9 May, 2008

Bruce’s Bonus

May is shaping up to be a bumper movie month. Not only is Sex & The City released but the first Jim Jarmusch box set comes out on May 12th. Then there is Joy Division, Persepolis and Waterliles, a French feast of Sofia Copola-style teen awkwardness. But I’m really holding out for June, when there’s a Bruce Weber bonanza going on in London*:

LET’S GET LOST UK PREMIERE, Thurs June 5th – Curzon Soho
A screening of Weber’s famous portrait of Chet Baker followed by questions from the audience

BRUCE WEBERS SHORTS PROGRAMME, Sat June 14th – Curzon Soho
Five short films that sum up the Bruce Weber ode-to-Americana aesthetic, including old Weber b/w home movies, a three-minute movie on London teddy boys and Wine and Cupcakes, a twelve-minute short about Central Park

BROKEN NOSES, Sun 15th June, Renoir Cinema
Cult b/w documentary on the heartbreakingly beautiful boxer Andy Minsker

ART IN THE BAR, 1-30th June, Soho Curzon
Bruce Weber presents the William Caxton photographs of the young Chet Baker – see them and weep

And if you do stop by the Curzon for any of these events, don’t forget to have a slice of curly wurly cake at the in-house Konditor & Cook cafe, worth a special trip in itself!

*For more info, go here

Photograph: William Claxton

Disneyrollergirl 5 Comments Uncategorized

7 May, 2008

Shy Di

Is it just me or has anyone else always been a bit flummoxed by the appeal of Princess Diana and her supposed style icon status? I mean, jumpers with sheep on and novelty tights…what’s so stylish about that, pray tell? But I’m sensing a bit of a Kensington Sloane micro-trend bubbling under. It started last summer with Peter York’s book, Cooler, Faster, More Expensive: The Return of the Sloane Rangers, a sequel to The Official Sloane Rangers Handbook and now the autumn/winter collection previews are with us, what are we seeing? Tafetta blouses, boxy blazers, high-neck ruffles, pleated knee-length skirts and sensible sweaters. The focus seems to be more Shy Di in the early years rather than the Bruce Oldfield power gowns and peplum suits and mixed in with a modern-day French trench and some quirky accessories I can see it working on a twenty-something fashionista with a bit of attitude. What do you say to Shy Di style, yay or nay?

Disneyrollergirl 13 Comments Uncategorized

6 May, 2008

AW 08-09 trend report: New Look press day

New Look showed its A/W 08 collection two weeks ago and very impressive it was too. The problem I have with New Look is that what they show at the press days rarely resembles what we ultimately see in-store (which makes it jolly hard to spend the £100 voucher). Anyway, the highlights included an explosion of loud Stephen Sprouse-ish prints on dresses and skirts, cotton check blouses with ruffle plackets – something we first saw at D&G and that all the high street stores are pushing for autumn, more lace than you can shake a doily at, fifties prom-chic, capes and vintage details.

Punk is back yet again, it feels like only yesterday I saw the same tartan/leopard-print/zip trend trio but I guess if it works for them then why not? The now-obligatory shaggy furry jacket showed up again here although my PR guide proudly told me that New Look is known for its fake furs and has even won awards from Peta for its anti animal-cruelty stance, particularly its non-leather shoes. Did you know that? I didn’t.

On the subject of shoes, New Look has taken on Lulu Guinness’s shoe designer (which is just as well as Lulu Guiness’s shoes are sadly no longer) and there is now a limited edition range for the ‘elite fashion girls’ (translation: limited availability, slightly higher price point). New Look also has a limited edition clothing collection with some really strong pieces, namely a blue crepe Marni-style dress and a dip-dye silk pleated dress. Let’s see if they actually end up in store.