My So Called Life episode 2

1. Dressing up

If I could blog every day I would! But the truth is as much as I try and record my life on these webpages, only 1/2 of what I actually get up to makes it on here. So every now and then I do a round-up of random things I've been up to (to help me remember more than anything!)

Here's the Top 10 of the last couple of months....starting with dyeing my hair black.....

OK. Not quite! It's actually a Japanese wig. I wore a gorgeous Japanese kimono too that I wanted to take home with me, but sadly it wasn't mine, it belonged to The Geffrye Museum dress up rail!

2. New hair

I recently gave away the secrets of my hair colouring. The latest shade I had done two weeks ago at the Toni & Guy Academy was this rather fabulous raspberry pink. (I can still call myself a redhead though!)

3. London Marathon

For the last 5 years, Barney and I have stood on the streets of Greenwich and cheered on the marathon runners. He gets lots of attention, mainly runners shouting out 'BARNEY' at the tops of their voices or shaking his hand. But as yet we have still never seen anyone dressed up as the giant purple dinosaur : (

4. Oni & Adrian's wedding

Remember when it was snowing recently? Well I was at a friend's wedding in Wales. I know everyone says this about their friends but she really was the most beautiful bride I've ever seen (and that comes from someone who has been working on a wedding magazine for the last two years....I've seen a lot of weddings!) More photos here.

5. My sister's 1st stall

I was very proud of my sister who held her first craft market stall (yes crafting does run in the genes.) The market was part of a new creative venture in our home town in North London and marked the opening of the local park which for years had been a no-go area but is now light and welcoming AND has a water fountain. Her online shop is looking good too.

6. Tile painting workshop

I've still been doing some craft teaching but it's reduced a lot due to every one cutting their budgets. (Not good times for us freelance arts & crafts practitioners..hence the reason I have so many jobs on the go at once!) But I did lead a fun tile design session at The Geffrye Museum as part of their Stories of the World project. 

7.Meeting My Life Story

I've been living out all my 14 year old fantasies (real My So Called Life stuff). I recently met the members of My Life Story who all signed an old 7 inch sleeve for me when they reformed for the 15th anniversary of The Golden Mile Album (who were supported by Martin Rossiter from Gene). I also met Jonny, the singer of Menswear when he was djing at Nuisance (the only clubnight where proper Britpop lives on), met Marion (all members apart from Jaime Harding - that will have to keep being a fantasy!) and next week the singer of Strangelove Patrick Duff is in town. These bands probably don't mean anything to anyone apart from me, but I can assure you it is VERY exciting! 

8.Mentoring with Creatives Against Poverty

I've recently joined an organisation who mentor underprivileged school kids. It's very sad but rewarding stuff. It's hard to understand what they go through until you actually meet and spend time with young people and very sad to witness 10 year old girls bullying each other, swearing and talking about drugs : ( But on a plus side we have been bringing some magic into their lives and working with their mums to help them achieve their dreams. Here's Helen  Parker-Jayne Isibor a Nigerian singer who is the lead mentor - her dress sense is amazing!

9. Flag spotting

Ok so I haven't actually been out flag spotting but was rather amazed to discover these 'Craft is Great flags' flying over Oxford street. They actually say Craft is Great Britain....with Britain in teeny letters. Am defo loving the fact bunting is everywhere at the minute : ) 

10. Planning The Make Escape

Finally tonight sees the launch of a new craft night I'll be hosting/curating alongside the fabulous Rosie Martin. It's a chance to spread the crafty love around London (well east London anyway!). I'm keeping a separate blog for that (yep I'm now a 2 blog girl!). Check it out to find out more.

No doubt My So Called Life episode 3 will follow in a couple of months times but before that, you can keep up to date with me on Twitter for more instant gossip! 

Catwalk Highlights: Asiana Bridal Show London 2012

Last year I was backstage at the Asiana Bridal Show 2011 (the biggest annual Asian fashion event in the UK). This year I bring you front row seats and while I knew I’d be in for a treat…I didn’t literally think I’d see the sweet stuff. But in a worldwide first, Couture Cakes graced the catwalk, in an event that blended live Bollywood saxophone jazz, tango performances and of course showcased the best in contemporary and classical Asian fashion from the UK and India.

Does he come with the cake?

Coventry based bakers Cakes4U celebrate their 10 year anniversary this year. Over the last year their campaigns have featured quirky female models decorated in body paint and morphing into giant gateauxs. How do you top that in a live show? Have the cakes paraded around by hunky Pharoahs of course! It’s certainly one way to get noticed (the second being the fact they placed free cakes in the goody bags). Their philosophy is big is beautiful…it’s all about the biggest, best and most bespoke cake possible, none of these teeny cupcakes. I whole-heartedly agree; I’ve always preferred a proper slice of cake over a pre-decided portion in a paper case!

Cakes4U at Asiana Bridal Show 2012

Go on then..one more photo….after all it’s not every day I get to post hot male models on my blog…and this is in the name of actual news reporting!

Ziggi Studio at Asiana Bridal Show 2012

Having been the official catwalk reporter for the last two years (this year will be my third) I’ve developed an appreciation for the incredible workmanship, ideas and inspiration that go into designing Asian fashion. And one label that has never failed to disappoint me is Ziggi Studio, based in Birmingham.

Ziggi himself is only 20 something years old and already has several awards under his belt. His sherwani suits (long jackets worn over trousers) are bold and brave and introduce colour and texture into a garment that’s usually less flamboyant. As ever his collection was heavily influenced by the Mughal Era, but I felt they’ve come a long way since his launch. This year was high on sophistication and detail.

In another catwalk first, make-up and hair stylist Jawaad Ashraf took the unusual step of showcasing his beautifying skills on the catwak; it wasn’t about the body, but the face. And if his predictions are anything to go by, we will all be wearing super bright eyeshadows this season.

Jawaad's muse Miss England Hammasa Khohistani

  The pink eyelids on this look were utterly stunning though you could only appreciate them when they were closed which was hard to photograph! 

The hair was pretty mind-blowing too. I’ve seen these strange egg shaped hairdos before, and I have absolutely no idea how they work! How can they be so smooth?   

Kyle's Collection on the catwalk 2012

Kyle’s Collection are the original trend setters when it comes to British Asian Jewellery. I admit that I find their show room in Green Street, London, a tad scary but when you see their catwalk creations and witness what is possible in the realm of bling, it makes you want to place an order. As a follow on from last year, the team presented more pieces to compliment the hijaab and their signature piece was a stunning waist chain with back detail -shame the wearer doesn’t get to appreciate it!

Indian boutique Frontier Raas at London's Asiana Bridal Show 2012

Indian boutique Frontier Raas deserve a special mention because not only did they present a pretty rainbow selection of fairytale dresses like this prom style royal blue number, the first model that appears in their catalogue has a belly on her, one that's round and folds over…just like a real woman. The didn’t give into the temptation to photoshop her assets – this deserves a round of applause!

Harkirans bridalwear at Asiana Bridal Show 2012

  Surprise of the show was this pink girlie duo from Harkirans.I loved it!

I also like the long and layered trends seen in RDC’s opening collection.

Ekta Solanki

Other designers on the catwalk at the Asiana Bridal Show 2012 included Traditions, Monga’s and Ekta Solanki.

RDC Finale at Asiana Bridal Show 2012

 A full catwalk report with professional photos (not my amateur efforts!)  and trends will be appearing in a future edition of Asiana Wedding magazine – I will tweet when it’s out!
In the meantime there's another report on the fabulous Asian Fashion Blog.  
The show also rolls into Birmingham on Sunday 5th February.