The high street hits back

This summer, Britain’s high street’s saw the backlash against the current economy crisis as it paraded what it had to offer down its very own Croydon catwalk. The nine-day series of fashion fun featured a variety of catwalk shows from recycled fashion to an Apsara Arts Bollywood Show. The week also consisted of an assortment of stylish workshops and fashion and beauty demonstrations inviting members of the public to partake.

In this dazzling high street affair, it was clear that fashion retailers such as Marks and Spencer, Monsoon, River Island, Clarks and many others wished to prove that they could do it just as well as the top end designers.
The Whitgift Summer Fashion Show did just that as they presented Croydon with an alluring array of Neon Brights from Marks and Spencer, a glorious Indian Summer from Monsoon as well as showcasing how to avoid those fashion faux-pas with their rendition of Glasto Glam.

What is clear from events like these is that the great British high street is certainly not going to sit back and watch itself fall victim to the credit crunch. Instead fashion retailers are fighting back in an effort to regain poll position as one of the main areas that the public spend their money. With many up market retailers now designing for the high street such as Roksanda Illincic for Whistles and more recently Matthew Williams for H & M the high street certainly is not taking that curtain call yet.

Undercover at the Fashion and Textile Museum

Last Saturday evening, a crowd gathered inside the precocious pink Fashion and Textile Museum to see; ‘Undercover: An Evolution of Underwear’. The museum’s latest exhibition showcases famous undergarments from the likes of Twiggy and Dita Von Teese, as well as offering a daring trajectory of the historical background from a range of underwear from corsets to suspenders, and bras to knickers.

On this particular night, an extra zest of theatre had been injected into the exhibition. As part of the London Bridge festivities, creative events company; ‘I Think I’m Here Darling Where Are You?’ had organised an extravagant, yet bizarre evening of performance for the crowds. From poetry to nearly-nude life drawing classes, there was a variety of entertainment at hand. The night’s finale even consisted of leather-clad models crudely parading through the exhibition itself, resulting in a rather risqué display of raunch and frivolity. Despite the evening having a vibrant and lively atmosphere, it was clear that this seedy spectacle pushed boundaries beyond the audience’s limits. The event quickly became a crude exhibition of nudity opposed to a presentation of the delicate undergarments that were supposed to be on display.

Yet beneath this melodrama, ‘Undercover’ is a playful exhibition; delving deep into the social and historical contexts of undergarments that are readily overlooked. Both informative and enjoyable to discover, this is a delightful exhibition featuring an array of designers from La Perla to Wonderbra. Perhaps the only aspect missing from the exhibition is the exploration of men’s undergarments, which would have added an extra layer to this already insightful showcase. Overall, the exhibition should certainly be visited if you happen to be wondering down Bermondsey Street and come across the pink beacon that is Zandra Rhode’s Fashion and Textile Museum.

Couture Candy

This week has seen the glorious world of couture come down on Paris in magnificent style. All of our fashion favourites from Dior and Chanel to Valentino and Jean Paul Gaultier were witnessed down the catwalks of Paris in stunning couture designs.

One of my favourites has to be Valentino with his inspiring use of netting to create sculptured head pieces. These millinery designs were often jewelled but still made the models appear mysteriously masked. Many of the Valentino garments also resembled corsets or lingerie adding to the sensuous nature of the collection.



Christian Dior also focused on undergarments in their 'undressed' collection which featured models stomping down the catwalk in silky blouses and laced lingerie. Iconic looks were also created using giant millinery styles and floral embroidery and were used throughout the collection.



Chanel carried a collection of prodominantly black gothic-inspired garments. However they did incoporate their signature tweed into the line with a series of tweed skirt-suits. My favourite of the Chanel collection was this gorgeous dress.



I just love the rouching as well as the hint of nude pink seperated with shocks of black which give the dress an extra edge.

However, sad times were met with the Christian Lacroix catwalk show. The designer spoke out that his collection was compiled through people offering up their services and materials for free following Lacroix's announcement of bankruptsy. The collection was still on top form with an imperial theme of splendour, thus creating a deceptive forefront to Lacroix's current state of affairs. My favourite Lacroix piece has to be this resplendent bride who is decorated from head to toe in finery.



Image Sources: Telegraph, Courtorture

Cecil Beaton Exhibition at the Chris Beetles Art Gallery

I love going to small art galleries where you don't know what random pieces maybe showing, so when I stumbled across this Cecil Beaton exhibition at the Chris Beetles Art Gallery near Regents Street I was desperate to go. As soon as you peer through the door of the exhibition you can see large images of such renowned celebrities as Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn suggesting the high status Beaton had as a photographer in his time.

Cecil Beaton (1904-1980) first made his name as a fashion and portrait photographer, although he also had a prominent role as an Academy Award Winning stage and costume designer. Beaton acquired his first contract with Vogue in 1927 after failing his degree and later also got his works published in further magazines such as Vanity Fair. Beaton was renowned for his photography of Hollywood's golden celebrities as well a selection of the Royal Family. Beaton also made an impact in costume design in a number of stage and screen productions, one such film being My Fair Lady (1964). In 1972, Beaton was knighted, yet suffered from a stroke that led to paralysis and within six years Beaton died at the age of 76.

The exhibition itself is fascinating with portraits of Gwili Andre (1932) as well as some lovely representations of the 'Bright Young Things'. You really feel that Beaton captures the romantic nature of his subjects, placing them in a realm of fantasy and mysticism. Beaton also designed images for fabrics which the curators of the exhibition have had upholstered on the chairs in the exhibition. This adds a whole new dimension to Beaton's work, bringing it up-to-date for a contemporary viewer.

The exhibition only lasted a matter of weeks (22nd April- 16th May) but I urge you to have a look at his works online, as they truly are stunning.

Chris Beetles Art Gallery

Decadent Delights at the V & A's Baroque Exhibition

As soon as you enter this dazzling exhibition there are a variety of words that come to mind. Opulence, exuberance, and not to mention “Magnificence” come to mind. The people of these times certainly were not in the economic crisis that we're in today, whilst “Credit Crunch” was certainly not a term they were accustomed to. The entire exhibition is dripping from head to toe in exquisite designs which feature on everything from silverware to the buildings themselves. Every item is made from the most expensive and precious materials and each is adorned with intricate and splendid designs. Think Sophia Coppola a la Marie Antoinette minus the sickly pink and with a lot less cake.

The Baroque period spans nearly the whole of two centuries and had a prominent effect on the arts all over Europe and beyond. It saw its beginnings in Rome where the Roman Catholic Church encouraged art forms to communicate a variety of religious themes in society. The aristocracy however used the style as a method in order to amaze any visitors that may be passing through their stately homes. The main order of the movement was to appeal to the senses and delight whoever views these complete works of art. However what is most fascinating about this artistic movement is its profound effect on all aspects of the arts. This is demonstrated from music and theatre to fashion and even the conceptual forms and designs of architecture from Palaces to more religious and secular spaces.

Although the movement had the primary function of assisting the Roman Catholic Church in conveying concepts and ideas to the general public through the use of exquisite designs. The style filtered through all aspects of society aiding the birth of opera through the likes of composer Henry Purcell as well as transforming theatrical spaces. Even costume design appropriated elements of the Baroque style as shown in the exhibition through a Man's theatre costume (1740-1760). The effect of the Baroque allows the exhibition to acknowledge the sheer spectacle provided in the 17th and 18th Centuries. This is a time when huge public displays were becoming fashionable whilst exhibiting your wealth was expected and certainly not frowned upon.

Highlights of the exhibition include a variety of pieces originally belonging to the Palace of Versailles in the time of Louis XIV. One of these pieces being a Cabinet from Versailles (1635-1705) which is decorated with a lavish gold design as well as a variety of paintings. Other items from the Palace include a number of portraits of Louis XIV suggesting his role as one of the iconic trend-setters of Baroque design. Naturally, there is more to see of Versailles than is presented in this exhibition. Therefore instead of transporting many more items to the exhibition, the visitor is taken on a journey to the palace itself via video footage that scours the palace and its gardens as well as the renowned Hall of Mirrors.

However, Paris was not the only country to succomb to the splendour of the Baroque style. The exhibition also aims to illustrate the global phenomenon of the Baroque period and its effect on the entire world. The curators at the V & A prove the effect of this global sensation with a house-sized Alterpiece of the “Virgin of Sorrows” (1690) which is from Mexico. In addition to this there are sketches of a now lost Opera House which was orginally constructed for an Emperor of China. The exhibition allows the beholder to witness sheer scale of this art movement across the globe which is quite astounding. Ultimately it brings together the opulence that was so readily embraced by all of high society around the world.

If you want to witness the origins of “bling” then you need to get down to “Baroque: Style in the Age of Magnificence” at the V & A. This is a luxurious exhibition to see with around 200 items to be discovered. The all encompassing nature of the exhibition with its vast abundance of artefacts and furniture allows the exhibition to entice all. If you're interested in design, theatre, music, religion or even if you just want to see an elaborate spectacle of magnificence, this is a copious exhibition for all to enjoy. You can also explore Baroque design even further by heading down to one of many of the National Trust Properties. These include Ham House, The Vyne or even Knole where you can explore the lavish luxury of the aristocracy even further. The exhibition itself continues until the 19^th July so head down to the V & A and check it out.

(Student price: £6, Adults: £11).

Image Source: V & A

Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones

Today I had the joy of going to the V & A's brand new exhibition: Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones. and a joy it was, from the moment I entered the exhibition, it had the allure of inspiration, set in a darkly lit 'magical Baroque garden' (as the leaflet so gorgeously puts). There is a definite sense of another world in this exhibition. Certainly for me, I was transported into another realm, and this one was full of hats!

Not being much of a hat-wearer myself, I was, needless to say, intrigued by what this exhibition would have in store (other than hats of course). However, I was pleasantly surprised and now have a new found respect for hats and the statement that they can bring to an outfit.

The exhibition is constructed in such a way that you feel like each time you find a piece of the exhibit, you have another glorious section of a secret garden. The exhibition itself, takes you on a tour of discovery from the inspiration for a particular hat, the creation, the milliner's salon as well as the client involved in the millinery process.

Not only this, but there was many a famous hat featuring in this exhibition. Audrey Hepburn's bonnet in 'My Fair Lady' (1938) by Cecil Beaton was exhibited as well as Sarah Jessica Parker's head decoration (this is more than just a hat darling) which featured at the 'Sex and the City' premiere in London last year which was by Philip Treacey.

This exhibition is a definite must-see whether you are a current hat fantatic or not. The exhibition is showing 24th February-31st May at only £5 for adults, so get to the V&A asap!

V & A Museum

Source Image: Huffington Post, V & A