FILM | GERHARD RICHTER PAINTING

'You can only express in words what words are capable of expressing.' 


Film by Corinna Belz 

FILM MEMORIES | FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR

I spent the weekend catching up with old friends and inevitably chatting about our exploits growing up and all the weird and wonderful things that made up our 90's childhood. I've had a recent hankering to watch a film that I absolutely LOVED as a child and haven't seen since I was about 10. This film, like many of the PG cert late 80's and early 90's was fun sci-fi/tech based cinema that both scared and completely intrigued me, and obviously stayed with me into adulthood...

Anybody remember Flight of the Navigator? Ok, it was actually released in 1986 (the year I was born) but it sustained to reach my demographic because it was repeatedly shown on the TV (the power of Disney). Growing up I  must have seen it about 20 times and loved it more and more every time. Far more low budget and simple than Spielberg's sci-fi classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind and it was Disney's introduction to a the powerful Sci-fi genre that was dominant at that time. It captured (on an admittedly less advanced level) the awe and wonder that was inspired by the idea of alien encounters and successfully presented it to a Disney audience. Like Batteries not Included or Short Circuit, this film filled wide young eyes with exciting images of technology and science, and embodied it's potential to take you into intrepid new territory; exploring humanity, showcased against new alien experiences.

Yes that's SJP

The Flight of the Navigator's plot is pretty bonkers and it's a fun, totally farfetched and touching film because it shows how the young spirit can span old ideas, conquer fear, embrace adventures, then simply return home unscathed. I  will never forget the scene when David first discovers the spaceship in the woods and sometimes wonder what it would be like to go out one night and drive a space ship then return home and simply go to bed. What a ride! What a film!

MUSIC | FAREWELL SUMMER

See summer out, see Autumn in, listen to music, chill...  
Featuring footage from the amazing film "Zabriskie Point". This is too perfect! 

A SUNDAY SERVICE

The Sunday Service on Dalston Rooftop The Sunday Service has been a pretty special breakfast pop-up ion the urban sanctuary that's Dalston rooftop. I was dying to go but sadly had to host a mega party in Henley (long story). Fortunately my bezzie was still able to attend and has written Tricky Customers first guest post! Here's what she made of what looks like the ultimate Sunday hanover cure... We arrived at 18 Ashwin street in Dalston, at 12:30 for the the second and later 'Brekkie' session of the day and were very pleased to be issued with our inclusive food and drink vouchers - what more could you ask for on a Sunday?! 

After walking eagerly up the considerable flight of stairs to the top, we opened the door and were met by what can only be described as a haven, tooked away on a rooftop in the middle of Dalston. The rooftop was adorned with green faux-grass (urban meets rural chic) and a mixture of very comfy white single and double mattresses on which people were relaxing, eating, drinking and chatting merrily. There was also an area which resembled a beach front or summer park with mats and cushions. Bliss! With the sun shining through the September clouds we collected our inclusive (in the cost of tickets) food and drinks. The food consisted of a variety of breads and drinks the traditional orange juice and tea or coffee, or an added treat of chocolate milk. I opted for the traditional coffee and orange juice, although I have it on good authority the chocolate milk was delious! The bread was accompanied by a vast array of jams, marmalades, and more chocolate. We managed to eat our weight in jams, as in such sumptous surroundings it was difficult to stop spreading. 

There was also the chance to pay for additional breakfast treats, such as a highly tempting selection of waffles with sweet drizzled toppings and savoury options that included bacon and salmon. The wind picked up shortly after we settled on our mattress, which did make digging into the food a little challenging but this it to be expected on a roof top and just added to pretty unique overall experience. 

As the afternoon continued, the atmosphere, which had been vibrant when we arrived, quietened down, much like when smaller towns get sleepy on a Sunday afternoon. This atmosphere may have been re-invigorated by some background music, as the sounds of the street began to break through the harmony of the roof but it still felt chilled. The smells from the open air kitchen did not abate, with the fragrant waffles wafting over, ensuring my saliva glands were kept working all afternoon. The relaxing continued and after about 2 hours spent on the roof when the chill of September did win and we made our move. Although blankets were on offer to those felt the cold and we left satified by the food and experience.

The Sunday Service was definitely a relaxing and enjoyable afternoon, although it would have benefitted from an injection of some music, to ensure the atmosphere was continued even after the volume of customer decreased. We were also lucky with the weather as it was only the wind, we had to contend with, if it had rained, it would be a different story - but hey, welcome to England. If you’re looking for a country style relaxing Sunday afternoon or you’ve had a heavy night before and want something to do without having to move or think too much, this is the place to be. Hangover heaven was found in Dalston!

The Sunday Service is continuing on the 23 September 2012 to 30 September 2012, more information and tickets are available from: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/org/2628308266?s=9766392. 

It's a great concept and was definitely agreat way to spend a sleepy Sunday avo.

Review by Clare Simmons ❤
Photographs by Jade Mellor  ❤

ADA ZANDITON | SS13 FASHION FILM

I had the pleasure of chatting to super talented sustainable fashion designer Ada Zanditon at London Fashion Week over the weekend. Ada gave me a preview of her new, Tarantino inspired, SS13 fashion film, Tigress Reign, starring Summer Rayne Oakes as The Tigress and Yrsa Daley-Ward as The Hunter and made thanks to sponsorship from Easyjet Holidays.

Shot in on location in Cyprus, the film was directed by the incredible Thomas Knights with styling by the lovely Alexis Knox. Zanditon told me that her SS13 collection was inspired by tigers, and this fun film definitely depicts depicts powerful strong women. Tigress Reign was debuted at Somerset House last night. Here's the trailer...


Sponsors -

WILDFOX | FALL 2012

Check out this fabulous film from my super talented cousin's label Wildfox, showcasing their AW'12 collection,'Star Crossed Lovers'. Swoon! It's a Romeo and Juliet inspired take on rebellious young romance, incorporating some excellent 90's nostalgia. So good!

LIZZY MERCIER DESCLOUX | HARD BOILED BABE

1979!

KUBRICK | One-Point Perspective

Kubrick // One-Point Perspective from kogonada on Vimeo.

THE PRE_RAPHAELITES | AW12 STYLE INSPIRATION

Swirling robes, long silk gowns, flowing hair, jeweled tones, sparkling jewels, chiffon shawls and velvet capes... who doesn’t love Pre Raphaelite style? Romantic, rebellious, bold and exotic: yet possessing a strong sense of heritage, the bohemian Pre-Raphaelite aesthetic never goes out of fashion,  so what better starting point for style inspiration this season.

The Pre-Raphaelites (Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, PRB) were a Victorian-era (1848 - late 19th Century) group of English artists which later grew to include poets and writers. This month, the Tate has an exhibition, Pre-Raphaelites: Victorian Avant Garde, which celebrates exhibition the magic and vision of this movement. Led by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais, the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (PRB) drew inspiration from the Renaissance, rebelling against the art establishment of the mid-nineteenth century.

The porcelain faced, dreamy eyed, golden haired beauties; draped in sumptuous fabrics, were the supermodels of their day and their beauty remains unmatched and inspiring. Today’s fashion and media still celebrates romantic traditional British English rose beauty - ivory skin, rosebud lips and cascading hair. Karen Elson, with her fiery tresses and penchant for Victoriana, often looks like Lady Lilith if she stepped out of the Rosetti painting. Lily Cole’s another doll featured flaxen haired beauty who could easily pass for Milais’ Ophelia, whilst Florence Welch’s strong eclectic bohemian style and Rosie Huntington Whiteley’s English beauty make them modern muses like Effie Gray or Jane Morris. The magic of the Pre-Raphaelite beauty is steadfast.

Gucci AW12

As the nights draw in and the winter looms what better time to start thinking about adding some magic to our wardrobes. There’s definitely a historical bohemian feel to this upcoming season with many collections and design elements reminiscent of the Pre-Raphaelite’s bohemian aesthetic. For this Autumn/Winter 2012 designers delivered sumptous colour pallets that include some striking jewelled tones – Paul and Joe offered a particularly delicious assortment.  Burgundy is the go to colour this season as seen at Elie Tahari – to name one of many. Luxurious  fabrics were elegantly draped at Hermes, evoking the velvet gown on 'Fair Rosamund'. Brocade, lace and velvet are go to materials and made a number of appearances in collection, such as Junya Watanabe who really made the most of the luxurious velvet fabric using different colours and techniques. Folksy, paisley and floral patterns added a casual eclectic element, as seen at Hermes where there was a definite eastern reference in the fabrics and hemlines. The addition of lace heats things up a bit during the winter months – thanks Lanvin!

This season we also encounter striking nods to Baroque, ala Dolce and Gabbana and John Galliano – think dramatic, romantic, OTT splendour. Victoriana details are also prominent – Pucci’s dramatic ruffled shirts and statement jewellery should do the trick. Temperley’s collection’s full of inspiration - a bohemian mix of floating chiffon layers of silk, lace and velvet, with a folksy pattern mix that includes embroidery and darker, bolder florals. Temperley’s references to the Pre-Raphaelites is striking, from the swathes of velvet, floaty heavily embroidered silk dresses, detailed embroidery and all topped off with jewels and sequins sparkling like light on water. The use of natural imagery given a darker edge also bloomed at McQueen and Dolce and Gabbana with bold florals that are less feminine and more dramatic on dark sumptuous fabrics, with lace overlays and embossing. Like the paintings there’s also a gothic edge with Gucci’s capes and Rocha’s dark lace - this is dark winter romance. The high street also has some finds with some great prints at Miss Selfridge and River Island nailing ethereal gothic glamour

Mix up those fabrics, scour flee markets, car-boots and dig out some sartorial magic. Why not have fun and be rebellious this winter. Now is a time for experimentation.Whether you pick up some statement earrings, drape yourself in silk, languish in lace or make like a woodland nymph by taking that long dress into winter with some extra layers of brocade, lace, silk…Winter is a time of darkness and that spells romance, exuberance and luxury – why not dress accordingly.

Temperley AW12