the kaiser on the metro

My latest obsession is illustrator aleXsandro Palombo’s Humor Chic, a collection of caricature renderings of my favorite fashion folk. Am sure you might have fallen off your chair when reading the title. Hard to imagine but the picture is worth a 1000 words! I cracked up so much looking at it I thought I'd share it with you, my dear readers. Yes, am quite obsessed with the Keiser and his talents…. And I dream of a world filled with Chanel almost every waking second.

Photo via Humour Chic (humorchic.blogspot.com)

apocalyptic princess

If this was 2512, I think, this would’ve been some kind of mainstream collection. There is an eerie yet romantic and diaphanous air about this collection. Something that would make Queen Amidala and her peers longing to wear. The styling and makeup of the show conjured up a dark and sultry mood suited to that of the clothing that Gareth has designed. This is a big step and a widening of his talent away from the hard-edged super-structured looks that earned him his stamp on the fashion world.

The experiment on different fabrics is also thrilling as the clothes seem lighter, more fluid then his usual signature. This obsession was very evident in the feather light tops, dresses, and pants that were micro-pleated or woven or slashed in crepe or chiffon. It is a collection that I am sure will feature in more alternative magazines as well as the usual glossies. Pugh is definitely light years ahead of time.

Gareth Pugh S/S10 photos via style.com

my wardrobe want

If there is one collection that I find super wearable, is Celine's S/S 10 collection. This is my ultimate everyday wardrobe want! Phoebe Philo has such a great sense of who she is - that reflects fashion as it's really lived, rather than anything arty or conceptual. Versatile for the everyday work – social kind of easiness. The luxurious touch of sportiness makes this classy utilitarianism sexy. The restrained palette of camel, beige, white, and black adds to the provocative message this collection carries. Simple, grown-up and sophisticated.
If this is any indication to go by, then I am very looking forward to her next collection for Winter.

Celine S/S10 photos via style.com

work it baby, work it

Digital, pigital revolution. Aaaaahhhh.... well, you got to hand it to these people who keep on pushing the envelope. With so many ideas and platforms to show off photos as best possible on the internet, Boudicca’s is a great idea. Their Spring look book is entitled Real Girl. Upon clicking onto the website, you are greeted by photo shots of models, a bit like a repetitive puppet show, posing intermittently every few seconds. Obviously, me the nosy person I am, needed to investigate further, so clicked on each and every individual photo. The page changes and shows a mini cam at one corner of the ceiling with the enlarged shot of the dress and different model movements. Fun, yet realistic. Net-a-porter shopping could be so much easier this way. Another iPhone app in the making – take note!

Boudicca Spring '10 photos via www.realgirl.platform13.com

all about the dress

The Serbian-born fashion designer Roksanda Ilincic is very tall and very beautiful. I know of course, as I met the designer herself during Vogue’s Fashion Night Out not so long ago. Draped in a very beautiful satin dress of her creation, she casually matched it with very cool sneaks. One may think that Ilincic only designs for very tall, very beautiful women — a suspicion that was finally laid to rest when she collaborated to design a capsule collection of dresses for Whistles.

A really beautiful fluid collection and vibrant use of colours. The details on the dresses speak for themselves. Have obviously tried on my top 2 favourite styles. The strapless black number is called "Wolfberry" with plastic corsages and the later is ''Foxglove''. Which do you think I picked? A definite feel-good feeling about these fun creations. Bring on the party season!

(Dresses by Roksanda Ilincic for Whistles, Bracelet by FE)

pastels

Looking at the S/S 10 Fendi collection jogged my memory that I had this dress also in a similar shade. I think there elements from both the catwalk images that can be seen in this dress. I really love the pastel minty colour and have paired it with these very snazzy silver shoes. Quite disco-like. The bracelets are also a recent addition and have been permanently attached to my wrists no matter what kind of outfits I seem to don. Have been getting a lot of attention as a result.

Fendi S/S10 images via style.com
(Dress from H&M, shoes from New Look, bracelets by FE)

studdalot

I am lusting after these blue babies (photo via jakandjil.com)

(Top, skirt & belt from Whistles, thrifted necklace, cuffs from Marc by Marc Jacobs)

coco rico

So, everybody has been talking about the Chanel show, the whole 'Howdy - yee - haa' theme, the models being back up singers and the 3-way romp with Lagerfeld's toy boy Baptiste (yes, quite tasty). Don't get me wrong, j'dored (if there is such a word) the show.

My references are slightly different though. I loved the romanticism of the Coco Avant Chanel film, the iconic references in costumes, also loved the show that Karl put on this time and the SHOES!! The Coco Paris bottle is also one of my favourite images by Daisy de Villeneuve (wish I owned it). To summarise, this is just a collage of some of my favourite Chanel images/moments. (with big homage to the Breton stripes of course!)

Bonne journée!!

Coco Paris by Daisy de Villeneuve courtesy of Eleven Gallery (www.elevenfineart.com)

Chanel S/S10 images via style.com
(Top & skirt from H&M, scarf from Zara)

the one that got away

I know it is all about art. And one that got away, of which I forgot to take a photo of was Paola Pivi's Sans Titre 2007. You have to imagine this in your head. The leopard looking dazed and lying down on a white base surrounded by a gazillion cups of fake cappuccino. Obviously looking like it had far too many of them in the first place. Rrrraahhhh!!!

Frustratingly, I have not been able get a photo of that exact shot. But have been able to share 2 other shots out of the 4 via Galerie Perrotin. The image that got away... had already been sold when I saw it. Wonder who bought.....

jesus!!!

Walking past the Gagosian Gallery stand, I came across this painting by Richard Prince. Totally and utterly hilarious. Most of the visitors to the stand were giggling quietly upon reading the whole joke. To add to the appeal, he apparently dreamed about this joke.

One thing that I really liked about the whole painting was the retro caricature. There is something about this that spells out elegant sex appeal.

If you would like to learn more about the artist, you can visit his website on www.richardprinceart.com

Questions-for-my-Father 2008

At the Frieze Art Fair, I came across this artwork by Karl Haendel. It looks unassuming and the materials used are pencil on paper. Simple yet provocative. Sadly it had already been sold earlier in the morning.

friezeartfrieze

Hix Restaurant & Bar

Cute little doggy sculpture

Kinda bummed to leave now....



What a beautiful day on Thursday to be able to go to the Frieze Art Fair in Regents Park. The energy is electrifying as the city is overrun by artists, curators, buyers and sellers. Amanda Sharp and Matthew Slotover have that rare quality of making everything seem possible. Despite having no experience of putting on events, they just got on and did it in a seamless and effortless way! But the more important aspect of what they have created is the positive fall-out all over the city. This week, all over London, there have been openings and parties in museums and galleries timed around Frieze.

There is something for everyone - a real diversion from the bleakness and a light at the end of the tunnel! If you are in London and have time this weekend, try and have an outing to Regents Park, even if it just to see the temporary sculptures or just to people-gaze outside Frieze. That in itself is an inspiring treat!

(Coat, top, skirt & shoes from Zara)

scenes of change

The weather has been ironic this year. Spring /Fall/Winter - no real difference or change apart from living permanently under an umbrella. So although S/S10 just previewed, I am hoping that the weather will reflect the mood of the clothes or vice versa....hmmm....climate change indeed.

Duro Olowu's S/S10 collection just captures the mood for Spring/Summer. Serene, sublime... and hopefully subliminal.

Duro Olowu's S/S10 photos courtesy of style.com

++

I love my daily dosage of Fake Karl's Guide to Life. You know, it's like a vitamin injection or some other potent stuff that you consume so that you look 15 forever! Anyway, today's pearl of wisdom is about FATTIES. Hmm.... I totally get what Fake Karl is saying. Soooooooo TRUE.

What the Keiser said:
This Plus-Sized Business
Goodness me, I woke up this morning to a deluge of mail regarding comments of mine that were published all over the world, even in Cat Lovers Daily, Cat Lovers Weekly, Cat Lovers Digest, Feline Fanciers Fortnightly and so on. I was talking about overweight women, not normal women. In other words, I was talking about the fatties. We know about those types, hm? And I was talking about the fatties in context of the runway, and you know, one time we had a "dry run" of a Chanel show with fatties and the runway collapsed! It's a health and safety risk, frankly.Of course, you gannets- meaning the press- take my words out of context and think I'm talking about everybody! I am talking about models. I am not saying the fat mummy from Ohio who eats potato chips all night and watches "Project Runway", saying to her husband "These girls are just too damn skinny" (of course, Project Runway girls aren't proper models anyway.)That's all. You may all proceed to continue eating your potato chips in front of your television-computer screen, or feeling superior to the rest of the readers of this blog because you aren't eating potato chips.

But skinnies can still chomp on potato chips and choc without having to fear no? 2 bags surely can't make you a fatty in a day.... Hehehehhheh

layer cake

Bbbrrrrrrr........ the weather is definitely turning now. Although there hasn't been much of a summer. Pants. Today's weather is chhhhiilly. Definitely calling for some layering as you never know how mild it may turn out to be throughout the rest of the day. Definitely do not like the 'I piled on all my winter clothing look and cannot take it off and now at midday (because one item removed will make me look odd) I look like a wet dog and smell like one too' look. So, elegant layering is the right calling me thinks anyways.

(Top from Whistles, leggings & hoodie from H&M, cardigan from UO, scarf from Zara, bracelet by FE, pendant watch & ring by Marc Jacobs)

petit louboutin

Monsieur Louboutin to come up with 3 customised and reshaped Barbie dolls, complete with tiny shoe boxes.... I DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you think Barbie needs reshaping? Cosmetic surgery? Fatter ankles? Stubbier toes? Which designer do you think should re-arrange or reshape her body part/parts?

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

jammin'

Anish Kapoor @ RA

My, my, my.... what an exhibition! Apparently 2 years in the making, this showcase consists among other things, 30 tonnes of blood red wax. I think this is a very playful and bemusing collection of works that does manage to make you question the role of the institution, artist and you the viewer in the making of great works of art. A bit like Alice in Wonderland, the various installation pieces evoke a certain playfulness. The gory bit or should I say messy bit is - 2007 Shooting the Corner. This employs wax, time and power to make it work in the space. A strange canon sits alongside a wall of wax bullets waiting to catch the enemy unaware. Every twenty minutes a black boiler suited attendant (who looks a splitting image of Tom Welling (of Smallville fame)) dutifully performs the silent ritual of filling the paint canon. Pistons sound, pressure builds and then just as you have started to drift off with the hum of the engine ‘bang ‘ a red wax bullet shots across the room defecating the white walls and gilded stucco of the museum with blood red wax. Messy...

The hall of mirrors is rather humorous. In this room and in every reflective edge of each work you meet you, the viewer, reflected again and again. The first image you see is you entering the room in a Hitchcookesque rear view mirror shaped wave of stainless steel that is aptly called Vertigo. Step around it and in this view the room is turned upside down whilst you shrink and float in the space. Whilst Non Object (Door) splits your reflection squarely down the middle and has you wondering how the magician managed it with his clever techniques for bending reality and materials. Think these make great collectible items especially if you have a large estate.

My favourite bit? When I am pregnant installation. Beautiful. Amazing.

The exhibition runs till 11 December. What are you waiting for?

Photos courtesy of Royal Academy

fancy candy

That was the mood at the Rykiel show this time around. Lots of buzz following the announcement about her collaboration with H&M and also finally entering the blogosphere realm with a posting by Garance (great shots of Sonia at work and fittings taking place at her HQ). The French are breaking the rules.... slowly but surely.

And the show, you ask?? Well, it was fun, fun, fun. Karlie, Freja, Imogen, Siri and all the other models truly evoked the mood - having fun sashaying down the catwalk and blowing air kisses while MJ tunes blared in the background. It was all in keeping with the mood of the collection. Bright, young, fun and candy coloured.

Bisous!!

Get your mits on Sonia Rykiel for H&M out 20th February 2010.

Or, for an earlier kick on those cosy, sexy winter nights, part 1 (of this collaboration) of Sonia Rykiel for H&M lingerie collection kicks of on 5th December 2009. For more information, visit http://www.hm.com/

Sonia Rykiel S/S10 photos via style.com