A Future Classic

In April I wrote about my cousin's end of year university project, a film entitled '99 Forever.

It premiered at Hull's Fruit Market at the end of last week and received a rave review on Hyper Fruit.

Here are my beautiful cousins (and fellow bloggers) at the premiere - Lexi of Faith, Trust & Pixie Dust and Olivia (the film's creator) of Goldielocks & Cupid.

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Here's the original concept artwork for the two main characters - Lilly & Jess

And here's the film...



If you haven't already 'liked' it on Facebook click here then click like!

Like A Star In The Night Sky

Hidden in The Vault at The Natural History Museum was a real 'gem' - The Aurora Pyramid of Hope, a collection of 295 naturally coloured diamonds. On loan from New York this private collection took 25 years to curate as so few naturally coloured diamonds exist in the world.

More exciting than this was seeing the stones under UV light - making them give off a fluoro glow:

 Normal Light

UV light

The Nature Of Fashion

A hunk of neon rock from a display at The Natural History Museum.

Bollywood Circus

This might not look like much but this was the scene outside Ed's Easy Diner near Piccadilly this evening - film crews apparently rent out units in the area for filming Bollywood movie scenes on a regular basis!

Living Art

Literally home-grown art at The National Gallery - a massive eco installation.

Eiffel Tower Vs Luggage Tower

As If!

While the guys at ARDOOR have utilised Kinect technology to create this virtual fitting room for Topshop's Moscow flagship store, isn't it just a little reminscent of a certain 1990s film and the heroine's closet?

Rad Rides

This month is National Bike Month in the US and between the 16th and 20th it's National Bike to Work Week!

So whether you're from across the Pond or from good ol' Blighty why not get in on the act and get on your bike? It's great exercise, saves money, helps the environment and you could be styling it around town on one of these two wheeled transportations:

Pashley Guv'nor - 1930s-style racing bike

ABICI Retro Bicycle - the fuss free bike

Electra Super Deluxe Cruiser

Bowery Lane Bicycles - retro styled city bike

It's A Party In Paris

Just found this image of an amazing 1960s Paris tourism poster

Danielle Scutt for Freedom at Topshop

In times of economic crisis, the two ‘luxury’ items which flourish in the womens sector are lipstick and jewellery. With that in mind, the collection I created plays with themes of luxury, feminism and Surrealism  Danielle Scutt
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Danielle Scutt, Central St Martins alumni and previous Topshop collaborator, has teamed up with high street jewellery brand Freedom to bring the high street a small collection of extraordinary pieces inspired by her most recent show.

The premium 'Show Collection' consists of limited edition statement pieces and is only available online at Topshop. Come May 1st the mainline collaboration will be available from key stores.

Inspired by luxury, feminism and surrealism the collection is undeniably sophisticated but with that quirky, offbeat edge that Scutt does so well - glossy red lipstick charms, shiny silver teapots, golden vines, matt fruit, oriental fans and enamelled hands are intertwined to create dramatic brooches, earrings, necklaces and belts. Danielle was also influenced by the jewellery worn by artist Frida Kahlo and artist created pieces commissioned by seminal arts world figure Peggy Guggenheim.

Plus, not for the faint of heart, a chunky three row matt chain necklace with 'hair' strands!

Retailing at £25-£70 it's not pocket money jewellery but is a cheaper alternative when it comes to buying in to designer pieces. Personally I'm loving the kind of creepy dolls house vibe from the 'ear, hand, teapot, lipstick' earrings but will probably hold out and see what the mainline collection will bring.

'99 Forever

What where you doing on New Year's Ever 1999 just before the world moved into a new Millennium?

My cousin, Olivia, was just 9 years old and only ever having known the Nineties was a little trepidatious about moving into a new century. She's now almost 21 (jeez how time flies!) and using her memories of that night for her final year uni film project.

Not only do they get marked on the film itself but also how they promote it. The '99' team have set up a Facebook page and need as many 'likes' as possible so head over to the '99 Forever Facebook Page' and get clicking!!!

See more of Olivia's set design work on her blog Goldielocks & Cupid.

Not Your Granny's Crafts - Stour Space Designers Market

While crafting has been hip for quite a few years now - with the love affair for everything from knitting to macrame being rekindled - Stour Space are offering the cool kids of London town (and anyone visiting E3) something with a little more edge.

Stour Space is a unique non profit exhibition and performance space devoted to the promotion of art, design and creative opportunities with a focus on supporting the development of Tower Hamlets which boasts one of the largest concentrations of artists in the world.

And on the last Saturday of every month they open their doors to the public so we can be a part of this thriving entrepreneurial scene.

 I dropped a line to Rebecca Whyte, director of SS, to find out a little more about the Designers Markets - a small but popular part of what the space does - and what they're all about:

"The market is one of many events but follows the same motive of trying to support the local arts economy and also promoting the unique and interesting work made by individuals and creative companies. Its important to us that there are still affordable places for artists and makers to promote their work."

TTA has also been lucky enough to take a sneak peek at what's on offer at the Designers Market from Saturday 26th March onwards:

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Le Muse Clothing

Evocative designs which focus on quality fabric and the way it drapes and moves on the body and adapts to each person wearing it. Each piece is worn by its owner rather than the garments wearing them.

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Design Instinct

 

A range of innovative interior products including the 'Orbital' light and 'Wide Awake' lamp shaped by a number of disciplines from industrial design to sculpture, this company has a strong ethical stance with an environmentally friendly conscience.

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Miwary

An indie label crammed full of girly nostalgia in the form of cute handmade accessories including this Tiny Tiny Teddy Bear Brooch and Reversible Collar with its 'found in Grandma's attic' vibe.

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Eat My Heart Out

Photographer Rhea Daley-Serieux captures images of the society around her with sepia and monochromatic tones adding a gritty edge while still capturing its true beauty - images such as 'Somerset House' will seduce fashionistas while 'Routemyster' will appeal to Europhiles with its use of iconic imagery.

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So whether you're just a day tripper or an East London lady or lad, if you have a penchant for well made, thought provoking, cutting edge design in any of its many forms (plus tea and cake from the Counter Cafe) head to Stour Space @ 7 Roach Road, Fish Island every last Saturday - support the local creative scene while picking yourself up a possible future antique!

Want to find out more about Stour Space, the Designers Market or to apply for a market stall? Visit www.stourspace.co.uk or go their Facebook page.

Arts In Empty Spaces

This amazing tree is part of a new initiative here in Hull called 'Arts In Empty Spaces'. Entitled 'Rainbow-Friargate' this sculpture is part of a three piece installation on the historic Whitefriargate until May 13th.

This is the biggest sculpture amongst the three measuring an impressive eight metres tall and is named ‘Rainbow-Friargate Float’

"an intensely colourful site-specific piece adorning two large trees in the middle of the street. Organic cut-out shapes weave in and out of the tree’s branches, connecting upper parts of the two trees together and creating a vibrant explosion of colours, textures and shapes" [quote].

Created by artists Hsiao-Chi Tsai & Kimiya Yoshikawa, London Royal College of Art alumni who have also created 'The Lion' in LDN's Chinatown and 'Futurist Flowers' for Harvey Nichols, the project was commissioned by Hull City Council and Arts Council England, and project managed by the city’s architecture centre, Arc. The aim has been to celebrate and animate this very special part of Hull and forms part of a wider programme of activity aimed at encouraging interest in the city.