PARIS FASHION SALE IN MUSIC COMING TO BRICKLANE!!!

Wish U Wel! presents
Viens dans mon dressing!

Come and discover 22 up and coming french designers!

Join us for a Unique Shopping Experience in Music!
with Esmeralda and Les Moches and VarOslaV

Saturday 13th Sept | 01.30 pm - 07.30 pm
Sunday 14th Sept | 10.30 am - 07.30 pm
The Dray Walk Gallery off Brick Lane Next door to the Big Chill Bar - Liverpool St.

£2.50 admission / purchases in cash only!

For more info contact: info@wishyouwell.biz

Visit: www.mademoisellelek.wordpress.com

Inspired by Japanese ‘Kawaii’ and ‘Decora’ styles, Pirate Kisses has injected its own Brit pop cool and delivered a brand new collection of emo / indie clothing. Bright colours mixed with pirate cross bones, cup cakes, razors and a shocking pink Union Jack are the brand’s signature look. This is emblazoned across tees, bags, wristbands and badges.

Plenty of booty to browse here. Go to www.piratekisses.co.uk.

Royal Buffet’s paper goods flutter, bloom, and peep. Owners Mollie Greene and Annie Koelle create beautiful garlands, mobiles and gift-giving finery, all from vintage French magazines.

To buy online go to www.royalbuffet.etsy.com.

For updates, works in progress, and what’s inspiring them, check out www.rbuffet.com.

WeFew is a new design marketplace and online community. What sets them a part is their belief in quality over quantity. As part of its WeCurate programme each designer must go through a vetting process and have their applications reviewed by a jury of high profile designers. Members are then invited to join the programme and they in turn can influence who becomes part of their exclusive community.

Products include homewares, furniture, fashion and jewellery. As you might expect, the quality is of a very high standard throughout, with an eclectic mix of style and media.

Go to www.wefew.net.

Clcokwise from left: Starfire Chandelier by by James Lethbridge Glass, Anne Boleyn Brooch by Clare Sheridan-Wallis Contemporary Jewellery, Imelda Light by Jo Davies, kowloon 1 by the purple ink, Serpentine Chandelier by James Lethbridge Glass and Hummingbird cube by DH product design.

For the past few months the news has been full of the ‘Credit Crunch’ and ‘Economic Downturn’. We’re told that people are tightening their purse strings and that the previous frivolous era of spend, spend spend is no more. Not good news for retailers.

However, the designers at DePLOY workSHOP have taken a revolutionary approach to their clothing and to making their collections more sustainable. Each garment is constructed with a hidden popper system, so that wearers can easily update their wardrobes by changing the sleeves on a top, turning a dress into a skirt, a coat into a dress, or trousers into culottes. Garments from DePLOY can be regarded as investment pieces as their adaptable design allows the wearer to update their outfits to suit their individual styles and tastes season after season.

Find out more and shop online at www.deployworkshop.com.

Okay, I know I only blogged about Locher’s a few weeks ago but their new accessories collection is out and I couldn’t resist. Their unique mixture of sugar and spice and caustic acid can be found in abundance.

www.lochers.com

Something a little bit different today - all the way from Finland.

Tukaani is Finnish for toucan. And it was the toucan’s bill that provided inspiration for this cutlery project by Kayiwa. The sterling silver Tukaani is a handmade eating device for Asian food consumers in the West. It is held like traditional chopsticks but is much easier to use. The matte surface and taut movement provide a steady grip, while the curl at the end allows easier food picking and delivery to the mouth. And the loop - well that provides easier hanging, storage and display.

For more information on the Tukkani and other innovative designs go to www.kayiwa.fi.

This year’s New Islington Festival promises to be a grand affair. A fusion of music, art, theatre, film, food, drink, dance and hopefully sun!

Here are a few of the items on the agenda:

Sketch City Get Arty
Manchester’s Sketch City is gathering together the finest of its artists for a canal-side project - Pimp My Barge.

Yarn Bombing & Graffiti Knitting
The infamous ladies of the Kings Arms Knitting Club will be Yarn Bombing the place right up… plus there’ll be workshops for you to get involved in.

All this plus canal craft, sun-drenched sounds and food and drink aplenty!

When: Saturday, September 6th, 2008
Where: Old Mill Street, New Islington, Manchester
More Info: NIF Facebook Group and www.newislington.co.uk