August 2009

It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.

It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.

This week we are live at the Echo Conference for a After Effects user group, Brad And Trent Armstrong talk through some basics that Church Media Designers need to know! You can find the Resouce sheet at http://bit.ly/C6frM

Dear Miss Manners:

It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.

It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.

derzeit sind die (fuer mich) entspannendsten tv-momente seltsamerweise 60er jahre kriegsfilme (auf solchen sendern wie "das 4.").

schoen auf der terrasse sitzen im tshirt um viertel nach 11. warum nicht schon den ganzen sommer? wird jetzt wenigstens der august gut? darf man ueberhaupt ueber das wetter bloggen?

The committee is taking evidence on Building Schools for the Future

Ey guys! I have finished a new theme released in Themeforest, it’s named “Ontuts” and it was designed for those who need a smooth and elegant template.
As you can see, it is made with the intention of use it for website tutorials like psdtuts, nettuts and so on… and other kind of “community” blogs.

It takes eight years and a lot of horse trading, but the world's nuclear powers agree to curb testing -- and perhaps avert catastrophe.

It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.

It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.

It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.

It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.

It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.

It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.

It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.

It’s unlikely that Prince Charles heads the Richard Rogers fan club, but Lord Rogers recently received validation from another luminary when the Royal Institute of British Architects named the Rogers Stirk Harbour–designed Maggie’s Centre the winner of its RIBA Stirling Prize 2009.

This week we will take a closer look at a few different tricks to make the most of your Photoshop brushes using the brush engine. We also find about colorsuckr.com, get inspired by kids stuff and get another great feebie! All this and more on this weeks CMD TV.

I've been on holiday in Italy for a month which has been great - I work so much that Pauline is always keen for us to spend a good amount of the summer in Italy to really have a break. I get back on Tuesday and then we'll be straight into getting on with the women's show and all the fabric fairs etc.
It's been lovely to have a break though - I've done lots of cycling and I always think it's good to get your body going after working so constantly. This morning I cycled to pick up the laundry - so I had the laundry on one handle and my phone in my other hand. It was a bit treacherous.

I'm cycling on Bradley Wiggins's old bike -Pauline bought it for me a couple of years ago and I'm very proud of it. He's a friend of mine and he did brilliantly in the Tour de France - he came fourth and the last British man to do that was in the Eighties - and before than again was in the Sixties I think. It's a terrific achievement for him especially because he won the gold Olympic medals on track - but this is a three week, two-and-half-thousand mile course over mountains and everything. It's meant to be the toughest race in the whole world so he's had to train really hard for a whole different kind of race.

Just got back from a long weekend in Venice. It didn't seem as packed us usual for this time of year; we didn't even have to book any tables at the restaurants, they all looked half empty. The waiters seemed more enthusiastic and the food arrived much faster too. People must be spending less money and trying to find other ways of having fun for less money - if not for free.
Sitting on the terrace of Gritti Palace - and ignoring recession- we heard music coming out of the Basilico on the other side of the canal. The waiter insisted that there was no concert inside but I could count at least six couples dancing at the church's front door. We had to check this out.
It turned out to be a sort of illegal "tango rave", about 30 people, ranging from mid Twenties to mid Fifties, dancing to latino-tango-italiano music, a bit of Gotan Project and old style tango thrown in, coming out of glorified ghetto blaster. All of them total Strictly Come Dancing perfect candidates. It was fun - but only to watch... I need to book myself a tango lesson soon. It wasn't exactly rock 'n' roll but it was the freshest, newest form of fun I have seen in ages. The police never arrived even though they kept going well past midnight, which is unheard of in Venice.
And to top i...

Futurism is one of those words that make my limbs tingle. A fanatic for all things new and modern, it is quite surprising that I decided to see this exhibition so late after it had opened.
Long time ago, before I studied product design, I studied history of art - just for a year - enough to learn about 20th Century art movements in a broad enough but not too detailed manner. So I was pleasantly surprised to see this exhibition with lots of work that I haven't seen before, in particularly the British phenomena of Vorticism.

The Mud Bath, David Garshen Bomberg, 1914, © Tate Gallery
I am talking about the genius of David Bomberg, a man whose paintings looked so modern that I had to check the label underneath them. There is something about them that reminded me of Sarah Morris, whose work I also love.
Besides that I have to say that I found the exhibition a bit unexciting, if that is at all possible; not many pieces there that were truly breathtaking. Nevertheless it is worth checking it out for its social phenomena: the artists were obsessed with the idea of war as a cleanser of society that would make space for all things new and modern.
Little did they know how soon the war would materialise. Don't they say be careful what you wish for?

London during August, like most cities, is operating at half speed and is a good time to shop. My best hit was at Liza Bruce in Knightsbridge. On walking in, one is immediately transported into the palaces of Morocco and Jaipur. The silk kaftans, hand embroidered pieces and exquisite jewels are irresistible. There's a belt that is really bugging me which I didn't get and I think I have to go back for!
Woke up with a headache, stupidly went to the shop and then the dreaded migraine kicked in. Ignoring the doorbell and phone I grabbed a lace mourning vale and wrapped it around my eyes. Never one to play down a drama managed to make it downstairs and collapse Camille-style on the bed.
Recently bought a bottle of lavender water from Summerill and Bishop next door and that sprayed on the pillows saved me. As any fellow migraine suffer will know nothing kills the pain and you just have to go with the dreaded flow.
Now back in the real world, well the Clarendon Cross world, and raring to go.

If like most of us you are just back from holiday and have a lull in your social calendar, these are a few important things you should know about.
Vogue's beauty and health director Nicola Moulton will be at the Crème de la Mer counter in Selfridges Oxford Street on September 19th, to give sound one-on-one beauty advice. All proceeds from the £20 booking fee will go to Look Good Feel Better - the charity that offers beauty workshops and support to female cancer patients, and you'll also receive a gift donated by Crème de la Mer. To book an appointment from 11am - 5pm, call 0800 138 8140.
You already know about Trekstock - the festival which raises money for The Teenage Cancer Trust charity with the likes of Beth Ditto, Mark Ronson, Katy Perry, Mischa Barton, Kings of Leon, and Agyness Deyn. The latest development is a designer collaboration called Trekstock Loves which will be sold at Browns with all proceeds to benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust. The launch will take place during London Fashion Week on September 22 at Bungalow 8. Designers include PPQ, Henry Holland, Ksubi, James Long, and Richard Nicoll. For more information: Trekstock +44 (0) 7732 098 039 - www.trekstock.co...

Did you know that the French have a single word for over-the-knee-boots? Cuissardes (kwe sarde).

Louis Vuitton, autumn/winter 2009-10  © Gorunway/VOGUE.COM
 
It sounds like what it is...sexy in a powerful, I could fly fish or keep warm and look chic in a blizzard, kind of way.

Prada, autumn/winter 2009-10  © Firstview/VOGUE.COM
 
If it is not enough that they have one word for what takes a mouthful in English, then there's the way they wear them. When wearing the high heel version, go for understatement on the rest. If wearing flats go for a shorter skirt and that is a firm non to showing décolleté. This is an autumn/winter trend that requires instructions.

Prada, autumn/winter 2009-10  © Firstview/VOGUE.COM
 
We admire the French for their innate sense of style, but maybe there is more to it than what to wear. If language reflects culture - Germans have great words for philosophical concepts like gestalt, or schadenfreude, and Eskimo's have a word for every kind of snow - Cuissardes are a good example of the French prerogative to dress and live well.
Parlez-vous Français?

I've noticed while I've been in Italy that lots of the shops have their winter stock in but there are also lots of sales on, which is an indication of how trade has been. It's extraordinary to have sale stock in at the height of the season, so it's definitely been a difficult time for lots of shops. We've been lucky at Paul Smith - the winter stock has been selling like mad and orders for spring are down a bit, but nothing more than we'd expected.

It's exciting to see the new campaign images out in the September issues. I shot the campaign back in May in my secret hotel - Langham Hall in Nottinghamshire - which is where I go when I need to shut myself away to design. The new Paul Smith Man fragrance is out now too - and I shot the campaign for that too.

I'm also off to shoot Mika next week for an eight-page shoot in L'Express, the French newspaper. He's got a new EP out and he's asked various artists to draw a little something to go in a little limited edition book to go with it - so I've contributed and we're selling the EP in our shop.

Dalek and Delta at Elms Lesters Painting Rooms
I really like the work by artists James Marshall aka Dalek and Boris Tellegen aka Delta, who play with colour and texture. I particularly like their work because it's so optimistic.

Mens suits at ArtAngel
Well worth a visit if you're in London, this amazing exhibition of miniature men's clothes made by New York-based artist Charles Ledray is really amazing. He even made all the other items in the exhibition including the lights. Mens Suits is based on clothing. Large amounts of men's clothing - suits, shirts, ties, gloves - all different, all hand-made and intimately detailed, and mostly appearing second hand.

For more information visit Artangel.org

Mika photoshoot for L'Express, France
I was asked to photograph musician Mika for French magazine L'Express showing various designers' winter clothes collections. I photographed him in the Novello Theatre in Covent Garden - a beautiful old theatre which was built in 1903. I managed to shoot ten picture in four hours and luckily the result was great, but sorry, I can't show them until the magazine publishes them.

Consumista que sou, quando vi o esmalte Jade no desfile da Chanel eu enlouqueci! Ainda bem que a Bel conseguiu achar uma cor muito parecida em Londres! Eu sei que essa cor está quase “last season” (a Rachel Zoe disse que o próximo It esmalte da Chanel vai ser o um gelo chamado Intermezzo), mas eu queria muito ver como o verdinho ficava na mão! Assim que ela me deu eu passei correndo. É estranho, chama muito a atenção, mas a cor é tão linda! Para quem curtiu e não consegue achar essa cor, a Lia do Just Lia ensina a misturar uns Coloramas pra ficar parecido com o Jade.

Back to reality tomorrow. I drove down to the port early this morning to take some pictures of the fishermen at work. It was a lively scene, but my god it stank. I've never experienced quite such a bad smell...That, and the fact that they didn't like me taking pictures, much limited my ability to get any shots I was particularly proud of, but just to give you an idea.

This afternoon I drove into town to do some last minute shopping in the medina.

With little time to waste, I headed straight to the most reputable shop in town, Majid's, to buy an antique Spanish shawl I had spotted last week and had been umming and aaaring over for several days.

It wasn't cheap, but oh so very special. I made a deal with myself - I have to fly to New York this weekend for a job and decided that I would allow myself to buy the throw on condition that I fly economy (yes - hard times...no budget from client for flights) there and back. The difference in price for the ticket roughly equals the price of the throw. It's a Thirties Spanish silk shawl, and I am in love with it:

Majid's shop is like an Aladdin's cave full of the rarest antique Moroccan embroideries and jewels in town. Check out his website:

Having the best time in Tangier at my family home; Dar Sinclair.
So far my friends and I have had a lot of poolside relaxation, a visit to the beautiful Atlantic beach, a wander through Tangier's medina and the Casbah, made a trip to get scrubbed at the hamam, and have whiled away a few hours drinking mint tea at Café Haffa - which sits on some cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean and was renowned in the Sixties as being a favourite hangout of the Rolling Stones....
 

I have just come back from a magical trip to Teynham in Kent, where I met the most inspiring woman I think I have ever met. Rose Wylie is an artist in every way. She cannot help being inspired by the world that surrounds her, citing the Yellow Pages and Penelope Cruz in Volver as inspiration. This sounds like it wont make for interesting art, but believe me the work is EXTRAORDINARY. She paints with a naivety that you would not expect from someone who has been painting for the majority of her 76 years.

Pin Up And Porn Queen Jigsaw

Her gallery, Union, say, "The raw brushstrokes bring a sense of immediacy, spontaneity and anarchy. Friendly cartoon-like figures seem to carry the simplicity and innocence of children's art and her technique suggests an unmediated creative process devoid of intellectual or conceptual elements. Upon closer inspection the depth of imagery with its different styles and textures makes the experience increasingly complex both materially and stylistically." Judge for yourself, but I think she rocks.

The Manufacturers

She has been shortlisted for the prestigious Threadneedle Prize and you can vote for her at

We just met with this gorgeous woman, Monica Chong, who is the PR director for Cutler and Gross. They have amazingly offered us some incredible shades for our show.

These aren't just shades though. C and G celebrate the individual right down to the last tiny screw. You can have any colour frame, lenses mirrored in all the colours of the rainbow and they also have an insane vintage collection.
For the girl who doesn't want the same shades as every other kid on the block; Cutler and Gross, we salute you.

Janis by Janis Savitt studs, $90. Bergdorf Goodman; 212-753-7300.

Yo creo que la mayoría de las mujeres quieren casarse de blanco sólo por ser el centro absoluto de una gran fiesta. El carácter desesperado del casamiento reside en que para muchas, ese va a ser el único gran protagónico de sus vidas. Por otro lado, el deseo oculto de toda mujer, es poder lucir mejor que la novia.

If you wore something like that to day you would get the wickedest of the arse kicking

Office sandalsRiver Island harem pants & vestTopshop waistcoatTopshop LE leather studded holdall bagI first saw the Topshop bag online and had to have it, the bag sold out online so I had to go to a big store and find it this week. I wore it with a summer - ish look today but it is my winter staple bag.I woke up today over tired and thinking I had work, but I didn't! Went shopping and hubby bought me a pair of Ugg Argyle boots in black! We then took the dogs walking over the fields and I'm back now wearing my Lush facemask and ready for a shower!So much is happening in my life at the minute, I'm at a University Open Day tomorrow all day. I'm applying for jobs as a healthcare Assistant in residential homes & starting my induction for hospital volunteer on Tuesday. Start of September is college enrollment,inductions and driving test! It's ridiculous! So I haven't had time to post lately. I enjoy being ...

Another reworking of a classic, A Monster's Notes is a lyrical take on the story of Frankenstein, told through a series of letters from the monster himself to his creator, Dr. Frankenstein. I love how delicate and beautiful the cover is, possibly making a statement about the humanity that the author injects into the seemingly mindless monster.

David Moody is a force. He originally self published this novel, determined to get it out. Later, the book was picked up not only by a publisher, but also by Guillermo Del Toro, the director of the Hellboy movies and the forth coming The Hobbit.

The story follows a blue collar working man trying to protect his family amidst a breakout of a mysterious violent impulse. Those that catch the condition are dubbed 'haters' and wander the streets preforming random acts of violence against anyone and everyone. It's somewhere between the apocalyptic zombie rage thriller 28 days later and the amoral vigilantism of Javier Bardem's character in No Country for Old Men.

In the same do-it-all-yourself attitude that got this book into mass-distribution, David Moody went ahead and designed the cover himself as well. The splattered blood typography is expected, but the perfect execution is not, es...

This week we review Phil Cooke's newest book, The Last TV Evangelist and talk about how it applies to your church. We also learn how to make all your styles inline, get you inspired by carboard in the old west and give you a great bokeh freebie! All this and more on this weeks CMD TV.

Eddie Borgo ring, $225. Barneys New York. 888-8-BARNEYS.

J. Crew skirt, $128. jcrew.com.

Pipit dress, $264. Barneys New York; 888-8-BARNEYS.

Elie Tahari blouse, $298. 212-334-4441.

Alexander Wang vest, $395. Bergdorf Goodman. 212-753-7300.

French Connection cardigan, $158.

Elie Tahari skirt, $269. 212-334-4441.