Madame Gres retrospective, Paris

If you're in Paris, then I cannot recommend highly enough the beautiful Madame Gres exhibition at the charming Mussee Bourdelle.Inspired is an understatement...

Madame Gres: La couture a l'oeuvre runs until July 24th 2011
Musée Bourdelle
16 rue Bourdelle
75015 Paris
www.bourdelle.paris.fr

Yohji Yamamoto at the V&A

I went to the press preview of the Yohji Yamamoto retrospective exhibition at the V&A museum on Thursday, and I was truly astounded by the intricacy, beauty - and ultimately the appeal of the pieces on display.

Yamamoto is renowned for his androgynous and experimental designs, but what struck me most about the exhibition was that the concept never overtook the beauty of the clothing.

In addition to mens and womenswear clothing and accessories spanning his illustrious 30 year career, there are also videos of his spectacular catwalk shows - so experimental they often resemble an art install
more than a catwalk show.

there are also mannequins are hidden around the V&A, so you get to stumble across 1990s Japanese avant gardism poised amongst sixteenth century warrior's swords. Oh how I love the V&A!

Yohji Yamamoto at the V&A run from March 12th until July 10th 2011.
Victoria & Albert Museum
Cromwell Road
London
SW7 2RL

Mounir Fatmi's skateboards

I've had this image saved on my desktop for ages now, and every time I look at it I love it more, so I thought it high time I share it with you.

Skateboards - an item intrinsically linked with fun, are upholstered with in prayer rugs - something associated with seriousness and respect.

The contrasting juxtaposition is one which makes a very pretty picture. I hope you’ll agree...

As seen at Miami Art Basel. For more information on Mounir Fatmi, please visit www.mounirfatmi.com

Hermes online auction

An auction of silk scarves by French luxury house Hermès is being held online, and pieces from the extensive archive are available to view – and buy, here.

The designs vary from intricate hand drawn animals to bold nautical imagery. Many of the designs reference aristocratic French country life – with imagery of hanging rabbits and pistol guns depicted in fine silk.

In addition to the elaborate motifs, I also love the names of the scarves, ‘An Homage to Mozart ‘, ‘Tarot’ and ‘Dead Rabbits’ are just a few that made me smile, and below are some of my favourite designs.

 

 

 

Prices start at a rather reasonable 80 euros, so if anyone would like to give me an early birthday present, please see below for suggestions!

If it's good enough for Stella...

I absolutely adore these videos made by DJ Pogo, who previously worked for Walt Disney Motion Picture Studios and was contractually obliged to remove them from the internet whilst working for Walt. Now they're back, and they're more charming than ever!

Wishery

Upery

If Stella McCartney approves Disney then who am I to argue?!

Fashion week invitations

My favourite fashion week invitation so far arrived in a lovely big box on a bike. It was Mulberry's origami fortune teller game of course!

You can learn to make your own here

Reggae Britannia

Being a fan of all things reggae, Dub and Ska - and of most things BBC, I've been looking forward to the BBC's Reggae Britannia series for a while now. 

This morning I watched Reggae Britannia on the iPlayer (something else I'm a big fan of!) It was really interesting to understand the dichotomy between British and Jamaican reggae music, and its impact on mainstream pop music - I never knew that Boy George's Culture Club was so heavily influenced by reggae music. Nor, in my ignorance - did I realise the extent of racial division in British culture of the time. It shocked me, and yet it's so recent. 

I highly recommend watching the documentary here and stay tuned for the rest of the series. 

P.S. Straight after watching the show, I had to listen to all the old classics. Here's a few... 

Dreadlock Holiday - 10CC

Natty Dread She Want - Big Youth

Dub Fire - Aswad

loving You - Janet Kay

Everything I Own - Ken Boothe

Cherry Oh Baby - UB40

Back To Life - Soul II Soul

Pass the Dutchie - Musical Youth