Banksy Blasts The Simpsons

Our beloved Banksy has managed to remain relatively 'undercover', whilst carrying out a very special project for the most famous animated series of all time.  Yes, Banksy has tagged his infamous style of in-your-face political activism on the credits, for none other than The Simpsons.  What a great PR stunt - it's already spreading like wildfire across the net.  You read it here first.  Spread the word!

Contraversial?  Yup.  Dark?  Of course.  Funny?  Totally.  Check this out.

Hyper Japan at The Old Truman Brewery

Following on from a recent post about the trend for all things ‘Japaneazy-Peazy’, it came as no surprise that last weekend saw the first ever Hyper Japan Exhibition at The Old Truman Brewery.  Three days of nothing but in your face Japanese Pop Culture – from Manga, anime, snacks to technology, street fashion and so very much more.

Event Poster

The entertainment was diverse, including fashion shows, film screenings, cooking lessons, sake tasting sessions and first dibs at the latest Playstation 3 game, ‘Dragonball Raging Blast 2’.  The vibe was fiercely buzzing!  As for the outfits, well, take a look for yourself.  It was almost as though Harajuku had moved to the East End.  Priceless.

An audience with one of Japan’s top Lolita Models, Misako Aoki, was a roaring success.  The Q&A session was hosted by Tania Tanzil, representative of UK-based Lolita fashion fans, and Naoki Matsumura, Editorial Supervisor of KERA magazine, Japan’s leading street fashion magazine.  Naoki, talked of her joy in bringing Lolita and gothic fashion back to the UK: “These styles are heavily influenced by the daring punk fashion pioneered by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren. Obviously, it has transformed over time in Japan, but it’s a great honour to be here in the home of these style icons, showcasing what essentially is a product of London’s fashion innovation”.  (You see, it all started over here.  In London.  Of course.)

Kera Magazine

So, reading between all the sparkle and shine, it appears as though the trend for all things ‘DECO’ is set to continue.  By ‘DECO’, I mean the next step up from customization.  True personalized decorating gone bonkers!  Quite frankly.  Check out ON THE LASH, where you can turn your otherwise dull eyelashes into full on spider eyes - a look which was already picked up by Katie Waissel when performing at the judges house on X Factor recently.  (A raw fashionista in the making that one - mark my words!)

Another avenue with which to go 'DECO' crazy, is with gadgetry.  Now we know how the Japanese are famous for their love of contraptions.  (Just remember the Japanese kid in the film The Goonies).  Well, check out this video for some ideas on how you can go about upscaling your mobile phone.  The Japanese 'bling' is nothing like the footballers bling as we know it.  Japanese bling is simply fantastical, magical and cutesy to the bone.  Go on try it.

                         

Little People in our Big Bad World

  The Book 'Little People in the City' by the street artist, Slinkachu, is available to buy from Amazon.  I am only plugging this because it really is a great little book to have as a keeper for your bookshelf.  It has been recently revised and retitled to 'Big Bad City', the bilingual version - so if you fancy buying it in Dutch as well, then be my guest.

Slinkachu is a London based street artist and photographer who likes to work in miniature.  His original work started in 2006; 'The Inner City Snail; A Slow Moving Street Art Project', which involved decorating live snail shells with a creative gesture of some sort. These installations were then captured through the lens, before releasing again into nature (well street side anyway).  

No snails were harmed during the making of this artwork.  In fact, the lucky few snails are now living the life of riley as highly paid celebs in the insect world.  All good.

The more recent work of Slinkachu (the main feature of his book), has captured the imagination of many of us design fiends.  Entitled 'Little People; The Tiny Street Art Project', the artist uses railway figures (which he customises himself, using a still hand and much patience) and places them in inner city locations - sometimes using props to create a thought provoking scene, which is then captured on film (or more accurately, on digital).  Hence, the book is a collection of photography based on this.  

Up to now Slinkachu has been London based, but a recent itch has given him (and some of his friends), the urge to go sightseeing...

This month Slinkachu has also been over to Italy, to the Fame Festival, where he has been working on some installations with sound.  Check this out:

You may think that this artist likes to create mini worlds in our big bad world, to make him self feel like a giant.  I would beg to differ.  What Slinkachu, I hope will be able to do, is make us all stop.  Take notice.  Again, practice some mindful thinking.

So far, it seems that all the installations appear to be on the ground. Perhaps the artist would consider bringing his miniatures to eye level and above? After all, us grumpy Londoners rarely smile as it is, so if we see one of these installations and do smile (which we will), it may be nice to coincide that smile with the passing by of a stranger.  Just a thought.

Slinkachu is certainly one to watch out for - as are his little army of friends.  Check out the Slinkachu website to see a full profile and check out the blog to follow the 'Little People' in action.

Issey Miyake for Evian

                            

The Miyake Design Studio (Issey Miyake), has teamed up with evian® to design a limited edition "...pure bottle, glowing with both optimism and freshness". The press release continues in this chirpy manner, talking of the "shimmering flower" being an "essential source of life" and "symbol of youth".  Yuk!  This sickly piece of blurb was almost enough to take away from the cutesy and quirky aesthetics that the bottle does in fact offer.  Sometimes it's best to let the visuals do the talking - isn't that the whole point of design?  Anyway, that being said, the bottle itself was enough to make me smile again.  (Don't forget I am born and bred a Londoner - I have to find something to complain about first, before I put a positive spin on things.  If I do.  Naturally.)

Anyway, I'm certainly not a fan of floral (shock horror!) - but with a contemporary twist expressed through a nod towards the Pleats Please range from Miyake, I will most certainly be tracking down one of the two limited edition bottles, for personal keep-sakes.

  

In the end, I am a bit of a sucker for collectable design objects (some may even call me a hoarder) - and whilst this may not be the most mind-blowing collaboration in the world, I am certainly not offended by it (press release aside).  Just remember, whatever you do, don't drink it!  Place the bottle on a safe shelf and dust every so often - give it minimum of 10 years and then put it on 'ebay'.

Available to buy at either one of the Issey Miyake Stores in London (Issey Miyake on Conduit Street or Pleats Please on Brook Street - both W1).  

Final Farewell to Alexander McQueen

17 March 1969 – 11 February 2010

As the pandemonium that is London Fashion Week unfolds in it's usual chaotic style, the inside motley crew were at St. Pauls Cathedral today making their peace with the death of their close friend and uber talented designer, Alexander McQueen.  As we all know, McQueen took his own life in a tragic twist following the death of his mother, in February this year.  The fashion scene has been in mourning ever since.


As we (us lesser motely peeps) were not invited to today's ceremony, I thought I would allow those of us who wish to - to also pay our respects to the legendary fashionista.  I have included the song below; a version of Gloomy Sunday (the song about contemplating suicide, originally by Billie Holiday) which was performed by Björk at today's ceremony.


For full effect put on your favourite pair of heels, light a candle and remember McQueen at his best...


                         


Farewell Alexander McQueen... you will be missed....


R.I.P

London Design Festival is Now Open!

                          

The London Design Festival launched yesterday, with a focal point being the huge OUTRACE Installation in Trafalgar Square.  Created by Swedish duo Clemens Weisshaar and Reed Kram (and sponsored by Audi) this OTT piece of techno-sculpure/art/ design (errm - product placement - let's be realistic!) is, well - it just is, isn't it?  Whatever.  Yawn, yawn - didn't we see this 'robot' on the TV ad a while ago?

Here is the photoshopped image, to try and excite you.  I reckon Nelson is thinking WTF is all the fuss about? I know I am.  Robots, lights... and?? So what!

This festival, it seems, is becoming somewhat of a Hallmark occasion for these ego-centric brands with ridiculous budgets to 'support' the festival.  Supporting, what I'm asking?  Harsh, perhaps?!  I don't think so.  For a start, Trafalgar Square being probably THE most landmark location in London, would have possibly been a better home for a more original, or at the very least, British talent to shine.

In the end, money talks... (over talent, apparently)...

Anyway, now that I've had my rant, let the week of mayhem begin.  I'm sure there'll be some good, some bad and some down right ugly.  Let's see.

Of course, there is always the Anti-Design Festival; the anti-establishment organisation which is actually 'supporting' the London Design scene and offering a platform for real, raw and unadulterated talent to emerge. This 'arch-nemesis' to the shiny, polished, unoriginal display of commercialised perfectionism (The London Design Festival, if that wasn't clear), will also be showcasing an array of work and ideas across the capital this week.   At the very least, there is something for everyone.

Whoop Ass?!

I'm thinking, using the words 'jalapeno', 'whoop' and 'ass' in the same sentence can't be good - right?  Six quid for a rather questionable steak sauce is a bit of a miff take, even if sold at Harvey Nicks - wouldn't you say?! Hmmm.