McQ by McQueen AW10

McQ is the diffusion line from the mainline Alexander McQueen collection. One of the world’s most important and respected fashion designers, Alexander McQueen brought to his collections an ability to combine bespoke British tailoring with the fine workmanship of the French Haute Couture atelier and the impeccable finish of Italian manufacturing – skills he developed during his incredibly impressive but tragically short career.

These influences permeate the McQ label, which for AW10 looks to the teenage angst of the late eighties / early nineties grunge scene for inspiration. “The outspoken, bold styles of college youth who sensed affinity with rock music reflect the style of this season’s collection. Clashing prints and dip dyes with raw edging and heavy washes create hotchpotch pieces - a look that fuses vintage with modern, with dark, clashing prints evoking a modern day goth princess.”

The AW10 McQ by McQueen collection is available now at Coggles.com

Lomogography 360 Degree Camera

This is the latest addition to the Lomography collection. The camera provides a full 360o view with the pull of a chord. Simply hold the camera by its hand held axis with one hand and pull the chord with the other to create a split second 360o view of every detail around you. The camera uses any 35mm film and can take up to 8 breathtaking complete panoramic shots using a variety of different shooting options.

This is certainly a camera you can have fun with, and the images you get as a result are just incredible.

Cherry Ghost - Beneath This Burning Shoreline

Beneath This Burning Shoreline is Cherry Ghost’s second album following their critically acclaimed 2007 album Thirst for Romance.

Improving on their debut is no mean feet but Beneath This Burning Shoreline represents an even bigger calling card for those yet to be introduced to their brooding take on country/folk tinged rock. With a more distinct sound, epic story-songs and help from Doves and massive Attack producer Dan Austin, Cherry Ghost may well have released one of the albums of the year so far.

40 WINKS B&B, London

Situated in London’s vibrant East End, the family home of interior designer David Carter has become B&B of choice for those looking for an intimate yet glamorous weekend bolthole in London’s creative heartland.

The 'micro-boutique hotel' looks extraordinary with an intoxicating mix of old and new, the seriously grand peppered with a sprinkling of shabby chic, from kitchen frescoes and a music room with Beatles drumkit, to a lion's head tap in the bath, his home exudes glamour, wit and charm. With two unique guest bedrooms, 40 Winks offers somewhere fun and different to stay in London for work or pleasure, and at a very affordable price too

MARK TIPPLE - THE UNDERWATER PROJECT

Mark Tipple, a documentary photographer from Sydney, Australia, came up with the idea of photographing waves underwater after becoming frustrated with "normal" surf photography, and wanted to capture the moments from a different perspective.

Mark took the stunning shots of swimmers and surfers emerging underwater engulfed in clouds of whitewater while being rocked by the waves himself. Mark captured the split second moments off the Australian coast and regularly got beaten in the head by his 5kg, specially adapted camera for his troubles, but we think it was well worth it!

Win Tickets to Field Day Festival - London, July 31 2010

Our favourite London festival Field Day is returning to Victoria Park for its fourth year with another spectacular lineup.

French pop-rock band Phoenix have the headlining duties with support from the likes of Atlas Sound, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and DJ sets from James Holden, Tensnake and Andrew Weatherall. Set across 6 stages including “Village Mentality” for some splat the rat and this year’s blindfolded tea drinking relay race, Field Day is shaping up to be a whole lot of fun…and we’re sending four of you there for free!

Click through to our Facebook page to enter

Peter Rabbit: The Tale of the Tale - V&A Museum, London

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London is hosting a major exhibition on Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit.

Peter Rabbit: The Tale of the Tale is running from 3rd July to 8th January 2011, and will trace the development of the character from a collection including illustrated letters, original illustrations and the author's personal correspondence. This is the first time the book, widely considered to be one of the most popular children’s books of all time, will be shown in such a sequence alongside text of the story and audio listening posts to allow you to re-live the charming tale.

Them Rag Magazine

LA based print magazine Them Rag is just two issues old but it's certainly worth checking out.

It was their captivating photo blog that caught our eye first but on closer inspection you can click through to view the magazine online too, which we also wholeheartedly recommend.

BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB - FLAWS

A year on from their critically acclaimed album ‘I Had the Blues but I Shook them Loose’, Bombay Bicycle Club have announced their forthcoming acoustic album ‘Flaws’ to be released on 12th July.

The album will feature new tracks along with an acoustic version of a song from the band’s debut album ‘Dust On The Ground’ and a cover of Joanna Newsom’s ‘Swansea’. For all of the eleven songs on the album, the band are filming a video at sentimental locations. Click through to see the title track "Flaws"... Enjoy!

Exhibition - Architects Build Small Spaces – V&A, London

Beetle's House by Terunobu Fujimori: an elevated teahouse accessed by a ladder, it will be built in the Medieval & Renaissance galleries at the V&A.

Architecture exhibitions have a tendency to emphasise drawings, models and photographs which can leave all but the most enthusiastic of audiences feeling a little disengaged. In recognition of this, London’s V&A museum invited nineteen architects to submit proposals for structures that examine notions of “refuge and retreat”, selecting seven of these submissions for construction at full scale in the museum.

“Small spaces such as these can push the boundaries and possibilities of creative practice. A shift in scale towards smaller, bespoke structures encourages a heightened sensitivity to materials, texture and proportion.”

For more information and to view a series of short films about the seven concepts click through to the V&A website here http://cli.gs/Y5dh3Q

The exhibition runs until 30th August 2010.

Washed Out - Life of Leisure

Washed Out is the solo project of multi instrumentalist Ernest Greene.

This lo-fi, surf-pop EP is reminiscent of a hazy summers night by the beach, mixing 80s style synths with blurred, almost illegible, vocals. Taking influences from the likes of The Beach Boys and Gary Low all the way up to Daft Punk, Life of Leisure is a record looking to the future but taking from the past. Stand out tracks include Feel It All Around, which sounds like a slowed down disco and Lately, a more upbeat but still laidback track.

Out now on CD and digital download.

Design Hotels - Kick Off The World Cup

To celebrate the 2010 World Cup, Design Hotels are offering a special ‘World Cup Rate’.

If you book a hotel at any of the destinations provided during the tournament you can receive a discount which grows depending on how well your destination country does in the competition. Rates start at 10% for the first round, rising to 50% if your country gets to the final. The World Cup Rates only need to be booked during the World Cup, but can be used for travel throughout the rest of the year. 

Don’t wait too long though, because once a country is knocked out of the competition, their discount ends as well!

Antony Gormley - Test Sites

Test Sites is about how time and objects act on us. 

The ground-floor features cast iron blockwork sculptures while Breathing Room III encourages the viewer to enter and interact with the 15 interconnecting photo-luminescent ‘space frames’ which turn on interrupting the complete darkness. 

Test Sites is running until the 10th July at White Cube Mason’s Yard in London.

Get Cutie - Flamboyant Fabrics & Feminine Fits

Founded in 1998, Brighton based Get Cutie is a small clothing company building a big name for its feminine fits and flamboyant fabrics.

Sourced from around the world, fabrics are often exclusive to Get Cutie, with retro inspired styles taking in everything from prim and pretty kittens and kitsch Russian dolls to totally out there glitter skulls.

Garments are made locally in the Get Cutie studio, where retro shapes are constructed for a fit that flatters all shapes and sizes, making Get Cutie pieces wearable and eye catching for all the right reasons.

Get Cutie is available now at Coggles.com

ALILA VILLAS ULUWATU - BALI

Bali isn’t short of luxury hotels but the bar has just been raised again. 

Located on a cliff top plateau along the southern coastline of Bali, Allia Villas was designed by award winning Singapore architectural firm WOHA and is the first hotel in Bali to be awarded the highest level of certification for environmentally sustainable design. Each of the 84 villas has a private pool and cabana overlooking the Indian Ocean, while lava rock roofs and bamboo ceilings allow the gentle sea breeze to circulate throughout. 

With a personal butler to take care of your every whim, a wellness  sanctuary, and fine dining in traditional warung-style restaurants, this is a place to rediscover the joy of pure relaxation in one of the most spectacular settings on earth.

HARINEZUMI 2 DIGITAL CAMERA

The Harinezumi 2 allows you to shoot super-8 style film and also colour and black & white photos with the imperfections of old style film which previously you could only get from analogue toy cameras. The camera also only lets you see the image after it’s been taken, letting you keep the best bit about film photography - the element of surprise.  

Click through to the Harinezumi site for more info - http://www.superheadz.com/digi2/index.php?lang

Band of Horses - Infinite Arms

This is the third album from South Carolina’s Band of Horses. 

The previous offerings were released on independent labels, but Infinite Arms is the first after a shift to a major label. The ethos of the band seems to have remained, Ben Bridwell’s soaring, pining vocals accompanying classic Americana guitar riffs and descending chords. The sound has just got bigger and more spacious, possibly with a view to the commerciality of the album and subsequent stadium tours. Having said that it does nothing to hamper the sometimes sublime melodies and anthemic pop songs which captured our attention in the first place.

My Generation: The Glory Years of British Rock

On New Year's Day in 1964 the BBC launched Top of the Pops, a show that went on to become the longest-running TV show in British history. The Rolling Stones were the first band to take to the stage and Harry Goodwin was the photographer. This exhibition is a collection of Harry Goodwin's most iconic photographs, from a shocked Bob Dylan to a dramatic shot of Jimi Hendrix playing the guitar with his teeth. These images capture the essence of the 60’s and 70’s and the excitement of what was to be the beginning of British pop culture as we know it today.  

The exhibition is at the V&A museum in London and runs until 30 August.

Scotch & Soda - Spring/Summer 10

From the multi-cultural melting pot that is Amsterdam, Scotch & Soda have been making good quality, high detailed basics with a quirky twist since 1985.

Producing a varied collection of street, work and leisure wear, Scotch & Soda are unassuming and have a personable sense of humour literally woven into their collection on brand and care labels. Contrasts of casual and formal fabrics on individual pieces and stylish cuts on their ‘sportswear’ are a reflection of the brand’s unique personality.

The Spring/Summer 10 Scotch & Soda collection is available now at Coggles.com

Stag & Dagger Festival - May 21-22 London & Glasgow

If you’re in London today or Glasgow tomorrow the Stag & Dagger festival is well worth checking out. In its third year, the “one ticket gives access to all” festival will give over 5,000 music lovers in Shoreditch access to over 100 of the best new bands, djs, art shows and film screenings.

London highlights include Primary 1, Dalston based Comanechi and These New Puritans performing in venues like Hearn Street car park, Cargo and The CAMP, while on Saturday Glasgow hosts The Antlers, Serge Santiago and Egyptian Hip Hop to name just a few.

Visit the Stag & Dagger website for ticket information -  http://www.staganddagger.com/

Mark Bage

Long Clothing - Supper Skinny, Super Long T-Shirts

The long and the short of it… 

Long Clothing was created in 2008 by two young, London based designers by the names of Gareth Emmett and Rhys Dawney. The aim was simple - to create super stylish, super length t-shirts with a skinny fit. The Duo stayed away from complicated prints and took their designs back to basics. Simple shapes are used as the brands signature statement with all t-shirts printed by hand, making each one unique.

The Spring/Summer 10 men's and women's Long Clothing collection is available now at Coggles.com

SCOTT CAMPBELL - IF YOU DON’T BELONG, DON’T BELONG

Acclaimed tattoo artist Scott Campbell featured his first major showcase of works at his debut solo Exhibition at the OHWOW Gallery in Miami last year. He is following this up at the New York Gallery from 29th April - 30th May.  Campbell has a unique style which he has extracted from his tattoo background and applies it in the form of sculptures, paintings and drawings.

The New York Exhibition will feature all new artwork.

Mark Bage

Grace Kelly - Style Icon

London’s V&A Museum exhibits the spectacular wardrobe of style icon Grace Kelly, tracing the evolution of her style from Hollywood’s most popular actresses in the 1950s to Princess Grace of Monaco in the 60’s and 70’s.

The exhibition features over 50 of Grace Kelly’s outfits together with hats, jewellery and the original Hermès Kelly bag. Dresses from films including High Society and Rear Window as well as haute couture gowns by her favourite couturiers Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy and Yves St Laurent are on display, accompanied by film clips and posters, photographs and her Oscar statuette.

The exhibition is running at London's V&A museum until 26th September.

Wearetuktuk - British Designed, Sri Lankan Inspired

Wearetuktuk take their inspiration from the sights, smells and sounds of South Asia. Each piece from the brand is British designed with a Sri Lankan twist, bringing in lots of bright colours, checks, florals and occasionally vintage fabrics which fit like the proverbial glove!

Wearetuktuk shy away from mass production and take a more local approach using small independent factories with skilled craftsmen and tailors at the helm; clothes to look and feel good in this summer...

The SS10 Wearetuktuk collection is available now at Coggles.com

Best Behavior - Innovative Silhouette & Ultra Feminine Style

Best Behavior is a contemporary women’s design and fashion concept founded by designers Marie Ørberg and Malene Brøchner in 2004. While their brand may still be in its infancy, their ambitious goal of setting new standards in design for women is already being recognised by fashion’s top buyers and trendsetters alike, smitten for Best Behavior’s relaxed yet innovative silhouette and ultra feminine style.

However relaxed the look may be, utmost attention to detail is placed in design – no cut or drape is placed by chance and many Best Behavior pieces are multifunctional, allowing customers to freely interpret the look in a way that compliments their own individual style and shape. Simple colours and an emphasis on wardrobe staples – dresses, tops and cardigans – make Best Behaviour one of the most wearable labels around, full of ‘effortless cool’ common to so many Scandinavian brands.

The Spring/Summer 10 Best Behavior collection is available now at Coggles.com

 Mark Bage

100 PLACES TO REMEMBER (BEFORE THEY DISAPPEAR)

100 Places features 100 photographs from one hundred different places around the world that are seriously threatened by climate change. The pictures are taken by some of the world’s best photographers and all the places are based on reports from UN´s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

On the website you can see the photographs and find further information and news about climate change and the 100 Places project.

Mark Bage

Elm Design - Spring/Summer 10

Icelandic brand Elm Design was founded 10 years ago as a knitwear label by Erna, Lísbet and Matthildur - three women from different art and design backgrounds sharing one common philosophy: to design for women you need to understand women. This philosophy clearly manifests in the collections which are favoured by women of all ages demanding eclectic, beautiful and striking clothes.

Inspired by the unique landscapes, art and culture of Iceland, designs are dramatic yet wearable with magnificent evening dresses and military influenced coats sitting alongside everyday basics like skirts, shirts and cardigans, made from high quality materials such as Taffeta and Pima cotton.

The Spring/Summer 10 Elm Design collection is available now at Coggles.com

Featured Look - The Graduate

"Late 1960's California collegiate style has never been done as well as it was in The Graduate (1967). Classic sportswear punctuated by great fitting sportcoats, slimmed up ties and cropped chinos." (Sartorially Inclined)

J. Lindberg trousers, Oliver Spencer jacket, The Hill-side tie, Paul Smith shoes, Our Legacy shirt.

Shop the Graduate look at Coggles.com

The Wolf+Lamb Experience - 8th May, London

This is a real treat: Wolf+Lamb, Soul Clap and No Regular Play on the same night in the same room in London. Anyone who’s been to a Wolf+Lamb party before knows not to miss this.

Since 2005 Zev and Gadi’s Wolf+lamb label has put out the best in house and techno from the likes of Seth Troxler, Lee Curtiss and Nicolas Jaar along with their own records under the same Wolf+Lamb name. Championing emerging talent and fostering a strong music community of likeminded artists are what Wolf+Lamb is all about, while their Brooklyn New York, Marcy Hotel club consistently hosts some of the best underground parties in town. This Saturday Wolf+Lamb bring with them Boston’s Soul Clap and fellow New Yorkers No Regular Play to The Red Gallery in London’s Rivington Street. Expect deep, playful house and the kind of good fun times that have made Wolf+Lamb one of the most exciting labels in years.

Tickets available here: http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?155589

The Hill-Side - Handcrafted Neckties and Scarves

The Hill-side takes its name from the Connecticut street that was once home to The Hill-side founders Emil and Sandy Corsillo. Growing up in New England the brothers developed an appreciation for American workwear which would later inspire their Hill-side label.

Today the brothers are based in Brooklyn, New York, where they handcraft neckties, handkerchiefs and scarves out of the kind of fabrics characteristic of American workwear. Selvedge denim, chambray and waxed cotton may make for unusual neckwear fabrics, but the results are striking, adding just enough refinement to make all the difference, while durable fabrics and a casual appearance make The Hill-side accessories easier to wear and longer lasting than their silk equivalents.

Available now at Coggles.com

Mark Bage