Friday 13 June 2014

Friday 13th June: "Return of The RudeBoy" at Somerset House, Private View



























Congratulations to Harris Elliott who has been secret squirrelling on a sartorial quest for the last year to curate a "Return of The RudeBoy" exhibition for Somerset House.  Last evening the sun drenched Thames terrace opened it's doors to the private view with a crowd of the best dressed, dandiest crowd that I have had the pleasure to witness.  From original Four Aces Dancehall DJ Newton Dunbar to the Don, Don Letts to Pauline Black representing for the Rude Girls......... everyone was out in attendance to celebrate this crucial work.  
Harris has collaborated with photographer Dean Chalkley to document the current incarnation of the "Rude Boy" style by shooting portraits of sixty characters who embody the spirit and swagger.  A few faces familiar to this blog are part of this family tree network of natty dressers and devilishly dashing dancers including La Touche, Nigel Ruwende, Leyman Lahcine, and Seye Adelekan.  All of these hat-doning gents will be glad to discover the exquisite leather bound hat-boxes made for the exhibition by Kitty Farrow which are shown alongside grooming kits and affiliated paraphernalia in the integrated props and set.  There is even a functioning barber's salon installed offering an on-site service to smarten you up on your way round the show!  Everything is covered from top to toe.  The footwear Harris commissioned from Mr.Hare has been customised by stylist Barry Kamen - two of which you can see here. 
The show is in perfect timing for LCM which starts tomorrow evening, when the International Menswear press and buyers will visit London for the city's burgeoning industry and scene.  One of my favourite things about the week is actually checking out the street-style of the rare breed of RudeBoy dandys who venture out for only these days of the year................ now they have been immortalised for all to see and study in this project.  I'm so glad that this movement has been acknowledged and given its own space to shine, cause a stir and stir it up!!!

Thursday 12 June 2014

Thursday 12th June: #NIKELAB London Launch







Back from Bridge the Gap in NYC to London and straight into another NIKE event!  Last evening was the international launch for NIKE LAB with FKA TWIGS playing the UK and Kelela in Paris.  Here is a photo of her beautiful self in a Cotwelier see-thru tracksuit in amongst the cardboard hexagonal art direction (by Marcus Sharp and Sam Ludgate) which displayed the recent history of collaborations from Cassette Playa to Gyakusou.  I also snapped the crepes on Kish Kash as a barometer of whats the latest style to be sporting this Summer!

Visit the newly refurbished 1948 Store to see more............. 
Arch 477 Batemans Row, EC2

Wednesday 11 June 2014

Weds 11th June: NYC round up



























To conclude my NYC adventures here is a compilation of moments including Evan Robarts at The Hole Gallery, Camille Henrot at The New Museum, MoMA, Lynn Dell's "Off Broadway", Sean Lennon & with BISHI at a Sean Lennon's GOASTT gig at Bowery Ballroom, A1 Records, Seye at BBar & Grill, Damon Albarn and The Heavy Seas at The Govnors Ball, Three AsFOUR and the Empire State Building lit for Ocean Day which exactly matched my hair colour gradient!