arts | I Get a Kick out of you

Maison Close, Sky Arts 2, Burlesque, Corsets

The Lure of the Bordello

August 14, 2012 by igetakickoutofyou

My guilty pleasure at the moment is the series Maison Close on Sky Arts 2, about a bordello in the heart of Paris in 1871. Have you been watching it? It’s rather compulsive viewing. The first scene in the first episode shows you pretty much what to expect and it’s risque with a capital R! But of course it’s not the (ahem..) antics of the show that inspire – it’s most definitely the fashion. Corsets, camisoles, cami-knickers, petticoats, masks, gloves […]

Categories: Fashion • Tags: 1871, art, arts, beauty, bordello, burlesque, Cannes Film Festival, craft, culture, design, dressmaking, Entertainment, Fashion, fashion illustration, film, films, Glamour, history, maison close, movies, Paris, photography, reviews, style, travel, vintage

Tea Leaves From South Africa

June 18, 2012 by igetakickoutofyou

Elle Decor made me very home sick last week, with their feature on West Elm’s collaboration with Cape Town and Johannesburg artists. Lucky US customers will see a roll out of this South African collection over the coming month, with furniture from John Vogel, pottery by Mick Haigh, lighting by Shirley Fintz and even a limited edition of south african flavoured objects in the form of Masai chokers on stands and beaded birds. One of the things I love about […]

Categories: Interiors, vintage • Tags: art, arts, Cape Town, craft, culture, design, diy, dressmaking, Inspiration, Interiors, jewelery, Johannesburg, lifestyle, photography, shopping, South Africa, style, travel, vintage, West Elm

Lessons in Design

June 11, 2012 by igetakickoutofyou

Sometimes there’s nothing like a good old-fashioned dose of historical design to hit the inspiration button like a thunder bolt. Seville was no exception – in particular the Royal Palace or Alcazar. It was truly jaw-dropping. (Although rather difficult to find – that could, however, just be my husband and I – we must have passed the same horse at least five times and were way to embarrassed to ask where this incredible attraction was housed.) Just when I was […]

Categories: Interiors, Photography2, vintage • Tags: Alcazar, art, arts, books, craft, culture, design, diy, fashion illustration, film, films, history, illustration, Inspiration, Interiors, photography, style, technology, travel, vacation, vintage

The Rivoli Ballroom, Brockley, South London

Rocking the Rivoli

June 6, 2012 by igetakickoutofyou

Do you remember me talking about an “event” I was working on, but I was waiting for the pictures? Well finally I’m able to share them with you. So, imagine the scene – the Rivoli Ballroom. Built in 1913 as a picture palace, it now stands as one of the last remaining ballrooms in London. With original chinese lanterns, flock wallpaper, chandeliers and glitter balls, this is one cool venue. So cool, in fact, that the line up of gigs […]

Categories: Dance, Vintage Archive • Tags: 1920s, 1950s, art, arts, beauty, burlesque, Cabaret, celebrities, culture, dance, design, Entertainment, Fashion, film, Glamour, history, Inspiration, Interiors, music, photography, Rivoli Ballroom, style, Theatre, travel, vintage

Anita Calero, Loft, Flea Market Finds, Emily Chalmers

Spot the Difference – Anita Calero, New York

May 21, 2012 by igetakickoutofyou

Well, I survived my “event” on Friday – which I shall blog about in the near future. I’m just waiting for the photographs to materialize and I’ll then share them with you all. (Depending on how they turn out!) So back to real life again and back to some inspiration. During the weekend I settled down under the duvet, with …yes… a slight hangover, and flicked through a Dutch Elle Decoration, Mr E had bought me. I was also looking […]

Categories: Interiors, vintage • Tags: Anita Calero, art, arts, beauty, books, craft, culture, design, diy, emily chalmers, flea market style, home, illustration, Inspiration, Interiors, jewelery, lifestyle, photography, style, travel, vintage

Twinsets with Sparkle

May 7, 2012 by igetakickoutofyou

One of the things I love about doing this blog is I can create whatever I like, delve into the realms of the imagination and have fun with Photoshop. (I should really be doing the kids’ homework!) Today it’s all about partners in crime – or rather outfits teamed with corresponding interiors. oh…. and they all have a little of sparkle – here goes….. (Those images that are not credited come from “the scrapbook” and are rather old – so […]

Categories: 1920s, Fashion, Interiors, Photography2, vintage • Tags: 1920s, alberta ferretti, american vogue, art, arts, beauty, craft, culture, design, dressmaking, Entertainment, Fashion, Glamour, illustration, Inspiration, Interiors, lifestyle, photography, sequins, sparkle, style, vintage, vintage scrapbook

Helena Christiansen, Chanel No5, vintage home

At home with Helena

March 29, 2012 by igetakickoutofyou

Whenever I go to Selfridges, I always make a point of going to the magazine section, on the ground floor. I’m like a pig in clover, surrounded by masses of international magazines and inspiration overload. Only this time I was a little disappointed. I must have flicked through about 6 magazines – all pretty much showing the same fashion shoot – edgy with splashes of nudity, piercings and androgyny. Not that I have problem with any of these you understand. […]

Categories: Fashion, Interiors, Photography2 • Tags: art, arts, beauty, celebrities, craft, design, Entertainment, Fashion, Helena Christensen, illustration, Inspiration, Interiors, lifestyle, literature, Magazines, photography, style, the selby, vintage