PHOTOGRAPHY | DEREK RIDGERS

Derek Ridgers is a great photographer. He has a knack for capturing the aesthetic and context of a time and scene. Over thirty years he's photographed musicians and street culture and his latest book (78-87 London Youth) portrays youths in the 80's offers an insight into the subversion and pushing boundaries, pre normcore, that would be challenging today. 

FASHION | BAND OF OUTSIDERS A/W 14

A simple aesthetic and vintage school vibe make this collection wearable but with a glamorous and boldly pulled together feel. It's slouchy wearable glamour I suppose. Each item's both a statement piece and a go to item for any savvy wardrobe. Pravo!

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UP ON THE ROOF

It's been pointed out to me on more than one occasion that I love a good rooftop. This cannot be denied and I have sampled a fair few. When the sun finally shows up there's nothing better than getting your Dick Van Dyke on and defying gravity. The purpose of this sampling is for my work of course, it's been totally selfless research and the cocktails were just because I needed to get my five a day in somehow...

South 

Going to start locally with two of Peckham's finest...

Bussey Building
There's a rooftop cinema with some amazing views of London. I <3 Bussey, especially in Summer. 

Frank's
Do I really need to tell you how great this bar on top od a multi storey carpark in Peckham is? Really? Ok, it's bloody lovely and opens next Friday. I will be face down in some vegan kimchee (the menu's great!)so come say hi.

Roof Garden - Southbank
It's guaranteed you'll find yourself on the Southbank at some point in the summer, so do check out the roof garden on top of Queen Elizabeth Hall. It's no smoking but has BYOB potential. Oh and it's been designed by the folks behind the Eden Project too so it's very pretty indeed and, of course, the views are outstanding.

East

Netil House 360
The roof of this abandoned college transformed into a thriving creative community is pretty special. They have some cracking BBQ's and you can also make use of the wifi and work from there. Tip: cocktails whilst working are always a good idea.

Around Hoxton and Haggerston you'll find a cluster of pubs with good roof terraces. My favourite's are The Fox  and The Red Lion. If you venture a bit further into De Beauvoir town then The Talbot has a nice expansive terrace/balcony bit.

Coppa
A slightly lesser known spot than other East End sky grazers but an absolute joy once you've found it. If good Italian food in the sun's your bag (whose isn't it?) then Lardo's London Fields based Italian "Rosticceria" will be your summer oasis. Tip: it's on the roof of the hothouse and by be reached from Martello Street.

The Queen of Hoxton
Not my favourite bar to be honest but once the wigwam comes of it's rooftop then the trek up all the stairs for those views and a summery vibe is often worth it despite the sorry drinks selection. The decor is a treat to behold. They also have some screenings and good events, just avoid the oompah loompah coloured crowds on a Saturday night.

Dalston Roof Park
More astro turf and kitschness can be found a little further north. I've talked about this spot before and will continue to because it's a multi-pack of fun. Tucked away on a Dalston roof top above the sirens and irony below you can enjoy a brunch, cocktail or film - that's if you don't mind queuing mind. 

Even though I used to live in North London it isn't really my stomping ground. The Beach at The Roundhouse in Camden is quite nice and The Driver in Kings Cross has a nice, if not slightly bizarre roof terrace. 

West
I rarely go out in West London but The Kensington Roof Gardens are kinda special as long as the sun doesn't reflect off the coloured chinos and blind you.



As per I can't be everwhere so have probs missed some. Please let me know and I will drag myself over there and force down another cocktail. Roof terrace suggestions outside of London are very welcome! 

MUSIC | SWEDEN

There's some great stuff coming out of Sweden at the moment. Just listen...



Will keep adding to it if and when I get chance...

FASHION | ORLA KIELY AW 14

I know that I am so late to this party that people are already so sloshed they're dancing to Embrace but it still has to be said that Orla Kiely's Autumn/Winter collection is superb. Ever since the show at London Fashion week back in February I've had a hankering to be dressed like I'm in a Wes Anderson film come autumn...

EVENT | HOME IS IN THE NORTH

Ah the North; the motherland, where people can be mardy, boss or kippered but usually with a smile and a joke on hand. Where you can be waiting around like piffy one minute then bounce off down the ginnel to grab a chip barm another. The North has a wealth of creativity and I will leave it at that statement rather than start bangimg on with the music/art/fashion that has come from the upper parts of the UK. In keeping with a long tradition of fostering new creative talent Manchester now welcomes a new event aptly called Home Is In The North, exhibiting the best in new craft and design talent in the North of England.

Launching at Halle St. Peters in Ancoats, Manchester on April (26^th) will feature a some of the North’s most inspiring designers…

In attendance will be my lovely friend, textiles and homewares designer Natalie Laura Ellen draws inspiration for her designs from the things surrounding her Castlefield studio, from her balcony garden to the humble bumble bee, symbol of Manchester.

Also at the event will be Surface pattern designer Annabel Perrin, who uses the contemporary architecture of Salford Quays to create the geometric patterns used in her cushions, footstools and fabrics and continuing the ‘Industrial’ trend is bespoke lighting designer Richard Linford of Greymoose Designs with his upcycled lighting collection that experiments with camera tripods, sturdy steel basins modernised with colourful braided lighting cords. Leeds-based textile designer, Anthony Hughes also incorporates Northern 

industrial landscapes such as pylons, gasholders and railway tracks into his homewares.

They've already set-up some incredible interior pop-ups across Manchester (see images) and they're also hosting a giveaway to win some of Annabel Perrin’s gorgeous cushions. The event’s only £3 which is not much more than the cost of a brew these days (even up North) and there’s a wealth of seminars, showcases, exhibition to get stuck into. So there you have it, peel yourself off that sofa and put those leftover Easter eggs down a minute and check out an abundance of design inspiration. 

 To see a full list of exhibitors and more information visit www.eventsbythesocialbutterfly.com

·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomeIsEvent

·         Twitter: @HomeIsEvent

PHOTOGRAPHY | ALEXANDRA GRONSKY

Sometimes you stumble across a photographer who knocks you square out with their talent. Alexander Gronsky is one of these photographers. 

Born in 1980 in Tallinn, Estonia and based in Riga, Latvia, this photographer captures often desolate scenes but gives them a kind of playfullness because of the people and his framing. It's like a photographic post industrial move from Seurat's impressionist depictions of La Grande Jatte. 

Caught in a kind of middle ground, an urban purgatory between rural and industrial, the past and the future. These pictures leave you in limbo, feeling both warm and cold but wanting to look deeper none the less.