juxtaposition 29.03/8.11

While shooting in the gorgeous glass greenhouse at Kew (see previous post), there was something about the light, the composition, that reminded me of the Armani press day: the way I had composed the shots, the cropping.. the light. It felt a bit Paris in the 30s, bit Cartier Bresson. My homage.

I am always interested in the relationship between beauty in nature, and beauty made by the hands of men. Or women.

Shot at Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, on 29.08.11, and Armani press day, 29.03.11. Thank you to Frida Kristensson, representing Kew, and Karmen Wijnberg, from Armani.

three little birds

Yesterday when I was on the street in Knightsbridge, I had to pee and went into Starbucks. There was a little queue for the downstairs loo so went upstairs, where there was a notice that it was broken, sorry, and to try the one downstairs. After a while I gave up and went to Wasabi, where I had lovely sushi, but while I was queuing at Starbucks, Bob Marley was singing: Three Little Birds. And it's been playing in my head ever since.






Just spoke with the delightful Will at the British Fashion Council and he confirmed: it's not too late. It really is a more the merrier thing. Just go to the LFW site, click on REGISTER, apply for a press pass here. Don't be put off by the need for accreditation, the LINK TO WEBSITE is your own blog. He said there's even a special blogger's press pass with a bloggers' bar.. you really are welcome. I know everyone got a bit freaked about the Tavigate thing, and a few snide pieces by a few disgruntled old hacks but really, long as we don't eat ALL the free pastries - hell, even if we DO end up eating all the free pastries.. your collective passion, your enthusiasm, your time and professionalism and energy, are really an important part of the industry.

Really, what are you waiting for, a written invitation? : )



Some more street shots from yesterday. I was really into the self portrait thing. Everywhere I went, I kept seeing me, me, me.



Oh and something else Will said: I know the first time, I didn't quite trust that I was actually registered. But you'll be amazed when you get there, it's really easy. Just bring some ID. If you've got any kind of business cards, that's great to have in general especially if you're going to take photos of people (I get my cards printed by GOODPRINT: they're great value, quick turnaround and very user friendly).







(Oh and for what it's worth: once you're in, you won't necessarily receive a confirmation. Don't worry about that either. Just show up. And don't worry about what you're going to wear, just be comfortable. I'm including these shows to show that no matter what we wear.. well let's just say we're not going to look good at every angle. The secret to fashion week, like life in general, is to not take any of it too seriously).






Truly: don't worry about a thing. Cause every little thing's gonna be alright. You'll see.

into the sunset

Today in my inbox, from ASOS community was, among other things, an Ashish-inspired 'sequin sunset vest dress', below. (The above shot is one of mine, btw: A/W 2010).



I got so inspired that I pulled out some photos from our sailing trip to the Virgin Islands last February (when I missed what would have been my first London Fashion Week, incidentally), and, having some Fun with Photoshop, I produced this:



Then I realised that net a porter is currently selling the real deal.

So, okay, I've done the math. I could buy the Ashish dress today (below), from net-a-porter, for £1,070. Or, I could buy the ASOS Ashish-inspired dress, sans sleeves, for £85. Another way to look at it is, for £1070 I could buy 12.68 ASOS dresses.

That's a lot more sequins.



I wonder at what point technology made it possible to mass produce sequins. I mean, even for the Ashish dresses, they can't possibly be hand sewn, can they? The dresses are quite different, apart from the sequins and the sunset motif. I used to wear the style of the ASOS dress: fitted, same neck, but.. maybe it's back to the 'act your age' debate, but I find I'm not in a stage of my life right now where I'd be wearing that kind of 'pulling' dress. I prefer the loose feel of Ashish's original design, the sleeves, and the colours feel more sophisticated. I'm not normally a red person but I love it next to hot pink and orange. Everything, with colour, is relative.

Don't get me wrong: I adore Ashish, and I love ASOS: two opposite ends of the same spectrum. And ASOS aren't saying that Ashish designed that line, only inspired it. And I feel ASOS is a brilliant, absolutely brilliant brand, and I like how they think. It's like the print vs. online debate: I believe there is not just room, but a need, for both. And at the moment, I'm not buying either dress.



What I'd love (Ashish, are you reading this?) is a large turquoise Hawaiian shirt, like what he's shown on the S/S 2010 catwalk, but bigger: as a mini dress. In sequins. Failing that, I am looking for a vintage one. I just think it would be a gorgeous look, with black tights and heels for night, or leggings, or bare legged with brogues. I haven't seen anyone wear it yet but I am starting that trend. Right here, right now. I'm throwing down the gauntlet.

Your thoughts on the subject, as always, are most welcome. Thank you to net a porter, ASOS, me, Photoshop, the British Virgin Islands, and the British Fashion Council, for unwittingly giving me permission to make this post possible. But especially, thank you to Ashish. Your vision and your talent is so joyous, far reaching, and above all, inspiring.