Beautiful People

About two years ago my friend Ellie did some modelling for me of a few clothes I'd made. She looks stunning and although some of the clothes are relatively simple they're photos I'm proud and will put in my portfolio.

The dress, skirt and top were made by me.
The necklace is from Miss Selfridge.
The mask from my childhood dressing up box.
Underwear was models own.
Bangles a selection from high street stores.

Valentino at Somerset House

Somerset House seems to have a knack at bringing together two things I love together; fashion and art. Arriving in just 9 days, is the Valentino: master of couture exhibition and boy oh boy am I excited.
This exhibition will be one of the largest collectives of his work and will celebrate the past 50 years of his career, couture, catwalk and celebrities.

INFORMATION

Dates:  29 November 2012 – 3 March 2013

Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm Daily. Late night openings on Thursdays until 9pm

Address: Embankment Galleries, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA

Admission: £12.50, Concessions £9

Transport: Nearest Underground Stations – Temple, Embankment, Charing Cross

Further Information: www.somersethouse.org.uk

(Source: Somerset House website.)

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!

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