FOUND: NEW[ISH] MAGAZINE - LOST IN LONDON

PUBLISHING - In joes[a]fiend's opinion there are not enough magazines that discuss foraging, walking on riverbeds and local history. In fact, we're not sure that there are any. Therefore, Lost in London has gotten us really excited.

We found out about the beautifully designed magazine through magCulture's 24-hour long 5 year anniversary celebration and were immediately taken by the idea of a truly seasonal magazine. The publication inspires by sharing information on the capital through the changing seasons and the first issue conveys a love for the outdoors throughout.

Pick of the articles for us was Helen Babbs piece on the November 'draw-off' of the Thames at Richmond. In many ways this article is what the magazine is about - telling you about something you were not aware of and making you want to go and see it for yourself. The first issue also comes with a map of fruit trees in Hackney - again, prodding you to head outside and explore.

'We wanted to make something that showed London in a completely different way, reflecting all the things that are good about the city - there is so much more to it than busy tube trains and smog,' Lucy Scott, editor of Lost in London, told joes[a]fiend.

The design of the magazine is also a vital part of its appeal [as you can see from the pictures.] Tina Smith, the art director of Lost in London and Lucy Scott see the title as a backlash to the ubiquitous free-zines that are increasingly common in London.

'We had seen a few independent mags launch with uncompromising editorial and design values and it seemed to us like a backlash was underway against the multitude of free-zines popping up everywhere - not that they're bad necessarily, but just that there's a different sort of publishing to be had on the other side. The Ride Journal in particular was an inspiration.'

With the first signs of spring well and truly upon us [you can smell it along the New River Walk in Islington, honest] we are very much looking forward to the next issue of Lost in London. We shouldn't need to say when it comes out...

joes[a]fiend

THE UNDERGROUND GOES OVERGROUND

SPOTTED - At the Whitechapel underground/overground station the underground goes overground.

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GEOTAGGED IMAGES BECOME ART

London

New York

DATA VISUALISATION - I'm currently slightly obsessed with infographics and data visualisations. If you haven't got InformationIsBeautiful.net bookmarked or on your RSS reader, you should!

The maps above of New York and London created by Eric Fischer show where photographs have been taken. Location data comes from the public Flickr and Picasa search APIs.

As you can see the more photographs that are taken in a specific location the higher the concentration of lines. The images start to depict an interesting narrative as to where is popular and were isn't. It would be great to see this map in real-time, you would begin to see physical parts of your city 'trending'.

To see all 100 maps click here.

joes[a]fiend

30 YEARS OF ALLY CAPELLINO @ THE WAPPING PROJECT

EXHIBITION - We finally got down to the Wapping Project to see the 30 Years Of Ally Capellino exhibition and were throughly impressed with the retrospective of British designers work. The exhibition runs until the 6th June, if you're in the area it's worth a look.

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Images via Akira Chatani

SPOTTED [VOL. XIV]

SPOTTED Whilst is Soho [London] taking a stroll I spotted this amazing Rapunzel like art installation in the Riflemaker Gallery.

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SOPHIE HULME A/W10

FASHION - Sophie Hulme has lived up to her reputation of being a young British designer to watch. Each season her contemporary women's wear range gets better and better. Above are a few images taken at her A/W10 presentation.

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SPOTTED [VOL. XII]

TECHNOLOGY - We have been talking about QR codes for over two years, in that time we have seen them become ubiquitous. This advert was spotted on Broadway Market, London.

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HENDRICK'S ETIQUETTE FOR GENTLEMEN BY HERE DESIGN

GRAPHIC DESIGN - Here design are without a shadow of a doubt one of the best, if not the best graphic design studio in London. Their work spans all industry sectors, yet retains a sense of integrity few studios can maintain when undertaking such a broad range of work.

Here designed The Hendrick's book of manners, which is a facsimile of the original published around 1900 and is no larger than a credit card.

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LONDON PSYCHO-GEOGRAPHIES

Tower Bridge

Piccadilly Circus

Theses fantastic illustrations by Lizzie M. Cullen depict how intense and almost psychotic London can be at times. To see the rest of Lizzie's illustrations of London click here.

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OLYMPIC DESIGN AS IT SHOULD BE!

We all know how terrible the logo for the Olympics in London is, but nothing drove the message home more than when we saw this artwork by Alan Clarke.

Looking at this minimal, timeless design really shows just how visually repulsive the London 2012 logo is. We don't blame Clarke's decision not to include the monstrosity in his proposed artwork. Click here to view the logo, the 'design' is too awful to be featured here!

joes[a]fiend

A BIG DOLLOP OF FUN

On Saturday 22nd November dollop London, joes[a]fiend's favourite club night embarks on its most ambitious venture to date: a party so big it’s going to take two venues to do it justice! The Old Blue Last is a favourite haunt of dollop’s so where better to start the proceedings? Always conscious of pushing things forward the second venue is a new fixture - The Working Rooms on Kingsland Road is a creative workspace and showroom that will double up as a warehouse space ideally suited to keeping the party moving into the wee small hours.

Buraka Som Sistema head the bill with a set specially constructed for the occasion; DFA’s Disco Don Juan Maclean treats the bass bins to some live Acid; Brooklyn’s Electro Punk protagonists Team Robespierre play live, as do Spanish synth botherers Crystal Fighters; Chik Budo will be blasting out a squalling mix of House, Punk and Jazz whilst Only Joe completes the list for live entertainment.

Be sure to check it out, it will be one not to miss!!!

joes[a]fiend

BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER

SIBLING, is a new men’s knitwear label. Born out of a desire to give knitwear for men a kick up the arse, the premier collection includes bright and playful subversions of classic knitwear styles.

We think their knitwear should be made compulsory for every man in the world, it would certainly make the world a better place!

joes[a]fiend

THE CONVENIENCE STORE

‘Hard sculptured edges with an underlying message of social defiance and protection’ describes the A/W 08 collection of designer Andrew Ibi’s new retail concept [above]. Situated in the architectural shadow of Erno Goldfinger's 1960’s Trellik Tower in Notting Hill; brutal minimalism and unrelenting standards for high quality illustrate the design principle behind The Convenience Store. Deliciously robust, with no frills or soft lines in sight, the one-off store houses a ruthlessly edited conceptual showroom, with each of the chosen designer’s collections echoing the minimal, concreted aesthetic of the showroom itself with structured silhouettes, fearless hues and hard lines.
The minimal range resonates with the limited selection and stock of traditional ‘convenience stores’ but in truth speak volumes of the current consumer desire for exclusive, individualist products. Ibi has understood his customer exceptionally well, a fact that is clear through his store direction. Each of the purposely chosen pieces are exclusive and sold on exceptionally limited runs. Furthermore, the store runs an ‘under the counter’ system to reserve particularly sought-after items for the loyal customers that he will undoubtedly win.

The collections range from established designers Ann-Sofie Back, Rick Owens, Veronique Branquinho, AF Vandervorst and Christian Wijnants to new talent such as Hannah Marshall, Gustavo Lins and Clare Tough.

You can find The Convenience Store at:
1a Hazelwood Tower,
Golborne Gardens,
London
W10 5DT

[C] WOOD

SWINGING IN LONDON

“71% of adults used to play on the streets when they were young. 21% of children do so now. Are we designing children and play out of the public realm?

This project is a study into different ways of bringing play back into public space. It focuses on ways of incorporating incidental play in the public realm by not so much as having separate play equipment that dictates the users but by using existing furniture and architectural elements that indicate playful behaviour for all.

It asks us to question the current framework for public space and whether it is sufficient while also giving permission for young people to play in public.

Play as you go…” Bruno Taylor.

joes[a]fiend

VIA

NIKE SPORTSWEAR PRESENTS… 1948

Besides the spectacular opening ceremony for the Olympics on the 8th August, another spectacular launch was happening in another corner of Beijing that day. The new Nike Sportswear line was previewed; featuring items such as the hi-top patent dunks in block colourways [reminiscent of the Also Known As x Nike iD 'wet paint' pack], and has since been launched across the globe in several new pop-up retail spaces dedicated to the collection.

joes[a]fiend check out the launch of the London chapter last Thursday, and was impressed by the temporary store located on Bateman’s Row in Shoreditch. The space is not just home to some fly kicks, but also graffiti artist Mode2’s twenty foot tall interpretation of some of Nike’s greatest Olympians.

The Nike design team have outdone themselves on the space - one half is a futuristic black and neon installation, and the other a mock gymnasium. Pull yourself away from watching the Olympics on TV and get yourself down there.

joes[a]fiend

AESTHETIC [VOL. VI]

Chanel at Dover Street Market.

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THE DECAPITATOR STRIKES AGAIN

London street artist the Decapitator has been dismembering models on the city’s billboards again. The Decapitator's trademark is removing the model’s head and leaving a bloody calling card.

S/he’s latest work can be found where Old Street meets Shoreditch High Street. The victim this time round is a Uniqlo advert for a popup store on Brick Lane.


With Banksy making the front page of the broadsheets, street art is now firmly placed in the satchel of popular culture. We’re wondering how long it will take before a Decapitator styled image lands itself in a glossy fashion magazine… or even on the front of the Telegraph.

joes[a]fiend

IS IT ALL GOOD IN THE HOOD?

Streetwear in London has hit a sticky patch; two of the key players in the scene have, or are, shutting up shop. Bond, the corner stone of the London scene for many years, ceased trading a little while ago. Now Foot Patrol has also announced that it is closing its doors (and cages.) With rent and rates soaring in the capital these independents are being forced out. All we need to do is look at the travesty taking place on Savile Row with the likes of Abercrombie opening its doors on the famous street.


However, in this uncertainty Good Hood opened in East London (41 Coronet Street, Hoxton London, N1 6HD.) As you can see from the images - the store looks fresh and the only thing fresher is the stock. Run by Jo and Kyle, theses guys are mad friendly. If you’re in the area check out their selection, from Perks And Mini (PAM) to Rockers NYC (two brands joes[a]fiend tips for big things.) The guys at Good Hood know what’s going on, they recently joined forces with Modular Records to exhibit the work of Bumblebeez Chris Colonna aka Prince Umberto.



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