54th BFI London Film Festival

For all you film lovers out there, the BFI London film festival is nearly upon us. So if you haven't yet checked out what's on, then do it now as tickets are almost all sold out! There are some great films to be seen from all across the world, covering all genres...too many good ones to try and list them. Check out the site here and get booking!

I love the festival imagery, with the collage city scape made up of numerous film posters...can you spot Mickey Rourke?

BFI London Film Festival from the 13th - 28th Oct, in cinemas across London.

Best Of British - Pt1

During the last few years there has been a really strong Best of British vibe, which I think was only intensified by the recession, helping us to appreciate all the great things on our doorstep. This post is the first of many to visually celebrate all things British, such as the good old cuppa and resurgence in afternoon tea, c(gl)amping, heritage clothing (with Christopher Bailey at the helm), age-old traditions and vintage styling. All of which are constantly updated for the 21st Century.

Expect to see a lot more love for these Great British Isles and our style in the run up to 2012. Why not start with Luella Bartley’s new book Luella's Guide to English Fashion, which is out next week? Looking further ahead to 2012 (a little scary I know), the V&A have a great exhibition planned, showcasing the best of British design from 1948 – 2012 (March - August 2012). So, what does best of British mean to you??

To the sound of the guitar...

...played by Carlos Santana! After seeing the legend at the O2 on Friday I thought it would be a good excuse to indulge in his amazing latino vibes with this great Woodstock clip. Enjoy!

Santana, Soul Sacrifice, Woodstock 1969... oh to have been there!

KM3D-1

I have had AnOther magazine for nearly 3 weeks now and I am only just getting round to posting this... poor I know, but I still think it is well worth a mention! Baillie Walsh (the same guy who transformed Kate Moss into a holographic image for Alexander McQueen's A/W'06 show) was commissioned by the magazine to create the first ever 3D fashion film. The film captures an ethereal Kate, floating across the screen with hypnotic presence. A white noise and frenzied explosion breaks the suspended silence, with hundreds of beautiful crystals cutting through the air. You can't help but reach out to grab them. So go buy AnOther, grab the included 3D specs, log on and feast on this pioneering piece of fashion fantasy.

Image via AnOther magazine website

Brick Lane - Pt1

There is so much inspiration to be found in and around Brick Lane. On my last visit I got caught up in the multilingual street signs and quirky wall art around the area. Sure to be the first post of many, on one of my favourite places in London.

Sinister but intriguing...Still not sure what these are though! 

COX Cookies & Cakes! 13 Brewer Street

What a great addition to the streets of Soho and what a perfect name! Former shoe designer Patrick Cox has opened what has to be the sexiest cake shop I have ever seen. All black lacquer, sparkly walls and pink neon – with a specially created piece by Tracy Emin no less, hanging above the till! Not only are the designs cheeky and original but they're also delicious - the oozing cupcake centre's are really decadent. When drooling over their website I was particularly drawn to the COXXX selection, especially the Beef Cake…a praline flavoured bulging bicep,  so was a little disappointed to find that they don't stock it yet. I didn't come away disappointed though, after great recommendations from the helpful, leather aproned staff. Open until 11pm over Fri and Sat, this is the perfect place to pop into for something a little naughty (but legal) on your way home! 

Not just for Halloween...this triple chocolate sponge with blood red frosting was simply delicious. 

Lily Allen new Vintage clothes shop

Last week, I finally got round to visiting Lily Allen and her sister Sarah Owen’s new business venture, Lucy in Disguise. Right in the heart of Covent Garden on Kings Street, this is a must for all you vintage clothes lovers. Forget rummaging through packed rails, this is a high end, pain free experience. Housing a gorgeous selection of well-sourced pieces, from the likes of Alaia, YSL, Chanel, the wonderful Ossie Clark, as well as beautiful ‘un-named’ gems, you are sure to find your every want and need! I had to pull myself away from an Ossie maxi that was calling out to me, only to be drawn in by a beaded 20’s flapper dress! Prices aren’t cheap, starting from around £100 going into the thousands, but if you are looking for a one-off stunner then this is the place for you.

What’s lovely about the shop is that everything is accessible, so even if you’re not able to buy, it is just nice to get a real good look at these beautiful pieces and soak up the great shopping experience LID has to offer. The staff are super trendy, super friendly and also double up as personal stylists. You can then polish off your look with a trip to the blow dry bar and salon downstairs, 'et voila', you are ready for your close up! Go in and take a look…just be prepared to fall in love!

Trend Alert - Diaghilev, the Ballets Russes and its influence on fashion

The V&A’s major autumn exhibition, Diaghilev and the Golden Age of the Ballets Russes 1909 - 1929, celebrates the life and work of the legendary creative director Serge Diaghilev and his revolutionary dance company, the Ballet Russes, highlighting its enduring influence to this day. The exhibition showcases over 300 items including elaborate costumes, props, film clips and art work, as well as collaborations with major artists, designers and composers, such as Picasso, Matisse and Chanel. Billed as an inspiring, sensory feast, this is a definite must see!

An example of the sumptuous costumes featured in the exhibit.

 Images via the V&A website.

The Erdem SS'11 show drew on the Ballet Russes for inspiration (Erdem Moralioglu became inspired whilst spending time with the curator of the V&A's Summer show). This was clear to see in the silhouette of his dresses, Nicholas Kirkwood's delicate shoes and the accompanying music from the ballet Petrouchka by Igor Stravinsky.

 David Koma S/S'11 at LFW, continuing the ongoing influence of ballet in fashion. Images via Style.com

Another major ballet influence soon to hit our screens will be the release of The Black Swan, starring Natalie Portman, in January 2011. It looks fantastic...can't wait!

Experimental Food Society Spectacular

With the promise of jelly mongers, bread artists, butter sculptors and food landscapers, the man and me hot-footed it to The Brickhouse on Brick Lane this weekend, for this annual, edible, exhibition. An avant-garde celebration of food with the aim of challenging our preconceptions, whilst tantalising the taste buds. 

A number of interactive exhibits included, Stefan Gates promoting the virtues of 'bug burgers', a Marie Antoinette look-a-likey, fashioning a macaroon-adorned ball gown, and the opportunity to have your hand cast in dough...hmmm. The event culminated in a 5 course, multi-sensory, evening banquet with the opportunity to sample the day's exhibits, which I am told when down a treat. By lunch time the venue had started to get very crowded, with queues stretching around the block, so we decided to make a swift exit and indulge in a little food experimenting of our own, with some fantastic Ethiopian food from a stall next door! 

Suitable for vegetarians...the life size, suckling pig cake

Guess who...

One of the creative landscape photographs that I had wanted to see more of...