I was invited to two private views of graduate shows last week. The first was a fashion show at Brooklands College in Weybridge.
Students strutted their amazing designs down the catwalk. The show was very diverse, ranging from razor sharp tailoring:
Chic and sophisticated maxi dresses:
What to pack for a festival…
Festival season is almost upon us and packing economically while preparing for scenarios (hopefully) only found at festivals can be tricky. But when you see the queue for the showers, you’ll be grateful to have packed the things you need to maintain a fresh festival-chic look!
I wrote this for essentialsurrey.co.uk
I went to Hampton Court Palace to see the ‘Glorious Georges’ exhibition.
…in pictures
I went to the penultimate day of the Charleston Festival in Lewes, East Sussex, which was marking its 25th year. I heard Charlotte Higgins and Adam Nicolson read from their new non-fiction books on Classics. Charlotte Higgins’ ‘Under Another Sky’ was shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize.
If being à la mode is high on your list then pastel fashion is the way to go right now.
Go with me on this and you may feel inspired to grab your knitting needles / chop sticks (whichever is closest to hand). Picture a basket full of round crocheted goods including a knitted peach, a crafted duck egg duck’s egg and a soft grey pebble. Coddle this basket, for it is your fashion inspiration for Spring.
I wrote this for essentialsurrey.co.uk
An exhibition on the life of Surrey born speed record breaker Donald Campbell, holder of 13 world speed records in the 1920s and 30s in the famous Bluebird cars and boats, launches Leatherhead Museum into Spring.
Read my full story here.
Continue reading Donald Campbell exhibition at Leatherhead Museum
Clandon Park (near Guildford) is famous for its imposing Venetian Palladian architecture, impressive Marble Hall and intricate stucco ceilings. So it may come as a surprise to learn that it was once used as a military hospital. Indeed, visitors to the property, which the National Trust has owned since 1956, can now see a First World War operating theatre, which has just been recreated within the building to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War and the role that the estate played.
Louis Kehlweiler knows something is wrong. He has a naturally inquisitive mind and he is predisposed to finding everyday things interesting. But since he got sacked from the Ministry he has trouble being taken seriously. He is seen as someone who simply lets his mind wander and who allows his imagination to play tricks on him.
Oranges and Roses: the happy couple.
You can’t beat the blooming fragrance from a bunch of just-picked red roses in bloom. Unless you’ve got the therapeutic task of grating and zesting an orange and coating your fingers in its fresh juices along the way. It’s hard to choose between the two. Which do you prefer: the warm comforting scent of roses or the zesty aroma of oranges?
A few years ago I was given a private tour of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London and I had special permission to photograph the space. I felt very privileged to be able to wander around with my camera, free to capture the changing light across the seating, beams, stage and even backstage area.