Iris Apfel: Octogenerian Style Guru to the World

It is so inspirational to see a cool fashion icon at the age of 89!

 In the June issue of Architectural Digest Iris Apfel and her
 astonishing New York City apartment is on show.

Surrounded by a life time of collected colourful art, objects, exquisite fabrics and furnishings, 

Iris can be seen posing in her usual inimitable way decked from head to toe

 in amazing fashion amongst the racks of her extensive vintage designer clothing collections.

You've gotta love an 89 year old in thigh high boots!!

I want to be this fabulous when I grow up!!

First pic by Bruce Weber

All other images via Architectural Digest

Babalou Happy Snaps

Some of the vintage swag lights we sourced for Babalou......

The original doors of the Pub had glass panels replaced with mirror,
 painted and rehung on the exterior walls to balcony dining area

The Veuve Clicquot Love Seat by Karim Rashid adds an interesting sculptural element to the room and that amazing pop of pink that Rashid is so obsessed with!

The Veuve Clicquot  Love Seat by Karim Rashid

Custom Pop Art Wallpaper and copper coffee table turned wall hanging.

Porters Chairs 

The Record Library with art by Scott Redford

Pressed Metal on the Bar Front

Babalou watching over the Library

The Swan

Photos by J. Watson-Evans

Interior Design by Janelle Watson-Evans Watson & Watson in collaboration with Scott Redford

Chanel Cruise Collection 2011/12 at Cannes

A lovely nod to Madam Coco at the launch of the Chanel Cruise collection 2011/12!

Where else but at the iconic Hotel Du-Cap-Eden-Roc-Antibes,

 in coordination with the 2011 Cannes Film Festival

 and the release of the short film by Karl Lagerfeld 'The Tale of A Fairy

At the after party the guests were treated to the premiere of Lagerfeld's film  

 and a surprise performance by Bryan Ferry.

slave to love.....

images via Another

Penny Byrne - Sugar Coated Bullets of Truth

I first encountered the astonishing work of Penny Byrne

at the Melbourne Art Fair in 2008,

 and was instantly transfixed by them.

A lawyer, human rights activist, and conservator of ceramics,

 this Melbourne based artist makes cutting edge political and social commentary through her art.

*the words below each image are the actual titles of the works*

Five Minutes to Midnight Tic Toc Tic Toc    2008

H5N1 #8 2008

"Let's forget about global warming" said Alice "and have a tea party instead!"  2010

Strong statements on Australia's refugee/boat people debacle, environmental, sexual, American politics, 

and animal liberation abound!

It's beginning to look like Christmas-Island or East Timor, or PNG, or Naru...  2010

'Save me, save me from tomorrow.  I don't want to sail in this Ship of Fools  - 
 I want to run and hide, right now'  2008

It's Murder on the Dance Floor #5 2007

"If Only Gay Sex caused Global Warming" mused Mother Earth 2007

George and Laura simply love the War on Terror     2008

Oil Junkie 2008

War on Terror Waltz 2010

How Much Can A Polar Bear? 2010

Shit Creek 2010

The Right To Arm Bears 2008

Ole 2010


The titles of these 'altered' vintage figurines 
are as important as the objects themselves.


The decorative arts purists can rest assured 
that no important originals were harmed
 during the making of this art.  
 Cheap vintage copies need only apply.



I love the synergy of decorative and fine arts colliding with thought provoking political comment.


This is what art should be about!






Images via Sullivan + Strumpf Fine Art Sydney

Happy Mother's Day!

Pink Gum Blossoms 1929 by Margaret Preston

Enjoy your day, read a book, stop and smell the flowers, and relax!

Image from 'Margaret Preston' Art Gallery of New South Wales

Deborah Edwards

Savage Beauty of Lee McQueen

In the words of Sarah Jessica Parker

He had these gorgeous hands.

 And he just worked. And he was quiet and unthinkably shy, didn’t look in your eyes much,

 didn’t want to, wasn’t interested in engaging;

 it wasn’t important for me to be his friend. You know, he was very concerned about his work.

Alexander McQueen 
Savage Beauty
The Metropolitan Museum of Art New York
May 4th - July 31st 2011


images via Another & The Met