Rene Gruau exhibition

Here's a reminder about this great exhibition which is finishing this Sunday I want to urge you to go and see it if you can, before it's too late, as it really is amazing. Rene Gruau was a famous artist who collaborated with Christian Dior and back in the day when ilustration was used more than photography, he did a lot of adverts for the fashion house among other work. The two got on like a house on fire and so Dior gave Gruau a free hand and it was a good decision. His illustrations were different, sometimes provoking and caused a little controversy, but that can never hurt. This collection at Somerset House shows quite a lot from Dior's and Gurau's archives, including sketches, vintage perfume bottles and haute couture dresses, is very inspiring and not to be missed. Photography is not allowed, but I was cheeky a managed to snap few pictures to give you an idea what it's like, especially if you're going to miss it.
Have a stylish day.

Style up your walls

Attention art lovers! I feel ashamed that I've only discovered this very talented and hugely popular among celebrities painter Todd White, but better now than never. Some of his work is currently displayed and sold at The Gallery Rouge in St. Albans where I spotted his beautiful art work.
His canvases are very contemporary yet timeless. He loves people watching, observing and sketches ideas for his next work on whatever he can get his hands on (ie napkins..).
Since returning to his native US, he's become one of the most collectable and successful living artists in the world and I can see why.
I took instant liking in his work. Characters of his paintings seem like people you know or you wanna know. They all seem to be having fun and you want to join them. You wanna get to know them. It's very engaging. I promise to bring you more pictures soon.
Have a stylish day.

Yasmin's photography

I love art in any form and fashion photography is right there at the top. And this girl is just so talented! Yasmin Alnajjar is a 19 year old with a bright future ahead. Working on her porfolio at the moment, I expect we will all hear a lot about her very soon. Watch this space! In the mean time check out her facebook page, where you can see some of her amazing work.
Have a stylish day.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=164251&id=190634927742&ref=pb

Museum of Bags and Purses - Amsterdam

After a two-week break, which I spent on holiday in my home tome in the Czech Republic, I am back with more tips and views on fashion, art, lifestyle and so on.. And if you, like me when you come back from abroad, can't wait to go on another adventure as soon as possible, then you might like little suggestion. I'm planning a short trip to Amsterdam for a bit of culture and history, and you can imagine my excitement, when I discovered, that this great city has a museum dedicated to handbags and purses. I checked the website: www.tassenmuseum.nl and it looks great! Now I just have to count down the days till my weekend break away. The museum has a great selection of handbags in date order going back to 1500!
And what's more, at the moment until 19 August 2010 they are holding exhibition Crystal loves leather, where leading designers and upcoming avante-garde designers have taken inspiration from CRYSTALLIZED Swarowski Elements and from two new applications of the crystals on leather. "The result is a true romance," the website says. I can't wait to see it! And of course report to you.
Have a stylish day.
Here are few examples of what you can see:


Snake skin handbag from Germany ca 1925


leather handbag from 1970's


feather handbag by Alexander McQueen 2003

Past trends - good and bad!

As I told you few days ago, I'm gonna look back at the past decade in fashion, art and beyond. Well today I decided to share my thoughs on trends that stuck in my mind for good and bad reasons. There are things that never really go out of fashion. They may have their highs and lows, but will always be there. One of them for me is Britannia. I love things with british flag. So much has been around but there are times when you can see more of it. Like past two summers and also in summer 2001. I remember that because that's when I came to England and got so hooked that I bought 2t-shirts with little flag - one glittery and the other quite plain. I loved them, but unfortunately they ended up in the bin - oh what a shame, as I could easily wear them again..
One trend I never liked and am hundred per cent sure never will if it comes back (which I doubt) was crocs. Do you remember the ugly plastic shoes with holes in them? Well I never understood the point of them. They got very popular, people claiming how comfy they are. I'd rather suffer for fashion than take a comfort in Crocs.
Other trend I remember well was big again around the time I came to UK. It was Madonna who started it and found a way into my wardrobe. It was sort of celebrity T-shirts. Do you remember the popular songsress on her tour wearing tops with names like Kylie Minogue, Britney Spears and so on? I got a couple of ones with Madonna's name and one with her picture as well. How cool was I?! Again I think they eventually ended up in a bin... It's a shame there isn't enough space for all our clothes we ever buy. I would really enjoy looking back at everything, reminiscing about the times I wore them. I'd probably cringe about some of them, but it would be fun.
Something I really love is goth look as you probably know, if you read my blog regularly. It is something that keeps coming back and it's just so great. You can really play with the style and never get bored with it.
The thing I'm really into right now is big shoulders. It's very 80's - an era that has been very popular for the past few seasons and I'm loving it. I'm not so sure about all those glitters and sequins, but padded or in another way interesting shoulders are my thing. Christophe Decarnin has been one of the designers really into this trend for Balmain and I'm just loving everything by him.
There has been some great things emerging in the last ten years, but it would take a long time to mention them all. Is there anything important that you think I have forgotten? Let me know! And have a stylish day.

Having an art attack

Not only I love fashion I love art as well. And when the two are combined together even better! That's why I love being friends with Marcela Jurisova - the cool new artis on the block. If, like me, you feel the urge for redecorating your house in the upcomoing winter months and maybe need to inject some colour, check out her paintings, which look like pages from Vogue, only they’re all unique. Inspired by fashion photographs, Marcela paints in a slightly abstract way. You better get them now before she gets famous and the prices will go through the roof. “I like to show movement,” the 28-year old says. They’re gonna look great on every fashionista’s wall. If you want to know more please contact me.