In the 13 years I have been writing on this particular iteration of my blog, I've considered closing it down many times and for many different reasons. Mostly it's been because I've run out of ideas of things to write about, but occasionally I will find myself thinking that a particular social media platform has... Continue Reading →
Review: Pet Shop Boys at Henley Festival
On the evening of 7th June 1991, aged 16 and celebrating the end of my GCSEs, I visited Wembley Arena to see my first ever pop concert. A few hours later, I headed for home pretty convinced that I still hadn't been to a 'pop concert', because Pet Shop Boys' Performance tour was more of... Continue Reading →
Awesome Ideas: Visit an exhibition in 2017
Visiting exhibitions is one of my favourite things to do so, although this year has barely begun, I already have a list of must-see exhibitions for 2017. Going with a friend can give you lots to discuss, as they often share knowledge you don't have or perhaps spot some things you might have missed. Visiting... Continue Reading →
Anatomy of a Classic
In a voice over at the beginning of the 1995 film Clueless, the character Cher Horowitz asks the audience, 'isn't my house classic?' She then goes on to explain that 'the columns date all the way back to 1972.' Although viewers may initially laugh at the seemingly naive implication that a twenty year old building... Continue Reading →
Dress for Our Time
On Thursday 26th November a very special dress will go on public display at St Pancras International station. As part of Professor Helen Storey's Dress For Our Time project, this installation will use the power of fashion to communicate some of the world's most complex issues and help change the way we think and act... Continue Reading →
History, culture and portraiture
It's amazing what interesting and creative things people get up to during the time you don't spend with them, and my course mates on the MA History and Culture of Fashion (now MA Fashion Cultures) at London College of Fashion are an excellent example of that. We came from all sorts of academic backgrounds and... Continue Reading →
Death and the Art of Tailoring
I first discovered the work of artist Hormazd Narielwalla when he came to talk to my MA group last year about Savile Row. Using discarded tailor's pattern pieces, his artwork brings together many things that fascinate me: the form of the body, the skill of the tailor, death and, of course, art. As Narielwalla had... Continue Reading →
Glass Senses: Science, illusion and art
Supporting the arts is something that used to only be available to the rich. In the days when paintings would be commissioned by wealthy aristocracy or, more recently, when you could only buy art from the sort of galleries who won't let you through the door unless you look like you can afford it, the... Continue Reading →
Feminism Friday: Credible Likeable Superstar Role Model
I have been following the Women With Something To Say series on the Tatty Devine blog with great interest, but today's post really caught my attention. I have been aware of performance artist Bryony Kimmings and her songwriting talent since she performed her hilarious Fanny Song at a cabaret event I attended. After the success... Continue Reading →
The multi-talented Ian Bruce
One of the winners at this year's Erotic Awards was Ian Bruce, creator of the glorious erotic art book RubiCANE: SOUVENIR. He said before the winners were announced that, if he won one of the golden winged penis trophies, it would be "the omniscient presence on my dining table". I would very much like to... Continue Reading →