Round About

Thursday we went back to Portabello to visit a boutique called EKA, which specializes in carrying uncommon brands to the UK, whether US or new UK designers. We also had a revisit to the Westfield Mall to visit the Lipsy store. Cyd and I had already checked it out since its design was highly spoken of at the headquarters tour. We poked around a bit in the other kiosk stands but had an especially wonderful afternoon rose champagne and strawberries treat with some of our other classmates.

Friday was busy starting with a trip out to the Spitalfield Market for their Fashion Friday. It was much like the flea market or previously visited Camden with many near wholesale price items. Half of it was craftier than the other and I picked up an acrylic cut brooch in the shape of a cat. We had miso soup at one of the many Pret A Manger joints in the area. We remet our class to go to the Tate Modern art museum for a quick peek before runnin off to the Fashion Textile Museum. The FTM had a special exhibit about Tommy Nutter and many of the items on loan were from celebrities such as Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr, Peter Brown, and Elton John (who also has items on loan at the Victoria & Albert Museum!) It was rather small but very interesting to learn the unique history. I also geeked out a bit as this is the man that designed the Tim Burton Batman Joker suit that Jack Nicholson wore~

We took a small break after the museum and looked around the street and discovered a couture collar pet store named Holly & Lil. So darling with many items similarly available at Harrod's but also having chocolates suitable for dogs. Shopkeeper Chelsea was very sweet and showed Cydney and I images of her kittens. I really adored these oversized bow collars:


We didn't have a lot of time and returned to the Zandra Rhodes Studio (next to the FTM as it is sponsored by she) to have a presentation by the highly entertaining Ben Scholten, Zandra's Head Designer. Having a bit of screening background I was happy to learn the the screens used are all done with drawing fluid and stored away making the prints VERY limited and uniquely manufactured when compared to the mass production made by other firms. I helped display all the luxurious chiffon fabric bits and hang up the dresses Ben pulled to discuss. He surprised us by allowing us to try on the dresses! I wore a sequin on from 3 seasons ago instead of a classic from the 60s.