Click here to see what the inspiration for their outfits were!

Related Pops:

• POP 202 Thursday, 14 January 2010
• POP 214 Thursday, 28 January 2010

I wanted to review the Browns anniversary dinner and exhibition in Soho in one word: YASMINE!!!

This wouldn't be totally fair since: a) the incredible Mrs B looked stunning on Thursday night… and should surely now feature in each and every issue of POP, and b) having cornered Yasmine for the night at my side, who wants to then hear me wank/blog on and on that she's the only real woman in town?

The fact is this though: the Paolo Roversi portrait of Yamine Le Bon is the best image in the excellent Browns anniversary exhibition, which you really should make an effort to go see.

"He was a naughty boy, VERY naughty, asking me to go topless," revealed Yasmine, as she scoffed a transparent pudding that looked totally inedible. "But if Paolo Roversi can't make you look good at 50, then who can?"

By the time the coffee was served, Sir Philip Green was quickly over to our table passing his respects. Quite right. 'Yassie' is not just a legend, she is a blueprint for modern womanhood. Family first, work hard, have FUN. This woman is the best 3am company you could ever imagine.

Yasmine's next design venture is eagerly awaited… and Sir Green should re-open his fat cheque book. 

Nice to see that her husband still knows he's onto a very, very, very good thing…

Info: Visit Browns: 40 Years of Fashion Innovation at The Regent Penthouses and Lofts, The Courtyard, 16-18 Marshall Street, London, W1F 7BG.

Random Posts

• POP 317 Monday 14 June 2010
• POP 051/ Tuesday, 21 July 2009

(bicycles used for commuting between buildings).

We were graciously welcomed by Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt who had lunch with us at Google’s Mexican Diner. At Googleplex as it is affectionately called, there are about 14 different eateries. That does not include what “Googlers” call micro kitchens, that can be found every 100 feet. It’s founders Sergey Brin and Lawrence Page believe that staff should never be hungry, as a hungry googler is not efficient. In addition to the micro kitchen Dasha and I helped our selves to frozen yogurt in wafer cones at an ice-cream stand. Apparently there is a genius pastry chef at one of its kitchens, who makes devilish crème brule and croissants. By the way all of the food is free and all of the eateries are run by Google. Are you getting the drift here, Googlers are happy people.

(Google’s outdoor cafe where a different band performs every day in the summer).

So happy that Andrew, who gave us a tour of Googleplex, in reasoning the 3 minute response time he is allotted to address a problem (it used to be 24 hours) ecstatically exclaims, “we love our users.” I would be in a good mood too if I could play volleyball at work, get a massage, learn to salsa or dance hip-hop or listen to performers such as John Legend in the summer at google’s outside café. Imagine that the masseuse could have a chat with one of google’s lead economists at lunch. Mr. Schmidt explains that ideas often come from unexpected places and therefore the democratic stance of Googleplex is really its driving force.

(The Geo Display.  To the left South America and on the right the dark continent Africa).

Google’s 20% time is a prime example of how its philosophy only helps to push the company forward. Engineers are allowed to work at other departments that they are passionate about 20% of their time. That’s how gmail was developed. Its author developed it in his 20% time.

(A view out the window).

What about Google’s users? At several points on the complex there is a screen that shows in real time what the world is searching. One interesting inquiry: “what are they dropping my blood in at donation.” I’m going to Google that as well. There is also a program called “Geo Display”. It’s a rotating globe that shows in real time where searches are originating. The ones that stood out were South America, as it seems no one in the Amazon uses the Internet and so it’s a dark spot on the globe. Africa is still literally a dark continent as far as Google goes, there seems to be almost no inquires coming from there either. It would appear that Africa is the one place in the populated world with no technological rays of light.

(I don’t really know anyone who loves commuting to any job. But after going to Googleplex i understand why.  There was apparently a point when staff would even sleep in their cubicles).

All in all we’re talking about a 14-year-old company started by two Stanford University PhD students. In such a short space of time it has created a revolutionary culture in the corporate world starting with two employees and just 14 years later becoming a worldwide corporation with close to 20 thousand HAPPY employees. It seems like the sun never sets on Google. And as Andrew said in reference to playing volleyball in the cold, “we herd the nerds!”

(One of Googleplex’s micro kitchens).

Related Pops:

• POP 357 Thursday 29 July 2010
• POP 214 Thursday, 28 January 2010

One of our favourite Pop contributors, Carsten Höller,  threw a whopping birthday party on Saturday. The Tate Modern commissioned artist (Test Site) and ‘Double Club‘ creator for Fondazione Prada invited a slew of friends and fauxs to a  pavilion by the stunning newly renovated Hotel Skeppsholmen that use to serve as an ice-skate rink for some 17th century king.

It was a beautiful night with Carsten playing the perfect host. Pinecone flavoured snaps + a Ghanian disco band + fireworks + the sight of Purple PR’s Gillian McVey and Carsten trading boogie moves = the recipe for the perfect night.

Related Pops:

• POP 297 Monday 24 May 2010
• POP 184 Monday, 14 December 2009

POP’s hardcore gets itself about. A little like those incessantly mewing cats that distract/shag the whole neighbourhood and make sure you’re up most of the night.

LA has been no different. We’re now dealing with a minor noise complaint down at the City as a result of The Party (TM). So ban us…

POP had table #1 at the MOCA gala, so it was only proper to throw an after-party to remember. Francesco Vezzoli had showed us what you can do with a Damien Hirst piano, Lady Gaga and 12 Russian Bolshoi dancers. It certainly got the LA old-timers talking. Oh and did I mention Prada designed the memorable costumes?

After that we skipped down to Prism gallery and to our shack next door where The Party was held between the venues. What did POP do? Between us we drank enough Grey Goose to sink a ship, danced like no-one was watching, kissed a Bond villain, stepped repeatedly on Chloe Sevigny’s toes (it was very crowded), vogued with Tom Ford (he’s the greatest dancer), felt faint at the sight of James Franco and generally partied hard under the stars looking at the whole of LA beneath us. Oh and saw some real pretty dresses (Rodarte rocks).

Check out some of our snaps – but note they are highly censored – some of our dance moves could have landed us in jail. Yes, you know who you are…

Gallery after jump!

Related Pops:

• POP 346 Wednesday 14 July 2010
• POP 295 Friday 21 May 2010

Pop People have been arriving in Hollywood. Lady Gaga, Lady Margerita, Lady Olympia, Lady Tamara, Duchess Marina, HRH Dasha.

Party types. Trunks crammed full of fashion frocks.

We retreated deep into the Hills to the grand home of Pamela Juicy, a wonderful Los Angeles native. There my old friend Cecil Coward (above) kept our spirits up with songs around the piano. He might not have the X Factor but, let me tell you, Cecil was in vogue when these Popsies were still in the womb.

How we cheered as he sang in his deeply-loved repertoire. “Handlebar Heroes”, “Don’t Put Your Daughter On The Runway, Mrs Wintour” and, my strong favourite, “You Can Take The Boy Out Of Wigan (With a Wig On)”.

Mr Kinmouth was there in a blazer. Mr Testino was there in a jacket. Mr Blasberg was matching a bow tie with a stripey cotton crew neck vest. Cripes.

No party pictures I’m afraid dear twitters. No link to the parlour on youtube. Just the welcome news that Cecil is now available for further fashion dates around the globe.

We’re mad about the boy…

Random Posts

• POP 006/ Sunday, 31 May 2009
• POP 256 Wednesday, 31 March 2010

Monday night was CrASH night. Why are we still going on about it? Because it was a very POP jump-start to Frieze! It was a great chance to meet up with friends, contributors, artsy people and fashion people and generally reap the benefits of a lot of hard work put up by our lovelies Malena and Becky. The event was sponsored by *John Jones, Martinspeed, Bentleys Entertainment and Other Criteria*, and Damien Hirst generously lent us the warehouse/gallery space.

Karen Says sang an amazing cover of Bowie’s “Always Crashing in the Same Car.” Karen is another name to remember, as the girl’s got talent. They just recently signed with Mercury, and we can’t wait to play their album in the office!

The show featured artists Nick Devereux, Dick Evans, Ben Jeans Houghton, Phillipa Horan, Aki Ilomaki, Simon Mathers, Neil McNally, Rob McNally, Cai Nyahoe and Seth Pick.

While it was a party, there was a deeper meaning beneath the surface, as the artists’ works displayed the modern yet time old notions of the ever expanding communications landscape, to the questionable differences between fiction and reality and the dreams that can be made or shattered by money, assets, or fame.

The *Shunt* team’s performance was another show stopper, taking heavy inspiration from J.G. Ballard’s /Crash/. A naked woman riding the car as her chariot and screaming on her megaphone, whilst dancers fought and grinded on the cars, highlighted the violence and exhilaration. The crowd was left stunned.

But the event was a smash, with the buzz of youth and the promise that only young artists bring to the autumn air. Where else can you go on a Monday night to hear the best cover of a Bowie ever as well as an art-sex-tape call on the top floor, pristinely manicured LIVE pigeons in an installation on the 1^st floor, and then performers charging into the party riding automobiles and then smashing them? Yes, the event was a smash.

The CrASH will go on until December.

Special thanks to:

John Jones,

Martinspeed,

Bentleys Entertainments

Other Criteria

and

Shunt

More pics after jump!

Related Pops:

• POP 295 Friday 21 May 2010
• POP 284 Friday 7 May 2010

In celebration of Rodarte’s temporary highjack of Colette’s 2nd floor, Kate and Laura Mulleavy hosted a swanky soirée that saw the fashion crowd turning up in spades.

Besides the obvious Fall/Winter ‘09 Rodarte collection, the shop-in-shop features the famous thigh-high boots of Nicholas Kirkwood, the recent Opening Ceremony collaboration, designs by friends of Rodarte like David Shrigley, Miranda July, Mike Mills, and Rebekah Miles, as well as colette exclusives such as “I hate / I love Rodarte” tee-shirts and sweats, notebooks and badges with adorable dog sketches drawn by the sisters, and marbled Repettos.

As if that wasn’t enough, the space also doubles as a gallery, featuring a voyeuristic glimpse into the creative world of the Rodarte girls. From epic horror films, musical choices and favorite books an exhibition of artists who reveal the nostalgic qualities apparent in pop culture. Or how about: Mari Eastman, Kim Gordon, Alexandra Grant, Eliott Hundley, Karen Kliminik, Ari Marcopoulous, Raymond Pettibon, Autumn de Wilde?

See the gallery after the jump.

Related Pops:

• POP 159 Wednesday, 18 November 2009
• POP 018/ Thursday, 18 June 2009

Fake Balmain at a Lady Gaga party.* The summer’s not over yet!

*Not an official Gaga event, of course. It’s all about the cheap ritzy independent spirit.

Related Pops:

• POP 346 Wednesday 14 July 2010
• POP 265 Thursday, 14 April 2010

East London has always been a hub of creative activity. Artists, designers, writers and musicians started turning towards the East end ages ago for cheap rent and a community of like-minded souls. Coolness followed and, not long after, a new clientele appeared with more money to pay the increasing rents. Inevitably this meant some people had to keep on moving in order to stay productive. Of late they have lived and worked in Hackney Wick, a mainly industrial area, perfect for its converted warehouses and big studio spaces.

Now, with the 2012 Olympics and its re-generation programs coming, it looks like these artists might be forced to move again. Either because their buildings are being knocked down in favour of cycling velodromes or because the location is now worth a hellova lot more money and the rents have gone up.

Some people, however, have made a decision to not let this disgraceful predicament go unnoticed. This weekend sees the second Hackney Wicked Festival take over the area. New and old art galleries show exciting artists, often from the area, and street parties are launched with bands, barbeques and painting competitions. A true feast for and by the people of Hackney Wick!

One of the exhibiting galleries is run by Nomadic Projects, an organisation consisting of three art-loving entrepreneurs. Emma Hammar, Louise O’Kelly and Pau Cato call their three-day pop up show the Museum Of Hackney Wick, as it documents the area and its inhabitants. Emma Hammar explains: “We encourage artists to create histories through documentation and collaboration in order to represent the different realities of an ever-changing urban landscape”.

The trio met through various art-related projects and mostly live and work in the Wick and surrounding areas. “The area seems to be on a creative high at the moment, with the Hackney Wicked festival, new galleries and bars and cafes popping up”, says Hammar, who together with O’Kelly and Cato has managed to get local photographer Stephen Gill to collaborate: “He’s a really lovely and approachable guy, very passionate about the area. We approached him and explained a bit about the project, and he just thought it was a great idea and was keen to help us out”.

Also worth mentioning is the duo James Fisher and Jonathan Glazier. Their contribution – The Changing Face Factory – is an interdisciplinary work featuring paintings, sculptures, drawings and a performance. A bit like Allan Kaprow and his famous Happenings in the 1960’s. Fisher and Glazier will take charge of a certain area in the gallery and create masks, with two mask-bearers simultaneously painting the other persons mask. This performance, or “spectacle of change”, as they call it, will also be documented and printed as a book. “The actual performance will encapsulate the struggle between the opposing forces of change, for and against. We believe that this activity highlights a process close to that in a factory”, Glazier explains.

There is no doubt that the Olympics won’t hinder Hackney Wick to flourish creatively. Go down to the festival, seek out The Nomadic Project and enjoy this smorgasbord of diverse talent – and keep an eye out for their next pop up!

Hackney Wicked 31 July – 2 August
www.hackneywicked.com
www.nomadicprojects.blogspot.com

Related Pops:

• POP 061/ Friday, 31 July 2009