Thursday 19 August 2010

‘20’ by Maison Martin Margiela


We have all heard of an Illusionist: one who makes us see things that we never thought were possible or the magician who conjures the unbelievable to be reality. Could Margiela be a fashion illusionist?

Margiela’s ‘20’ exhibition left me spellbound as the designer’s first show runs at Somerset House. Margiela, a brand who influences fashion; incorporates crazy shapes with a sense of mystery behind each piece, creations worthy of an exhibition space. The Margiela philosophy is the apex of cool and simple. The faceless label united with Diesel in 2002, which lead to a broader market without losing its integrity.

Walking into a clean open space, the large screen drew my attention, looping his outrageous shows with ‘faceless’ models, no front row and bizarre locations. As you go deep into the winding stairs, I got a sense of eeriness like a Margiela show, with reflections and shadows creating an addictive atmosphere where you are locked in a strange world.

The Margiela ethos was captured in a glass case with various show invites. Each one was an exclusive tiny gem, precious to those excluded. They were printed on plates, cds, a jewellery box, embroidered fabrics and even on cigarette rolling paper.

Visiting Somerset House, home of fashion week and seeing Margiela’s work at this venue made me reflect on my own work as a young fashion designer and relate to Margiela’s designs in a retrospective way. As I left, down the twisting staircase, the dynamic tailoring and the mysticism of Margiela’s collections were imbedded in my mind. I could see how Margiela has become a success. His work is not only practical but an art form with depth behind each design. This pure sense of passion and true identity behind ones work is key to a designer. To have your own style, taking risks and having people judge your work and chose whether to like or hate it. If Margiela can do it then so can I. That’s being a designer, that’s being an Illusionist, making the unbelievable reality.

Anisha Parmar

Visit: http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/fashion/maison_martin_margiela_20/ to get more information on the exhibition.


Wednesday 18 August 2010

FASHION CRIMES COULD BE MORE REAL THAN YOU THINK

A key aim of the plan is to reduce the time that victims, witnesses, and others spend travelling to hearings by allowing more cases to be dealt with close to where the people involved live or work.

The change, under which hearings would take place on Saturdays and during the evenings as well as weekdays, would also save millions of pounds of taxpayers' money by allowing some existing court buildings, which are often under-used and expensive to operate, to be closed.

The Magistrates' Association, which is preparing to submit its ideas to ministers, believes the move would allow cases to be completed more swiftly, cutting costs and minimising the disruption caused to both victims and offenders.

Text pulled from London Evening Standard - Read the full article here.

Friday 13 August 2010

MANOLO vs LIBERTY

London Undercover worked with Liberty and Manolo Blahnik to make these cute umbrellas as part of their Manolo Blahnik at Liberty pop-up collection. Thought we'd share on a day like today - if you've got to march around London in the rain you might a well do it in style... or get a cab (wishful thinking).

Last post from Portia . . .



. . . as this is my last day at Blow i thought i would push the boundaries a little and do a post without even checking with the Editors . . . life on edge right now.

I have regularly had my knuckles wrapped for doing posts up about VB's various hair cuts, quite frankly i think there is nothing more interesting than spanning the last 10 years of her highness's hair do's and posting all available imagery.

Also remix's of Diana Ross's The Boss weren't favoured at 1pm on a monday . . . live a little i say or start drinking.

Anyway i took the liberty of googling myself and decided to post all images that related to my name . . . thats actually a massive lie as i am not black nor do i have a six pack. Instead in the words of Julie Andrews . . . these are a few of my favourite things!

Portia

-x-










Farewell..



Having spent 3 years at Blow, the one and only Portia Shaw will be flying the nest today.
A sad day as you can imagine, here's a few memories we've had...









We're all going to miss you incredibly. Good luck in your new job. We love you.
PORTIA, YOU ARE FABULOUS.

xxxxxxx

FOR ALL THE WONDERWOMEN

Crisian & McCaffrey's 'Paparazzi' boot in metallic gold leather has just landed in our showroom (size 40).



Also available in metallic liquid gold python skin if you're into exotics.

All press enquiries: ashley@blow.co.uk

Ash channels George Michael

Friday 6 August 2010

日本人のリーダーへ、


こんにちわ日本人のリーダーへ、

最近、このブログの情報を見ると、読んでる日本人がたくさんいるようだ。ありがとうございますみんな!面白いものや東京ファッションユーズについて何か教えてあげたいなら、どうぞ。英語がいい、日本語もいいよ。

ね、僕は日本語がちょっとだけ出来るので、意味が分かられなければ直して教えてくれてください。

じゃね!

ashley@blow.co.ukへ連絡して。x

Thursday 5 August 2010

OMG, SUSIE IS HAVING A YARD SALE!


I almost fell out of my chair when I read Susie Bubble's twitter yesterday. And as I'm catching up on the feeds this AM, it's sounding better and better. I can only imagine the types of goodies Susie has in-store for us... an exciting pool of cool, quirky finds and designer freebies worth holding onto. Well until now. This yard sale is going to be bigger then Prada's AW09 sample sale. I just hope we will get in. Are you accepting credit cards?

Catch up on Style Bubble's blog here. Image from frugalyankee.com

LL Cool J

Rained in Summer Party



Luckily, when I exited Notting Hill tube the torrential downpour had ended. When I arrived to concept shop Wolf & Badger's summer party, the party was in full swing and the polished guests were spilling onto Ledbury st. By the time I arrived, the owners had fled the party scene, sad. I was hoping to say hello to Zoe and admire the latest designer digs. Nonetheless, the ice cream was still cold and the cocktails were flowing, a deadly concoction best described as a Notting Hill ice tea. I kept it too a minimum, just one.

The party seemed like a success and worth the trip, I snapped up shots of a few of my favorite things...I'm saving my pennies for a Gisele Ganne ring. The highlight of this event was the refreshing new crowd. Far, far away from East London, this party was very west end, pretty people with mula, and CLEAN hipsters.



Gotta love these. Everyone needs cashmere booties with a pom pom.

Come to me sweet knuckleduster. this bad boy is more then one month's rent. but i'm worth it.

I want these Stuart Richards candlesticks for my dining room table. Well, in future. I don't even have a table to eat on. This is the kind of thing we'd find in Tim Burton & Helena Bonham Carter's home.

LL Cool J

Wednesday 4 August 2010

DOMINIC JONES FOR MACHINE-A

It's the launch of the new Dominic Jones window installation for Machine-A tonight in-store on Berwick Street tonight. Limited edition t-shirts inspired by the collaboration go on sale tomorrow morning at the store. See you there!


The whole project is supported by the World Land Trust, a charitable organization fighting deforestation and the destruction of endangered habitats across the globe. This year their focus is the diminishing Atlantic Rainforest in Northern Argentina.

5 PROP STYLISTS YOU SHOULD PROBABLY REMEMBER

Here's our guide to 5 names in set design and prop styling that you should probably remember profiled in their own words taken from their blogs...

KATE INSLEY
"My name is Kate, I am a visual designer and maker, specialising in displays for window and installations. This blog is a collection of my work and inspirations"


GARY CARD
"Hello! This is my blog. Sets, props, illustrations and a few paintings. In no particular order and with very little words describing them"


FRED BUTLER
"Art director Fred Butler is a props stylist and accesories designer based in London. She works with art directors, stylists and photographers to create imaginative one-off pieces for fashion stories to enhance the aesthetic of a shoot. Her work is characterised by the inclusion of everyday objects to create a kitsch yet elegant aesthetic"



SHILPA CHAVAN
"Presently, Shilpa works out of Mumbai (India) designing and handcrafting one-off headpieces, jewellery pieces and accessories for retail and runway shows. She has a penchant for creating more out of things. But then, styling is an insatiable urge..."



JIGGERY POKERY
"Anna Lomax and Lauren Davies AKA Jiggery Pokery apply playful imagination, unbeatable hunter-gatherer skills and excellent scalpel and gaffa tape precision to bring their ideas to life. Fascinated by inventions, the bizarre, pop-culture, psychedelia, pound shops, glitter and shine"

AND ONE YOU SHOULD PROBABLY KEEP AN EYE ON...

JAMES BARNETT
"I like nothing better than gazing at enormously tall buildings then imagining them between my legs. I could play all day in my green cathedral"

Tuesday 3 August 2010

Trade shows Parisiens


Trade shows present a great opportunity for new designers for promotion, networking, and most importantly sales. It's also a great way to meet with other designers and discuss with their contemporaries issues and obstacles they may share.

Let’s take a trip through Paris' top trade shows!


TRANOI 1 – 6 October 2010

Four times a year during the Paris Fashion Week, Tranoi takes place in different prestigious locations such as Palais de la Bourse, Carrousel du Louvre, Montaigne, Parc Royal. This international trade show is a “must see event” and many say the coolest trade show of the moment. Precursor of trends, Tranoi mixes luxury, avant-garde and contemporary brands.


Carrousel du Louvre : rue de Rivoli Paris 1

More information about locations or participating designers on: www.tranoi.com


ON|OFF PARIS 29 September – 5 October 2010

The On|Off Paris Showroom was launched in October 2009 to support and nurture the best emerging fashion talent. This trade show offers an exclusive selection of new designers, many of them London-based designers.

More information about locations or participating designers on:

www.onoff.tv


ZIP ZONE 1 – 4 October 2010

The 10th edition of Zip Zone will take place at The Musee des Arts Decoratifs and at The Carrousel du Louvre. They offer an exclusive selection of designers divided in 4 different sections according to style.

Les Arts Decoratifs 103 and 111 rue de Rivoli Paris 1

More information about locations or participating designers on:

www.zipzoneltd.com


RENDEZ VOUS PARIS 1 – 4 October 2010

In the heart of Le Marais, Rendez-Vous offers more than an exhibition space: In 2009, this trade show launched LENEWBLACK.COM, the first fashion online tradeshow, which facilitates the exchanges between buyers, designers and press.


Espace Evolution : 5 rue St Merri Paris 4 / Atelier Richelieu : 60 rue Richelieu Paris 2

More information about locations or participating designers on:

www.rendez-vous-paris.com


WHO’S NEXT 4 - 7 September 2010

This famous fashion trade show based in Porte de Versailles presents the best of urbanwear with a selection of outstanding designers. Who’s Next Blog continues with the same purpose in mind: unveiling new talents.

Hall 1 Porte de Versailles Paris

More information about locations or participating designers on:

www.whosnext.com


PRET A PORTER PARIS 4 – 7 September 2010

With 1100 participants including women’s ready to wear and accessories, exhibitors and buyers come from all over the world to participate in this long established trade show. Pret-a-Porter is divided in different sections covering a wide range of designers. The Shibuya’s section is specialises in young designers.


Hall 7 Porte de Versailles Paris

More information about locations or participating designers on:

www.pretparis.com


CAPSULE PARIS 1-3 October 2010

Capsule presents a fresh approach to the fashion trade show, presenting designers from around the Globe. They provide a great opportunity to meet professionals from fashion, lifestyle and apparel industry.


More information about locations or participating designers on:

www.capsuleshow.com


BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL / 'LONDON Show ROOM' in Paris 

1 - 8 October 2010

This initiative in Paris presents a unique and great opportunity for emerging British designers to promote themselves outside London. 'LONDON Show ROOM' is supported by Trade and Investment and The London Development Agency.


JTM Gallery : 40 rue Richelieu Paris 1

More information about locations or participating designers on: 

www.britishfashioncouncil.com


VAUXHALL FASHION SCOUT / PARIS SHOWROOM 

30 September - 5 October 2010

Vauxhall Fashion Scout is one of London's largest catwalk event for emerging designers. Since last season, VFS has been expanded to Paris Fashion Week with a selection of the UK's hottest new designers.


Ilan Engel Gallery : 77 rue des Archives Paris 

More information about locations or participating designers on: 

www.vauxhallfashionscout.co.uk


Bisou, bisou

Sarah

New Young Pony Club

The lovely Tahita Bulmer from New Young Pony Club popped in for the first ever Vintage Festival at Goodwood next weekend.

Coined ‘The Festival of Our Lives’, Vintage will take place 13-15 August and will combine the best of British cool from the 1940s – 1980s ranging: music, fashion, art, design and culture. Co-founded by Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway (of Red or Dead) and Lord March, Vintage at Goodwood will be a carefully curated, rather than randomly scheduled programme, which aims to pro-actively combine music and fashion alongside art and design.


Tahita loving the J. Maskrey AW10 collection


Trying on J.Smith Esquire

Jenny xx