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HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

A Coney Island Love Story was commissioned for the upcoming issue of the beautiful Children’s online magazine La Petite Magazine -out this week! I want to thank Rachelle the editor and all the generous designers who contributed to the film.  Caramel Baby & Child, Wovenplay, and Appaman.  AND of course our two Coney Island Valentines Jaden and Tallulah.  May everyone’s day be filled with LOVE and HAPPINESS!

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Susan Diamond

of Charles Of London

The multi talented Susan Diamond and her partner the lovely Mark Charles are the dynamic duo design team behind Charles Of London.  Susan is one of my oldest friends-more like sisters-we made the move together to London when we were still teenagers. Although I’ve since moved back to the States-Susan stayed carving out a strong presence in the London Fashion and Music scene.  It was only a few days after the London Riots ravaged through Hackney where they are based when we had plans to meet.  Still a little on edge but determined to have fun and forget about the troubles plaguing London-we headed to their Shoreditch studio for Tallulah to customize her very own Punk Kitty Charles Of London Tee shirt!  Officially I think Tallulah is their youngest fan. She is forever asking to wear her Rock and Roll Kitty!  Next stop Hoxton Square where we had tea and cake then on to an exhibition by the bad boys of the British Art world Jake and Dinos Chapman. When Susan and Mark are not tending to fashion they are touring throughout Europe and the UK with their punk band Gobsausage. 

Susan-How do you and your partner Mark share the creative collaboration?

Through visionary experiences and execution of hands.

What influences crept into this season’s collection?

A car crash of Bowie Glam Rock and Plasmatics Wendy O Punk Rock Attitude.

Music plays a huge role in Charles Of London-who are your music heroes?
CAN, Gun Club, David Bowie, The Cramps, Petra Flurr and of course The Plasmatics.
Favorite fashion era?
1973-1979
Three things you can’t live without…
Hydrogen, Oxygen and H20
The two of us wore a lot of Alaia in our twenties. We had some great pieces-regretfully I sold it all on to the Designer Consignment in Portobello. What was I thinking! Is there something you regret you got rid of that you wish you still hung on to?
An amazing Vivienne Westwood piece!
 Favorite piece in your current wardrobe?
Charles of London black wool and Black metallic leather Killer Teddy Girl Drape coat.
 What designer/s do you look forward to seeing each season?
Pam Hogg, Charlie Le Mindu, Thierry Mugler and Long Clothing
Finally- What woman would you love to see wearing Charles of London?
The Queen of England.

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Natalie Joos

What’s the perfect way to spend a day heading towards the holidays?  Vintage clothes shopping-in this case CHILDREN’s vintage with the Doyenne of all things vintage Natalie Joos!  Natalie- New York’s fashionable casting director started her blog Tales Of Endearment a year ago-looking inside the closets of today’s It girls from New York to Tokyo and everywhere in between.  We started at Natalie’s apartment in Williamsburg as Tallulah was keen to meet Natalie’s two beautiful cats Tyson and Mohammed.  After a quick stop for some chocolate croissants and coffee we made our way to Fluke one of the best Vintage boutiques in Brooklyn.  First out of the bag a mini sequined white shift dress-that would rival any of Tallulah’s many dresses at home! Natalie came away that day with a Miu Miu inspired fur collared wool coat!  With Tallulah’s fashion wishes satisfied -left on Santa’s list- A kitten and all things princess! 

Natalie what’s top of your Christmas list this year?

I want an espresso machine, an ipod and a new husband.

Where are you spending the holidays?

I am spending Xmas, my birthday and New Year’s in Punta del Este in the south of Uruguay.  From there I will also take a boat to Buenos Aires for 2 days. 

If money were no object -what would your indulgent vintage purchase be? 

Probably a big fur (because I would NEVER wear a new one!) 

Favorite piece of vintage you own?

 A striped boatneck tee my grandmother gave me, my reversible elephant sweater, really I can’t answer this question-I have so many things and love everything I buy!  

If you were locked up in one vintage store for the night-which would it be?

 C. Madeleine’s in Miami.

Who has the most enviable vintage collection?

 Michelle Harper has great pieces but I haven’t even scratched the surface of who’s out there…I need to continue my quest.

You can see all of Natalie’s quests at Tales Of Endearment

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Lady Gaga

Thank you Lady Gaga! Thank you for helping to create a better environment for our children. You are our inspiration and our hero!   On hearing the sad news that teenager Jamey Rodemeyer a contributor to the It Gets Better project took his own life due to the effects of bullying-Gaga tweeted she would meet with President Obama and fight to pass a law for anti bullying.  #makealawforjamey

A few months back I received a call from the lovely Nina Day Chaudhuri who was casting the Google Chrome Lady Gaga commercial-Google Chrome was also responsible for the It Only Gets Better Commercial.  She asked if I would put something together with Tallulah for the release of Gaga’s new single Edge of Glory/Google collaboration.  The single had only been released that day and I had only an afternoon to film!  After only one listen- Tallulah was dancing and singing along-she’s such a little monster! I wanted to share the video to help spread Lady Gaga’s message.  Please go to the It Gets Better Project and pledge-put your name on their wall and help spread the word that we will not tolerate bullying on our children any longer.

In memory of Jamey Rodemeyer.

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Jihae & John Patrick Shanley

I spent a few days filming rehearsals of Jihae’s Rock Opera Fire Burning Rain-it was amazing watching the performers turn into a myriad of characters!  I cut together a teaser for tonights performance-it’s going to be a magical evening -hope to see you there!  

FIRE BURNING RAIN a multi-media rock opera was created by internationally renowned artist/composer Jihae in collaboration with two time Academy Award winning playwright/director John Patrick Shanley. 

Inspired by Joan of Arc,  Fire Burning Rain tells a futuristic story of a heroine’s journeys to free ‘the light’. The people of the upper world become devastated as the natural resources of the earth are depleted and their bodies have grown into buildings and wires. The heroine is their only hope to retrive ‘the light’ to save the dying earth and humanity. The heroine’s pilgrimage to the magical and eerie forest of the underworld begins…The 70-minute performance is a fantastical multi-media display, including live music, modern dance, elaborate costumes and digital integration that envelopes the audience in a dreamlike world. 

Tickets available at The Highline Ballroom.