01.10.2010- Clybourne Park

Clybourne Park, The Royal Court Theatre, 29.09.2010, 7.30pm.

Clybourne Park, the latest in a recent string of sell out successes for The Royal Court, is a play which takes a satirical look at issues of property and race in America over the last fifty years. Brilliantly written by Bruce Norris, Act One (set in 1959) focuses on Russ and Bev, a white, middle-class couple who sell their suburban house at a reduced price to a black family, a move which ruffles more than a few feathers in their parochial Clybourne Park neighbourhood. Fast forward fifty years later to Act Two, which centres on a white couple attempting an extensive renovation of the same property, and you have a play which is as acerbic as it is hilarious.

The genius of Clybourne Park lies in the way it has been structured. By presenting events episodically, we are afforded only the briefest of glimpses into the characters and the dynamics of their on-stage relationships. This in turn makes the dialogue more engaging, as it remains the only source of back-story throughout. By creating a gulf of fifty years between the acts of the play, Norris also has the ability to juxtapose social attitudes and values from two contrasting epochs, as he questions whether time has altered, eradicated or simply transferred the prejudices of the Clybourne Park community. The doubling of roles across contexts also gives the remarkable cast ample opportunity to demonstrate their versatility, as well as evoking the notion that the previous inhabitants themselves are as much a part of the property as the bricks and mortar which it is constructed from.

As I have mentioned, the ensemble cast was remarkable, but particular praise must go to Sophie Thompson and Martin Freeman, in the roles of Bev/Kathy and Karl/Steve respectively. I was particularly struck by Thompson's physical presence in the space, particularly when she was playing Bev, the highly strung 1950's housewife. Every movement she made communicated the character's underlying insecurities, as the audience came to understand the tragic truth of the events which had unfolded at the house previously. Freeman seemed to relish in the physical and verbal comedy of the piece, and maintained an extremely strong stage presence throughout. Each of the actors had obviously worked extensively in rehearsal on all of the characters they portrayed and had a clear understanding of their individual roles. They had evidently established a strong group dynamic which ensured they were able to deliver the dialogue-heavy script seamlessly to the audience.

The design of the piece, by Robert Innes Hopkins, was extremely simple, but very effective. The location of the play doesn't change, and this sense of stasis further illustrates the idea that nothing in the neighbourhood ever really alters, regardless of how time moves on. The set itself consisted of a fully functioning interior, which transformed from a beautifully kept home to a dilapidated shell during the course of the interval. Paule Constable's lighting created the perfect atmosphere for the piece, and was particularly poignant at the conclusion of the play, as the secret history of the property physically manifested itself on stage.

Clybourne Park is not only one of the funniest plays I've ever seen, it also has to be one of the most thought provoking. Not only does it seek to shatter taboos and challenge notions of political correctness through biting satire, but also illustrates that the legacy of the past has an inescapable effect on both the present and future.

Clybourne Park runs at The Royal Court until Saturday 2nd October. Next year, it will transfer to the West End, and I'd really recommend going to see it if you get the chance.

(Image credit: Google Images.)

Elena Kuletskaya - Paris Fashion Week

She is working for MTV Russia
A look like a mix between Jean Seberg and Brigitte Bardot
with a touch of Michelle Pfeiffer. Beautiful !

Model - Paris Fashion Week

Paris Fashion Legs

Model - Paris Fashion Week

The lady on the Bridge - Paris FW

This pic was taken on Alexandre III Bridge
after Guy Laroche Show

Mickey Lunettes - Paris Fashion Week

Cool !

Electric Blue Lady - Paris FW

Outside Pierre Cardin Fashion Show

28.09.2010- Ciao, Bella

This Milan Fashion Week, I found myself really liking a variety of collections, which is fairly unusual as I usually much prefer the Paris, London and New York shows. My favourite collections from Milan really encapsulated a sense of fun and femininity, which proved very refreshing:

D&G

 Love the garden prints, cute floral details and repeated use of layering throughout, very festival chic.

Jil Sander

Bold colours, tropical prints and experimentation with proportion made the Jil Sander show one of Milan's most memorable. 

Fendi

The Fendi collection featured delicate prints and had a very bohemian feel, with maxi skirts and batwing sleeves taking centre stage. The majority of looks showcased in this collection also appeared extremely wearable and easy to recreate on a smaller budget. 

Moschino Cheap and Chic

Yet another kooky and kitsch show from Moschino Cheap and Chic, where the midi length skirt remained a staple and eye-popping patterns were everywhere. 

MaxMara

A collection of beautifully cut pieces, with emphasis once again on the waist. City chic perfected.

Dolce and Gabbana

The Dolce and Gabbana collection is probably my pick of the Milan crop. Not only are the clothes absolutely beautiful in terms of design vision and detail on an individual level, but the collection as a whole was so cohesively presented and conceived that you really got a sense of Dolce and Gabbana's vision for SS11. Extensive use of lace and sheer fabrics gives the collection a really romantic feel, and there is a feel of antiquity to all of the pieces which I adore.

What did you think of Milan Fashion Week? Which of the shows were your favourites?

(Image credit: style.com, ELLE UK, WWD and vogue.co.uk.)

27.09.2010- Tea and (birthday) cake

My 21st birthday is only a few months away now and I'm already planning how to celebrate (if struggling a bit to figure out what presents to ask for!) Last week I received confirmation that myself and my lovely best friend Sarah will be attending a sitting of Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley Hotel in London. I read about this 'afternoon tea with a fashionable twist' absolutely ages ago, and ever since have been waiting for the chance to give it a try; luckily my birthday gives us the perfect excuse for a bit of tea and cake indulgence! The menu changes every six months to accommodate the changing seasons in fashion, so I expect it will be different in December, but the Spring/Summer 2010 Collection sounds divine:

The Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

A selection of loose leaf teas and herbal infusions:

• Loose leaf English breakfast, Earl Grey, Ceylon, Lapsang Souchong, Organic Assam, Vanilla, Pear Caramel, White Peony.
• Herbal infusions Camomile Citron, Wild Blossom and Berries, Chocolate Mint Truffle, African Amber.

A mouth-watering selection of miniature savoury skewers, taster spoons, elegant canapés and tea sandwiches.

A collection of cakes and fancies in in the colours of the fashion season and in the style of the world’s finest designers:

• Anya Hindmarch light apricot sponge summer ‘Halen’ bag wrapped in almond marzipan with playful bow.
• Paul Smith orange papaya and pink lavender bavarois topped with chocolate bowler hat.
• Season’s must-have clog biscuit adorned with chocolate brown studs and white leather glaze.
• Yves Saint Laurent soft romantic white chocolate mousse and raspberry custard, with crunchy meringue scattered with mini strawberries.
• Sonia Rykiel nautical vanilla and raspberry jam layered mousse topped with humorous yellow hat
• Belted Jason Wu poppy-seed cocktail dress biscuit embellished with ruffled purple icing
• Erdem dark silky chocolate cake filled with passion fruit and delicate lace.
• Christopher Kane pale pink almond macaroon filled with white chocolate and elderflower ganache topped with pink checkerboard.
• Jean Paul Gaultier fluorescent cheese cake on almond and oat base, accessorized with a bright yellow sugar twirl.

Pretty special, don't you agree? I really can't wait!

Have you been to The Berkeley for Prêt-à-Portea? If so, what did you think? And have you got any special celebrations coming up soon?

(Image credit: The Berkeley.)

26.09.2010- These boots are made for autumn

Statement shoes, bags and accessories are back with a bang for this Autumn/Winter, and nowhere on the high street is there a better collection of designer influenced accessories than at Dune. Their forthcoming Venetian Masquerade collection features opulent velvet fabrics and jewelled details, perfect for the party season. Starlight Express evokes a tougher edge with high shine buckles and chains on sky high leather boots all in a functional colour spectrum of blacks, taupes and nudes. Finally, The Aviator taps in to the key military trend of the season, as seen on the Burberry catwalk. This collection is all about the functionality of footwear, from shearling lined worker boots evocative of the 1940's working girl, to the classic brogue in a nod to androgynous style. On the bag front, leather satchels and industrial style buckle details are big news, as is the ladylike tote and statement clutch. Dune's collection of jewellery for this season also features adorable statement necklaces and bracelets adorned with charms, as well as dazzling cocktail rings, the perfect finishing touch to any party outfit. Here are my picks from their Autumn/Winter 2010 lookbook:

Petrol Boot, £85.

Jerica Shoe Boot, £99.

Banish Shoe Boot, £110.

Paddie Brogue, £55.

Pollie Tote, £65.

Cate Satchel, £95.

Laurent Clutch, £55.

Scarlet Cocktail Ring, £25.

Sandy Charm Braclet, £45.

The Pollie tote has gone straight to the top of my shopping list!

What do you think of Dune's latest collection? Anything you're tempted by? And what will you be investing in for the Autumn?

(Image credit: Dune.)