Celestine Cooney – Fashion Director

My favourite show of 2011 was Simone Rocha Spring/Summer 12. I fell in love with the whole collection, it felt so modern and was executed so perfectly with the combination of traditional lace with sheer tulle and rubber. The use of colour in Spring/Summer 12 was also really inspiring with bright pink and a lucid green popping in a collection of black and white.

I think Simone Rocha is a star in the making. I find what she is doing and the collections she is producing, incredibly exciting.

Naomi Miller – Fashion Editor

I loved the Celine collection for Spring/Summer 2012. It was very chic, the couple of knitwear pieces they did were beautiful and so innovative.

Obviously it’s been an incredible 2011 for Sarah Burton, but I’m also stoked for Olivier Theyskens for putting Theyskens’ Theory on the map this year. I also loved the Thomas Tait show – and loved the styling with the sneakers!

So, 2011 was a mad mix. From the Kardashian’s, who spread throughout the globe like a new herpes type of disease, becoming the most googled thing in the UK, to the riots, which were basically extreme shopping.

There was structured reality courtesy of TOWIE,  Made in Chelsea and Desperate Scousewives. WARNING – this can bring on early dementia and is to be avoided unless hungover.

There was also 4D TV – total bollocks – and the Beckhams posing the big question, has Victoria finally worn us down into believing she is credible? Not to forget the Higgs Boson. Does anyone actually know what this is?

To sum up the best and worst of 2011, here are a few of my favorite Portmanteaus:

Après-olution: relaxation that follows the ritualistic but often quixotic making of New Years’ resolutions.

Occupy-movement: New mode of urban habitation which has replaced loft living. All the best people are now doing it, though most only stay a night or two.

Bunga bunga: Phrase associated, for largely unknown reasons, with Silvio Berlusconi’s sex parties. I think I get it though.

Lottoroticism: The arousal and satisfaction of excitement within or by oneself as one imagines what they would do if they hit the lottery. I think I feel this every year.

Planking: See here. The act of balancing yourself in a horizontal position on top of unlikely objects. There are strict rules for proper planking: the planker must be lying face down, completely still, with his or her hands by her sides – I can’t help but think of the economy right now.

And so, to 2012. The events I’m looking forward to are:

Becoming a Mumpreneur: A woman who combines running a business with looking after her children. Actually, this is a lie. I don’t have children or plan to.

Flying Cuddle Class: When two airline passengers buy an additional seat so that they can recline together.

And above all…

Mamil(s): A middle-aged man in Lycra

AND

Mullet dress(es): A woman’s skirt cut short at the front but long at the back.

Here’s to the the New Year!

Becky Smith

Twin’s art editor Francesca Gavin held a bar-side conversation with artist Leslie Kulesh, who delivered a quirky show ‘n tell of objects that inspire her work, despite having only arrived in London from San Franciso that morning.

Meanwhile magnetic singer Ruby Goe gave a bar-stomping acoustic performance of two tracks from her forth coming EP, including her single Get On It.

Twin caught up with the 26-year-old Homerton resident afterwards to talk influences, girls and the power of a  break-up…

So, to start off, what’s your musical background?

I started off singing backing vocals and went from there. I was doing lots of different sessions when I was spotted by a producer and started working with him, that’s how Get On It happened.

You aren’t usually an acoustic performer. If you had to, how would you describe your music?

Alternative electro pop. I’m into Phoenix, MGMT, Ann Brun and Agnes Obel. At the same time, my music is quite a cross over. I’m influenced by dance hall and I love Eighties divas like Cheryl Lynn and I’ll always love Whitney. Afrika Bombaataa and minimal house are also influences.

I also respect Kanye West, he has something to say. Every album is a piece of work. Growing up I’d listen to a whole album. But the music industry can be very single driven. Music nowadays suffers from ADHD.

How important is it to you to be independent?

Big record labels can try to mould you. If you’ve got a strong personality then it can be difficult to fit into a record label.

Your music draws on your own life and your song Bitch is about a break-up. How important are relationships to your music?

You have to draw from whatever you can. Relationships are good for inspiration, although a break-up is even better!

Living is part of song writing. You’ve got to throw yourself into things and take a look around. The same goes for different books and films. For me, it could be We Need to Talk About Kevin, to The Beat That My Heart Skipped.

You’ve got amazing energy as a performer, even sat on a bar. Is performing a big part of your music?

It’s really important to me. I’ve got some big ideas that I want to develop. But I’m not ready to share them just yet. They’re secret!

There are so many strong female artists out there – how do you feel to be making music right now?

It’s very competitive. There are some amazing girls out there who can sing. Right now everyone is in love with female vocal, but more importantly there’s some strong song writing too. I think girls are just often very good at expressing themselves.

What’s the dream?

I want to travel the world, write music and party.

Ruby Goe is performing at the Puma store on Carnaby street this Thursday and Get On It is out now.

rubygoe.com

Photography by Mana Mohebbi and Lauren Michelle Pires

Words by Boudicca Fox-Leonard

It’s an intimate and lasting insight into his much-adored and critically-acclaimed work for the New York brand. With conversation ranging from his interpretation of style to the influence of art on his designs, Olivier also touched on his long-standing love of New York- as youthful aspiration, creative melting pot and, most recently, home. Having lived there for the past year, his S/S ‘12 collection with Theyskens’ Theory was a love letter to the essence of effortless downtown style.

Rendered in a romantic, urban palette that could have been lifted from the photos which adorned his childhood bedroom, and embodied by a succession of utterly wearable, highly desirable pieces, there is no doubt that Olivier’s vision of contemporary femininity will continue to capture hearts and minds everywhere.

Watch the film here and read his story in his own words as part of Twin Issue V.

Words by Rosie Gist

Theyskens  fell in love with the new issue of Twin, which features a story by the designer himself revealing his life, loves and inspirations, cover star Agyness Deyn on her new Californian life, some enchanting off-roading from Pixie Geldoff and Kathleen Hanna reflecting on Riot Grrl.

Buy the issue here

Images courtesy of Lauren Michelle Pires, Twin cover story by Ben Weller.

“Growing up in a three bedroom house with eight other kids around me I learnt if you don’t get up and do something you’ll be unnoticed,” says Grace. “In London you are surrounded by everything culturally relevant. I sucked it all up. I wasn’t the stereotypical black girl living in north London. I was into different music, different scenes on every level. I started running with the things surrounding me. I didn’t even skate but I was fascinated by the scene.”

As part of her first job at sneaker community Crooked Tongues, Grace flew around the world shooting films for brands like Adidas, Stussy and Etnies. Finally a year ago she set up her own production company LaDoja and Sons and has since worked with brands like Nike and Swatch as well as making documentaries such as London to Paris – a film about the cycling scene.

“I love youth culture and I want to document what’s happening now. In the same way as people look to the Eighties and Nineties I want to give kids in the future something to reference from this era. Eventually I’d love to make films like Spike Lee and Martin Scorcese, telling the story of what’s happening.

“We live in a generation where everyone’s someone and wants to be their own boss. I feel proud to be where I am. I’ve got a space with 15 people working in there and we’re working with big brands. I’m doing something I love and I’m making money. I’m not faking it.”

Twin V is out 20 September 2011.

ladojaandsons.com

Words by Boudicca Fox-Leonard.

Twin spoke to Carlotta about her work…

Where are you from originally?

I was born in the countryside near Venice.

Where do you live now?

Between Paris and NYC.

When did you start taking photographs?

It was after my father took me to see an exhibition on Tina Modotti. She was born in the same town as me.

Soon afterwards I started playing around with an old Pentax k1000, my brother happened to become my muse.

Do you remember what was the first photograph you took that you felt really happy about?

It is the picture I love the most to this day, my brother on my flowery bedspread, talking on the phone.

What or who are you drawn to photograph?

Sensitive people, light, shadows, horses, birds, landscapes, nature.

Your portraits have a dreamy, yet dark quality – how did your aesthetic emerge?

I have always been fascinated by the contrast of light and darkness, it probably comes from my Greek studies…Eros and Zanatos.

What setting and atmosphere do you look for when you are shooting a fashion story?

Light is always the most important element. I also look for places that have a particular history or a certain aura to them.

Do you have any particular photographic heroines and heroes?

Andrei Tarkovsky, Francesca Woodman, Anton Corbjin, Antonioni, Visconti, Wong Kar Wai.

What drives your creativity?

Everything I see inspires me, from films to art to the old man who sits and looks at the sea in the small village in the South of Italy.

I think it’s really important to be open to everything we encounter in life and have the time to realize the world is so beautiful.

Do you have a particular camera that you use for your fashion photography?

For my personal work I still hold onto my Pentax K1000, my Leica, my Holga. On commercial shoots I use a 5DMarkII, which also does videos.

If you could photograph anyone for a day, who would you choose?

Myself. I don’t seem to be able to.

What’s the best thing about shooting for Twin?

Twin is made with a good balance of beauty and substance. And everyone is really lovely to work with.

What are you excited about for the rest of the year?

I am curious to see what the new decade will bring.

carlottamanaigo.com

Words by Boudicca Fox-Leonard.

The space is replete with House of Hackney’s signature maximalist prints inspired by their Hackney Empire collection. Meanwhile Waddington has created the Bombay Sapphire Hackney Empire cocktail especially for the bar; a simple fruity concoction with herbaceous notes. It went down a treat at the launch party, where hosts Frieda Gormley and Javvy M. Royale, the creative duo behind the cult interiors brand, and Bistrotheque team Flack and Waddington entertained such members of the creative scene as Dominic Jones, Jonathan Saunders and Trino Verkade from Alexander McQueen. It’s only a matter of time before the rest of London pops by to see what’s up.

Open until 31st December at Bistrotheque, 23 Wadeson Street, London E2 9DR

Words by Katie Rose

Special thanks to Kate Tempest, Marie-Anne and Patsy of the Bruccheri Strings, Lily Vanilli, Kate Merry, Letty Schmiterlow, Alice Goddard, Lami Okrekson, Rachel Ciandella and Billie Porter.

Photos Mana Mohebbi.