MIA

hello my dears.

Well, you guessed it... things have been rather busy over here. Luckily, most scheduled events are over! BUT my computer died a couple days ago, so I ask you for just a wee bit more patience while I get that sorted out.

It never ends, you know? See you soon!

Update

So, a couple weeks ago I told you about Revelations, a series of living fashion scenes and installations in Cape Town. Unfortunately I couldn't get there but Kim Gray did.





I wonder if you spoke to the models, if they spoke back? For more, go to Kim's post, or to their website (where there's a link to their flickr page).

The Boat I (Nearly) Missed

One of my favourite, favourite reads (now I promise not to gush like I did over Lynn and Heather!) is Garance Dore's blog. The major reason, if you've seen her blog, are her photographs, which reveal women in their many shapes and forms, styles and character as beautiful, beautiful. The second reason is her illustrations... such talent! Third reason, her wit. I laugh so much each day when I secretly and quickly check her blog at work (it's an addiction! I'm sorry!!) that sometimes I get stares. But she is so inspiring (which is good for my line of work!) If you haven't been to her blog, get thee to it!





Okay, introductions out of the way, let's get down to business. Garance's beautiful illustrations are being featured by the Gap on some limited edition tshirts (IwantoneIwantoneIwantone) but guess who else's work is being featured? Someone I should have told you about ages ago (my apologies).




The reason I didn't tell you is because his work was sold out... let me explain. Somewhere along the line I read about Albertus Swanepoel. A South African boy who learned the art of millinery (very well too, by the looks of things) and has since blown everyone away by being a runner-up to the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund.



He recently designed a range of hats inspired by the classic Gap khaki for the Gap, and so I got my little self over there chop-chop... only to find they were all sold out! I was so heartbroken I couldn't blog about it.



But now, thanks to Garance, I have hope! Also, I just went over to the accessories page (to double check. I am nothing if not enthusiastic) and some of Albertus' hats are still for sale... and ON sale. So, if you can't get your hands on the limited edition work that will be for sale with Garance's at the Carnaby Street exhibition next week (I think Garance's blog is probably the best place for more info), head over to the Gap accessories page and take out your credit card.

Tshirt photo from Garance's blog, the Gap ad from Albertus's website, and the great photo of Albertus, from the Luxe Chronicles, where you can find an interview with him, too.

A Great Collaboration

I got the best surprise in my inbox today! I got my usual email from Lynn, whose work at Satsuma Press I have loved for a long time. She letterpress prints (and oh, how you know I LURVE letterpress!) the most gorgeous cards, calendars, wedding invitations. Every she does just shows her exquisite taste, great eye for design, and how I wish I had much more money just so that all my stationery came from her workshop. Right now I have some of her work hanging on my wall, to inspire me, and a couple years ago all the mothers and grandmothers in my life got her beautiful cards for mother's day.



But I think I got a bit carried away! The surprise, yes that's what I was talking about, the surprise was that she has collaborated with another favourite artist of mine, Heather Moore (better known on these pages as Skinny Laminx). Heather's work is always graphic, bold, strong and gorgeous. I own her tea towels and have forced her baby tshirts on to unsuspecting new mothers (who seemed quite grateful!).



What a great match! Together they have created 2 cards (hopefully just the beginning!) that are just delightful. I look forward to getting my grubby paws on them in the next few weeks.



The Round Bird will also be in red ochre, and Waiting will be in leafy green and silver sage. Watch Lynn's journal for info as to when they will be ready.

So, if you like what you see, here are some links (you can find links to their shops on their websites):
Satsuma Press
Satsume Press blog
Skinny Laminx
Skinny Laminx blog

And lastly, if you like Lynn's style, you'll love her house, as seen on design*sponge's Sneak Peeks. What a restful, beautiful home. A reflection of the creative soul that lives there, I think.

Revelations

The fabulous CHEW magazine recently emailed me to let me know of a first-of-its-kind event in Cape Town.



Its a major fashion show where living fashion scenes and installations will be situated in different areas of the city. Hmm, sounds interesting! For more info om the event go here and more on CHEW, head here, and sign up for the latest issue.

Disturbed

I'm enjoying the work of Disturbance, a graphic design studio based in Durban (especially their gorgeous logo!)











For the thoughts behind the design go here, or check out ID magazine, where they were recently featured.

And a Star to Guide You

I know I've been living in the States for a long time because I found out today that Google are going to be shooting street view photos for their South African maps, and I am so excited!



The street views are great for getting an idea what things look like on the ground when you are planning trip... or looking for a house... or just being nosy. However, these are being done in preparation for next year's Soccer World Cup.

To get more info (especially about the Prius they will be using) and what has been done with the street view before, head over here. And for a tidbit of what it could look like, here is what it looks like on the street in front of the Empire State building in New York.