Dreaming of Miu Miu

Miu Miu S/S '10

I'd been meaning to write about this collection for a good few weeks but didn't get round to doing it until now! Miu Miu's spring/summer collection is printabulous! The conversational prints are adorable, slightly kitsch yet oh so chic. I love the combination of cutesy illustration with some serious embellishment. Daises, soaring sparrows, puppies, kittens and a print illustrating a reclining woman, reminiscent of the outlined figures of Matisse, adorn the silk garments. I think the last time we saw something so tooth-achingly sweet walk down the runway was in Giles Deacon's 2008 S/S collection which boasted an array of sugary pinks and Bambi prints!

Giles S/S '08

Giles S/S '08

Miu Miu S/S '10

Matisse

This collection is both youthful and playful, yet maintains a sophistication that can make any fashionista swoon. If I could own any piece from the collection it would have to be a pair of the silk printed platforms! Swoooooooooon!

Miu Miu S/S '10

Chris Ofili at Tate Britain

A Mancunian after my own heart, Chris Ofili has become one of the most iconic artists of his generation. After seeing his new exhibition at the Tate Britain this afternoon, I left feeling excited, inspired and ready to work! Ofili's work aims to change stereotypical representations of Black culture. He uses his own idea of contemporary iconography combining traditional African aesthetics, hip-hop, gangster rap and comic characters with biblical imagery.

'Afrodizzia (second version)' 1996

I loved this exhibition for so many different reasons. Firstly because of Ofili's creative techniques; his paintings are vibrant, energetic and unbelievably decorative. He uses a wide range of mixed media consisting of oils, acrylics, glitter, map pins, collaged magazine cutouts and elephant dung balls- yes you did read that correctly. However, once you get past the colours and the textures and patterns, you see just how evident Ofili's sense of humor is in his work.

'Pimpin' Aint Easy' 1997

This painting, entitled, 'Pimpin' Aint Easy', quite clearly depicts a big black penis- a humorous and well known stereotype. However, notice the faces of famous black men, each collaged on top of a pair of wide open female legs! Names such as Nelson Mandela, Snoop Dogg, Mike Tyson, James Brown, DMX, 2 Pac, Timbaland, P Diddy all make an appearance, and be sure to notice Tiger Woods' head sitting comfortably on a pair of open legs toward the bottom right hand corner- how appropriate! I walked around this exhibition both admiring and having a good laugh.

Controversial I hear? To give you a taster of what to expect, here are a few of his piece titles; 'Painting With Shit On It', 'Space Shit', 'Seven Bitches tossing their Pussies before the Divine Dung'- (Mum if you're reading this I'm sorry!) One thing I will say is that if you are easily offended don't go to this exhibition! As I was walking around the gallery space I overheard two orthodox men discussing the exhibition. I overheard one of them utter, "I'd never have one of those in my house! Just vulgar!" Well Mr Orthodox, luckily for you no one is asking you to hang one on the landing.

'Blossom' 1997

It has to be noted, Ofili's work should be taken with a pinch of salt. However his work isn't all about pointing out well known stereotypes within black culture. He also makes a lot of biblical references in his most recent work. Ofili's paintings are so beautiful, so humorous and accessible on so many different levels.

The Chris Ofili exhibition is on at the Tate Britain until May 16 2010, if you're in London with an afternoon to spare, GO GO GO!

RIP Alexander McQueen

It has been confirmed that fashion genius Alexander McQueen has died. The young and unbelieveably talented designer was found this morning at his Mayfair home. Police reports have spoken of his death as unsuspicious with unconfirmed reports suggesting that he took his own life, just a week after the passing of his mother Joyce McQueen. The news has come as a horrendous shock to all. Only days before London Fashion Week, I'm sure the show for his spring collection will be an unmissable event. Rest in peace McQueen. 

I need your help!!

I've put forward one of my designs that I've previously blogged about (see 3 days with a biro) to SwishSwosh, a T-shirt competition site and I need all of your votes please! It's very simple all you have to do is follow the link and then just vote for my design. You'll need to sign up but honestly it takes no longer than 5 minutes i promise! In order for me to win I need to sell lots of them, so if you actually like the design and want to be the first owners of a 'Danielle Kaye original' then please buy! They're only £12 but in order for them to be printed I need your votes! ..VOTE!! (and then go back and buy!) =] 

follow this link to vote>>>> 

http://www.swishswosh.com/design-vote/fantasy-forest

My little guilty pleasure

For a very long time I have thought about the kind of place I'd like to end up living once I can afford to get my own place and do it up the way I want to. Premature? Maybe, but this is a girl who enjoys flicking through the interior design magazine's at the hairdressers and doctors surgery! I bought this book 'New London Style' by Chloe Grimshaw way back in September and realised I needed to tell you how much I adore it. 'New London Style' is an inside peek into the exclusive private homes of London's most creative individuals including talented musicians, designers and artists. The 28 homes in the book completely range in style but one thing that connects them all is an edgy, artistic, modern and funky-fresh flair of creativity and passion for design. My personal favorite home in 'New London Style' has to be that of Mancunian born fashion designer Matthew Williamson who's extraordinary use of colour, pattern and knack for detail is something I will be trying to emulate- just give me a couple years!

3 days with a biro

Final piece with research

Crazy for Chihuly !

People refer to him as the founder of the studio glass movement. I'm talking about glass blowing genius Dale Chihuly. Chihuly became fascinated by glass blowing in the 60's and since then has gone on to produce stunningly beautiful and unbelievably comlex multipart sculptures. Chihuly brings together teams of the world's most talented glass blowers to create his large scale sculptures and environmental art. He takes inspiration from nature and the environment to create his room-sized installations of plant-like, organic imagery. Chihuly has paved the way for glass blowing sculpture and installation, that is now established as an acceptable medium in contemporary art of the 20th century. 

Chihuly exhibited his work at Kew Gardens back in 2005,if only it were still there now!