Scenes From London Fashion Week AW11

London Fashion Week is undoubtably one of the strangest events to visit, where stopping to ask a complete stranger to photograph their shoes is considered common practice, and people watching isn't just a passing hobby - it's a sport. True, some of the outfits that grace the cobbles down at Somerset House would cause even the most liberal to raise an eyebrow, but casting all pretences aside, there's no denying that it attracts some of the most interesting, sartorially minded, detail driven people this city has to offer.

Back In The Game

You may have realized that there's been a rather lengthy (ahem, four month) silence around here.

Sorry.

Please accept my sincere apologies with this behind the scenes vid of the recent Gaga x Terry Richardson shoot for Supreme. Suffice to say, it's pretty NSFW.

Stockholm

Taken in a period just shy of 48 hours, the following pictures are of a recent jaunt in Sweden's vibrant capital, Stockholm. A place that thrives from comfortable contrasts - where ornate medieval architecture seem just at home as their modernist counterparts - it's not surprising that it effortlessly presents forward thinking with a classic charm. The city's thumping heartbeat however does not lie with its buildings, but rather its inhabitants, who's progressive nature of Nordic cool ensure they are just as beautiful as Stockholm itself.

Click below for the full set

Tim Soar Spring/Summer 2011

Apologies for the silence around here the past week, a combination of manic days, lazy nights and one boozy weekend in Sweden has resulted in, well, a neglected blog. The following are some photos I took of the Tim Soar SS11 show on Menswear day at London Fashion Week. Proving a refined craft for immaculate and contemporary tailoring, Tim Soar's latest collection takes inspiration from David Bowie's character 'Mr Newton' in the seventies film The Man Who Fell To Earth. Without screaming an archaic ode to the era, wide lapels, long lines and big flares take prominence within the collection, described by the man himself as 'the New Wave utilitarian aesthetic'. A bold statement perhaps, but the beauty of the collection lies in his penchant for technicality - utilising an eclectic fabric palette that samples knit, welded PU, new and recycled denim, and Tyvek to present selected iconic styles of the disco decade with a delicate, understated, and updated twist.

The full set follows.

Disposable Perspectives

Image Source: Disposable Perspectives Camera 36

A tangible backlash against the digital world and mass commercialisation, Disposable Perspectives holds a belief in the world itself as a platform for creativity, actively driving the cause for anyone to express their perspectives irrespective of their technical abilities. An admirable and interesting project, their simple concept invites people to visually engage with their creative thoughts, by sending out disposable film cameras or encouraging people to use their own, and asking them to capture a series of shots that revolve around a theme predefined by themselves. An intriguing set of photos are presented as a result, where the effortless method of photography used gives way to a complete focus on representation and viewpoint.

http://www.disposableperspectives.org/

Three Things: Idiot Glee, Backyard Bill, Roy Slaper

Today's three things for your viewing pleasure come in the form of Idiot Glee's spine-tingling vocals, the work of Backyard Bill, and master of his craft Roy Slaper.

IDIOT GLEE - AIN'T NO SUNSHINE (BILL WITHERS)
Kentucky native James Friley's (otherwise known as Idiot Glee) haunting vocals deliver a new dimension of angst, whilst conjuring up images of smalltown USA, in this cover of Bill Withers' legendary tale of heartbreak and love lost. Make sure you pen down October 4th, the day of his debut release 'All Packed Up' on Moshi Moshi records.

BACKYARD BILL

A site mercifully at the whim of the personal style of it's subjects, Bill photographs a selection of eclectic individuals wearing outfits that they feel most comfortable in, and in turn presents a set of pure visuals defined by the people themselves. The photo below, that belongs to a set of photos that embody the notions of freedom, is taken from his latest work with Happy Socks.

Image Source: Backyard Bill

ROY SLAPER

One to whet the whistle's of any denim enthusiasts out there, this video enters the studio of artisan and aficionado Roy Slaper as he labouriously undertakes the painstakingly intricate production process of a pair of handcrafted denim jeans. Ensuring that each pair is custom made to individual specifications, it's no wonder that Roy has no problems with disgruntled customers breaking down his door to seek their money back.

http://www.myspace.com/idiotglee
http://www.backyardbill.com/
http://www.roydenim.com/

Three Things: Budapest, Douster, Karvt

Today's three little bits of goodness come in the form of Hungary's vibrant capital, wooden gadget covers, and the Circle of Life - but not as we know it.

BUDAPEST

This is a photo I took this time last year in Budapest, a bohemian city with a dated grandeur that is great for the urban explorer. Part of its charm lies in not making an overt effort to promote a tourist culture, making quirky finds all that more interesting - such as Corvinteto, a rooftop club atop an old communist department store. Did I also forget to mention that Budapest is home to one of the few places in the world where you can grab a pint for 30 pence?!

DOUSTER - KING OF AFRICA

This one's a bass dial-turner. Relive the warmer days and carnival vibes, as Douster reworks the classic 'Circle of Life' from Disney's Lion King with a mix of funky inspired riffs and an almost tribal bassline, to make this a certified banger.

KARVT

Go all earthy-mother-nature-esque this autumn, with a real wood cover for your beloved apple product. With a range of different types available and a sturdy finish, there's no reason why you can't match your laptop cover to your mood - and possibly even your floor. http://karvt.com/

Image Source: Karvt

'If You Leave' - A Project by Laurence Von Thomas

Image Source: Laurence Von Thomas' Photostream

If You Leave is quite literally a feast for the eyes. A testament to creative vision, each photo has been carefully handpicked by photographer-gone-curator Laurence Von Thomas from a pool submitted by non commercial photographers. Laurence's affection for dreamlike, almost ethereal, atmospheres has a very apparent influence on the collection, and can also perhaps be explained by the same inclination when approaching his own photography. The coarseness of the grains within the photos resonates the feeling of a casual observer to an enigmatic state of intimacy, which as a result, leaves a set of captivating visuals that are both striking in tone and sombre in disposition.

http://if-you-leave.tumblr.com/

http://laurencevonthomas.com/

Luminary: The Selby

Image Source: The Selby

Meet Todd Selby. A tremendously talented creative whose voyeuristic concept of photography exposes his keen intuition for details, and has even been hailed as the 'Larry Flint of apartment porn'. His premise holds beauty in its simplicity, and is refreshingly free from any traces of arty spiel. Essentially, he is an interiors and fashion photographer. Be fooled not though, as Todd does not mess about with big budget glossy spreads. For him, a shoot involves being 'on location' inside someone's own personal space, and being granted free reign with their most intimate and prized possessions (in terms of photography, of course).

Whilst the concept is unorthodox, his subjects are far from just your ordinary joe. Todd's impressive client list is now a treasure trove containing the who's who of the creative community and their veritably hip abodes - a far cry from starting out photographing his friends' homes. Unfazed, the social status of his subjects matters not. Taking a candid approach to these people's lives, he documents their self made living spaces, and holds a penchant for exposing their quirks - and perhaps hidden interests - ending up with a concept that breathes new life to the term 'Peeping Tom'.

http://www.theselby.com/

Levi's x Beardyman & Bass Clef

Tuesday night saw Beardyman and Bass Clef's turn to make their rampant mark on one of the intimate Levi's Craft of Music live sessions. Having made the short walk over to the Levi's store on Regent Street after work, we were greeted in the warmest form possible - a la open bar. However, the mainstay of the night wasn't the free tipple, but rather the unfeigned talent that was demonstrated by the two headlining acts for the evening, who treated the crowd to a plethora of gritty basslines coupled with an experimental vibe. Full details on the night's happenings can found by clicking below.

Traversing Rooftops

Nothing beats the feeling of height. The following photos were shot whilst exploring the hives of industrial activity on the outskirts of Kentish Town. Check out the full set by clicking below.

Concrete Glory

A couple of photos taken on a gloomy Saturday afternoon, in a rare part of the Kings Cross area that feels a world away from the gleam of mass redevelopment and the tourist crush. Check them out by clicking below.

Field day festivities

There were smiles all round last week when I managed to get my grubby mitts on a last-minute pair of Field Day guestlist places. So late saturday afternoon (bearing a sickly hangover courtesy of the Manchester crew's visit the night before), armed with my camera and Sarah in tow, we arrived at a sun kissed Victoria Park. Now, before we'd even set foot through the gates, this year had already trumped it's predecessors by a long shot. Yes, after past year's apocalyptic noah's ark-esque downpours, the weather had finally got tired of pissing down shitloads on a field full of hipsters.

And what a difference it made. The chilled vibe was infectious, and the mood was uplifting. Even the booze tasted better. The line up didn't disappoint either, with Caribou, whose electronic goodness complemented the setting sun well; although unfortunately, half the festival seemed to think so too - which meant that any type of dancing movement resulted almost definitely in facial contact with the (hairy) back belonging to the guy in front, tripping off the copious amounts of ketamine he had just taken. Phoenix as headliners were an obvious stand out of the day, and their flawless set was an apt closer to a triumph of a festival.

The full photo set follows.

I scream

Was at Ben & Jerry's annual marketing ploy unlimited ice cream bonanza this weekend on Clapham Common. Unfortunately, we landed tickets for the day with the shit line up, but the lure of unlimited ice cream meant that it was not gonna stop us. Not a great deal to say about this one - High points consisted of nearly throwing up on a volatile mix of too much ice cream and cider, the sun making a welcome appearance, and the eclectic line up at the acoustic stage; Low points included the mediocre main stage line up, the vomit inducing cider, and Scouting For Girls headlining.

Click below for more ice cream fun.

The yard

The following is the result of convincing your flatmate to traipse around a dumping ground wearing your clothes.

Shoot Credits
Photos: Josh Solana
Model: Sarah Curtis
Wearing: Vintage scarf, American Apparel jacket, Vintage Levi's denim shirt, Topshop leggings, Market bought army boots (models own)

The full set is after the cut.

Faces

Check out the new photo page at http://aliveisbetter.tumblr.com

Joyride

I'm still inept at being able to gage four wheels, so when I got back into London this week to hear my good mate had recently invested in a new car, I saw it as a big thing. We decided the only decent thing to do was to pay homage to our teenage years and go for a drive. A bit like a "screw you, we're vehicularly mobile bitches" to the oppressors(?) trying to hold us down. Here are pictures:

sunkissed

cold

mighty manchester

manchester today