Hollywood Costume

There has been hype behind the Hollywood Costume exhibition at the V&A for some time now and having finally gone on Thursday I certainly understand now, being one of the best exhibitions i'd seen in a while. The exhibition's success came not just from the vast variety of costumes but how they were curated. The exhibition went the extra step to explore the role of costume in films and the work by the designer and director and actors. The use of film and technology was well placed and helped add understanding and depth to the exhibition. Being a bit of a film geek, I found myself throughout the exhibition having to hold back my excitement as we came across costumes nearly a hundred years old and worn by the most amazing people. The Audrey Hepburn dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's to the school robes worn by Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter to the Batman suit worn in The Dark Knight Rises were just some of the pieces which left me feeling elated.

Toby Maguire's Spider Man costume

The Finale room

Although I feel the exhibition deserves all the publicity it has been receiving, it did mean that for a Thursday afternoon it was extraordinary busy. There were times were I felt I couldn't spend too long looking a certain costume or listening to a designer talk about their work in the films and I was shocked how rude and selfish people could be sometimes. Given this I'd love to go back another time later in the run once the hype has quietened to get a real look at some of the pieces, if your going yourself I'd suggest you think cannily about when you go, avoid half term and definitely book.

Of course I couldn't end this post without mentioning a piece of cinema legend. The ruby red slippers worn by Julie Garland in the film the Wizard of Oz. It felt oddly breath taking to just see them alone.

Do See Eat

DO check out Tim Walker: Story Teller. The fashion photographer has his own exhibition displaying his work from across his career (free of charge) at Somerset House until the 27th January. His work is one of a kind with each photo telling a story either alone or within a series. His use of props, setting and narrative take his photographs beyond the standard fashion photography and your be sure to recognise it however it is definitely worth going to see as a collective.

Sugar-crystallized roses and cream 2010

Fantasia on a nautical theme 2010

Malgosia Bela and the fallen guardsmen 2009

'One Small step for Man, One Giant Leap for Mankind'
Gary Peach 2009

Grace Coddington and hairbrush 2011

SEE Perks of Being a Wallflower if you still haven't! A film that captures the emotions of growing up beautifully. Both directed and the screen by written by the author Stephan Chbosky the film sometimes feels like it would have benefited from an outer perspective however all three of the leading actors are great. Though Emma Watson's American accent is debatable at times she's stunning as Sam and a successful career move, with you not once thinking of her as Hermione Granger. Logan Lerman's narrative leaves you close to tears and the We need to talk about Kevin actor Ezra Miller makes another successful career move.

EAT broccoli it's good for you. At least that's what my mum used to tell me. 

Maison Martin Margiela for H&M

Last night in New York the Margiela and H&M collaboration was revealed. A beautiful, crumbling building in Manhattan played host art installations, contemporary dance choreographed by Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker and fashion icons from Sarah Jessica Parker to Kanye West.

(Photo from Telegraph.co.uk)

(Photo from Vogue.co.uk)

5 images shot by Sam Taylor-Johnson show the Belgium designer's AW collection for H&M filled with winter coats in cool, neutral colours and fine tailoring. The collection will be in store and online on the 15th November. For pieces more than a quarter of Margiela's normal collections I know where I'll be on the 15th!

The Mermaid Ball

I was one of the fortunate few who stood sweating in the ridiculously hot London Aquarium last Saturday night to see Azealia Banks perform at her Mermaid Ball (costume not obligatory) and boy was she worth it.

Entering the aquarium greeted by free popcorn, drinks and candy floss to wonder through the almost empty aquarium felt like a sneaky experience, there after everybody else had gone home. Once the doors opened into the next room people rushed through into the small space to get ready to see Azealia Banks perform. While some people made no effort at all with costumes through out the night we found ourselves chatting with people in costumes made simply from cardboard fish stuck to them to the winner of the mermaid costume competition with a Brazilian festival style head dress, sequinned skirt and heels to match.

Our not quite so impressive outfits

Though we were left waiting (and sweating) for a few hours before Azealia come onto stage accompoined by the beautiful Cara Delevingne, we were kept entertained and our excitedment was built by a load of singers, DJ's and rappers. But Azealia was the best of all, she kept each song relatively short to keep up the pace of her set, the audience on their toes and dancing like mad. Her songs 1991 and Liquorice were amazing but her well known 212, which has been playing everywhere all summer, was the most exceptional closing song I've ever bore witness to. As the music start the entire room turned into an entire mosh pit and danced non stop! An amazing gig and I'll be jumping at the chance to ever see her again.

The Live Version (not quite the best)

 Or watch her official video here 

Warm Up act

Azealia Banks

Great British Bake Off

I'm know for a fact I'm not the only one obsessed with the Great British Bake Off. It never fails to make you laugh from either the baking disasters or Mary Berry; there is even an entire tumbler dedicated to her biting into things.At 8pm every Tuesday it is the solid topic on twitter and within my house and tonight is no different. If anything the hype is heightened with the final! This week we have to look forward to the three finalists tackling for the signature task a pithivier. For the hardest technical challenge yet they contestants must face fondant fancies and for the final show stopper task the last master pieces will be made with chiffon sponge.

Of the three finalist, Brendan, James and John. My vote lies with James. Every week he does something different and more often than not more successfully. His improvised Gingerbread abandoned barn was a real highlight and inspired me to want to create my own gingerbread igloo.

Ginger Bread Barn

Rose, Lychee and Raspberry Tart

If you want to try any of the technical challenges yourself or have a go at one of those amazing show stoppers you can check them all out HERE.
And if you are one of the few people who haven't watched this series, it isn't too late to start. All episodes are still on BBC iplayer.

Chewy Nut and Chocolate Chip Cookies

On Monday night I found myself in the position of my dad's looming birthday and no present. Panicking with no idea what to buy a middle aged man other than alcohol I decided to make Cookies and leave them for him to find before he heads off to work.
Here is the recipe for my deliciously moorish cookies. Be warned you won't be able to eat just one!

Ingredients: 

8oz butter
9oz caster sugar
1 egg
5oz plain flower
1tsp baking powder
1tsp bicarbonate of soda
1/2tsp cinnamon
1/2tsp ginger
5oz rolled oats
1oz cashew nuts blanched and roughly chopped
4oz hazelnuts blanched and roughly chopped
2oz flaked almonds roughly chopped
3 1/2oz plain chocolate roughly chopped into chips
4oz dried apricots or raisins finely chopped
3 1/2oz plain chocolate (to drizzle)

1. Preheat the oven to gas mark 4/ 180C/ 350F and grease a large baking tray.
2. In a large bowl mix the butter, sugar and egg. Sieve in the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and ginger and oats. Once well mixed together add the nuts, dried fruit and chocolate chips. 
3. Spoon tablespoons of mixture onto the baking tray well apart and shape the spoonfuls into circles. 
4. Place the baking tray into the oven and bake for 12 mins or until the cookies are golden brown. Don't over bake or they will loose their chewy texture. However if you want them crunchy bake for a few minutes longer. 
5. Once baked move the cookies onto a cooling rack. In a heatproof bowl break the drizzling chocolate into over a pan of boiling water. Once the chocolate is melted drizzle it with a fork over the cooled cookies. Leave the chocolate to cool on the rack. Et Voila! You have delicious chewy, nutty, chocolate cookies. 

Using baking paper and some red ribbon I made a little bundle my Dad could take to work with him, and wrote out "Happy Birthday" in scrabble letters. Cheap and personal, the perfect birthday present for my Dad.

Do, See, Eat

It's only Wednesday night, but with Frieze art week upon us it was time to start looking towards my must do, see and eat in London this weekend.

DO go and check out Frieze art fair this weekend. With galleries and events all around London if you don't want to pay you can still be part of the action. Students tend to be free at most venues, just make sure you have your student card on you! PAD London on at Berkeley Square has modern is showing modern art, contemporary design, tribal art and jewellery from across the globe. If you are a member of the V&A you'll have been sent a Day Invitation for PAD London with the V&A Magazine.

Hedda Gabler (Image from The Old Vic website) 

SEE Hedda Gabler at the Old Vic if you haven't already. Sheriden Smith is absolutely fantastic as the leading lady and your guaranteed to be left in shock. If your 25 or under you can go for just £12 so no excuses.
Yet if you feel something more upbeat, totally cheesy and sure to get you on your feet dancing by the end then Some Like It Hip Hop may be a better choice. Brought to you by ZooNation Dance Company, the creators of Into the Hoods, at The Peacock Theatre they bring you another dance show which leaves you wishing you could do flips, the splits and have just a little rhythm. Check out a 2 minute sneak peek HERE.

Some Like it HipHop. (Photos from Sadlers Wells website) 

EAT at Pimlico Fresh in (your never guess it!) Pimlico if scrambled eggs on toasts, smoothies and giant bowls of salad takes your fancy. Perfect for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Prices around £15pp. I'd recommend the veggie scrambled eggs on toast filled with spinach, tomatoes and feta. Be warned you will leave feeling very full.
If american pancakes and a fry up is your preference for breakfast, brunch or lunch then I'd suggest The Breakfast Club. Dotted around London, they're somewhere everyone must go at some point (and the walls are the proof)! Though be warned you will probably have to queue. Again around £15pp.

AKA Peace

The AK-47 was one of the first assault rifles and developed by the end of WWII. So have 23 artists used these weapons to help world peace with Peace One Day? By auctioning them off of course! On the 4th October each one of the specially commissioned rifles were auctioned off at Phillips de Pury & Co, raising over £471,000.

The 23 artists involved:
Jake and Dinos Chapman
Damien Hirst
Antony Gormley
Sam Taylor Wood
Gavin Turk
Solange Azagury-Partridge
Rebecca Warren
Stuart Semple
Tim Noble and Sue Webster
Douglas Gordon
Jeremy Deller
Marc Quinn
Ryan Gander
Jim Lambie
Langlands & Bell
Mat Collishaw
Harland Miller
Bran Symondson
Sarah Lucas
Charming Baker
Antony Micallef
Nancy Fouts
Laila Shawa

Dublin

This weekend I was privileged to go to the Dublin Theatre Festival with my mum. This was my first visit to Ireland since I was a baby and it was certainly different to what I expected. We got to eat delicious food in gorgeous cake shops as well as the most amazing breakfasts at The Shelbourne Hotel.

Of course the real reason we we're there was for the theatre. Unfortunately the curse of awful shows caused by my own mother and my friends being the theatre together hit more than once, but we we're still able to see some great shows. Eternal Rising of the Sun by HotforTheatre was touching. Although another relatively depressing story the use of dance in this one woman show gave a sense of optimism, of hope and of the change achieved by just trying. You can watch the trailer HERE.

The stained glass dome in the reception of the hotel

Alexander McQueen SS13

Now available on  line, you can watch the Alexander McQueen SS13 show HERE.

"The collection is a study of femininity. We looked at erotica. Vargas girls, cages, corsets and crinolines and the idealisation of the female form. Nothing is set in a particular period. It's about sensuality and skin but not nudity. We also wanted to express lightness, for the clothes almost to hover over the women who wear them." Sarah Burton

What a day in Paris

Channel, Alexander McQueen and Valentino; the lucky one's in Paris have been spoilt today.

The clean cuts and feminine 50's shape in the ever beautiful Valentino created a sophisticated look, while the touches of leather, nude and lace added a sexy edge. Watch the show here.

Karl Langfield, true to form, pulled out all the stops. The catwalk of solar panels surrounded by columns of wind turbines was enough to get heads turning alone.

   
If it could be said that Valentino had a sense of the 50's to it, Channel's accessories certainly felt very 60's; the era of all change in fashion and certainly it seemed that way at Channel today. The iconic Channel pearls were oversized and so was the redesigned quilted handbag. The well known tweed jacket was still around but the use of colour, shape and pattern felt like something yet again new for Channel and really felt summery (for lack of a better word). Truly different to the image first formed by the name Channel.

Yet with the traditional elements of Channel redesigned and new pops of colour, Langfield managed to maintain true Channel elegance, perhaps proving with the use of setting a traditional brand like Channel certainly has a place in the future.

The show I was most excited about to today was of course Alexander McQueen. Being unable to watch it live was almost unbearable but twitter was my savour. From photo's alone it seems Sarah Burton's hit gold yet again. The vintage feel from the collection from the use of nudes and boning felt like underwear as outerwear, going back to traditional structures yet twisting it by revealing the structure of the clothes. Showing the structure of the design is nothing but beautiful, and the feminine figure accentuated by the full skirts and small waists is traditionally elegant. Burton's collection feels very grown up, but the change in colours and hem line, and with the appearance of some sparkle keeps it's playful. 

Alexander McQueen photos from the amazing Susie Bubble and @WorldMcQueen on twitter

If unlucky enough to be anywhere else but Paris this week the best place I recommend to see all that is going on is twitter. My top 5 people to follow are:

Liberty London Girl

Susie Bubble

Vogue.co.uk

Fashion Foie Gras

and the designers themselves. @WorldMcQueen posted most show looks and @MaryKatrantzou has been amazing too.