Cable Guy

There are moments in fashion when I am enviable of menswear and this winter marks another one for the books.

Year after year I watch winter trends embark on the streets with a sea of scarves and a parade of parkas; but this year it is the cable knit that has caught my eye. A feature that is not new to the fashion industry but, as with most trends in fashion, it has recycled again with a new found masculinity.

My initial capture was during the Gucci 2012 collection that saw the cable knit transcend in a combination of rich colours and neutral tones.

As the mornings grow colder and the evenings darker London is adorned with men trading the simple pullover for a cable knit for extra warmth - and who am I to complain.

A simple addition for a stylish outcome - I love when fashion is effortless (and not to mention practical).

Patric Dempsey in Hermes Cable Knit

Gucci Heavy Cable Knit Sweater 2012

Zara Aran Cardigan - Detail

Graphics Galore

A few weeks ago in London Town I found heaven…well let’s put this into perspective…to a designer, fashion lover and keen artist like me it was heaven.

Where is this place I hear you ask…The London Graphic Centre, Covent Garden, London.

As you walk in to the Flagship store the first floor is lined with sketching tools, from lead to pastels through to art supplies such as paintbrushes, oil paints and canvases.  I was in awe of the potential this store created in a single glance.  I made my way up the stairs where there was a selection of portfolios, sewing items and the book corner, adorned with the latest design “how to” books, to the latest fashionable designer coffee table books.

So if it is graphics supplies, art supplies or studio equipment you are looking for, the London Graphics Centre is a must visit.  It has become my go to location and not to mention they also have an e-store for ease and convenience.

Out of the archives - sketches from 2010, Samantha Ashton

Bond, James Bond...50 years young!

Next week marks the release of the 23rd movie in the Bond collection...Skyfall.

From a young age I was thrust into the phenomenon of James Bond. My father an avid fan and in turn so to had I become.  From the endearing accent of Sean Connery, the brooding stands of Pierce Brosnan and more recently the captivating blue eyes of Daniel Craig, all individual in their own way but at the same time all Bond, James Bond, a British icon.

Today the cast and crew screening of Skyfall was taking place at the Empire in Leicester Square, London and I was on the invite list.

The plot (thanks to imdb.com) "Bonds loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost."

As the curtains drew and the lights dimmed, the Bond theme song sounded and the action began.

As with all Bond films there were fast cars, action packed fight scenes and of course beautiful women. Although I am a hugh fan of Sean Connery I must commend Daniel Craig on his English charm. 

I won't give away anything but I will say this...Skyfall is released in London on October 26th, put this date in your diaries, get the martini glasses ready and be sure to break out your best Tom Ford suit, this movie is well worth the visit to the cinema.

Official Trailer - Skyfall 2012

An African Affair in London

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of working with newcomer Shola Ajayi, designer and owner of Shollyjaay.

Shollyjay brings together influences from traditional Africa and contemporary design for the latest collection 'Amalgamation'.

The collection, Amalgamation, is adorned with traditional hand woven Aso Oke mixed with leather, rubber, plastics and silks. The eye-catching collection comprises of dresses, tops, capes, ponchos, trousers, jumpsuits and skirts. My personal favourite of the collection would have to be the hand woven skirt with leather trim – to die for!

The neutral colours used within the collection allow its wearer to accessories with bold colours or maintain understated elegance through the pieces alone. Shollyjaay is currently seeking stockist for her latest collection and I highly recommend checking her out and spreading the word.

Here are some images from the Amalgamation Look-book – you can view more at the official site www.shollyjaay.co.uk. All look-book images taken by Rosanna Araujo Photography.

Silk Jumpsuit

Amalgamation collection 2012

Amalgamation collection 2012

Hand Woven Skirt on the Runway 2012

Maximum love for Max

There is nothing better when a man finds all of your loves and puts them all in one package for you to admire. 

No I haven’t been swept off my feet, whisked to an island providing endless champagne and fashion but I have found Maximilian Wiedemann.  I have personally been a fan of Max Wiedemann since my visit to London in 2005 when I walking through Notting Hill and came across his spray on canvas Vogue piece in a small gallery.  At the time I has not developed my shopping tastes to art, but as the years go on and I begin my own collection I can’t help but revert back to the works of Maximilian Wiedemann and  kick myself for not buying it when I saw it!

Maximilian Wiedemann uses a spray on canvas (graffiti) approach, mixing pop culture, media and fashion.   His sense of humour, visible through the quotes on his works, is compelling.  The phrases include ‘Closer to god in heels’; ‘The better you look, the more you see’; ‘Love me or leave me alone’; all are set for individual interpretation and accompanied with the image provided to us by the artist, you can ponder the words and works for hours.

The love of Louboutin, champagne, fashion and art are the elements that draw me to the works of Maximilian Wiedemann.   The exhibition WELL HUNG – a collaboration of Weideman and Sheilds (Tyler Shields – previously blogged about and a favourite of mine in the photography world) was without a doubt a highlight of the calendar in 2011, held at the Imitate Modern, London.

I leave you with a few of my favourite pieces by Maximilian Wiedemann – I hope you like as much as I do.

'Closer to God in Heels' - Louboutin

Love Magazine - Kate Moss

Titled - 'The better you look, the more you see'

'The only pain is champagne'

Vogue - a personal favourite of mine

Designer Delivery...

Today I was pleasantly surprised when the post arrived at my door, in the mix was a parcel from the US.

I had recently placed an order with JadaandJon for a pair of their Mozzie Ankle Boots in black and as I saw the parcel in the post I could not help but jump up and down in excitement.  Not only were the books made to order, they were delivered right to my doorstep.

I couldn’t resist...I tore the package open and put them straight on(and I am yet to take them off).   

Being busy and running around London town I am always looking for comfy shoes that you can spend all day in and not realize you are even in heels.  Mozzies have answered my payers. 

The soft cushioning inside the shoe mean I can run around for hours from castings, to fittings, to business meetings or even a light lunch and I feel like I am walking on a cloud, all while remaining stylish.

Thank you JadaandJon, I am absolutely in Love!

You can purchase Mozzie Ankle Boots from jadaandjon.com and American Rag.

An additional benefit of purchasing a pair of Mozzies (ankle boots or sandals) is that for each pair you buy you also buy a mosquito net that helps save lives in Africa.  Every 30 seconds a child dies from Malaria in Africa and the disease is rapidly transferred through mosquito bites.  JadaandJon give their buyers a chance to help – but not to mention the shoes are HOT!

My new Mozzie Ankle Boots

The Mozzie collection at jadaandjon.com

Front cut down detailing on the Mozzie Ankle Boot