IN AND OUT IN LONDON

Fashion photography overdose

2008-07-20T23:46:00.004+03:00

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.

In London, you can:

2008-07-18T20:21:00.007+03:00

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).

Secret shop alert!

2008-07-17T11:08:00.004+03:00

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

Elle Magazine Presents: How to Spot a Trend

2008-07-16T21:54:00.003+03:00

"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

2008-07-16T19:06:00.004+03:00

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!

Is this Banksy???

2008-07-13T16:17:00.001+03:00

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'

2008-07-13T02:17:00.000+03:00

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!

2008-07-13T01:52:00.000+03:00

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"

2008-07-13T01:09:00.000+03:00

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)

Two is a trend- part 2

2008-07-13T01:04:00.000+03:00

Ronald and Pablo amaze me with their mutual love for hygiene.

A real cool hunter should not go without an antibacterial hand gel.

Apply it on your hands after leaving a vintage store.

Two is a trend!

2008-07-13T00:56:00.000+03:00

David bumps into his ex business partner Joe (Dave&Joe).
It seems as if they share the same fashion sense too.

Dave and Joe with their identical LV bags.

TOAF ≠6

2008-07-13T00:33:00.001+03:00

I love head accessories.
And we have started to see more of them with the Gossip Girl fashion craze.
(Especially the character, Blair Woldorf is never seen without one)
Many designers have expanded their accessory lines to include more and more hair 'decor'.

Florencia (Monis), is a fashion designer from Argentina and her hair accessories 'rock'!
ps. The Italian magazine Amica will feature her bands in the September issue.

Florencia, wearing one of her feather clips.
Me with a white Florencia Monis headband.
Florencia and her model, Pablo.

Leyla in a vintage find. I don't remember if she bought it.

On the road with David

2008-07-13T00:26:00.000+03:00

For today, our (cool) instructor is David (Kappo)
He's going to take us to East End.
But before, he gives us a list of the 'trendiest' pubs and bars in the area:

Dreambags Jaguarshoes IS a bar!!!

The Wonder of YOU!

2008-07-12T23:56:00.001+03:00

The cycler took us to Embankment.
But we still did not want to go home.
And still did not know what to do on a Sunday evening.
Walked pass the bridge to Southbank...
And bumped into a tent.
Of the The Lift Festival (art festival)

Inside, there was an event called 'The Wonder of You'.
Basically, people were sharing their skills.
One was making waffles, the other teaching Greek,
another learning how to 'origami'...

Elif made some 'art' at a table.
I learned how to use Skype.

The closing event of the Lift Festival was held by City Mine(d).

As one of the organizers, Ishrat Nisrat tells me, the aim was to show that everyone had a skill; everyone was special.
We had to start connecting with each other and learn from each other...

All things Turkish

2008-07-12T23:47:00.000+03:00

Things that reminded me of istanbul during my stay...

Little Galatarasay fans.
Belly dancing shows are as fashionable as 'burlesque' shows.
At least in Soho... And the audience is mainly women.
Wolfgang Tillmans was amazed by İstanbul, i guess.
Reming you, not the best part of the city.

Tapestry bags

2008-07-12T23:07:00.001+03:00

For those who have not seen the Gucci ads of the coming season, carpet bags are coming!
I, myself have been looking for a tapestry one, for more than 8 months.
Even though my country is known for them, i have not been lucky enough to find my 'dream bag'.

Then again,
I found my beloved models in London.
Unfortunately, they all had owners!
Florencia with new vintage tapestry bag.
@Spitalfields

I saw one bag@ the Urban Outfitters store, similar to the last one. But it was not a nice piece and was 120 pounds! Urbn is very good at forecasting the street trends and interpreting them to their collections. I found these in their online store:
Slouchy Canvas Bag
Tapestry Tote BagMayfly Tapestry Bag

London tour not complete without Spitalfileds

2008-07-11T00:33:00.000+03:00

If you go around 10 am, it will be easier to move around. Get really crowded by noon.

Forget Portobello!
If you want the real thing, you must go to Spitalfields market on a Sunday.
(2008 'BEST FASHION MARKET' -Time Out London)
Food, vintage, young designer stuff...
Goldie's stall is one of the favorites. Nice skirts and dresses, she's got.

Ronald, wandering around... Looking for some food stalls...

Better if you skip breakfast and have brunch there.

You will thank me...

ps.
for some useful tips, check these out:
www.oldspitalfieldsmarket.com

www.visitspitalfields.com

www.spitalfields.org.uk

www.spitalfields.co.uk

The evolution of mankini

2008-07-10T22:49:00.000+03:00

First, the producers of Borat, or Sascha Baron Kohen himself takes a tour around the Soho area in London.
They spot this weird looking thingy in a sex shop.
They use it in the film, Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan...

After a couple of years it's Alexander McQueen's turn. On his catwalk, the thingy now called a 'mankini' has evolved into something else:

Here is what Simon Mills (the guardian) wrote about the "McQuini".

But then, we see Jim Carey in this!

He is either channeling Borat, or is desperately seeking coverage!
What do you think?
Will make it to the mainstream?

*** Love The Dogfish has been so kind to remind me of John Mayer's 'Borat moment'...

Faking it, London style

2008-07-10T03:01:00.000+03:00

Ebay is going to pay 61 million dollars to Louis Vuitton for enabling the fake goods on the site. But as i hear, the case was against eBay's unwillingness to help the brands in their anticounterfeit war.
London too, has a 'fake scene' of its own:

Prada bags in Portobello...
Worst looking 'not a plastic bag' ever.
My first fake Paul Frank sighting...

The Borough Market

2008-07-10T02:51:00.001+03:00

Being a food and especially a chocolate enthusiast, the Borough food market was Ronald's favorite.

A must see for everyone though...
Nearest tube is Borough, on the northern line.

But "beware the thieves", says Pablo!

The war on alcohol

2008-07-10T02:41:00.000+03:00

At the V festival 2 years ago, i was shocked to see people buying beer in cases.
40 at a time?
We would buy a few glasses at most.
So okay, there is a pub culture and everything but the English do have an apatite for alcohol.
We thought they were able to cope.
But not a day goes buy without the news of binge drinking, women drinking more than men and the rise in the alcohol related hospitalization incidents.
Even the well known fashion magazines have started to mention about this problem.
Drinking was banned on the tube a few weeks ago...

Ok. So there really is a campaign against 'binge drinking' and 'getting wasted' if not alcohol consumption as a whole.

I saw this man at a pub around 17 pm at Soho.
What do you think?
Is there really a problem?
(and yes, he was breathing!)

Shutter glasses are a no no!

2008-07-10T02:14:00.000+03:00

Not to offend anyone but a rather stupid trend, in my opinion.
Made famous by Kanye West and then Paris Hilton, as it appears, shutter glasses are very popular in London.
Actually, haven't seen a single person wearing them.
But since they are sold everywhere, there has to be some demand!
As the fashion blog My Fashion Life puts it, they are the only competitors of the Wayfarers (which in my opinion sucks too! Why do everyone want to look the same???)

But... Having tried a pair, yes, it is not possible to see through them.

I mean, it's just like seeing through shutters.

Useless... I'd say go get one; only if you are desperately in need of some attention.
By the way, i'm sure Kanye was helping a friend to sell some glasses...
Paris??? You know how she's like...

Where to find?

Online, the real thing is at it's official site.

Asos is another adresss. They are on every stall in the London street markets.

Around 10 pounds at most.

And you know what, i prefer these. At least got some style!

Rainbow colors everywhere

2008-07-10T02:00:00.000+03:00

Just in time for the Soho pride, London was covered with rainbow colours here and there...
Absolut Vodka had a special edition bottle and a cocktail book, which we couldn't go without buying..A flag can be seen in Liecester Square.

Soho
A local pub@South Kensington

Soho

A photograph by Wolfgang Tillmans. Loved it!

Here come the tartans!

2008-07-10T01:52:00.000+03:00

Ladies and gents, a rather stylish cycle rickshaw for you..
Unknowingly stylish, because plaid and tartan patterns will be huge this winter.
Just check out Dolce&Gabbana, Balmain, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger...

Cycle rickshaw

2008-07-10T01:42:00.000+03:00

I've always wanted to get on one in London.

When my friend Elif and i didn't want to go home and could not decide on anywhere to go on a Sunday afternoon, we got on one.
The cycler was a Turkish student.
But still charged us 10 pounds for a very short distance!
Basically, life on the outside from a cycle rickshaw looks something like this:

Fancy some London street style?

2008-07-10T01:23:00.000+03:00

Nowadays, 'cool forms of art' is on the streets.
Actually, "life" is on the streets..
Here are some people i looked twice in London.

A girl, crying in Brick Lane.
Lunch time@ Spitalfields Market
Spitalfields
Tate Modern (Paulo fell in love with this jacket)
It's Burberry Prorsum, fyi.
Liecester Square "We dressed up" they said...
Very nice looking girl on Portobello. You'll see more of this 'ripped tights' look.

Brick Lane, Vibe Bar

Street Art Craze

2008-07-10T00:19:00.000+03:00

Listen to me carefully!
If you have money, invest in street art.
I'm telling you; it's not only Banksy 'banking big bucks'..

Of course, London has a huge Banksy scene nowadays.
His artwork being reproduced and sold on the streets, Banksy tshirts on the stalls...
There are words of fake Banksy work, flowing in the market.
And there's even a Banksy guide book, for touring the city in search of his art on the streets...
You know what, it's the 3rd edition!
There are many others, not as popular as Banksy to the urban art illiterate.
I don't know them well but, on our way to Tate Modern's 'Street Art' exhibition (held outside the museum of course) i learn that Leca's boyfriend indeed is a well known artist: Nunca (meaning never), from Brasil.
And he has a painting on Tate Modern's wall, as you can see here...
Nunca 'on' Tate Modern

Nunca and others' artworks are selling for thousands of pounds.
A rather posh gallery in South Kensinton is holding an exhibition at the moment (be sure to chcek their site!):

Even 100 thousand pound pieces were sold!
Think about Fafi's collaboration with M.A.C cosmetics.
And others' with brands that want to be identified with the streets (sneakers, jeans, backpacks...)
Street art is dynamic, young, energic, fun, clever and colouful...

Portobello district
So, be ready for absurd amounts of money for urban artwork. And effects of this movement in every aspects of our lives.
Street art has never been so cool!

London is the paradise for street artists..
Everywhere i go, i find magnificent works...
Here are some for the steet art hungry:

An artist working in Southbank
East End
Old Street
An artist at work in Covent Garden
Art on the underground!
East End
Old Street
Old Street
Old Street
Old Street
Brick Lane

Oscar, by the trash cans! (Old Street)
Brick Lane

And some street art from istanbul.
Unfortunately, they were erased...

There are no words!

2008-07-09T23:59:00.001+03:00

I was amazed by Viktor&Rolf's work, when i visited their then 'newly opened' flagship store in Milan.
(For those of you who can read Turkish, here is my article.)

Two and a half years later, i was lucky enough to see their 'retrospective'; The House of Viktor&Rolf .

There really are no words! And they really are GENIUSES!
You have to go and see for yourselves!

Some details:
* The doll house built within the gallery (above) is 6 meters tall.
* 54 special made dolls (70 cm. each) resemble the real model, who then carried the dress. (below)
* These 19th century dolls were inspired by the dolls, used by fashion houses, such as Balenciaga, Chanel and Schiaparelli after WW2, to promote fashion.

Barbican, WOW!

2008-07-09T23:49:00.000+03:00

With 40 storey blocks and towers, a must see of the 'architectours'...
www.barbicanliving.co.uk

TOAF ≠5 (and bows)

2008-07-09T23:36:00.000+03:00

Pablo on the other hand, showed up in a bow detailed shirt.

It was very cute of him since we were on our way to Barbican, for the Viktor&Rolf exhibition.
The Dutch duo is known for their use of bows, anywhere and everywhere.

Bows were big last season.
But will be HUGE during the next!

TOAF ≠4

2008-07-09T23:27:00.001+03:00

Florencia shows up in her latex looking leggings
She was stopped by many people and asked where she got them...
This trend is becoming huge.

Similar rubber ones can be seen on Victoria Beckham.

The word is that, celebrities prefer the brand, "Members Only" which you can (again) find at Urban Outfitters:

Rihanna is a fan too.. (with her LV monogramouflage bag- Takashi Murakami)

Kids, unless you are really skinny, don't try this at home!

Fabric in the morning

2008-07-09T23:24:00.000+03:00

Being married to a dj, Fabric means a lot me.
Of course, it was rather interesting to see the club in the day light!

The Meat Market

2008-07-09T23:18:00.000+03:00

I'm glad i missed the meat market tour.
Never was a meat lover.
When i found out that 'meat was coming from the animals', refused to eat for a long time, as a child.
My parents had to convince the butchers to tell me lies: 'Meat was not from animals. It grew on the trees or in the soil". I had to choose one! Very creative, eh?
But i guess, it was something like this:

Green London

2008-07-09T23:00:00.001+03:00

Green is the MACRO trend of the moment...
Everywhere...

Of course i cannot list all the green things i spotted in London, but here are a few:

Organic shoe store in Covent Garden
London School of Economics is also a supporter of We Are What We Do (remember, i'm not a plastic bag?) now..
Recycling...
Bookstore chain WHSmith, introducing the ecoprints...

I'm on Carey Street!

2008-07-09T22:40:00.000+03:00

Carey Street is where the Royal Courts of Justice is today...
But back in the day, it was an area where beggars used to hang out.
That's why there is a saying. If you don't have any money, you say "I'm on Carey Street"...

The most famous spot on Carey street is the Seven Stars Pub.

The lawyers have delicious meals during their lunch hour.
And chat with lovely Roxy Beaujolais...

If you're lucky, you can bump into Tom Paine, their 'weapon for mouse destruction'!

Remind you, there are some rules:

Hats: As seen on Pete

2008-07-09T22:26:00.000+03:00

Can't remember Pete Doherty without a hat on is head.

The exboyfriend of the 'ultimate trendsetter' has created some trends of his own.

Our instructor Carol tells me that the reason of the hat stalls in every street market is Babyshamble's frontman.

And the streets of course....

'Cool' boomers

2008-07-09T22:09:00.000+03:00

Cool boomers; coolmers, i call them..
Spotted many!

We were not allowed to take pictures at the Viktor&Rolf exhibition. Without a flash, this was my best. These two ladies are watching the 'dynamic duos' catwalk show...
Rather cool lady@lunch by herself, in Whole Foods...

I was really touched by these pics. This probably homeless lady is looking at the shopwindow of a jewelery store. Maybe she hasn't got money, but she is still a woman! (optimism again??)

Leather Lane discoveries

2008-07-09T22:00:00.000+03:00

Famous for it's stalls and a few vintage shops, try to see Leather Lane during your London vacation.

Some useful tips:
* Try not to miss Kate Kanzier. Cheap but nice shoes&bags!

* Pop into Age Concern for nostalgia...

* The bead store Bellore is a heaven for accessory freaks! And the staff is very friendly...

Yes they do start so young indeed!

2008-07-09T21:42:00.000+03:00

If there are posh babies, there must be some 'fashionista' tweens, right?

The legendary fashion blogger (he now has a bag named after him by Marc Jacobs: check out the BB Bag this season) Bryan Boy was blogging about a rather 'fashion conscious' boy last week.

The kid was spotted by The Sartorialist.

So it turns out, London has its share of these teens too.
Check out these 12 year old boys (yes, i asked them!) i spotted at the rather hip district, Brick Lane.

Can he be the new Sartorialist? Check out the glasses!
Skinny pants, glasses and THE HAIR!

Comments anyone?

Posh kids?

2008-07-09T17:08:00.000+03:00

I spotted this leopard baby dress on a stall in Leather Lane.

Then the Heelarious shoes; soft 'high heel's for babies came to my mind.

What's up with the kids?

Or what's in their moms' minds?

Little Carrie Bradshaws?

Nostalgia sells!

2008-07-09T16:42:00.000+03:00

The year is 2008. And (sad but true) the 90's have become retro!
Just as i was buying a Super Mario purse at a vintage store in the East End, i thought i could easily spend all my money on things that bring the memories of my childhood...

We all are attached to our past.
That's why, 'old stuff' is easy to sell.
Nostalgia trend is huge in London too...
Here are the things i spotted:

The Tintin shop is in Covent Garden...
Video cassettes anyone???
Mickey Mouse is probably the only one thing which is not suitable for vintage. Freaky!

Wish i had kept mine. Sell for 65 pounds!
This is huge.
Pacman tshirts; rather cool!

When architecture met fashion

2008-07-09T16:31:00.000+03:00

The famous wooden 'table skirt' by Chalayan.

Skin&Bones is an ongoing exhibition at the Somerset house.

It basically shows how the two diciplines use each others techniques more and more these days.

We saw the works by:
Shigeru Ban
Hussein Chalayan
Preston Scott Cohen
Comme des Garçons
Neil M. Denari Architects
Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Winka Dubbeldam / Archi-Tectonics
Eisenman Architects
Alber Elbaz for Lanvin
Enric Miralles Benedetta Tagliabue / EMBT
Foreign Office Architects
Future Systems
Frank Gehry
Tess Giberson
Zaha Hadid Architects
Herzog & de Meuron
Yoshiki Hishinuma
Toyo Ito
Greg Lynn FORM
Jakob + MacFarlane
Elena Manferdini
Maison Martin Margiela
Alexander McQueen
Miyake Issey
Morphosis
Narciso Rodriguez
Neutelings Riedijk Architecten
Jean Nouvel
Office dA
OMA / Rem Koolhaas
Ralph Rucci
Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa / SANAA
Nanni Strada
Yeohlee Teng
Testa & Weiser
Olivier Theyskens for Rochas
Isabel Toledo
Bernard Tschumi
Dries Van Noten
Viktor & Rolf
Junya Watanabe
Vivienne Westwood
Wilkinson Eyre Architects
Yohji Yamamoto
J. Meejin Yoon / MY Studio

Just as we visited the exhibition, i read that Zaha Hadid was collaborating with Melissa Shoes.

Don't you think her shoes look a lot like her buildings?
The lady has got some style!

Visa Swap

2008-07-09T16:06:00.000+03:00

Coming to Covent Garden soon...
The event is due on July 19&20, right here..
(No.1 The Piazza, Covent Garden, London, WC2)

In the time being, people are dropping their unwanted clothes at some points and in return, receiving credits on their Visa Swap cards.
On swapping days, they will use their credits to buy other peoples' clothes.
The campaign is big; Lindsay Lohan is the face of Visa Swap.

The credit crunch, ecological movements and our collective love for vintage makes Visa Swap a rather interesting event.

By the way, the huge swapping site Freecycle is growing tremendously.

And for swapping event in İstanbul, be sure to check out Atölye 5's site regularly.
They hold swapping events in their studio every month too..

PS. If you don't know what to get in return@Visa Swap, the site gives helpful hints for the fashion illiterate.

So, what's hot to swap?

Belts
Blazers
Block bright colours
Brightly coloured wedges
Caps/hats
Cork shoes
Either extremely small or oversized clutch bags
Floral corsages and childlike appliqué
Fringed accessories
High waisted pants or shorts
High waisted trousers or jeans
Jewelled bags and tops
Jumbo jewels and Perspex appliqué
Jumpsuits
Mannish jackets
Metallic anything!
Mini skirts
Patch work, puff sleeve and print dresses
Romantic frills and ribbons
Slogan T-shirts
Suits
Super mini and trapeze dresses
Sweaters
Tote bags you could fit a small child in
Trousers
Vests
Vintage sunglasses
Washed out jeans

Channeling Chanel?

2008-07-09T15:38:00.000+03:00

Probably the opposite!
It must have been Chanel, who channeled the vintage opera clothes.

The stars were huge last season.
YSL and Chanel were among the fashion houses, who used stars nearly on everything.
Then, as a matter of fact, the high street was also covered in stars.
Stars, as common motifs always come and go.
Sonia Rykiel, Viktor&Rolf, Givenchy and Prada are among the ones who have previously used star details...

But after i saw this dress at the Royal Opera House i was convinced that Stefano Pilati spent some of his precious time in Covent Garden...

The bodice and over-skirt were worn by Margot Fonteyn in Birthday Offering. It was performed on 6 June 1958, in the presence of the Queen.

Magic on the streets

2008-07-09T15:27:00.001+03:00

Covent Garden

Harry Potter must still be big here..

'Magicians' still attract kids...

TOAF ≠3

2008-07-09T15:25:00.000+03:00

Leca is a devoted follower of the 'optimism trend' ...

Covent Garden

2008-07-09T15:08:00.000+03:00

Our instructor for the first week is Carol.
(Carol Morgan: a global trend tracker, identifying what effects design and fashion around the world. She is the founding partner in a design and manufacturing company, a brand consultant working with Japanese clients and an experienced marketeer in the cosmetics and beauty industries. She is an Associate Lecturer on BA Fashion: Communication and Promotion and Central Saint Martins as well a designer of textiles, lifestyle products and accessories.. )

Our first stop is Covent Garden...

Paul Smith, Paul Frank and Magma are my 'must stops'...
Tachen has become Crocs, unfortunately.
Mint Vintage should also be checked out!

Don't forget to eat at Cafe Pacifico (Mexican) and Belgo (delicious Belgian beer&mussels)..

Everything is gonna be all right!

2008-07-09T14:50:00.001+03:00

We all are going through really tough times..
But the Londoners are trying their best to pump some optimism in our blood!

A man in Covent Garden... Reminded me of the "free hug movement"...

Happines is cheap at the Leather Lane stalls...

At least they are trying (Liecester Square)

These two girls were singing 'It's raining man' and dancing with the water. (Southbank)
Even 'Art on the underground' is optimist!

Happy tunes everywhere (on the way to Tate Modern)

Flower city

2008-07-09T14:41:00.000+03:00

I always had a thing for the London landscape
Flowers, flower shows...
In the markets, you can always see people buying flowers.
These were my favorites:

the garden of St. Paul's cathedral...

barbican balconies!
A lovely little house on Portobello

Is London the new Vegas?

2008-07-09T14:37:00.001+03:00

There was a tshirt in Portobello saying,
"Good girls go to heaven,
Bad girls come to London "
????

TOAF ≠2

2008-07-09T14:25:00.001+03:00

Salavat in rolled up pants!
Very 'trendy', as you can see many other on Yvan Rodic's blog, Facehunter, like this one:

And then on Pablo:

Trend on a friend

2008-07-09T14:21:00.000+03:00

Leca too was wearing ripped jean skirts on the first day...

First spotting: Cut off jean skirts

2008-07-09T13:38:00.003+03:00

Street style is usually the first thing you spot in London.
After years of tights and skinny jeans, it seems Londoners have found a new 'it' street style look.

Cut off mini jean skirts are everywhere, on everyone.
From the stalls in Covent Garden and Portobello to Leather Lane;

From H&M and Topshop to cool shops in Brick Lane, they are everywhere...

Amy Winehouse affects on the London streets...
Some people prefer the 'jean shorts' look as well...
(again like Amy, and a la Agyness Deyn, Kate Moss, one of the Olsen twins...)

There's a nice pair of True Religion shorts at Urban Outfitters, if you're into them:
True Religion Bobby Cut Off

Cool start

2008-07-09T13:31:00.000+03:00

First day.
In class @Central Saint Martins with 11 other enthusiastic 'coolhunter wannabe's...
Turns out people have come form very far places indeed..
Hong Kong, Australia, El Salvador and Argentina to name a few...
Our multicultural group is way too cool!