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Posts Tagged "fashion"

25 Sep

Design Museum Announces 2010 Exhibitions

Posted by Hannah in Arts, Attractions No Comments

One Laptop Per Child by Yves Behar, Winner of The Brit Insurance Design Awards 2008

The Design Museum today announced a wide-ranging schedule of exhibitions for 2010, covering all aspects of design, from architecture and products to photography and fashion.

The first new show, Sustainable Futures – Can Design Save the World?, opens on 31 March, showcasing designs that could help us live more sustainable lives in the future.

(If you’re interested in sustainable design, don’t miss the Royal College of Art’s current exhibition, Sunny Memories, where you can see prototypes of new solar powered products – from a glowing bench to a mobile charger for homeless people.)

Back at the Design Museum, an exhibition of photos by David Adjaye also opens on 31 March, documenting the architect’s journey through Africa, and celebrating the continent’s rich diversity of culture, buildings and urban landscape.

Next up is Illustrated Fashion, opening on 23 June, which features some of the world’s most recognised fashion drawings, including work by Chanel, Dior, Comme des Garcons and Victor & Rolf. The original drawings will be displayed alongside key garments from couture houses.

Then on 22 September, British architect John Pawson  – whose commissions include the Cistercian Monastery of Novy Dvur in Bohemia, Calvin Klein’s flagship store in Manhattan, and the Sackler Crossing at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – gets a chance to show his work.

Although the contents of Pawson’s exhibition are still to be confirmed, you can expect touchable exhibits, walk-in buildings, large-scale photos of architecture, and a biographical account of how Pawson lives in his own home.

Finally, two of the Design Museum’s regular shows return next year.

Brit Insurance Designs of the Year opens on 17 February. Around 100 designs shortlisted for the prestigious prize will be on display at the museum, arranged in seven categories: architecture, transport, graphics, interactive, product, furniture and fashion.

And from now until March 2010, the Designers in Residence scheme continues, with emerging designers invited to take over an area of the museum.

With a possible move to a new location at London’s Commonwealth Institute in 2013, and a packed year ahead, these are exciting times for the Design Museum.

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21 Sep

Visit London Asks: What Do You Love About Shopping in London?

Posted by Zoe J. Griffiths in Shopping, Special Events 3 Comments

William Baker, Kylie's creative director, is putting on his first-ever catwalk show at Westfield during London Fashion WeekLast week saw the launch of London’s A Christmas Carol, and got us all thinking about London’s history. Thanks to everyone who commented.

This week is London Fashion Week and the capital is being taken over by all things fashionista.

While the main hub of LFW is Somerset House, there are hundreds of events taking place across the city. From art on the Underground to catwalk shows in the Charing Cross hotel; from new waxworks at Madame Tussauds to Kylie’s hotpants designer, William Baker, at Westfield London.

London’s fashion and shopping scenes are really exciting: constantly evolving and changing; among the best in the world.

So as London shows off the best of its fashion designers, models, producers, photographers and parties(!), we want you to tell us what you love about shopping in London.

Is it the great independent boutiques around Carnaby and Seven Dials? The historic shopping area of Covent Garden? The amazing, modern Westfield London shopping centre? The shoppers’ adrenaline rush you get stepping out of Oxford Circus Tube and onto the world’s most famous shopping street? Or do you have a favourite shopping hidden gem that you want to share with the world during this London Fashion Week?

Let us know.

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27 Aug

Zakee Shariff Talks to Visit London at the Launch of her New Pop Up Shop

Posted by Zoe J. Griffiths in Shopping No Comments

Zakee Shariff (left) talks to two fashion journalists

Last night, Zakee Shariff’s new collection for Roxy Heart opened in a pop-up shop within Beyond the Valley in Carnaby. I went down to the launch to meet her.

Head into Newburgh Quarter, behind London’s famous Carnaby Street, and you’ll be welcomed by colourful hieroglyphics on the pavement.

The bright triangles – are they arrowheads? Native American Tepees? Children’s potato prints? – invite you to follow them, through the door of fabulous design boutique Beyond the Valley, and into a room covered floor-to-ceiling in the same triangle print. This is “Fly Like An Eagle”: the Roxy Heart by Zakee Shariff Pop Up Shop.

Surrounded by her gorgeous designs (bright autumn / winter tea dresses, heavy knits and striking t-shirts vie for position alongside statement jewellery and relaxing limited edition artworks), I took a few moments to talk to London-born Zakee about the city she calls home.

Inside the Roxy Heart by Zakee Shariff pop-up shop

Where do you live in London?
Kilburn. I was born and raised in Hammersmith, and I’ve lived in Holloway, but right now I live in Kilburn. I like it; there’s a nice community feel there. Kilburn is its own little world: there’s a lovely park, nice places to eat and drink. It’s great.

What’s great about Newburgh Quarter?
Again, I think it’s that great community feeling. I’ve always loved this street, since I was little. It’s still got such a fantastic range of independent stores; Carnaby’s lost that independent spirit a bit now, but in Newburgh, it’s still there. The shops here are really trying to do something different.

Let us in on a London shopping secret…
My new London shopping secret is Merchant Archive in Queen’s Park. It’s a beautiful second-hand clothes shop. I’d walked past it loads on my way to yoga, and hadn’t gone in. Then, when I did, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t been there sooner! It’s full of beautiful things. And run by a former dental nurse!

Where do you find your inspiration?
Lots of places: street culture; music; travel; spirituality. In London, I like to escape to Hampstead Heath for some quiet – I love it to death! I’m also a reggae lover, so whichever clubs are playing reggae music…

Beyond the Valley and Roxy Heart by Zakee Shariff at 2 Newburgh, London

Are you involved in London Fashion Week?
I’m not actually taking part this year. But I’ll be going along. As an artist, it’s amazing to see all the new designers. There’s a beautiful glasses designer, Prism; I’m really looking forward to seeing their new collection. They’re really different. At the moment, they’re only available in places like Browns and Dover Street Market…  

What is it about London’s Design Scene that gets you excited?
I don’t know exactly. It’s always been the same, the London way; very strong. I love the attitude and strength. It’s not so glamorous now, and I like that. London’s my home, and I love it.

[Roxy Heart by Zakee Shariff is at Beyond the Valley, 2 Newburgh, London, W1 until 26 September]

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17 Jul

Giles Deacon: Fashion in Motion at the Victoria and Albert Museum

Posted by Lettice in Arts 4 Comments

Giles Deacon - Fashion in Motion at the Victoria and Albert Museum

Today the Victoria and Albert Museum treated fashion fans to exclusive live catwalk shows by top British Designer Giles Deacon.

The first Giles Deacon show of the day started a fashionable half-hour late with thunder, lightning and a fairytale floaty dress. This was followed by oversized knitwear, spiky jewelled felt frocks and giant furry helmets.
Giles Deacon - Fashion in Motion at the Victoria and Albert Museum

My favourite piece was a voluminous white dress with a hem that swooped up into a puffball skirt then up further to create a headdress that looked like floppy rabbit ears. I’d wear it.

The show features a retrospective of his favourite designs from the last five years. It’s exciting to see Giles’ work up close and to see him take a quick bow at the end!

Fashion designer Giles Deacon is best known for his bold geometric designs. Celebrities love his clothes (and so do trendy high street shoppers – Giles designs a special clothing range for men and women for New Look)

The V&A stage catwalk shows by the biggest names in fashion as part of their Fashion in Motion series a couple of times a year and the best bit is that you can go for free! You need a ticket but the tickets are free and everyone can queue up and get one. (Be quick, there’s a limited number for each show.)

Find out more about the V&A’s Fashion in Motion series.

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2 Jul

Model behaviour at The Met Bar

Posted by Jo & Jamie from the Met Bar in Special Events 3 Comments

Jeremy Healey and Patsy Kensit at the Met BarHaving caught our breath from last nights model behaviour, we can report on the launch party for Leni’s Model Management (previously Quintessentially Models), which took place at the Met Bar, naturally!

Added Dimension Events created a live installation where guests were treated to an unseen behind the scenes peak at the backstage of a catwalk show. On this hot summer evening, it was only befitting that the models stepped into the Met Bar sporting only this season’s sexiest lingerie. First stop was hair by Brooks & Brooks and make-up by Jemma Kidd. Then, after their first sashay on the runway, they were styled by Clare Watson from new style concierge service Miss Dress, in bright ethereal dresses by Orion, before taking to the podium for their final shot, drawing attention from all in the room.

Meanwhile, guests including Hugh Grant (and his mystery blonde model friend “Cynthia”), Danni Minogue, Terri Seymour, Jeremy Healy and Patsy Kensit sipped on ‘Luscious Leni’ cocktails created by the fabulous Met Bar Mixologist’s and gorged on low-fat cupcakes. As DJ Jeremy Healey’s electro-punk disco tracks filled the air, the party spilled onto Park Lane with Holly Willoughby and Chloe Madeley delaying their Nobu reservations to join in the fun!

As the party came to a close around midnight, guests were last seen clutching their bulging goody bags filled with sweet treats made by James Middleton’s (Kate’s brother nonetheless) very own hands, and beauty products galore (um Jamie – where was mine?!).

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