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Polly Mellen remembered



Polly Mellen

Thoughts and prayers to all the fashion journalists this week. I’m not sure what’s up with the planets but it’s been a whirlwind of arrivals, departures and confirmations.

The happy news is that Chanel has confirmed Matthieu Blazy as its next artistic director (following his successful three years at Bottega Veneta) and Bottega has confirmed Louise Trotter as Blazy’s replacement. Yes, I’m delighted!

The sad news is that John Galliano (AKA Johnny G – cute!) is departing Maison Margiela after ten years. Not sure where he goes next.

But very sad is the news that the incredible stylist and one of my fashion idols Polly Allen Mellen has died at the age of 100. (more…)



The culture of fashion: Go to the Nightclub with silk shirts on



Ibiza 89 book by Dave Swindells

As Ibiza season kicks in, I’m reposting my article for Faith Fanzine that was originally published in print last summer. It seems the heady, hedonistic days of 80s rave and club culture are never far from a fashion designer’s moodboard. As photographer and former Time Out clubs editor Dave Swindells celebrates his fourth print run of photobook, IBIZA 89 (above), we mused on what the scene symbolised and why it’s an eternal source of style inspo (more…)



Quote of the day: anonymous ex-Tiffany salesperson



Linda Evangelista by Peter Lindbergh for U.S Vogue, 1989

“If you were scheduled on the main floor, you’re going to get a ton of people who were just looking. On the second floor, which was the silver jewelry, you had a lot more people who were actually buying because it was the entry-level price point. Honestly, anytime someone came in and you heard a British accent, you knew they were going to the silver floor.” (more…)



Luna Luna, a fantastical (but true) story



Keith Haring Luna Luna carousel - photo by Sabina Sarnitz

Are you as blown away as I am by the Luna Luna story?

The forgotten art funfair, initiated in Germany in 1987 by Austrian artist André Heller, then tragically left to languish in storage for 35 years – including surreal and often macabre rides by the likes of Haring, Basquiat, Scharf and a whole list of other 20th century art notables. The story is a movie-worthy tale in itself (the whole shebang recently rescued and revived by… Drake of all people), but the art and the accompanying catalogue are just as mindblowing.

Today’s iteration, Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy has just reopened in Los Angeles showing 16 of the restored carousels, pavilions and Ferris wheels as a look-but-don’t-touch experience. (more…)