The Art of Giving

Tracy Brambrough stood in the house of fairy-tales amongst a circle of silver mushrooms and introduced the night with an emotional talk about personal losses and how they evoked a need for her and her partner to support those in need, in response to their inner needs they created a whimsical platform to enhance artists from unknown to recognized while raising awareness and financial support for worldwide charities and the artists themselves. 

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" - Winston Churchill

Their platform is fittingly called 'the art of giving' and this year held at one of the most renowned galleries in the world, the Saatchi gallery and thanks to an invite from The Times i was able to make an appearance at the private showing. I'd suspected the event was going to be slightly high brow so i had only myself to blame when i felt edgy while grabbing at the free champagne despite wearing torn skinnys and un-laceable boots.

Oliver Marsden - Black Africa Dub - £6,000

There is a unique story behind every creation or purchase of art and especially if that piece of art has changed peoples lives, everything at Saatchi was for sale with 50% supporting the artist and 50% the charity. The House Of Fairytales uses; creative play, story telling and art exhibitions to teach and open up the mind of children and teenagers. 'You can discover more about a person in an hour of play, than a year of conversation" - Plato. Other charities include Stepping Stones Nigeria who help the persecuted and orphaned children of Africa who have been accused of witchcraft by people abusing spirituality. Artists supporting SSN include Beezy Bailey with his silver sculpture of a dancing Jesus and Zake Ove with Exodus; an african street constructed by model cars with African dolls hanging from cars in the street, missing limbs. 


Classic Fm Music Makers is a charity dedicated to help underprivileged and disabled children, their gallery room is dominated by a mountain of speakers which stands guards to the most staggering entertainment memorabilia including hair raising Terry o Neil prints of  Elton John & The Beatles and Drew Walker's face portraits of idols like Kate Moss.

My personal favorite up and coming artists displayed at TAOG include; Adrian Di Duca, Yosef Cohen, Paul Digby, Nerea Martinez de Lecea & Rachel Lumsden, definitely worth investigating these! The exhibition opened today, for one day only, to the public and hopefully will encourage long term support for artists and worthwhile charities.


As with some other posts, this will feature on The Other Side Magazine.

D-Gnak by Kang-D s/s 11

Korean based designer Dong Jun Kang launched D-Gnak back in 2006 and two weeks ago held his debut London Fashion Week show at Vauxhall Fashion Scout.

This s/s 11 collection is exploring the hectic, stressed and harassed life of an overworked man; their rushed lives being shown through the chaotic anti-attention to detail. Gentlemen's tailored suits had been rebelliously altered with drawstrings around the ankles, ties out lapels of jackets and exaggerated length of the sleeves. 

The palette of the collection is bleak with greys, blacks and camels being the most prominent colours which reflect the sense of coldness and personal detachment, however there is also signs of azure blues and contrasting greens which occasionally suggest a softer feel of comfort. The collection was perfectly accessorised by Kang-D's collaboration with shoe brand Sanuk. 


With the increasingly popular gentlemen and sartorial elegant image both on the street and catwalk, i'm sure most men wouldn't dare to risk a zhooshy shirt with a completely contrasting panel or a third sleeve sewn to a shoulder which all looks slightly omi-palone. However many of the clothes here are true to D-Gnak's aesthetic of casual tailoring with a heavy use of asymmetry and with well made, classic tailored clothes, they're perfect for this season and for any gentlemen's' wardrobe.

The show ended on a lighthearted comical note which had everyone ogling the models final walk who came out in tailored pajamas, maybe the only time workaholics aren't stressed but i guess the tailored rigidness of the night depends on your partner..

Although i was second row, i'm definitely not a photographer. So to get a proper viewing of the clobber, check out this video. If you look carefully you can see me near the entrance (looking like a gorm).