The Bookseller has announced that British imprint Constable is to publish my book Malcolm McLaren: The Biography.
Five extraordinary pieces: Barney Bubbles furniture designs come to light
// 5 x Barney Bubbles designs, 1981/2. Photo above: Nina Sologubenko//
Last week I had an exciting encounter with the rare and adventurous furniture designs produced by the late graphics master Barney Bubbles in the early 80s.
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Derek Boshier: Inside The Mind Of A Pop Artist at Charing X Hospital
A selection of works by Derek Boshier in the collection of the Imperial College Healthcare Charity go on display this week.
Continue reading Derek Boshier: Inside The Mind Of A Pop Artist at Charing X Hospital
That’ll Be The Day: How Ringo ended up in a Teddy Girl’s drape jacket from Let It Rock
In the autumn of 1972 the small King’s Road boutique Let It Rock, which had been open for less than a year, received a fillip when the owners Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood were asked to contribute costumes to the production of 50s Britrock movie That’ll Be The Day.
Ben Kelly aka The Photo Kid outside Sex, 430 King’s Road, World’s End, 1975
I’m featuring this image of designer Ben Kelly in his persona of The Photo Kid in my presentation about the design history of 430 at the symposium Dead Or Alive: Popular Culture & The Interior, which takes place today at London’s ICA.
Continue reading Ben Kelly aka The Photo Kid outside Sex, 430 King’s Road, World’s End, 1975
Granny Takes A Trip + Mr Freedom boots: Were they originally owned by Elton?
//The four pairs of boots are classic examples of early 70s rock n roll style//
These rare and unusual boots are thought to have once belonged to Elton John; the current owner was told this when he acquired them.
Continue reading Granny Takes A Trip + Mr Freedom boots: Were they originally owned by Elton?
Back in Duke Street: Derek Boshier at Robert Fraser Gallery 1965 + Whitford Art Gallery 2015
Thanks to Pace London for providing scans of the showcard for Derek Boshier’s spring 1965 exhibition at Robert Fraser Gallery in Mayfair’s Duke Street.
430 Kings Road: In the back of Mr Freedom, Paradise Garage + Let It Rock 1969 – 1972
Preparation for my paper at Ben Kelly’s interior design symposium Dead Or Alive has coincided with the refurbishment of the Worlds End shop at 430 King’s Road in Chelsea.
The address is the subject of my talk; I’ll be detailing the history of 430 and how and why it was an important social and cultural locus over a number of decades.
Potential Architecture at Ambika P3
This handsome fold-out poster is for the exhibition Potential Architecture, which opens at London’s Ambika P3 on March 11.
I Can’t Breathe: Pussy Riot with Richard Hell, Shahzad Ismaily (The Ceramic Dog), Scofferlane, Jack Wood, Andrew Wyatt + Nick Zinner
I received a message from Richard Hell: “Check out this wildness.”
So I did.
It’s I Can’t Breathe, Pussy Riot’s first English-language release, about the furore surrounding the death last year of Eric Garner. Hell recites Garner’s final words on the track.
“It felt weird to speak the words of a black man killed by the police, when I’m this privileged white guy,” Hell told Pitchfork. “At the same time, I believe in Pussy Riot. I have faith in them. I think they’re for real.”
Read all about the recording of I Can’t Breathe here.