The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is one of my favourite novels and I've read it countless times, as you can guess I was extremely disappointed not to study it last year, instead I was forced to face the horrors of Small Island (a novel which I detested even with the BBC adaptation starting Naomi Harris and Benedict Cummberbatch).

However I made my own chance to study The Great Gatsby in another context, with my current art project on the "1920's American Dream". I've spent hours looking, drawing and painting everything art deco from furniture to posters to fashions. Looking at the costumes in The Great Gatsby film adaptations and the beautiful dresses at the V&A, I began to compare them to fashion today. Baz Luhrman's film now due to be realised in May 2012 (a day before my birthday in fact), is the most likely cause for the influx of 1920's art deco inspired fashion on the catwalks in the past few seasons.

Quick pencil drawing of dress in the V&A

Trailer for Baz Luhrman's 2013 adaptation of The Great Gatsby with Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Toby Maguire.

I began looking simply at typical art deco fashions with the beautiful Mia Farrow in the 1974 adaptation and Carey Mulligan in the 2013 adaptation of the book.

My own oil pastel drawing of Mia Farrow

Carey Mulligan

Mia Farrow

I wanted too see how these styles which had been recreated for the 1974 and 2013 films had been recreated on the catwalk recently. While Gucci and Etro's SS12 collections reflected the glitz and glam of the decadent era with sequins and rich golds, Ralph Lauren's SS12 used the classic recognisable 1920's cuts but with the popular SS12 sorbet coloured palette.

Ralph Lauren SS12

Gucci SS12

Etro SS12

Looking into 1920's style I realised how truly iconic and recognisable it is with it's dropped waistlines, swishing skirts and new, shorter hemlines reflecting the changing position of women as a result of the war and work of suffragettes as well as the wild and exciting times in a post WW1 where anything seemed possible and you could be whoever you wanted to be.

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

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.

The First Post

Today I visited the Thomas Heatherwick exhibition at the V&A. Completely booked up until it finishes on Sunday 30th September it was completely understandable upon entering. The back of the red routemaster bus remodel is the first thing to be noticed from the ticket office and begins to build the well deserved expectations. 
Perhaps most widely and recently known for his design of the Olympic Cauldron in the London 2012 Olympics, the copper petal and mini model are just the beginning of Heatherwick's creativity used with a mix of beautiful aesthetics and function is absolutely amazing. From the buildings to bridges to christmas cards each piece stands out on it's own. The Sheung Wan Hotel in Hong Kong stood out as one of my favourite buildings while the East Beach Cafe decided an unknown want to visit Little Hampton. Yet what I loved most was the bridges. The technology used to create the curling bridge was an original and beautiful idea. 
Ending and starting the exhibition in the entrance hall was perhaps one of the funnest elements of Heatherwick's designs, the Spun chair. 

You can check out more of his work on his website Heatherwick Studio or check out his most recent book Thomas Heatherwick: Making. 

The Sheung Wan Hotel in Hong Kong

The Olympic Cauldron

My friend Hannah in the Spun chair

The Rolling Bridge