SNOW - IN SPRING!

At the moment I am up in the north of Sweden where there is a lot of snow and beatiful landscape. Good for the soul. Unfortunately there is just as much snow down in the south of Sweden where it should be spring! And in England etc....

My garden in snow. Covered Ikea armchairs in black plastic and galvanized black metal outdoor furniture by John Reeves (Heals!).

 

 

NEONs & other Stories in London

Neons are everywhere this spring, so if you (lika I) invested in some last summer, you will have a second wind! This is danish fashion brand Malene Birger celebrating 10 Years at Marylebonde High Street now!

My favourite fabric designer Tricia Guild had some neons in her latest collection! Very fashionable new collection with snake patterns and bleeding wallpaper and textiles! (www.designersguild.com)

 

Jodhpurs with neon, I love this classic boot with a new twist. At Selfridges Shoe Carnival, on until 21 April.

Another classic, Palladium sneakers in neon satin by Kurt Geiger @ Selfridges.

Desk accessories by Designers Guild @ their shop on Marylebone High Street.

Snake, and reptil patterns are around a lot this spring in both fashion and interior design. Preferably in neon or pastels. Here, Dune @ Selfridges Shoe Carnival now!

Mexican/Lappland inspired shoes by L.K. Benett.

LC 1, Le Corbusiers classic armchair in neon colours at newly opened Cassina showroom in Brompton Road.

Inspired by Lichtenstein? Fab shoes at Selfridges Shoe Carnival by Nicholas Kirkwood.

Hangers by Squint, just around the corner from Cassina at Brompton Road. Why not use some leftover fabrics and make your own quirky hangers!

Turn up in a neon green shirt! Fresh and fun. Harvey Nichols!

It all started with sports clothes, the neon that is! Her from The Sting @ Piccadilly Circus.

Block colours @ Squint!

More snake in neon and on your feet, Harvey Nichols.

Colourful window display at an optician in Marylebone High Street. Springlike!

Selfridges are celebrating all new shoe collection by a Shoe Carnival, runs until 21 April.

Easter is coming....Knightsbridge.

and HM has just opened their new chain & other Stories @ Regent Street/Oxford Circus. Think Gaultier, comme des garcons and spice it up with a bit of Topshop....when is Ikea following with extended brands?

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

Kylie Minogue in JPG

 

Jean-Paul Gaultier

This “enfant terrible” has been one of my favorite designers since I started off as a Fashion and Interior Design Journalist in the early 80-s.

I was immediately captivated by his personal and very new , punkie and sexy fashion that would suit any strong and independent woman. Immediately taken on by Madonna and worn by her at her Blond Ambition Tour in the late 1980-ies.

Not to forget his super feminine shapes of perfume bottles and their packaging that again reminds you of his curvy woman’s suits that show that he is not only a fantastic designer but also a genius tailor!

Just look at his Classic range of bottles, curvy, feminine and masculine.

And his amazing design and ad for Madame, the play with words and the choice of model, Agyness Deyn.

When he launched Gaultier x 2, he put two bottles together with magnets and decorated the bottles with hearts and in the box you found little fridge magnet with loving words on.

And every summer he designs a new outfit for his summer perfume! It has become a collector’s item!

His graphics are always very adventurous and daring but also true to him.  You now straight away this is by JPG! And now he has not only designed a bottle for Diet Coke but also fabric and cushions for Leleivre.

He has a way of using classical design and graphics and remake it into something new, which turn  the design into being  timeless and long lasting.

 I  love the way he has used iconic people in his shows. In one of his latest shows he had models recreated as Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie), Madonna, Amy Winehouse, Boy George,  Grace Jones etc.

At the moment he is having his own exhibition in Rotterdam (Kunsthal) until 12 May. I will try to get there!

He has also designed furniture for Roche Bobois.  So whatever next Monsieur Gaultier?

Ziggy Stardust by JPG. David Bowie will have his own exhibition in the V&A in London soon! Watch this space for that. Bowie is also releasing a new album 11 March! Good reviews in The Times!

The lates catwalk had pop icons like Ziggy Stardust(David Bowie) , Madonna, Michael Jackson, Boy George and Grace Jones as "models" and inspiration. Fun!

Last year he designed the Diet Coke bottle.

Rihanna, another pop icon under his spell.

Fabric and cushions for Lelievre.

Agyness with the famous MaDame bottle.

Boy George!

A younger Jean-Paul.

Get married Jean Paul Gaultier style.

Furniture for Roche Bobois.

Madonna during her Blonde Ambition tour.

And finally, his famour perfume JPG Classique!

PASTEL CARAMEL - PASTELL KARAMELL

Pastels are always spring fresh. I remember having a light blue fury jacket with pink lining in the early 70-ies worn with washed out skinny jeans and dark blue patent platform shoes. Soo cool at the time! This spring wear it more like block colours or as a total outfit. Flowery whimsy patterns are part of this trend too. Or be inspired by these cupcakes by accessorie designer Fred Butler,  made for her pop up shop in Covent Garden during London Fashion Week. Postmodernism and a bit of a pastel Mondrian inspiration. Colour some white chocolat and get baking!

 

 

 

Pastels @ Accessorize!

Interior from Fred Butlers pop up shop recently in Covent Garden. Be inspired by her Mondrian/Baertling walls for your home?

Fred herself in her pop up shop. All dressed in orange and the type of bowling jacket so in this spring!

I just loooove these platform shoes. Why were they not around when I was 17? Fred Butler again!

Fresh and young fashion from Uniqlo!

More dressy and very feminin fashion from Ted Baker this spring. Sheer and flattering.

Spring like brogues, but for AW13! Seen at Fashion Scout during London Fashion Week.

Vintage in Covent Garden. Very inspiring window display! www.rokit.co.uk

Second hand in pastels, www.rokit.co.uk in Covent Garden just now!

And finally, some Danish tableware seen at Topdrawer this spring. Cute and funky at the same time.