Cafe Society

Cafe society... it's the weather for it. And keeping it black: silky shirt by Joseph and no-label satin combats, given a punky edge with these Ash sandals from York's Designer Outlet. The Bark bag by Louis Vuitton is a fail-safe... so is the coffee!

http://www.joseph.co.uk/
http://www.ashfootwear.co.uk/
http://www.mcarthurglen.com/uk/york-designer-outlet/en/
http://www.louisvuitton.co.uk/front/#/eng_GB/Homepage

Tea with a bee

Tea with the Bee on Barry Road... another mural nearing completion in the neighbourhood that is Dulwich, south London. Another velvet jacket - to match the blue skies over the Bank Holiday weekend. The laser-cut perspex lobster necklace is by Tatty Devine and purchased from Bermondsey's Fashion and Textile Museum.

http://www.tattydevine.com/
http://ftmlondon.org/

Chelsea Flower Show

After the deluge... or rather during the deluge that was yesterday's Chelsea Flower Show, I found a little shelter at a charming garden house, courtesy of Scotts. The Marimekko dress was suitably green, given the surroundings but the footwear was entirely inappropriate. The weather may have been appalling but it didn't spoil the show or the attendance numbers. The Masachusetts garden, by Susannah Hunter and Catherine MacDonald, was a particular favourite (the picture above) married floral display with an appliqued backdrop.

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows---events/RHS-Chelsea-Flower-Show/2013
http://www.scottsofthrapston.co.uk/
https://www.marimekko.com/
http://press.rhs.org.uk/RHS-Shows/Chelsea-2009/Press-Releases/The-Massachusetts-Garden-by-Susannah-Hunter-with-C.aspx

Mr Chewing Gum

'It's got to be on the gum' is the dictum of street artist, Ben Wilson, aka Mr Chewing Gum. Bidding adieu to The Street Art House, in Dulwich, he keeps it small and personal.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Wilson_%28artist%29
http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk/streetart

The eyes have it

The eyes have it... on the doorstep of The Street Art House, 265 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich in recent celebration of 'Baroque the Streets.'

http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk/streetart

Artists' Open House

The final day of Artists' Open House, part of Dulwich Festival 2013: paintings, pottery, photography, prints, furniture and furnishings. Namely: Philippa Tunstill, Anna Silverton, Gana Petersen, Kevin Dutton, Helen Minns, Simon Laurie, Thumb Designs, Rupert Petersen and Lisa Vaughan Thomas.

http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk/content/artists-open-house-3
http://philippatunstill.com/
http://www.caa.org.uk/exhibitions/archive/2007/hue-line-form-part-two/anna-silverton/ 
http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk/node/852
http://www.kevindutton.net/
http://www.helenminns.com/
http://www.scottishartpaintings.co.uk/artist-simon-laurie.asp
http://www.thumbdesigns.co.uk/
https://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Lisa-Vaughan-Thomas-Textiles/113304868811391

Red on red

Red on red... with this tomato-red '60s velvet jacket from Portobello Market, bought in the last century after a night-out 'til dawn, partying. It was an early Saturday morning purchase before breakfast: a fry-up from Hell. The jeans, by Fornarina, have a hint of devilish red in the denim and so does this porcelain goldfish necklace, bought last weekend from Schneider, part of Artists' Open House. Porcelain bling! Even the mirrored aviators have a reddish glow!

http://www.portobellomarket.org/
http://www.fornarina.com/it-IT/CMS/Index/Fornarina
http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/porcelainbling
http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk/content/artists-open-house-3

The Street Art House

Friday night saw the opening of The Street Art House at 265 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich. Most everyone went back a second time (we did) - it was so blindingly good! Outside and in, there was something to catch the eye, even on the stairs.
The second picture here is a room by Christiaan Nagel (aka Mr Mushroom) and the third is by the French artist, Thierry Noir.

http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk/node/719
http://christiaannagel.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/thierry.noir

Baroque the Streets

Inspired by 'Baroque the Streets', we are going to be out there next week searching for the best street art around. Gotta find some challenging clothes!

The Street Art House

Inside the Street Art House last night, next to a piece of art, normally seen out on the street, by The Rolling People. The house on Lordship Lane celebrates the street artists involved in 'Baroque the Streets', with works for sale. Now.
 
http://streetartlondon.co.uk/walls/therollingpeople/
http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk/node/719 

Phantastic, Phlegm!

 Welcome to Dulwich! Watching the paint dry yesterday on Phlegm's latest piece as part of 'Baroque the Streets.' His mural is one of a whole raft of new work, inspired by the Dulwich Picture Gallery. It is to be seen - on permanent public display - on Goodrich Road. Phantastic, Phlegm! 

http://www.phlegmcomics.com/
http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk/node/719

A gentleman's jacket

Out on the (not-so-mean) streets of East Dulwich last night, looking for the latest murals as  part of 'Baroque the Streets'. The new street art in my neighbourhood is all based on works held in the permanent collection of Dulwich Picture Gallery. It's black on white here, wearing my favourite velvet gentleman's jacket from the '30s, an Army & Navy C.S. Ltd. classic. It even has the address on the label: Westminster Street, S.W.1.

http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk/node/719
http://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/default.aspx

Dulwich Picture Gallery gardens

'Walking the Dog'... even though I don't have one. Moments of contemplation under a tree and other moments next to the sculpture by Peter Randall-Page, a British artist who studied at Bath Academy of Art. In the grounds of the Dulwich Picture Gallery, I'm in my black Dolce & Gabbana piece, casting a web over the vintage white satin bodice from the '30s and a pair of black satin trousers. The faithful Alaia shoes are amazingly good with the turf!

http://www.peterrandall-page.com/about/sculptures.html
http://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/
http://www.dolcegabbana.com/
http://www.alaia.fr/

Me and a yellow dog

Me and a yellow dog... Last year at Artists' Open House, this was one of my looks with an Estonian skirt bought in Bermondsey Street, set against a local and long-standing mural. More street art will be appearing this week (10-19 May) in 'Baroque the Streets' during The Dulwich Street Art Festival. Over twenty of the world's best street artists will be participating to create more neighbourhood landmarks. For more details on the programme and artists see: http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk/streetart 

Artists' Open House

This past weekend was taken up by Artists' Open House, as part of the Dulwich Festival, covering south-east London. On Saturday I wore my new star-buy, a celery-green fringed leather jacket from St Christoper's Hospice on Lordship Lane. The jacket, by Pelle Pelle, costing under £50, is for a good cause too.
Over the two days we visited painters, sculptures, photographers, jewellers, print-makers, ceramicists and designers. 
Here are some of the ones we visited:

Polly Bagnall: http://www.pollybagnall.co.uk/  https://twitter.com/pollybagnall
Jenny Jones: https://twitter.com/offstretcher 
Julie Bennett: http://www.juliebennett.co.uk
Marcia Bennett Male: http://www.marciabennett-male.com/
Paul Joyce: http://www.lucidaproductions.com/
Lisa E. Moss: http://lisaemoss.com/Lisa_E_Moss_website/Home.html  https://twitter.com/LisaEMoss 
Jessica Walker: http://jessicawalkerjewellery.co.uk/
Joyce Treasure: http://joycetreasure.co.uk/
Ali Tomlin: http://www.alitomlin.com/
Dan Hillier: http://www.danhillier.com/ (part of Art Dog: http://www.artdoglondon.co.uk/ )
Delphine Lebourgeois at the Gas Gallery: http://www.gasgallery.co.uk/
Hope and Eden: https://twitter.com/hopeandeden

Artists' Open House is still showcasing next weekend (18-19 May). More art... and more of my wardrobe!

Visit http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk/ for details.

Pop of orange

A pop of orange - courtesy of a vintage vinyl shoulder-bag by Diesel, the Italian fashion company founded in Molvena, Italy (1978) by Renzo Rosso. Here with another vintage collectible - the brown T-shirt is of the fictional character, Snoopy, whose first appearance was in the comic-strip, Peanuts (1950), created by Charles M. Schulz. The velvet jacket is a Diane von Fürstenburg number, which can be worn by day, just as easily as it can by night. Trusted boots from Stella C.

http://www.diesel.com/
http://www.peanuts.com/
http://uk.dvf.com/
Find Stella C on facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stella-C/151371178270114

Paraphernalia boutique

Just visited south London's finest boutique, Paraphernalia - selling designer and vintage clothes and accessories. Bagged the best grey pinstripe trouser suit by MaxMara for less than £100! Watch this space. I'll be wearing it with a simple white shirt because the suit will be speaking for itself.
Tonight's shopping evening at Paraphernalia goes on until 9pm with wine and discounts, so there's still time to bag a bargain.

Paraphernalia, 365 Brockley Road, London SE4
Phone: 0208 692 3545

https://twitter.com/Paraphernalia65
http://www.maxmara.com/en/Home-Page

Beware of pedestrians crossing

Laid-back but not Dullsville in jeans and a Ghost top. Boots, belt 'n hat in keeping with the Texan spirit... as per usual. The meerkat necklace was a purchase (after chilli hot chocolate drinks from the Rabot Estate cafe) at Paul Smith's charming little store at Borough Market.

http://www.ghost.co.uk/
http://boroughmarket.org.uk/rabot-estate-2
http://www.chocablog.com/features/rabot-estate-borough-market/
http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/uk-en/shop/

Simply black and white

Simply black and white - for a straightforward Friday night. The only elevating feature, of course, are the Azzedine Alaia heels. The only stress now is in the distressed Angel Jackson bag.

http://www.alaia.fr/
http://www.angeljackson.com/

Let the sun shine

Let the sun shine - by the Thames, in the shadow of Tower Bridge. Pale pink satin from the 30's dazzles by the water along with the jewellery from a Lisa E. Moss pearl cluster ring to a pair of vintage clips on these shoes, another satin buy, from O Mistress Mine, an East Village store in New York, which were allegedly worn by Madonna on a fashion shoot, in the last century!

http://lisaemoss.com/Lisa_E_Moss_website/Home.html
http://www.omistressmine.com/