Playing In The Poncho...

90s Slang Definition Of The Week...

All that and a bag of chips...

an adjective term meaning "I'm the best and then some"

Stumbling On Greatness...

LOVE this...

Bank Holiday In One...

As I'm sure you are aware, it's been bank holiday weekend here in the UK which means four days off in a row and boy have I enjoyed it. Here is what I have been up to in a nutshell...

Champagne, disco pants, drinks, music, Rhythm Factory, dancing, friend's flat, banter, beers, sun, park, mega heels, shower, park, chinese food, snooze, sleep, walk, sun, bbq, park, shorts, friends, The Boy, thunder storm, dim sum banquet, night bus, sleep, sun, train, family, dinner, snooze, sleep, breakfast, pub, lunch, sun, snooze, cards, train, cleaning.

'Nuff said.

Designer Watch: Baartmans and Siegel...

I have been one lucky lady...not only did I get the chance to work with design duo Baartmans and Siegel on their shoot for Harrods.com but I have also been lucky enough to meet them at their east London studio to find out a little more about the pair.

Fashion East Campaign

Before I get to the interview here is a little background info...

Baartmans and Siegel is made up of uni friends; Wouter Baartmans and Amber Siegel, who originally met at London College of Fashion. They teamed up to show at LCF's graduate show and their SS11 collection has been picked up by Harrods as part of their New Designers initiative to showcase and sell new designers online and instore.

Coco: When/how did you meet?

Wouter & Amber: We met at the London College of Fashion and also worked together at Viktor and Rolf. We worked solo but always worked together on brainstorming and eventually collaborated on a collection which was shown at LCF's graduate show and has now been picked up by Harrods.

AW11 collection

C: What inspires you most?

W&A: Conceptual design, pop-culture, art, fabrics, silhouettes and atmosphere.

C: What's the inspiration behind the AW11 collection?

W&A: Observing the 80s (the generation they grew up in) and specifically the film Bladerunner. The typography, construction and environment of the film. The costume department looked to the 40s 'dapper-man' for inspiration whilst mixing dynamic performance into the looks.

W: The looks were futuristic for the time but still had 80s elements and had a great mix of protection, masculinity and bravado combined with the softer elements of a modern environment.

A: Wouter is an 80s obsessive so it was always something we would base a collection on, now we've ticked it off the list!

Pieces from the AW11 collection

C: Where can we buy the collection?

W&A: At present at Harrods (instore and online), the SS11 collection is out now and the AW11 collection is also at Harrods from late June. Other stockists are currently being confirmed so keep your eyes peeled!

C: What's your favourite thing about London?

W: It's so accessible, so many research opportunities with a great mix of old and new within our industry.

A: I love the little pockets and villages within London, the different communities within a huge collective.

C: Tell me something unique about the brand...

W&A: All products are produced in the UK. Our knitted jumpers are hand knitted by a lovely elderly lady in South London, it takes her two weeks to knit each jumper. Our suits are always in un-traditional fabrics and we use the same cuts and silhoutettes each season but strive to refine each suit from the last.

C: What's on your iPod at the moment?

W: Fleetwood Mac and Elwood King

A: The Labyrinth soundtrack

C: What's your guilty pleasure?

W: Miami Vice

A: Trash Americana, I run off to the states whenever possible.

C: What's next for the brand?

W&A: Next season will see us explore adornment techniques, jewellery and accessories which could be our way to enter the womenswear market. We are collaborating with Grenson to produce our footwear (brogues for SS and loafers for AW) and our site will be moving into the e-commerce world shortly.

Baartmans and Siegel also showed this LFW at Fashion East on menswear day.

I simply love this pair. Down-to-earth, super-talented and down right lovely. It was an honour to get to see their AW11 collection in person within the four walls where it was designed.

Check out their site here.

Buy on Harrods here.

Event: Tableau Vivant...

Fed up of the same old weekend Dalston raves? Fancy adding a bit of culture to your London social life?

Well look no further than Dissecting Sebastian, the latest production from Tableau Vivant.

Tableau Vivant is the brain-child of architect Marta Figueiredo. The project is aimed to 'offer a lusciously lavish experience, combining good food with live act performance and art installations'.

Tableau's next event is being held at The Empire, 30 Vyner St, E2 on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th April at 8:30pm so book your tickets now to avoid missing what is most certain to be a night to remember.

Here is a little preview film to get those culture-buds tingling...

Dissecting Sebastian from Tableau Vivant on Vimeo.

Check out their website here.

Book your tickets here.

Look Du Jour: Sunday Sunfest, Painted Black...

Where's It From?

Dress (worn as top): American Apparel, Skirt & Tail: vintage, Bag: Warehouse, Sandals: New Look, Sunglasses: H&M

Visual Diary: When The Sun Came To London...

Well what a beautiful weekend we have had. I spent every minute possible basking in the sun due to the sheer joy of sun after what seems like the bleakest winter I have ever witnessed and also due to the fact that we never know when the sun will pay us a visit again.

Not packing up my coats and boots just yet - we still have the dreaded 'April Showers' to contend with.

 Until the summer is fully upon us I shall bask in these photos.

Sunny Sunday on Columbia Road...