7/20/08

Fashion photography overdose

For those into fashion photography, London is THE place to be right now.

Start with Mario Testino's "Obsessed by You" at Phillips de Pury
until July 26.

(Phillips de Pury&Company
Howick Place London SW1P 1BB)

Watch the posh opening here

Testino with his girls.
Kate Moss for Testino


Then run to Fashion in the Mirror: Self-Reflection in Fashion Photography
at the Photographer's Gallery, where you'll see what's really going on
behind those glamorous pictures.
"Fashion in the Mirror is an overview of their self-examination and a rare look behind-the-scenes of fashion photography from the 1950s to the present day"
See works by Mario Testino, Juergen Teller, Steven Klein, Helmut Newton, Harri Peccinotti and many more...
Until September 14.
(5 & 8 Great Newport Street
London WC2H 7HY
Nearest Tube: Leicester Square)
Read the review here.
Jonathan de Villiers
Tim Walker for Vogue
Gregoire Alexandre

And in October, at the National Portrait Gallery, you will be able to see Annie Leibovitz' works.

Leibovitz for Rolling Stone, taken 4 hours before Lennon was shot.

7/18/08

In London, you can:

Take a 'Jack the ripper' tour and see where he killed his victims... (in Shoreditch)




Get your dose of nostalgia while shopping...


See different kinds of art forms!

Be cheerful even on a rainy day. (thanks, leyla)

Have breakfast in a cafe with a car inside! (portobello)


Move your stuff in a very funny looking truck.

See vintage ads...
Drink in a pub that has a real tree inside!

See how British black humor meets fashion (and the sweatshops-the tshirt reads 'Just do it, you little bastard!)

See art anywhere!


See a 'windowless' house and 'look'!

Find a bag on the streets

Listen to a lady singing aria on the underground

Dance, while shopping in a vintage store

Have lunch in a real Rootemaster!



Drink your coffee by the River Thames, with a wonderful city view (if you are a member of Tate Modern)Read your book on the floor of a museum (again, Tate Modern)

Bump into a commercial shoot of a football channel for the new season.
Have your hair cut in a 'designer' hairdresser (Angel).

7/17/08

Secret shop alert!

Maison Bertaux.
On the first sight, it's a nice, French patisserie in Soho.
Small tables, mini chairs, delicious cheesecakes and yummy eclair's...

But then it is one of Soho's well kept secrets.


Just as you think the stairway to downstairs leads you to the toilets,
you suddenly enter a 'secret shop'!

Fancy some APC, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, Eley Kishimoto and Obey clothes?
Or maybe you're looking for Vivienne Westwood costume jewelry or something from Yura...
A.P.C. silver dress
A.P.C. Jessica Ogden Madras romper
A.P.C. navy and white crochet dress
Obey rings, Vivienne Westwood bracelet

There's also an online store but selling only vintage Madame a Trois china at the moment.

Here is how to get there:
27 Greek Street
Basement Premises
Soho W1D 5DF


7/16/08

Elle Magazine Presents: How to Spot a Trend


"Elle magazine invite guests from the industry to discuss what makes a fashion trend. How the trends born? How are they transferred between designers? Which trends make it to High Street and what happens when street trends begin to inform the catwalk?"

Those of you, who will be in London on August 7, should not miss the talk, held by Elle magazine.

It is a part of the Viktor&Rolf exhibition, and the visitors with the same day tickets will not pay any fee.
What can i say?
Two at a time!

Nearest tube: Barbican

Ballerina chic

Tutus!
That girly look..
Then when worn with plain tshirts and biker boots,
the 'rock chic' attitude...

I love, love and love tulle skirts!

Looks like this season, everyone will:

Zac Posen,autumn-winter 08-09

Most of the East End vintage stores were packed with tulle skirts, mind you.
Especially Beyond Retro had 'zillions' and in all colors!
This winter will be really colorful and fun!!
Piles and piles of tutus, everywhere...
Gold and silver detailed ones are really popular.
worn under dresses; cool idea!

7/13/08

Is this Banksy???



So says the Mail On Sunday...
Mysterious graffiti artist Banksy is a 34-year-old former public school pupil called Robin Gunningham, The Mail On Sunday has claimed.

It's 'Beyond Retro'

Beyond Retro is the biggest and one the best vintage stores in London.
There are over 15,000 items on the shop floor at any one time.

You have to have at least one whole day for the store.

With other stores in Soho and in Stockholm, here is how to get to the East End store.

Devil wears Prada; people, plimsoles!

Plimsoles are still huge in London.
You can find them in all highstreet stores.
For 10 pounds in Urban Outfitters, 15 in Office and around 10 in the street markets.
In the East End though, they are cheaper.
And are sold with funny 'literature':



If you don't want to look like everyone else, you can try the 'pointy toed' models, just like David...

Following the footsteps of the "Invader"

Street art is not complete without mentioning the famous urban invader.
I spotted two of his many works in London.
One in Brick Lane,



and another in Soho.

By the way, we are celebrating the 30th year of this legendary game! (link to the article)