Pretty Pics and Knits

Nothing really lasts for ever and I guess what I love about the fleeting nature of exhibitions is the need to see something before it moves on. As much as I wish that certain shows would linger around for a little longer (like the Martin Margiela exhibition I unfortunately missed), something permanent and unchanging doesn't quite give me the urgency to make me see it.  Exhibitions travel the world spreading the same message in different locations and I love the fact that they allow us to see things that were previously hidden from view and form our own opinions.  Romanticising over, I knew that I had to check out the Dior Illustrated exhibition before it disappeared into thin air, never to be seen on this capital's shores again.  I am a massive fan of fashion illustration and was on a roll after seeing Drawing Fashion a few months before and wanted to understand a bit more about how Rene Gruau managed to translate Christian Dior's vision.

It's hard to believe in this fast paced digital world that hand drawn illustrations were often used to sell products, but I loved the unusual composition and strong outlines used in the adverts.  I've picked out a few of my favourites, especially the last image with a cheeky hand holding up the bathtub; the images can really be quite funny when you think about them as they tend to capture a quick moment in time.  There are also a few surprises; I wasn't expecting to see any Dior pieces in the exhbition, so this collection of red dresses was a real treat.  Even though they were all produced in different decades (the 40s, 50s and 00s) and the latter design was by John Galiano, by sharing the same colour and vision they all somehow work together.  It also gives you a chance to attempt some illustrations of your own though mine were more like quick scribbles, rather than the elegant pieces seen around the room!

Have you managed to catch this yet?  It ends this Sunday so you've not got long but it's a great must-see if you're a fan of vintage adverts and illustration.  For more information on Gruau's work, click here.

Bored of the typical high-street shops staying in the same location for too long? I think pop-up shops are the answer.  Similar to the way that an exhibition moves on after a few months, pop-up shops often disappear quicker, creating more of a buzz and are perfect for smaller independent labels.  I haven't managed to make my way to many of such things, mainly due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time and an eternal procrastinator.  Determined to make the most of my Oyster card, after my Somerset House fix  (and a quick Chipotle) I made my way to Elizabeth Lau's Ganton Street pop-up store for a Blogger's Tea Party.  The main reason was to admire the pieces close-up that Susie and Kit have written about previously but also to increase my knowledge of the pop-up.

The store is situated a stone's throw away from Carnaby Street and fits in perfectly with its playful designs that offer a little extra.  Whether it be a heart shaped button or hidden bow, each piece is colourful, special and designed to be loved for many seasons.  I also liked how accessories and jewellery (by Gemma Lister and Jessica de Lotz) were chosen to complement the pieces, with the detachable collars and bike brooches fitting in perfectly as well as interior touches such as the fish-bowls mounted on the wall.  The shop itself is open for a little while longer but I hope it can 'pop-up' in a permanent location very soon; I'm also loving some of the pieces from the new collection.  What do you think about Elizabeth Lau's designs?

These heart-shaped cucumber sandwiches were just too pretty to eat!  I didn't manage to get any pictures of the bloggers who were there (Ashanti, Kit, Jill, Marin, Michelle and Osman) but a lot of the Jasmine tea and cupcakes had disappeared by the end of the evening...

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