Photgrapher Coco Young’s first solo exhibition explores the interactions between memory and photographic images. The title itself, After Midnight refers to those early hours of the night, when we either happen to be a sleep or perhaps a little intoxicated and so the show looks to see whether reality can be affected by the last images we saw or those visuals stored in our minds during these liminal states. To find out more about Coco Young look out for the upcoming issue, Twin X, where we speak with the photographer in her creative base in New York’s East Village. 

Elizabeth Gilpin, Tatiana de Pahlen & Carolina Cavalli will be launching their book YOUth, at the exhibition at the Half Gallery in New York. Bringing together images derived from the blogosphere, the publication creates a dialogue between photographers, visual artists, creative writers and authors (such as Coco Young, Coni Dietrich, Tatjana Radicevic, Colin Michael Simmons, Sophie Van Der Perre, Logan White, Ryan Young) who share their youth in the present-age.

After Midnight opens at the Half Gallery, New York on May 2nd. The YOUth book launch will be at the gallery from 6-9pm the same day. 

halfgallery.com

Tags: Carolina Cavalli, Coco Young, Elizabeth Gilpin, Half Gallery, Tatiana de Pahlen, YOUth

Tags: Léa Seydoux, prada, Steven Meisel

This April sees the release of Converse’s Chuck Taylor All Star Tie Dye collection. Celebrating colour, the range showcases a vibrant explosion of marbleized “inks” in high top and ox silhouettes. Dark base colours are infused with bright hues for even more visual impact. Available in an array of colourways from nightshade, monochrome, white and peppermint, white and mesange, white and eglantine and one that is sure to stand out, multi-colour.

We predict you’ll see these at every music festival near you come summer. Available from schuh.co.uk.

converse.co.uk

The ICA’s exhibition featuring London-based poet and artist David Robilliard’s paintings is now open. The selection of paintings being shown combine figurative elements with text taken directly from Robilliard’s own poems. The evocative prose alludes to intimate sexual encounters and passing infatuations that ultimately conjure an image of 1980s queer London.

The ICA plans to release a new 80 page book to coincide with the exhibition which will include an introduction by Gregor Muir (ICA Executive Director) and main text by Andrew Wilson (Curator of Modern & Contemporary British Art at Tate Britain), as well as host an event on May 2nd where Gregor Muir is joined by Louisa Buck (critic and contemporary art correspondent for The Art Newspaper), Toby Mott (The Mott Collection) and Charlie Porter (Men’s Fashion Critic for the Financial Times) to consider the paintings, drawings and poetry of London artist David Robilliard.

David Robilliard: The Yes No Quality of Dreams, exhibition, Upper Gallery: open until 15 June 2014

ica.org.uk

Image: David Robilliard, Life Isn’t Good It’s Excellent, 1987, acrylic on canvas. Courtesy private collection, Frankfurt

Tags: David Robilliard, ICA

Over the last few weeks images of Karl Lagerfeld have been surfacing where we find the designer sporting some very cool headgear. It has now been confirmed that the collaboration between Chanel and Monster is going ahead and the first images have been released. The headphones are in keeping with the iconic Chanel aesthetic – quilted leather, double ‘C’ monogram and matching case. We are yet to know a release date, stockists or price, but hopefully we won’t be kept waiting too long.

chanel.com

Tags: Chanel, Headphones

Lykke Li is set to release her third studio album, I Never Learn, on May 5th. The latest single from the record, No Rest For The Wicked is a sorrowful tune, with an emotional video to boot. The album itself was written just after the Swedish singer/songwriter ended a relationship and this track was written as she was “packing up her shit,” and moving out.

If this song is anything to go by, we can expect the new album to be a darker shade of Swedish pop than it’s predecessors. No Rest For The Wicked is the second track to be released from I Never Learn and was directed by Tarik Saleh, who was also responsible for the intimate video Love Me Like I’m Not Made Of Stone released last month.

Pre-order the album on iTunes.

lykkeli.com

Tags: Lykke Li, Tarik Saleh

Tags: Mike Kelley, MOCA, opening ceremony

Mount Street is quickly becoming one of the top shopping destinations in London with Celine opening it’s first UK flagship last month. Linda Farrow, the luxury British eyewear specialist has also opened shop on same road. The residence is the first first flagship boutique for the brand and acts as a gallery where you can find a selection of unisex eyewear from Linda Farrow and its celebrated international designer collaborations. Those of which include Dries Van Noten, The Row, Alexander Wang, KRISVANASSCHE, Oscar de la Renta, Erdem, Matthew Williamson, Prabal Gurung, Agent Provocateur, Jeremy Scott and Walter Van Beirendonck.

The interior was created by the Elemental Design Practice, the team who were behind Linda Farrow’s first stand-alone store concept in Hong Kong. The decor perfectly reflects the label’s aesthetics, fusing minimal with the baroque. The opening couldn’t have come at a better time. With spring in full swing, luxury eyewear is on top of everyone’s shopping lists.

To celebrate the launch of the flagship Linda Farrow’s creative directors Tracy Sedino and Simon Jablon hosted an intimate dinner at Scott’s Private Room in Mayfair last week. Marcus Piggott, Tati Cotliar, Peter Pilotto, Christopher De Vos, Nicholas Kirkwood, Matthew Williamson, Eva Cavalli,  Markus Lupfer, Adwoa Aboah and Dominic Jones, to name but a few, all came out to play.

lindafarrow.com

Tags: Linda Farrow, Mount Street

Recently, Twin crossed the channel and headed to the French capital to find out what’s hot in Paris right now. Between walking along Avenue Montaigne, shopping at Colette and eating macaroons at Angelina, we met with some emerging designers at their showrooms to find out about the AW14 collections. Now if you’ve not heard of these three brands before, take note.

Etienne Dereoux

Etienne Dereoux states that he doesn’t necessarily create with seasons in mind. Everything is more resortwear; “winter under the sun” if you will, and with the bright pink and blue hues his latest collection boasts, spending your time by the fire would be a complete waste of his garments. Dereoux studied fashion at the Antwerp Academy of Fine Arts and La Cambre School of Visual Arts before starting his eponymous label in Paris. There is a certain serenity to his pieces, fusing comfort and elegance in a contemporary sportswear fashion.

For AW14 a mix of vivid colours like bright fuchsia and royal blue are complemented by black and white and find themselves decorating clean-cut bomber jackets, wool cashmere coats, soft honeycomb knits or crocodile leather pieces. We were specifically drawn to his knitwear capsule collection, a collaboration with the heritage brand Le Mont Saint-Michel. Inspired by dance attire, the range includes mesh-like jumpers and fully- fashioned merino dresses that perfectly combine French savoir-faire and American-inspired sportswear. It’s a match made in fashion heaven.

etiennederoeux.com

Risto

Now you might not know the name, but you’ve certainly seen his designs before. As Head Knitwear Designer for Kenzo, Risto Bimbiloski is no newcomer to the fashion scene having previously worked at Jean Colonna, Thierry Mugler and Louis Vuitton. His personal label is inspired by science and technology giving us quirky motifs and intricate pieces that push the boundaries of knitwear entirely. A family affair, the brand’s collections are entirely produced by Risto’s own atelier, run by his mother in Macedonia and at his showroom we met his brother too. The Macedonian designer is also influenced by the traditional artisan techniques of the women in Ohrid, his hometown, so it’s safe to say this creative hasn’t forgotten his roots.

Come winter, the Risto girl will be seen in light green metallic dresses, high-waisted loose-fitting tailored pants in varied shades, and of course an array of knitted pieces from polo necks, cropped woven jumpers and cardigans covered in wool fringing.

risto.com

Calla

The Calla brand is international to say the least. Based in Paris, showing as part of Made in New York and Calla Haynes, the designer herself is Canadian, which gives the collections this nomadic essence; they won’t feel out of place anywhere. Even the materials are international, boasting silky lightweight fabrics from Japan and mohair from Italy.

Calla likes to create a story for her collections, delving deep into a narrative that expresses each season. For AW14 the Calla girl is a broken-hearted Parisian who ups and leaves for Memphis to become a country singer. This elaborate tale helped create the varsity jackets, oversized blazers, dresses and skirts the collection is full of. The chunky alpaca knits and mohair plaid are a nod to traditional Americana and provide the perfect juxtaposition of tomboy and feminine that the brand is known for. There was also many more graphic prints than previous seasons. One, is based on Lillybear, Calla’s fluffy companion, a Chow Chow who we met while she guarded the showroom. The Lilly motif finds itself emblazed on sweaters, cardigans, dresses, trousers and coats, in an array of colourways. It’s this fun and light-hearted take on fashion that leaves a smile on your face when wearing Calla.

calla.fr

Tags: Calla, Etienne Dereoux, Paris, Risto

Marni Lab has created a short film to celebrate the iconic Marni Trunk bag for SS14. Styled like an old fashioned movie trailer and set to the gramophone sounds of Emanuele Scataglini, the black and white short film sees the geometric shapes of the handbag paralleled through the architecture of Aldo Rossi and Carlo Aymonino, as it was shot at Monte Amiata Housing in Milan. Playful in its execution, the doubled screens further emphasize the power of perspective. Watch the film below…

marni.com

Tags: Marni, SS14, Trunk

Francis Leon is a high-end contemporary streetwear brand inspired by sportswear, that combines sharp construction, luxury quality and effortless styling. With a nonchalant, cool and casual asethetic, they are one to keep on your radar, especially when they cite Rooney Mara, Freja Beha Erichsen, Mick Jagger and Charlotte Gainsbourg as their muses. This season is all about the misfit in the middle, so Twin spoke to designer Jo Turner to find out more.

Tell us about the Republic of Francis Leon…
The republic is how we refer to everyone related to the brand in some way… our community; from our customers, to our retailers, our photographer, agents and all the people behind the scenes. It’s about building relationships and creating something bigger than just the clothes or the brand.

What signature style/pieces can we expect from the brand?
Our signature pieces are the jackets. We mix high-quality Italian leathers with different fabrications to enhance fit and comfort. They are designed to be lo-fi luxury; casually effortless… a jacket you can throw on over anything.

What is the Francis Leon girl doing this spring? Where does she hang out?
She’s working, socialising, going to events or just hanging out in the park reading a book.

Launched in Australia, now based in London, how does this affect the collections? Does it?
I’m not sure. Our product range has changed a fair bit since moving the businesses over to Europe. We focus mostly on outerwear now. The two markets are very different, it’s quite hard for a brand to service both at the same time. Our aesthetic always leaned a bit more towards Europe than Australia, so it was quite a natural and straightforward move for us.

What are your favourite pieces from the SS14 collection?
The Avenger. It’s just a great classic biker, but at the same time a little bit different. It’s made in the softest lamb leather you can buy, with under-sleeve panels in perforated breathable neoprene for comfort and movement.

With a tomboy-ish nature and relaxed sensibility, what inspires these garments?
Each season there’s a Francis Leon heroine/character that continues through an adventure – this season, Collection 12, she finds herself a stow away on a rundown circus train. This is shown through hints of worn metallic leathers and lightning bolt details. But we always want to maintain a comfort and relaxed nature – an effortlessness; laidback sophistication.

Any collaborations or capsule collections on the horizon?
Yes, we’ve done a collaboration with Barbour International launching this winter. But definitely on the look out for more… so watch this space!

francisleonstudios.com

Photographer: Jo Duck
Make-up: Elias Hove
Model: EWA @ Models1

Tags: Francis Leon, SS14

Spring/Summer 2014 is Freja Beha Erichsen’s second season as the face of Zadig & Voltaire, but now she turns her hand to designing. Creating a rock chic collection, in support of international charity Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), an association that provides a combination of health treatments and interventions in the field from care-givers of different nationalities. The collection itself is a perfect combination of androgynous, casual and timeless outfits, fusing together both Freja’s personal style and the Zadig & Voltaire aesthetic: “Rock as a universal language. Wings as a symbol of positive attitude. Zadig & Voltaire brings fashion to the liberated woman, the real woman, a woman free to express herself.”

Key pieces from the range are white, khaki or black T-shirts, denim and leather jackets and leather bags, all of which donate 40% of their profits to Médecins Sans Frontières. The three major pieces of the capsule collection feature a capital ‘F’, Freja’s initial and ’87’, her date of birth.

zadig-et-voltaire.com

Tags: freja beha erichsen, Zadig & Voltaire

The Panama Diary is a Smythson classic, with the original being created in 1908. To this day its design has barely changed – a testament to its timelessness. Six months ago the Panama inspired an entire collection, now, in collaboration with Quentin Jones, a Panama capsule collection has been created. The British artist’s quirky illustratrations and graphic style adorn a covetable selection of leather handbags and accessories such as large totes, zip pouches, notebooks, passport covers and key rings. These limited edition leather goods were originally only available at Collete but have just launched on the Smythson website. We recommend snapping them up quick.

smythson.com

Tags: Art, Quentin Jones, Smythson

Sping is in full swing (sort of), and it’s time your wardrobe kept up. One effortless way to transition, is to do so with your feet. This season is about relaxing poolside, dipping those toes in water but until that becomes reality, just swan about town in some slides. Here Twin chooses four to help you on your way.

Limited Elena Flat Poolside Mule, £195, whistles.co.uk & Givenchy Floral Print Slides, £546, matchesfashion.com 

Bio Sandals, £39.99, zara.com & Marni Slides, £390, shoescribe.com

Tags: Givenchy, Marni, Slides, SS14, Whistles, Zara

Francesca Gavin, Twin“s Art Editor, has curated an online-online exhibition available on Artsy.net as well as the Artsy iPhone app. Decline and Fall, which is available available now, features work from artists Amy Bessone, Ben Sansbury and Sara VanDerBeek to name a few. The title is taken from Evelyn Waugh’s novel and refers to Edward Gibbon’s famous tome about the decay of the Roman Empire, which aims to to show how these references (like modern vanitas paintings) can also be seen to reflect the cultural, moral, and social upheaval of contemporary life.

Tags: Amy Bessone, Artsy, Ben Sansbury, francesca gavin, Salvatore Arancio, Sara VanDerBeek

Founded in 2011, MARINA LONDON specialises in effortlessly chic silk basics. The collections have strong themes and centre around a certain colour palette. This season MARINA has introduced a shorter version of the oh-so-cool Man Repeller Jumpsuit, a Cami Body and our favourite, the Alphabet Tees, all of which come in an array of light blue hues and white.

When we spoke to Marina Guergova, the designer behind the brand, we asked her what the MARINA girl is doing this summer and just as we expected, she’s at the beach. “As the collection is inspired by the South of France and Santorini, she is travelling to similar destinations and taking pictures to remember them by. When she is in the city she is visiting new cafes, walking in parks and dancing in the warm evenings with her friends.” Sounds like our kind of girl.

marinalondon.com

Tags: Marina London

When Twin went backstage at the Kenzo AW14 at Paris Fashion Week, this is what we saw.

Photography: Masao Yufu

Tags: AW14, Kenzo, Masao Yufu, Paris Fashion Week

In our penultimate look at Paris Fashion Week, Amaya Arzuaga’s AW14 show takes centre stage.

Photography: Masao Yufu

Tags: Amaya Arzuaga, Masao Yufu, PFW

We now turn our attention to the Paul & Joe autumn/winter 2014 presentation that took place during Paris Fashion Week. Again Masao Yufu captures the magic backstage.

Photography: Masao Yufu

Tags: AW14, Masao Yufu, Paul & Joe, PFW

Here we take a closer look at what happened when Twin sent photographer Masao Yufu backstage at the Veronique Leroy Autumn/Winter 2014 show in Paris. 

Photography: Masao Yufu

Tags: Masao Yufu, PFW, Veronique Leroy