Welcome to Dulwich, MadC!

Here's a new addition to the street art of Dulwich - by MadC - to be found at the crossroads where pub meets library, and bank meets florists, at the top end of Lordship Lane. The recently-finished mural prompted closer inspection (and a photo opportunity). I'm wearing my favourite new combats, authentically Desert Storm indeed with their own NATO number (and a bargain to boot from Frank the Stylist), together with a leather Banana Republic jacket and a shaggy waistcoat from Sugar. The snakeskin boots are by Pura López whilst the sunnies, in the same style zone as Iris Apfel, are French by Francois Pinton, from south London's Paraphernalia. My turquoise jewellery is from Jessica Walker.
The new piece of street art replaces another called Tea with a Bee, created as part of Baroque the Streets, a collaboration between Dulwich Festival and Street Art London. It, along with a number of other works, put Dulwich firmly on the map for street art, back in May 2013. MadC's work also appeared then, most notably in The Street Art House, formerly at 265 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich.

Shadows

Summer is always a season of colour, but today I'm sticking to the shadows, and limiting myself to a monochrome palette (apart from the dashing citrus fur clutch! A gorgeous present by Ostrich 2 Love. Thanks Diane x). I love shadows; they conceal and reveal. For the shade, I combined the urban with a touch of Victorian gothic. The former is instantly provided by trainers and sunnies: my go-sprightly along any city pavement classic Adidas Gazelle trainers and my super-black Thierry Lasry glasses. And the long, black silhouette, for a long(ish) shadow: a dramatic floor-length Dolce & Gabbana spiderweb piece over a vintage M&S slip. Costume jewellery packs a punch with a large cross of faux-pearls purchased in Whitby, a popular venue for a Gothic weekend! And the backdrop: the most arresting and arguably the biggest piece of street-art in Dulwich, (and all of two years old) Conor Harrington's bare-knuckle fighters, which featured in my blog  'Dulwich Festival 2014' post. 

Chichester: Revisited

Last year in June, I headed down to Chichester, in 'Pallant-bound' and 'Bill's, Chichester', and now I'm back again, for both the Pallant and a pit-stop at Carluccio's. The magnificent cathedral guided me to the centre of the city, down charming cobbled streets to the art gallery to view the last marvellous hour of The Scottish Colourist J.D. Fergusson exhibition, after which I passed the Stik men, by a London-based street artist, whose work is to be found across Europe, Asia and the USA. I ended the day at Carluccio's with a lovely meal comprising hand-made tortelloni and wine-braised venison, followed by a delightful cioccolata fiorentina. Wrapped in layered winter greys: a Lowie cape, a TK Maxx merino wool jumper, Nicole Farhi trousers and my Louis Vuitton vintage bag. Both Thierry Lasry sunnies and Versace reading glasses (two pairs are needed when you get to my age!).

Dulwich Festival 2014

Once again, Dulwich is landing a cultural punch in the capital, with the launch of the 21st Dulwich Festival. More than 200 artists are now part of Artists' Open House and this weekend (17th-18th) marks the second and final weekend for this showcase. The annual festival started on May 9th and its programme of events has included music, talks, walks, workshops and debates as well as the addition of a Food Trail. As for the backdrop, located off Lordship Lane and Goose Green, these bare-knuckle fighters sprang up last year. Joining Conor Harrington's astounding work, I'm wearing an Edwardian frock-coat in funeral black.

London brick

I love London brick... particularly on Edwardian houses where rich earthy terracottas prevail. Even stormy grey weather does not cool this colour, nor indeed any of my clothes which layer tobaccos and tans with darkest chocolates and a flash of orange (lipstick by Dior). Newly-purchased Ralph Lauren suede shirt complements my tan suede, Western-influenced Jigsaw skirt as does my tweed jacket from Olsen. A dash of Mongolian lamb to keep me warm, chunky wedge boots by Ash and my new favourite African woven bag bought at a local charity shop, pour more earthy tones into the picture. Backdrop upon London brick is a recent street-art piece, off Lordship Lane. It also featured in May's 'Tea with a bee' when freshly-painted as part of Dulwich Street Art festival.

It's a wrap!

In the plainest white dress - complemented by buckets of colour, both with my accessories and the entire backdrop! Jewellery is beaded and vintage, sunglasses are by Roberto Cavalli, bag is from a Linda Barker sale a few years ago, and the marvellous multi-coloured pointed shoes are by Red or Dead. And the colourful location is The Street Art House, which is still standing at 265 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich.

http://www.robertocavalli.com/
http://www.reallylindabarker.co.uk/
http://www.schuh.co.uk/womens/red-or-dead/
http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk/streetart

Rouge against Noir

A red-hot day in a hot-red silk top, by Equipment. For a casual stroll through the park, it's old chinos, plaited wedges, vintage enamel jewellery from Barcelona and a mid-century souvenir bag, also from Spain. The backdrop, by Thierry Noir, who also featured in the Dulwich Street Art Festival, is the latest (and most colourful) addition to Dulwich Park. 

http://www.equipmentfr.com/
https://www.facebook.com/thierry.noir
http://www.dulwichfestival.co.uk/streetart
http://www.dulwichparkfriends.org.uk/