Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Hollywood Costumes exhibition @ the Victoria and Albert Museum

I think this is possibly the most anticipated exhibition of the year. The press, quite rightly, have been going crazy for it since it was announced at the beginning of the year. 
The exhibition is guest curated by the Academy Award nominated costume designer, curator, author and historian, Deborah Nadoolman Landis, who along with her team, took over five years to bring together 100 of the most iconic costumes in films history. The roll call is to die for, but the exhibition also explores the integral role of the costume designer and how they bring a story to life...
''Costumes are one channel by which a character is transformed from the written page to a multi-dimensional people. The costume designer gives the clothes to the actor, the actor gives the character to the director, and the director tells the story. When a character and a film capture the public’s imagination; the costumes can ignite worldwide fashion trends and influence global culture. Cinematic icons are born when the audience falls deeply in love with the people in the story. And that’s what movies, and costume design, is all about'' - Deborah Nadoolman Landis. 

The exhibition opens this Saturday, October 20th until 27th January 2013. It's going to be very popular so make sure you book!
Test yourself, see if you can name all the costumes above. Answers at the bottom if you need a little help!

Top image from left to right...Cate Blanchett’s regalia from Elizabeth, Charlie Chaplin’s getup from The Tramp, Kate Winslet’s ship-boarding ensemble fromTitanic, Christian Bale’s Batman suit from The Dark Knight Rises, Meryl Streep’s coat from Out of Africa,Brad Pitt’s Fight Club outfit, Ginger Rogers’s dress from Lady in the Dark, Marilyn Monroe’s fur stole and sequined shift from Some Like It Hot, Judy Garland’s “Dorothy” dress from The Wizard of Oz, and Gwyneth Paltrow’s Elizabethan frock from Shakespeare in Love.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Ballgowns exhibition @ the V&A

Finally got round to seeing the Ballgowns, British Glamour since 1950 exhibition at the VandA last week. As you can imagine, there was a delicious selection of gorgeous gowns, from an array of top class designers. It was great to see the newly renovated fashion galleries too, which proved to be a classy setting. If like me you are a little late in seeing the exhibition, fear not, you still have until January 6th 2013 to get up close and personal with these beautiful examples of British craftsmanship.

Monday, October 15, 2012

London Design Festival Pt3 - Deborah Bowness

i instantly fell in love with Deborah Bowness' quirky wallpaper as soon as i saw it...

London Design Festival Pt2- Jan Kath Rugs

I have come to realise that Jan Kath is like a king in the rug world and it's not hard to see why. His designs blew me away at Super Brands, with their gorgeous colourways, exceptional quality, with that quirky originality. His rugs will be soon be available at Front's new London showroom if you're interested!

Loved these cute little cloth workmen at the Front stand.

London Design Festival

Once again, there was an incredible selection of design gems at Super Brands London, as part of the London Design Festival. Here are some of my highlights...