A global field guide to design, (life)style and secret finds
est. 2007

Archive: Jan 2008

  1. Why I can’t wait for Spring: Marimekko

    4 Comments
    When the Swedes meet the Finns, I'm a very, very happy birdy.
    As regular readers may already have guessed, I really love my prints. So I'm just about beside myself with anticipation for H&M's Marimekko collection for Spring 2008. If you haven’t already heard, Swedish company H&M have created a 50-piece collection using Marimekko’s patterns from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.

    Apparently we can look forward to the Finnish brand’s distinctive graphic prints in “summer favourites” such as wide ‘70s dresses, tunics, skirts and shorts for women. And there will also be a few pieces for men and kids, all at ultra-affordable price points. The collection will be hitting H&M stores worldwide in April. Roll around Spring, printy please.

    Marimekko prints for H&M, illustration by Moa Lindqvist Bartling.

    But to satiate my immediate fix for Finnish graphic prints, I’ve been dreaming about Marimekko’s Spring 2008 womenswear line-up. Some really gorgeous pieces here, birdies.






    And this season’s Marimekko kids’ range couldn’t be sweeter. Red apple and giraffe prints = too, too cute little girls' frocks.



    Marimekko
    www.marimekko.com
    16-17 St Christopher's Place
    London W1U 1NZ
    Tel: 020 7486 6454

    Nearest tube: Bond Street
    Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

  2. London shopping: Swarovski Crystallized Cosmos and Lounge

    6 Comments

    I’ve never felt compelled to step foot in a Swarovski shop before. It was always the domain of Nannas and their novelty crystal mouse collections, with royal blue walls completing the outdated and entirely naff package. On the other hand, I’ve happily paraded about and lusted after certain designer accessories adorned with Swarovksi crystals. It’s a brand that always seemed to be at odds with itself.

    But the recent unveiling of the world’s first Swarovski Crystallized Cosmos and Lounge on London’s Great Marlborough Street has put paid to any fuddy-duddy image of the past. Indeed, this new store celebrates Swarovski’s various designer collaborations, and the results are quite breathtaking. The royal blue colour scheme has been replaced with layers of reflective surfaces that catch the light in the gleaming white minimalist space.



    You can’t miss the tiny clear Perspex drawers lining the walls of the ground floor, otherwise known as The Cosmos. It’s like a space-age Chinese herbalist’s den. But pull open the gliding drawers and you’ll find small clear boxes of lapis lazuli, amber and turquoise instead of dried up bits of animals and roots.


    This is where the fun starts. It’s a bit like pick and mix – or an upmarket bead shop – but way sexier and with loads of designer inspiration (by way of plasma screens around the store). The emphasis here is on being creative, and if you’re a dab hand at jewellery-making, you can browse the drawers for Swarovski loose crystals, semi-precious stones and beads. A box of 50 smoked topaz pieces will set you back £4.50, and there’s also all the design components and tools you need for making jewellery, including wires, clasps and pliers.


    But if you’re feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, the online tools in store will support you every step of the way. The Personal Stylist program is like jewellery-making-for-dummies, as it holds your hand through the creative process. It’s actually quite detailed, as you select your “style mood”, skin tone, eye colour, face shape, etc. Otherwise the Design Studio programme will assist you in creating your own bespoke piece. Choose from a selection of designs and customise it to suit. Once you’re done, Swarovski will send your order away and after two weeks it’s ready for pick-up. The “Dream” ring, for instance, featuring a delicate crystal and leaf design, can be customised in a range of colours for £20.


    There’s also a range of jewellery-making kits, including rings, bracelets and necklaces. They come in three different skill levels, which is handy if you’re just starting out and don’t want anything too fiddly. A basic skill level kit such as the turquoise linear ring kit is £19, and the topaz and gold long earrings kit is £20. The Swarovski team have really hit the nail on the head with the whole urban craft trend, with regular jewellery-making workshops starting in February.

    Head upstairs to the Crystallized lounge and it’s a different change of pace, with a relaxed café/bar area and an exhibition space. The current exhibition, Crystal Temptation Shoes, features a long white table adorned with thousands of loose crystals and a designer shoe at each place setting. The line-up includes designers such as Christian Lacroix, Gina, Nicholas Kirkwood, Vivienne Westwood, and Giorgio Armani.




    The café has a surprisingly extensive menu, including breakfast, lunch, bar snacks and a traditional afternoon tea for £19.75 (£25 with champers). Crystal-encrusted bottles of Moet line the shelves, and there are a couple of computer terminals to contemplate your creative designs. With comfy lounge seating and a relaxed atmosphere, it’s a rare oasis of tranquility just off Regent Street.



    Swarovski Crystallized Cosmos and Lounge
    www.crystallized.com
    24 Great Marlborough Street
    London W1

    Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

    Opening hours to come.

    Nearest tube: Oxford Circus

    Click here for more shops in W1.

  3. Where to buy Australian in London

    7 Comments

    Happy Australia Day, birdies. Just before I head off to inhale a pile of lamingtons, here's where to buy the best of Australian in London.

    Check out Australian designers at:

    Austique
    330 Kings Road
    Chelsea
    London SW3 5UR
    Tel: 020 7376 4555
    Rachel Gilbert
    Cohen et Sabine
    Alannah Hill
    Alice McCall
    Anna & Boy swimwear
    Camilla & Marc
    Zimmermann
    Fleur Wood
    Leona Edmiston
    MOR cosmetics
    Vani-T tanning and body products


    MOR beauty products

    Fleur Wood

    Liberty
    Regent Street
    London W1B 5AH
    Tel: 020 7734 1234
    Mozi homewares (Australia’s answer to Cath Kidston)
    Ghost & Lola jewellery
    Yeojin Bae womenswear

    Harvey Nichols
    109-125 Knightsbridge
    London SW1X 7RJ
    Tel: 020 7235 5000
    Wheels & Doll Baby
    18th Amendment jeans
    Metalicus (essentials for layering)
    Sass & Bide
    Juliann lingerie and slips
    Camilla
    Flamingo Sands swimwear
    Jets swimwear
    Becca cosmetics (My make-up bag staples are Luminous Skin Colour foundation and Crème Blush in Wild Orchid)

    Becca Luminous Skin Colour foundation (pssst apparently Kylie's a fan)

    Mimi London
    309 Kings Road
    London SW3 5EP
    Tel: 020 7349 9699
    Collette Dinnigan
    Willow

    Collette Dinnigan

    Collette Dinnigan
    26 Cale Street
    Chelsea Green
    London SW3 3QU
    Tel. 0207 589 8897

    KJ’s Laundry
    74 Marylebone Lane
    London W1U 2PU
    Carl Kapp
    Ginger & Smart

    Ginger & Smart

    Browns
    23-27 South Molton Street
    London W1K 5RD
    Tel: 020 7514 0063
    Josh Goot
    Lover
    Tina Kalivas
    • Michelle Jank accessories
    Sass & Bide
    Anna & Boy swimwear

    Josh Goot

    Selfridges
    400 Oxford Street
    London W1A 1AB
    Jayson Brunsdon
    Nobody denim
    A’kin (gorgeous organic botanical beauty range) at Farmacia

    Jayson Brunsdon

    No-one
    1 Kingsland Road
    London E2 8AA
    Tel: 207 613 5314
    Alice McCall
    Ksubi
    Elke Kramer jewellery

    Alice McCall

    Elke Kramer

    Get your Aussie beauty fix at:

    SpaceNK
    Jurlique (I love the Rosewater Balancing Mist)
    ModelCo (The Lash Wand Heated Eyelash Curler is one of their bestsellers)

    Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist

    And check out Innika, an excellent Australian mineral cosmetic brand which is 100 per cent vegan.

    For essential Australian treats, like Iced Vo Vos, Violet Crumbles, Twisties, Minties, Vegemite and Tim Tams, head to:

    The Australia Shop
    27 Maiden Lane
    Covent Garden
    WC2E 7JS London
    Tel: 020 7379 0723


    Harvey Nichols also stocks a range of Australian gourmet food, including:
    Maggie Beer
    Bird in Hand olive oil
    Aunty Joan’s Gourmet Toffee
    Byron bay Cookie Company

    Head to Waitrose for:
    Anzac biscuits
    Bundaberg Ginger Beer
    Dandaragan Olive Oil

    Pick up a bottle of Aussie plonk from any Tesco or Marks & Spencer, or look for a boutique wine at:
    Aussie Wine Direct
    The Aussie Wine Company
    Australian Wines Online

    And dine out with an Australian chef at:
    Pied a Terre, tel 020 7636 1178 (Shane Osborne)
    Smiths of Smithfield, tel. 0207 236 7666 (John Torode)
    Nahm at the Halkin Hotel, tel. 020 7333 1234 (David Thompson)
    The Ledbury, tel. 0207 792 9090 (Brett Graham)
    Petersham Nurseries, tel. 020 8605 3627 (Skye Gyngell)

    Phew. I can't believe I got through all that without a Walkabout pub, can of Fosters or a flamin' galah in sight.

    p.s. try this lamington recipe from the Australian Women's Weekly (another Aussie icon).

  4. Top Bird loves … Fake food

    4 Comments

    I can’t stop staring at these fake food items on Etsy. I don’t know if it’s the kawaii, clever, crafty or kitsch factor that’s grabbed me ... perhaps a bit of all? Or maybe it's the fact that I would have snaffled the whole lot for my Barbie and Sindy dolls when I was a seven. (And *gasp* maybe Barbie would have put on some weight!)

    Feast your eyes on this lovely line-up, including felt eggs, crocheted cakes, knitted peas and polymer clay dessert jewellery (surely a tween delight). Fascinating, no?

    A Half Dozen felt Eggs with Egg Carton, US$15, from Go Buggy’s Etsy shop.

    Handmade felt lemon, US$14 from Go Buggy’s Etsy shop.

    Grilled Tofu Dinner D, US$32, from Go Buggy’s Etsy shop.

    Three peas in a pod pin, US$9, from KnitKnit’s Etsy shop.

    Itty Bitty Cupcake collector set, US$18, from Pukashell’s Etsy shop.

    Mocha cappuccino cake, US$18, from Pukashell’s Etsy shop.

    Five Scoop Hot Fudge Sundae ring, US$18, from Robin’s Jewelry Box Etsy shop.

    Sliced Valentine’s Cake pendent, US$18, from Robin’s Jewelry Box’s Etsy shop.

    Cookies and Milk ring, US$14 from Robin's Jewelry Box's Etsy shop.

    Oh, stop it!

    *Remember that most pieces on Etsy are one-offs and sell quickly, but make sure you check the seller's shop as many items are relisted.

  5. What to take home Wednesday: Jo Malone candles (belated)

    3 Comments


    Parma Violets Tea, Sweet Almond Macaroon Tea and Eau de Cologne Tea are this week's new covetable candles on the block from Jo Malone's deluxe Tea Collection. The Parma Violets Tea candle, my (no-brainer) favourite, makes a lovely London souvenir that will fill your home with the delicate fragrance of this retro and quaintly English sweet.


    £80 for a deluxe 400g candle, available exclusively at Selfridges from 15 February.

    Selfridges
    www.selfridges.com
    400 Oxford Street
    London W1 1AB

    Opening hours:
    Monday to Wednesday 9.30am – 8pm
    Thursday 9.30am – 9pm
    Friday and Saturday 9.30am – 8pm
    Sunday 12noon – 6pm*
    *half an hour browsing time

    Nearest tube: Bond Street
    Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

  6. Top Bird loves … Violets

    2 Comments


    Call me old-fashioned, but I think there's nothing lovelier than a posy of fresh violets. I spied this box of them at Liberty's flower shop this afternoon, where they are selling wee posies for £1.50 each or four for £5.

    I quite like the idea of holding a posy under my nose next time I'm wedged between buttock and armpit on the Tube, just like the judges at the Old Bailey did in ye olden days (to ward against ye foul stench of various crim types). But a bunch of four with a collar of green leaves in a clear round glass vase would look just dandy as well.

    Liberty
    www.liberty.co.uk
    Regent Street
    London
    W1B 5AH
    Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 1234

    Click here for a Wee Birdy map.


    Opening hours:
    Monday to Friday 11am-9pm
    Saturday 10am-8pm
    Sunday 12pm-6pm

    Nearest Tubes: Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus


  7. Vale Heath Ledger

    2 Comments

    I ummed and ahhhed about writing this post, fully aware of joining the gazillion-strong force of online commentators discussing this young Australian actor's tragic death. I'm also not loving the judgmental and speculative vibe that's going down right now.

    But the truth is that I'm sad he's gone. Sad for his family and friends.

    He was a brilliant actor and I was so looking forward to watching him grow older in future roles. Can you imagine what he would have been like at say 50 or 60? Such a great loss.

    Ah Heath, why did you have to go and bloody die?

    RIP.
  8. A whisker of a trend

    5 Comments

    I’ve always been a fan of Melbourne-based designer Beci Orpin’s label Princess Tina (she of quirky and cool sterling silver jewellery pieces) and I really dig her fun approach to fashion. One of my favourite necklaces is her sterling silver raincloud, which never fails to attract comments whenever I wear it. And how cool are her happy/sad teeth accessories?


    So I pounced on her latest look-book when it arrived in my inbox last week, and I couldn’t help but notice the recurring cat motifs throughout her collection. And a quick look around revealed that there’s more than a passing interest in kittens at the moment. Take, for instance, the leading image for Topshop’s new S/S 08 collection:


    Kute kitty, indeed! Now, I must confess at this stage that whilst I’m firmly in the “dog camp” when it comes to the dog/cat divide, I do have a few feline friends (shout out to Toby in Sydney, Kubie in Melbourne, and Oscar in the flat downstairs). But enough of that purring. Take a look at some other fab feline finds:


    Top row, from left to right:
    1. Summer Cats, Scratching Post EP. I know, I never (and shouldn’t!) write about music, but how could I resist two of the cutest album covers around? Twee album art aside, this Melbourne band is seriously good if you’re into sweet sunshine-y indie pop. (And I am.) Former Earthmen lead singer Scott Steven’s soaring vocals deliver a tasty treat not to be missed. Check them out on their myspace page now.
    2. Cat print tee, £16, from Topshop.
    3. Pink and brown cat kitchen tea towel, US$14, from PataPri’s Etsy shop. (Ack, this just sold-out, but check back again in a few days and it might be up again.)

    Second row, from left to right:
    1. Two-headed kitten necklace, US$186, from Anomaly Jewelry’s Etsy shop.
    2. Perspex cat brooch from Princess Tina (available late February 2008). See online stockists such as www.orderandprogress.com.au, www.giantrobot.com and www.magic-pony.com.
    3. Fawn G Canvas Critters, US$16, from Urban Outfitters (thanks to Print & Pattern for the pointer).

    Third row, from left to right:
    1. Bitey cat tote bag by Ferdinand, US$20, from The Curiosity Shoppe.
    2. Lush life cat with bird limited edition print, US$35, from MatteArt’s Etsy shop.
    3. Hand-embroidered Majic Cats Mini in Purple Mystery, US$55, from Flying Star Toy’s Etsy shop.





    Fourth row, from left to right:
    1. Cat print tee, by Princess Tina. (Not available until late February 2008). (Stockists as before).
    2. Summer Cats single (as before).
    3. Sabuda Pop-Up Cat Note Cards, US$21.95 for a set of eight, from MoMA.

  9. What to take home Wednesday: CdG/Kaws wallet

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    Commes des Garcons/Kaws fuschia and white leather purse (215mm x 160mm), £60, from Dover Street Market.
    Commes des Garcons/Kaws green and white leather purse (145mm x 105mm), £50, from Dover Street Market.

    Continuing with the Dover Street Market love-in this week, make haste and take home a limited edition wallet by Commes des Garcons and New York artist Kaws. Created for DSM's Christmas 2007 "Sparkling Party" theme, you can find t-shirts, bags and more wallets by this cool collaboration at the box-office inside the lobby at Dover Street Market.

    Available online and in-store at DSM until 24 January.

    Dover Street Market
    www.doverstreetmarket
    17-18 Dover St,
    London W1
    Tel. 020 7518 0680

    Click here for a Wee Birdy map.

    Opening hours:
    Monday to Saturday 11am – 6pm
    Thursday 11am – 7pm

    Nearest tube: Green Park

    All images courtesy of Dover Street Market.

  10. London shopping: Dover Street Market

    11 Comments

    It’s easy to feel intimidated walking into Dover Street Market, arguably London’s number one cutting-edge shopping destination. When I first arrived in London last year, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but gathered it was something along the lines of Colette in Paris. So far, so (very) good.

    But with "market" in the title, I was initially thinking on a linear level, as opposed to an uber-department store with six floors dedicated to fashion, design and art. And with terms like "avant-garde", "groundbreaking" and "edgy" bandied about in the press over the past three years, I was half-excited and half-scared, fearing six floors of pretension and a f***-off attitude to boot.*


    Emerging from the lift onto the fourth floor, I was immediately struck by a few things. Firstly, a vintage anatomy plaster model of a foetus in utero, the kind of thing you’d find in a university science lab from the fifties; secondly, my beloved Labour and Wait’s counter of traditional homewares (think balls of twine, sturdy gardening tools and French stripey tops); and finally, a rack of Commes des Garcon’s PLAY line, mixed in with designers such as Commuun, Toga Archives, and Veronique Branquinho. All this and the comforting homely aroma of freshly baked scones pervading from the Rose Bakery in the corner of the room (more on this in another post). It’s kinda crazy and cool and I love it.


    But let’s turn down the “crazy” dial for the moment, after all, there is serious fashion to consider. Dover Street Market is the brainchild of Commes des Garcon’s Rei Kawakubo, and it features well over 50 designers, with numerous exclusive collaborations and all 14 CdG lines.


    Kawakubo challenges traditional concepts of merchandising by mixing top designers such as Dior, Galliano and Alaïa, with lesser-known labels sourced from all over the world. Menswear merges with womenswear, and unexpected suprises (like the voodoo-vibed World Archives stall and Emma Hawkins’ Victorian collection of taxidermy, animal skeletons and vintage plaster anatomy models) keep shoppers engaged and excited. And by inviting the various designers to curate and regularly update their own space, Kawakubo breathes new life into fashion retail.


    Personal highlights include Very Lustre’s ultra-modern diamond jewellery; Boudicca’s velvet-draped birdcage dressing room, complete with mirror and bell; Parisien Didier Ludot’s ultimate LBD range, and Cameron Silver’s “Decades” stall (a little piece of Melrose in Mayfair, where I spied heart-stopping premium vintage pieces by Azzedine Alaïa, Missoni and YSL couture). I was also enamoured by Japanese label Sacai’s simple and relaxed knitwear, as well as Sacai Luck’s ultra-femme lingerie line featuring pretty camisoles and shorts in cashmere and silk.


    On each visit to DSM, I've found it increasingly difficult to walk past the range of Pierre Hardy shoes without drooling all over the wares, and it was nice to see Australian designer Michelle Jank’s eclectic one-off neckpieces. And the one-off creations by London’s premier milliner Stephen Jones’ for DSM are always fun and fanciable (I loved the adorable A/W 2007 "Chic!" berets). I could go on and on … each stall is worthy of an individual post, so you can expect additional posts and updates on DSM in the future.


    In the meantime, don’t miss Alber Elbaz for Lanvin’s shambolic installation on level three, featuring a collapsed mannequin, a chaise longe, scattered articles of clothing and shoes and a bottle of champagne (perhaps a day-five London Fashion Week survivor, non?). But it’s not there for much longer, as the store closes for its bi-annual "Tachiagari" on 24 January, where all the stock and installations are refreshed over a two-day period.


    Another reason to hotfoot it to DSM before the 24 January deadline is the post-Christmas sale, where most stock is currently reduced by 40 per cent storewide. Look out for top designers such as Lanvin (in particular, the black cigarette pants and dresses), Marios Schwab (fab LBDs), Boudicca and Atelier One. Also, keep an eye out for CdG’s vinyl bags in black, white and red on the fourth floor, as well as the highly covetable patent leather shoppers in black, white and red. There’s also 30 per cent off Alaïa, 40 per cent off Cutler and Gross’ vintage glasses for DSM, and 50 per cent off Olivia Morris shoes.

    *Mind you, I'm also the neurotic-shopper type who feels compelled to act in an overly demonstrative "hey-I'm-not-a-potential-shoplifter" manner around security guards in premium designer brand stores.

    Dover Street Market
    www.doverstreetmarket

    17-18 Dover St,
    London W1
    Tel: 020 7518 0680

    Opening hours:
    Monday to Saturday 11am-6pm
    Thursday 11am-7pm

    Nearest tube: Green Park


    Click here for more shops in W1.

    Click here for a Wee Birdy map.
    All images courtesy of Dover Street Market.