Harrods going all dotty celebrating the Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama partnership

Louis Vuitton's latest collaboration with Yayoi Kusama has taken over London's Harrods department store in the French lugguage and fashion house's latest and third campaign with the Japanese contemporary artist.

Sporting a giant 15-metre four-storey-high giant replica of the artist installed outside the Knightsbridge landmark, the whole store appears to have been "dot-painted" by the artist herself.  

The shop windows meanwhile feature merchandise from the curated capsule collection, conceived under the creative direction of Nicolas Ghesquiere.

Two pop-up boutiques have opened: one is shining a spotlight on LV's iconic monogram accessories and ready-to-wear apparel, ornamented with Kusama's signature dotty motifs, while the other featuring an experiential space with claw machines (so shoppers can win some stickers), a photo booth and on-brand treats. 

The Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama Harrods experience continues until February 12 2023.

All photos by Lucia Carpio

Joyful colours and bold mood-boosting patterns drive the Lifestyle trend

Taking the cue from the Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama new collaboration, the design trend for 2023 is gearing towards "Colour" to bring much-needed JOY into our interior space, adding a sense of fun, cheerfulness and positivity to our fashion and contemporary lifestyle.  A very welcomed trend indeed as an antidote against stress and anxiety in today's challenging world.

Modern Psychedelic was one of the key design themes at Top Drawer 
lifestyle product trade fair in January 2023 in London Olympia.
The theme is championed by joyful, nostalgic and creative display colour and bold patterns.
Showcased here are handmade cushions by The Neighbourhood Thread and silk scarf on back panel by
Found Threaddesigned by Mia de Las Casas.
Photo by Lucia Carpio.

Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama is famous for her signature polka-dots in singular or multiple colours.  Combined with her celebrated quirky use of patterns, Kusama's unique creativity is deemed aspirational, and desirable even now that she has collaborated with luxury Paris-based brand Louis Vuitton for a new capsule collection of bags, accessories and apparel.

To celebrate this amazing 'marriage', LV is transforming its stores around the world by featuring Kusama's animatronic painting in the windows of the stores, including erecting an inflatable replica of Kusama peering over the roof of LV's Champs-Élysées store in Paris.  

One of the shop windows at London's Harrods featuring
merchandise from the world of Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama
Photo by Lucia Carpio

Simultaneously, creative redecoration treatments are seen in amazing installation and shop windows such as those of Harrods in London, along with eye-popping visuals in stores in China, and in Vuitton's pop-up stores in New York Soho and Meatpacking District, and in Harajuku in Tokyo, Japan.

Many textile designers, illustrators and design brands emerging on the scene have also energised the positive mood with their creative use of bold tones and imagery as seen recently at the January 2023 edition of the London Top Drawer trade fair was a group of bright designers.  They among others were supported by the UAL (University of Arts London - considered the top 2 in the world for Art and Design  according to QS World University Rankings 2022).

Printed silk scarves by Found Thread designed by Mia de Las Casas.
Photo by Lucia Carpio.

Textile designer Mia de Las Casas, originally from Ireland, has a BA degree from  Chelsea College of Arts, and is now based in London.  She started her Found Thread brand of luxurious silk-printed scarves with quirky twists. Mia says witticisms of nature are explored, where elements combine for patterns that border on the surreal.  Since its beginnings in the Irish countryside in 2019, Found Thread has developed unique collections and commissions in a signature style. These include Arcadia Falling, Collection II and Zodiac.

Collection II explores floating forms, uncovered and free, said Mia, and it is about duality and transience, where bodies are mirrored, umbrellas act as lily pads and elements collide.  The collection was originally inspired by an old Japanese kimono book, and the misreading of the historical Geisha -Gei (art) sha (person) and it developed into a celebration of the female form, threatrical prints and transient waters and skies.  

All textiles originate from Mia’s drawings, paintings and collages, and are printed onto natural fabrics in London to a high quality.  Found materials are also transformed into new accessories. 

Mia's designs are sold in her Found Thread website, and also in Wolf and Badger, NJAL, Not Just a Shop. Her Scarves have been featured in UK/Irish Tatler magazine, The Irish Independent and The Earth Issue.

Photo from Top Drawer.

Designer and illustrator Mahin Hussain (above), received a Diploma in Coordwainers Fashion Accessories from the London College of Fashion.  Originally from Pakistan, she now lives in Scotland from where she works as a print designer and visual artist.  Bringing bright tones and colourful imagery hailed from her home land, Mahin's prints were inspired by her childhood memories and the iconic cultural imagery of the sub-continent in Asia. 

Her exotic current collection, available at etsy.com,  is a nod to the quirky symbolism around her reimagined world in her strong colourful style. Contrasting colours, bold imagery and tactile textures form the base of all her designs. She believes in colour and thinks everyone needs some in their lives.

Photo by Lucia Carpio.

London illustrator Emily Chin-Sillah (above) is a graphic designer with a BA degree in Graphic and Media Design from London College of Communications.  Her bold prints celebrate London landmarks with her style of vibrant colours and layered textures.

Photo from Top Drawer

In the past two years, Chin Chin Prints has gone on to be featured in the press as well as being sold in several stores across London.

During the first lockdown in England, Emily used her time to create her first location print as a gift to her mum. Initially intended to be a one-off illustration soon led to requests from friends and family to create other local landmarks, from this Chin Chin Prints was launched.

Describing her participation in Top Drawer,  she said, "I saw this as an opportunity to potentially get wholesale customers and experience being at a trade show without the heavy upfront costs and also just be among other UAL alumni. 

Pre-paid card expert provides guide in time for the Summer Holidays! And travel in style with Stow London.

Topaz blue see-view pouch from Stow London now available at Harrods
and on line.

Now that school is out and many of us Brits are preparing for a holiday away, we are deciding on what form of travel money should we be purchasing.

One of the latest form of travel money currently on the market is prepaid travellers card, but how to pick the right one?

The International Currency Exchange has warned travellers to check the terms and conditions of Fx cards although experts say prepaid cards provide a safe, secure and convenient way to take your money abroad and travellers may benefit from the best exchange rate available. As with any financial product, it is still a case of considering how you will use the card and reading the small print.

In a bid to aid this process, prepaid card expert Helen Child has released a guide just in time.  If you interested in this, you can view and download Helen's guide.

Please note: The information in this guide does not constitute financial advice, always do your own research  on top to ensure it’s right for your specific circumstances.

Travel-size leather goods for ladies from Stow London.

Meanwhile if travel in luxury is your plan, Harrods is now exclusively carrying the full Stow wander-luxe collection in the Knightsbridge store. 

According to Stow London's Founder and Creative Director Carol Lovell, their wander-luxe designs are conceived in England and handcrafted by master craftsmen and artisans in Europe: butter-soft Spanish leathers in jewel tone hues, united with deep luscious Italian suedes in contrasting colours. 

Men's leather travel accessories from Stow London. 

With unique signatures and an attention to detail, each design incorporates a trademark leather zip pull in Stow orange, and includes a small separate "stowaway" envelope for secret keepsakes and mementoes.

Harrods and Disney celebrate the Cinderella movie with magical window displays

London's iconic department store Harrods and Disney have unveiled a series of magical window displays, which bring to life iconic scenes from the new Disney live-action Cinderella film, inspired by the classic fairy tale.  

The Wedding Scene

During the month-long celebration of Cinderella, Harrods is offering the opportunity to view the sparkling glass slipper created by Swarovski and stunning original costumes designed by Academy Award® winner Sandy Powell for the new film.  

Swarovski in collaboration with Sandy Powell have provided more than 1.7 million crystals for the costumes and create a unique slipper fit for a princess.  The glass slipper worn by Cinderella, played by Lily James will also be displayed in a Harrods window.

If the shoe fits.

Six scenes from the film have been recreated in the Harrods windows, bringing to life Cinderella’s magical journey of courage and kindness.

Additionally, luxury designer shoes and collections inspired by the iconic Disney Princess can be viewed along the Harrods' Brompton Road façade, providing a window into the magical Cinderella product offering and experiences in store.   

Jimmy Choo

World-renowned shoe designers Paul Andrew, Alexandre Birman, Rene Caovilla, Jimmy Choo, Salvatore Ferragamo, Nicholas Kirkwood, Charlotte Olympia, Jerome Rousseau and Stuart Weitzman have created nine styles inspired by a reimagining of the iconic glass slipper that Cinderella leaves behind at the ball. 

Stuart Weitzman

The shoes will feature in the Harrods Brompton Road windows and will also be available to exclusively purchase from Harrods Shoe Heaven on the Fifth Floor.