Zarina Bhimji

Zarina Bhimji

What on earth is Postmodernism?!!

I looked it up for Arb - check it out!

Lara!

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I am still seriously into Lara Stone - the model that made busty girls, a gappy tooth and awkwardness fashionable. She’s so hot that I’ll bet more women fancy her than men. I’m loving her on the cover of Love this month.

Modern Nostalgia

Along with film festivals, Downton Abbey and corn on the cob, Modern Nostalgia is my latest indulgence. This dress and everything else at the boutique is just so K-ute!

Swanfield On Tour

Swanfield are still super cool, right?! So, you've probably heard rumours about online store? Totally true!! I interviewed Katherine for The Playground.

Ghostpoet - Lines

E17 Art Trail

At the end of the Victoria Line, Walthamstow is exploding with new artists - the E17 Art Trail is a gigantic celebration of just that. The trail kicks off today with a party and then goes on for 10 days in 160 venues with a whopping 300 exhibitions and events. One of the best bits for me is the work of Alke Schmidt at Mitre Studios – super cool chick with an amazing exhibition coming soon entitled, Mind the Gap. She cleverly uses her art to channel discussions on politics, art and the economy and she’s also working on an exhibition for the Signal Gallery in Hoxton. My other favourite was Esther Neslen’s sculpture – her stuff is un-be-liveable. Be warned you'll want to sit next to the life-size sculpture of the two boys and just hang out with them. The real treat is going to the Paekakariki Press – an old skool letterpress printing workshop. They’ve just produced a book of local poems which can be found in the front of local shop windows. Check it all out.

Pic: painted dress from Alke Schmidt's studio

Brendan Rogers

Brendan Rogers

Folk: not just a phase

A piece I did for Playground

Madonna - Borderline

I can’t get this song out of my head! Best cheese EVER. Did anyone spot the yellow heels and green socks? OMG. So frigging amazing – in the I’m LMAO kind of greatness.

Diana Ross - Im Coming Out

DIANA ROSS I m Coming Out by hiphopmomo

Honest

I tried Honest burgers at the Brixton Village last night with a friend – so yummy! Really meaty burgers and homemade chunky chips sprinkled with rosemary salt. If that isn’t enough, the restaurant is small and cosy – the kitchen is practically the restaurant(!) but they have lots of outdoor seating too. It has a gritty shabbiness feel to it – kinda feels a little sexy, like having your boyfriend cook for you in a tiny studio flat. Sooo worth the cash (about £10 for my entire meal including drinks) and sooo worth a visit.

1940s - Womens Hairstyles during the War - Veronica Lake

1940s Pin-up Hairstyles

Beautiful Beautiful Lies - Audrey Tautou interviewed by Jonathan Ross

I really want a pair

The Row - 8C2 Round Oversized Framed Sunglasses - Light Tortoise
I have a similar second-hand pair but they are very cheap. They have low-cost plastic lenses - the kind that can only lead to a headache. I really don’t want to be in pain just to look cool – there’s no fun in that. I reckon this pair would be pain free.

Maverick Sabre

Over a year later and I'm still loving his vibes - he's totally blowing up.

Daisy Chains in Somerset

Amy Winehouse and Mos Def Performs Love Is A Losing Game(R.I.P)

It’s all about Audrey Tautou

My New Girl Crush...

Kristina Gisors

FREE RANGE FASHION WEEK 2011

FREE RANGE FASHION WEEK 2011 from The Old Truman Brewery on Vimeo.

Mint Vintage

Really loving Mint Vintage on Asos Market Place. What cute bits. I’m totally eyeing the denim dress...

Azzedine Alaïa Autumn/Winter 2011

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I was born in the 80s but the very first time I heard about Azzedine Alaïa, it was the 90s when I watched Clueless. And that was it. Because once you know about Alaïa there’s no turning back. This collection will work as my main reference point for chic evening dress-ups come next season.

Sari

I was at an Indian wedding over the weekend and I’m just so in love with the detailing on Saris – especially the trend to make the back a feature.

Venise Collection

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I was out shopping - for my very first camping trip...When I saw a sale sign up in Venise at High St Ken! Eek! Note to self: buy camping stuff next week.

Ginger Chews

There’s something a little granny-ish about this but it’s soooo good I’ll embrace it! My newest and dearest is currently a box of Ginger chews – you have tasted nothing in your abundant life until you’ve tasted these bad boys. Yum.

Susan Penn

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Occupation: Talented newbie, Designer * Beverage of choice: Cappuccino at the Nordic Bakery * Degree: BA (Hons) Fashion, Kingston University 2010 *
The Memo: Mia Wasikowska and Carey Mulligan, both have a great sense of classic chic * My thing: I’m addicted to bags so couldn’t live without Mulberry. At the moment I love a green skirt my friend donated to me and also a gorgeous floral, 50’s style dress I found in Toronto.

I love Japanese food and I always catch up with friends over sushi and plum wine in Taro on Old Compton Street. I also love to people watch so I really like finding new little interesting places to go, be it bars, coffee shops, or markets. For the best coffee and brunch in SE London I’d recommend The London Particular in New Cross!
I was born and raised in Shepton Mallet, a small town in Somerset - I moved to London when I came to uni and I’m now based in South East London.
A few days after finishing my course I went straight into a placement at Matches working with the design team of their in-house label Freda. From there I went on to intern at Roksanda Illincic, before meeting Andrew Majtenyi in November 2010, with whom I’ve been working with ever since. We met through a mutual contact working with Andrew at the time and knew that Andrew was looking to get some prints designed, so he put me in touch.
I’ve just come back from Toronto which I loved, so I’m still sold on the novelty of fresh Canadian air! The place has such a great vibe and I think it will be a really interesting city to watch!
Various blogs have picked up on my collection following graduate fashion week. I took part in the Find Your Feet fashion show in links with the Diana Award last year. Designing is always something I’ve wanted to do, but I feel the more experience I gain, the better I’m understanding my own style and signature. So really the dream is to have my own line one day!
I do have a Twitter account, @susan_penn, and I’m gradually getting better at tweeting as well as nosing at other people! And there is currently a blog in progress!
http://www.artsthread.com/p/susanpenn

Kate's Pout

I love that everything is always rock 'n' roll with Kate. Even her wedding day.

Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran on Glastonbury highlights. Love. This may be the best time to off-load my Glastonbury views... Well, not views as such – sounds too strong, more like... unwavering stance.
See I love all that Glastonbury represents. In fact, I sometimes perhaps wish I was of the ilk that takes ‘it’ all on - in an all consuming, liberating fashion. Yet I somehow also sympathize (perhaps pity – yes, I think I’ll go there) with people who welcome and justify the madness of camping in mud as a great opportunity to see (yes) some of the most amazing acts. Not washing for four days, taking home a disease – the very least of which being a flu and swimming around in mud – forgetting (in a crazed lunatic manner) that we humans were not born with pig like qualities and should not enjoy mud. For those that can guarantee a camper van – there’s hope for you as I can at least understand the thought process. But for those that just go with ‘it’ flimsy tent in hand – I really have nothing else to add except perhaps... grow up?
And at this point I hold my hands up. I know, I’m that crazy (no-fun) middle-aged, square woman – it’s probably at this point you might want to imagine me with a white blouse buttoned all the way up, a very long cardigan, a very long skirt – both in very dark colours. Wearing sad reading glasses bought in the 90s accessorised with stained brown teeth from drinking too much coffee. If only. The simple truth is I’m not. Instead, I’m a hot(ish) twenty-something that’s quite happy, if not proud to watch Glastonbury on the telly where I can guarantee (shocker!) mud-free comfort. OK, silly rant over. Watch Ed.

Holiday!

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I’ve been away for much too long. It might have something to do with a long trip to Miami and Cancun. By long, I mean two weeks. Does anyone take two week holidays anymore? A week maybe or 10 days at most but two weeks?! Sounds so excessive...unless of course you’re Elton John or P Diddy – and then I suspect ‘real life’ and holidays just somehow merge into one.
In the mundane everyday sense though, two weeks is nothing. But when on holiday – the long haul, utter indulgence kind, two weeks is a lifetime. Or at least it feels like one. Especially as I’m sure I spent four months prior just planning. Places, transfers, accommodation, clothes, hair, packing... endless. It's as if I was already on holiday even before I had left - if that makes sense.
Anyway!!! I’m back. By that I mean my body is currently roaming the streets of London but my mind and spirit are still on a beach in Cancun. See you when I really get back.

There were so many ‘moments’ in Miami that I’m still laughing, you had to be there – que child mode - na, na, na, na, na (I’m four years old again, with thumb on my nose and fingers wiggling).
These snaps were taken by a friend – I can assure you, we were in a respectable adult mode at the time.

Andrew Majtenyi at the Soho Hotel

I was off making sunny Miami type plans when, Andrew Majtenyi and his team invited me along to what they described as an ‘intimate soiree’ at the Soho Hotel. So of course I grabbed my bag and made my way there. After sharing a drink with the designer, I took a closer look at his AW 11 collection of soft velvets, structured jackets and tailored shifts. I love the way he uses strips of colour panels on dresses - it reminds me of dance music videos from the 90s. The prints used - on what I call - ‘date’ dresses add a fairytale quality that would look perfectly at home in Cate Blanchett’s wardrobe. In blue-red, aqua and gold, each print was initially hand drawn by a special talent from Kingston University (I think we’re going to see a lot more of her!!). For those not in the know – gosh, really? You’ll have to start by finding Andrew Majtenyi on Earls Court Road.

Jaeger AW2011

Take a look at the gorge creations - courtesy of Jaeger next season. The younger feisty Boutique range has got me practically salivating!! Can’t wait until August when it all hits the stores.

Kate & Will Day!!

Wallpaper is SO Back BTW

Especially when it's clever and generates conversation in the same way a coffee table book from the 70s would or a huge accessory picked up on Bouvet Island should (right?!). This wallpaper in Byron borders on the clever – London (perfectly mapped out) in word-form. I want a roll.

Byron Comes to Haymarket

The coolest burger chain in town. Free food tonight. Free experience. Need I say more?

Look Back With Irina Werning

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My favourite or not so favourite style moments are often decided in post-production – flicking through pics. It’s when I get a chance to look back and decide if I looked clever, goofy, smart, grungy - or on the rare occasion - a clash of greatness. I also then decide if I must redo a look – always better once relived, knowing that fact. Or on the other hand, promise myself to bury a look - it was so scary, no one deserves to see it twice.
I’ve always wanted to recreate one picture from my childhood. In it, I have my arm in a cast (I fell down the back of a sofa – not one of my finest moments), I’m wearing a turquoise jumper with a checkered shirt underneath and I’ve still got tears in my eyes. The whole thing is just so adorable it makes me want a turquoise jumper every time I see the pic. Irina Werning’s collection of images called ‘Back to the Future’ demonstrates equally hilarious and compelling reasons to recreate moments. So so cute, I could look at them all day.