Student films get a bad rep, with cliches of shaky footage, bad lighting and even worse scripts being the norm. But even the queen of pop Madonna obtained some of her first media exposure in a short film entitled The Egg. If it works for Madge, then surely there is some unexplored potential to be found in this arena.
Helping charter this territory is Screentest Festival, an event championing the UK’s undiscovered Bigelows and Boyles. Since 2004, the annual festival has been bringing together a vast range of aspiring film talent. From drama to documentary, flicks from every genre will be screened alongside workshops and talks with industry figures, making it the ideal place for those looking to get their reels onto the big screen and curious film aficionados alike.
Screentest Festival runs from March 22 – 24 at South Bank University, 103 Borough Rd , SE1 0AA.
Twin loves a bit of unisex dressing and a good old designer collaboration or two. Thankfully, Dr. Martens and Brutus Trimfit have joined forces for yet another season to create what might possibly be the unisex match-made-in-heaven. For decades, these two heritage brands have been synonymous with sub-cultural style, acquiring a dedicated cult following of fans along the way. The duo’s latest collection in particular pays homage to the Suedeheads of the late 1960s with a re-creation of Brutus’ iconic gingham ’69 shirt plastered in a classic Dr. Marten’s cherry red and mustard yellow colourway.
In 2011, bored with the under representation of women within their respective industries, Teo Connor and Loren Platt decided it was time for a change. In conjunction with the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day, the W Project was born. Its intent is to celebrate women working across the creative industries through a lively mixture of events and activities.
Now in its third year, the duo have released their first publication honouring International Women’s Day 2013. It features the visual journey of 33 creative females, including Rose Blake, Emmi Salonen, Morag Myserscough, Shaz Madani, Chrissie Macdonald and a foreword written by Liz Farelly.
Not only is the book beautifully packaged and presented, but all proceeds go to the Refuge charity, who provide support to women and children escaping domestic violence in the UK. Clearly women of their word, we can’t wait to see what Teo and Loren produce next time around.
There’s nothing like a good Pussy Riot to shake things up, but what about other forms of female protest? From flappers to beat girls, social historian Carol Dyhouse has made an account of all nonconformist adolescent movements throughout history in her new book, Girl Trouble: Panic and Progress in the History of Young Women. She also investigates difficult topics they have had to face such as teenage brides and body anxiety.
From the late Victorian era to today and utilising everything from photographs to pamphlets, Dyhouse shows that even in the most traditional of decades young women are still capable of going against the grain in search of social and political freedom. It’s nice to know that even in these WAG-filled times of ours, we can always count on a little unexpected trouble in the neighbourhood.
In honour of International Women”s Day, Kathryn Ferguson has created an inspiring film on four fearless women.
FourTell features a personal conversation between Zaha Hadid, Caryn Franklin, Sharmadean Reid and Bella Freud focusing on the need for female role models. The result is an intimate and honest portrayal of their own life experiences and struggles as women.
The film launches today at Selfridges coinciding with an in conversation discussion with Ferguson. SHOWstudio will also debut the clip and has expanded the project with behind the scenes footage and essays.
We love ourselves a well-curated Tumblr and the account that has been on our bookmarks list as of late is putyourpawsup. Twin spoke to its founder Franny Zywicki about her obsession with cats and summer days in the sun…
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was brought up between Switzerland and Spain, but also had a lot of friends in London. My parents were worried about me because I hung out with our cat Chloe (Bengal tiger) more than them and was obsessed with America.
I am a hip hop dancer and did it professionally in my gap year before I went to Leeds University. I toured with Raghav as a backing dancer over Pakistan. That was odd. I love music. There is music for every mood.
I’m addicted to shopping — if I’m in a funk it’s the only thing that can make me happy. I love J.Brand, Chloe, Brian Lichtenberg, Alexander Wang, DVF, and Acne. All I want/need at the moment is Charlotte Olympia Kitty Slippers.
My three main loves are music, fashion and travel. I have been to over 30 countries, but my favourite cities are Rio, Los Angeles and Madrid.
What was the idea behind your Tumblr name and concept, and when did you start it?
I have always been obsessed with cats. I frequented a lot of festivals and when someone was lost you would say “put your hands up so I can see you”, but I changed it to paws because I saw everyone as cool cats. Then it just became a thing.
I was always obsessed with images and was annoying people on my Facebook by uploading them constantly. So I started putyourpawsup in March 2010 — and I am addicted.
What is it about photography that you find so inspiring?
The vibe of the blog is more about what I wanted to look at and what reminded me of my past, but also what I wanted to be doing in the future. It aims to re-ignite and inspire beautiful memories. When I blog, it’s normally somehow related to what is going on in my life at the moment.
How would you explain the popular appeal of Tumblr?
Especially with image-based blogs, it comes with the ability to post pictures in so many places. People can post pictures and send pictures so much more freely. It’s easier and more exciting to talk via pictures.
A picture sparks more endorphins in the brain. It’s more visually appealing and says more than a paragraph. And Tumblr is the ideal database for amazing pictures. An easy go-to.
What are the Tumblrs, photographers and image makers that you admire the most?
I love deathofcool and katesworld, which is run by a photographer and friend of mine. Gypsyone is raw, dirty and sexy. Wastedguns features ridiculously hot women — although I’m not gay, I think the female form is unbelievably sexy.The Benjamins is real and sensual.
In terms of photographers, I love Scott Caan, Patrick Hoeleck and Terry Richardson. I follow the worlds best ever and The Cobra Snake.
What is your favourite quote and image of all time?
“Laughter is an instant vacation” by Milton Kerle. It’s tattooed on my rib. I think its beautiful.
A favourite image is so hard. I’ve picked one, but tomorrow it will probably be different. It’s very simple, but my favourite thing to do is hang on the beach with all my friends just after the hottest part of the day, snuggle and listen to music. The song for this scene is No Angels by Bastille.
The great hub of creatives makes it difficult to pinpoint who is the best at one particular thing. There is a lot of talent in the city that never sleeps. But when discussing New York essentials, five individuals raised in the thick of it all come to mind. True staples amongst their peers, they are mavericks and pretty good at what they do. Real New York sweethearts, if you will.
“My name is Carlen Altman. I am a person that does a lot of things such as comedy and jewellery design. I hated growing up in New York City. All the noise, all the people. It was so overwhelming! I wanted to live in the woods somewhere, in silence. It was only once I left for college, in a small town, I realized how much I had taken it for granted. I took its magical energy for granted and the many opportunities there were if you made them. When I graduated school and came back to the city, I decided to start doing things. It also helps having very encouraging parents who want me to follow my dreams. My mom works at an aquarium and my dad is a comedian!”
“My name is Brandee Brown. I am a human who likes to take pictures and make films. Growing up here gave me a sense of the world before I even left the States. My town looks so pretty at night. My surroundings give me confidence. I am always surrounded by people and friends doing great things. How can that not make you want to hustle? I love creating things and passing around thoughts and feelings with the people I love in this town. Who knows, maybe I would not be the same without it.”
“My name is Yara Flinn. I am the Designer of NOMIA. Growing up in NYC, there was always an interest in mixing genres — that’s something that inspires me a lot in the way I design. I am influenced by rap music, sports, fashion ladies, art ladies…I love it all. It’s amazing to see the way trends get adopted and reused in different ways.”
“My name is Todd Jordan. I am Al-Hazard. I grew up in Kingston, New York. It’s about an hour and a half north of NYC but I was pretty obsessed with things that were going on in the city from a young age. I would take the train to ride my skateboard but remember just being so overwhelmed by all the different things going on and feeling like I was missing out on so much when I was back at home. With all of the interesting things going on here, it is difficult to not be inspired to make your own things — but it’s even more difficult to focus on just one thing.”
“My name is Alec Reinstein. I am a rapper, party houser, fake DJ. I mostly became a rapper to make diss tracks about an opposing gang in my neighborhood in Queens. Everyone drove around or walked around with their radios playing my La Familia diss tracks. I was essentially chosen as the rap ambassador of my block because I was better at it than anyone else. Owning a club was something I fell into more than it was a choice. The reason I felt comfortable getting involved with Santos was because I truly felt it was the only club in NY that mirrors the clubs I grew up in. Clubs like The Tunnel, Limelight, Fun, and a myriad of others that I shouldn’t have been allowed into. Those all had a darkness and a mystique to them that I think most clubs here have lost. We try to maintain and cultivate that at Santos as best we can. I have a radio show (Chillin’ Island on East Village Radio) because all my friends make music and I want people to hear it and I have a funny voice I guess. Growing up in an outer borough was an interesting experience because I always felt like some sort of pirate during all my early Manhattan experiences. I was infiltrating some much richer and more populated world that I hoped was terrified of me. I hope everyone is still terrified of me.”
Sex. Such an essential part of life, literally, and yet still a taboo subject of sorts, only shared with one’s closest circle of friends over a bottle of wine. That is until now. The Anonymous Sex Journal, the brainchild of Alex Tieghi-Walker featuring illustrations by Margot Bowman, is an unflinchingly honest account of sexual experiences, submitted by 21 contributors, including anecdotes such as:
“Yesterday I accidentally set a picture of my willy as my instagram profile pic.”
“For some weird reason we didn’t stop or hide… just sort of froze in position: me on all fours with my bum facing his dad.. at least he couldn’t see my face.. or my mouth to be specific.”
“He used to call the dried cum on his belly ‘Cornflakes’ and his penis ‘Pendejo,’ which means dumbass in Spanish.”
“Remember when your friends strapped that camera to a broom handle and secretly filmed us fucking on the balcony of the chalet?”
Not just material for an amusing read, the print publication shows a wide range of the act’s emotional impact across the spectrum, and offers a chance to break down any last standing reservations we may have about those three infamous letters.
Twin spoke to Alex Tieghi-Walker about the appeal of awkward sex, whimsical illustrations and what to expect after Foreplay…
What inspired you to start The Anonymous Sex Journal and how would you sum up its ethos?
A friend and I were talking about our more unusual sexual exploits, and once we’d shared a few we just kept going. When others joined in the conversation too, I thought it would be really interesting to open this conversation to a wider audience and create a database of sorts where interesting stories could be shared. So few people actually have a normal sex life and this journal is somewhere to celebrate those more peculiar incidents. This journal really shows just how colourful our sex lives are — and not in a boastful way as is often the case when people do talk about sex — these stories are a combination of virginity loss, post-coital clumsiness, graphic, vivid fantasies and weird, awkward and embarrassing incidents; they capture those small moments that stick in your mind and influence the rest of your sex life.
What is your publication’s stance on sex and sexuality, and the private versus public spheres of it?
When reading the stories you really have no idea whether the stories are experiences between a man and a woman, or two men, or two women. I think it’s nice that the stories have that ambiguity, or just that sexuality isn’t really the main priority when recalling sexual history. Instead the stories are about real emotions — whether it’s embarrassment, longing, warmth, fantasy or guilt. I think it’s really important to recognise that sex brings about so many feelings and thoughts, and that those need to be embraced and shared, not kept away and never shared or expressed in other areas of life.
Why did you decide to use illustrations as opposed to photography in the journal?
I asked Margot to illustrate the journal as her drawings have a charming, whimsical quality. I also really liked the idea of the illustrations being rather literal or fantastic, something that would be difficult to create with photography — it would either look too considered, or sombre, or simply gross.
What surprised you most during the process of putting the journal together?
I wasn’t surprised by it but I really enjoyed the honesty of peoples’ stories. I like that in nearly every story the writer concluded the experience — writing anonymously creates a stream of thought, rather than something that is written, rewritten, rehashed and edited. These stories are as experienced, you almost live the action without being there, so to speak.
Seeing as you are launching the debut issue on Valentine’s Day, what are your thoughts on the holiday: consumerist nonsense, a sweet anecdote or something else?
Oh dear, it’s a tough one. I think people can go very overboard with Valentine’s Day and there is certainly a lot of hype and exploitation. But fundamentally I think it is actually a very charming day when you can make small gestures to those you love, letting them know you appreciate their company and their involvement in your life. It’s also good to celebrate love — how can a celebration of love ever be a bad thing?
What can we expect for issue two?
The Pilot Issue, or Foreplay, is just the start of a much larger project. I want to see how everyone reacts to a journal like this and whether it amuses them, makes them laugh or wince, and how they connect to it. For subsequent issues I’d like to categorise the stories to focus individually on topics relating to sex — so an issue dedicated to jealousy, one to fantasy, love, technology, fetish, passion etc. Perhaps the next one should be those sexual experiences that didn’t happen but nearly did and still contribute to your sexual DNA.
The Anonymous Sex Journal launch party starts tonight at 6.30pm at 18 Hewett Street Gallery, EC2A 3NN. The Pilot Issue / Foreplay is available to buy at the launch, the Protein Store’s online shop and selected retailers including Artwords.
Thanks to inventor Thomas Edison’s development of the light bulb over 130 years ago, most of us routinely switch on the lights when the dark draws in without a second thought, allowing us to work and play well into the ‘after hours.’ However thankfully, some artists have a different way of seeing the world around us, and it is within the Hayward Gallery’s exciting new exhibition that this insight is given recognition to.
The Light Show – simple and precise in its summary as a title – is extremely apt in its description. Artificial light in almost every perceivable imagination and more have been adopted by artists around the world to create aesthetically spell-binding works that will have its viewer transfixed.
From Carlos Cruz-Diez and his work Chromosaturation, a tantalising room of changing colours that includes the viewer within its spectrum, to Olafur Eliassons’ Model for a Timeless Garden, a dramatic strobe light water fountain that produces an ever-changing landscape frozen in a succession of unique moments, light sources have been bent counter to their traditional conventions, creating mesmerising works that go beyond acknowledging the simple beauty of illumination.
With artists work such as Anthony McCalls’ You and I, Horizontal (2005) a white beam of light is emitted from a video projector in a pitch black room from the centre of one wall across to the other; we see solid light stripped back, and appreciated for the fascinating thing that it is. Its ability to be present and yet not there at all, seen and seemingly movable yet completely untouchable, is an alluring realisation which is completely awe-inspiring.
Other pieces such as Doug Wheelers’ Untitled (1969) provides a more surreal encounter with light. A large rounded edge square bulb fixed on top of a centimeter thick yellow acrylic square is an otherworldly embodiment of it, emitting a strangely seductive hue of neon yellow/purple light. Centred within a completely white space floor to ceiling, visitors are asked to wear protective shoe wear in order to not mark the artwork and its surroundings. It’s a strange experience, that whilst initially beautiful and seemingly peaceful, holds a certain clinical atmosphere that becomes strangely unsettling.
An extensive reconsideration of our relationship to our surroundings, this exhibition will have you thinking twice the next time you switch on a light bulb.
Light Show exhibits at Hayward Gallery until April 28.
Aside from the horribly misogynistic term ‘tramp stamp’, little has been said about the relationship between women and tattoos.
Bodies of Subversion studies the involvement of women in the ink industry from the nineteenth century until today, not only as customers but also as artists, such as the legendary Maud Wagner or Kat Von D. Covering topics including body art as custom couture in Victorian society, author Margot Mifflin delves into tattoos not only for decoration purposes but also as a helpful healing process for breast cancer or domestic abuse survivors.
Extensive as it is visual, Bodies of Subversion is an insightful look at what happens when the body becomes a canvas.
Opening today, the Design Museum’s Extraordinary Stories About Ordinary Things is a love letter to the often overlooked design details of everyday life.
Thanks to its exploration of contemporary design and architecture, the exhibition not only examines furniture objects, but also fashion designs from the 1970s to the 1990s — in specific the Issey Miyake 132 5. collection, constructed out of a single piece of recycled plastic, which acts as both a folded two-dimensional object and a three-dimensional garment.
“Issey Miyake’s work tries to find a balance between the practical and the beautiful, a concept that is as relevant today as it was when he started the fashion house. His constant experimentation with both forms and also production has kept him at the peak of international fashion and design,” comments the presentation’s curator Gemma Curtain.
Getting a new perspective on the seemingly ordinary is always a visual delight, and this exhibition does its task more than justice.
Extraordinary Stories About Ordinary Things is on display at the Design Museum, 28 Shad Thames, London, SE1 2YD.
The title of tonight’s event at LSE says it all: Women, Protest and the Nature of Female Rebellion. Hosted by journalist Laurie Penny, who currently writes for publications such as The Independent, the talk will look at courageous women throughout history, from the time of the Paris Commune through to the defiant ladies of Pussy Riot. There may have been years when it was unthinkable of a woman to raise her voice, but 2013 definitely isn’t one of them.
Women, Protest and the Nature of Female Rebellion runs from 6.30-8pm at the London School of Economic’s Sheikh Zayed Theatre, New Academic Building.
To kick off the new year, The Feminist Library will be hosting a variety of talks, workshops and story-sharing as part of the recently launched Women’s Studies Without Walls — an initiative set out to encourage further exploration into feminist issues through learning and sharing skills, experience, and information. This weekend’s events will focus on the topic of ‘The Personal is Political’ and will feature film shows, feminist fiction writing workshops, women’s self defence classes and a wide range of open discussions.
WSWW commences this Saturday followed by a weekly series of evening events at the Feminist Library. For further information or to view the full program visit feministlibrary.co.uk.
Commemorating its tenth anniversary this year, the London Short Film Festival provides its genre with the same compelling spotlight as its lengthy, blockbuster counterparts. Showcasing the best of the UK’s independent film scene in venues all across town, from the ICA to Curzon Soho, the festival has divided the work of the nation’s rising talents into according themes such as Fucked Up Love, Femmes Fantastique and Youth Of Today.
Screening this Saturday, I am Dora by Jemma Desai is a special highlight. A collaboration with designer Claire Huss, the project is an ongoing personal study of fellow female identification, and the flaws and misunderstandings that come with it. This edition will focus on the legacy of Sylvia Plath. “Perhaps when we find ourselves wanting everything, it is because we are dangerously near to wanting nothing,” Plath wrote in 1955, and the weight of her words are studied in two versions of Lady Lazarus — Sandra Lahire’s 1991 film and the Mad Men episode — plus an ‘In Conversation’ discussion between Desai and psychotherapist Sandra Hebron.
Alongside this intriguing project, the short film compilations, documentary screenings and special events like Club des Femmes presents… The Art of Conscience: A Pussy Riot Fundraiser are all the more reason to get your cinematic fix this week.
The London Short Film Festival runs until January 13.
Taking its title from the concept of traditional women’s magazines constantly degrading us due to lack of designer wardrobe/überly attractive partner/perfected physical appearance, KnockBack Magazine is an A5-sized package of feminist fun.
Having launched its debut issue with the tagline “The magazine for women who aren’t silly bitches on a diet”, the publication with tongue in cheek humour and razor sharp wit is currently on its sixth issue.
Twin caught up with contributions editor Hilary Hazard to talk about modern feminism, independent zine making and the joys of not taking life too seriously…
As a self-described “anti-Cosmopolitan”, how did KnockBack Magazine come about and what is the mantra behind it?
KnockBack (KB) was started because there weren’t any magazines talking to us. Sure we wear high heels and mascara, but we also have ideas and think being mean about someone because they look bad is worse than looking bad. We value good manners and good times and we were bored of being patronised by women’s media. We also wanted to show that ‘light hearted’ doesn’t have to mean ‘idiotic’ we can do low-brow and intelligent and good looking. We can, and we did.
What does feminism mean to you today?
I really don’t know anymore. I thought I had it down and it was just about respect but then a proper feminist kicked me in the shin and now they make me nervous.
KB aims to occupy the middle ground between political feminism – which is all female circumcision and rape statistics* – and women’s pop culture, which is all deodorant and celebrities. They are the two extremes of the female experience, KB is the happy medium.
*not a million miles from the comment I made just before getting kicked in the shin.
Issue themes have ranged from Hardcore to Smoke and Mirrors. How do you decide on the concept of each issue and what is the process of producing an independent zine like?
We use the themes as a guideline to be ignored in the face of something better. The process is a slow one, everything has to be perfect (it isn’t) and everyone has to work hard (we don’t). The problem with working independently, with no advertisers, deadlines or money, is that when we have meetings we also have bottles of wine and parties and lie-ins and days off and roast dinners.
Who are your feminist icons?
Jane Bussman (author of The Worst Date Ever), Tank Girl and my Nan, because they’re fearless and funny and they work hard. My Nan got alopecia when she was 27 so spent her whole life bald as a melon. When we were kids we’d wait until she was in the shower and then steal her wig so she had to chase us while we ran away screaming. She is a tough old broad, but she is also confident and content and that’s a massive challenge for modern women, even skinny ones with pretty hair. Most women spend their whole lives thinking they’re fat and ugly and comparing themselves to people who are thinner and prettier, my Nan just got on with it.
Jane Bussman is a comedy writer who went to Uganda because of a handsome US aid worker and subsequently wrote a book that somehow manages to bridge the gap between comedy and horrific war crimes, corruption and a child army (which is a f*cking big gap). And I like Tank Girl’s shoes.
We find feminist icons in women who are cool to each other and are proud to be women and are good at it. The KB hero is Tina Fey (Liz Lemon), because she’s funny and she loves sandwiches.
Who is the typical KB reader?
Students doing PhD’s in women’s studies, and the editor of The Spectator.
There is always a humorous tone to KB, is this an attempt to put a bit more fun back into the publishing industry?
It’s partly because funny women are something we set out to celebrate, and we really don’t take ourselves seriously at all. But also if we did straight down the line feminism stuff then only feminists would read KB, this isn’t for them, they’ve got forums all over the shop. Plus we’re funny women and it’s ours so it would be weird to make it serious.
What can we expect from the next upcoming issue?
A long wait, a snazzy cover and some jokes (but not as many as we’d like because half the team had babies or got married and everyone’s too exhausted to stay angry).
Last but not least, what are some KB words of wisdom to live by?
If it’s not funny, don’t do it, if it’s not free don’t eat it and f*ck cupcakes.
As part of the continuing 2012 Olympiad festivities, this week London’s Southbank Centre is hosting Poetry Parnassus; a celebratory gathering of poets, rappers, storytellers and singers from around the globe. Scheduled are over a hundred events and activities, (many of which are free) generating Britain’s largest poetry festival to date.
Made-to-order poems will be available for the “literary-starved” at the Poetry Takeaway, whilst the Emergency-Poet Ambulance will be on call for private poetic health consolations, offering remedies and prescriptions in the form of ‘curing’ poems, verses and lyrics.
Numerous spoken and written word artists from over two hundred countries will be participating in the festival, fronting reading-marathons and recitals as well as discussions on political topics that are often the inspiration and stimulus behind their work.
Poetry Parnassus is on now until Sunday 1st July at The Southbank Centre, London. For tickets visit southbankcentre.co.uk
After nearly two years hidden among the miscellany of rundown shops and hip bars of Dalston, LN-CC have proved themselves as one of London’s most exciting fashion destinations.
Always innovating, LN-CC have released a short film to celebrate S/S12 drawing to a close that features key pieces by Ann Demeulemeester, Haider Ackermann and Damir Doma.
Twin caught up with assistant buyer Jack Cassidy to talk present and future LN-CC…
How long have you been part of the LN-CC team?
I’ve been with LN-CC since August 2010, which was before we launched the website in September and store in November.
What were your favourite pieces from last season?
This season I’m mainly wearing pieces from Jil Sander, Damir Doma, Comme Homme Plus and a selection from our Japanese brands.
What can LN-CC fans look forward to next in store?
For AW12 we have picked up some new brands that I am really looking forward to arriving. For women’s Lucas Nascimento’s collection is very interesting – especially all of the interesting knit techniques and fabrications. So is the tailoring and outerwear from Kolor which is new for AW12 and we are the only UK stockist.
Accessories wise, the footwear from Cherevichkiotvichki is fantastic and new for us this season. All of the leather is tanned by a long and natural process – using tree bark rather than chemicals and the skins are finished in a small tannery in Tuscany, Italy. The leather is shave numerous times to achieve the faded look and the perfect colour season and is a rather unusual thickness (similar to molding or saddle leather). We’ve also got lots more accessories, men’s and women’s brands that we are pleased to have on board – it’s shaping up to be a great season.
Who would be your up and coming must buy?
It’s hard to say but I think Haider Ackermann is a great brand to be buying right now – his draping, tailoring and palette are very strong and his aesthetic is incomparable. But if it has to be up-and-coming I would say Lucas Nascimento. I think his attention to detail, quality and execution means that (despite being a young label) if he continues to develop his aesthetic he is heading in the direction of establishing a solid high-end brand.
What’s the soundtrack to working at LN-CC?
At the moment it’s Phil Manzanera as we are in the run up to launching a special release with him. The Zsou – Written in dust/Wild Honey release that we launched a few weeks ago also gets a regular play.
What are your top Dalston haunts for day and night?
Most of my time in Dalston is spent looking for somewhere new to go for lunch and then reverting to regular haunts such as Mouse De Lotz, DeBeavoir Deli and Bardens.
Describe LN-CC’s customer?
We tend not to define our customer or think to much about who they are. But we do see them mixing the mainline brands with the smaller and more street wear-inspired Japanese or London designers as that is the way we wear the product ourselves. We hope too that they have an interest in the different areas of LN-CC such as the clothing, books and music.
Sharmadean Reid is a one woman wonder. The Wolverhampton-native is the owner of Wah Nails, London’s quintessential heaven of nail art which launched in 2009, as well as editor of Wah Zine, sportswear editor of Arena Homme Plus and consultant to brands like Nike.
Wah have taken their magic as far as New York and Tokyo and most recently, Sharmadean authored The WAH Nails Book of Nail Art, a guide on how to recreate the salon’s 25 most popular designs at home. Whatever the endeavour, Reid’s story has been one of continuous success.
Twin sat down with the multi-talent to discuss what defines a Wah Girl, accessorising with nail art and past beauty faux pas…
What was the idea behind setting up Wah Nails? The idea came from just wanting a place to hang out with my mates where I could have anything I wanted on my nails. Nothing would be a fuss and nothing an issue. I wanted uptown meets downtown. There is still no salon I’d want to hang out in except for Wah.
Where do you rank the importance of nail art in accessorising a look? The first accessory in any look should be an attitude. Nail art is dope and there’s something for everyone. It should be the cherry on the cake for the outfit.
What was your intention with The Wah Nails Book of Nail Art? My intention for the book was to allow girls all over the world the chance to dive into a little bit of London. I remember being a teenager in Wolverhampton and devouring anything that was cool and London. I wanted to give that experience to other young girls. I also wanted a smash hits annual vibe. Like a snapshot of a time and a place. This is 2012, these are the girls, here’s the nails, this is what’s up.
How would you describe the typical Wah Nails girl? The typical Wah Girl mixes fashion and street, loves gold and doesn’t give a shit what other people think. She is the last girl on the dancefloor, doing it – doing something, is chill, yet trill and in control.
You have done collaborations with the likes of Minx and Models Own. What projects are planned for the future and how would you like to expand the Wah Nails brand? I really want to do a product range. Keep the brand on bathroom shelves.
Last but not least, what are your own past favourite beauty looks and faux pas? My favourite beauty look growing up was gelled kiss curls, they’re coming back now. My faux pas was shaving my eyebrows!
The WAH Nails Book of Nail Art is out now and available here.
Kate Tempest stomps all over words. When the rapper, poet and playwright spits, people listen, her words cut like a knife and hang over you like a thunder storm. A Shakespeare from the South London streets who takes what she sees and tells it as it is.
We think you ought to know that her debut play, Wasted, is currently at the Roundhouse this week, and the restless Tempest has published a dvd/cd/book of her poetry called Everything Speaks in its Own Way. If you haven’t already witnessed Kate Tempest, then it’s time for your initiation.
Everything Speaks in its Own Way is available from Shakespeare and Co in Paris and at gigs and online from katetempest.co.uk Wasted is at the Roundhouse until 19 May roundhouse.org.uk
The Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute’s new exhibition focuses on two icons of classic design separated by disparate eras: The late Elsa Schiaparelli, creator of the ‘Tear’ dress and associate of the Surrealist movement, and Muiccia Prada, a politics graduate whose coveted Postmodernist creations are made for women’s brains – not their bodies.
Their collaborative exhibition: Schiaparelli and Prada – Impossible Conversations, comprises of signature pieceswhich are divided into seven themed galleries, including Hard Chic and The Surreal Body. The designers’ ensembles are collated and video installations are included which depict simulated conversations between the women with a view to highlight similitudes and contradictions in their work.
Accompanying the exhibition is a photographic book of the same name, which enriches the narrative of the show by including a miniature booklet connecting the designers generational disparity. Photographs, articles and quotes intimate additional ‘impossible conversations’ between them.
The exhibit and book not only illustrate an interdependence between the historic and the contemporary, but they also provide a delightful glimpse into the agency of two dissenters who have consistently undermined conventional edicts of elegance and sophistication in all of their staid, and unimaginative manifestations by creating an alternate, yet beautiful array of fresh palettes and concepts.
Schiaparelli and Prada – Impossible Conversations is showing at the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute in New York until 19 August 2012.
Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations is published by The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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