Cats cats cats

This is Jake, he stayed at my flat for the past week along with Talulah who was camera shy.

Madam X

Even though I'm not a massive fan of radio one, I do sometimes end up listening to radio one on my phone to and from work (normally at the same time as being engrossed in the Metro too)

Over the past few days they've had a competition called 'Superstar DJs' where the prize was for an unknown DJ to get a spot this Friday night in Ibiza alongside Radio one DJs such as Annie Mac and Pete Tong. Now to be fair some of the mixes really weren't my thing, as it was obviously across a broad spectrum of music taste. However, I really took to the one girl in the competition 20 year old Madam X, who ended up coming second overall.

Having done a bit of research on the internet I can see she is actually from Manchester and part of the Murkage Cartel, a massive collective in the Manchester music scene. I used to go to a night called Monday Murkage at uni so it all brings back good memories!

Anyway, back to Madam X. She did a great remix of the new Calvin Harris with another contestant (who went on to win). They blew the other team out of the water, who chose to rip of the major lazer Pon De Floor beat (that Beyonce also sampled recently). I've posted Madam X and her team mates mix below, see what you think.

 Feel So Close- Calvin Harris Remix (Madam X, Danny Howard, and Kissy Sell Out) by Madam X

Here is another longer mix for you as well, keeping it in check with her grimy roots but adding literally too many genres for me to try and name.....I mean bird is the word is even in there?! At certain parts there are debatable fades and shifts but that does not take away from the overall vibe.

 A Hell Of A Lot Of Genres...Mashup Madness by Madam X

Go ahead and check out her Sound Cloud and Facebook page and at only 20 years old, she has potential to go far

We LOVE Elle

One last thing...I've just seen a picture of Elle Fanning on the cover for one of the six covers of the autumn LOVE magazine and she looks amazing. Can you believe she is only thirteen years old?! It was shot by the legendary Mert and Marcus who have shot some amazing LOVE covers in the past (think androgynous Kate Moss cover)

Elle Fanning

Image from www.thefashionspot.com

Lights, Camera, Action part 1

I am really looking forward to the new batch of films that are set to come out in the Autumn. Cinemas are always filled with 'blockbusters' such as Harry Potter and Transformers over the summer, and they really aren't my thing. I thought I'd post about a few I'm excited about, many due to enjoying them in book form.

We need to talk about Kevin

Starring Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly and Ezra Miller, the film is an adaptation of Lionel Shriver’s award winning novel. In my opinion Tilda Swinton is perfect to play Eva, Kevin's mother, she comes across as a straight stern woman who is determined to fulfil her own dreams. On the other hand I'm interested to see how John C. Reilly plays the part of Kevin's father, his casting really doesn't fit the character portrayed in the novel. This may however be down to Reilly's previous comic performances so I will have  to see the film before judging anymore.

The main theme of the film is Eva's in ability to bond with Kevin and the depressing effects this has as the years goes by. The grim and murderous subject of the book put some people I've spoken to off the book, they found it too depressing and the character of Kevin sadistic. But all books can't be airy fairy and this looks to be the gritty transition to film it needed. The film premiered at Cannes this year to rave reviews and will also be part of Toronto International Film Festival. 

Have you read the book? Are you interested in seeing the film? Let me know what you think of the clips of the film. Part 2 of this feature to come soon.

Beserk Bertie

This is Bertie, but don't be fooled he is one crazy kitten. He spent most of Sunday sleeping after a few hours of attacking my hand.

Video Nasties

The title may be slightly misleading as I'm actually talking about videos I like...not videos from the 1970s that were banned due to violent content...anyway.

Over the past few months I've come across a fair few look book videos, where the designer has decided to create a video to present their new collection. As we all know fashion is probably one of the quickest industries to pick up technology and social changes, which is due to the fast paced and creative nature of the industry. It's not surprising then that the industry is turning to short feature films to display their new collections.

Now I know this is not necessarily a brand new thing, but what I love about the ones I've seen recently is the added element of humour and quirkiness. It's long been recorded that the fashion industry is quite a stuck up and dry industry (obviously I have no idea if this assumption is true or false) but lately it seems to be a lot lighter. I'm not sure if this is down to bloggers having a bigger say in fashion and it being a lot more accessible to your everyday man and woman. Through this power of blogs and social media, a lot more people are able to have their say on fashion and also share their own opinions and tips.

Anyway, back to the point. The three videos that I want to show you all are....

Mark Lupher Resort 11 Collection

Henry Holland A/W 11

Mulberry Fall 2011 Film

Orla Kiely A/W 11

So the the HH and Markus Lupfer films obviously have a more humorous tone. The stiff image portrayed throughout the films are combined with the tongue and cheek slapstick humour in HH and the oddities in Markus Lupfer. Henry Holland and Pixie Geldof pull some great faces throughout the video and Florence really does look like some kind of mentalist hoarder. 

The second two are slightly different. The 2-D imagery used in Mulberry is beautiful, and accompanies the running animal theme that we have seen at their last catwalk show. The  backgrounds paired with the models adds an element of texture to the film. The visuals were created by set designer Shona Heath and visual effect company Framestore added the high-tech animation.
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At first glance I really didn't like the Orla Kiely video, it felt too disjointed and slow. However, on a second play I realised this was the whole point and that it was reminiscent of an old folk video from the 70s (very connected to the collection) and quirky as hell!

The other Kate

Photo from Daily Mail - Xposurephotos.com

Photo from Grazia

The first few photos of Kate's dress...so what do we think? The rumours were right as it was confirmed the dress was designed by John Galliano and is typical Moss style - slinky, non-structured, vintage inspired and detailed. What I love about it is that it's non-conventional. As Kate lives the 'rock 'n'roll' lifestyle it would be odd to see her in a white strapless, plain structured dress. Don't get me wrong, she would have been able to pull it off...but it's just wouldn't have been right.


Don't the bridesmaids look cute? Sixteen in total, that must have been a long dress fitting session... If you look closely, I'm pretty sure the one holding Kate's hand is Sadie Frost's daughter, she looks the spitting image of her. However I'm probably wrong as I think her daughter is a bit older


So are you impressed? Which Kate had the better dress?




P.S. Come on Murray