Lana Del Ray – “when you walked out that door a piece of me died”

Majority of the time I hate social networking or online services suggesting that you “like”, “befriend”, “watch” or “listen” to something. 9 times out of 10 the robotic systematic like suggestions are a little misjudged and there is always an underlying reason I don’t “ like” someone or something.

On the odd occasion there are a few gems to be discovered. Recently upon logging into Spotify I was commanded to check out Lana Del Rey. The airbrushed portrait that accompanied the ‘flag’ didn’t quite float my boats (apart from the hauntingly beautiful being clad in a very chic outfit. Alas I wasn’t wooed. I resisted pressing play)

 Upon flicking through one of my monthly glossy magazines, GQ Style I think. I stumbled upon a piece containing the hottest new acts, low and behold Miss Del Rey was included and a little less photo shopped may I add

Intrigued so I was….. I got home logged in and allowed the melodic phrases, elegant harmony and lyrical starkness cascade over my wafer thin ear drums, oww how they and my heart started to beat!!! By the second bar of the first verse my skin was wrapped in coldness, hairs standing on end, shivers literally running down my spine, lump in the throat and an emotional, unnecessary crystalline tear streaming down my cheek; “the timbre of a voice shouldn’t be so beautiful” I uttered to myself in the solitude of my room.

Born Elizabeth Grant in Windhoek Namibia. Now 24 and on the brink of super stardom she goes by her stage name Lana Del Rey derived from one of the most glamorous Hollywood stars ever to grace the planet, Lana Turner and the not so glitzy Ford ‘Del Rey’ automobile.

Upon playing “blue jeans” on repeat its safe to say I am totally encapsulated by her talents let alone her looks, both of which could easily bring the loudest most hectic room to a standstill.

I have an open mind musically but I find myself totally underwhelmed upon listening to skeletal tracks. As bare as Del Rey’s statements are I am humbled in the tranquillity, soothing quality and atmospherics of her compositions. A sucker for anything moody, melancholy and emotive.

A friend kindly played forced me to watch her self made music videos, even these were seamless. Political, current and a tad humorous.  As we discussed her untouchable talents the questions arose, is she the Chris Isaak of our times? Is she going to keep her naturally beautiful "bubblegum waitress" looks? Is she going to succumb to executive pressures and sell-out?? I do hope Del Rey manages to stand up to the execs allowing her morals to prevail and become a superstar for her vocal and musical virtuosity. The short venture down the path of media whore is a quick and easy way to make a dollar but you write your own fate in this life.. How do YOU want to be remembered?

Lana Del Rey is an extremely interesting and intelligent individual, definitely worth lending your ears to. Is it normal to fall in love with someone you have never met? Lana, the ring awaits!

“I will love you till the end of time

I would wait a million years

Promise you’ll remember that you’re mine

Baby can you see through the tears

Love you more than more than those bitches before

Say you’ll remember, oh baby, say you’ll remember

I will love you till the end of time”

Blue Jeans

Athena Procopiou

Currently in awe of the new Narnia on acid work's by Athena Procopiou. Tim Walker meets Tim Burton via Hermés. Finding it pretty difficult to focus and pry myself away from such stunning examples of creativity.

Athena was born in Greece (hence the name) and grew up in Switzerland in a highly creative environment.

Like myself Athena was destined for life as a musician. She studied Piano at Switzerland's Conservatoire until the age of 18 when she decided to Study History of Art at Christie's in Paris. I too left the world of music at the age of 18 to pursue a career in a different artistic medium. After a two year stint in Paris she then moved to London and studied Illustration and Graphic Design at the prestigious Central Saint Martins.

After graduation Procopiou gained work collaborating with some of London's greatest design firms and fashion labels. As you can see on her website Athena Procopiu now runs her own successful fashion label designing her own prints and scarves. Not just a pretty face then!
*Information gathered from Athena Procopiu.com*

The Enchanted Wood

As I compose this piece I am listening to Rachmaninoff Piano Sonata's drenched in the final droplets of my feral Robert Piguet Bandit extract.. good bye my green Bandit.

Giving away.

*PS, Warning in advance MANY images of a B&W nature, my trigger finger was snap happy and was feeling a little bit Testino at a party last night*

First bottle of Moét 

Yesterday was a special day for me. I was asked several months ago to "give" my sister away at her wedding ceremony and basically take the role as Father of the Bride for the day. Quite possibly the quickest year ever and equally one of the best days of my life. Only thing to equal it will be my own wedding and then subsequently my kids.... eventually, if this ever happens that is!!

Callum and family n friends

Extremely proud of myself for not allowing a tear to develop, it was very much touch and go from time to time. I also enjoyed being back in the carriage of a vintage Rolls Royce, could only think of Cuir de Russie and Duran Duran's "The chauffeur".

1935 Rolls Royce

Everyone looked beautiful. All of the men were in Kilts during the day and women were all in dresses.
My sisters dress was bespoke with masses of material, yard upon yard of tulle and silk making up a vast silvery train, stunning.

Nicola and Callum

Sister and other "sister" Sarah

I was forced into wearing a kilt. My outfit consisted of an XS Topman "collar bar" shirt and 1930's vintage collar bar, Hermés super fine silk tie, Gucci single monkstrap brogue's. A black, white and grey kilt, black bespoke jacket and waistcoat with bone buttons and mandatory black Ray Bans. I then changed into "informal formal wear" for the evening. A tailored 6 Button skinny fit DB jacket, pair of skinny black jeans (one pair from my six pairs of Cheap Monday jeans), Slim knitted black tie from Fred Perry, Louis Vuitton Loafers, vintage collar bar shirt and collar bar..........Scents of the day consisted of Frederic Malle's Une Fleur de Cassie for day wear, Penhaligon's Sartorial on fabric and YSL M7 on skin for night. My sister chose Prada Candy for her wedding fragrance under my direction. Bridesmaids wore Chanel Chance and my mother was powdered in Ghost by Ghost (by Michel Almairac ) with its pairing of peppery rose and fuzzy c-14 aldehyde like peach notes we were all very scented, scented to the high heavens.

moi and sisters work mates

Moi and Cousin Jordan

Moi and Sister friend Tash

Moi and Callum's friend

My other task was to document the evening as best as possible with my lens(even although there was a photographer on hand from 8am until 10.30pm!!!) I did managed to take quite a few snaps that "read" like a real cross section of the days events. Available to view on Facebook, *HERE* 

Nicola rolling about the floor

Mother and cousin Barry

There will be more professional shots being added to this here entry over the next few weeks when Ian at Yellow 12 gets round to editing them all down.

Nicola

I forgot just how stylishly my family can celebrate, hats off to you guys!! Tres chic.

Eva and Wedding Teddy