Autumn purchases

Stocking up for winter, some autumnal pieces I have bought:

Zara - leather biker coat

ASOS - Athens chelsea boots

Zara - blouse with studded shoulders

Vintage faux fur collar. You can find a similar one from H&M here

Yayoi Kusama at the Tate Modern

82 year-old Yayoi Kusama’s colourful, large, all encompassing works are, at first glance, fun, vibrant and exciting. Delve deeper into the Japanese artists’ paintings, sculptures and installations and you see an overwhelming struggle with obliteration, patriarchy and self-space spanning over six decades.

Kusama is Japan’s most famous living artist and made her name in New York in the 50s and 60s when she produced flowers with spiky inners and threatening red caves -- seen currently at the Tate Modern’s exhibition until 5 June.

Since 1977 Kusama has lived voluntarily in a psychiatric institution, and many of the works shown at the Tate are marked with obsessiveness and a desire to escape from psychological trauma. In an attempt to share her experiences, she creates installations that immerse the viewer in her obsessively charged vision of endless dots and nets or infinitely mirrored space.

It is after the Tate reveals this fact that the works become more disturbing and Kusama’s mental illness is highlighted with the repetitious, hallucinogenic, ominous nature of the spots and phallic, spongy white shapes covering inane objects.

She is renowned for her “environments’ and this exhibition is one after the other, with seeminingly no escape.

As the 1960s progressed, Kusama moved from painting, sculpture and collage to installations, films, performances and ‘happenings’ as well as political actions, counter-cultural events, fashion design and publishing.

The exhibition includes Kusama’s iconic film Kusama’s Self-Obliteration 1968, capturing this period of performative experimentation -- one of the more disturbing parts of the exhibition!

The last work -- before which a Tate worker asks if “you have seen the whole exhibition?” prior to letting you in -- is a new installation and a highlight of the exhibition for me. Infinity Mirrored Room - Filled with the Brilliance of Life 2011, is Kusama’s largest mirrored room to date and is filled with hanging lights changing colour creating infinite space and movement.

PushIt Magazine

A few posts I've done for PushIt Magazine...

Celine Resort Collection 2012

It’s often a difficult balance to keep resort collections suitably feminine without being overtly fluffy, yet Phoebe Philo, in her latest Cèline Resort collection, has managed the balance — through bright florals paired with edgy sharp cuts....

McQ by Alexander McQueen

Pina Ferlisi, under the watchful eye of Royal favourite designer of the moment Sarah Burton, has gone to town in the latest collection for the Alexander McQueen diffusion line, McQ. The pieces are a riot of colour and experimental shapes...

Aquilando.Rimondi Autumn/Winter 2011

Dolce and Gabbana, Victor and Rolf, Basso and Brooke… sometimes the match of two minds can produce magical results, and Italian design duo Aquilano.Rimondi are proving their worth to take their place in the perfect pairings hall of fame...

Enjoy x

Boardwalk Empire

Set to be the new Mad Men in the fashion influence stakes, Boardwalk Empire has got me excited. It’s the perfect antidote for those of us who don’t have the killer Christina Hendrick-like curves.1920s sillouttes are perfecty flattering for most figures- but what I’m especially loving are the amazing accessories. From dazzling hair pieces to beaded sparkling 1920s style earrings- a brilliant excuse to dance away those gloomy January blues. The new American period drama plays host to some beautiful designs, carefully selected by costume designer John Dunn. Take a look here:


Another great thing about ths trend is the versatitly- despite the beaded and intricate nature of many of the pieces- it is easily transferable to the high street. This lacy number from Oasis for example- looks uber chic and- dare I say- expensive, but has just been reduced to £100- hurrah! http://www.oasis-stores.com/Lace-Fringe-Flapper-Dress/Clothing/oasis/fcp-product/3170082046

This red number by Topshop ticks two trend boxes with its popping colour block and layered style- http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=2172251&

And if you want to go the whole hog- Asos have this very cute hat to cover up on those cold winter days.

www.asos.com/Catarzi/Catarzi-Felt-1920S-Hat/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1356984

Terence Winter's epic new HBO series launched in the channel's premier Sunday 9pm slot last night, thus avoiding weekly conflict with rival period drama Mad Men. Check it out.

SATC2

Ok, so the reviews have been..less than encouraging. Peter Bradshaw of the Guardian called it "incredibly boring" whilst Anthony Quinn of the Independant thought the makers were flogging a dead horse.

Well Lorna Davies of ..ahem her room, says, it's OK. By this I mean if it's a visual feast with over the top opulance, glamour and unrealistic storylines you're after this ticks all the boxes. The sparkling glamour of the middle-eastern setting is reflected in the amazing outfits and you'll also be treated to a few laughs along the way. If it's excellent acting, gripping storylines and laugh-a-minute dialogue you're after, try eastenders.

bum note

Usually the favoured accessory for the sightseeing socks and sandal donning American tourist, yes you guessed it, the bum bag is back. Occasionally the fashion industry throw out a crazy yet practical trend, we had snoods last season and now, it’s the fanny pack.
You have Marc Jacobs to thank for this one; it appeared in his own line as well as in his collection for Louis Vuitton. This time round they are less fluoro monstrosities as of the eighties and early nineties, more tasselled, cowgirl hip-hoverers. Never ones to miss a cowboy theme, D&G also jumped on the, ahem, bum-wagon with an oversized, distressed denim (ooh we do love two trends in one) and tasselled one that you can have over your shoulder if feeling a little bum bag shy.
This fashion shocker comes along with the other retro trends such as cycling shorts and clogs that have reappeared on the catwalks. Now, I know you are dying to find out where you can get hold of this oh-so-stylish practical accessory yourselves; Marks and Spencer will be launching a studded leather-effect version, for around £15, in May, while across the pond American Apparel present a gold shiny one for a similar price. Want one right now? French Connection are doing a floral beauty for around £35 and River Island are doing a white canvas studded one that looks a little like a rockers codpiece.
I am dubious about this one, verdict from Reading students mainly consisted of: “What, seriously?!” However, think about the festival season and gigs, rather than donning a studded belt for festival chic you may well be popping on a bum bag, enabling you to relax with your hands free for beer, and while your friends laugh at you they’ll secretly be wishing they had one.