Artists Textiles

Seems a while ago now since I went to see this exhibition at the Fashion and Textile Museum in South London. I shared the day with the 3 girls I used to share a studio with, 2 of whom are surface pattern designers,so we were all keen to see what was on display……we were not disappointed! And photography was allowed…Hurrah.

Delightful headscarves from Marcel Vertes in 1945 were so vibrant…

Salvador Dali,s hand was unmistakeable here…

Some textiles were on display in their intended use as fashion garments,amongst them these gorgeous Horrockses dresses from 1940/50s

……when curves were celebrated!…..

Enter Picasso…..of course!

This reminded me of some vintage china I found recently…..

…..called Matador,made by Broadhurst in England so I don’t think Mr P was involved, but a girl can dream….

Andy Warhol
The following 2 designs are from Zandra Rhodes who set up the Fashion and Textile Museum herself.

This design put me in mind of the opening credits of Mad Men. Can’t quite imagine Don Draper holding a bunch of balloons though!

This was one of Zandras designs for her degree show in 1964.

I loved this vibrant print from John Rombola. It dates from the 60s but it’s so similar in colour and playfulness to some of Ikea’s fabrics available today….

……such as this little beauty I bought recently…..it’s going to be a skirt….before you ask!
To finish here are a couple of detail images from my favourite Circus by John Rombola. The exhibition runs until May 17th so see it if you can.

…..and if you do get to visit,when you leave the building in Bermondsey St, look up and you will be treated to this lovely mash up of architecture…..

When Vintage Attitude Moved In With Viola

On Friday morning of last week me and my Vintage Attitude girls set off on a journey to London. The girls were excited and as always I was looking forward to my day in the city. But I also felt a little nervous as my girls were to be scrutinised and considered for a new home…..and I wanted them to be accepted and loved for exactly who they are. And the good news is….they were…..accepted….here….

This gorgeous boutique in leafy Bayswater is now home to my girls dresses. (Although as one sold on the first day it may not be home for long).

The shop is owned by lovely Sara who I met a couple of weeks ago at The Classic Car Boot Sale. She bought one of my dresses for her daughter and told me that she had a shop on Connaught St and would love to buy some dresses from me to sell in her shop!!! I stifled a scream and arranged to email images etc of what stock I had. And on Friday she bought 10 of them and immediately displayed them in the entrance to her delightful boutique.
To say I am pleased is an understatement…..I am chuffed to bits!!!
As you will see Sara has a real eclectic taste and I love the quirky look of her shop. She has a lot of experience in the fashion world having been a buyer for Paul and Joe and The Cross,before opening Viola 5 years ago. She deals with independent designers and niche labels and I am very happy to be one of them. Here are a few images of Viola…..Enjoy!

This feels like the start of something exciting…..glad I can share it with you…..

It’s Christmas!

How I love London! It’s always inspiring….has many hidden gems and never fails to excite me. However, there are some areas that have just become tacky with a glut of souvenir tat and it breaks my heart to think there must be some tourists who only see these areas on their visit to our great city. Imagine my surprise then when I turned the corner at the end of Regent St last Friday afternoon to see how Xmas has landed in Piccadilly Circus.

The statue of Eros has become a snow globe! I particularly loved the reflections of the neon signs and the way the buildings have become distorted. What fun!…..and then on to Leicester Sq and wow!!!

My jaw dropped! How did they get a full size Ferris wheel in there? I have never seen this space look so beautiful. Anyway….the photos say it better than I can. Enjoy….and go see if you get the chance.

…….even Shakespeare looks lost for words, don’t you think?

Sunshine,South Bank and much Vintage Attitude

Saturday saw me at The Classic Car Boot Sale on London’s South Bank. What a fabulous day it was….in every way….because after a nerve shredding day of rain on Friday I set off very early on Saturday morning with much trepidation and lots of polythene sheeting! But someone was on our side because as I stepped out of Waterloo station,the sun was shining and the sky was blue. Hurrah!

My stall was soon set up with fellow up-cyclers and next to an adorable little Fiat from 1972.

Fellow upcyclers.

I chatted to so many people that my voice was fading by mid afternoon and the queues stretched away along the pavement. I did get a few photos but would have liked more but of course I was happily chatting about and selling my wares.
Here are some images I managed to get.

Just wanted to partake of tea and cake here.

Shady character selling nylons on a bin!!

Scooter boys …..and girls.

My favourite car…..so cute!

Pink Cadillac…..of course!

And the nicest thing was meeting Kate from MasonBently who was the first person to follow my blog. So good to put a face to a name and here’s to our next meeting and the next Classic Car Boot of course!
I was very restrained and didn’t buy any clothes but when I saw this I could not resist….

I grew up with this magazine rack in our living room and have vivid memories of trying to say the French words as a child. It used to hold The Radio Times I seem to remember but I think it’s perfect for some of my vinyl collection….French music, of course.

When Ju Went To Kew

Just wanted to share my recent trip to Kew Gardens. Can’t believe I have never been before as its everything I love in one place. Very inspiring,very green,amazing structures,both natural and man made,and rusty metal and a spiral staircase!….always wanted one of those. Anyway I will let the photos speak for themselves……

High up in the dome of the Palm House.

Table set with all edible plants and using vintage china. Delicious! Where was The Mad Hatter we wondered?

Hazel structures sat amongst the trees.

We did the Tree Top Walk and saw it all from a tree point of view….

This majestic fella strutted his stuff for us!

My overriding thought on the day was that even with all our amazing designers, past and present, somehow nature itself is our finest!

Sunday Morning At Claridges

This morning I took a trip to Claridges to see the David Downton Exhibition. He has been artist in residence at the hotel and these beautiful images have been put on display to the public to co inside with London Fashion Week. Here are a few of my favourites….

Erin O’Connor.

Carmen Dell’Orifice

Daphne Guiness.

Diane Von Furstenberg.

Me..( lurking in the background )….and Mr Jones!

Nicky Haslam.

Marie Helvin.

Erin again…..this time in colour.

SJP.

My own David Downton…..from the V&A exhibition 2008

And my cushions made from Marks and Spencer re usable cotton bags featuring more of Mr Downtons work.
’twas a wonderful way to spend a Sunday morning after a lovely weekend in my favourite city…..more of that to follow soon. Oh and to round it all off….here’s me taking photos of the loo!!

Well….would be rude not too wouldn’t it?!!!

Rhubarb On The South Bank!

This is why I love London….

Yes…it’s rhubarb,growing upside down in pots,on London’s vibrant South Bank!

Hopefully that explains better than I can. What a great way to use old windows and no matter how small your outdoor space is,you can grow something.

This is at the side of the Hayward Gallery/Festival Hall and brings a real splash of colour to the grey concrete( not my favourite buildings from the outside)
And then the National Theatre has put up a showcase of costumes you can hire with a fantastic wall print surrounding it. Love it.

The reflection spoils the photo a bit but I thought they were worth sharing. These are more reasons for loving the city and all it offers……and then we had CAKE!!……

Balthazar Russell St,Covent Garden……but you could be in Paris….and did I mention the iced lemon and ginger tea?…..