Vuk Vidor Broken Heroes

Have been feeling quite sad of late, too much stuff keeps on happening, it's kind of relentless really everything from serious ill health which is the worst bit to the annoying washer dryer finally being taken away to the white goods highway. To a leak from my neighbour upstairs causing my kitchen ceiling to cave in, too the pressures of dissertation writing my confidence has taken a teeny beating and flown south. A bit like Vik Vidors fallen super heroes. Not that I'm a super she hero or anything but when I got the invitation to painter come multi medium artist Vuk Vidor solo show Superheroes it struck a chord.

Tonight 6-9 pm at the Magda Danysz gallery Vuk Vidor reflects his perspective on current events namely the influence of the ultra power the United States and the plight of its fallen super invincibles. American comic book style illustration depicting super-heroes as a little sad even pathetic and dejected by the very system they fight to protect.. Did Captain America fully understand the risks he was taking? but then does anyone especially where loves concerned. Vidor's illustrations show the super heroes hero lost and without super power. He dies the ultimate death inflicted by evil over good, Vidors Captain America is crucified.

Vidor uses large format painting, laser cut sculpture and an extra installation in the project room about the ego of the artist presenting himself as a hero in a statue made of gold. Combining spiritual depth and comic symbols he demonstrate that "even the super-heroes can’t save us any more, not even from a recession. Vuk Vidor’s heroes aren't strong enough to carry the American dream, now thats sad..

Preview tonight 28 nov 2009 6-9PM
Galerie Magda Danysz 78 rue Amelot
Paris 11

Because Magazine e-pop shop..!

We kept our ears close to London's cold grey pavement and picked up rumblings of a little surprise. Because Magazine the brand spanking new online destination for style and culture, here in the UK are about to launch e-pop up shop. Perfectly timed for Chrimbo, they have on offer some prize goodies in limited amounts. Lara Bohinc, Duro Olowu, Mechante shoes, we love Ashish! Look out for his sequined cherry jumper as well as the perfect Mother of Pearl neoprene jacket and a floral headpiece from cult milliner Noel Stewart. New pieces added daily from the end of the month complete with signature Because videos and music. Don't forget there wont be many of these available at because so its worth getting in there !

Raymond vs Raymond

Shared or leaked ..authentic or spin I sat on these for a couple of days.. for ethical reasons of course. I'm not entirely sure whether these being pushed by publicity or someone genuinely took a few pictures of artwork in progress while it was being edited in Photoshop. If you like body art then you might appreciate Ushers art brushed, we assume, tattooed torso. Raymond vs Raymond is Ushers new album, to save confusion its the album formery known as 'Monster' allegedly ;-) this is the album artwork doing the rounds on tinternet..

Beatnik-vs-Akemnji Last Train To Paris

Wakey wakey its 9am! "London's always freezing cold in March".. (oh goosh that's so true.) and so say the lyrics of the new track from the flaming hot duo and very nice musicians.. its BEATNIKS vs Akemnji "Last Train To Paris". Why do i sound like a VJ on Top of the Pops or something ! but If your feeling electro and in need of a morning pick me up have a listen to electronic sounds from London, Brother and sister compadres Beatnik . The track's all about being in love and stuff, personally not a great moment for me, not the track. I'm just not lucky in the love department actually I'd go so far as to say darn right unlucky but anyway. Back to Beatniks, DJ Nicky and Statis have a listen Last Train to Paris is bubbling click here for the free download or listen to it on Soundcloud .. enjoy

Nele Azevedo

1000 miniature melting people sitting in a row.. sounds a like a nursery rhyme but actually its literally a temporary installation by Brazilian artist Nele Azevedo. For a time, 30 minutes to be precis, these miniatures were sat poised on the steps of Gendarmen Market Square in Berlin to draw attention to the effects of global warming. A thought provoking link that highlights the irreversible damage to the ice caps melting in Greenland and Antarctica. Azevedo has blog which is written in Portuguese, Google does a poor translation so here's a link to an article about her political artwork in a September issue of the UK's Daily Mail.

Afro Pop Art: Politics, Life and Lyrics

I was privileged to meet critically acclaimed artist, Lemi Ghariokwu at the Arc gallery, where he was exhibiting his new body of work titled "Afro Pop Art: Politics, Life and Lyrics". His name may not ring a bell but his work definitely will, designing 2000 album covers, Lemi Ghariokwu is renowned for his culturally, iconic work with Afro-beat legend Fela Kuti. He designed 26 covers for Fela including 'Yellow Fever' and 'Zombie'. All the way from Nigeria, Ghariokwu brings cultural awareness, political narration and realism relevant to Britain in exploding vibrant shapes and colours with a dash of wit.

His present movement or "brand new biscuits" as he called it with an exciting grin, is a reinvention of himself and his creativity in order to stay relevant to the times. Still providing social commentary through his art work, he explained that his new use of digital and minimalist techniques was a challenging process because he was moving away from his comfort zone of traditional methods. However, unlike his previous body of works, Afro-pop art challenges the viewer to think and decipher messages within the art rather than it being spelled out for you and literally you have to spell it out for yourself as a in the case of the "Eyesite" piece. Now have a go yourself....

Pepper Okwesa

Art of the Trench

What is it about social media that so beguiling? Burberry recently launched its Art of the Trench website. And we have to say the brands sharp focus on its heritage staple the classic trench and the polished and pretty people who wear them is alright in effective stacks.
A promotional 'social media' microsite thats shared on twitter, delicious and facebook features photographs taken by the 'straight up' blogger The Sartorialist Scott Schuman.
Curious visitors create a personalised selection of images by using filters, the expected categories like gender and colour are there. On top of that you get a bit of humour trench's and rain are synonymous with British weather right! So with that in mind the boys and girls at Burb's have included searching by weather wet, bright and cloudy and if you want the full effect you can add styling to the list to get an idea of what that might look like belted or undeleted! Overall the whole project we rate it! It adds a touch of street cred to Burberry.

All Walks Beyond The Catwalk

If you missed it the image industry is being prodded into taking a stand to include a far more diverse range of models into current extremely narrow repertoire. The All Walks initiative is pioneered by Caryn Franklin, Debra Bourne, Erin O'Connor and Susan Ringwood. They have a simple goal in a vein similar to Collens Real Women and the Goks Wans plus size ladies who road test his fashion picks.

"To challenge the imagery coming out of London Fashion Week and represent real women more realistic range of women, in age, size and race, than standards currently offer. The project has the potential to grow in terms of reach, education and, ultimately, influence.Diverse is size, shape, age and although it doesn't specify one hopes race and ethnicity. "

All Walks Beyond the Catwalk from ALL WALKS BEYOND THE CATWALK on Vimeo.

Director Jay Rodans All Walks Beyond the catwalk documentary..

"Awareness has been raised by showcasing the work of 8 cutting-edge designers on a 8 professional models aged between 18-65 and size 8-16, as a celebration of individuality and diversity. First, it needed a name. All Walks Beyond the Catwalk was conceived; and to be a success with the fashion press, not just the buyers, the event had to happen from the heart of London Fashion Week. Caryn, Erin and Debra also knew they needed to appeal to the top names in the industry to help pull it off"

I'd like this post to join the other supporters of 'All Walks' and other voices like Naomi Campbell, Nick Knight, Vivienne Westwoord et al who are vocal about the lack of diversity in contemporary fashion imagery. And make an earnest petition to the influential gatekeepers to lend a ear or a lens to a extremely important message..

Ruth Hogben on Daily Motion

Ruth Hogben, ASVOFF'09 Jury Prize Winner, Gareth Pugh film
Uploaded by AShadedView. - Watch original web videos.

Working through the research I'm gathering around fashion film I came across this short video interview of 'A Shaded View Of Fashion Film' talking to ASVOFF 2009 Communication Prize winner Ruth Hogben. Ruth prize was awarded for her work on Gareth Pughs A/W 09 film which was shown at Paris Fashion Week an addition to him showing at New York. If you have an interest in the digital fashion video this is a short clip with Ruth talking about working with Nick Knight, Garth Pugh and interesting comments on the genre of 'fashion film'.

Popeye in Trouville

The PR machines are working overtime with invitations to preview spring summer 2010 collections. Menswear designer Omar Kashoura new collection 'Popeye in Trouville' has my attention its the pebbles you see. They remind me of lazy days sitting on Brighton's pebble beach, everything about it including the collaboration with accessories designer Jarah Stoop orange leather & jute overnight bag with the pebble print lining struck a cord. Not one for sun bathing when I head down to Brighton which i do fairly frequently and can usually be found sitting fully robed on the crowded beach surrounded by a gazillion little grey rounded stones.

bag by Jarah Stoop..


Out of Kashoura's 16 looks there are a few pieces in the collection that I have my eye on, Now obviously this is menswear but the peachy salmons, sheer prints and fem palette are sufficiently delicate enough to be worn by 'olive oyls in maida hill' girlies. Take for instance the sheer pebble print vest above, the bright white shirt with love heart shaped detail where lapels would be #13 in the look book image below and the burgundy pvc festival pac-a-mac #16. A final observation from his S/S 2010 look book, the soft tailoring and the bright orange and turquoise laces on white brogues make the footwear pop! again.. subtle hints of the softer side to this collection.

Njal the biggest and the..

faux fur jacket by nina nikicio / leather jacket by gemma slack

Re-blogged direct from NJAL's newsletter they've just announced that as of this month NJAL ..Not Just a Label is giving ALL its designers the opportunity to directly sell their pieces, transforming each lookbook into individual online stores. Be ready with your plastic thats because thats the entire NJAL stable!

No retail politics, picky buyers or expensive distributors, but direct contact between shoppers and creators. With NJAL's thorough quality control and distinguished customer care, online shopping will be even more exciting! The entire selection launches in December, supported by an A-list celebrity curato.. any clues as to who that might be ?


London College of Fashion alumni footwear designer Sophie Cox sharing the delights of studying at UAL.


images courtesy of NJAL

Jada Style

There’s a common thread that runs through stylists and fashionista’s alike, after trying their creative hands in styling they gather their experiences, wealth of contacts and fashion secrets and set up shop. This has pretty much been the case for lipstick entrepreneur (curious?..read all about these special ladies on Jezebel) Jada Pollock. Trading under the 'Jada Styles' 25 year old Jada hasn’t giving up styling completely, rather she's mashed it all up and has styling, image consulting, personal shopping, and now boutique owner to add to her credentials. Retailing both on and offline in a small self named e-store and buzzer only access boutique on London's Kings Road. She has a taste for lux brands that have an air of prem league footballers about it, like Takeshy Kurosawa and a little liking for blingy rosary's nothing like faithful fashion eh! So we're new to Jada's choice in Takeshy Kurosawa and had a rummage to see what else the brands up to.


Found the making of A/W 09 video on YouTube and as you know already we're having a moment watching and embedding digital fashion videos so although Takeshy isn't particularly concept led its definitely a move in the digital direction and its alright.. a bit of fun .. if your into taking your mannequin for a walk!

Pepper Okwesa

Omars 'Love Song'

Having been raised to appreciate real talent I hark back to music that I really.. really love..
albums like 'there's nothing like it'.. 'music'.. 'for pleasure' by Omar will forever be classics.
I know him as a muso, but a thespian he also is Omar Lye Fook has again taken to the stage and not for the first time. Love Song is written and directed by Che Walker stars Omar as well features his music and lyrics. If your in London and you havent had the opportunity to taken Omar's music check out him out on myspace then head out to RADA Friday 13th Malet Street, London WC1 7HZ or contact info for further details..

WHAT !? A/W 09 #3

WHAT?! magazine #3 is out, and #4 is around the corner. I'm posting these because the pull out poster themed publication is hard to come by but if you can find a copy it will set you back a whole 92p.. Remember the retro colloquialism 'hunky' well Nick Kamen of the Levis laundry TV advert circa 1985 was.. and absolutely still is.. ! hmmm if as Karen says 'age is a lifestyle' then the style regimes begins today.

The lady in grey is typical of our Nora.. if you do search in this ol blog Nora will come up more than a few time. Are we biased is it favouritism? maybe just a little bit but that's because we love the way she mashes ugly beautiful life experience and beauty and offers layers under layers. Inspired by Muslim faith and it requirement of women to practice modesty in dress, cover ups and war.. if you look closely the models face is covered in newsprint and images of war. Its subtle but theres a message there. Photographer Jillian Lochner and nails by Kavita Kaul. And to multi tasking Karen Binns stylist come publisher best of luck with What!?