IDOL Magazine

WE HAVE MOVED

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 12:10:00 +0000

www.idolmag.co.uk/blog

Street Style By Vicki Carr

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:20:00 +0000

Village Bicycle

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Thu, 26 May 2011 21:20:00 +0000

Idol popped by the opening of Village Bicycle - the latest offering from socialite darling and heiress, Willa Keswick. Star-studded and hip would be an understatement. But, rest assured, we didn’t just go for the free ice cream and a chance to oggle Keswick’s Felder Felder and Mark Fast stock, although that didn’t hurt, earlier this week Idol sat down and chatted with Keswick herself (check the site shortly for the interview – not to be missed, if I say so myself!) and we wanted to see the store in all its Ledbury Road beauty.

Village Bicycle mixes edgy London-cool designers with up-and-coming labels in a Tokyo-meets-New York-by way of Colette and the seminal 60s boutique Granny Takes a Trip environment. Or, so the press release said. Usually one takes these with a pinch of salt. In Village Bicycle’s case, I would argue, this press release was deceptive. I think comparing itself to other boutiques belies what Keswick has done with the space. Yes, Keswick aims for a destination-shop, like Colette, and a sartorial-pushing, yet un-pretentious edge, like Granny Takes a Trip, mixed in with Japanese-style shop fittings and New York exclusive designers, but Village Bicycle has more than this. Pushing young designers next to established labels, branding your own M&M’s and generally being a bit tongue-in-cheek, Keswick has managed to diffuse the stuffy to-expensive-for-you air of her neighbourhood shops while keeping an selective sartorial stance.

Look out for this shop. Idol expects great things.

By Lucy Morris

Stag & Dagger Mixtape

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Thu, 19 May 2011 10:17:00 +0000

The ever so trendy Shoreditch is getting a hipster make over today with some of this year's hottest underground artists, teamed with a few big names to wet your appetite.

This evening brings the likes of Toro Y Moi, CocknBullKid, Entrepreneurs, Star Slinger and Ghostpoet together around various venues in Shoreditch to celebrate such a creative community.

If you still haven't got your tickets then it's all good, there are still a few spare for an amazing £13.50, so grab your skinny jeans and Barbour jacket and get your arse down to Shoreditch for a night of unique artists at equally as unique venues.

The people over at Anorak London have put together a mixtape of some of this year's artists just to get your raring to go tonight, have a listen here whilst you neck a can of Red Stripe before leaving the house

http://soundcloud.com/anoraklondon/sets/stag-dagger-mixtape-2011-1/

Street Style By Vicki Carr

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Wed, 18 May 2011 12:19:00 +0000

Forgotten monuments...

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Tue, 17 May 2011 08:29:00 +0000

Credit: Trendland.net

It’s the 60s. Tito’s in power. Yugoslavia wants to showcase to the world their strength, resilience and Socialist Republic design aesthetic, while commemorating WW2. So, they built ‘Spomenik’. Obviously.

Credit: Trendland.net

The sculptures stand as icons of a lost regime – incongruous with the landscape, striking and post-modern. Since Yugoslavia’s secession, these sublime, Brutalist monuments are spread over Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia and Bosnia.

Designed by Slavic architects Dušan Džamonja , Vojin Bakic , Miodrag Zivkovic, Jordan and Iskra Grabul thepieces attest to a forgotten generation of Slovic architectural experimentation.

Antwerp-based photographer Jan Kempenaers trekked across the Balkans, photographing the surreal Spomeniks. Capturing their melancholic beauty and abandonment, Kempenaers photographs are touching. Provoking T. W. Adorno’s theory ‘to write poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric’, Kempenaers and Tito’s cultural showcase question whether anything beautiful can come out of something so debilitating and horrific as the Holocaust. Spooky in their silence, subtle in their deliverance, the Spomenik’s and Kempenaers photographs compellingly investigate Adorno’s unstable ground.

Credit: Trendland.net

‘You’ll see Spomeniks on strategic outcroppings, lofty passes and sweeping plateaus: gigantic sculptures, firmly anchored to the rocks. They are objects of stunning beauty. Their abstract geometric shapes recall macro views of viruses, flower-petal goblets, crystals. They are built of indestructible materials like reinforced concrete, steel and granite. Some are solid, others hollow…. They fit seamlessly into the Sixties-era aesthetics of Barbarella movies, Paco Rabanne dresses and Lava lamps. And yet, every single one of them is a memorial monument to the most atrocious events of the Second World War, marking the sites of bloody battles and sinister concentration camps. … In the 1980s, the monuments still attracted millions of visitors, but a decade later their appeal vanished. They have become submerged in a new age, rendered unintelligible to the current generation…’

Credit: Trendland.net

By Lucy Morris

Origin of the Beginning

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Sun, 15 May 2011 15:50:00 +0000

Dutch artist Levi van Veluw will be showcasing his greatly anticipated new solo exhibition - entitled 'Origin of the Beginning' - from 21st May to 25th June at the Ron Mandos gallery in Amsterdam.

The exhibition holds three life size rooms that collectively contain over 30,000 wooden blocks, balls and slats. Each piece of wood is carefully cut and glued onto the wall one by one by Levi himself.

Inspiration for this latest exhibition draws directly from Levi's own childhood - specifically his bedroom where he spent many hours between the ages of 8 and 14. The first of the three rooms contains a desk, a table lamp and a bookshelf. In the short film - seen below - the artist is seen burning the edge of the desk. This is a reflection on Levi's childhood obsession with fire.

Each room expresses Levi's attempts as a child to gain control over his life - the repetitive structure, pattern and texture are him gaining control of his surroundings. The dark colour, dim light and emptiness of the rooms also suggest a sense of loneliness and claustrophobia.

The artist himself will be welcoming viewers to the event from 5 to 7pm on 21st May so, if you happen to be in the Dutch capital at the time, make sure you pop along.

By Hannah Newman.

Nixon x Selfridges

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Sat, 14 May 2011 14:20:00 +0000

Bringing a bit of Cali cool to London’s luxury department store, Selfridges has teamed up with Nixon – the West Coast’s accessory brand known for their laidback, surfer attitude.

Founded just over a decade ago in 1998, Nixon has since being producing headphones, bags, watches, belts etc. all in the name of design and practicality. Ready for work and ready for play their range of watches are trend-sensitive and reliable.

Collaborating with Selfridges, Nixon has a pop-up shop on the store’s first floor, bringing us a selection of premium men’s watches, headphones and accessories. The pop-up shop will also feature videos and music from the Nixon rotating art installation, ‘Nixon Art Mosh’

NIXON, SELFRIDGES, Contemporary Menswear Accessories Dept, 1st Floor, Selfridges 400 Oxford St, London W1H 6HB, 22 April – 22 May, 2011

By Lucy Morris

Parking Ticket?

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Sat, 14 May 2011 12:35:00 +0000

Credit: The Metro

‘Vroom Vroom’ is sculptor, Lorenzo Quinn, son of late Hollywood star Anthony Quinn, newest piece.
Based on the artist’s first car, a vintage Fiat 500, and encased by a 13ft aluminium hand – modelled on Quinn’s son’s, the piece speaks about freedom, independence and the relationship between father and son.

Quinn says ‘Each and every one of my art works is a little part of me, they are my experiences, thoughts, desires,feelings...Vroom Vroom represents part of my independence, my freedom, my personal growth. This was the first car that I bought with the money I made from my early works. It was hard work, but the purchase was satisfying. I had obtained something I really wanted through my own effort. I did not depend on my parents anymore, I was grown up.

This car has been my talisman. One day a client visiting my studio said "that car is so small, it looks like a toy." This comment made me think: often the only difference between a child and an adult is the price of the toy.

Actually, this car was a toy to me, I worked hard to get it, and once I had it I enjoyed it like a child would. I think that over the years, social pressure makes us lose our innocence and excitement about the little things. We end up forgetting the child within. This sculpture represents the innocence and excitement about the little things that make us happy.’

Credit: The Metro

Part of the City of Sculpture Festival, Idol says…

Race over to London’s Park Lane to get a peek at it now!

By Lucy Morris

Monumental

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Sat, 14 May 2011 12:02:00 +0000

Giant Horse's Head lands in London's Marble Arch

Sculptor, Nic Fiddian-Green’s 30ft monumental bronze horse-head is creating a buzz in central London. Fiddan-Green, known for his signature Elgin Marbles-inspired horse’s heads sculpture, won this commission 4 years ago, to coincide with Marble Arch’s £2million refurb. Weighing in at 6 tones and only half an inch thick, the head is based on Indian breed of horse, interesting for their unusual, twisted ears – turned in towards the face so as to avoid dessert winds.

Aiming to inspire the public and add intrigue to the landscape, Fiddan-Green has done just that!

By Lucy Morris

NO MORE FISH IN THE SEA?

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Thu, 12 May 2011 11:14:00 +0000

Selfridges have teamed up with over 20 environmental and conservation groups - including Greenpeace, WWF and Seaweb - in order to create Project Ocean - a campaign to help make us aware of the dangers that face the Ocean.

Launched just yesterday and running until 12th June, the campaign highlights important issues such as over-fishing and informs us on how we can make positive choices when buying and eating fish. Selfridges are also helping to raise money for the Zoological Society of London to create Marine Reserves.

Designer and activist Katherine Hamnett has designed a collection of slogan T-shirts to help get the message across. Slogans include 'Save The Sea' and the Project Ocean exclusive 'No More Fish In The Sea?'. You can also get your hands on a range of slogan tote bags and beach towels as well as ribbons and bracelets.

There have been exciting transformations all through the London store. These include a giant sea creature balloon installation by sculptor Jason Hackenwerth and artist Beth Derbyshire presents her work 'Seven Seas'. There will also be a series of talks - the first of which will be Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall talking about his 'Fish Fight' campaign. As well as this, every Friday night, Club Koko and NME will be taking over the Dive Bar to present you with live music. Head to Selfridges now to join in the fun and help save the Ocean!

By Hannah Newman.

IDOL Film: Attack the Block Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Wed, 11 May 2011 10:44:00 +0000

Amazing new Sci-Fi-Action-Comedy from Comedian and radio DJ, Joe Cornish. Predominantly starring a cast of first time actors, John Boyega, Alex Esmail, Leeon Jones and Simon Howard alongside Nick Frost, Luke Treadaway and Jodie Whittaker. It follows an alien invasion on a tower block in South London. The soundtrack from Basement Jaxx is just the cherry on top. IDOL loves Attack the Block.

Read our interview with two of the stars here

Clothes Crush

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Wed, 11 May 2011 08:25:00 +0000

Miharayasuhiro

Hailing from Japan, Miharayasuhiro presents an edgy Spring collection. Mixing and matching separates with a splatter of playful dresses, the collection is cohesive and wearable. Boldly dabbling with print - this seasons big trend, stripes and articulate tailoring, Mihara Yasuhiro’s designs are lively.

Mihara, originally a footwear designer, is known for his avant-garde aesthetic. After successfully collaborating with Puma and an acclaimed Menswear line under his belt, Mr. Yasuhiro is still able to dominate the catwalk with innovative designs. Small twists on wearable classics with unexpected nuances, makes the eponymously named label, Miharayashurio, an established sartorial force.

Misharayashurio’s SS11 ‘Black Iris III’ collection takes heed from Georgia O’Keefe. Renowned for her Feminist paintings of foliage, O’Keefe’s blossoming buds are striking. Poignant and empowered they are simultaneously still-life and abstract. Miharayashurio inspired by O’Keefe’s natural florae dappled blooming prints over tailored pieces evoke strength and fragility.

Using O’Keefe’s personal style as a reference point, the collection features a denim smock dress with draped cowl-neck back, washed rolled denim jeans, frayed jersey tops and dresses, giving the collection an artistic legitimacy. The look was simultaneously modern and reverential.

Masculine tailoring, military aesthetic and work wear dominate the collection. The structured pieces are complemented by soft jersey tees, lace leggings, short shorts and a-symmetric pull overs. Jaquered floral prints and camouflage add a nice twist. As does the mix of heavy and sheer fabrics.

Particular faves are the trench-coat dress, draped safari jackets and on-trend maxi-skirts. Miharayashurio complements the collection with a selection of shoes and bags. (Love the bags!) Taking inspiration from traditional Japanese footwear, the wooden heals are contrasted to the stiletto moccasins and healed loafers and Celine esque towering wooden wedges. The white, open-toed lace up booties are a strong look: chic and wearable. The bags are a reinterpretation of classic shapes. Leather and fabric combined, Birkens, shoulder bags and military shapes have unexpected flaps of fabric and twists of fastenings are exciting and original.

The Spring Summer look is a combination of soft and feminine with androgyny, or you could just say it’s a continuation of Miaharayashurio’s signature look.

By Lucy Morris

H&M goes ethical

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Sun, 08 May 2011 21:44:00 +0000

British high-street favourite H&M have gone all ethical on us with their appropriately titled 'Conscious' collection – a follow-up to last year's successful 'Garden' collection.

Ann-Sofie Johansson, H&M's head of design, states that “It's not just about organic cotton anymore, the possibilities for creating a complete fashion statement with eco smarter materials are huge now,”. Because of this, H&M have taken it upon themselves to not only use organic cotton but Tencel and recycled polyester. As well as this they're throwing in some romantic lace, Broderie Anglaise and minimalist tailoring, all for good measure.

The result is a collection of lace blouses, tiered dresses and cut-off shorts for women, casual blazers, tailored trousers and striped T-shirts for men and all of the above for children. All in different shades of the colour of the season; white. “White is the season's biggest trend and it feels right for this collection. White creates a romantic feeling with lace but is also the basic colour in a sporty, relaxed style and in a preppy tailored look for men,” says Johansson.

Check out the 'Conscious' collection for yourself, available now, in all H&M stores. Prices start from £7.99 for adults and £4.99 for children.

By Hannah Newman

IDOL Film: Hanna Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Sun, 08 May 2011 21:29:00 +0000

Thrilling action fairytale from director Joe Wright. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana and Cate Blanchett.

Released 6th May

Read our review here

Street Style By Vicki Carr

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:23:00 +0000

Swathe us in Swash

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 07:58:00 +0000

Credit: http://www.swash.co.uk/

Idol loves Swash’s elaborate prints, graphic finesse and colourful palette. Central Saint Martin’s grad’s, Sarah Swash and Toshio Yamanaka, the design duo behind the sartorial success that is Swash have made their names as the go-to fashion-forward scarf make. Now with a clothing line, Swash’s SS11 collection has stolen Idol’s heart.

Stocked worldwide (in Libertys, Barneys, Opening Ceremony etc.) they take heed of trends – see there seventies flare, but keep their strong distinctive style – using whimsical patterns and eccentric prints. Swash scarfs are silk (sometimes silk and knit) carres (French for Square – the archetypal scarf shape, in case you were wondering…)

Illustrated and colorful, Idol wants to wrap theirs into a turban, tie it around a bag and carry it everywhere.

Credit: http://www.swash.co.uk/

By Lucy Morris

East End Film Festival

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:23:00 +0000

Tomorrow sees the opening of the East End Film Festival and the celebration of it’s ten year anniversary. Running over 6 days it will showcase home grown British features, documentaries and shorts including Donkeys, the debut feature from Bafta Award short-maker Morag Mckinnon and Kanchi Wichmann’s

Break My Fall amogst a list of exciting debuts.

Amidst all this Martin Scorcese’s digitally re-mastered Taxi Driver, and a rare screening of the Ken Russell’s controversial 1971 film, The Devils, followed by a Q&A with the director. As well as the film packed programme there will be live music, flash-mob art instillations and industry events throughout the city. Not to mention an all day street party at The Water Poet to celebrate the Royal Wedding.

Opening the festival is the world premier of The Libertines: There Are No Innocent Bystanders, the directorial debut of prominent music photographer, Roger Sargent. Following the band, all access, from the announcement of their reunion to the weekend of Reading and Leeds festival, it goes behind the tabloid stories to give an intimate insight into the troubled and talented band.

Read our full interview with Roger Sargent

The amount of events on show is too much to mention so for the full programme of events click here

For more info click here

Image: Phil Maxwell
Words: Emma Hurwitz

INTERNATIONAL STREET ART FESTIVAL

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:38:00 +0000

Heading off to the outskirts of Berlin to visit the International Street Art Festival, Oekologisches Kulturzentrum Kesselberg e.V., one imagines some urban outpost swarming with elusive artists bearing hoodies and cans. But once the mission of finding the destination (train, followed by a few kilometres on foot and helped with a bit of hitchhiking) has been dealt with, you find yourself in an ecological community project right the heart of the woods in what was an old Soviet spy base. The last ounce of its Soviet-ness has been replaced by a welcoming, creative group of people who set up an International Street Art Festival in order to decorate their rambling village. So rather than the rude-boys, the “big softies” of the Berlin street art scene had turned up for a rural retreat!

Tucked between two of the buildings, a bit further on from the wood and bicycle workshop, and opposite the music room, was a table standing outside displaying buckets and old plastic vessels containing a multitude of different colours of ecological paints. Following the instructions stuck on the wall you could mix up your own pot of colour, and then select a wall to paint by studying the felt-tip, animated plan of all the buildings and choosing one of the locations marked by a smiley face.

If painting the walls wasn’t for you, the timetable gaffa-taped to the door showed the workshops that were available. Life drawing in the woods, silk screen printing, clowning skills, and other painting based classes run by some of the big Berlin street art names. Everyone staying overnight were instructed to bring their own tents and artist equipment, and everyone was fed from a huge stew of home-grown or organic produce cooked up in the open air and enjoyed together sitting on logs around the fireplace. From the fire circle you can see the mural covering the side of the nearest building painted with three large characters, each by a different artist, unified by the scattering of small figures hanging of the floodlight, being eaten by frogface or just sitting and admiring the view. The pale colours that come from the ecological paint give a light-hearted, child-like feel to the building.

On entering the community itself, the first signs that one encounters refer to children playing and warnings to keep your dog under control, as the chickens roam free. The new murals, along with these notices rustled up using scraps reveal the purity of the lifestyle of the community and what they stand for. Berlin is infamous for its squatting movement, which has been prominent since the 80s and is slowly being crushed out of the city, and here one can see the next stage of this squatting movement. The honest, simple existence in the middle of the woods, bringing together the notorious creativity from the streets of Berlin with the search for a lifestyle that goes beyond the need for a steady income and pension scheme, high-street fashion and mass-produced chicken breasts. This International Street Art Festival is a real piece of the original Berlin mind-set and it is a relief to know that it still exists somewhere.

By Leen Horsford

Idol Lust

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 14:26:00 +0000

Y-3

With his recent exhibition at the V&A, Idol has been lusting after Yohji Yamamoto. To be specific, it’s really Y-3 we want. Not that we don’t LOVE Yamamoto mainline, but let’s be honest, we’re a lot more likely to be able to afford a piece from Yamamoto and Adidas’ longstanding collaboration, Y-3.

Luxe sportswear, as proffered over recent years by the likes of Alexander Wang, is tailored and refined at Y-3. Soft trousers, structured leather, zips and stripes, the look is clean, sophisticated and wearable. Taking notes from streetwear, Yamamoto adds his signature structural and silhouette play to the collection. Oversized shirts are worn with tapered trousers, sleeveless motorcycle leathers can be thrown over stripes and shorts – Y-3 is edgy cool.

Credit: http://www.adidas.com/

Quite obviously referencing Irving Penn’s famous claustrophobic photographs, the lookbook shots are of the models framed by shadowed corners. Striking, much like the clothes.

The Duchess of Windsor, New York, 1948
Credit: National Portrait Gallery

Credit: http://www.adidas.com/

Having recently opened a shop on Conduit Street, London, Idol recommends you pop in to see the full collection, footwear, accessories and super cute kid’s range!

By Lucy Morris

Topman x Meg Mathews

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 13:59:00 +0000

Former wife of Oasis guitarist, Noel Gallagher, Meg Mathews, is drawing on her Rock’n’Roll heritage for her upcoming collaboration with Topman. 2011 will see the Arcadia group’s leading menswear label, Topman, team up with a variety of designers to produce its news ‘AAA’ range.

Based on the premise that the current Rock and Roll trend is here to stay- Gordon Richardson, Topman Design Director, said ‘whilst we may happen to have a fleeting Rock and Roll trend in store what we needed was a more permanent one with a music DNA that our customer could buy into regardless of seasonal influences. A range that made you feel and look like a rock star.’ It may seem to obvious that the Gallagher-ex offers an instant injection of Rock and Roll, but Mathew’s designs are edgy and irreverent – everything AAA wants to embody.

Drawing on her savvy design aesthetic – Mathews has a successful wallpaper line (sold exclusively at Libertys) and scarf collection – Meg’s AAA line includes range of sheer clothing and skull-adorned scarves.

In muted grey and black, the scarves are enzyme-washed cotton. With intricate Beardsley-style illustrations frayed hems and a rebellious sophistication, Matthew’s designs are indeed, referential McQueens synonymous skull scarfs.

Mathews corresponding clothing line layers and drapes lightweight shirts and fine knits. Named SHEER, the menswear plays with silhouettes and the standardized male form Too, decorated with graphics, but unlike the scarfs, softer with bleeding tones – the clothing is subtle. Modeled by Louis Simonon, the campaign shots are, like the collection, strong and edgy.

Credit: http://www.ana-rchy.co.uk/

Available from the 8t May 2011, online and in selected stores.

By Lucy Morris

Sleeping Beauty Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:13:00 +0000

Last week the much anticipated line-up for Cannes Film Festival was announced, amongst which is Sleeping Beauty, the first cinematic offering from novelist Julia Leigh. As you can see it is far away from the fairytale of the same name, following a beautiful, young university student who becomes embroiled in a dark, sinister world of prositution.

Emma Hurwitz

Street Style By Vicki Carr

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:16:00 +0000

Meek's Cutoff Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 21:17:00 +0000

Continuing the recent Western revival hitting our screens is Kelly Reichardt's Meek's Cutoff, it stars Michelle Williams, Paul Dano and Bruce Greenwood and was released Friday. Have a little look at the trailer and read our review here

IVAN ARGOTE

noreply@blogger.com (IDOL Magazine) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:38:00 +0000

Check out Ivan Argote's interview with IDOL here.