books

Deep cuts



cuts book Steve Brooks Gimme 5

It’s been a bit of a whirlwind month for CUTS, my hairdresser and London landmark of sorts. It’s a kind of ‘if you know, you know’ thing; it’s been around forever but was never treated as a ‘brand’, rather a word of mouth hangout that does very good hair. (Side note: they came out with the phrase ‘You Look Good’ long before anyone else.)

CUTS started in Kensington Market during the post-punk years, then progressed to Kensington Church Street (I would pass it on the way to school) and ended up in Soho where it’s been for a couple of decades. It’s where I went when I decided to go short in the early 90s. (more…)



Still not bored of French girl magic



In Paris by Jeanne Damas and Lauren Bastide

Here’s a delicious new book celebrating cool, understated Parisiennes. If you enjoyed my book, The New Garconne (here), I think you’ll love In Paris: 20 Women on Life in the City of Light. It’s full of voyeuristic intimate photo profiles of everyday Parisian women, with photos taken by the quintessential Paris babe, Jeanne Damas. (more…)



Gus van Sant: The Outsiders



NYT T Magazine tribute to S E Hinton by Gus Van Sant

I loved this story by Lena Dunham in the New York Times T magazine about masculinity and its portrayal by female writers. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton was my favourite book as a teen; so very tender and evocative. (more…)



Quote of the day: John Maxwell-Worrell



Allan ‘Capitan’ Thornhill image from Carnival: A Photographic and Testimonial History of the Notting Hill Carnival

“West Indians who went to the carnival actually felt empowered by their numbers because outside of those two days we felt like one blackcuurant in a large pink teacake.”

John Maxwell-Worrell, music promoter, Carnival: A Photographic and Testimonial History of the Notting Hill Carnival (more…)