80s Artist Film Restorations from the UK

I'm fascinated by William Fowler's task of remastering a lost archive of 80's film work which in part was revealed the other week at the BFI. I went out of curiosity mainly because of the Steven Chivers film made in 1984, 'Catherine De Medicis Part 2' featuring artist Holly Warburton, (who I regularly  worked with at the time) and myself in gothic mode. I confess, I hadn't actually watched in it's entirety so I expected to be embarrassed, I was pleasantly surprised. Yes it is melodramatic, camp and theatrical, it's also beautifully filmed in a stylish and atmospheric fashion. I seem to remember a penchant at the time for these type of themes, I also recall an overlap of social themes of consciousness within our group of friends work which were realized with the basic techniques of super 8 and VHS film with touches chroma key, looking at them today the results are really quite inspiring.

So far Fowler has resurrected the work of Isaac Julien with film 'Territories', a slice of real life set around Nottinghill Carnival and addressing social interaction. Sophie Muller's film 'In Excelsis Deo (In Adoration of God)' imagery revolving around the context of catholic religion and Jennifer Binnie's film 'Grayson/Flowers/Jewels', a touching moment with Grayson Perry and of course the Steven Chivers 'Catherine De Medicis' film.

Still from Jennifer Binnies film 'Grayson/Flowers/Jewels'

A lot of these films were thought to be lost forever, tucked away at the back of draws and cupboards William Fowler has managed to rediscover films that at the time were shown at London's Film Co-op or the ICA. Plans to restore the early work of John Maybury and Cerith Wynn Evans (amongst others) are afoot and next Spring 2014 the entirety of his discoveries will be presented at the BFI Southbank.

Following Fashion Dolls 'Ever After High'

This week as a new range of dolls from Mattel launched, 'Ever After High' got the London look from Fashion East designers Claire Barrow, Ryan Lo, Bobby Abley and Ashley Williams who have designed custom made handbags and looks for the dolls.  I painted the artwork, a collection of watercolors based on the dolls themselves which have been translated onto t-shirts and carrier bags. The t-shirts are available to buy on the 18th October at Selfridges London Toy Shop, at the launch we gave them away along with some MAC cosmetics.

Princess Julia says: "As a style enthusiast and keen watercolour painter, I was inspired by the unique personalities of each Ever After High doll.  Coupled with the talents of our young designers who have dressed them up and added a further flourish to these miniature Miss's, I feel my portraits capture the idea that they have come to London to party in style."

M U S E at THE LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION

It's a new term and I've been invited to help organize and also become a muse to the 2nd year fashion students at the London College of Fashion. Along with fellow muses...

Mark Moore... Mark Moore is a M U S E who emerged on London's club scene as a dj/producer in the 80's and then went on to form seminal band S'Express who's chart hit's formed the landscape of dance and pop music we know today. Mark continues to dj and produce, catch up with him here http://www.markmoore.com/

Sue Tilley... Sue Tilley has continued a diverse career, life model to Lucien Freud, writer of 'Leigh Bowery The Life and Times of an Icon' whilst continuing her day job as a benefits supervisor she is a firm fixture on London's social scene.

                                                                      Sue Tilley

Scarlett Cannon... Our M U S E  Scarlett Cannon, you can catch up with her on her blog http://heavenlyhealer.blogspot.co.uk/Today she is an avid horticultural tutor (and writer), Scarlett was intergral to the London club scene in the early 80's and appeared as a model in various magazines with her definitive style.

                                   Scarlett Cannon as featured on the cover of Iain R Webbs book

Dusty O... Dusty O has had and continues to have a colourful career running clubs including London's Trannyshack and diversifying with djing, talks and performance, she has a defining self styled look and vibrant personality. Catch up with her on her website... http://www.dustyo.com/bio/

We'll be tutoring students over the next few months to create stylish and individual looks for us which will culminate in a presentation in December.

Working with LCF fashion student and style blogger Kayla Hadlington we've set up the following pages to keep you abreast of our progress and get a first hand view in the creative process we will be pursuing over the projects duration.

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