This is not just any Autumn/Winter’13 campaign... This is an M&S Autumn/Winter’13 campaign. Goodbye lovely Twiggy and sweet Myleene, step forward Marks and Sparks’s latest line up of successful, creative and independent ladies (*insert preferred Beyonce song whilst reading); Helen Mirren, Grace Coddington, Ellie Goulding, Karen Elson, Darcey Bussell, Katie Piper, Helen Allen, Nicola Adams, Laura Myula, Monica Ali and a very miserable, almost pained, looking Tracey Emin (well, she is more used to mostly wearing Vivienne Westwood after all!) Shot by photographer Annie Leibovitz in various dramatic locations, including on a boat at Tower Bridge (above), this ‘womanist’ (ew!) campaign must have cost a fortune to put together. I can’t help but wonder if something a bit simpler (and maybe a bit smilier?!) may have been more cost effective.
Best Of London - Amelia Warner (Slow Moving Millie)
This year’s Christmas John Lewis advert (below) is a real tear-jerker - guaranteed to tug at even the toughest of heartstrings. The commercial shows an impatient little boy anxiously waiting for Christmas Day to arrive - but not, as you first assume, in eager anticipation to open his own presents, but because he is desperate to give his parents a gift.
The track which accompanies this advert is a cover of The Smith’s ‘Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want,’ sung by emerging artist Slow Moving Millie (left) who I previously wrote about here.
Slow Moving Millie, the beeeeautiful actress and songstress Amelia Warner, has recently finished recording ‘Renditions,’ an album of songs from the 1980’s, including covers of hits by Tears for Fears, Thompson Twins, Bananarama, Yazoo and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. By stripping these songs from their manic 1980's rifts and crazy hair, what remains are "really poignant songs, and they're all about having your heart broken."
Amelia, currently living in West London with her boyfriend, took some time to share with us her London favourites;
Cocktail – I’m not a huge fan of the cocktail, so it would have to be a pint of Guinness at The Coach And Horses in Soho with some lovely friends.
Date night - Spaghetti pomodoro, red wine and candlelight at The Ripe Tomato on All Saints Road with my love.
Brunch - At home with the papers, Bloody Mary's and my friend Markus' home fries!
Boutique - Labour Of Love on Upper Street – I always find something one off and odd.
High St – It would have to be Topshop, although I am also loving COS.
Secret Place - Cork and Bottle, a very old fashioned wine bar hidden and tucked away under the craziness of Leicester Sq - Perfect for a late dinner.
London Icon - Tracey Emin for her humour, honesty, style and complete Britishness!
Frieze Art Fair 2011
Regents Park saw the annual return of the Frieze Art Fair last week and when my friend asked me to go with her I leapt at the chance. I have always, for one reason of another, missed out on going so I had no idea what to expect…
When I arrived I found a huge showcase of commissioned art and design to explore from over 170 different contemporary galleries… Curated by Sarah McCrory, a massive, eclectic collection of eye-catching paintings, sketches, prints, sculpture and photography are displayed along several very long aisles (I wiiiish I’d worn trainers!!)
Right: Tracey Emin's 'And I Said I Love You!'
Here are some of the pieces which caught my eye:
Above: This amazingly dressed lady was unsurprisingly drawn to the chandelier of neon, multi-coloured bodies... How brilliant?!
Above: Jung Lee’s sculpture ‘Aporia’
Above L-R: Jim Lambe, Untitled and Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster's 'After'
Above L-R: Barnaby Hosking's 'Thoughts' and David Shrigley's 'Untitled (This is Nothing)'
Above L-R: Dawn Mellor's 'Kristen Scott Thomas' and Cornelia Parker's '30 Pieces of Silver'
Above: Sculpture by Tara Donovan
Above: Tracey Emin's 'You Made ME LOVE You'