Oh my! Look at this lovely stitching! Another beautiful combination of art and science...
August 2008
29/08/2008
28/08/2008
Ethics and knitting grannies
Last week, a damning Lords report by the Science and Technology Committee strongly criticised the wastefulness of cut-price High Street fashion. The report declared that the growing popularity of stores such as Primark was 'costly and socially unacceptable' since the clothes are now so cheap there was no incentive to repair or recycle them. Wise words. Read more here.
A comment from the Daily Mail's style editor, Liz Jones, is here:
'It would be a start to buy British wherever possible. The once thriving garment industry in the Yorkshire Dales and the Borders is on its knees, with one of the last family-owned mills about to close its doors.
This is because we now all wear wool and cashmere from Mongolia and Australia (oh dear, I could tell you some horror stories about the Australian sheep industry).
Wool from endangered British breeds like the Wensleydale and the Shetland is the best in the world: it lasts for generations (in contrast, ever noticed how that Tu at Sainsbury's sweater goes all bobbly and sprouts holes?) and feels as soft as silk.
The small, ethical Yorkshire fashion company Izzy Lane has just announced it will produce a range of British wool sweaters, each bearing the name of the granny who knitted it in her own home (this was the idea of model Lily Cole; she didn't gain a place at Cambridge for nothing).'
[For once: I agree with the Mail. Wow ;0) ]
My mum, however, has started sweating: "Is this grannism? If so, can I sue? Will I be abducted and forced to work from a care-home? Will they keep us alive with drugs so that we meet the orders of the privileged who can afford home-knitted jumpers? See next week's exciting instalment!"
(Don't worry, Mum, I'll fend them off with my pointy sticks!)
And whilst researching this granny exploitation, I came across this wonderful website (left). Get your christmas knitty orders in as soon as possible! ;0)
22/08/2008
Peter Callesen
Like many, I am fond of wielding scissors and cutting up bits of paper. I've just discovered the inordinately talented Peter Callesen and drooled for hours. The guy is a paper genius.
The English Surgeon DVD
Good news: 'The English Surgeon' programme that I mentioned earlier is now available for purchase here. I think it's well worth the money.
19/08/2008
Travilla: the man who dressed Marilyn Monroe
Oh joy of joys: us peeps in Bath have been being treated to this exhibition at the Fashion Museum and on Saturday I wandered down there with Eirlys. It's on until this Friday (22nd) and, if you haven't been already, we highly recommend it! I'm going to be a nice blogger and not put any details about the outfits up here until the exhibition is over...but watch this space!
Cupcake delights!
It's a grey dreary day outside so I'm making my own sunshine...
Domesticali pointed me in the direction of these cupacakes (left) and it reminded me that I'd seen a cupcake shop on Walcott Street at the weekend from a bus (nose pressed against the glass)...and here it is! I'll be down there first thing on Saturday morning (rather peculiarly it seems that it's currently only open Friday 10am to 3pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm).
And then my Googling fingers took me to Bath's very own Purple Sparkle Crafts - and am now dribbling over her wonderful cupcake candles...mmmmmmm!
Chuckles from over the pond
One of my favourite people moved to Toronto earlier this year and he's just send me this funny photo...
(I think it must relate to this company, which sounds so gratifyingly ethically sound that it makes me smile for a different reason.)
13/08/2008
Vintage Fashion & Textiles Fair
I recently found these lovely handkerchiefs in Vintage & Vogue (left); I'm not sure why they were commissioned. They seem to have been made by Jacqmar: the renowned British company that produced some of the most sought-after scarves, especially during the Word War II era.
They display carriage, full and afternoon dress images - my favourite is the afternoon dress...isn't it pretty?
I also picked up a leaflet about the 'Vintage Fashion & Textiles Fair' presented by Ashley Hall Fairs. They look great...I'll definitely be going to the next Bath fair (14th Sept)...
Scotland, rocks and jewellery
Three of my favourite things! (from the book 'Scottish Pebble Jewellery'
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