Warehouse Christmas SOS film – recognise yourself?
Warehouse has upped its digital game considerably since relaunching its etail site a few months ago. As well as a much fresher looking site with the full complement of social sharing buttons, the British high street brand has embraced the power of the fashion film.
This sharply observed ‘Christmas SOS’ film, produced to promote its 90-minute delivery service (er – wow), is brilliantly executed and top contender to upstage last year’s Walk Of Shame viral (remember the work of genius from Harvey Nichols?).
Watch and cringe…
Menswear for women from E. Tautz, Mr Start and A. Sauvage
Rihanna’s been causing quite the commotion lately, doing her Kanye-in-reverse thing of gadding about town in Acne and Raf Simons menswear. Kanye hit the headlines at Coachella last year cross-dressing in his Celine foulard-print blouse and Rihanna’s outing brings the trend full circle. I prefer my menswear a little more subtle so it’s great to see a few noted menswear brands (all Brits) giving women more or less what they offer men, with just the slightest modifications. Continue reading
Gap’s iconic portraits – when classic is best
I spotted this great portrait of Rifat Ozbek by Steven Meisel (above) in a book in the Gap store. The book is Individuals: Portraits from the Gap Collection and is currently going for a song on Amazon. The book is full of portraits by the likes of Herb Ritts, Annie Leibovitz, David Sims and Meisel and goes to show that Gap has been doing for years what lots of brands are only just doing now. That is, photographing interesting people in a way that represents their own style. Continue reading
The Conran Shop Gift Guide – with a little help from me
Have you heard about the changes at The Conran Shop? Jasper Conran has been named chairman and as part of his remit has set to rethinking the product offer and environment. Plans are afoot for a little more fashion input (rumour has it, there’s a Tom Binns project in the works) as well as convivial in-store happenings to jolly things up. Continue reading
Introducing Bella Freud scented candles
I’m a firm believer that your choice of scented candle says a lot about you. Luxe Diptyques, Jo Malones and Fornasettis all suggest a person who enjoys the finer, prettier things in life *nods vigorously*.
The fact is, most posh candles last a good age so you don’t really need to replenish. In that way, they’re a little like clothes, accessories, or indeed perfume, more about variety and the sheer delight of having lovely things surrounding you.
Proving my point perfectly is Bella Freud who has just introduced a line of scented candles, daubed with her famous whimsical slogans. Possibly almost better than a ‘Ginsberg is God’ knit in that you can enjoy this every single day – just keep it as a fragrant desk ornament (I certainly will).
The candle is available at Space NK in three varieties at £38 each.
Personalised style: Chinti and Parker’s initial sweater
This year is all about the personalised gift, whether that’s monogramming, customising or having things made for you completely from scratch. To those I’d add these Chiniti and Parker initial sweaters. Although I love having my name on things, I wouldn’t want it emblazoned across a sweater, but these supersized initials are so big they’re almost abstract.
The navy cashmere sweaters come in one size, which on me is suitably slouchy (I’m a UK 8), and are perfect for weekend afternoons out and about when you want to be warm enough but not bundled in a dozen layers. I usually stick to plain navy, black or grey knits but the contrast of navy with winter white results in a much-needed brightening effect on dull skin. At £350 these aren’t cheap, but they’re made in Italy from Italian cashmere and Chinti and Parker prides itself on its ethical practices.
I also asked about my cashmere bugbear – bobbling cashmere. Chinti and Parker’s Anna Singh’s advice is to “invest in a debobbler. Contrary to popular belief, high quality cashmere still bobbles over time. Our designer uses a blunt razor to keep hers nice and smooth, stretching her sweater out on an ironing board, but even she admits to the odd mishap, so a debobbler* is best.”
Buy your initial sweater from Net-a-Porter or Chinti and Parker.
*UPDATE: Thank you lovely Amanda from The Womens Room blog for recommending the ‘John Lewis clothes shaver‘ for debobbling duties…
** Typically, it’s currently out of stock
Trend report: first look at Prada ss13 menswear, womenswear and *those* shoes
The Prada stacked ‘geta’ flatform is a work of art, that’s undisputed. A piece that you can actually wear? Not so much. Yes, you’ll see Anna Dello Russo, Fran Burns et al admirably trialling it come the February shows, but in the main those editors have drivers; mere mortals will face more of a challenge. Because as well as their height and bulk, these mega shoes weigh a bloody ton! Which is why Prada has also unveiled a far more wearable properly flat version, plus of course its fabulous metallic tabi sock which promises to be the real hit of the season. Continue reading
Portraits of cities: William Klein + Daido Moriyama at Tate Modern
William Klein + Daido Moriyama is possibly the best thing I’ve seen all year. Comparing and contrasting both photographers’ approaches to street life in New York and Tokyo, it instantly appealed to my love of graphics and energy in documentary photography. Years ago I saw a Garry Winogrand exhibition at The Hayward and I still vividly remember those in-yer-face compositions of life in New York. Some of these reminded me of those.
The exhibition space is a layout of vast, high ceiling-ed rooms that give breathing space to the biggest and most dramatic Klein artworks (he often mashed up photography and art by sploshing paint around the borders of the image or across the image itself for even greater impact). Like his wide-angle compositions that put you in the midst of the action, the design of the exhibition repeats Klein’s sense of big city chaos. Framed photos are densely ordered row on row, depicting the busyness and character of Rome, Moscow, Tokyo and New York. Also integral are the photo books on display by both Klein and Moriyama, many on loan from Martin Parr’s extensive collection.
Moriyama’s work is less punchy and more detached than Klein’s, with greyer, grainier portraits of Tokyo and New York street life. They didn’t have such an immediate impact for me but I loved the room of Polaroid montages towards the end. The exhibition is on at Tate Modern until 20th January and I highly recommend going on a Friday evening to avoid the weekend crowds.
Quote of the day: Suzy Menkes on disposable cameras
“They have no metal parts. So when you go to places whose names I won’t mention, where you’re not allowed to take cameras, you can keep it on you and it doesn’t show up [on the scanner]. Of course I would never dream of doing that…”
From a great interview with Suzy Menkes in Industrie magazine
Grace Coddington is i-D’s next cover girl
It’s going to be hard to avoid Grace Coddington over the next few weeks – girl’s got a memoir to promote! But why would you want to avoid the flame-tressed one? So far, I’m loving this i-D cover with its barely-there coverlines, Celine cobalt coat and cheeky wink. On the stands next week, there’s also an interview with i-D’s Terry Jones to look forward to…
