Emotion by Una

Certain feelings and psychological states are suggested by the form that clothing takes and by its impact on the 'natural' body. Viewers may formulate their own intelectual and emotional response.

Una Burke, LCF graduate, claims that: "Through my work I continually aim to create leather objects which are both visually captivating and technically challenging. They are pieces of wearable art which are indefinable as particular garments, preventing them from being placed into the conventional categories of the fashion industry." 

'Una Burke shapes lenghts of leather into evocative sculptural works that define form through restriction. Natural leather has been cut, moulded and bolted around the torso and arms. When worn on the body they rigorously control movement; when unworn they act like memories, preserving specific gestures and moments in time. '

Pictures and narrative from the Fashion Space Gallery at London College of Fashion, John Princes street.

Daphne

Daphne Guinesss is a style icon and a muse, beyond any doubt. But in this shot by Markus + Indrani for the Muse Magazine, she looks just divine! Even though the pictures look dramatically retouched, I am still weirdly attracted to them :)

Olek's at Tony's

What would be the most unexpected use of crochet? What about crochet-covered rolling pin? Seems reasonable :)

I've just seen the first UK solo exhibition by Polish-born, New York-based artist Olek at Tony's Gallery in Brick Lane. Utterly symbolic, sculptural installation  was full of explicit messages crocheted into the objects. The title 'I do not expect to be a mother but I do expect to die alone' was directly taken from Tracey Emin, but the rest was all about Olek's past relationship. The work was initially inspired by the e-mail, in which artist found out about her boyfriend's affair. Olek was then 36, hoping to start a family and that the relationship was the one to last. Deeply hurt, she started the installation, projecting her most intimate thoughts about motherhood and womanhood as such.
Definitely a must see.

Whistles & Me

When I moved to London in 2009, there was one particular brand that caught my attention. I've become almost obsessed with Whistles. Unfortunately, my flat-Whistles store distance was unbearable! Around 45 seconds. Basically I was living there, mastered all the sales/offers/discounts times throughout the seasons.
I was attracted to the full brand concept. I loved the atmospherics, music was always fabolously alternative, friendly & comfortable store layout, amazing displays, cute lavender-white price tags (started to collect them heh), my favourite colour on the walls etc. etc etc. [...] But the clothes ... ohhh my ! They were just as I like them to be. Quality fabrics with majority of the silks, comfy angoras and wools. Modern but edgy pieces (with lots of zipps!), effortlesly chic and unusual for high street: a perfect combination. Whistles had style itself, which happened to particularly match my own style. Of course, it doesnt mean I was buying everything without hesitation or consideration. Five out of eight coats I absolutely hated. But there were always three of them that I would die for. So I could get all my fall/winter/spring/summer essentials in less that 60 seconds away from home :)))

The state of our affair is completely different now. In my opinion, brand lost something 3-4 seasons ago. Its not modern and edgy anymore. To many patterns, to many flowers and dots. Its too girly and young now, too romantic and soft. It lost its appeal as a contemporary label for independent, self confident and a little bit naughty women. And with the recent changes in visual merchandising pattern (baroque-frame mirrors are OUT, white squares IN), I started to feel disappointed. Jane Shepherdson (Whistles's CEO) lives in my neighbourhood and I see her quite often. Maybe I should approach her and ask: WHY!?

Under those circumstances I visit store less often: once in a week.

Some of my Whistles all-time-favourites below:

Vampire Diaries

Hannah Holman in Fall 2012 campaign from the brand Ellery; photos by Australian designer Kym Ellery. Love the brand, love the campaign. And the story? Be creative: 'What is it?  Something weird here, in my mouth. Ooops, I am a vampire! Hmmm ... COOL - let's strike a pose' ;)))