Objects of desire....

*aaarrrrccchhhheeewwww!* had a bad flu/cold thing over the last couple weeks which left me inactive to my detriment, sadly I was unable to attend the plethora of sample sales which i talked about in my last blog. however I probably save a lot of pocket change. ..

Last week Nicolas Kirkwood had a sample sale in Bond Street with some serious fab shoes !!! But the prices weren't the sample sale prices I would have hoped for ... pumps from £200 however his shoe and boots do average about £700 at normal retail prices...

Nicholas Kirkwood Ankle Boots - £790 http://www.thecorner.com 

From Nicholas Kirkwood AW11 Collection

BROWNS Has a little exhibition in its South Molton Boutique called Le Cabinet de Curiosités curated by Thomas Erber, which are cabinets of treasures from a selection of the finest designers, photographers and writers such as Manolo Blanik, Rodarte & Lulu Guinness.These contributors have made one off bespoke pieces which are both exquisite in craftmanship and style and pushes their creativity to the limits. Le Cabinet is as interesting concept that was conceived in Geneva 2009. Recently Thierry W Dupont curated a successful exhibition in New Yorks Marlborough and Steinitz galleries.

Lulu Guiness contributed a fabulous clutch which epitomises her tongue in cheek design and wit. Go along also check out Kata Legrady originally a classically trained musician who has chosen the fine arts pathway. She has attracted international fame for her iconic series “Guns & Candies”. She tends to focus on objects of war and its victims. Her pieces I think depicts the hypocrisy of its original subject, possibly comments on how the objects have a effect on the children of war... 

Lulu Guinness. Eye of Horus - £1995

a Kata Legrady  piece 

To be continued...

Just Because....

... i thought i'd share with ya'll.

I was actually looking for inspiration of new natural hairstyles, and came across these inspiring and intriguing  photographs ... both new to be and not. 

The following photographs were taken from 1901 - present. It struck me while discovering these photos that unless one goes out of their way to find these sorts of images. We very rarely see african's in this amazing light.

This following picture was taken in 1901, apart from the greyed hue of the photo. This could easily be a contemporary photo taken in 2011. 

The way in which this woman has accessorised her hair with flowers, emphasise's the notion that nothing is new! Such elegance...

 1901

I found this picture on a Flckr site taken by Gbaku. One of the comments to this photo questioned why the woman would do this? Immediately, it was obvious to me that women through all the ages, are about emphasising their best assets. It just goes to show plastic surgery even though appears to be a modern concept, is maybe not so new??!

 Taken in Liberia in 1943 by Gbaku.

"the way that I use backdrops in order to pose people for their pictures is all about transporting them, taking them to places where they don't go," he says.

After which Samuel Fosso famously began taking photo's of himself. The first time I saw this artist was at the Hayward Gallery in Southbank about 5yrs ago. The exhibition was centred on contemporary African Art, this exhibition open my eyes to the wonder of African Art... Samuel Fosso's piece below was one that has also stayed with me. Because of it extravagance, sense of humour yet poignancy.

Le Chef. Samuel Fosso. 1994

Checkout this Artist Seydou Keita (1921 - 2001), a self taught photographer based in Bamako in Mali. I'm in love with these photos they are too cool and kinda 50's chic! Taken between the 50's and 60's. Keita had a studio in Bamako. It seems he was a bit of local hero, where Mali's social elite and middle class would go to his studio to have photo's taken. He would use various props such as mopeds and car, car's which at the time were quite a luxury to be shown with. Maybe Africa's answer Mario Testino of that time? Fortunately his art wasn't too much of a well kept secret and found its way to New York, after which he became quite wealthy selling pieces as much as $16,000.

Ciao for now ! xx