Countdown to Showtime

29th August - 4th September 2007

The final week before my Spring 2008 show in New York.It was all hands on deck for me and Paud with the girls in my studio and a small army of hardworking interns and go, go, go....


My amazing stylist, the fantastic Annabel Tollman demonstrates how to tie a scarf.


The hair and make-up test on Nathalie Rock ( Mick's lovely daughter).


Ashley Javier, who styled the hair.


The calm before the storm..the finished selling collection in my studio before fittings were started and we began to add showpieces.


Sarah and Katie slaving over a sequinned ombre dress.


Janneke and Anka at the cutting table.What, more headbands?

Screenprinting

Saturday 18th August 2007

I really wanted to do another hand-screened print at my studio with textile designer Ben Copperwheat for my new spring 08 collection. He suggested that we try an engineered foil print. New to me! Based on his "Voodoo Ray" print from the collection, he enlarged some of it , printed some taped-off areas in regular colour, then printed glue through the screen trying to make as little mess as possible, stuck down a metallic blue foil, ironed it on, then pulled it off, and voila!


Ben, Katie Toker and Maggie McGrath in my studio.


Taping off the screen.


Me mixing ink. More neon!


The foil being removed from the silk...this was the tricky bit.


It worked!


The finished "Fairylight dress" on the runway of my spring 2008 show.

Summer in the City

July 28th - August 9th 2007

Over the last few weeks I've been really trying to make the most of being in New York. On a barmy summer's night last Thursday I went to see Daft Punk and The Rapture play in Coney Island. And what a scene! The most amazing lightshow that I've ever set eyes on against a stunning backdrop of the ocean and the old funfair. And the looks! It was hipster heaven...all neon, headbands, playsuits, glitter, masks, plastic, stripes and prosthetic noses. I even saw Jeffrey Deitch eating a corn dog.


Just a reminder...


The look of the summer. Day-glo dreaming.


My ex-intern the lovely Gisela Lemos with her friend taking photos for Brazilian Vogue.com.


A pitiful photograph of Daft Punk's spectacular lightshow from the future. You did have to be there.


Not the look of the summer.


I bumped into some mates. Drew Elliot...


Amee,


and Macky Dugan, who all run Mr Blacks top night on Fridays in their spare time.


The view of the old Astroland funfair from the beach at Coney Island where we went for a postshow walk. Soon to be no more...


My friend Minnie Weiss over from London, who I went with to the Interview / Hugo Boss roof party and screening for the Julian Temple film about Joe Strummer, before and after the Clash.


Another pitiful photo, this time of the filmscreen!


A real New York institution, the basketball court by W4th subway station in full swing the other Saturday.


Kitty and Paud are mesmerised.


The iconic Kim Gordon rocks out as Sonic Youth play Brooklyn, part of their Daydream Nation tour.


I ran into stylist Keegan Singh with Genevieve Jones


The venue, MacCarren Pool which is a vast relic of a swinmming pool from the twenties in Williamsburg.

Hotter than July

July 21st and 22nd 2007

With only an unbelievable 6 weeks to go before New York fashion week, I've been chained to my pattern table getting my new collection together and barely left my studio.

I did manage it out to Mandie Erickson's birthday party last week at Genevieve Jones' apartment which was so much fun ( but forgot my camera.)

Yesterday I went to PS1 for the warm-up series in Long Island City and met up with Chris Apple, and the Copperwheats. It was a gorgeous afternoon, the music was great and the new courtyard installation, Liquid Sky, all pink, sparkly and spraying water, was Kitty heaven . We then treated her to famous Uncle George's Greek Taverna in Astoria, Queens on the way home.


Summer love in Long Island City.


The Liquid Sky installation at PS1.


Ben Ball, one of the architects who designed it, and Chris Apple from Agnes B.


One of Lee Quinones' recent paintings in his show at PS1, inspired by classic '70s's records that became the foundation of hip hop.


Kitty's taking it all in and must have that gold necklace.


The Brazilian artist Assume Vivid Astro Focus, Eli Sudbrack, really enjoying himself.


Getting dropped off for the evening in the Bentley.


Interesting.

All about BBQs

July 1st - 4th 2007

Last Sunday I to the travelled to leafy suburban Long Island, to the home of the Maks our manufacturing friends, for their son Alan's post wedding BBQ . Kitty charmed the factory owners over from China ( keep it up) whilst we tucked into a delicious BBQ and were treated to watch Pauline Mak ballroom dance with her Russian instuctor on the lawn.

Tuesday was sassy stylist Susan Joy's birthday roof BBQ party at her triplex apartment on Ludlow Street.It was fun! Lots of rose was drunk and as it was the eve of July 4th no-one was going to be working the next day, so who cared!

Independence day brought rain, but making the best of it, Mark Palmen had a fireworks BBQ party on his roof. Couldn't see an awful lot of the Macy's fireworks as a new building had sprung up but Jessica Joffee baked an impressive peach and basil tarte and Ben Copperwheat brought his mum, over from England. After the fireworks we popped over to Pat Field's apartment- cum-disco around the corner to say hi to Connie who was dog sitting.


Pat Field's pooches, Puttana and Sultana.


Connie, dog sitter and New York legend.


Massimo Cuviello and Jessica Joffee hanging out at Mark's fridge.


July 4th fireworks.


Mark Palmen and Lee Copperwheat with the BBQ indoors.


Birthday girl Susan Joy.


The entertainment whizz behind all the Schrager hotel bars and my very old friend from London, Ben Pundole.


The new i-phone momentarily stole the limelight.


Jewellery designer Brian Crumley and Paud.


Pauline Mak gives us a twirl.


Crystal Slattery, who I've known since we met working for Daryl K 11 years ago, with Roderick and Kitty.


Alan Mak, John Mak and Paud.

My New York in June

June 13th - 26th 2007

June 13th was the 85th birthday of Paud's dad, the architect Kevin Roche. We managed to get a last minute table at The Spotted Pig ( thanks to the chef extraordinaire April Bloomfield whom I had met a few days earlier on a Brits abroad shoot for British Harpers Bazaar) and we had a real treat.
Last Wednesday evening in the rain saw the opening of the Hermes store on Wall Street . The afterparty was nearby at the Cunard Building. And what an afterparty. I was stunned into sensory overload and basically forgot to take any pictures until the end. The enchanted forest, revolving dancefloor and enless supply of delicious seafood were too much for me to take in one go. Plus playing guess the " customer" or "employee" took up a great deal of my evening. Fun though.
Then Sunday it was brunch with friends at the Maritime hotel, and an afternoon spent getting back to my apartment through the Gay Pride parade in the village. Phew!


Paud ( after pork rilletes and lamb heart) with Kitty and me.


Me and James Gardner amusing ourselves on a hay bale at the Hermes party.


The most stylish woman in glasses, stylist Haydee Finley Levin.


One of the Hermes horses on the revolving dance floor, being creatively used as a purse holder and coat check.


The beautiful writer and model Jessica Joffe and Kitty at the Maritime .


Kitty with Massimo Cuviello. Aw!


Right on my doorstep I was pleased to discover the Harlem breakdancing crew the Tranzformerz.


The girls surpass themselves.


Kitty , non-plussed, had really seen it all today.


James Brown , one of my oldest friends from London, was over for work.


I just bumped into this cute threesome on W 16th Street, on their way to their high school ( PS111) prom.