Musical Moment: Lorde ('Royals')

From obscurity to stardom in a matter of months, 2013’s break-through artist is without a doubt 17 year old, curly-haired New ZealanderElla Yelich-O’Connor – or Lorde, as she is now known around the world. Lorde’s first single, 'Royals', reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2013, making her the first New Zealand solo artist to have a number one song in the United States.  For the 56th Annual Grammy Awards, Lorde is nominated for a total of four Grammys, which include Record of the Year and Song of the Year for 'Royals' and Best Pop Vocal Album for 'Pure Heroine.'

I love this song (yes, it's on repeat... repeat... repeat...) and luckily there is much more where that came from… Lorde’s debut album, ‘Pure Heroine,’ was released in September 2013 to critical acclaim and it’s definitely worth the download (HERE).

Alexander McQueen and Damien Hirst Collaboration

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the iconic skull scarf, Alexander McQueen has collaborated with artist Damien Hirst (not adverse to skulls himself!) and launched a 20-piece limited edition collection. The line is inspired by Hirst’s Entomology series and the designs feature butterflies and spiders in kaleidoscopic shapes, in addition to the signature skull imagery.

The unique designs, available in Chiffon, Pongé, Twill and Cashmere with prices ranging from £315.00 to £715.00, are exclusively available from Alexander McQueen boutiques and online HERE. 

Below:  Photographer Sølve Sundsbø's short video celebrating the collaboration.

Musical Moment: Lily Allen ('It's Hard Out There')

Just when we thought it was safe to relax, sit back, tear in eye, and enjoy a more sereneLily Allen singing Keane’s ‘Somewhere Only We Know’  in the John Lewis Christmas advert(as an aside… are that bear and the hare actually an item?!) the singer goes and releases the track, ‘Hard Out Here,’ knocking us for six.  No, Lily has not become the all sugary sweet, apron wearing, strawberry jam-making, mother of two John Lewis would have us believe!  Still a feminist to her core, this week Lily released a casual evisceration of the pop music industry sexism we have, particularly of late (thanks Miley and Robin) had violently twerked in our faces.  Lily’s song is a sarcastic take on body image and the outlandish expectations projected upon women, the ridiculous phenomenon of twerking and the horrendous double standards women still seem to endure.  I love the subversive swipe atRobin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ balloons and the liberal use of the word ‘bitch’ repetitively sung alongside the catchy tune - another statement against its unimpressive overuse in popular culture.  Yes.  Just Yes.  Welcome back Lily.

" I won’t be braggin’ ’bout my cars, or talkin’ ’bout my chains
Don’t need to shake my ass for you ‘cuz I got a brain..."

Musical Moment: Katy Perry ('Roar')

I was lucky to attend Katy Perry's iTunes Festival performance, the last show in a star-studded month long festival. The excited crowd, myself included, were treated to 45 minutes of all the singer’s best hits as well as two newer tracks from her latest album Prism.

You sometimes forget just how many BRILLIANT and sassy pop gems Katy is responsible for, Wow... California Gurls, Teenage Dream, I Kissed A Girl, Firework (“dedicated to anyone who has ever felt less”) and my latest favourite pop-punch anthem, ‘Roar!’ (below) which even my father mentioned to me the other day was, "a jolly good tune." Praise indeed.  The all singing, all dancing and all rope-skipping (yes, yet another talent displayed during the performance) Katy Perry really is the perfect popstar.  Just awesome. 

Above (L-R):  In Katy's dressing room (I don't know how this happened either...) with Katy Perry, Anna Kendrick, Tamra Natisin, Ellie Goulding and Lauren Glucksman.

"I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar...!"

Katy Perry's album 'Prism' is now available to buy from iTunes Here

Royal Academy: The Young Patrons Annual Drinks Party

Last week I attended the Royal Academy’s Young Patron’s Annual Drinks.  The Young Patrons is a group of like-minded 20-40 year old budding philanthropists who want a light introduction into the vibrant art world of the RA in a relaxed social atmosphere. 

Whilst enjoying specially formulated cocktails by Sipsmith (who make THE prettiest bottles) and delicious wobbly delights by jellymongers Bompas & Parr,  I tottered about on my towering paws (above) catching  up with friends and enjoying octogenarian pioneering architect Richard Rogers’ ‘Inside Out’ exhibition before it closed. 

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Henry Emson and artist Bella Malim, RA Patron's Manager Emily Koch and husband David Koch, Jamie Lauder with David Koch and David Grievson. 

Gap's Rock Royalty #BacktoBlue Campaign

Amy Winehouse advised us to go ‘Back to Black,’ but in their first television advert in four years GAP are urging us to go ‘Back to Blue.'  This autumn campaign celebrates the brand’s heritage by redesigning and updating its 1969 denim collection and featuring sons and daughters of rock’n’roll royalty covering their parent’s well loved hits. 

Musician Dhani Harrison (above), a great buddy of mine,  sings a stripped down version of his guitar legend father George Harrison’s ‘For You Blue,’ from The Beatles album, 'Let It Be,’ whilst wearing a GAP trucker jacket.  LA-based Dhani is the frontman for band Thenewno2, and is also a member of band Fistful of Mercy alongside Ben Harper and Joseph Arthur.  I am a BIG (super)fan of both groups. #Groupie. 

All the proceeds for the entire  ‘For You Blue’ track (already available to download from iTunes here) by Dhani Harrison will go to the George Harrison Material World Foundation, in support of their current goal of raising funds for the amazing  Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, dedicated to curing spinal cord injuries. 

27 year old classically trained musician Alexa Ray Joel (above), wearing a GAP chambray shirt, wistfully sings her father Billy Joel’s multiple-Grammy-winning 1977 song ‘Just The Way You Are’ seated at her keyboard in the new campaign.  

Apples do not, it seems, fall far from their trees.  The campaign will include new digital content every day across its social media platforms (#backtoblue) and the adverts will be accompanied by in-depth films, interviews, quotes, images and facts about Dhani and Alexa that will be available across the brands digital platforms.  Very cool Gap.

Daytona Press Night at the Park Theatre

I was recently attended the press night of Oliver Cotton's ‘Daytona’ at the Park Theatre, London’s newest, and coolest, theatrical venue. 

Artistic Director Jez Bond took three years to transform the formerly disused office building near Finsbury Park tube, into the sparkling creative space I visited which now houses a 200-seat auditorium, a 90-seat space, rehearsal studio, café and bar.  The impressive project cost £2.5 million, raised from private donations (generous support from Sir Ian McKellenand Celia Imrie amongst them) and the sale of 3 flats on the building’s upper floors, and is staffed mainly by local volunteers.  With all the passion and hard work that has gone into accomplishing this dream, you can honestly feel the whole building and all it’s inhabitants buzzing with excitement – no more so than Hazel, the ever present and utterly adorable theatre dog (below left with Jez). 

‘Daytona’ is the third production to have shown at Park Theatre since its opening and it is fantastic!  Set in 1980’s New York the play tells the story of a pair of married Jewish immigrants who receive an alarming visit one quiet evening from an old friend.  StarringHarry Shearer (of ‘The Simpsons’ fame) John Bowe and the ever FABULOUS Maureen Lipman (her performance floored me), this extraordinary story, especially in its second half, totally consumed me.  I highly recommend going to see it. 

Above Left:  With John Bowe after his brilliant perfomance.
Above Right:  With Artistic Director Jez Bond and actor Jonathan Pryce.

'Daytona' runs until August 18th (£22.50/£19.00 conc.) Buy tickets Here. 

Burton and Taylor

I cannot wait to watch tonight's  ‘Burton and Taylor,’ the 90-minute BBC4 TV biopic documenting the final reunion between the glamorous Cleopatra co-stars Richard Burtonand Elizabeth Taylor, depicted by Dominic West and TLC’s favourite luvvvie Helena Bonham-Carter.

Known for their particularly turbulent relationship, this drama focuses on when the couple, who were married and divorced to each other twice, performed together, disastrously and for the final time, in the 1983 critically-slated Broadway revival of Nöel Coward’s ‘Private Lives.’  Despite being in different relationships at this time, Liz and Dick’s on-going, mutually obsessive, alcohol-fuelled love you/loathe you, can’t live with you/can’t live without you lovelife saw an exhausted Liz check in to the Betty Ford clinic straight after the show closed. Writer William Ivory understood the his two star protaganists well, "Burton and Taylor were addicted to more than alcohol… they were addicted to each other.” 

 Elizabeth received Richard’s final love letter to her later that year, three days before he died.  The letter was buried with the iconic actress when she passed away in 2011. 

'Burton and Taylor' is on tonight at 9PM, BBC4.

Baku Magazine Website Launch

Last week I attended the launch of Baku Magazine online at Baku Cellar 164 .  Amidst the flame throwing, magic tricks by Fergus Flanagan and DJ set by Amber Le Bon and Becky Tong, I enjoyed some bubbles alongside half the cast of ‘Made In Chelsea’ (Baku is on Sloane Street after all, darrrrling!)  Awesome art by award winning street artist Rich Simmonswas also exhibited and is available to view at Baku Cellar 164 until May 15th when another contemporary artist will be showcased.   

Above:  Amongst Rich Simmons Art (Clockwise L-R):  Kelly Eastwood with Francis Boulle and Katy Wickremesinghe,  Amber Le Bon and Becky Tong, Me again (wearing a velvet and lace trim top by Sandro, the Heart Mac by Elizabeth Lau, bag by Mulberry). 

'Manet: Portraying Life' at the Royal Academy

I recently went to see the Manet exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts… alongside most of London it seemed!  In what was the most overcrowded of shows I’ve been to in a long time (advance bookings were among the highest in the academy's recent history) I saw more that sixty of Édouard Manet's portraits.  Unfortunately, the quality of the work exhibited, much of which was not shown during the artist’s lifetime, was desperately uneven (several were even unfinished) and I found myself searching for the more well known of Manet’s paintings, omitted from this show.  However, as well as learning a lot about the artist’s life, there were some obviously excellent pieces to admire, especially those of Manet’s sister-in-law Berthe Morisot (above) and that of the Monet family in their tranquil garden at Argenteuil (below).

The show closes this Sunday but there are extended opening hours this weekend until midnight.  Tickets RRP. £15.00 available Here.