LCF BA Show

  LCF BA show at Victoria House basement. Public view 01-04/Jul (Open: 12:00-19:00)

Showcasing design, media & imagery course from School of Design & Technology and School of Media & Communication.

Ai Weiwei - Circle of Animals

  Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is still under capture of Chinese government. His re-creation of the 12 Chinese zodiac heads are currently showing in the square of Somerset House in London. 

  中國藝術家艾未未目前還被中國政府的禁閉當中。而他的中國12生肖像正在倫敦的Somerset House廣場中展覽。

LCF - Final Year Show 2011

  London College of Fashion final year show for Fashion Design Technology BA & FDA courses today. Although I made a really bad choice of seat so the photos aren't nice; there are few collection which are eye catching. Here are some of the pieces.

  今天是London College of Fashion的年度畢業展，這一場的展是學士和基本課程的合展。以下是其中幾套的展出服裝。

Tate Modern

  Tate Modern Day! Gabriel Orozco exhibition is ending very soon and it's the first day of the brand new exhibition of Joan Miró, no more time wasting, head to Tate Modern today. Orozco's works reflect life with a special point of view, personally prefer the photography series of the yellow scooter. What surprised me is the Miró show; it's a rather big collection and I love the colour of the works! You can feel the passion, the fun and the happiness within his work, not just through the colour, also the way he draw. The works are surreal but they express in a direct way like a child. Simple but strong. To be honest, they are very strong, I tried to draw one of his piece, just to realise it's not easy to draw like a child. It's one enjoyable experience, and I'm sure you are leaving the show with a smile on your face!

因為Gabriel Orozco的展覽快將結束，同時也是Joan Miró新展覽的開幕，事不宜遲的來到Tate Modern。Orozco的作品都用很有趣的角度去看生活上的點滴，個人比較喜歡小機車的街拍系列。但讓人驚喜的是Joan Miró的展，展品很多而且個人很喜歡他的用色。從他的創作中你能感覺到他的熱情，不單單是從顏色，連他的畫風都十分可愛。像小孩那種抽象，但很直接的表達方式。看似簡單但其實是很強烈的表現。這是一個看了之後心情很愉快的藝展。

V&A Yohji Yamamoto & Friday Late

  Yohji Yammoto, one of the best known Japanese across the world. His first exhibition in London at the V&A, I finally get down there to worship his creations. I can't help to say it was slightly disappointed, not about the display pieces (that is no doubt amazing.); the size of the exhibition room is so much smaller than I expected. I wanted to see tones and tones of Yamamoto's creation but end up seeing about 20-ish garments and some videos. I do believe they are one the best, just I am craving for more! Apparently, even after the Future Beauty exhibition in Barbican and this, I still hoping to see more Yamamoto's works. The cutting, the structure within the fabrics, the combination of materials are just too good to make you ask for more! Not only that, we were told that we are not allowed doing drawing in there: oh no...that's very sad! I was planning to spend like a good few hours to read every seam of the garments, it was a breaking sad news; so I turn my focus onto the shop and get myself a set of postcard. If you're wondering why I didn't buy the book of the exhibition...silly, don't you know Amazon is the best place to buy art books? With one click I can have it delivery, why the hard work carry it all the way home from South Kensington? 

  Following later at the night, it's the V&A Friday Late event. For those who don't know about this, please sign up newsletter from V&A. The museum host evening event the last Friday of every month, with live performance, music and often workshops so you can get involved. This is such a fun way to involve with art, so why not? This Friday (25 Mar 2011) is about theatre. Opening with Tootsie Rollers, all-singing, all-dancing retro girl band to perform their version of classics songs. I didn't stay till the end but I can tell people are very much enjoying.  

LFW (Fun Winter!)

   When you doing exhibition for A/W fashion, you can actually feel the winter air around you. Though it is very cold in London (nothing like the spring summer season like it should be),  fashion people can always find some fun with it.

  The neo Paris hat is such an eye-catching piece for Piers Atkinson's newest collection. Piers even developed this power pack, show you can wear it with light on for 3-hours! I would like to see Lady Gaga wearing neon 'Born This Way' on stage; so doable, right? Or Anne Dello Russo with ADR light on sitting in front row? (I had these images in my head since I heard about it is wearable!)

The other one mostly talked about is Piers' iconic cherry hat, IN BLACK!! Yay, god know how long I've been waiting for this!! So far, we've seen red and gold on ADR, I'm guessing we'll see the black version showing in front row soon?

The other greatest fun I found in Somerset House is definitely Yang Du's new collection! Normally I like clothes in black and red, but I cannot resist the colourful fun Yang Du created. Yang surely brings the knitwear to another level. Functional, fun, and sculpture art!! You can't ignore this elephant in the room!

  My personal favourite got to be the piggy with the amazing lace bra. I'm giving a big wow to this, especially to the piggy nose. it's so exact and cute! The whole collection is irresistible. Bright up yourself in the tough winter with this! I'm surely getting one of them, just I can't decided yet. I like Yang Du's design because they have such character and you can see the young heart inside her.

Piers Atkinson Exhibition / Party at Franny's

  This season, despite showing in Somerset House for London Fashion Week, Piers also did his exhibition showcasing the latest collection in Soho, together with photographer Morgan White who also shot his look book for the season. First of all, I should say big big thanks to Nathan from Franny's, not only providing the space for the exhibition, but being really helpful and nice through the whole thing. (p.s: omg, the pizzas are so damn great that win over the fashion diet, I think I've wolfed down a few slices. oops...)

  Title 'Paris' for the A/W11 collection, inspired by the night life, navy colour theme, neo light, feather, tassels, and the signature glitter / sparks. I like the collection as it's fun and glam!

 Cherry band up-grade! I like it in black, a little bit devilish yet very cute don't you think? Sexy lips embroidered by Miss Rosemary Beard.

 Finally, I think Lola (yap, our sexy manikin even got a name.) got styled up for a new winter trend. Having such knitwear, who will feel ever feel cold again? LOL

Exhibition will open 2 more days on 21st & 22nd, February at Franny's Pop-Up London, 11-13 Frith Street, W1D 4RB. (Opens to public | 11:00 - 18:00)

Piers Atkinson A/W 11 Exhibition!

(click image for larger view for details of the exhibition.)

  London Fashion Week, here we go again! This season, milliner Piers Atkinson is not only exhibit in Somerset House, also he is setting up his latest collection exhibition in Soho alongside fabulous stylist Kim Howells and photographer Morgan White! Showing in Pop-Up Gallery as the same time as fashion week, so those who are looking for amazing headpieces which are wild and fun like those as seen on Lady Gaga or Anna Dello Russo, remember to check out the exhibition! (Because we are actually having a bigger collection than Somerset House. LOL)

LCF Fashion Illustration Exhibition

On Friday 14th Jan, it's a small exhibition for final year students from LCF Fashion Illustration course. It showcase the work we've been doing for the final major project and how is our idea developing. Here are some of the showing pieces.

(by Jayde Ben Ali)

(by Hannah Joy Cooney)

(by Philip Dunn)

Freakie n Fluffie clothes changing game small size installation.

(by Franky Kei Hei Mang)

(by Janki Patel)

Butterfly Lover Installation

(by Ivy Jingwen Sun)

(by Viet Tran)

Sample Sales are great!!

  Sample sales on 16th Dec went very well. It's milliner Piers Atkinson first sample sales and the result is pleasant. Some of the sample is also seen on I-D, what a great deal! The eye catching quirky glam setting of the stall is a success, and we all have fun at the night.

All the hats came with these lovely hand drawing illustration price tag done incredibly by Lady Megan Penfold. New young illustrator with this amazing fun personality and I'm lucky to have the pleasure to work with you! :)

The Legendary David Downton

  The legendary Mr. David Downton came to LCF to give us a talk plus promoting his new book 'Masters of Fashion Illustration'. Within an hour, he shared his experience and how he got to this stage. He's surprisingly funny and he surely is one great talent within the fashion industry.

1) He told us that he never use rubber, just layering with light-box; positioning image until he's happy with it.

2) Likeness is not his concern, he cares about positioning instead.

3) He said he is a lazy workaholic, I bet he work 200% power on when he's focus. LOL

4) If he can be drawn by any illustrator, he wants René Gruau to draw him.

5) He made decision about 10 years ago that he will not work with computer, he revealed he doesn't like the idea of working with a box, he thinks everyone can do digital arts, it's problem about tool, but drawing is simply about the skills and he like to make sure people know that. LOL

  I'm thrilled to get he sign his new book. This is one exciting moment!

Machine-A featuring Piers Atkinson

The talented milliner Mr. Piers Atkinson!!

MACHINE-A presents Piers Atkinson from Ashley Smith on Vimeo.

On the Wednesday night (08th Dec), it is the preview of Piers Atkinson AW11 collection and the christmas lights on in Machine-A. Piers took over the window display space of Machine-A and turn it to shock of the lights! Events also featuring video model by Aaron Frew, filmed by James Barnett and Poppy French! I like how you guys play with the shadow and music is nice match with the moves!

Poppy & James

Display by Alun Davies, styled up in Piers' signature studs!

One of the great things of fashion events is you see many inspiring and stylish people in one night.

LCF X V&A - Ballet Russes Design Perspectives

  London College of Fashion collaborated with Victoria & Albert Museum and the English National Ballet, present 'Ballet Russes Design Perspective'. This is side project with the V&A autumn major exhibition - 'Diaghilev (and the Golden Age of Ballets Russes, 1909-1929)' which is exhibiting from 25th September,2010 to 09th January,2011.

  English National Ballet dancers showcase clothes by womenswear student from London College of Fashion. Design by student Pui Yee Tong has been chosen as representing work on the poster. The beautiful soft colour with the tassel and a Japanese style structure look of bottom gives such a dreamy look. Imagine dancing with it. it surely one fantasy image.

Original sketch of the design.

Here is a little interview with the designer.

1) What do you like about the collaboration?

- The idea of designing fashion for ballet. That makes me think a lot about the movement on the garment when I was designing.

2)What is your inspiration for the collection?

- The ballet dance Pertruska in Ballet Russes. The concept of the ballet dance is very inspirational. They were trying to depict the movement of puppets by the ballet dance. The combination of puppets and the ballet is impressive. I took the inspiration from the puppets and the fringes represent the string in the puppets.

3)How do you define your style?

- Very dreamy, delicate at the moment. But I have to say I love fruit and I think a lot about the life in the painting 'Garden of Delights' if you ask about my style.  :) 

4)What is your next step?

- I am working for my final major project at the moment and really hope to have my own brand in the future. But before all of this happen, I really wish to find a job in London as I really want to stay in the city after I graduate.

5)Who in the fashion industry you would like to collaborate with?

-My work being photographed by David LaChapelle would be a dream that I would die for.

Special thanks to designer Pui Yee Tong for being interviewed and provide press photos.

The one, the only - DITA VON TEESE

  The sexiest event of the year Erotica just set in Kensington (Olympia) this weekend; with the most famous burlesque Dita Von Teese performance every night through out the event. I never been or thought I would go to Erotica. but Dita Von Teese is irresistible; I practically race to book my ticket when I know she is coming. 

  Erotica, so it is no surprise to see all sex toys and costume which you can heat things up in the bedrooms. You can even see bed and massage shower selling stall. I understand the bed, but shower? umm, maybe there are more people do shower sex than I thought. I think the event is good as it is a positive way to see sex. 

  What makes it better, after all, is Dita. It is beyond my expectation that Dita took a long good time signing autograph and taking photos with fans. The quick 30 seconds close standing next to her almost gave me a heart attack. I like her performance so much of course in an artistic way to seeing it. I love her even more with clothes on though, because clothes off is not the point of being sexy. Inner beauty is the key and Dita definitely has it all. Elegant, beauty, feminine and simply perfect.