Life: London Party Circuit - 1-3 Feb 2012

Last week the wonderful world of PR took me to not one, not two, but three rather fabulous parties in London. First up was a friend's event at The Hoxton Pony which was a Macmillan Fundraising event held by T4s Georgie Okell. Amongst the attendees were Prof Green, Jameela Jamil, Nyx Deyn and Made in Chelsea's Ollie Locke. Yasmin performed and Rizzle Kicks played an awesome DJ set, spinning everything from Azealia Banks to the Chemical Brothers.

The Hoxton Pony is well worth a try next time you find yourself in the East End. Described by Harper's Bazaar as 'A Modernist Alice in Wonderland-esque watering hole' the bar/club brings cocktails in tea-cups alongside highly palatable DJ sets.

 

The next night I was at Pertwee Anderson & Gold gallery's latest private view for the artist Annie Morris. Morris' new works explored the tragedy of still-birth and yet I many of them enigmatically fragile and beautiful. In the past Annie has collaborated with Burberry's designer Christopher Bailey to create the famous 'peg dress'. It was no surprise then to see the likes of Sophie Dahl and Rosamund Pike at the Soho gallery, alongside a man in a huge top hat and a ferret collar.

           


Once we'd satisfied our art lust we jumped in a cab down to Sloane square to attend the Sunday Times Magazines 50th Anniversary bash at the stunning Saatchi gallery. The magazine - which was the first Sunday newspaper magazine supplement - is showcasing some of its most memorable covers since its inception in 1962. Attendees included Jeremy Clarkson, Paxo, Carol Vorderman, Gary Lineker and Sir Phillip Green amongst many others. I shared a story about an exes pubic hair with Sky's Adam Boulton, his wife Anji Hunter and Times editor Eleanor Mills - it went down a storm, unlike the original event - and I also got some juicy radio 4 gossip from a rather merry John Humphrys, which I promised not to divulge...

The biggest fashion faux-pas of the evening was easily when Philip Treacy had to introduce himself to us - we'll blame the copious amounts of wine. I opted for a LBD from FCUKs amazing sale teemed with  bright blue Kurt Geiger Bianca courts - another sale steal which had originally been going for £220.  They went down a storm, winning 'best shoes of the evening' from more than a couple of admirers, which just about justified having to teeter up and down 5 flights of stairs every time I needed to visit the little girls room. GC

Check out Annie Morris at Pertwee Anderson and Gold gallery until March 1
See the Sunday Times Magazine 50th Anniversary Exhibition at the Saatchi gallery until February 19

MUSIC: M.I.A Bad Girls Video

Anyone that has had to live with me will tell you that I'm obsessed with music videos; I still watch and copy them religiously like a teenage girl. Last week I stayed over at a male friend's (OK, yes a friend with benefits...) and subjected him to '100% Rihanna' and 'The Best of Britney' on Vevo for hours  (WM suggested this is 'single girl behaviour' - so perhaps I will limit it to 'Me' time in future).

I also fucking LOVE M.I.A, so what with her releasing her promo for 'Bad Girls' two days ago and her impending Super Bowl performance alongside Nicki Minaj and Madonna (who's video for Give Me All Your Luvin' leaves me a bit cold), I thought it was time to feature my girl.

Bad Girls sees M.I.A team up with French director Romain Gavras, who also shot the highly controversial promo for 'Born Free'. Whilst 'Bad Girls' doesnt have the same overtly political stance of the previous video, and certainly not even half of the shock value, it it still likely to draw a few raised eyebrows. Set in the Middle East - shot in Morocco - it shows street racers, immense car stunts and women with guns working ghetto fabulous hijabs; very 'if Versace did Burqas...'

The result reflects completely the high-fashion cultural mish-mash that defines M.I.A's work. This is what I love about artists like Maya, Kate Bush, Goldfrapp and 80s/90s Maddona - their videos are visual portrayals of the main event: the music. Other artists (yes sorry Lady Gaga) sometimes swamp their tracks with overdone promos.

So enjoy - I'm off to refine my 'middle east goes ghetto' look before this summer. GC

Homage to Cher

- Cher of Clueless, not Cher of Sonny & Cher (incidentally she was the first person to show her belly button on live television - although this is a fun fact, it is also a wikipedia fact, and somehow a little hard to believe. I'm certain there's some satisfied 70 year old ex-hippy who smugly holds that particular milestone).

After watching Clueless for the sixteenth time, GC and I could proudly say that we got all of the grownup jokes, nicely disguised amongst the sugary soundtrack and knee-high socks. Apart from one or two American-specific references, we could safely say we were no longer Clueless. This triumph aside, we watched Cher & Dione flit from outfit to outfit with the same eagerness as we will no doubt watch the New York fashion week catwalks, making mental notes...minus the Dominos cookies.

Here is a breakdown of our most envied, Nineties Malibu, purple clogged, Dr Seussed 'Oh I wonder if they have that in my size' looks.

Maribu Pen VS Gothic crucifix.

A perfect look for weekends or at the office. After witnessing Cher's seduction techniques my 13 year old self was certain a maribu topped pen for my school pencil case would certainly be a most effective tool in getting 'that' boy's attention. Although I can't say any 13 year old boy would be (or was) completely bowled over by the chemistry brought by the fluffy pen, I may not rule it out as a work accessory. It could play an important part in meeting the (gay) boyfriend of your dreams.

Sportswear shmortswear.

Never underestimate the potential of sportswear. If ever there was a time to rock out your gold chained cell phone purse, it's at your all-girl tennis lesson. 

Friends are your best accessory.

Not sure I have ever co-ordinated my outfit with a friend unless for fancy dress. I must strive to do this one time.

Be dynamic with your Millinery.

I wore a beret for most of my sixteenth year, whilst gaining the nickname Toad (in relation to the Mario character with a toadstool head) this did not stop me wearing it with pride. As is the only way to wear a beret. Not so sure about Dione's hat here. Although we do give her snaps for her daring knitwear.

Not so much to say about this photo apart from the fact that it includes two of my most favourite things: fairisle and cameras. And Cher manages to make a headband look sophisticated, something that I (and indeed Blair Waldorf) have failed to do.

'You'll catch a chill in your kidneys' Granny Banks, 1993

S/S 2012 is all about the midriff. My current opinion on this mirrors Tai in this picture, rather than Cher. And I can't do sit ups as they hurt my back.

Dress for Danger.

All of our favourite heroins get mugged once in a while. And it appears that muggers have no respect for their victims wardrobe, what with Carrie's strappy Manolo sandals being held at gunpoint and Cher's 'totally important designer' dress ruined in the dirt. This outfit also includes a feather boa, something that none of the Dry Shampoo Diarist's will be reviving.

Chokers and Skull Caps.  

Crochet is a big thing this summer. White or multicoloured, it'll probably be clogging up the rails of Primark in a nice viscose-type material some time in late July. Read it and weep. Also here is an example of one of the many chokers which play a huge part in the Clueless wardrobe. GC and I have agreed they are definitely on the cards for a comeback.

Finale.

Must remember to have all epiphanies in front of illuminated fountains in pastel, virginal outfits. It just makes for better photo opportunities.


WM