To say that Local Natives are this year's Fleet Foxes isn't wrong, but not that right either. Local Natives are softer, brighter and lighter than their widely critiqued sort-of-counterparts. Gorilla Manor is a delicious debut that should be listened and loved for its own merits and there are 12 of them here; from the beautiful single 'Airplanes' to the epic journey of 'Stranger Things'. For fans of harmonic vocals, delicate guitars and gorgeous layers (and I bet there'll be a lot of you).
You know about FAJ right? That's Fanny and Jessy as they are also known, and this duo have one of the coolest young labels coming straight out of London. They debuted their first range last year entitled 'I Hope You Die Soon' and they're also responsible for the infamous tee of the same name (and it's sibling, 'Suck It You Fuck') which I actually often find gets quite a warm reaction despite it's sentiment. This month they're showing their hotly anticipated sophomore collection for AW 2010 which no doubt will be full of their trademark wicked humor and edge. Definitely ones to watch.
Honestly, who isn’t? The sixth and final season of Lost, one of the best series ever created, just started and we are sure spending more time talking, reading and thinking about it than watching it. Well, from what we read some mysteries won’t be answered (the real meaning of the numbers, anyone?), but if there's something we've learned from accompanying Locke’s island friends (and enemies) is that the travel is always more enjoyable than the actual place it’s taking you to. Well, not if the smoke monster is trying to kill you.
The latest station on the Drunky Town train line is in Sydney, Australia at a little club in the Spanish Quarter (actually it's just two Spanish shops next to each other on the same street or something like that in the CBD) called GoodGod, which plays host to soirée of the moment, Slow Blow. Word has it that in January, Karen O crashed Sydney's current cool kids party, but to be honest by that time everyone was too busy dancing and cutting loose in D-Town to care. And that's the true mark of a good time - when you find yourself twirling about without a care in the world. Or it could just mean you're trashed. Heh.
You know those films where there are all these supposedly 'intertwined' stories and lives? Quite a cliché concept for both books and movies I suppose, but rarely does it really resonate in either medium. David Mitchell though (not the Peep Show one) manages to spin tales into tightly woven rugs that are quite fantastical yet believable, moving without being overly sentimental, eclectic and incredibly entertaining. He also writes straight narratives too, with just as much panache and verve. I just (re)read Number9Dream though any and all of David Mitchell's books are highly recommended...and he's got a newie coming out this year. EXCITEMENT.
Monday // March 08, 2010 at 13:09 // filed under Fashion
Fanny and Jessy's sophomore collection was unleashed during London Fashion Week at WeKnowWhatYouDidLastNight.com's Pop Up Shop on Beak St in Central London to much merriment.
This time round, the girls have named the collection Vaniloquence;
which means vain, foolish talk yo. Far from foolish, the girls have
continued their adrogynous, tough and street savvy aesthetic, with this
collection seeing a much bigger range of fabrication than previously
seen. There is also a touch of softness in their sparse spidery knits
and the very 90s rose print that makes an appearance.
It's always so good to see new young talent follow up on their debuts;
continuing to grow and develop their ideas. Last collection 'I Hope You
Die Soon' was repped on Girls Aloud, Groove Armada and Ri-Ri-Rihanna herself - who'll it be this season?
Totally epitomising Hackney Hardcore / East End Kids' style, Fanny and Jessy are representing the best of the many faces of the every day denizens of London's creative heart; not without some self awareness either, in their fool talkin' street stalkin' vaniloquent collection. Rrawrr.
Everytime I see something new from Charlie Le Mindu, I can't help but say 'this is his best work yet' or something to that effect. For the last three seasons of his participation in London Fashion Week, he's blown us all away with the artistry and plain ridonkulousness of his creations.
This season though, Charlie has shown something more mature; more sophisticated, and in his own words, more French (or, a little English guard-esque as it were below - but of a much more sexy and fashionable variety, of course). Blonds, brunettes and even redheads were out this season, instead Charlie made his girls out in silky, inky black locks.
The lovely Grace Joel was in attendance for me and this is what she had to say:
East London’s club kids were up early, as London Fashion Week kicked off with Charlie Le Mindu’s extravaganza. With the energetic and amazingly dressed audience - their own hair coloured, sprayed and shaved to perfection - watched Charlie’s ever more impressive hair cascading from wigs, hair pieces and capes showed his unique skill and creativity. Shiny black manes covered crucifixes, fabergé eggs and black lacquered roses, all having been given Charlie’s magic touch. It was thrilling and filled the void that Gareth Pugh left when he packed up for Paris. It was an upbeat, optimistic start to the week, with the youth, creativity and optimism that London Fashion Week is all about!
*LAAARGGH* amazing. Below is the Fabergé egg all tricked out in Swarovski crystals (who get heavily involved with many designers' work), and hair so black and straight, all y'all light haired girls who be permed and waved out will kill yourselves for these locks that are dead straight and shiny-as-the-damn-crystals.
In a development on the rat-pelt 'hijab' Charlie did in his first season, this time round he's gone from ratty to foxy, YES YES that be bonafide fox ladies and gents, blinged up with blue Swarovski crystals in their eyes.
Luxurious, excessive and utterly fabulous (don't you die for the bag too? By Charlotte Hardwick).
Here check it, On | Off's video of the show, and a gallery of all the amazing looks below that - sick soundtrack by Kap Bambino of course:
Friday // February 19, 2010 at 20:59 // filed under Fashion
Neon
Neon is always a fun party favourite. This was a very flashy collection which made plenty of noise with it's loud prints, bright colours and flamboyantly literal interpretation of animals in some of the pieces in the collection.
The Neon models are always instructed to strut it out nice and strong which is always fun to watch. As usual I liked the simplicity of the hair and make-up as well as the super playful accessories including some excellent headwear on show - though I didn't dig the fishy shoes. The Neon woman needs to have a personality as bold as the clothing, otherwise you could be in danger of the clothes wearing you instead of the other way round...
Beautiful rich colours in lush combinations as usual, one area in which Neon never disappoints - working looks that will brighten anyone's day from grey London to sunny Sydney.
Gorgeous detail in their prints using a riot of strong colours
Break down the styling and you'll find in fact that you have excellent seperates that are very easily wearable.
An entertaining collection that, as usual underneath the showiness, delivered exactly what Neon does best, capable clothes that are simply fun to werk.
Thursday // February 18, 2010 at 15:15 // filed under Fashion
Forum Tufi Duek
Forum Tufi Duek's collection in varying shades of black that was easily made fluid and light with a great mix of textures and subtle lowlight colours with a range of super on point silhouettes and shapes.
Lara Stone was imported to walk the runway, and appeared in two pretty much identical looks, except for the colours. Whilst not being a ground breaking collection by any means, it was certainly bang on trend, and I really liked the clean and unfussy styling and the equally unfussy but strong shoes.
Love the platform and banana heel ankle boots.
Rather simple and safe lines but most definitely a no-brainer when it comes to ease of wear and given some interest with the juxtaposition of textures in the top and skirt.
A great wedge platform coupled with these ace black trousers (if you can't tell, I really did love the shoes in this show, they're totally great solid, staple kinda footwear).
And for a more femme black number is this sweet little dress.
An easily consumable - without being junkfood - collection, all in all.
Thursday // February 11, 2010 at 11:35 // filed under Fashion
I found Maria Bonita's latest collection appealing very much to my own wardrobe (well, except for maybe those shoes. I don't wear no granny shoes, no matter how youthful their colour be - but in this case, these shoes still can't be saved by being brightly coloured). 'Square' is given a desirable twist by Bonita, with squares being lazercut into trousers, coats and dresses, collars in salor-esque squares, even lot of the same coloured squares - or perhaps they were rectangles - pieced together to make a witty and effortlessly casual dress and blazer combo; yet all still without being too literal.
Cool and breezy; this collection is almost even a little smug in it's well executed and coherent articulation...Maria Bonita made it hip to be square.
Perhaps a little breezy in the winter, but that's what layers are for!
Backstage action. I have to say, those shoes are particularly ugly in red. Sorray.
Interesting hood/collar combo
Very cute and light sweater dress. Don't sweat the square stuff. No chance of that wearing this number in winter.
Wednesday // February 10, 2010 at 23:07 // filed under Fashion
You, faithful readers, will know Danny Sangra now, we introduced you to him earlier this week with the amazing background he has done for us this month. We mentioned that we'd be posting about his new label, AMS, and now, it's our pleasure to present A
Minute Silence's debut capsule knitwear collection for AW 2010, a unisex collection of knitted
cardigans, jumpers, blankets and socks!
Being launched during London
Fashion Week, entitled The Gun and The Girl, AMS is a result of the powers combined between Danny and designer Lynn
Cockburn aka Lynnda Needles. The two of them they have worked with, amongst others,
Louis Vuitton, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Wintle and Carolyn Massey.
AMS holds onto the classic silhouette of cardis and jumpers but uses an irresistible and undeniably cool clash of colour and pattern that can hardly be called traditional; yet it's produced
by the same British heritage knitwear company that knits for Her Maj the
Queen, so you know it's pretty bloody posh. And being called 'investment pieces' on the release also means it's most likely pretty bloody expensive, but you'll be wearing a piece of knitted art, after all.
You need never wear a horribly printed cardigan in irony or even post-irony ever again.
OH HIYA JESSY (of FAJ fame)
Super cool lookbook shots as treated by AMS themselves, innit.
Not only can Fanny and Jessy design clothes but they can WERK 'em too.
Wednesday // February 10, 2010 at 13:01 // filed under Fashion
Osklen is a very long and well established Brasilian label (and one of the few that is sold and has stores outside of Brasil) by sport medicine specialist turned designer Oskar Metsavaht.
This latest collection was an interesting one; the garments giving the models an opportunity to take the phrase 'looks good in a cardboard box' to another level - in a good way. Some pieces also reminded me of the tumbling mats when I used to do gymnastics; with their paradoxically foamy soft / robo-armor aesthetic. This collection could be for the would be eco-warrior of the fashion forward kind.
Architectural shoulders, making your head look like it's peeping over a wall.
A softer look; a maxi dress with a touch of toucan
Yay or nay to the peep toe man boot?
I enjoyed the seemingly random, casual and chunky crumples and folds in the
short sleeved jacket; whilst it still retained a light feel, nicely contrasted by the silky sheer texture of the bottom layers.
In the anticipation of New Young Pony Club's forthcoming album, Optimist, the kids over at Topman CTRL have roped in the band to take the reins for February's CTRL program!
This time, it's being held in Sheffield round at Bungalows & Bears on the 25th February.
Y'all know the drill by now...CTRLers NYPC are pulling in Mercury Music Prize nominated (we still think they shoulda won...check this interview I did with them back in '08) trio The Invisible,
art-rockers and responsible for invite only festival In The Woods, The Laurel Collective as well as sets
from DJ duos Run Hide Survive and Children For
Breakfast - as usual, a pretty impeccable line-up...!
...And YEAH the band designed a tee and YEAH we've got one of them to giveaway to our super ace readers. So YEAH. Here it is, the special limited edition tee specially made for Topman CTRL by New Young Pony Club:
THE TEEEEEEE
To be in the draw to win one of the tee that we got, what you gotta do is get your twitting gloves on and retweet the following:
IM//the Optimist and I'm going to win
this New Young Pony Club designed Topman CTRL T that @imyouare is giving away http://bit.ly/9joQta
Now kids, you can re-tweet as much as you want, the more you twit, the more chance you have at winning, innit. Comp closes on the 12th of February where we'll gather up all the retweets and pick one at random.
And whilst you're all going forth and re-twitting that shit, here's the vid for their latest single, the wicked 'Chaos' for you to tweet along to:
