Caught the last weekend of the Royal Academy of Arts' interesting show, Radical Geometry, highlighting the dynamic work of a host of 20th century South American artists, as they challenged convention to create new geometric abstract art. Part of the Patricia Phelps de Cisneros Collection, the exhibition was all lines, forms and shapes, rather like my backdrop: the glass/steel staircase in the RA's Sackler Wing, built by Foster + Partners in 1991. By way of contrast, my look was all frills and furbelows in a fine silk duo: a top from By Malene Birger and a Miu Miu skirt from that swish Milanese store, 10 Corso Como, and a soft dove-grey pashmina, slung across my shoulders. My snake T-bars are by Ash and the silver leather shoulder bag by Angel Jackson just keeps on looking better with age!
Friday night preview at a most beautiful West End space, the Royal Academy's Burlington Gardens, to see Dennis Hopper: The Lost Album. Exhibited previously only once (Texas in 1970), this display of over 400 original silver gelatin prints has a quiet nostalgia of a particular time (1961-1967) when the young, under-contract Hollywood actor simply decided to pick up a camera, after which he went on to co-write and direct Easy Rider. Thankfully, these diverse and story-telling images remain - to be seen and appreciated - of this artist's life as a young American. Easy dressing in an equally retro silk handkerchief dress, Topshop wedges, a '60s fringed bag, and Chanel sunglasses.
A seasonally warm evening for the private view of Dulwich Picture Gallery’s latest exhibition: Art and Life 1920-1931, celebrating the
work of Ben and Winifred Nicholson, together with contemporaries, Christopher
Wood, Alfred Wallis and potter, William Staite Murray. At the forefront of the Modern British Movement, Ben and
Winifred Nicholson painted some of their most memorable works during this
period. This exhibition, curated by their grandson, Jovan Nicholson, provides a
rare opportunity to see both artists’ views of the same landscapes, seascapes,
still lifes and portraits, together with significant works by their friends and
contemporaries. To suit the balmy evening, I wore a silky favourite by Betty Jackson, worn last summer in 'Betty Jackson (again)', together with my gold Mare sandals. Beads
and cuff are both vintage, from the '30s. The straw hat and basket-woven bucket bag
suit the season.
Last weekend I found myself climbing the stairs at The Montage in Forest Hill's Dartmouth Road for the private view of Impertinent Objects, a mixed media show by Natalia Zagorska-Thomas, whose eye redefines the much overused and over-rated word: eclectic. This example of a single vintage shoe taking flight (no hand in glove) was a particularly eye-catching example of her original artwork,
which we featured last year in 'The Montage' and 'Wallpapered hideaway'. Entirely in black, save for the Dior lipstick, I'm wearing some favourite pieces: a Homberg on my head, a cane-handled velvet bag on my arm and around my shoulders the oldest article of clothing in my wardrobe - an Edwardian silk and taffeta cape, with a lace ruffled collar and jet-black beaded rosettes.
Pertinent, I think!
Don't you just love a place where pretty much everything is for sale? From a slice of delicious lemon loaf and a glass of hot chocolate (complete with marshmallows) to quirky collectables and pieces of artwork on every wall. Where? The Montage in Forest Hill. You may recall a post last year in June. This time I'm sitting in a little wallpapered hideaway within the maze of rooms that is the magical Montage, wearing a silk embroidered Chinese jacket from nearby shop, in Sydenham's Kirkdale: Syd's Vintage, run by Claire Draper. Alongside the jacket: a pair of plum skinnies, a purple John Smedley knit, funky Ras boots, all topped off with a Nicole Farhi coat over the shoulders.
Pale Rider meets Sherlock and bumps into Withnail... on the way. Not! I'm no cowboy/sleuth/resting actor, but I do have a penchant for this floor-skimming vintage leather coat,
worn here with a pair of knee-high boots. The super-long coat tallies up with a super-short, thigh-hugging mini from Paul Smith. The 'how does your garden grow?' skirt dates from a few years ago, but for me, is always in full bloom. A faithful cream wool sweater by Chanel never disappoints, and on this occasion, neither does the backdrop, which nods to the tropical... even in these northern climes.
A fine time of year for a Mayfair stroll... there are quiet backwaters, off the main avenues of retail - even in W.1. Cold enough for a vintage fur jacket, a present from my best Canadian pal, worn over a festively red silk dress.
I am indeed amongst the Lady of the Woods - a host of silver birches on London's South Bank and wearing purple: suede jacket, a silk rose and a strip on my patent boots. Whilst the jacket whose colour and cut-of-collar shouts out the '70s, the rest of me is decidedly this century with a Fendi scarf, InWear skinnies... and that rucksack!
http://www.fendi.com/ii/en
http://www.inwear.com/gb/
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