Twisted Twee's parent and child matching Tees form a perfect pair

Father's Day is just round the corner! 

The picture of an ice cream is completed when parent gives
their offspring a piggy back. 
It is hand printed using flock fabric that feels
textural on 100% organic t shirts.

Although I find dads generally are not so difficult to please, it can still be tricky to find the perfect gift for Father’s Day.

For the inseparable father-and-child, Twisted Twee founder Suzi Warren has got just the right idea and she has cleverly captured her new piggy back twinsets with these fabulous pics featured on her Twisted Twee website.

Suzi took the pics herself and says it only took her 10 minutes to do the shots in Oxford with friends - toddler Sky and Chichi - modelling for her.  They are images of happy bonding doing great every-day fun things, like stopping by the ice-cream van, going to the playground and shopping.

The parent (or grandparent) and child Tee shirts match up to form a complete picture when the infant sits on its parents' shoulders.

In this parent-and-child series are the Balloon and String, Ice Cream and Cone, LO and VE, and a swarm of bees and a hive.

The picture of a hive is completed with a swarm of bees when dad or mum gives their offspring a piggy back. 

The organic Tees are hand-printed using flock fabric that is textural and will also retain its colour while lasting countless washings, says Suzi who founded Twisted Twee in 2003, and is known for creating “original, surprising, witty, well-made gifts.”

The team is made up of a bunch of lovely mum friends working out of a garden shed in Camden, London, according to Suzi, who are "Responsible for such marvels as Political Nappy Covers, Vintage IKEA bags, Bad Bunting and PMT Pants."


Suzi who's also the designer at Twisted Twee adds: "Orders are packed for free inside a reusable cotton gift bag and on request we are happy to write personal messages on beautiful V&A Museum cards at no extra cost."

UK's Elephant Head partners with charity Aham Bhumika of India to help rural women artisans make a self-sufficient living

'Gond deer' hand-embroidered cushion cover  in cotton with tie-back fastening from The Elephant Head.The design is inspired by gond art (a tribal art form of Central India), and hand embroidered by rural women artisans, supported by the charity Aham Bhumika, in Bhopal India.

Self sufficiency and a better future for rural women artisans.  That is the aim of  UK-based online store, The Elephant Head, which  is committed to promoting sustainable working practices in India by partnering with Indian charity, Aham Bhumika.

'The turbaned Indian man' hand embroidered cushion cover.
 It is inspired by a Kisan, a stereotypical, bidi-smoking farmer
 with a big turban and exaggerated moustache.

The homeware and artisan craft store is offering a range of cushion covers, each hand-embroidered by an artisan from a village on the outskirts of Bhopal, India, as part of The Embroidery Project, an Aham Bhumika initiative.

Based in Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh in India, Aham Bhumika is a Non-Government Organisation that works to equip underprivileged women living in rural areas with the skills they need to earn a living and become self-sufficient. So far, The Embroidery Project has taught more than 30 women to create products such as saris, tote bags and cushion covers which they can then sell to generate an income, according to The Elephant Head founder Arathi.

'Sadvi- the lady monk' hand embroidered cushion.

''Our homeware blend in with contemporary homes while respecting authentic and traditional art and craft. All our products, created by independent, small-scale artisan groups, co-ops and workshops, are practical, beautiful and crafted with love using local materials and time-honoured skills. That’s certainly the case with the Aham Bhumika charity-made cushion covers. And, we believe our customers will love them. Their quality and attention to detail make them a wonderful and unique addition to any home, or business." said Aarathi.

There are ten different designs of cushion covers to choose from, each measures 16 X 16 inches, made from cotton, and has a tie-back fastening so it can be easily removed for washing.
Many of the designs on the cushion covers are inspired by Gond art, a tribal art form of Central India.

Vintage Cushions showcasing The Botanical Collection at "Make It British" in London

Vintage Cushions, launched by Nichollette Yardley-Moore, whose bespoke cushions are made from vintage fabrics are often described as "art on your couch", will be showcasing a range called The Botanical Collection during the Make It British Live event at the Islington Business Design Centre in London on May 29th and 30th.  

The Botanical Collection have been created from fine silk in an opulent range of complimentary colours with a spirit of fantasy for a  whimsical or naturalistic backdrop.

Nichollette's collections feature an eclectic range of original vintage fabrics alongside complimentary and contemporary trimmings. She has sourced a wealth of original fabrics, ranging from mid-century textiles to some very rare silk scarves for her unique cushions. 

Each comes with a personally hand written luggage label describing the fabric used, along with its year of manufacture and the provenance, whilst on the reverse side are the care details and instructions.

"Many of the cushions would feature mis-matched opposite sides, offering a subtle or striking alternative," according to Nichollette.

"Gardening will Save the World" explored the importance of sustainable urban farming at Chelsea Flower Show

While food is a crucial part of everyday life, one of the ways to help us maintain a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle while not wasting food is to grow plants and vegetables in our own home.

“Gardening is unique in its universal appeal and its transformational power. Without plants and more planting, we are all in trouble,” said Tom Dixon.

Showing at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show which took place 21 May 2019 – 25 May 2019 in London, British design guru Tom Dixon's design and innovations agency - Design Research Studio, in collaboration with Ikea showcased what could be the future of urban farming.

In order to find solutions that can be used to grow plants and vegetables at home and beyond, they  designed and realised an experimental model for growing plants in the urban environment.

The garden - split into two levels and featuring over 4,000 plants - demonstrated how people can contribute to the movement of growing food at home and make a difference to reducing food waste, as well as communicating the beauty and functional importance of horticulture, through both traditional knowledge and the latest in growing innovation.

The base layer was a horticultural laboratory where hydroponic technology was implemented, and the raised garden was a botanic oasis with a natural aesthetic for visitors to immerse themselves in.

Tom Dixon says, "Aiming to give back to cities and create productive landscapes within urban zones, the garden includes a raised modular landscape with edible and medicinal plants and an enclosed based garden fuelled by hydroponic systems and controllable lighting.’

The exhibition also offered an exclusive look at some of the first prototypes that Tom Dixon has designed on urban growing, which will be available globally at IKEA stores in 2021.

Grown vertically around a central stem, vegetables, herbs and salad leaves are grown with aeroponic technology where nutrient-rich water is sprayed on the roots.

After the Chelsea Flower Show, the garden is to be donated to the charity Participatory City and moved to Barking and Dagenham in East London.

Italian sculpter Lorenzo Quinn's Building Bridges in Venice.

This impressive sculpture named Building Bridges by renowned contemporary Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn has been installed in the basin of the Arsenale in the Castello District of Venice.

Lorenzo Quinn's Building Bridges, Venice Biennale 2019 on May 10, 2019 in Venice, Italy. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Halcyon Art International)

Building Bridges is composed of six pairs of monumental arms with touching hands,  each pair measuring 15 metres high and 20 metres wide. Billed as the pinnacle of Quinn’s artistic expression to date, the spectacular sculpture speaks to humanity’s commonality, with an emphasis of bridging differences in all aspects of life – geographically, philosophically, culturally and emotionally, according to the artist.

The official unveiling of Building Bridges took place in Venice on the evening of 9 May 2019 with the extraordinary participation of Andrea Bocelli, a musical performance by pianist Lola Astanova, and the presence of the Mayor of Venice, dignitaries and the general public.

Lorenzo Quinn's Building Bridges, Venice Biennale 2019
unveiled on May 10, 2019 in Venice, Italy.
(Photo by David M. Benett
/Dave Benett/ Getty Images for Halcyon Art International)

Lorenzo Quinn, whose work is inspired by such masters as Michelangelo, Bernini and Rodin, said: “Venice is a World Heritage City and it is the city of bridges. It is the perfect location to spread a message of world unity and peace so that more of us around the world build bridges with others rather than walls and barriers.”

“Each pair of the sculpture’s hands celebrate one of six universal human values: Friendship, to build on the future together; Wisdom, to make mutually beneficial decisions; Help, to cement lasting relationships; Faith, to trust in your heart and self-worth; Hope, to persevere in worthwhile endeavours; and Love, the fundamental purpose for it all.”

Presently Quinn has a one-man exhibition - Possibilità  - at the Halcyon Gallery on New Bond Street, London, which is open to the public until 30 June 2019.

President of Halcyon Gallery Paul Green said: “Lorenzo Quinn has always spoken a universal language, wherever in the world his artwork is placed it creates an immediate impact, whether it be in Mumbai, Venice, New York or Shanghai. Building Bridges is his most ambitious project to date both in scale and thought, and will send a unifying message of hope around the world.” 

The Halcyon Gallery has represented Quinn’s work for the past twenty years. With three galleries in London, Halcyon specialises in modern and contemporary art, and works closely with emerging and established international artists to produce world-class art exhibitions that translate to a global audience.

Italian cycling racing team picks textile partners to enhance performance and comfort

The SCOTT Racing Team has chosen ROICA™ and Sitip as exceptional partners for Season 2019 to create customized outfits dedicated to the team.

SCOTT Racing Team customized outfit - Credits: Chiara Redaschi

A synergy that has given life to high-tech clothing, customized for this team to enable them to face the climatic conditions and the performances necessary for the activity in the summer season while also enjoying maximum comfort.

For more details, click HERE.

Mexican style and sensibility by Christian Dior at the Designer of Dreams exhibition, Victoria & Albert Museum London

Christian Dior, Designer of Dreams at V&A Museum, London.
Photo by Lucia Carpio.

To look at the influence of Mexican cultures and sensibility in fashion we enjoy today one goes back not just to the highly popular Frida Khalo exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum last year, but also to Christian Dior, the French fashion couturier whose Designer of Dreams exhibition (a sold-out event) currently running at the V & A as well.

Monsieur Dior (born 1905 and died 1957) took inspiration from influences around the world for his ground-breaking looks.  He loved to travel as early as in his twenties when he visited places far and wide, from London to Athens and Istanbul, he had spent a year in the Balearic Islands.

Born in Normandy, his love of global cultures grew as his business prospered.  Recognising the importance of the international market, he had made references to different countries through his various creations and collections,  exhibiting his admiration of countries that included  India, Egypt, Japan, South Africa Mexico and Australia.  Monsieur Dior named several of his dresses after a country and several of these are on show in the Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition currently running at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London until 1st September 2019.

This dress above is one of the dresses that demonstrated Dior's interest in Mexican style and art. His bold A-line skirts, which have become a signature of the house, are reminiscent of the Tehuana style, complete with a sombrero hat. 
The current house creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri also revisited the Mexican journey with her Escaramuza Charra show last year.

Christian Dior, Designer of Dreams at V&A Museum, London.
Photo by Lucia Carpio.

The creation above here is another Mexican-inspired dress by Monsieur Dior,  It was referred to as a dance dress with a label  'PRINTEMPS-ETE Christian Dior MADE IN FRANCE' on the inside.

According to information provided by the V&A, the dress was featured in French Vogue (March 1953) and L'Officiel (April 1953).  In the summer of 1953, the Duchess of Windsor (née Mrs Wallis Simpson) chose a Dior dress made in the same fabric and printed with a dot and scallop pattern to wear at the Circus Ball in Paris (American Vogue, 15 August 1953).

Further information from the V&A stated that this is a Mexico evening dress made in Paris in 1953, designed by Christian Dior, and made by Bianchini-Férier, Atelier Germaine.

Materials and techniques used included  printed silk organza, boned, net foundation, crêpe de Chine stiffened with net and organza, metal hooks and eyes.

Colours and Vibes of Mexico by way of Frida Kahlo

The Frida Kahlo effect in fashion and interior designs continues today following the successful exhibition of the iconic designer at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London last year, along with the colourful influence of Mexico.

Above: Frida Kahlo™ cushion, paper cups and plates available at Talking Tables.

From Talking Tables' Boho range of tableware and accessories comes an Aztec-inspired palette of bold, punchy brights, taking inspiration from Mexico's rich culture and history and paying homage to Frida Kahlo's brazen spirit and iconic style, with trompe l'oeil embroidery, fold-style geometrics, naïve florals and lavishly costumed llamas, as well as the artist Frida herself, emblazoned across lanterns paper plates, cups and napkins.  The Frida effect to the max.

Meanwhile London based designer and photographer Jacqui Sinnatt, founder of the St Agnes Eve brand has created a new range of silk scarves with her signature approach. The designer said her new "The Frida" silk scarf collection was created after visiting the exhibition.  She said the big, bold flowers and bright colours reflect Frida's passion for life, vibrant paintings and colourful dress style, the stone texture and border design reference Frida's disabilities and the hardship she suffered throughout her life.

These scarfs are available in four colourways: Chilli Red as shown above, as well as Tropical Orange, Sky Blue Pink and Turquoise and Lime, printed in the UK onto a light crepe de chine at 134 cm square with hand-finished hand rolled edges.  Bold statements for this summer.