Body Paint in Stopmotion Creates an Image of Couture

Artistic, yet fashionable. Reminiscent of Alexander McQueen ©

African Market in Covent Garden

The African Market brought a bit of vibrancy to Covent Garden this afternoon. I went to the last one in Shoreditch, and the market delivered once again today... Ghanaian print hair bows, skirts made from Nigerian fabric, and jewelry from around the continent set inside the Africa Centre to the beat of drums and the hum of the bar. Lovely afternoon.

African drumming 

        

Colorful accessories made by Be You T

Handmade tambourine with bottle caps and wood

       

Jewelry designs inspired by African roots: Soul Apparel 

Cute card holders and other accessories created by Leila Heinel

The next market will be at Richmix on 3rd June.

Fashion & Film: Serpentine Dance

I saw a clip of this silent short film at the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid. I just love how the fabric flows.

African Market in Shoreditch

I went to the African Market at Rich Mix today, and perused the arts, accessories, and various African products. I loved the pretty handmade bows from Ameyo Stylez, and even bought one myself!

Black Light Party at Tony's Art Gallery

Babe and I went to the closing party of the "I do not expect to be a mother, but I do expect to die alone" art exhibit at Tony's Gallery in East London. The room was lit with black lights and the crocheted art was glowing. They had complimentary drinks downstairs, and the gin and tonic cocktails were illuminated by the special lighting. The artist Olek was there wearing a crazy crocheted dress and dark sunglasses, and I got the chance to speak with her. She usually lives in New York, but she said she crocheted her flat there, so she is semi-homeless! She was quite the character.

Artist, Olek

The next exhibition coming to the gallery will be from Spanish street artist PEZ.

Funky Art Exhibit in Shoreditch

I headed over to Rich Mix for a monthly event called Showcase Cities, which gives emerging artists the opportunity to display their work around the UK. Last night they were able to do so in a relaxed atmosphere full of live music, alcoholic drinks, and trendy people. Most of the art wasn't to my taste. I thought a lot of it was overpriced for work that I could essentially produce, and I am by no means an artist. But, there was one artist that I was very drawn to, which attracted many other admirers, as well. Giusi Tomasello creates art that is pleasing to the female eye, held in dramatic Baroque frames, and lightly sprinkled with glitter. My favorite is a mixed media piece featuring Jane Shrimpton covered in a headdress of butterflies and flowers. To her right and left are the profiles of identical women with dark hair and black lipstick. While speaking with the artist, I learned that she was hoping to portray a balance between good and evil, and making the right decision—something every woman has to go through, she said. The Polish/Italian artist also has a smaller work of her interpretation of black swans, and somewhat of a dark piece titled "deer hunter", as well as many other beautiful creations. The prices range from £95 to £720. 

The artist, Giusi Tomasello

Find out where she'll be next and more: http://www.giusitomasello.com 

Film Review: Bel Ami

My absolute favorite outfit in the film. (photo credit: allmoviephoto.com)

Gorgeous costumes and a late 19th century Paris setting is enough to catch my eye. Bel Ami dazzled me visually, while relaxing in the Everyman Cinema at Maida Vale over the weekend. Madeleine Forestier, played by Uma Thurman, wore the most gorgeous costumes of all: long, lace dresses structured with corsets, richly colored gowns, and a dramatic black dress with an intricate lace veil. But other than the visuals, the film was not the most impressive. It's about a young poor man, who rises to power and gains wealth by seducing influential women in Paris. He gets the opportunity to rub shoulders with high society after he runs into a former fellow soldier in the military. The man became rich since leaving where they were once stationed, and welcomes the main character, Georges, to his home for dinner. Not having any evening attire, the man gives him some money to be sure he looks presentable enough in front of his wife and friends. That's when Georges feels his first rush of empowerment, spending half of the money on a prostitute at the bar. From there, he manipulates and sleeps with women who are able to give him the wealth and power he craves, while working for the leading political newspaper. The plot seems quite typical and the main character isn't even that hot. The movie definitely could have offered a more complex story line. Films set during that period generally pique my interest, but sometimes the setting, outfits, and cast are so grand that they forget the plot must be fantastic, as well.

Art Exhibit: "I do not expect to be a mother, but I do expect to die alone"

I came across an eye-catching art exhibition near my flat. Through the large window at Tony's Gallery on Sclater Street, is a room covered entirely in crocheted yarn. Floor, ceiling, walls, bed, and every item in the room was crocheted by Polish-born, New York-based artist Olek. She spent six months living in the room, crocheting text messages from her former lovers into the pieces, exploring the concepts of sexist opinions, privacy, technology, and communication. I took my shoes off and walked onto the yarn floor, examining every aspect of the room. I love women who explore sexuality and concepts around sex and feminism, and create art from it. Some of the texts include: "I need ur pussy on my face and my tongue in ur ass", "I want 2 b on top of u right now", and "Sweet sweet cock?" on the walls. And, "I do not expect to be a mother" on the bed. I would definitely suggest going to see the installation before it ends on March 23rd. It looks much better in person.

Fashion Street Graffiti

Fashion Street is just a few blocks away from my flat. I wish I could live there so my address could have "fashion" in it! I wandered around taking pictures of the incredible graffiti, admiring the ivory curtains above a store front, knowing they must belong to a girl's adorable flat.