Shangri La comes to London

The design team that are creative forces behind the friggin awesome Shangri-La at Glastonbury are set to work on a new project opening on 1st June 2012. The London Pleasure Gardens will be created on a dis-used 60,000sqm space in east London. It will be an arts and entertainment haven and if the setting is anything like Shangri-La it will be a visual spectacular too.

The space is set to include an outdoor event space, a multi-arts dome, a night gallery and dance arena called The Hub, a floating cocktail lounge and floating cinema, a boutique art hotel and restaurant and a glass café. Video mapping and large video game projections will provide entertainment during the olympic games at the space too.

Another reason to long for summer now, as if this cold weather wasn't enough.

Images of Shangri-La, Glastonbury from various sources

Legends on Brick Lane

Spotted these pieces on Brick Lane last Sunday, just peeping over the food stalls. If anyone can tell me who the artist is, please do...I enjoy these.

Recent Obsession: Andreia Chaves...

As my regular readers will know I have a strong admiration for the slightly obscure mixed with femininity as well as a fixation for a statement shoe. With this in mind my love for the 'Invisable Shoe' by the genius that is Brazilian designer, Andreia Chaves is un-matched.

The mirrored pair are a dream and although I am sure I would be the happiest hipster in town should I ever get to walk in these they really deserve to be displayed in a gallery as an artwork in themselves.

Simply magical.

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.

Interview: Pandemonium over Pandemonia...

Pandemonia.

On initial sightings of Pandemonia last season, I originally popped her into my 'weird and wonderful fashion week file' and thought nothing of it. After further research I realised that this is not just style for the sake of style, this is art.

Pandemonia is a seven ft tall walking, talking work of art. Often seen on the front row and at the biggest parties and events, Pandemonia was inspired by the superficial world of fame and the ideals that surround society's views of 'the perfect woman'. Upon finding that she was in fact an artist and reading about her inspiration I knew I simply had to talk to the lady herself to find out a little more about the artist, the art work and those outfits...

Pandemonia stands in front of her artist prints.
Showing a progression of ideas from 2D abstract to 3D character work.

Coco: Please can you tell us a little about the Pandemonia piece/project?

Pandemonia: I am a conceptual Post Pop Artist. I show my work and ideas in the Public Social Space.

As well as being seen at many events I am also doing a sculpture show later in the year.

C: What influenced you to start Pandemonia’s life and when did it begin?

P: Advertising was a big influence on me. I constructed myself on all those ideals. I have been developing my ideas for a few years.

People need to see things more than any time before. I took my art work out of the gallery and put it into the Public Social Space.  My work both interacts with people and describes our world. The virtual world is getting more important. My work has relevance on line as well as off line.

C: Do you dress like this all of the time? Even on Sunday hangover days, or to pop for a pint of milk?

P: Oh, Pandemonia's always dressed. Up keeping my appearance is a big responsibility. I never need to shop for mundane stuff, someone else does all that stuff.

P in ID magazine- LOVE this dress

C: David Bowie in the Ziggy Stardust days or Lady Gaga?

P: David Bowie is great. Lady Gaga is more current.

C: What’s on your iPod right now?

P: Paloma Faith! I met her last week and I'm checking out her music. She's so talented.

P and Paloma Faith at LFW, image courtesy of Mr Paperazzi

C: Who is the most inspiring person you’ve met?

P: I'm more inspired by what's going on. The worlds remoulding itself so quickly at the moment. Just look at twitter. Global Village is here right now. Mcluhan got it right again.

C: What’s your guilty pleasure?

P: Mr Sheen. You won't repeat that will you. (My favourite answer)

C: How many pet dogs (of the inflatable kind) do you have or is there only one Snowball?

P: Snowball!.... that's a cute nickname. I've only one dog and he's called Snowy. I might actually start calling him Snowball now. You know dogs are great, they really break the ice with people. I say.... more facilities for dogs!

C: What do you really think of celebrities? Is the project to mock celebrities or to mock our view of perfection- or both?

P: I let someone else do the thinking. I'm just offering a cartoon parody of the world.

C: Do you ever get punctures? If so how does one recover from this?

P: I was doing a Haitian charity event last year and my speech bubble “?!?” burst. I made a swift exit back to Pandemonia Central. (Secret Central London Location)

C: Where do you shop for your looks?

P: I don't! I design and make everything myself.

Mind blowing - my favourite image

I simply love Pandemonia. Anyone who is out there and getting recognised for their work and originality is an inspiration. Keep up to date with her adventures and work on her blog.

Check out her website here.

Check out her exhibition later in the year here.

Many thanks to P for your time, see you next season!

A recap of 2010...

So 2010 has almost drawn to a close ( I can't quite believe that another year has gone by and I am getting older and older) and whilst fretting about my outfit for tomorrow night (still not sure what I shall wear yet), panicking about party plans (still not confirmed everything yet) and hap-hazardly thinking about resolutions (still working on those) I have taken time out from all of the above to have a little reminisce of 2010.

Here goes...

JANUARY

January saw the country grind to a halt when we received a large amount of unexpected snow...

I also discovered the work of artist Alex Cave and managed to pin him down for an interview...

FEBRUARY

February brought fashion week once again and I hit the Elle Style Awards...

We also lost the truly wonderful Alexander McQueen...

MARCH

I was lucky enough to be photographed for Company magazine and penned a few words on the blogging world...

APRIL

April saw trendies going mental and rioting at the American Apparel sample sale...

MAY

I went elephant hunting in May...

JUNE

June saw my annual pilgrimage to Glastonbury. Read some highlights here, here and here...

JULY

The iTunes festival hit The Roundhouse, Camden for the entirety of July. I was lucky enough to get tickets to see The XX, Faithless and Underworld (thanks James)...

AUGUST

August saw two wonderful friends tie the knot, congratulations to Nick and Becca (check out Becca's immense heels)...

It also saw me make a huge life change, after three years of working in PR and marketing at a highstreet giant I took the plunge and went freelance. This was a huge decision and a very difficult one, although so far so good and I have not looked back.

SEPTEMBER

I was shortlisted for the Next Generation, street style blogger competition on Vogue.com...

And of course, I attended fashion week. Read my coverage here, here, and here...

OCTOBER

October was a month for events, a memorable was the Matthew Williamson book launch at Somerset House...

NOVEMBER

The end of the year saw me cementing new loves, November is when my love affair with Mary Katrantzou began...

DECEMBER

As you would expect December has brought the usual festivities, Christmas shopping, sale shopping, gin & tonic, Christmas get togethers and food. It will also see a carefully thought out NYE outfit (post to come in 2011- if I ever figure out what to wear).

I will take this moment to wish you all a Happy new Year readers, thank you for reading, commenting, returning and tweeting.

See you next year!

The master: David Lachapelle...

Whenever I am feeling uninspired I just take a look at photographer, David Lachapelle's work and I feel ready to take on the world! His work is instantly recognisable, kitch, sexy and down right wonderful.

Today I am...

The mystery of Hoxton Square...

Hoxton Square is a regular haunt for me during summer. The bars are good but that's not why I frequent it. With my office being round the corner it's the perfect setting for a quick apres work drink in the sun when all you want is to sit on grass after sitting on an office chair for nine hours. It's the centre point between many friends houses so the easiest place to meet for a quick Sunday sun sesh...PLUS there is my new favourite haunt, The Breakfast Club just round the corner, their banana milkshake is da bomb (yes it's true, I just said 'da bomb').

Over the last few weeks upon every visit there has been one question in my mind..."what is that?". Two very large structures under plastic sheeting appeared and no-one knew what they were. Some thought urinals, some thought art but no-one actually knew, until now.

They have been unveiled and are beautiful white flowers...that's one of my mind mysteries solved. Next? Why is my left foot slightly smaller than my right foot? Hmmm...