As much I appreciate our excellent designers for their new-found commerciality, I still get a frisson when I see something truly madcap, yet in a fun way.
When I first clocked Yang Du’s wonderfully witty knitwear I just thought, I need to know more about her. What kind of a person dreams up giant animal-shaped jumpers in shaggy fun-furry textures? As Yang doesn’t have a website, Susie Bubble gave me her email address so I made contact that way. I was hoping she would show at London Fashion Week but it wasn’t meant to be, however the next best thing is Yang sent me these new pics of her A/W 09 collection entitled “Buda and Pest”, photographed by Bella Howard. Forget bodycon dresses and eighties rehashed power-dressing, who wouldn’t want to wear a strawberry-shaped hat or knitted flowers?
I met nail artist Sophy Robson at fashion week when I tried to get a photo of her beehive. Sadly the photos were terrible but we had a nice chat about nails and nail art. Later, she agreed to be interviewed…
How did you become a nail artist?
My love of hip hop and music inspired me to be more glam…
What inspires your work?
Making nails the focus without becoming ridiculous.
Favourite photographers to work with?
Solve Sundsbo, Mert & Marcus, Matt Irwin, Alasdair McLellan. Craig McDean was cool but I only worked with him once.
Favourite photographers you would like to work with?
Terry Richardson, David Lachapelle, Juergen Teller, Steven Meisel. I also love Camilla Akrans. Helmut Newton and Guy Bourdin were the kings of nail photography but obviously I realise they are no longer with us…
Maddest shoot?
There have been tears, jokes, nudity! And lots and lots of waiting patiently and not so patiently involved over the years. Discussing pubic hair diamante decorations with Tom Ford is a memory I will cherish for ever. And a shoot for Harrods with David Bailey when the ring fell off the model’s finger into the pond in Regents Park. Funny afterwards but not at the time. I also worked for Rolex and was trying to do a perfect manicure in the Libyan desert on a plastic mat and a cardboard wall as my dressing room…
What nail look are you rocking right now?
I have long classic oval natural nails – I cannot wear polish when I am working every day. On my pedicure I have magenta purple.
Who makes the best nail polish?
Essie. I also love the colours of this brand Uslu Airlines but you can only buy it at Colette in Paris.
What’s your secret to a long-lasting manicure?
Prepping the nail plate and using good base and top coat – you can get away with any brand with correct application.
Should you match fingers and toes?
These days there are no rules to beauty….
Which model has the nicest nails?
Natasha Poly and Linda Evangelista.
THE GALLERY:
Read Sophy’s Paris and London Fashion Week adventures here and see more of her work here…
I didn’t make it to the Louis Armstrong Museum when I went to NYC but I can’t wait to get my hands on this new book. As well as being a jazz legend (which is by the by for me, I have nil knowledge of jazz), Armstrong was a prolific collagist. This book showcases some of his 650 mini collages (all made on cassette boxes) and 20-odd scrapbooks. Heaven!
This oh-so-true choice quote came from my 90 minute long browse at the Vintage Academe Pop-Up Salon in Jermyn Street yesterday, where I chatted, fashion, history, politics and of-course, economics with co-owner Clare Nicholls (above). Not only did I get a fantastic fashion history lesson, I also managed to ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ over a number of amazing couture and ready-to-wear vintage finds. The Pop-Up Salon is in situ until Sunday and thereafter you can visit by appointment. Not a Londoner? You can also shop online [link redacted] or learn more about vintage from the regularly-updated Journal [link redacted].
The Vintage Academe Pop-Up Salon is at Suite 201, 22 Jermyn Street Hotel, London SW1 (0207 734 2353). It’s open from 12-6pm Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March and thereafter by appointment.
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