A Childhood Dream

Images courtesy of Creative Review.

These photographs are from an exhibition entitled The London Book Trade by Mike Tsang. The exhibition, currently showing at The Biblion Gallery in Mayfair, provides a unique insight into the mysterious and alluring world of London's rare book trade. Tsang sought to capture the character of the books and locations, as well as the traders who operate there, and I find the results quite simply amazing.

Whilst I have a love of literature, I also have a love for books, by which I mean the objects themselves. There is a beauty to be found amongst a collection of books, whether on the purely aesthetic level of a row of leather and cloth bound spines, or when considering the insightful compilation of voices and minds contained therein. I have never been able to bring myself to throw away a book, and indeed I try to treat them with the greatest of care. As such there is something about a career dealing with rare and old books which appeals to me on multiple levels.

I suppose I am drawn to antique books not only for the history they represent, but also out of a certain respect for them, as one would have for an elder. Something about these photographs, these rare glimpses into a world I can only dream of, speaks out not only to the bibliophile in me, but also the child. That child who stood there so full of wonder at the vast possibilities of the written word.

Currently playing: Etude Op. 10 No. 3 - Chopin

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Cat nap.

Currently playing: Hi - Psapp

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Keeping Cosy in the Cold

Tim Hamilton
Fall '09 Collection

Today was my first day back at University since what seems like a lifetime ago. It was all a rather surreal experience in truth, more akin to waking from a dream only to wonder whether you are actually awake yet. To be honest I was not feeling my best and desired nothing more than to curl up in bed with a wool blanket and sleep. I did however make do with a reasonably comfortable outfit with a thick woolen cardigan and corduroy trousers. I tend to have two somewhat opposing notions of clothing for when I may feel slightly under the weather, either keeping it comfortable and traditional, or else dressing up with perhaps a little splash of colour.

I realise that the Spring 2010 shows are abuzz in the fashion world, but I would be most pleased if you would allow me to step back a season. Think of it as going back in fashion time as opposed to real, and cast your eyes over the Fall '09 collection by Tim Hamilton. For whatever odd reason Hamilton has always been one of those designers whose collection I fall in love with time after time, yet upon recollection will often slip my mind.

This collection from my perspective is perhaps a more readily accessible aesthetic from the darker looking winter collections. Indeed in comparison to the the post-apocalyptic inspired, darkly romantic looks I have posted in the past, these looks are most definitely tuned down. In truth what I was first attracted to in the collection were the zipped boots and trouser combinations. In particular I find the thicker sportswear looking trousers quite appealing. Ranging from cuts similar to leggings, to the drop crotched, I find them to be alluring in light of the imminent cooler weather. The inclusion of the jet pockets and tapered ankles really allow for a certain versatility, which from a purely design perspective is quite interesting. One could certainly take the pick of cuts depending on personal tastes.

The use of various weight wools and cottons, employed in a number of darker hues, has a very warm feel to it. I think that the fact that the looks are presented as so polished is quite odd when one considers how cosy, for want of a better word, the looks are. I suppose it is perhaps my idea of comfortable clothing being rather traditional and somewhat rough around the edges, such as flannel suits, plaid shirts and soft leather boots. I enjoy the fact that the collection makes me think, and whilst looks such as the fur lined flight jacket paired with drop crotch trousers may be a tad too far even for me, the majority of the looks have an undeniable charm.

Currently playing: High Noon - DJ Shadow

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"Holy smokes Batman, this must be where the Riddler runs his money laundering schemes from!"

Currently playing: I Me You I'm Yours - Jim Noir

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Weekend Reading: The Polaroid Book

Taking a slight break from fashion, I thought it might be nice to share a few images from The Polaroid Book. It is actually a book which I had wanted to buy for quite some time, yet the opportunity had never really presented itself. Thankfully however I was recently able to do so, having found a lone copy wrapped in plastic, sat shivering behind copies of printed architectural folios. The book appeared to have be stashed away there for many months, and yet the chance reveal from a forgotten corner of a forgotten bookshop brought back all of its life and luster in a single magical moment.

The book contains a wide array of Polaroid photographs, from buildings to portraits to tricks of colour and light. Although the arrangement feels somewhat haphazard at times, the true beauty is one of inspiration. As is the way with any compilation of photography, each shot opens the door to a remarkable pathway for the mind. Yet what may start as a single pathway, swiftly opens into a sprawling network of thoughts and imaginings.

I think the beauty of photography is that the image itself simply opens one to possibility. It is the possibility of a whole new world of thought, a world as charming and alluring as one's imagination allows it to be. For the journey beyond the images is one left to the viewer to explore for themselves.


Currently playing: Man On The Moon - Kid Cudi

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Urban Travels

Krane Fall '09 Collection

I have to admit that my thoughts and imaginings have a natural tendency to romanticise in the images they create. Indeed when thinking about the colder months I can never quite shake the image of technical sportswear donned to traverse a harsh ice-laden landscape, strewn with jagged rocks beaten into shape by the buffeting winds. Of course the hardships that such a journey would entail happen to remain happily upon the fringes of my mind as I conjure up the first seeds to a magical tale. And yet those thoughts which I put aside in my imaginings, become very real when I consider the image as a whole, and indeed the fashion that goes with it.

Whilst the concept of technical clothing has always appealed to me in light of the Winter months, I find myself at odds to the idea of pulling on a bright goretex mountaineering jacket and some ski boots. Then again, judging by some of the city commuters one happens to run across in the Tube, maybe a red nylon Bergen bag is the perfect accessory to a suit. Whilst I suppose one could indeed use a piece of technical sportswear by incorporating it into one's daily outfit, there is something to be said for a piece inspired by the original, rather than simply the original itself.

Indeed as tends to be the way with such stylistic inspirations, there is always the potential to adapt a concept or aesthetic. Whilst I would feel out of place wearing arctic gear to weather out the rain upon the streets of London, there is a certain charm to the idea of wearing technical-inspired gear and clothing. One would perhaps refer to it as a filtered down concept, as something adapted and re-imagined for more practical everyday use. Indeed as I looked over the Fall '09 look book for Canadian-based label Krane, I found myself rather enticed by their technical outerwear pieces.

The simple use of toggles, buttons and extra fastenings in the detailing of the garments certainly added a more practical appeal. And yet, there was something about the practical and technical look to the garments that immediately filled my mind with romantic images of a modern day nomad traversing an urban landscape. The understated designs, which revealed much more upon closer inspection, carefully towed the line between form and function. Indeed there was something almost militaristic in pieces such as the last olive green coat. Perhaps this is no surprise, given that Ken Chow describes his label as 'a remembrance of vintage uniforms with an ode to modern industrial design'.

As my recent posts would have undoubtedly shown, my mind has been pre-occupied with images and fantasies of futuristic urban nomads. For me, the outerwear pieces by Krane are ones that manage to fit that mould, albeit with a more polished feel than the slight creative destruction shown in previous posts. Perhaps they are on the verge of being a touch too polished, which was certainly the case for the varsity jacket, which I felt to be just slightly out of place. However, the mask makes the model look like an urban ninja...that's cool in my books!

Currently playing: The Instrumental ft. Jonah Matranga - Lupe Fiasco

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