POP 240 Tuesday, 9 March 2010

Today's POP is Tom. He's got a bitching biker-jacket. We think it makes him look tough.

Giambattista Valli gave us a proper flash-back to our first encounter with Star Wars as he presented MONCLER GAMMA ROUGE in Paris. Remember those über-chic robots and weird sexy uniforms? As a young boy at the time, this was the apex of anything sultry and cool. No wonder we were charmed.

This is what Giambattista had to say "beams of light and sparkling dust suspend all references to space and time, projecting whoever sets eyes on them into a new dimension. The creations become both significance and signifier, interacting with everything that surrounds them and playing on their own reinterpretations. It is here that cotton becomes glossy, whilst the shades of red are interpreted in new orange and bronze hues that defy all definition".

Well, the presentation got us to dig up those Star Wars action-figures we buried in 4th grade… That can't be a bad thing.

POP 239 Monday, 8 March 2010

Today's POP is David. He's favourite french pastry is the Croquembouche. It literally means 'crunch in the mouth'.

PREPARE TO BE PUZZLED.

On the 5th of March Jasmine Al Fayed showed her 9th collection for her brand 'Jasmine Di Milo' at the Ritz. The collection was called "The Puzzle Factory" – a theme quite evident in her outfit made out of a collage of jigsaw pieces. The proceedings took place inside a suite at the hotel, where invitees got treated to a show about every half hour or so – great notion. There is something really luxurious about being able to properly analyse the pieces and speak with the designer then and there, in front of their creations.

The dresses? Deliously tiny garments, stripped leotards, exquisitely layered dresses, some with a distinct 30ties retro feel. In all beautiful, luxuriant fabrics – leather, jersey, lace, and not to forget some velvet, too.

POP 238 Weekend, 6-7 March 2010

The show runs until April 1st, giving you plenty of time to swot up on Ballard and joyride down there ….. 

More pics after jump!

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POP 237 Thursday, 4 March 2010

Today’s POP is Andrea. Her name originates from the greek word androgyny – not that we suggest that Andrea has any doubt about her sex.

In the whirlwind of fashion week I experienced a moment of calm.

Outside the London sky, with no respect for the amazing frocks and vertiginous heels that are making their way toward the catwalk to see the newest collections, has opened up and is pouring rain indiscriminately on the citizens walking the streets. The wind is cold and strong and has long since made me realize that any attempt at a hairstyle would be folly. But in the midst of all this madness Carolina Herrera invited some of us Poppers to her brand new store, CH Carolina Herrera, here in London.

Walking in I wouldn’t have guessed that I was in the same city I had just stepped out of. The store was warm and rich with pictures of her and her family on the wall, and I felt like I was being invited into her home, not her first London store. This feeling was intensified by the fact that Carolina herself showed us around, pointing out the items that will be exclusive to the UK. Everything from the men’s suits, to the children’s clothes, to the luggage, handbags, and accessories felt indulgent.

After we had taken the tour and snapped a million pictures of our favorite items it was time to brave the London weather again, and all I could think was I wanted to linger just a little longer in the world of Carolina Herrera.

POP 236 Wednesday, 3 March 2010

Today’s POP is James from Italy. After a busy fashion week, he thought he could get a well earned day off at the Principe. Not happening. The Savoy was so full of peeps, it brought back memories of being on a schooltrip.

This Saturday, Bally unveiled the AW10 collection at the gobsmackingly beautiful showroom/office of Zagliani. Not only did the surroundings impress, but Bally (who are just in the process of setting up a new creative team, shh!) gave us all we could expect from the Swiss heritage brand: immaculate shoes, handbags and luxurious coats.

The previous day the office also hosted Derek lam and Solange Azagury , all part of the Labellux group. All under one amazing roof!

More pics after jump!

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POP 235 Tuesday, 2 March 2010

Today’s Pop is Dannielle who’s favorite British Actress is Jamie Winstone.

I had the opportunity to go and see the preview of Boogie Woogie, a film based on the novel by Danny Moynihan and directed by Duncan Ward. This movie gave the audience an insight into the underground and wealthy international society Art World. The film features a great cast, starring Danny Huston, Christopher Lee, Joanna Lumley, Jamie Winstone, Heather Graham, Alan Cumming, Charlotte Rampling, Stellan Skarsgård, Amanda Seyfried, Gillian Anderson and Simon McBurney.

The story pulls the audience into the life of a powerful art dealer who comes across a priceless painting and then tries anything in his power to get it. But beyond that, the film had a series of stories, which eventually intertwine into one, all surrounding the chasing of the Boogie Woogie painting.

With many brilliant performances, my focus was on actress Jaime Winstone, who plays a feisty, ambitious, strong, video artist that creates a self-portrait, which includes her implicit, sexual behavior and social life.

This new British film is cleverly amusing in tone, with great characters and performances. It’s one to see. The film hits theaters 16th April.

POP 234 Monday, 1 March 2010

Today’s POP is Becky flying in from NYC off the red eye to the opening of the Canton Arms . I told you – its still all happening in South London! Who cares if I haven’t slept in 2 days.

Tonight was the opening of Gastropub and old school boozer , the Canton Arms. Charles Bousfield, Rob Shaw, Johnathan Jones and Trish Hilferty opened the 3rd in the series of the Anchor and Hope, and Great Queen Street fame . Situated on South Lambeth road we bumped into a whole treat of art world lovelies from Rachel Howard to Phillipa Horan ( partying straight through from her evening with Lady Gaga at the Brit Awards). We ate foie gras and pigeon toasties and pulled pork and rabbit rillets with cornichons…Sunday lunches with the south London art scene never sounded so promising…

POP 233 Weekend, 27 February 2010

Today’s POP is Kate. She just returned from Milan with a new dress…guess where from!!!

Fashion week. A whole month of non-stop action with endless shows, presentations and general schmoozing. Thank God for Miu Miu, who have created an exclusive Ready-To-Wear collection in celebration of all things fashion. And what better way to launch it than at the start of fashion week within all the main fashion capitals!

Miu Miu have cleverly adapted their Spring/Summer 10 runway collection into one off bespoke pieces, that comprise of hand embroidered one of a kind dresses, that are constructed as couture pieces. These specially designed pieces emphasize the message of the show by embracing innocence and youthfulness, by mixing sheer nudes with incredible crystal bead work.

And best of all: these special pieces are easier to wear and are less of a shock to your wallet. Thank you for Miuccia – we all require a bit of retail therapy!

POP 232 Friday, 26 February 2010

Today’s POP is Letty. Posting something from the LFW this late might seem a bit too belated – but guys – this is Fashion East. By Letty none the less!

The Vaults at Somerset House played host to Fashion East, creating a buzzing, fresh atmosphere, bouncing off the narrow walkway and decked out hessian walls. Excited to see the season’s new talent, the blind corners of this basement venue added to the suspense, and the result was not disappointing….

Tight black slashed leather with bold bursts of colourful accessories made up Nasir Mazhar’s debut runway collection which was inspired by the “sharpest Rude Boys and slickest Rude Girls” of today. This fierce attitude was heavily present in his barely there fishnet ‘skins,’ exposing bold body-con leather bra’s and skirts, topped off with killer chunky heels and bright make-up.

Next down the catwalk was Heikki Salonen’s “112358″ collection, which explored the “mysterious process of becoming a woman.” Partly based on the theme from the film Leon, Salonen explored the concepts of camoflauge, sheilds and fragments which were demonstrated through utilitarian and structured designs. The colour palette contributed to the hard but somber mood, with blacks, greys and dark greens against pale skin and dark lips. The slick, clean designs were walked down the catwalk in rich burgundy and black velvet Dr Martens, contributing more to the ‘clean grunge’ feel of the collection.

Michael Van Der Ham’s “gloriously feminine” creations demonstrated a more sophisticated, serious collection from last seasons’. His distinct collaging of prints and fabrics was spot on, adding layers of sheer, lightweight fabric into the mix and collaborating with Liberty’s on the print. The result was beautiful and smart, whilst still retaining their playful edge.