Our Favourite Woman

"Hi Gillian. You're looking extra beautiful in this Lookbook for Planet Blue"...

Take me to Planet Blue

Dot to dot.

I got excited when I saw Charlotte's post about her visit to the Yayoi Kusama exhibiton. I haven't had the opportunity to go myself yet but it's going on my 'to-do' list. I remembered seeing an interview with the artist in Issue 10 of Lula Magazine. Words are by Erin Wylie.

All images were scanned in by me, taken from Issue 10 of Lula.

I do apologise for the poor quality and tiny text, it's worth pressing the zoom button though.

A Midweek Treat

By far my favourite show of Paris Fashion Week.  I thought the carousel from last season couldn't be outdone but Marc Jacobs has excelled once again. This time he had his models de-boarding an old fashioned steam train - dressed in bejewelled A-line coats and cropped trousers; ostrich leather in rich mustard and brown ; and bold metallic prints.
I wanted to pack up my suitcase right away, hand it to one of those hunky porters to carry for me and jump aboard (wearing Louis Vuitton of course!)
Jacob's seems modest about this splendorous celebration of craftsmanship and detail, stating "It's just a trip,".

Enjoy.

London Galleries

Well, today I (Charlotte) hit London's Art Galleries in search of inspiration and it's safe to say I definitely found it.

My 'Art Adventure' began at the Michael Hoppen Gallery. Arriving at South Kensington (the nearest tube station) I took a short walk down the prettiest of streets which lead to a small gallery hidden behind scaffolding. Inside, in the large, almost office like studio space hung the bold and beautiful Fashion Photography of iconic Guy Bourdin - A true diamond in the rough.

This was my favourite image from the collection, I haven't seen it before and with embroidery being one of my top trends for A/W 2012, I can see this being a big inspiration on my upcoming work.

www.michaelhoppengallery.com

I was in the area so decided to pop into the V&A to check out 'Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration' (it's a reasonable £5 for a student admission)
I’m a great fan of Cecil Beaton, and I think his sketch books and negatives are most reviling, When I see them they are some familiar and oozing with his signature style I feel like I knew him. Don't judge dedicated photographer speaking here ;) But the images are truly stunning. I highly recommend you all head down there - and student admission is a mere £5!!
Although be warned: if you go at lunch time on a week day, do prepare for battle with the Grannies for a space in front of the images.

www.vam.ac.uk

Finally I went to my home turf, the Tate Modern (a small stroll from my house), to see the famous Yayoi Kusama. I was a bit spectacle at first as I didn't know much about her prior to the exhibition, except to expect spots. But I was blown away! I don't even think I can describe in words how inspiring it was, it’s really something you should experience firsthand. UV polka-dot rooms, and the Infinity Mirrored Room - "Filled with the Brilliance if Life" - was exactly what it says on tin. You leave feeling 'Wowed' & fulfilled and as if you have stepped into another world...her world. A DEFINITE MUST SEE.

Also currently in the Tate is 'The Unilever Series: Tacita Dean Film' Photos below.

www.tate.org.uk/modern/

Bethany Cosentino for Urban Outfitters

I was very very excited when I saw the tweet by Best Coast beauty Bethany Cosentino last Thursday, announcing that she'll be creating her first clothing line in collaboration with Urban Outfitters.  Following in the footsteps of Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon, the range is a tribute to her personal style, stating it's "like the inside of my suitcase when i go on tour".

Although I've not seen much of the collection besides these images I'm conjuring up lots of lovely thoughts based on this quote from Bethany:

"I think this collection is like if Stevie Nicks and Cher from Clueless had a baby and they took her to a séance."

While you wait for the collection to hit shops in May, listen to the beautiful sound of Best Coast talking about hats and singing 'When You Wake Up':

Milan round-up

 Dolce & Gabbana

Gabriele Colangelo

  

JIL SANDER 

Prada 

DSQUARED

Charlotte's Milan A/w Top Trend- OVERSIZED COATS & CAPES

KATY's Milan A/w Top Trend - DOING DOUBLE lAYER UP WITH THE SAME PRINTS

(All photos from vogue.com)

The Nottingham Vintage Fair

check out her cute blog and online store

Everyone's talking about Marni

It's true, and the thing that's causing us to do so is their collaboration with H&M. I've always been 'a bit on the fence' with this brand, most probably because I'm a bit scared of print, and anything bold - Marni's key aesthetics. I was curious when I found out that one of my favourite high street shops would be collaborating with the Italian fashion label, but I was surprised, and liked what I saw. 
 Consuelo Castiglioni told Forbes "I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favourite pieces in signature fabrics and prints. As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colours, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic adding sporty utilitarian elements,"


My favourite Womenswear pieces...

...and a little something for the men...

If you're like me, and don't really get along with colour (the brightest thing in my wardrobe comes in the form of an orange hat) then this collection may be perfect. It's bold, but not too brash and although relaxed, there's still an element of luxury. The only downfall for me - the price tag. But if you're willing to invest in a slice of quality then I'd take a look, but be fast. The collection hits stores and is available online from 8th March.

Oh and you can see what Castiglioni is bringing to A/W '13 tomorrow at Milan Fashion Week.

Here come the men

Tonight I helped out backstage at the NTU second year menswear show. It was a lot more stressful than I apprehended but I had a lot of fun - well what girl wouldn't enjoy helping to dress/undress male models? It's not Milan, but it's experience and I'd definitely like to do it again. I wasn't able to take as many photos as I would have liked because I was busy, busy, busy but here's a few.

My lovely model Matt

Menswear isn't usually my thing, but in the spirit of tonight's fashion show I'm going to focus on men (that makes a change). I've revisited some of the Menswear A/W '12/13 collections from January that caught my eye.

Details from Dries Van Noten

"Psychadelic elegance"

 

Details from Ermenegildo Zenga 

"A winter's Tale"

Details from Costume National

"It's a synthesis of all my experiences".



Details from Jil Sander

"A very luxurious man who's playing with materials."





Details from Dolce & Gabbana 

"It was all about family."

Blog Nouveau

Hello, Bonjour, Guten Tag... I'm Katy, and this is my first post for Two Cities. I'll be posting my half of this blog from Nottingham. You'll get to meet Charlotte - live from London - very soon.


London Fashion Week is now in it's FIFTH, and no doubt fabulous day. While my other half is living it up assisting at Fashion Week and collecting lots of juicy gossip straight from the runway for you, i've been sampling the action from behind my laptop screen. So here's my round up of my favourite collection's from each day so far:



Day 1

Emilia Wickstead 

Day 2

John Rocha

 Day 3

Margaret Howell 

Day 4

 Giles

But how could I not mention the beautiful display by Christopher Bailey at Burberry. This was one of the most rewarding 22 minutes (i've ever spent on youtube) For me this collection summed up what an English Autumn/Winter is really all about - rain and trench coats.

Day 5

Mary Katrantzou

 (all photos from londonfashionweek.com)

I'm going to London tomorrow to visit Charlotte for a couple of days as a matter of fact so we'll have lots of lovely posts to come.

Enjoy your pancakes if you're having any tonight.