silent storyteller

In Memory of an Extraordinary Woman

2013-02-01T20:08:43Z

1909 - 2012

"Everyone says that the brain is the most complex organ of the human body,

as a doctor I might even agree.

But as a woman I can assure you that there is nothing more complex than the heart"

Nobel Prize in Medicine, Rita-Levi Montalcini

To read more about her extraordinary life www.nature.com

Beautiful Tango

2013-01-27T16:31:00Z

Hindi Zahra via Powder Girl World

Inspired by Pina

2013-01-25T14:25:14Z

Pina Bausch II, Paris, 2004 by Donata Wenders via Semioticapocalypse

Diana Vreeland

2012-09-03T18:54:00Z

“The only real elegance is in the mind;

if you've got that, the rest really comes from it.”

Diana Vreeland

As part of Dublin Fashion Festival, the Light House Cinema will be hosting the

Irish Film Premiere of Diana Vreeland ‘The Eye has to Travel’

For those who read this blog, will be familiar with her legacy of wise (and sometimes outrageously funny) thoughts, which have been mentioned here in countless occasions.

She has always been an important reference in my career. She was part of my sanity feed, specially when I felt confused about the absurdities around the industry.

I have often wondered what she would make of the state of fashion today. Maybe she's as hopeful as I am that we've completed a circle and we are brewing up exciting times for the industry again.

Her impact was such, that every trip to the Irish Embassy in Paris would always fill me with additional exhilaration knowing she was born so close by.

I was over the moon when I was offered the opportunity to share a pair of tickets for the screening on Sunday the 9th with one of my readers.

Because I don't want to leave my friends who live outside of Dublin, or those who can't make it on Sunday, out of the competition; I'm also going to add the book in the giveaway.

So you can win one or the other.

: )

All you need to do, is to leave a comment,

just quote 'Tickets' or 'Book' in a comment below.

Musical chairs, the future of fashion

2012-08-30T14:35:00Z

Change excites me.

The fashion industry, which has been slightly stagnant for some time, whilst it was caught up with the ’booming’ years, is finally going through a transformation.

In the same way we need political parties to rotate in government in order to reconsider and reassess. We also need change in the ‘real world’ so we can rethink how things are done and maybe start improving, and changing them.

This may seem like a contradiction coming from the fashion world, where things apparently are changing all the time….but the structure, institutions, the media were settled in their ways for decades.

And then came the Internet.

It has changed everything.

Firstly we have bloggers becoming a voice for the people, democratising the information distribution (and yes… this is a whole other debate).

We have designers becoming bloggers to reach their customers

We have the publishers becoming retailers and.....

retailers becoming publishers.

I don’t remember times being as exciting in the industry as they are now.

Fashion needs to be shaken, and I think the internet needs to be credited for a lot of what is happening.

As I was writing this post, I received a press release announcing Paula Reed has been appointed as Group Fashion Director for Harvey Nichols.

This is exactly the kind of change we need. No one knows the future, or how technology is changing the way we access information and buy.

But in the meant time, I welcome the cross over between editorial and retail. It's not the first appointment and will certainly not be the last.

I think it’s a move that will benefit everyone.

Congratulations Paula Reed, and Harvey Nichols!

Origin Green

2012-06-21T14:39:47Z

Beautiful Ireland , Beautiful Saoirse

Origin Green is a unique programme which will allow Ireland to become a world leader in sustainable high quality food and drink production

www.bordbia.com

How do you put value on culture and experience?

2012-05-16T21:49:20Z

This afternoon on Grafton Street.

Street performance as part of Dublin Dance Festival

I have been thinking a lot lately about how can we put value on culture, in a time when funding is lacking and any investment requires a quick return.

The Irish Times recently published an article about cultural business. I'm intrigued to know how can we convince the powers that be, of the intangible benefits of culture in our country and how we must protect, support and fund it adequately.

To read the piece by Pamela Duncan

click here Irish Times

Clouds

2012-05-12T18:21:44Z

Images via Dublin Dance Festival

Uplifliting, fun and innocent are the best words I can find to describe Clouds show by Aracaladanza. I enjoyed the performance as much as I enjoyed the silent (and not so silent) 'wows' 'ahhh!' and 'how did they do that' remarks by the under 5's in the audience. They were saying, what we were all thinking!

Sitting in front of me, in row 1, were two little girls, they were silent, speechless, for the whole 50 minutes. They kept looking at their parents in awe. What an experience for them.

It's magical to watch people perform, but to be so close that you are almost part of the show is a memory I'm sure they will treasure for a long time.

Surreal and magical shadow dancing

Inspired by Magritte's work and as described on Aracaladanza's website: "Nubes is a work that transforms the absurd into an artistic engine and emphasizes the relation of dance to objects to transform them into protagonists."

It was a wonderful experience, my first at the Pavilion. From the friendly reception by all the Festival volunteers at the entrance, the auditorium's intimate setting, to the floating balloon skirts worn by the dancers...I'm so glad I went.

There still may be tickets for Sunday's shows, and if you'are anywhere between 4 and 104 and would like 50 minutes of magic and art, don't miss it if you can.

www.dublindancefestival.com

I would like to thank the Pavilion Theatre for the tickets, which I won in a competition on Facebook!!!

It’s all connected

2012-05-11T15:55:00Z

It’s taken me weeks to put pen to paper and write this post. I started blogging in 2008 when I became frustrated and disillusioned with my industry. Feeling increasingly ‘dumbified’, isolated and lost in the ever so consuming nature of fashion. I missed years of research, experience, passion and simply learning for pleasure.

For the past few years I’ve immersed myself in trying reignite the passion which I had lost a few seasons ago. In doing this I’ve been inspired by so many people including Jessica Hische (campaigner of the Don't Work for Free league...as well as letterer extraordinare), who I met (cough cough…embarrassingly stalked at Offset earlier this year)

She’s taught me that it’s OK to be a crazy cat loving creative/artist as well as a total nerd. And about the importance of procrastination…or as she would describe it... Procastiwork

Jessica at Offset Via Creative Review

As it's officially the year of science...and I'm a closet 'geek' (or maybe out of the closet by now) I've spent the past months procastinating listening and learning about science. All kinds of science from physics to biology...if it's too techinical or too hard I'm out...but if it's less complicated and specially if it can be applied creatively, I'm hooked!

So I've learnt this year that you can love art and science...at the same time...and that when they come together it can be magic!

It’s amazing how one thing leads to another, and through her I started following another inspiring creative (slash) techie (slash) ping pong champion Russ Maschmeyer.

Here is a video which they made showcasing his MOTIV User Testing research project and which exemplifies what I mean about art meeting technology

"MOTIV gives digital musicians expressive control by interpreting their physical gestures in real-time"

But do go to his blog to read more about it. It’s fascinating www.strangenative.com/whats-in-a-name/

How technology is giving artists new ways to express themselves is a field I’m really fascinated by. In my ‘fashion world’ it’s people like Hussein Chalayan who are truly innovating through technology in a way that takes fashion beyond industry and more towards science, design and innovation.

When I first read the program for Dublin Dance Festival 2012 I was thrilled to see Klaus Obermaier will be presenting Apparition. A fantastic interview by MICHAEL SEAVER in the Irish times where the relationship between science and dance is discussed. Irish Times

I’ll be posting all this week about the different events happening as part of the festival

Check out their program, there is something for everyone. www.dublindancefestival.com

In the mean time......

Here is a little peak at what Klaus Obermaier does.

Dublin Town

2012-05-09T06:56:59Z

The Doorman at Brown Thomas

A week after its launch, DublinTown.ie has become a roaring success.

The site reached thousands of hits in a couple of days and over 60,000 people have watched the launch video on Youtube!

A collaborative initiative between Dublin City Business Improvement District, local creatives and business owners.

It's a beautiful and detailed representation of what Dublin is today.

If you have a few minutes to spare check out the website, it's just breathtaking

(Be warned ...you may spend more than a few minutes!)

Congratulations to everyone involved in this project!

www.dublintown.ie

Leonardo da Vinci

2012-04-15T16:31:35Z

Image Wikimedia

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

Leonardo da Vinci

Why I love Dublin?

2012-04-12T11:19:03Z

Dublin Dance Festival

I'm always surprised by the amount of events, festivals and conferences that Dublin hosts.

We are a tiny capital relative to places like London, Madrid or New York but we still seem to attract some of the best and most interesting performers, artists and creatives in general.

This year we've already had Offset and Jameson Film Festival. In a few weeks we're having an international conference about Children's Book which I'm hoping to go to, later in May Dublin Dance Festival and Dublin Theatre Festival in September

I loved this video produced to launch this year's dance festival

I can't wait to see a few of the performances this year

Trish Brown Dance Company via The Guardian

Book gift away : Edith Sitwell

2012-03-01T11:10:45Z

"Why not be oneself?

That is the whole secret of a successful appearance.

If one is a greyhound, why try to look like a Pekingese?”

Edith Sitwell

I'm not sure I've ever given anything away on Silent Storyteller...maybe I have, memory fails. I've been offered lots of different products in the past years to review and share, but I've never felt they related in any way to the essence of this blog so have turned them down.

I bought this book a year or two ago, with the intention of giving it to one of my readers. I had a copy of my own and thought someone out there would love to have this too!

So in celebration of World Book Day I'm giving away one of my favourite little books. English Women by Edith Sitwell.

It's a library edition from 1942...so a little tattered and yellowed....It has 8 plates in colour and 27 black and white illustrations

If you'd like to win this book just leave a comment here or retweet my tweet : )

Lent day 6: Barefoot grandmothers

2012-02-27T19:58:00Z

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you

and then you win

Gandhi

Lent day 4: Random image and changes

2012-02-25T19:16:09Z

"However vague they are, dreams have a way of concealing themselves and leave us no peace until they are translated into reality, like seeds germinating underground, sure to sprout in their search for the sunlight."

Lin Yutang

Quietasoxen

I wanted to write a post today about looking for inspiration for my new studio space.

Well, not exactly new...but repurposed space!

But I found this picture and just had to share it...not sure when or where it's from...possibly Mongolia? Isn't their hair incredible?

Some of you know I've decided to temporarily put on hold making dresses for now and focus on my new calling. Not sure what that is yet, but I know it will be related to the internet and visual storytelling...

I haven't given up making my collection, I'm still producing one ongoing knitwear collection a year which I'll export to Japan, through my website and in Bow. I don't think I could ever stop working with cashmere. It's magic! Also collaborating with Molloy & Sons to make some garments which are 100% spun, woven and sewn in Ireland.

But I'm more excited about this new direction, than I have been, lately, about making clothes.

I've always thought you must follow what your heart and gut tells you. So I've given myself some time to absorb new passions and interests. I did consider going back to college, but I don't think I could cope being told what to do, or what to study and when. I'm self directing my training and have a heap of books and a few sites I'm using to learn as much as I can, on my own. Being obsessive and disciplined helps.

At the moment my head is exploding with all the information , but I'm hoping it will all fall into place, in some vacant portion of my brain. And as Lin Yutang said...hoping the seeds will sprout looking for sunlight!

I've already had my first 'client' meeting and I'm working on a new website for them.

: )

Lent day 3 : Yoga baby

2012-02-24T09:00:00Z

The first time I remember meeting someone who practiced yoga was probably in the early nineties.

Whilst studying college in Madrid, I was frequently invited to have dinner at the home of my friends Lara and Julieta. Dinner at 'Casa Hernandez' was called 'El Sistema' (The system). Every evening they would have the same meal, an assortment of cured hams, chorizo, cheese, a magnificent salad and the most delicious fresh bread.

I sometimes dream (and drool) I could have a similar set up here in Ireland.

It was at these dinners that Santos, Lara and Julieta's dad, would amuse us with his newly acquired yoga skills.

(I could actually write several posts about Santos, who collected The Little Prince books in every single language / edition he could find and had the most diverse library which covered many walls from floor to ceiling)

His demonstrations didn't include downward dog or sun salutations, he would entertain us with yoga exercises for the eyes! Fully controlled eye movements, which of course had us in stitches.

Despite the laughs, curiosity was triggered and I have tried yoga many times throughout the years but hadn't really embraced or enjoyed the experience. My head is/was too wired and distracted to sit still, focus and meditate or exercise.

Things have changed. I tried yoga again in 2011 and have become hooked. I think I'm more relaxed now and credit is really due to my teacher Dee who is just brilliant.

I'm not sure what kind of yoga it is, it doesn't matter. I think it's some form of Vinyasa, or something like that. But what I do know is the last 10 minutes of the class, when the teacher asks us to wrap up and put our socks on, it's probably one of the highlights of my week.

I always bring along cashmere socks and my softest sweater,

and for a few moments I'm healed, and in heaven.

(I always have links/credit for the pictures I post, but I had this one in my files without a reference. If you know who or where it's from, so I can credit it properly, please let me know)

Lent day 2: Scruffy happiness

2012-02-23T13:56:11Z

As part of my 40 days of 'moan-less' lent

I had to share with you one of my biggest sources of happiness, relief and distraction.

His name is Haggis....and yes I've been given out in numerous occasions why would I give him such a dreadful name. But I named him on an impulse, and it stayed!

He's a 5 year old very grumpy and attention seeking West Highland Terrier.

I was 4 years old the last time I had a pet, so I really had no idea what to expect. But working from home, he has been the best company and listener, even though I never get a response back...

probably a good thing!

I love Offset

2012-02-23T09:50:00Z

Jessica Hische

Run by Peter O’Dwyer, Bren Byrne and Richard Seabrooke (all creatives living and working in Dublin) OFFSET has become Dublin’s premier creative festival attracting speakers and visitors from all over the world.

In the 2 years since inception OFFSET has produced over 100 hours of presentations, workshops, debates, interviews and Q&A’s with some of the leading creatives in the world, several large scale gallery shows.

I missed the the previous one because it clashed with Paris Fashion Week, this time it's on between the 9th and 11th of March and I have my ticket booked weeks ago.

There are so many talks I look forward too, including Jessica Hische, who created the brilliantly funny (and true) artwork shown above.

iloveoffset

Lent: 40 days of happiness

2012-02-22T16:02:00Z

I have decide to give up moaning for lent

40 days positng my favourite things

(sounds 'Oprahesque'...I may even give something away!!)

Hope you'll like them too

(I discovered this video when it was first shared by Peter O'Brien a few seasons ago)

The Reading Room

2012-02-21T20:23:11Z

Image via AniGolightly

PIVOT Dublin’s exhibition will be happening in Filmbase Temple Bar

from the 1st to the 8th March.

Included will be Visual Curiosities, Events, Lunch Time Conversations and a Reading Room.

To help complete the Reading Room PIVOT Dublin want you to lend them your favourite book

Your book will be on display for the duration of the exhibition alongside a host of other selections

I can't express how excited I am to be asked to be part of this exhibition. And I'm intrigued to see what books so many others have lent the exhibition.

If you'd like to be part of this you can drop off your book, post it or courier it for the attention of

Bob in Red&Grey Design, 32 Lennox Street, Portobello, Dublin 8 (no later than Thursday the 23rd)

If you have any other questions they're on Twitter

@Red&Grey Design