Snow Shoot - Behind the Scenes

A pictorial account: all images are the property of Martina Randles

Diana - Sloganed up

Brunswick has been very giving to me, in the warmer months I would find myself outside Melrose Place sifting through all the goodies left for the Op Shop. Disclaimer: The guy in the shop told me anything left outside was free for all as dumping was prohibited. One night I was walking home and I found a mini trolley full of magazine, vogues from 87, 95, 2001... three crates, I couldn't be bothered to sort and it was about to rain, I carted them home... I am going to start uploading some of my favourite images like this one...


Diana styling it with her raybans and slogan bag.

Z A R A rush

Seems bizarre that I'm taking a picture of Zara and sticking on my blog, after all not since I moved to London during my early 20s did I shop there, well on occasion during the sales maybe. I find Zara and many high street prices a little less value for money compared to the quality and originality of second hand clothes, notwithstanding H&M who seem to have the balance right. Primark became a little too guilty, full of queues and design defects for me to visit regularly. Yet Australia's high street prices are astronomical by comparison, so the arrival of Zara could be compared to the giant Primark on Regent Street opening. Sydney still has bouncers and queues to get into the store. I think I'll let the action die down before I pop in to buy a plain knee length skirt for work.

Lenko Pops Up

Maria modeling the more edgier version matt black with graphic lining.

Lenko is a cute store located at the lower end of Swanston Street, however for the next two months it has found an additional temporary home in Melbourne Central. The pop up store, has delightful merchandise carefully sourced from around the globe, some of it also being designed in house by the Lenko girls of course. Lazy Oaf the UK based label also makes an appearance. We wandered down to the opening to check out the store, they had a great selection of pendants, jumpers, cards and of course the animal hats, which I gather are very popular.


If only I had someone to buy this jumper for


What a cat pee on your bed? Never...


Jules looking fetching as a bear...

Lunch times are for enrichment...

So I went to the wrong gallery, and had to drag my friend and I back from where we came, we missed the first 10 minutes, the section I was most excited to hear about. I hadn't made it to the splinter exhibition of Men's Style, just to confuse the display spans two galleries, the National Gallery of Victoria, International and the Ian Potter Centre. The talk lasted 40 minutes and walked us through the various exhibits within the Dandy section of the Ian Potter Centre, it was good to meet the curator and hear first hand about the designers and garments...


1920s linen suit became fashion attire for the artistic man.


Interesting choice of suit on offer, the subtle nuances are marked throughout the exhibition.


Heidi Slimane for Dior, before he became a full time photographer he was an extremely talented designer. This men's cape is stunning.


It was good to see the range bought up to date with the latest offering from Rick Owens, one of fashions most contemporary menswear designers. This was taken directly from Spring Summer 2011 collection.

from Brunswick with love...

Yes I'm back, two months m.i.a, I've missed you guys, after my six week tour of China and a three week settling in period, I am warming to the idea of documenting Melbourne life.

Terrible internet (dongle? Don't ever get one, waste of time) was the main protagonist for my Australian absence, that and my wallowing (ever-so-slightly) from fear of having something useful to write. Yet all is well in sunny Melbourne - modest 27 degrees today. I was up until late last night constructing a rather grandiose return to the web, a sprawling synopsis of my adventures in China. Halfway into the piece I became so overwhelmed by the task I panicked and froze. Perhaps a more lighter palatable return is best, baby steps, bit of reading - Fear of Flying, Two Novels of Mexico & Wild Swans - remind myself how to spell, get into the routine. So forgive me if my contributions fall to the fluffier, lighter side of the track, I am merely reminding myself of the process.

This is my new home I share it with two Australian men, here I can explore the nuances in the species, how/if they differ from the English variety. There are two hot next door neighbours, on first encounter one appeared in a fetching pair of short shorts (that was it), I like Melbourne.


Despite all my efforts I have failed to secure a job as yet perhaps my interview on Monday will prove fruitful. I have however received press accreditation for Golden Plains (Meredith) this year, I heart Australia.


My clothes finally arrive on Tuesday after six weeks of living out of backpack full of winter clothes I shall finally be free to wear flimsy summer garments. Fortunately 40 degrees with a great selection of jumpers has lead me to actively dispel the internal myth that anything fashionable vintage wise is hard to come by. With an excellent charity shop next door, clothes being left in piles on the street and garage sales appearing weekly I have been fastidiously stockpiling awaiting the right pair of shoes or cycling shorts to complete the look. I love Brunswick.

Back from the brink

Sorry for falling off the radar I have been momentarily out of action *(sickness related)./ But have no fear I'm back! This evening there are two openings of interest to report on...



My friend Vikrum who looks after the Apiary Studios on Hackney Road is hosting an exhibition entitled 'Come meet the strangers' a collection of works, live performance and installation by photographer Iulia Filipovscaia who explores the interplay between different mediums as a reflection of our increasingly technological based reality. With live photography, screenings and new developments in her 'o' project, the evening appears intriguing.


Iulia's images are from past works

39-39 open there doors this evening a fun shop with a concept store ethos, located 2-4 Old Street. The 'made in the uk' leather gloves featured on their blog look great. And I’m pleased to report I've made it onto their site in the style pages, good choice my friend. Must make sure I don't wear the same outfit tonight. With Gareth Pugh behind the decks there is sure to be some dancing involved.

From Deptford With Love, Bearspace Gallery.

Before the expansion of the east London line Deptford market and the delights of New Cross seemed slightly unobtainable - a tiresome trek negatively imbalanced. Yet on a rainy Friday Sarah and I decided to investigate. To our delight the overground remained pristine and speedy, upon arrival the grey skies applauded us with a light sideways shower. Seeking refuge in a cute train cabin cafe with inventive vegetarian dishes; where we debated the finer points in life. We stumbled upon a slightly grubby and charmingly random shop with an eccentric occupied by an eccentric save cantankerous attendant. On offer were a random array of foodstuffs and toiletries. I went for glass jarred items only, once I was sure they were in date and left pleased with my cut price larder.

On the main strip is the rather wonderful Bearspace gallery (once an old pub), inside, a considered selection of art fastidiously arranged for the maximum space/impact ratio. The invigilator’s dog (a cute shaggy yappy type puppy) merrily sought us out as playmates, helping himself to my belongings, including my wet brolly comfortably locked in his jaw, dragging them across the floor, stopping only to chew the freshly painted plinth. God I wish I were that dog.

We never quite made it to Deptford market as it was practically closed by the time we hauled our slovenly arses down there. Instead we scratched the surface of the notable art scene; home to Goldsmiths the area is brimming with galleries, as the rain did its worst we ran for the cover of the tube. Check out the Deptford Art Map for prompts on where to go.

Time for tea, now who would like a vagina cake?

Deep in the dungeon of Maiden the famed gift shop on Shoreditch High Street,
sits a room full of devilish sweet stuff waiting to be devoured.

Only if you are 18+ can you enter and experience the 666 sugar filled delights on offer.

Be quick though, the pop up store will be gone once the bewitching hour is through (Sunday 31st),
this may be the only chance to purchase the vagina cake of your dreams.





I was down at the venue last night and was blown away by the effort put into the decor, thick red plastic draping, similar to an abattoir, not that I’ve been to an abattoir and metal cages. A lot of love has been put into the shop fit, very excited about the launch this evening; it's going to be a fun party. I shall report back with photographs.

Craig Lawrence 4 Machine A

It's about time Craig Lawrence launched a capsule range, it gives us mere mortals a possibility of owning one of his designs. However at £600 a pop I sense it will be a while before I can stretch to something.


CRop top and knitted trousers

Please Topshop, H&M, some forward thinking but not to expensive store, take note and sign him up for a collaboration, it makes perfect sense. For the time being I will just have to content myself with attending the launch of Craig Lawrence for Machine A. The shop is located on Berwick Street, Oxford Street end and showcases the work of edgy designers. It was very serious with lots of tall women in black with black lipstick, save the VIP window that is, which had a hot dancing boy and a drag queen providing entertainment.



The delightful Zaiba Jabbar was there to capture the moment in all it's spirit

Unsuspecting opening

The shop opened to a full house with salmon on rye, beer and fizz. A high proportion of the turnout arrived adorned with plants in pots ready to flourish; decoration for the newly painted white interior. Once a kitchen, the space now neatly housed a generous shop floor, complete with changing room (old bathroom space), imginative clothing rails and modest desk, minimal and yet resoundingly chic.


My trailing ivy has found a new home


Mohson and Sam chewing the proverbial phat

Entertainment was provided by Raoul, muse, model and musician, he perfomed tracks featured on the ep which accompanies Makin's look book for this season.


Raoul in action

An evening on Kate

It began with the arrival of Jessica; she had come to visit on route from Bristol to Berlin. It was wonderful to have her for the night. We ate supper and headed into town first stop the opening of Kate Spade's pop up store on Henrietta Street. The recently vacated language school in the heart of Covent Garden had been lavishly converted to reflect Kate's tastes and style, a kind of home from home. The concept being all the things Kate loves, decked out with retro styling, four poster bed, vintage furniture and picture booth, this was a quality operation. To drink, champagne, Tom Collins and long island iced teas; to eat mini hamburgers, mini pastrami sandwiches and mini rib type things - no vegetarian, fortunately I’d already eaten. We wandered up the white wooden staircase into the upstairs front, where The Like were performing, an LA all girl outfit with looks totally in keeping with the brand. Post performance they wandered around and chatted, the atmosphere was welcoming, relaxed and friendly. I met up with my friend Kyson who had helped with the project, he was on form. V.V.Brown who seems to be doing well in the US, was up next with a dj set. Each room had a different theme to it, handbags were displayed on a feature wall using vintage hooks, jewellery on the first, although slightly obscured by the crowd watching the band, the back room had a chilled vibe to it with folk perched on the bed. I want to come back and have a good rummage around; there was lots of details to discover.

Jessica and Sarah get acquainted

Kyson very kindly rescued us from the toilet queue and took us up four flights of stairs to the top of the wonderful building.

The Like (my picture didn't turn out very well, need to invest in a new camera - again)

Great flooring

VV Brown looking great with her hair down

Kyson styling it

After saying our goodbyes and picking up two friends we headed to the Kate Moross for Firetrap party on Seven Dials just a short albeit cobbled walk away. In complete contrast the party was akin to walking into a rave with Major Lazers blaring out of the speakers, no canapés on offer and true house party style they had run out of mixers - vodka, rum and tequila were on offer. The goodie bags were randomly packed containing watches, knitted arm cuffs and snoods.


I think I'd began to loose momentum photographically at this point, Ophelia and fellow fur hat appreciator... just before we headed out of the door.

It was almost too much after the civilised offering at Kate Spade, we had a few drinks and decided to join up with friends back East ending our night at the Spurstow Arms, turning left out of London Fields Station I discovered a wonderful bakery with three men working fastidiously, I intend to return and buy bread at some point.


Elliot and Stella, "We'll have none of your fashion bullshit here" it's good to have friends that keep you grounded.

Baking boys, the bread looked good.