John Galliano Kids fashion for winter 2013, quirky styling for this collection.

Posted on April 10, 2013 by smudgetikka

So while the controversy for John Galliano in womenswear won’t go away his junior line has been quietly chugging along in the background.

With its now familiar Galliano script newsprint repeated most strongly in boyswear and its jokey burglar mask styling the line looks a bit lighter hearted this year.

Overdyed print shirts and jackets mix with plaids and overlarge dogtooth fabrics make a junky street style for the fall / winter 2013 collection. Produced by Diesel the label shared a catwalk at the last Pitti Bimbo trade fair with the Diesel collection itself and sells well in stores worldwide.

John Galliano Kids winter 2013 with overprinted colour on Galliano newspaper script shirts.

John Galliano kids winter 2013 overlarge dogtooth checks for the girlswear collection

John Galliano kids fall / winter 2013 boys padded jackets with text print and overdye.

John Galliano kids winter 2013 cute full swirling girls skirt in dogtooth check.

John Galliano kids winter 2013 Trompe l’oeil watch chains on a plaid and mixed print dress for girlswear

John Galliano Kids winter 2013 cat burglars beware!

John Galliano Kids winter 2013 the newsprint design features strongly throughout the children’s collection

John Galliano kids winter 2013 Plaids mix with cartoon prints in the boyswear.

John Galliano kids winter 2013 with a superhero style for the fall

John Galliano kids winter 2013 a classic coat with newsprint detail buttons.

David Bowie Is – The V&A Museums blockbuster summer show, you won’t want to leave it!

Posted on March 21, 2013 by smudgetikka

I have to say straight out I am a David Bowie fan, I am one of those teenagers forever affected by the man, I went to St Martin’s School of Art, I spent my nights down the Blitz nightclub and many other New Romantic Soho haunts and in all fairness I am not going to be an impartial critic here of this incredible Bowie exhibition at the V&A Museum in London for the summer months.

What impressed me apart from the sheer amount of archive material on display was the insight into the planning and control of all his moves. While some of the lyrics were written on the day in the studio as it were, the tours, album covers and persona’s were so fully worked out beforehand that little was left to chance. It reminds you also how completely unafraid he was, in a fairly dangerous climate still at that time in the 70′s for the bi-sexuality he projected.

How on earth do you keep an invoice for a days recording at a studio for 40 years, I shred my accounts every year as they pass the 7yr deadline! Everything has been kept in Bowie’s career and it forms a fascinating tour through the show. The V&A’s biggest problem here will be how to keep the punters moving through the exhibits there is so much to see and linger over, its not just about the costumes, or the interactive music which plays the classic hits as you pass by exhibits but also the influences and techniques he used and there is a fair amount of film to watch too.

The end of the show is amazing, the huge projection screens held the hardened journo’s at the preview spellbound with many sitting for 20 minutes or more watching the archive footage from Top of The Pops and concerts. This is an exhibition to allow 2 hours to progress through as a minimum. The opening is the 23rd of March but It’s already sold out of advanced booking tickets till May, get your ticket quickly before it ends on the 11th August 2013.

Kansai Yamamoto costume from the Aladdin Sane tour of 1973 at the entrance to the V&A Museum David Bowie exhibition

The original lyrics as written by David Bowie for Starman at the V&A museum summer exhibition

Freddie Burretti costume for Starman performance on Top of The Pops 1972, inspired by Clockwork Orange and described by Bowie as ‘Ultra violence in Liberty fabrics’

Handwritten notes on the back of the Hunky Dory album cover show the obsessive control over each part of the process. Bowie’s look here was apparently inspired by Katherine Hepburn in The Philadelphie story.

Coffin like display of a replica of the Ziggy Stardust cover jacket 1972 at the V&A Museum

Costume by opera specialist Peter Hall for the Cracked Actor song on the Serious Monlight tour 1983

The V&A Bowie exhibition even has the double head puppets from the new ‘Where are we now?’ video by Tony Oursler

Many of the costumes appear behind a gauze curtain which has videos projected on top at the V&A Museum David Bowie summer exhibition

Huge projections screens in a cavernous space towards the exhibitions end grip the attention, it feels as if you could spend forever in there watching endless re-runs through Bowie’s career.

In later years David Bowie collaborated with Alexander McQueen on many outfits, here a distressed frock coat from 1995 shortly after his graduation from St Martins School of Art.

Designed by Bowie himself for his 50th Birthday concert you’ve got to admire a 50 year old guy with the balls to wear that!

As you exit, back to an early portrait by Masayoshi Sukita from 1972 and Bowie is wearing a pattern mix that could have come from the latest womenswear collections today.

All materials from the David Bowie Archive, the exhibition is a partnership between the V&A Museum and Gucci.

All posts copyright Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction 2009 – 2013

Exclusive backstage Bonnie Young fall/winter 2103 teen fashion collection photos from Lee Clower

Posted on March 12, 2013 by smudgetikka

Straight from the backstage at the Petite Parade trade fair from New York kids fashion week are some beautiful photos of the gorgeous Bonnie Young collection taken by NYC fashion and lifestyle photographer Lee Clower.

Modelling for the label was Fátima Ptacek who I posted about here, the young teen actress whose last movie ‘Curfew’ won an Academy award this year.

The dresses look as divine as always from Bonnie Young with elaborate floral appliques and headpieces to match and I love the way she has balanced their sophistication with plain grey socks and flattie simple pumps! This is a collection of perfect prom and party dresses for the fall / winter 2013 season.

Backstage at Bonnie Young, a beautiful modern denim party dress for Fall 2013

Fátima Ptacek modelling for Bonnie Young at the Petite Parade catwalk show for winter 2013 kids fashion

Backstage at Petite Parade, Bonnie Young accessorised with great floral headpieces for winter 2013

Love the down to earth socks and shoes with the glam tops backstage at Bonnie Young for fall 2013

Fatima Ptacek and friends modelling for Bonnie Young at Petite Parade photo by Lee Clower

Backstage portrait at Bonnie Young catwalk show for Petite Parade fall/winter 2013

Backstage at the Petite Parade presentation in NYC, in Bonnie Young for winter 2013

Lee Clower portrait photo from backstage at Bonnie Young teen fashion show for Fall 2013

All posts copyright Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction 2009 – 2012

Young actress Fátima Ptacek modelling Lamantine, her movie Curfew is nominated at the Oscars.

Posted on January 18, 2013 by smudgetikka

Not many 12 year olds can say their latest movie is up for an Academy Award at the Oscars in Hollywood but Fátima Ptacek is in that happy position as Curfew in which she stars has just been nominated for ‘Best live action short’.

Know for her recent work as Dora the Explorer on television as well as movies stretching back to 2006 and many modelling jobs with Wilhemina she has a superb career beckoning ahead of her.

Self assured and as photographer Lee Clower put it “She’s probably the smartest / most well adjusted kid I’ve ever met” she also looks stunning in his pictures here using the luxury French kids fashion label Lamantine Paris. Look out for the brilliant video here shot during the series.

Below the shots we also have an exclusive Q&A with Fátima with some fashion based questions for her!

Fatima Ptacek modelling teen label Lamantine from Paris, photo by Lee Clower

Fátima Ptacek modelling teen label Lamantine from Paris, photo by Lee Clower

Fatima Ptacek in Lamantine spring 2013 teen fashion in New York.

Fátima Ptacek in Lamantine spring 2013 teen fashion in New York.

Fatima Ptacek modelling crazy make up, the movie Curfew in which she stars has been nominated for an Academy Award for 'Best live action short'

Fátima Ptacek modelling crazy make up, the movie Curfew in which she stars has been nominated for an Academy Award for ‘Best live action short’

Fatima Ptacek, practice for the Oscar ceremony later this month!

Fátima Ptacek, practice for the Oscar ceremony later this month!

Fatima Ptacek by Lee Clower, her natural modelling ability is sure to see her much in demand from top labels as she grows into her later teens.

Fátima Ptacek by Lee Clower, her natural modelling ability is sure to see her much in demand from top labels as she grows into her later teens.

Fatima Ptacek stars in 'Curfew' a highly rated action short movie nominated for an Academy Award 2013

Fátima Ptacek stars in ‘Curfew’ a highly rated action short movie nominated for an Academy Award 2013

Smudgetikka - I wondered if you had ever outgrown a clothing item you really fell in love with and didn’t want to give up even though it was clearly too small for you?

Fátima - It’s funny you ask this question because I had this experience and my whole family laughs about it. My mom bought me a beautiful, colorful Oilily dress when I was four years old. It was a little loose and I grew into it perfectly when I was five, but was able to wear it until I was seven. I loved that dress and wanted to wear it long after it no longer fit. When I was eight, my mom let me wear tights underneath so I got two more years out of it that way. Since I was very slim, I was able to wear it as a shirt when I was ten. Eventually, I could no longer wear it, but I still have it in my closet.

Smudgetikka - I wondered what your favourite current labels for your age group were?

Fátima - The thing about fashion with young people today is that there is so much variety and people are allowed to have their own personal style. I love to wear clothing from Abercrombie & Fitch, Ralph Lauren, Zara, and Italian designer Siviglia. Since I’m also a competitive gymnast, I spend about 20 hours per week in the gym, so I wear sweat-suits over my leotard – Juicy Couture is my favorite.

Smudgetikka - As you are at an age of becoming tall enough for mainstream stores and designers do you have a favourite adult label and do you know what you will be wearing to the awards yet?

Fátima -I don’t have any one favorite designer, but at red carpet events, I love to see actresses dressed in classically styled couture dresses like Chanel or drop-dead gorgeous gowns by Alexander McQueen. I’m still young, so I enjoy wearing styles that are beautiful, but fun. At red carpet events in the past, I’ve worn designs by Bonnie Young and MonnaLisa. I have no idea what I’ll be wearing to the Oscars yet!

Smudgetikka -What was the best experience you remember filming?

Fátima - I’ve been very lucky to enjoy lots of good times filming in the past. There’ve been some hilarious moments, times when I learned valuable lessons, and wonderful experiences visiting some awesome locations. But the best part of filming is connecting with and building friendships with other actors and members of the crew you work with on set. We’re all thrown together for a month or so and we’re together all day long, so you get to know each other really well. I still have friends from the very first assignments I shot when I was five and six! The life-long friendships we make are definitely the best part of being in this industry.

Post updated 25th February, Congratulations to all concerned – Curfew did indeed win the Oscar!

Fátima Ptacek in Bonnie Young arriving on Red Carpet at the 85th Academy Awards. Her film Curfew won for Best Live Action Short film!

All posts copyright Smudgetikka – permission must be asked for reproduction 2009 – 2012

Yayoi Kusama and Louis Vuitton at Selfridges, what a hoot – crazy windows!

Posted on August 31, 2012 by smudgetikka

The collaboration between Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and Louis Vuitton has opened at Selfridges with some stunning window displays.

Selfridges has them online with a gallery of how the windows were transformed in a time lapse delay to be showing soon. It’s amazing how one person can own polka dots in such a manner. They are just great fun, enjoy!