turned out alright I thought (no hanging tails for me thank you very much!)

However, my effort pales into insignificance compared with this beautiful poppy.

Oldest surviving poppy picked in May 1916 in front of a trench in Arras.

Anyway, regardless of one’s poppy of choice this Remembrance Day (I’ll be wearing the traditional paper poppy as always) it’s the thought that counts surely?

Scenes From A London Bus

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:25:00 +0000

Inspired (to return to my blog) by a London bus journey? Strange but true.
I just came across London Bus Tour ─ a brilliant piece of work from Moritz Oberholzer, and I can’t get enough of it.
I even like the music ─ Loud Pipes by Ratatat.

There is something missing though.

Emma Hignett the voice of London's iBus system.

I spend quite a lot of time listening to Emma, who, back in 2006, landed the job of recording over 30,000 announcements for London’s 700 bus routes.

Which was a great choice, as she’s probably got the least annoying voice ever *

My favourite announcement, yes some people do have them, is ─

* * SEATS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE UPPER DECK * *

(played repeatedly when the lower deck becomes dangerously sardine-like.)

Never fails to make me laugh, as I’ve yet to see anyone take her up on it.

* LISTEN to Emma HERE.

Oh and thanks everyone, both in comments & by e-mail, for support and encouragement during my recent break.

Richard Hamilton 1922-2011

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:26:00 +0000

Long time no blog I know, and I’m not really back (H.M. doesn’t return from Balmoral until October 3rd) :-) However, I simply couldn’t let the week go by without marking the passing of UK artist Richard Hamilton in some small way.

‘Swingeing London’ (1967-1968)

‘I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas’ (1971)

Back in 1991 I had the privilege of seeing some of Richard’s original work, when the Royal Academy of Arts staged a major Pop Art exhibition, and I can clearly recall gazing in awe at the above.

And in amazement at ...

‘Just what is it that makes today's homes so different, so appealing?’ (1956)

This collage is tiny!

Balmoral Time

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 14:51:00 +0000

Yes, it’s THAT TIME of the year again, (August already! came around rather quickly don’t you think?) so I’m taking my usual time out.

During which I’ll be taking a decision on whether to continue with this blog or not. Maybe I'll just ‘rebrand’ myself (ha ha). We’ll see.

Catch you later everyone!

Pajama Club XOYO

noreply@blogger.com (Jan) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 15:39:00 +0000

PJC XOYO Islington London July 28 2011

Great gig. Highlight of my week.

Music to the rescue! (again).