They call themselves A Band of Buriers an English alternative folk band that blends folk and alternative rap elements together. The band consists of James P Honey, an accomplished alt rapper, singer and poet and Jamie Romain, a classically trained cellist. There was probably no better place to see A band of Buriers  for the first time! Most of you who follow Lionstigersrahhh already know that Storm In A Teacup a designer and vintage boutique is one of my favourite stores in London. I have stumbled across many stores that have great clothes but with Storm In A Teacup I have always felt that Claudia and Joe go one step further to make this place one that shares love for clothes, music, friends and good gin! On a warm Sunday afternoon we sip on gin in teacups - of course! - while friends and customers gather around to listen to A Band of Buriers. I find the idea of  music that travels beyond the everyday lyrics we fill our heads in and dives into current political  agendas we deal with on day to day basis fascinating. I liked the idea of being so close to a band and connecting to their music in an incredible setting. I also need to mention here that Storm In ATeacup also sell amazing colourful sweets the sit so beautifully in jars waiting for you to pick and eat! The sounds of the cello and guitar merging together and strong vocals to accompany, it was sure one lovely Sunday treat! 


Untitled from A Band Of Buriers on Vimeo.

Incredible pieces from Alaia, Vivienne Westwood, Comme Des Garcons, Alexander McQueen, Lanvin, long side some fantastic vintage pieces sourced and hand picked from around the world by Claudia and Joe. If you enjoy music, great fashion, a nice gin and being in a place that makes you feel warm and fuzzy then head down this Sunday to Storm In a Teacups London Fashion Week Special for a little bit and listen to the sweet voice of Steve Smyth. 

366 Kingland Rd
London
E8 4DB
UK

Object Abuse

In a totally unplanned manner, it seems that I continue on the same topic I posted yesterday on Kaori Kato's transforming objects into ideas that make you ponder about the world around us. When I went to  Object Abuse it got me thinking of the amount of times I have used a brush, broom or a peg but have never thought of transforming or changing these everyday items into something totally new. Hence the challenge I am facing now with everyday objects around me as I try to think of ways to change them into something new and most of the time I have been finding it dead hard!

The aim of Object Abuse is to create a collection of re-imagined objects which highlight not only how everyday items can be recycled into something new but also how we think differently when we work with our hands and how physical interaction creates new ideas over and above working through concepts on screen. The idea of remoulding, rebuilding and reconstructing objects appeals to me as it reminds me very much of my childhood. As a child I used to save my lunch money and go to the markets and buy as many things as I could with the money I had. I would also collect anything else I found on my journey to and from the markets. I would go into the kitchen and pour spices into things I bought, wrap and cut fabric and decorate my room with it. The sense of looking at objects in a different way is quite inspiring as it makes you question your own creative capacity of thinking beyond the bubble we sometimes trap ourselves in. It is this reason why I find Object Abuse quite interesting as it gives you insight to how people think their minds, hand and allows you to see their perception of the world around us. 

33 artists and designers worked their hands to change objects into a new item that you can view throughout September at KK Outlet and it is part of London Design Festival and the ICON Design Guide and all the proceeds going to St Monica’s of Hackney Primary School Art Department. 

Kaori Kato - Fold me like paper

I have always found the idea of  thinking beyond the  properties of an object and being able to transform it to something modern that makes you question everything around you quite fascinating. Born in Hakkaido, Japan and currently residing in Australia,  Kaori Kato's work is completely inspiring! 

With Kaori's background her work involves both western culture and Japanese aspects. Kaori explains that Japanese paper folding is a huge part of the Japanese culture, but the term dress or a dress is quite western. Koari merges these two themes to create wearable art. She also explains "Japan has a long history in wrapping. This time, I wanted the challenge to incorporate paper folding and a western style dress as well as the Japanese culture of wrapping. I have done a lot of experiment with paper"

The thing that strikes me about Kaori is her ability to produce such impeccable work without creating sketches. She was honest enough to explain that even though she had completed a BA in Fine Art (Drawing), she was the only person that didn't know how to draw on a piece of paper. It's quite ironic that a talented artist and designer is able to produce such magnificent work with paper but her difficulty  is putting thoughts on paper. She explains that her drawings occur during the process of creating her work, not on paper but in her head as she plays with the materials and discovers something she had never thought of before. She does how ever use paper to draw three demential sketches as she produces her final work.

Kaori primarily uses paper to create artwork or wearable art and explains "I have to touch the paper hundreds of times and I find this activity most absorbing". For her recent work Kaori has used fabric and was interested in using both paper and silk fabric within the same dress to investigate the relationship between paper and fabric. 

When I asked Kaori about her thoughts on wearable art, I found her responses quite interesting and made me wonder if designers thought of fashion in that sense would fashion then have more integrity? She has found wearable art a little bit difficult. She explains the difference between a garment and art "There are unlimited potentials in the ways of which art can presented. On the other hand, I found making a garment an ambiguous activity in my artistic practice. I have to touch the paper or materials hundreds of times to create the patterns and the paper absorbs millions of my fingerprints at the end. The works, which hold my countless fingerprints are going to be on someone's body. Is the person wearing the paper? or fabric? or I wonder if the person is wearing my fingerprints and the history of  the process".

I am quite intrigued how Kaori explores the endless possibilities with paper folding and I imagine her to be an extremely patient and gentle person. Kaori has recently displayed her wearable artistic sculptures at  the 2011 Spotlight Emerging Designer Exhibition at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week. Kato’s works have been included in several exhibitions, including Gertrude Contemporary Art Space (Mercy Street Curated by Anusha Kenny), Craft Victoria (Fresh! Finalist 2009) and Sofitel Melbourne on Collins (Attune to the Earth (solo exhibition). 

She was also invited to exhibit her drawing machine at Melbourne international Art Fair 08. In 2008 she was the recipient of the prestigious Wallara Travelling Scholarship. She has been extending her artistic practice by exhibiting in several interstates such as NSW and QLD.

A very special thank you goes out to Michael Fromholtz for sharing her wondering photos with Lionstigersrahhh. 

michael@fromholtz.com.au

http://fromholtz.com.au/