Tuesday 23 November 2010

Uffie

Uffie's new album Sex Dreams and Denim Jeans came out in October this year. The kooky 22 year old is claimed to be the originator of the 'sing-talk' style of rhyming (that Ke$ha poorly attempts to champion).

This season Uffie has launched a capsule collection with Diesel that features 12 pieces of leather & denim items. She is also doing a tour sponsored by Diesel and dropped in at Nation of Shopkeepers in Leeds for a free gig (wristband required from the Diesel shop on Vicar Lane).

I'd only really heard of Uffie from seeing her on line-ups and through people I follow on Twitter. Thanks to Spotify I had a listen through of the album before going to see her.

We arrived at the venue and basically I've never seen such an OTT bunch of Scenester's in my life. I've hung out in Hoxton and Shoreditch plenty of times but this night really topped the lot. It made me worry that maybe I'm getting old?

Anyway, the highlight of the night was when Uffie came and walked right in front of me in the crowd and then proceeded to stand next to me chatting to some guy. It was one of those childish moments where, acting like a total starstruck loser, I poked my mate and squealed, 'I swear that's her!!'

It's fair to say she is pretty hard to recognize. If you Google her name you will struggle to get two pictures where she looks the same. And on this particular night she really wasn't quite the conventional little stunner I had expected and I liked that.

After the brief encounter I had of her standing next to me I didn't see much more of her because of the overly keeno crowd that towered in front of me with their wafty hats and big hair. But she sounded good, in fact really good, which surprised me because I secretly expected her tracks to loose out to the albums good production when performed live.

So all in all I've decided she's pretty cool and I actually liked her most because she wasn't a try-hard-wannabe (Unlike the crowd that had turned up to see her) but a genuine little gem.

When I'd first heard her album I instantly liked 'Pop the Glock' and it took quite a few more listens until I got into other tracks. Since then she is now my most listened to artist on my Last FM chart this month.

Therefore bearing that in mind you should try get into her new album. It breaks all the rules of what makes a more clichéd 'good album' and ends up being really addictive.

MCs Can Kiss...

Pop the Glock...

Sunday 21 November 2010

M.I.A

I saw M.I.A last night in Leeds. It's the 2nd time I've seen her. I think she's soooo ahead of the game with her music and performance.

There is a ton of seriously cool production in the gig and she carries the whole thing off so effortlessly. The live show also gives a strong nod in the direction of performance art when she is on stage.

Both times I have seen her she pulls about 30 people from the crowd up on stage with her, which makes for interesting viewing as people react very differently to being unexpectedly put in the limelight.

She also came back on stage after the encore by going up to the balcony and climbing back down the rigging on to the stage. And perhaps most interesting were the two male dancers she had who danced really aggressively like they were on ecstasy and made it look cool.

The third album is really gutsy and shows that she is keen to stay ahead of everyone else rather than churn out a cool but safe record. I like this interview that she did for Nylon recently. It's only short but gives you an insight to how smart and endearing she is.

Monday 15 November 2010

Did you see Prada's 2010 campaign?

I could watch this on repeat for hours. It's shot on a Red Camera and the images it creates is just stunning. I love the sample of the track too.

ShowStudio

The recession has brought about all sorts of new ways of being thrifty. This season in the fashion industry a few designers have started to make a dramatic move away from showcasing their clothes on a catwalk and moved into a new genre: Fashion-film.

ShowStudio are the most prominent creative outlet behind this shift. The results are very exciting! This is Gareth Pughs new collection.

Kenzo is 40!



First fell in love with this cult Japanese label at 17 years old. I especially obsessed over an advert I found in Vogue and for every year that I moved to a new student house I would lovingly peel the page off my wall and transfer it to my new abode.

It's still just as gorgeous years on!

Sunday 14 November 2010

I changed my tune...

The first time I saw Russell Brand on TV years and years ago I couldn't stand him but now I've moved firmly into the 'love-him' camp. (Along with a love of Katy Perry - who also I couldn't stand at first)

This interview affirmed exactly why I changed camps and it must be one of the most entertaining interviews I have ever seen!

(Part 1 + 2)

Orson Welles

I've made an effort to get back into film recently.

Orson Welles is really high on my list of favorite directors.

I love Citizen Kane and Third Man for completely different reasons. He is an all-round fantastic mind. Check out this interview. He is so intelligent!!

Wednesday 10 November 2010

Lindy Hop Heavan

I've been learning to Lindy Hop for quite a few months now. This is a clip of one of the nights they put on. It's very very fun. Check out some of the moves in this Jam Circle!!!

Thursday 4 November 2010

How much do you love Sleigh Bells?

LOADS!!

The most important item in your make-up bag should be your Brow Pencil


I've had countless brow pencils but one of the main reasons that I get through them so quick is that I always snap the lead again and again. I noticed MAC did a twisty one (don't know the correct term for the mechanism) and popped down to Harvey Nics to get one. It was only £10. I somehow thought it would be about £22? Really excited to use it I popped into a dressing room at nearby clothes shop and drew on my brows. I was impressed by how thin the spike actually is. It's really good for crafting a really perfect shape for your brows. At first I kept smudging it but I since learnt not to touch my brows and even went in the sauna with it on and it stayed fine.

Time to file it under 'staple make-up bag item'.

Word on the street... Hannah Marshall



I've only just discovered Hannah Marshall's creations but I'm in love. I've dreamt about adopting a totally black wardrobe and now I dream about owning a totally black wardrobe of Hannah Marshall. Her clothes are so structured and bold but really wearable. And stocked in Harrods. (le sigh)

I hope she wouldn't mind me saying this but I think she is the walking embodiment of her brand. Almost a gothic postmodern chic without a hint of being ridiculous. Can you tell this has struck a note with me?
I would say that along with Rick Owens and Roksanda Ilincic (who i can't afford) and Muji (which is most of my wardrobe), Hannah Marshall is one of those people whose whole collections I can guarantee I will love.

Here she is with some of her work...


Wednesday 3 November 2010