Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration

I am uber excited today. Mainly because Amelia’s Compendium of Fashion Illustration goes to print tomorrow. The wonderful and super talented Amelia Gregory has truly created a real treat of a book for your viewing pleasure, packed full of ethical designers and beautiful illustrations from a team of talented illustrators. Oh la la, talk about eye candy! Amongst the illustrators featured are Gemma Milly, Abi Daker, Becky Glover, Faye West, Naomi Law, Yelena Bryksenkova to name just few. You’ll just have to check it out to see the full extent of talent, and mark my words, I’ve seen the work of all these people and they are GOOD!

OK here are the vitals. The ‘ooooh aaaaah’ pretty front cover was designed by Arizona-based artist Andrea Peterson. Well done lovely it look amazing! The book features interviews with 30 hand-picked illustrators on their craft, as well as 50 profiles of the best up and coming ethical fashion designers, including jewellery and footwear. It’s also printed using vegetable inks on FSC approved paper. Is there anything that Amelia hasn’t thought of??

So it’s hats off again to Amelia for working super, super hard to create such a beautiful and relevant coffee table book, and championing the cause of up and coming illustration talent, not to mention some fabulous ethical fashion designers.

Uhh..if you’re still reading this why are you not heading over to Amelia’s Magazine to order up a copy or three?

Love, Amandine x

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Art and Seduction

 

Bonjour mes choux! Sorry I’ve been M.I.A for so long, but I’ve been preparing my upcoming trip to the States and Canada – and a girl needs her fur-trimmed gilet and pompom mittens all ready to go. These things need planning!

BUT, in between shopping Topshops new SNO collection and cooing over this season’s snowboards, I did managed to head out for a spot of totty-spying last week. However since I have recently procured myself a love interest (more on this to follow fear not), this date was altogether a different affair. With my best-friend at my side and a Cosmo in my hand, I went SpeedArting. Now mes amies, this is the concept of matching making you with your perfect piece of art, with prices that will leave you change for those gorgeous red Lanvin for H&M heels.

So honestly there is nothing to dislike here. And there is every possibility that you will still meet a dark and handsome stranger, the only difference is that he’ll be hanging on you wall rather than off your every word (as I’m sure they always do). And none of the ‘I’m not ready to have a relationship’ after a few dates to put up with. Hurrah!

The next event is tonight, so why not slip on your Louboutins and LWD and head out for a cultured evening of art daaaahling.

Bisoux.

Love, Amandine x

 

 

 

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Trapezes and Temazepam



There are ripples of excitement in the Amandine household today, because the UK premiere of ‘Psy’ – the latest offering from French contemporary circus performers  ‘Les 7 Doigts de la Main’ (or The 7 Fingers, for those not versed in the romantic languages) opens in London tomorrow night. Now, this is not just your run-of-the-mill contemporary circus show, oh no. Think cirque de soleil, rewritten by JP Sartre and art directed by Dali.  With soundtrack by Piazolla & Snoop Dogg. It is quite literally a feast for the eyes and ears.

The plot explores the surreal world of the human psyche, and centres around seven friends who attempt to conquer their neuroses thought the medium of quite frankly, death defying circus skills. As you do.

So this made me wonder whether we couldn’t cure our more mundane, every-day neuroses through the power of circus and song too? Par exemple, annoying flatmates who leave their washing up for you to do; practice plate spinning with their finest china. OCD about cleaning the bathroom; try juggling with your Mr Muscle to take your mind off it.

And finally, phobias: larger than life spider lurking in the corner of your kitchen? Send it running in disgust with a rendition of ‘Do-Re-Mi’ – Glee style. That would cause me to turn on my (Laboutin) heel and make a sharp exit anyway.

Love, Amandine x

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Amandine in Wonderland

Sometimes I am prone to a little daydreaming and having just procured myself a copy of Alice in Wonderland, illustrated by the French artist Marie Laurencin (which originally sold for 16,000 francs 79 years ago…so yes I am in my smug tree!), I started to wonder whether there isn’t a little of Alice in all of us?

On this note, it is frustrating to read so many slating reviews of Tim Burton’s recent remake, obviously written by tradionalists who are bitter that Burton dared to indulge himself with the fantastical costumes and characters rather than create something sickly sweet and Disney-esque. I personally don’t see anything wrong with favouring style over substance, and let’s face it, the film was a feast for the eyes.

So back to my errant imagination – I began to daydream how I might play the part of Alice. Well first things first, WARDROBE! Get me some Louboutins and a Pucci maxi dress. There, that’s better. Then there’s the tea party – at my fête I would serve rose petal cupcakes and pornstar martinis (martini with a shot of champagne, darling). In Richmond Park. And the Mad Hatter would magically morph into Ryan Reynolds. Oh, what do you mean that’s no possible? It’s my daydream!!

Curiouser and Curiouser.

Love, Amandine x

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