Ab Fab

I seem to be getting a few moments here and there to read more recently. At the moment I;m engrossed in The Beautiful Fall. A thoroughly researched and an almost overwhelming array of characters contribute to this exhaustive account of the rise of Yves St Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld. Both men saw success in 1954 with their entries in the International Wool Secretariat Competition, but their rise to success took divergent paths. St Laurent saw in the revolution of the couture business whilst Lagerfield was always visionary in anticipating the rise of ready to wear and the cult of youth. The influence of the May 68 riots, youth culture and changes in society shaped the development of Paris Couture in the latter half of the Twentieth Century more so than any other time in its history.

Jumpman

I left my old job (after 10 years) at the start of this year to run my own business. I was chuffed to receive a Wii as a leaving gift, but with the pressure of the new business, it hadn’t had much of a work out until the last month or so. So after many hours and much swearing I finally finished Super Mario Galaxy. This is without doubt the most inventive of the Mario outings, making both great use of the Wii controller and mind bending use of in game physics. But is it the best Mario game? I think that crown must remain with Super Mario 64. The most important in its significance remains Super Mario Bros as it defined 2D platform gaming. It still is the gold standard.

My fop 5 favourite Mario games, in no particular order...

*Donkey Kong (Game and Watch)
*Super Mario Bros. (NES)
*Mario Kart 65 (N64)
*Super Mario 64 (N64)
*Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

Round the Outside!

I love this record cover. Not only does it represent the pairing of two of the most important people to shape street wear (if not the most important influentially), but it later became both the source material directly for a classic Supreme T and also Supreme’s use of the “World Famous Supreme Team” slogan. Released in 1990 on Virgin Records.

Wanderlust

These postcards were amongst some other gems in a book store at Glastonbury. This style of photography that celebrates the banal and kitsch of Americana and Route 66 has become a cliché and a bit played out, but the images still have a certain charm. I love Stephen Shore's works that depict diners and big American cars, and whilst far brighter and chirpier there are several along these lines amongst this pack of cards,