Barnaby Barford's Twisted Trafalgar Square

Irreverent UK sculptor Barnaby Barford has just completed his largest piece to date. An installation comprised of 22 individual pieces, the work reflects his view of the corruption of London's Trafalgar Square.



Impish and sweet characters engage in vandalism, littering, violence, self-abuse and more in this sculptured narrative. Babies booze it up, little girls shoot rats for fun and muggings run rampant in this miniature world. Brandishing everything from alcohol to guns, the ceramic and enamel-painted subjects, who resemble Hummel figurines gone bad, are placed atop round slabs of concrete (this is the first time Barford has used concrete in his work).















As described on the artist's site:

Trafalgar Square has been described as the blank slab upon which Britain has inscribed it's modern history, in Barford's version Drink, Violence, Consumerism, Junk food, Protest and Terrorism all inhabit this world.

In the piece's centre is a Lion looking a great deal sadder than the ones in the real Trafalgar Square - It has been covered in graffiti. The piece is formalised by 4 columns with cherubs on top, each covered in pigeons and bird shit. The rest of the piece comprises of 22 individual pieces, each a vignette of contemporary life. The saccharine figurines have been transformed from chocolate box, romantic images of life into a new, jarring narrative. Added tension is given to the piece in the form of a loan sports bag, entitled unattended luggage. This is the first time Barford has attempted such a big scene and introduces concrete into his aesthetic.

The individual pieces (click on each to enlarge):














views of the overall installation:



Barnaby Barford's Battle Of Trafalgar Square is on view at the OA Gallery from 28th April - 30th June 2010


above: The Battle Of Trafalger Square, 2010, at the OA Gallery in Madrid

OA Gallery
Justiniano 8
28004 Madrid

Barnaby Barford

London Fashion Weekend 2010

So, I went to London Fashion Weekend last weekend and since it was my second time attending a major London fashion event (the other was Clothes Show Live), I was excited to see what it was all about.

As you all may have realized by now, I do love a good shopping deal and the outfit I wore to the show was comprised of items I picked up from various places at bargain prices.

Below is what I wore to the show - a blue Jacques Vert blouse that I picked up at a car boot sale for 50p, a red Hobbs skirt that was on sale for £19, a black belt that came with a top I bought from New Look and an Aldo necklace that was on sale with a 'two for the price of one' offer (I also got the black and silver version).


(Please excuse the facial expression - I wasn't even a little ready for that photo and sadly, it was the best one of the bunch.)




Even though the designer label prices at London Fashion Weekend were heavily discounted, I had a hard time finding items that I liked, were my size and were in my budget range. However, I did manage to pick up this SS08 Luella T-shirt for £25 which I think is really adorable.





What I was looking forward to more than anything else was the catwalk presentation and with looks from designers such as Betty Jackson, Herve Leger, Jasper Conran and Twenty8Twelve, I was not disappointed.

The show was presented by fashion journalist and TV presenter Louise Roe and was a compilation of designer looks from the SS10 runways which reflect some of the biggest trends of the season. Below are a few videos I made of the runway shows.

The first trend to hit the runway was 'Candy Rock' - soft, pastel colours and light, airy fabrics and romantic silhouettes. Featured designers included Jasper Conran, Herve Leger and Jaeger.






The second trend was Swallows & Amazons - described as 'Arthur Ransome meets Tim Burton', this trend 'combines layered mismatched pieces of luxe and denim with classic nautical tailoring and gothic leather'. Featured designers included Twenty8Twelve, Eley Kishimoto and Vivienne Westwood.





The final trend covered was Vintage Glamour - elegant, timeless vintage pieces that would fit seamlessly in the modern fashion world. Featured designers included Ossie Clarke, Zandra Rhodes and Biba.





We also got the pleasure of viewing Betty Jackson's entire Spring/Summer 2010 collection which was feminine, flirty and perfect for the upcoming warm weather.

Fashion Fusion Expo 2010

Fashion Fusion Expo, a brand new London fashion event, will be held on March 12 & 13, 2010 at the Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London. This event will raise consumer awareness about fashion and sustainability with a theatrical line up of catwalk shows, expert hosted seminars and exclusive fashion shopping opportunities.

Stamo

This event will showcase the very best talents in sustainable fashion and accessories design from all around the world and it aims to attract 6000 visitors to show fashion can be both sustainable and stylish.

Nikolo Bertok

Christina Curry, model and presenter, is to introduce the Expo’s catwalk shows. Christina shares "I'm thrilled to be working with Fashion Fusion, and strongly believe in their mission to make the public more aware of sustainable fashion. I love quirky clothes from high street to vintage as much as the next girl but Fashion Fusion is opening up exciting new doors to ethnic prints, diverse styles, and the next wave of hot young designers at the same time as bringing the ethics of consumer fashion to the forefront!” Christina adds “Sustainable fashion needs to be the focus for the future and Fashion Fusion Expo 2010 will be the event to place it in the spotlight."

Choolips

With something for every taste and budget, the show offers a mixture of high street names, boutique brands, vintage inspirations, designer collections and individual labels for true fashion lovers. The fashion buying public will also get the chance to watch four exclusive catwalk shows each day, coupled with a great line up of expert seminars to learn more about the exciting world of sustainable fashion.

Juzi

Designers and exhibitors for Fashion Fusion Expo include:

Stamo - http://www.stamo.co.uk

Julia Smith - http://www.juliasmithfashion.co.uk

Juzi - http://www.juzionline.com

Trousers London - http://www.trouserslondon.co.uk

Choolips - http://www.choolips.com

NV London Calcutta - http://www.nvlondoncalcutta.com

Andaluss - http://andaluss.com

Nkya Designs - http://www.nkyadesigns.com

Side Effects - http://sideeffectsoflondon.co.uk

Asakeoge - http://www.asakeoge.com

Julia Smith

Opening times for Fashion Fusion Expo are 9am - 7pm each day and tickets are only £10 when ordered online at http://fashionfusionexpo.eventbrite.com, £8 for students and £15 at the door.

On March 13, there will also be an after party at Cafe de Paris, 3-4 Coventry Street, London.

Show your support for these up-and-coming designers by attending this fantastic event and also by passing this information on to any fellow fashion-lovers that may be interested in attending Fashion Fusion Expo.

For more information, visit http://www.fashionfusionexpo.co.uk.