I have been living in NZ for a week and one day. In between learning the new house rules such as no eggs shells down the waste disposal, trying to explain wireless internet to my grandad and ‘catching the sun’ like a person lost at sea… I have been painting in my new studio previously known as nana and grandads garage. It’s great. I can make a mess (well, as long as it can be cleaned up by 5), fresh air, flowering hibiscus, sun and all I can hear are seriously rowdy birds- the feathered kind. Despite this inspiring environment it seems that it was my trusty tote and trainers that influenced me the most….huh?

Hmmm, I guess my color combo wasn’t from the depth of my creative mind but more the depths of my wardrobe. Oh, well. If it works it works I guess…

Anyway…. back to this, laters.

Oh I want to be a great big dinosaur,
That is what I really want to be!
For if I were a great big dinosaur,
Everyone would run away from me. . .

I am hoping that the window installation was some kind of nod to the book they were promoting called, ‘Flogging a dead horse’. I know it’s not cool to be negative but I was pretty disappointed. For experimental artists and such a creatively open-minded store I was hoping to see some of the dark magic they cast in their personal projects. It’s definitely not ‘bad’ but I wouldn’t have thought it was designed by the Chapman brothers considering the incredible imaginations they have.

It did reminded me of a few old windows which featured dinosaurs…. Stella McCartney who draws a lots of her inspiration from her children and their toys filled her windows with blow up plastic versions. Squished against the sparkling glass fronted stores the display functioned much like an oversized toy vending machine. Exaggerated eye-popping colours and Stella’s lustful luxury visual language always demonstrates her sense of humor and fun.

Then there was the Harvey Nics window… Jeeze I feel sorry for the poor interns who have to work on their  stuff (probs for no dosh either…). The work that is put into the sculptures they make is massively time-consuming but they are always spectacular. The dinosaur treatment has to be one of my favourites because it was clever- the hangers forming the skeleton of the creatures was very cool. The scale was awesome and sadly meant it was a difficult design to photograph well. I remember the T-Rex spanning 3 windows…

One enormous dinosaur,
Afraid to be a hero,
He went away,
And then there was zero. 

1920, MACY'S CHRISTMAS WINDOW

We have our modern day heros of window display’s such as Tokujin Yoshioka. The famous artist collaboration’s such as Warhol, popstars such as Lady Gaga. The student of the moment set designer’s… um, not for me to say. But before Annette Messager was piling her puppets in the corners of the modern gallery, pioneering department stores of the 20′s and 30′s were already way ahead of her. The early 20th Century saw the first recognition of Christmas as an opportunity to sell. Department store windows full of household goods were soon replaced with similarily stacked toys. A bit freaky? Yes. But, way cooler than any of the Christmas windows I’ve seen this year.

1920'S, NICOLLET DAYTONS, MINNEAPOLIS, WINDOW UNVEILING

1925, CHRISTMAS DOLLS, T.EATON.CO

1930, CHRISTMAS DOLL CIRCUS, T.EATON.CO

1930, DAYTONS CHRISTMAS WINDOW

1940, PROVIDENCE1940, PROVIDENCE

1958, TOY MILITARY ROCKET SHIPS, T.EATON.CO

1924, MACY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS PARADE USING ANIMALS FROM THE ZOO

1925, MACY'S THANKSGIVING/CHRISTMAS PARADE, NEW YORK CITY

1925, MACY'S THANKSGIVING/CHRISTMAS PARADE, NEW YORK CITY

Macy’s famous Thanksgiving Day Parade also functioned as the Christmas Parade too as it was a celebration of the start of the festive season. I am in complete awe of these pictures of the first parades. The elephants were quickly replaced by huge balloons due to many children being frightened of them.

Tong Sarg who designed the Macy’s Christmas windows was employed to work his magic on the balloons. They were actually made by the rubber company GOODYEAR beginning from 1927. They were made without consideration as to how they would be deflated and simply let go, to fly away (and consequently blow up). The following year- safety valves in place, the balloons were labelled with a return address and anyone who sent them back received a gift from Macy’s (love that! but, seriously… Must have cost a small fortune to send an 18ft rubber balloon through the post!). Basically not a well thought out plan, some fought and tore the remains of one balloon in the hope of getting a prize. Another got in to trouble with a plane.

This parade is still so famous, especially after Walt Disney became involved and the first Mikey Mouse balloon debut in 1956. An interesting fact for you: The parade was suspended 1942–1944 during World War II, owing to the need for rubber and helium in the war effort.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the pics as much as me.

If you want the regurgitated retail routine jog on to ‘one of the top 40 fashion blogs’, called ‘I follow fashion from my 40inch screen’ or something. Nah, seriously… I’ll pass on the PR. Ta(r). If you’re in to something you’ll probs already know. But, most of the time the good stuff that is happening doesn’t get to the ‘good’ people. In this case Hermes were giving you 2 stylists, 2 photographers and around 60k’s worth of goodies to get silly with. Despite this campaign being my up-teenth as their stylist the team still compete with one another to come up with something new. I’ve always wondered what a Hermes collab with Air Max would look like?

I have to admit that the twillys as laces on my Nike were a desperate attempt to avoid being sent home from Harrods. It was my own fault, I left home in a rush and forgot my usual stacked stiletto. Anyway, I managed to get through the day with minimal side way glances and I was waving the silk 90 by 90 flag for ‘fashion should be fun’.

Thank god that Hermes have a sense of humour otherwise turning one of their much-loved creations into ears could have seen me make a sharp scurry through the cat-flap. I reckon the picture below could well be a campaign shot and the Pinar Yolcan inspired Hermes mummy has real potential to get a bit weird. I came across a little girl aka my long lost child/sibling and couldn’t help scooping and scarfing her up for a family portrait. If you have a spare 13 scarves and one bangle I can make you a dress? From bow-ties to a pirate disguise Stuart and myself earned our crust this crissy. Huge thanks to Ben Dunbar and his new assistant Matt Joy for capturing the chaos and letting me show you guys. Thank you Hermes for letting people experience the brand without having to shell out. Oh, and thanks to Harrods for not sending me and my sneakers packing.

I know people say that anything that is worth doing isn’t supposed to be easy but… A dodgy delivery dude, tropical down pours, applying vinyl in gale force winds amongst the usual challenges felt a tad unfair (sob) . Que wine, friends, a few  boozy bargains and universal balance was restored. If you were one of the lazy, ‘double booked’ or basically uninvited few here are some pics from the day/night.

First highlight of the day was receiving my screen prints from Ben (co- owner of THE SHOP) which are for sale at £125 in an edition of 25. See below. They are A2. I am so happy with them, thanks Ben! Contact me or THE SHOP if your interested but be sharphish because they aren’t the usual designer wallpaper drivel.

Read about The stories we tell ourselves

After some framing, fixing, drilling, stacking and a little bit of accidental smashing for good measure, we meet the 7pm deadline on the nose. With the help of the burly boys and lovely ladies together we managed to switch THE SHOP sign to ‘open’. I stuck to just one jar up until 10, ever the professional (that’s if Patrick wasn’t secretly filling me up) but after that I make no apologies. See for yourself…

But seriously, thanks to those that came truly appreciated and for those who didn’t/haven’t you have until the December 22nd. GO. LOOK. SUPPORT ME. These events take a lot of love and passion to put together. Like minded people to ‘get it’ and enjoy it. And spaces/places like THE SHOP to offer a wall outside of your studio- so people get to see it. I don’t just paint to make my place pretty (although they do brighten up the place). Platforms to showcase for artists are hard to come by, especially nice ones so massive props to THE SHOP posse. Big love to Luke Allen and Ben Magid.

Just because you’ll be drinking from jams jars don’t be fooled into thinking you’re getting pissed in the pantry. West London’s new stylish (sozzle) suite, THE SHOP, is like going round to your ‘cool’ mates house. A fantail following spreading from the ‘fancy-free’ to the ‘look-at-me’, (actually… they’re usually the same people aren’t they?). Any who, you get the idea. Good drinks, good peeps and furniture that can be yours for keeps… 

Next week THE SHOP is going to take off it’s Autumn coat and replace it with a much more feathered version… ‘The stories we tell ourselves’ my new exhibition, will be warming the walls for the best part of December. The show is heavily influenced by my Maori heritage and it’s mythology. The Maori beliefs I grew up with have their version of how the world was formed and lessons in good and evil. The paintings are an attempt to keep create a new validity and allow the culture of which I no longer live in, relevance in my modern contemporary life.

You know the gist, r.s.v.p and come and have a look. For the first time I’ll have some prints for sale too.

It is quite strange when you travel to places such as India and Africa and peer in to the ram shackle homes of the poor to see the inside walls filled with a repeated imaged of a famous person. Angelina Jolie, Amy Winehouse or Brittany Spears duplicated until the interior walls can’t hold anymore. The out of date magazine covers simply function as decorative wallpaper, not as shrines as one might first think. Once you’ve gotten over the initial oddness of the decor you quickly realise that the people who live in these homes have never seen the films Jolie is in or listened to music by Winehouse. Who do they think these faces are?

This was exactly the experience artist Pakpoom Silaphan had growing up in Thailand. He had a little bit of knowledge about these famous figures but very limited understanding of western culture at the time. In fact, he once said that he would try to guess what the profession and careers of these people would be. Silaphan had once imagine Warhol as a scientist because of his frizzy dry white hair. All that changed when he moved to London to study art and changed again when he return to Thailand hence the title ‘From East to West and back again’.

We all have unwanted trips in to central London this coming month for presents and what not…And, then more to return all the presents we didn’t like so there is plently of opportunity to catch the show. Scream, 34 Bruton Street, London until January 22nd.

D

All images courtesy of Scream. Copyright Pakpoom Silphan.

With kind thanks to Lee Sharrock

The best thing about travelling for me is the feeling of discovering something quite special, whether that be a hidden restaurant, an unexpected view as you turn the corner or trying a local deleciousy (which, I wouldn’t suggest when in China). I often head straight for the galleries and open studios when in a new place but with such a business/corporate minded Shanghai they were few and far between.

I had been hearing a lot about the popularity of lane houses, the rows of houses built in the 1920′s and 30′s that provided the solution for the influx of people moving to Shanghai at that time. The Westerners now settling in Shanghai have realised the potential of these stunning homes that provide far more character than new build apartments. Originally split into 4 or so apartments the lane houses are now being bought as one whole home and those buying them are attempting to fill them with furniture from that period.

And so welcome the modern designer furniture shops to help laden your lane house with luxury lights, opulent ornaments and lived-in leather.

Unfortunately not everything is for sale. I chat to the lady showing me around she explains that many pieces such the original tiles are to provide a source of inspiration. Many customers may request for them to be copied and reproduced (…in true Chinese style).

It became apparent that although it is well-known that China is notorious for its fakes and never-ending crude copies there is a quiet resurgence for quality too. Gerlin is the perfect example of such a shift. They will re-make and re-build but with same focus and craftsmanship as bestowed on the originals. They use reclaimed wood for custom-made furniture and source the best quality materials for all their own designs.

I wish I had listened more to my mothers usual advice, ‘Jade, you must just buy it when you see it because you know you’ll never get around to going back’. Yep, missed consumer opportunity number 101- the lamp on the left hand side of the image above. It was around £70 and would have been vastly better keep sake than the plethora of stationary I came home with… oh, well.

The best thing about Christmas for me has begun already! The start of the Christmas window season. I first spotted this one in Shanghai last week and it looked amazing and I have come back to London to see the new story has begun to be implemented in the UK.

All images above used with kind permission of Louis Vuitton and with special thanks to Emma Davidge at CHAMELEON.

The backdrop is a hand painted canvas with some sets featuring a balancing (fibre glass??) painted elephant. When I saw the new concept in a super brand mall in Shanghai, it was such a relief from the over-saturated lighting of the stores neighbours. The window wasn’t relying on massive glossy screens (Miu Miu) and neon signage lights (Galliano) but played a far more subtle role with minimal produce placement.

Alongside this campaign Shanghai’s sister super mall had a previous window scheme. I love the feet hanging from the ceiling.