Last night, I went to see Kelsey Lu perform at the Southbank Centre – which, slightly embarrassingly, was the third time I’ve seen her this month, but this time under the guise of a collective called Honey Colony that included the likes of Lafawndah, Tirzah, Bonnie Banane and Elheist. A 90-minute live tribute to their affinity with one another, they reworked each other’s music while performing in an anarchic sort of harmony – and it was, frankly, wonderful. Those who weren’t in attendance (more fool you) can find the Honey Colony's mixtapes on Soundcloud and hear the magical Lafawndah reimagine some of the group's music. Weekend playlist: done.
This week, MatchesFashion.com launches JW Anderson and Gilbert & George’s new capsule collection: one of the best collaborations I can possibly imagine, which revels in their respective obsessions with masculinity. The best bits see oversized accessories and silken shirts become canvases for the duo’s work from the 1980s – and whether you’re besotted by Anderson’s sartorial subversion, or G&G’s bold modernity, you’ll find plenty to covet. As a devoted fan of both, I want the lot.
Monday evening is the Fashion Awards – and if any occasion demands some aesthetic maintenance, it’s spending the evening in a room filled with everyone you’ve ever worked with alongside some of the world’s most beautiful women. Accordingly, I am heading directly to The Light Salon at Hersherson’s Berner Street for a Lift, Light and Glow facial – which has proven to be my saviour since the space opened earlier this year. Six months down the line and I can strongly attest to the power of monthly LED light treatments. Hopefully I can stay under the lamp Friday through Sunday.
I’ve got Jelani Blackman’s latest EP, Lockjaw on repeat with alerts set up for all upcoming gigs. Having seen him perform a few times now, he has never disappointed. In fact he’s always surprised us from suddenly singing "Submarine" and "One More Time" (my current favourite) to whipping out a saxophone for "Repeater". As well as having one of the most infectious laughs on stage, his songs are incredible live and he has also collaborated with an endless list of talent.
Having gone to see Ennio Morricone’s last ever UK concert last week, where I cried my eyes out for most of his performance, I’ve starting rediscovering his music again. My parents are huge film fanatics, and having grown up with his soundtrack across our screens it was an emotional evening to say the least. He is still on tour, and if you are lucky enough to be in the same city as him over the next few months, I suggest dropping all of your plans immediately.
I first discovered Irene Royo when I stumbled across a market in Barcelona a few months ago - a last-minute getaway which turned into a bumper weekend of cultural discovery. Her paintings in real life are gorgeous, full of colour and makes her (albeit scarce) Instagram posts such a delight. She is a bit of a recluse online, so I’ve been stalking her Instagram daily for her latest works, whilst musing on the possibility of purchasing one of her pieces one day to hang on my currently bare white interiors.
Google’s Curiosity Rooms have opened down the road from Vogue House. After weeks of walking past their tinted windows on my commute, I’ve finally booked in some time to see what all the excitement is about. Google has been launching some amazing experiences, and I’m excited to see their latest collaborations with the likes of @PAQ (fan girl alert), Sinead Burke and not to mention British Vogue!
As someone who wears a little something in their hair most of the time, this time of year is like, well, all my Christmases coming at once as 24/7 accessorising goes mainstream. While my usual go-tos are as tempting as ever, this year it's Margherita Universe - a brand I discovered on Instagram - that's keeping my hair dolled up. I'll be wearing as many as possible all at once for unrivaled girlish fervour.
I love me a cardigan in a grungy stripe, and while I'm spending far too long planning my Christmas party looks at the moment I've noticed my approach to everyday dressing has shifted to prioritise one thing over everything else: comfort. This Blouse option promises to be "a very handy item" so reads the website. Plus, did you see that lurex trim? Still Christmas.
My friend Mikael arrived at lunch on the weekend with a Jacquemus coinpurse swinging around his neck. While I berated him for the idiocy of its size at first, when it came to getting the bill he was neatly able to tap away chicly and somewhat discretely while this bag lady was still rooting around in her bag for her purse. Ever since, I've been thinking how much time I would save if I too invested in one of these ridiculously small bags. Tap, tap, tap.