JC/DC in LDN

The aristocratic french designer with the insatiable appetite for pop culture and a touch of the absurd is opening his first London retail space this month in Conduit Street. The 300m space has been designed so his garments, editions and designs can co-exist in one space. The store concept and interior was devised by Castelbajac himself and Christian Ghion (who has worked on the Dior flagship store amongst others) and is bound to be a hit with his loyal East-end fashion followers, even if they have to go west to find it.

Rachael J Vick.

James Owen Fender

Death Disco:hosted weekly every Wednesday by Alan Mc Gee and Danny Watson, a regular music event which has witnessed some of the most remarkable guest DJ’s such as Courtney Love, The Datsuns and Mercury Rev to mention a few. Last night the ‘scene kids’ were enjoying catchy songs from James Owen Fender- alternative newcomer in British music.He was even lucky enough to be supported by Mick Jones [lead guitarist from The Clash] acoustic set.
At the moment Fender is currently writing songs for his debut solo album, which will be released very soon!!! Musically his influences are general mix of The Clash, Bill Wither and Tom Waits. However don’t be deterred, either, by reviews who claim he has been manufactured for the Jack Penate market with songs like Lampost Chutney. James has a remarkable talent; depicting illusory stories within his songs- he creates a unique sound to the genre of indie music. Without a doubt, the man to watch for 2008!
James will be gigging in London at the Notting Hill Arts Club on the 24th April and the 11th June, be sure to come down, have the craic and see what the general fuss is all about!

Fiona Burke

Fashion in Motion

The Victoria and Albert museum are currently organizing another Fashion in Motion show on Friday the 16th of May. The event is designed to link in with the museum's major contemporary exhibition China Design Now, it will feature one or two major Chinese designers. Although the event will not be as big as previous events, it will be just as exciting!!!
There will be three catwalk shows during the day and one in the evening. Ticket entry is free but they are limited so booking is essential. Visit the V&A website for more information and booking details.

Fiona Burke

Vanity Fair Exhibition

The Vanity Fair Portraits exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery captures a century in pictures. The glamour and history of one of the most famous magazines records the changing moods of two generations, through pictures and prose. Curated by David Friend and Terrence Pepper, the exhibition hosts 150 pictures from the pre-war to pop-modern (1913 - 2008) era.

Published by Conde Nast in 1913 at the dawn of the Jazz Age, the magazine set out to be a cultural catalyst, showcasing works and portraits of people from author Thomas Hardy to American dancer Fred Astaire. Displayed for the first time, these 'portraits chronicle an era in which stars became pulic property and the photographers celebrities in their own right.'

The exhibition runs from the 14th February to the 26th May 2008.

Sophie Cooke

Political Fashion

Second Year FHT students have submitted their own films to Nick Knight's Political Fashion project on SHOWstudio. Three of them are already up on the hall of fame...

Rachael J Vick.

Human After All

Don't miss the chance to see French duo Daft Punk's cult sci-fi tale Electroma, as it returns to the ICA for its legendary late night screenings.

Accompanied by an wonderfully unexpected soundtrack of prog-rock, ethereal folk and classical music, this poetic odyssey takes our Slimane clad robots across beautifully surreal landscapes, on their quest to become human. C'est super!

Screenings 22nd & 29th February 11:00pm

Caroline Legrand & Rachael J Vick

Toilets, dogs and Jean-Michel

The West End Timothy Taylor Gallery is currently hosting one of London's most exciting exhibitions this season.

Andy Warhol: Portraits and Landscapes features a rare collection of over 200 black and white photographs by the legendary Pop artist.

Taken from 1976-87, these photographs reveal the last ten years of Warhol's life in the urban landscape of New York, London and even Paris.

Through the eyes of Warhol as a twentieth century flâneur, images of toilets, mannequins in shop windows, dogs and flea-markets still bear their original potency in this poetic visual narrative.

Whilst Rachael had great trouble peeling her eyes away from a photograph of two well-dressed pugs, I had a soft-spot for undeveloped negatives showing intimate portraits of Jean-Michel Basquiat in a Keith Haring t-shirt.

The exhibtion is free and runs until February 29th

Caroline Legrand

"Fashion. I'll have nothing of it."

Tonight at 18:15 the BFI Southbank will be showing a screening of German director and playwright Wim Wenders' 1989 documentary film,
Notebook on Cities and Clothes.


"Fashion. I'll have nothing of it.” At least this was Wenders’ initial reaction when the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris asked him to make a short film in the context of fashion.

In retrospect, he confesses: "Maybe I was too quick to put down fashion. Why not look at it without prejudice? Why not examine it like any other industry, like the movies for example? Maybe fashion and cinema had something in common."


Through a dialogue between the director and his subject, Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto, the film offers a fresh insight on the meaning of fashion in the context of the art world, as well as in contemporary life.

Caroline Legrand

Franco-Anglo relations are blooming...

The ICA is joining forces with the best gallery in Paris, the Palais de Tokyo to host eight different music events celebrating both French and English music.  Four French bands will be playing at the ICA and four English bands will be at the Palais.  The season starts off with Sebastien Tellier with support from Poney Poney in London on the 21st February.  Unfortunately the gig is super sold out but keep your ears to the ground for the next French offering...

Rachael J Vick