Baileys stardust

The National Portrait Gallery will be holding Bailey's Stardust early next year, exhibiting the work of iconic photographer, David Bailey.

David Bailey is said to have changed fashion photography, with one infamous shoot for Vogue in New York in 1962 with then girlfriend and model, Jean Shrimpton. Up until then fashion photography had always been conventional and safe and never dared to step outside the lines. Bailey went against the  conservative brief dictated for him by  Vogue editor, Lady Clare Rendlesham. Vogue loved the new style of photography and Bailey paved the way of the 'swinging sixties' years before the Beatles had conquered music. Models lined up to be shot by him and they knew he would catapult their careers with one shoot.

Jean Shrimpton,1962

 Baileys influence is still felt today and he is considered one of the nations best photographers.

The exhibition will showcase over 250 images, shot throughout Bailey's career including portraits of actors,musicians,models,artists and various people he has encountered, some famous, some anonymous. I will definitely be visiting the exhibition when it opens as I have always been interested in his photography and David Bailey himself. 

Below are some images from 'David Bailey's East End' which I was lucky enough to receive signed from David Bailey this year when my dad was working for him.The book documents London's East End from time periods from the 1960's- 2010. I like how the images from the 60's are black and white and less sharp, this adds an element of nostalgia to them and they contrast with the images taken more recently.Bailey captures personalities from the East End,portraits in clubs and pubs, streets,bombed-out buildings and some more personal images.

East End, 1961

The Rio Club, 1968

Catherine Bailey, 1983

East End,1968

'FYI For Win Love David Bailey' (Win is what my family call me, it comes from my middle name which is Winifred)

       Baileys Stardust runs from 6 February- 1 June 2014 at the National Portrait Gallery.

Jacques Henri Latrique's Bibi

The exhibition documents Jacques Henri Latrique's relationship with his first wife and mother of his only child, Madeleine Messenger, known as 'Bibi'. The black and white photographs are a timeline of their life together from the early days of their relationship taking trips together as a loving couple and socialites to the hostility and problems in their relationship that eventually led to their split.

The exhibition runs at The Photographers Gallery until January 5th!

King of Illustration

Antonio Lopez was a fashion illustrator who rose to fame in the 60's,his work appeared in Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Elle, Interview and The New York Times.

His work is described as intense,sexy and energetic.It sums up the glamour of the 70's and early 80's.

Lopez, who died of an AIDS related illness in the late 80's would have celebrated his 70th birthday this year. He is the subject of a show at Roland Mouret's townhouse, curated by East of Mayfair Director, Janina Joffe, to mark the anniversary. The exhibition will be showing previously unseen works that were commissioned by The New York Times and Interview.

Lopez drawing Jerry Hall, Jamaica 1975

MAC are also celebrating the anniversary by releasing a limited edition range of cosmetics featuring the illustrations. This just proves Lopez' fashion illustrations are just as relevant today as they were in the 60's and 70's.

The exhibition runs from 14-20 september at Roland Mouret's townhouse.There are not many opportunities to see the work of Lopez up close and personal, so this exhibition is one to attend!

Hermes at the Saatchi!

Today I headed over to the Saatchi Gallery for the first day of the 'festival des métiers' , the exhibition dedicated to the craftsmanship of Hermes products.

The exhibition features work stalls with craftspeople from the French workshop going about their daily handy work right in front of you!  The exhibition room has shelves and units with strips of leather,fabric and tools on,which makes you feel as if you've stepped right into the Hermes workshop! The exhibits around the room include a leather worker,watch maker,porcelain painter and an engraver.I found it so intriguing to be able to watch them working by hand, and see how much effort,time and patience goes into making the products. Each stall also has somebody translating the process step by step, which I found really engaging, some stalls even invited the audience to interact, by touching the fabrics and holding items. There was a woman placing individual diamonds into a bracelet, who stepped back and let us look down the microscope at the bracelet being made, which was really exciting!

I particularly liked the stall which showed one craftsman handcrafting a leather Hermes bag, I caught him using a hot tool to weld the leather handle together. The translator explained that he had been working for Hermes for 23 years and that it takes him 25 hours to create a bag from start to finish (it used to take him 50 hours). I also found it really interesting that one individual would create a product from start to finish, it shows how much care and time goes into creating it. I also was amazed by the woman who was pulling tiny threads from a silk scarf to add texture to the piece, so much time going into one piece, it's great to see especially when so many garments these days are made so carelessly in sweatshops and factories and by machines purely for the profit. I enjoyed the exhibition as you witnessed how much love and care goes into Hermes.

The exhibition was really eye opening, as I didn't realise that products would be hand made with so much time,patience and precision put into them. I think it definitely adds to the brand and I think it would make your purchase feel so much more personal,knowing how much skill is put into it. You really are paying for quality when you buy into Hermes. 

I previously visited the gallery to see Karl Lagerfeld's Little Black Jacket exhibition, people may ask can fashion can be compared to art? I think it definitely can and you only have to witness the craftsmanship,quality and passion that goes into the brand whilst walking around to understand it really is a form of art!!

The insightful exhibition is free and only open from 21-27 May, so it's definitely worth getting down there ASAP!

Leather worker creating a handbags handle.

Individual strands being pulled through.

The amazing floor

Pieces of leather for the bags

Individual diamonds being placed in bracelet

Beautiful  Hermes dresses 

GFW!

Graduate Fashion Week is approaching, a very exciting time for fashion graduates where they can showcase their work to the public and the industry. Its also an exciting time to see the future of fashion.

Graduate Fashion Week is fast approaching, the worlds leading event for fashion graduates and a time for then to showcase their work to the public and the industry. Graduate Fashion week will take place at Earls Court  from June 2nd-June 5th and will show the work of over 1,000 graduates from some of the most influential universities. The event will feature 22 catwalk shows, and exhibition of work and an award show. In the past GFW has launched the careers of some very successful designers including Giles Deacon, Stella McCartney and Mathew Williamson. It's a very exciting event, and you never know you could be catching a glimpse of the next best thing in fashion!

This year sees fashion journalist Colin McDowell become a trustee for GFW. McDowell,has been a long time supporter of fashion industry education and has said he is very pleased to become a trustee at GFW. Chairman Rob Templeman, has said "With Colin and other trustees' guidance, Graduate Fashion Week will continue to grow and be bigger and better than ever before."

Dior at Harrods

Recently I visited the Dior exhibition at Harrods. The exhibition opened with a beautiful Dior dolls house with miniature rooms and silhouettes in the windows.

The exhibition was an insight into the fashion houses history, showing Dior's early pieces, some worn by Hollywoods biggest icons to Raf Simons modern gowns worn on the red carpet today.

The exhibition was a great day out, giving you a view of Dior without the price tag, as the exhibition was free! The exhibition featured garments worn by icons such as Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Diana and The Duchess of  Windsor.

Elizabeth Taylor's Oscar dress

Princess Diana's met ball dress

Dior shoes worn by The Duchess of Windsor.

Biba and Beyond

The Biba and Beyond:Barbara Hulanicki exhibition, now showing at Brighton museum and art gallery celebrates the history and heritage of the iconic brand with an insight into the life and work of the designer behind Biba, Barbara Hulanicki.  The exhibition not only celebrates the Biba lifestyle but gives an insight into the other careers of Barbara Hulanicki, fashion illustration, interior design and architecture. The Biba story is exhibited with illustration,garments on display,photography and videos. Walls are adorned with quotes about Biba and Hulanicki and there are lots of interactive elements to the exhibition.

The exhibition runs until 14 April 2013, and at just £4 entrance fee for students it definately worth a view!