Maison Martin Margiela ’20’ Exhibition - opens on Thursday

Images throughout courtesy of Somerset House.

Next week I'm going to the preview party for the new Maison Martin Margiela ’20’ Exhibition, at my favourite venue; Somerset House - and am very excited indeed.

© Ronald Stoops

Running from 3 June - 5 September, this show will explore the designer’s artistic and conceptual approach to fashion looking at Margiela's unique aesthetic and vision spanning the past 20 years, by incorporating installations, photography, video and film.

© Ronald Stoops

Conceived in close collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela and curated by the Mode Museum, Antwerp, this exhibition is aiming to provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the brand and its philosophy through a visual examination of themes that underpin the essence of the fashion house since its creation - from its deconstructivist, subversive design aesthetic and avant-garde couture to its understated branding, unusual boutique interiors and ‘trompe-l’oeil’ or optical illusion and its couture atelier white coats.

© Ronald Stoops

Various iconic pieces from both the women and menswear collections will be on display, such as the highly replicated ‘Tabi’ boots, as well as specially recreated garments for the exhibition.

© Marina Faust

This is a must-see this summer!

Multiple foxes

A few months ago I blogged about a cute little fox who had set up home on the roof of my building, and we recently found out she had three little foxlets! Super cute... if only we could keep them that small... very selfish, I know!

Fashion against AIDS hits H&M

Last week Swedish high-street giants H&M launched their third Fashion Against AIDS campaign (in conjunction with Designers Against AIDS), which sees the brand taking inspiration from the humble music festival to create a capsule collection of items any festival goer would be proud of – including an eye-catching tribal inspired animal print tent.

With 25% of gross sales donated to youth HIV and AIDS awareness projects - working to promote the message of safe sex - I truly can’t think of any better reason to snap up some of the exclusive key pieces. With prices starting from as low as £3 I'm sure these limited edition pieces will be flying off the shelves pronto, so head down to your nearest store without delay.

A Penny For Your Thoughts

Sorry for the absence of posts of late... I've been very busy with work to say the least, but now that the press days are over I have more time to get all of the pictures up. On my way down North Audley Street last week I found what has now become my favourite design of the Elephant Parade. Designed by Jane Morgan, I really fell in love with this elephant lovingly decorated with the humble British penny. I just wish I'd thought of it first!!

AW10 Press Days: Part Ten

A great press day I attended a couple of weeks back was that of the mighty Fred Perry. I loved the classic British brand's signature style which shone through thick argyle knits. I also liked the subtle branding introduced for AW10 which - for the ladies - saw brooches of their signature laurel logo which - as the name would suggest - were detachable, and rather lovely!

Also on display was Fred Perry's ongoing collaboration with Raf Simons, whose collection always focuses on knitwear, paying particular attention to traditional Fred Perry fabrics and techniques.

I really appreciated the punk inspired themes prevalent in the women's line - especially visible in the footwear and accessories.

In addition to the forthcoming collaboration with Amy Winehouse (news of which to come nearer the time), I also spotted first hand the collab with Liberty, where Fred Perry have sampled some of the historic store's legendary prints.

I loved the chandelier present in the Regent Street Tommy Hilfiger store - very decadent.The collection too was really impressive, not at all what I was expecting due to its high wearability. I also really liked the way that the mannequins were displayed and loved the styling and merchandising, which sincerely sold the collection to its highest potential.

Spot the on-trend country inspired tweeds and camel shades, and also the season's biggest story: the paperbag waist!

In the menswear section (which was rather impressive, I must say) I caught wind of an ongoing collaboration with the Keith Haring estate across ladies, mens and kids footwear.

I also really loved these NY themed 'Five Borough' T-shirts that come in pizza-style boxes... very cool indeed.

On display I spied a beautifully crafted table made from random bits of skirting board and varnished wood scraps. I absolutely loved the simplicity of it, the uneven surfaces and the general whimy. I really want to make myself one so 'll keep you posted on how that goes!

A Single Man

On Tuesday of this week I attended my favourite cinema in the whole world - the Prince Charles Cinema -and saw Tom Ford's directorial debut, A Single Man. Like many others around the world who have seen it, I'm in total agreement that Colin Firth wholly deserved his leading actor BAFTA.

I think that Nicholas Hoult also did a cracking job and feel that he has proved himself to be a breakthrough star of the big screen and will have a great career ahead of him. I just think its great how Skins has lead to such great things for both him and Dev Patel, propelling them into Hollywood careers from virtual unknowns (internationally at least).  

What I loved most was Ford's impassioned adaptation of Christopher Isherwood's novel. The casting was perfect and the story was portrayed in such a tender manner and I genuinely didn't want it to end. I'm not going to run through or even spoil the plot as by now there are thousands of reviews out there. I just wanted to simply say how much I enjoyed it!

Images throughout courtesy of Allmoviephoto.