Category: Art

After her hugely successful first exhibition Nowhere, Amelia's Magazine favourite Jess Wilson has put together another show for the Jealous Gallery space in Crouch End. For Always Turn Left, illustrator and artist Jess Wilson takes us through a humorous exploration and re-working of classic signs and maps. Designed to make you smile, she takes the familiar and brings it to life with quirky and eye-catching prints that feature her inimitable hand drawn typography. From London underground to world maps, from ‘Save the Bees’ to ‘No Mobile Phone Zone’ signs, this show is full of Jess Wilson classics. Always Turn Left features exclusive new limited edition prints and murals that are available for sale.

Africa by Jess Wilson.

Always Turn Left by Jess Wilson.

Great Britain by Jess Wilson.

Greetings by Jess Wilson.

London Postcodes by Jess Wilson.

OK by Jess Wilson.

Save The Bees by Jess Wilson.

World Map by Jess Wilson.

Opening times: 10am-6pm Thursday to Saturday, 11am-5pm Sunday

Category: Fashion

The work of David Sassoon and Belinda Bellville (and later Lorcan Mullany) is celebrated in a new retrospective at the Fashion and Textile Museum – The Glamour of Bellville Sassoon.

As one of Britain's foremost couture houses, Bellville Sassoon produced dresses for some of the world's most famous women – including many for Diana, Princess of Wales – some of which appear in this glorious exhibition packed with over 80 dresses.

Designs for high society balls, HRH The Princess Royal, HRH Princess Michael of Kent and many more famous clients appear. Also on display are many of the design duo's magnificent sketches, illustrations and other artefacts.

For more information and to view the vast events programme to celebrate the Fashion and Textile Museum's 10th birthday, check out their website.

Category: Art

MoonKo, with their unique blend of the best in British design including jewellery, on trend apparel & other delightful treasures, will be opening a pop-up store in London’s most exciting & inspirational shopping location: Boxpark, Shoreditch. It opens on the 24th September for one week only, where Moonko will also be launching their first exclusive collection of t shirts designed by emerging talent Danielle Callaghan and knitted jewellery created by Amy Lawrence. It's going to an eventful week, and you are all invited to attend the launch night on Thursday 26th from 6-9pm with live art from George Law plus on Sat & Sun yummy treats by the Le Gavroche trained #Brownies.

jewellery by Amy Lawrence.

Bonbi Forest Cat Locket.

Louise Wilkinson Side Plates.

'The beautiful store will showcase a selection of independent makers such as Bonbi Forest who graces the pages of Vogue and Grazia, Stay Gold Mary Rose who creates original recycled ceramic bracelets & pendants, fine china from Louise Wilkinson who was awarded ‘Best of British’ at Libertys and Sian Elin's beautiful home décor which expires Eastern inspiration, fresh design and a globally inspired colour palette as well as The Aviary's classic sensibility lending a sense of fun that can be seen through their beautiful, illustrated temporary tattoos with finely illustrated detail that are just a 'must have' as well as many more. '

Sian Elin cushions.

Stay Gold Mary Rose tea cup bracelets.

The Aviary: From the Forest temporary tattoos.

You are invited to pop down for a warm welcome and a chance to discover the best in design eye candy, and make sure you keep track of the week’s events via twitter @komoonko.

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 11–7pm / Thurs 11– 8pm / Sun 12– 6pm

Category: Art

Photograph from L'Argent (1928)

The glorious Fashion in Film Festival returns to London today.

This season's celebration is dedicated to seminal but often overlooked French director Marcel L'Herbier.

Films from silent and sound eras are brought together, many for the first time, showcasing the work of this legendary cinematographer. Lavish costumes, eye-watering sets, innovative techniques and dramatic scripts shape L'Herbier's films. If you're unfamiliar with his work or need convincing to attend, run an image search for L'Inhumaine (The Inhumane Woman) and you'll be booking tickets faster than I can say s'il vous plaît.

Film screenings take place across London, from the BFI Southbank to the wonderful Horse Hospital. The festival hopes to explore key themes in L'Herbier's work across fashion, art, design and architecture, and a symposium at Central Saint Martins will aim to realise his legacy.

Photograph from Le Parfum de la dame en noir (1931)

To book tickets (hurry!) check out the full schedule at the Fashion in Film website, and look out for our full reviews of some of L'Herbier's films soon!

Category: Fashion

Orsola de Castro is the creative director of From Somewhere, the revolutionary label she started in 1997, and the first to address the issue of pre-consumer waste and reproducibility in recycling for the fashion industry. Orsola’s Inside Design exhibition will celebrate her unique approach to cloth making and the launch of the new From Somewhere website. Inside Design will dissect Orsola's design process and ask what is important to her: touch, colour, how dresses fall, and how clothes fit. The show will explore how fashion has responsibilities and yet must look great.

Orsola discovered the delights of pre-consumer waste when she visited Miles, one of Italy’s best known high-end knitwear manufacturers, and she immediately focused on the remnants and surplus as a source of material for her designs. This pre-consumer waste became gems for her to play with. From Somewhere collaborations include upcycled collections for Jigsaw, Robe di Kappa and Speedo, for whom she has upcycled obsolete swimwear to create new items such as the Unity dress, designed to celebrate the 2012 Olympic spirit.

Orsola de Castro features in my book: Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration: read an extract of my interview here.

Private View: Tues 11th June 6-9pm
In Conversation with Lucy Siegle: Tues 18th June 7-8pm

Category: Art

The Free Range Graduate Shows at the Truman Brewery in East London return this May for a mammoth seven week long event. Each week a host of design schools and universities showcase their graduate work in all kinds of disciplines; pick your fave or head down each week to discover the finest that the UK has to offer. Why not check in with my previous reviews to get an idea of the talent on show.

Maricel Pamintuan.

Alex Pengelly.

The shows kick off on the 29th of May with a catwalk show from Winchester School of Art – above is a taster of what you can expect from the Winchester graduates. Middlesex University hits the catwalk on the 7th June, see my previews here and here for an idea of what to expect from their talented fashion and fashion textiles graduates.

All exhibitions are free with the exception of the catwalk shows, which are invitation only. Find out the full timetable here: I'll be getting along to as many shows as I can, live tweeting and instragraming what I find, and creating bigger reviews where possible.


Private views: 6pm-10pm Thursdays

Public shows: 10am-7pm Fridays to Sundays & 10am-4pm Mondays

Category: Art

Meet 165 extraordinary designer-makers at two Cockpit Arts studio locations this June. Plus enjoy extra events such as a 'Garden’s Edge’ ceramic workshop by Katharine Morling and sustainable craft showcases selected by Oliver Heath. At the same time enjoy summer cocktails & seasonal delights by Hand Made Food.

Holborn: 7-9 June. Cockpit Yard, Northington Street, London, WC1N 2NP
Deptford: 14-16 June, 18-22 Creekside, London, SE8 3DZ
Free Entry, Donations Welcome
Open hours: Friday 6-9pm, Sat & Sun, 11am-6pm

Category: Art

A Study of Sports & Leisure celebrates character design within contemporary illustration with an added twist; all contributors were asked to forget about everyday troubles, boredom, triple dip recessions and domestic chores. Instead they were asked by curator Åsa Wikman to focus on all the things that make us happy. The results should make you smile! Here's a sample for your delectation. You are invited to the private view on Thursday 6th June, between 6.30-8.30pm.

Karin Soderquist.

Kate Hindley.

Mister Millerchip.

Sarah Ray.

Category: Music

The 8th instalment of Lounge on the Farm promises to be even more deliciously scrumptious than ever before. Heading it up will be a truly diverse and jaw-dropping line up of legends including Seasick Steve and Soul II Soul, featuring Caron Wheeler. Lounge on the Farm’s very own ‘house band’, The Dub Pistols, are back and so is one of the UK’s top reggae bands Aswad. Also expect sets from Man Like Me, Willy Moon and many more.

The FarmFolk plays host to the harmonious sounds of Simone Felice, Treetop Flyers and Marika Hackman, and The Farmhouse Stage features bands and DJs. At LOTF’s most kooky hang out, The Playhouse, discover the weird, the wonderful, the surreal and the downright absurd. From sunrise until the early hours, revellers will find themselves immersed in a unique brand of high octane, leftfield entertainment. Expect to see side splitting stand-up, variety performances, circus, contemporary burlesque, captivating spoken word, and wild, dark and heartfelt music from the best-loved musicians of the cabaret scene. All this will be hosted by The Boom Bang Club, plus Roots Manuva and Kate Tempest will head up Spoken Word curated by Tongue Fu, one of London’s liveliest spoken word nights.

Photography by Pete Fry.

Kids won’t be disappointed either, with offerings from The Science Museum, Shlomo Beatbox Adventure, Chatback Kids Comedy Club, the NCT Sensory Room plus a chance to try out Bushcraft.

Lounge on the Farm was the first festival in the world to put food in the limelight alongside the music. There will be grass-roots and personal cooking of an exceptional standard, proudly championing seasonal, local produce and low food miles. Expect lovingly crafted and carefully refined recipes demonstrated by a host of critically acclaimed chefs in the Kitchen Theatre.

Get lost in nooks and crannies, visit the Victorian funfair in association with The Dreamland Trust; hang out at the Spa and Create area in amongst The Orchards or discover secret restaurants far from the madding crowd. Last year’s big hitter, the Roller Disco, is back along with Lounge favourite The Groovy Movie Solar Cinema, Auntie Nora’s Jumble Sale, Vintage Market, and much, much more besides!

Sounds like the perfect small festival – and it's fabulously close to London. Read our review from back in the early days right here.

Category: Art

We.Create International presents Raw Talent, the first ever student-run Art Exhibition and Fashion Show to showcase creativity to respected members of the industry. Raw Talent hosts an art exhibition featuring paintings, ceramics, photography and garments during the day and a fashion show in the evening. From over 300 applications from eight University of the Arts London universities, including Central School of Speech and Drama and Goldsmiths, 69 students were chosen to display their pieces in the exhibition. The fashion show will feature fashion designs from art colleges such as Central Saint Martins, London College of Fashion and University of Creative Arts. 

Dr. Gentle and Mr Man by Seung youn Lee.

Dream Catcher Vases by Amanda Tong.

Multiplicity jewellery for a visual movement by Byulna Yoo.

We.Create International Society is a student-run society belonging to the University of the Arts London which promotes entrepreneurialism amongst art and design students by creating opportunities for students to showcase and sell their work. Visit Raw Talent for a unique glimpse into the talent heading out into industry this year.

For full opening times, listing info and to purchase tickets for the event, visit the online ticketing website here.