Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

This will be my last post before I go off to enjoy the festivities, so I thought I'd share a few pics of what Christmas looks like in the VKH household.
As mentioned in my previous post, 'Purple Reigns, Dear', this year I decided to go with a slightly gothic theme with lots of black, purple and gold and for the first time in my life, lashings of lametta.
I'm quite proud of the result, and although Mr VKH has banned me from ever using skulls on the tree again, I think he approves. Sort of.
Here's a few pics, I'd love to know what you think.

The Tree.

The 'Nightmare Before Christmas' decs!

Table centrepiece

Incidentally, Mr VKH's mum has been using the same lametta on her tree for nearly 40 years, putting each strand carefully back in the pack come the New Year.  I'd like to say that this is a tradition I am going to start too but at 99p a pack, bugger that for a game of soldiers!

Merry Christmas!!

Kx

East Is Best!

The beginning of December doesn't just mean it's socially acceptable to start mentioning the C-word, it also   heralds the East London Design Show, an annual event which brings together the best of the UK's independent product, interior and jewellery designers.

Set up in 1994 by glassmaker Della Tinsley and photographer Gideon Cleary, it is now the place to discover some of the best emerging talent the design world has to offer as well as showcasing products from established designer makers. And it happens to take place just three miles from my house, in the beautiful Shoreditch Town Hall,  so I had no excuse not to tootle on down for a nosey.

Over one hundred exhibitors were at the show so there was plenty to digest over the weekend. Here's a round up of some of my favourites:

Ros Shiers

Ros is a London-based illustrator whose typographical prints and drawings depict quotes, lyrics or personal notes. SInce graduating from Brighton university Ros has built up a steady client base which boasts names such as Stella McCartney and Ford.

Predominantly black and white, her style is striking in it's simplicity and beautifully executed. My favourite is this quote by the great Willy Wonka. 

'Willy Wonka' print, £24

Lollipop Designs

This cute stationery and gift site, founded by designer Rachel Le Mesurier, launched it's first range of design-led products in 2008.  Stockists now include the V&A shop and the Saatchi Gallery shop.  Inspired by the urban wildlife, Lollipop's designs feature many familiar city sights - squirrels on park benches, pigeons perched on a landmark and, my favourite, this pretty little sparrow - perfect for that last minute gift:

'Bird' paperweight, £12.50

Takae Mizutani and Sons
Founded in 2007 by my former neighbour Takae Mizutani and her 'sons' (cats Mooks and Guiness), this range of ceramics and kitchenwares certainly fulfil their intention - to bring a smile to your face.
Drawing on childhood memories, Takae captures the a certain youthful naivety in her designs.  Questions such as 'how many raindrops does it take to make a puddle?' are beautifully illustrated in the 'Hatena' range of tea towels (Hatena means 'question mark' in Japanese) which are handprinted by Takae on to Fair Trade 100% organic cotton. 

I love the simple, childlike whimsy that is present in all her designs, it makes me feel like a little girl again!  Come on people, let's spread the smiles...

'Memories of Falmouth' salt and pepper shakers, £39.75

'Sweet home snail' cake plate, £22.75

Day of the Dead

If you have read my post 'Purple Reigns, Dear' you'll know about my obsession with all things goth.  Favourite designer: Alexander McQueen.  Favourite film director: Tim Burton. Etc, etc.

Last week I dragged a reluctant Mr VKH to the Wellcome Trust on Euston Road to see the exhibition, Death: A Self Portrait.  A collection assembled by Richard Harris, it showcases over 300 artworks, historical artefacts and installations that all share a devotion to the depiction of death and human attitudes towards it. Given that my final year thesis at university was a study of anatomical drawing and how it was perceived you can understand my excitement at such a weird and wonderful exhibition. 

'Kate' - ©Kerry Hussain 2012

However, my fascination is not so much one with death but rather the structure of the human body - from an artistic point of view I've always found something aesthetically pleasing about it. Understanding how our bones, and in turn, our muscles dictate the shape of our bodies, and the lines and shadows created upon it, is fascinating for me. The skull, in particular, has a beautiful shape that I never tire of drawing. In my work, the cheekbones are always a prominent feature as I love the shadows cast around the jaw line, especially when lit from directly above.  In my teens I discovered Marlene Dietrich and those wonderful cheekbones. She has been somewhat of a muse ever since, along with Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham. 

Skeleton cup stack, £55,
Rockett St George

There is now a growing trend for the macabre: this year we have seen a revival in taxidermy and anyone who's anyone is selling stuff with antlers on.  Retailers such as Atelier Abigail Ahern and Rockett St George would be my first port of call for creating a den of gothic, Victorian decadence, with artwork by Rory Dobner adorning the walls.  

The popularity of designers such as McQueen has seen the skull motif emblazoned on everything at the moment, from t-shirts to candles and even crockery.  

All of which leads me to introduce my newest designer discovery, Lauren Baker. I came across her work whilst scouring the exhibitors list for the East London Design Show (which opens today at Shoreditch Town Hall) and, oh my, I nearly fell off my chair with excitement for 'tis right up my street!  Intrigued by an image of a deer skull adorned with feathers, I delved further in to this bizarre world and was not disappointed. 

Inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead, Lauren sources human and animal skulls (ethically, of course) then gilds and embellishes them with beads and mosaics.

The personal touch is very much in fashion and Lauren's work is no exception: each animal comes with a name and it's own story telling of it's age, where it lived and how it died.

Since producing her first piece just eighteen months ago, Lauren's work has made an instant impact within the art industry and has attracted a media and celebrity following. She exhibited at the Tate Modern earlier this year and her skulls are currently on view in the windows of Harrods. 

My favourite of the lot is the 'Fred' skull, beautifully gilded in gold leaf with a stud mohican.  

'Fred' - Lauren Baker

I think even Lee McQueen would have been envious of this one!
See more of Lauren's work at the East London Design Show (6th-9th December) or visit www.laurenbakermosaics.com

Watch this space for a round up of my faves from the East London Design Show, coming soon (ie, after I've been!).

Nkuku

Just a quick post to let you all know about a lovely website I've discovered called Nkuku.

Out and about over the last week or so I've spotted their products in several independent retailers, so I decided to look them up.

Specialising in stylish, fair trade gifts and homewares, Nkuku's products are eco-friendly and aim to promote and develop the skills of artisans they encountered on travels throughout Africa and India.

Top of my wishlist are these cute little chai glasses, perfect for that little mid-afternoon cuppa:

Handmade from recycled glass and available with the wire holder in Rust or Distressed White, a set of six costs £24.95.

For something seasonal, I love these antique silver glass 'Zala' baubles which come with recycled sari ties. £12.95 for a set of three.

Happy shopping!