The official UK Olympics song, Mark Ronson and Katy B, 'Anywhere In the World,' was released yesterday here on iTunes. Expect to be hearing this A LOT soon!
Mark Ronson travelled around the world, recording young athletes, and the individual sounds of their sport, to mix into the track, including a table tennis paddle, an arrow hitting its target, and the sound of an Olympic runner's heartbeat at 120 BPM.
With tickets being likened to gold dust, I was lucky enough to recently visit The National Portrait Gallery‘s Lucien Freud exhibition. Showcasing more than 100 of Freud’s portraits, the vast range of paintings are divided into different time periods, allowing visitors to follow the progression of his style through the revered artist’s legendary 70 year career.
Having not been too familiar with Lucien Freud’s work before this exhibition, which was curated with the help of the artist himself before his death last year, I feel I have now had the best of introductions.
I was really amazed at Freud’s ability to produce almost tangible portrayals of his sitters by using an enormous amount of paint to create a magnificent 3D, structured effect. The artist’s merciless love of human flesh is also clear to see and there is, what seems to be, room after room of creamy, contorted, lifeless, and thickly applicated painted bodies. I did eventually find the enormous and iconic portraits of Leigh Bowery and Big Sue’s swirly, fleshy and mountainous naked bodies a little, for want of a better word, over-baring.
Left: Reflection (self portrait) 1985.
Below: Lucien Freud was the father of some fourteen children and my favourite portraits displayed in the exhibition were those of his pregnant girlfriend Bernadine, Pregnant Girl, 1960-61, and of his new born baby daughter Bella Freud, Baby on a Green Sofa, 1961.
With art lovers flocking to see this show, more than aware that they are unlikely to ever see another exhibition of Lucien Freud’s portraits as good as this, a new record has been set for visitor numbers at the National Portrait Gallery. The exhibition closes on May 27th and the gallery has just announced that the show will remain open until midnight from May 24th-27th to help cope with the demand. Tickets are on sale today only - here.
Above: An unlikely friendship blossomed between Lucien Frued and Kate Moss after he painted a life-sized nude of the supermodel whilst pregnant with her daughter, Lila Grace, in 2003. Kate Moss later described the artist as ‘the most interesting person’ she had ever met, while Freud moaned about how the model had aaalways been late for her sittings. This photograph was taken of the two friends in 2010 by photographer David Dawson.
With red lips, retro curls, a white gladiator Versace dress and Kara Ross Crescent earrings, Kate Moss smolders on the cover of this month’s 'Going for Gold' British Vogue.
Only weeks ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games and Jubilee celebrations, this remarkable, and distinctly patriotic, edition of Vogue pays tribute to both British sporting legends and national treasures alike.
This is thirty-eight year old Croydon-born supermodel Kate Moss’ 32nd British Vogue cover and she was shot by photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott looking every inch an Olympic goddess and British beauty.
Snap! Does Kate Moss’ pose, clutching a thick coil of rope look familiar? A couple of years ago photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott used the exact same rope (right) in their Emporio Armani campaign, featuring yet another national treasure (and British beauty!) David Beckham.
Versace studded leather and silk dress (from £4,030) and Kara Ross Crescent earrings, (£100) are available from Harvey Nichols.
Fashion icon/addict Anna Dello Russo, Editor and creative consultant for Vogue Japan and frequent FROW showstopper, has designed a unique collection of accessories for H&M.
Known for her extensive couture wardrobe and wildly elaborate style, ADR's unashamedly maximalist accessories range will include jewellery, clutch bags, sunglasses and of course, shoes (she has over 4000 pairs...) of accessories for H&M.
ADR reveals, "I wanted to create precious accessories that are impossible to find; pieces everybody can have fun, turning an ordinary day into a fantastic fashion day."
Available in selected H&M stores from October 4th 2012.
I call myself “the vestal of fashion” because for me fashion is a muse and you must seduce her. How? You have to feed the creative fire, so it doesn’t vanish."
"Wear lots of jewellery... the sound of jewellery banishes bad thoughts and bad ghosts."
"Some people take drugs... I take collections!"
"I don't want to be cool - I want to be fashion!"
“I don’t have this routine life. I don’t go into the office; I’m travelling around the world. I’m lucky. But I never liked easy clothes in my life. My mother said, ‘You want a pair of jeans?’ and I said, ‘No, mother, I want a couture dress!’”
'il n'est rien de réel que le rêve et l'amour'
Le Coeur innombrable, IV, Chanson du temps opportun - Anna de Noailles.
('Nothing is real but dreams and love' )
Award winning British jeweller Alex Monroe’s handmade designs are inspired by nature, inherently English and a firm favourite amongst London's fashionistas.
The quirky, and always cute, jewellery is very wearable and distinctive, making any piece you choose a super sweet addition to any outfit.
The Bumblebee Necklace has long been popular amongst celebrities but it was his Love Bird Ring (below) which caught my eye last week - perfect for Spring! Tweet Tweet...
Alex Monroe Love Bird Ring
RRP. £180.00
I think wearing shorts are the perfect fashion solution for Springtime. Despite showing more leg than you would in a dress or skirt, by keeping your arms covered up in a silk shirt or jumper this look instantly becomes less provocative.
Denim shorts (worn with opaque tights and ankle boots if chilly) are an effortless and casual substitute for daytime wear, whereas a pair of tailored velvet, sequin or lace shorts are a brilliant, more luxe, evening alternative.
The British highstreet is currently flooded with shorts so this look is very attainable; I recommend Topshop for their short shorts and Zara for their silky shirts.
Below: British fashionista Alexa Chung, and her endlesssssssss legs, are frequently seen out and about, come rain or shine, in this comfortable and cool look...
I am loving this beyond catchy debut single, filled with romance and regret, from The Lumineers self titled album released earlier this month.
Denver folk-rock trio (Wesley Schultz, Jeremiah Fraites and Neyla Pakarek) were formed after the death of a Fraite’s older brother, “out of sorrow, powered by passion and ripened by hard work.” After a fantastic performance at this year’s SXSW, The Lumineers are set to become ma-hoosive with music that has a nostalgic reverie and videos which leave you itching to join in with all their foot stompin’ folksy fun. Mood officially lifted.
"I belong with you, you belong with me, you're my sweetheart..."
Having taken the leap and finally taken off her much adored Isabel Marant Dicker Boots, Kate Bosworth was seen in Beverley Hills last week sporting the designer's coveted wedge trainers. In this laidback and relaxed Spring ensemble, Kate contrasts this season’s love of all things sporty (sweatshirt/trainers) with all things ladylike (pleated, flowy skirt.)
Isabel Marant’s coveted wedge trainers (the shoe that launched a thousand high street copies) is a look, much like our beloved UGG boots, that will no doubt be more popular with the girls wearing them than the boys looking at us in them. Functional and comfy usually don’t scream sexy, but hey, when he doesn’t have to give you a piggy back home, stiletto’s in hand, he’ll soon be won over...
RRP. £430.00
If you, like me and Beyonce, are happy to embrace the wedge, the velcro and your inner Marty McFly, here are some of my more affordable recommendations:
Above (clockwise): Ash Bowie Wedge Trainers in clay - £149.00, Ash Coolbis Wedge Trainers in black - £175.00, Topshop Acrobat Trainers - £78.00, Aldo Netz Wedge Trainers -£80.00, Asos Deny Wedge High Top Trainers with Suede detail £45.00
