STEPHEN SPROUSE

Flicking through stacks of books in the library i came across this shiny silver book with day-glo pink graffiti scrawled across the front of it. Intrigued i took a seat an i clearly wasn't prepared for what i was about to see....

www.thestephensprousebook.com

Stephen Sprouse was a huge Fashion Designer in the 80's. As i turned the pages i was presented with bright, bold, punkish, pop creations - The actual stuff my dreams are made of.  I instantly fell in Love with his work. Many say he was designing ahead of his time and i totally agree. His earlier creations would not look out of place worn today.

Influential on the New York Punk scene and friends with legends like Andy Warhol i instantly felt i wanted to know more.

Benjamin, Julie Anne and Nick Rhodes, Andy Warhol, and Stephen Sprouse

Every page the excitement built. I then came across one of his muses, Debbie Harry (BLONDIE) who he designed for on and off the stage.

Much later in his career (2001) he collaborated with none other than Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton. Stephen is the man reasponsable for the iconic Louis Vuitton Graffiti that we know and love. It was received with acclaim and even now still influences design and holds a place in current fashion.

What's in your bag Marc?

A Shop front for the launch.

Examples of how the SPROUSE print for LV was used

Then in 2006 & 2008 Sprouse's graffiti Leopard print was used in Louis Vuitton's Autumn/Winter collections. It sold out everywhere and was seen constanly draped on Fashionista's and Celeb's.

www.louisvuitton.com

This man is a legend in his own right and i would urge anyone to take a little time out find out a bit more about him. As i read on i felt a small amount guilt that i never knew of his existence up until now, and was sadden to find that he passed away in March 2004.

RIP STEPHEN SPROUSE - 12/9/53 - 4/3/2004

PORTAS LENDS A HAND.

MARY PORTAS, retails most notorious red head known widely as 'THE QUEEN OF SHOPS' never ceases to amaze us on her quest for consumer rights. Her helping nature extends further into the charity work she does.

This week she will be donating all takings from her 
LIVING & GIVING shops to the SAVE THE CHILDREN TEAMS in LIBIYA & JAPAN. 

"You to can also support the cause by making a donation using the Links below. Every little can make a huge difference".

DONATE TO JAPAN

DONATE TO LIBIYA

SKULL, SHORTS & SKIRTS

Excited about Comme des Garçons aptly named 
'SKULL IS LIFE' SPRING 2011 menswear collection. Being a fan of skulls in general I found this offering very appealing.

It’s a visual feast of skulls, skulls and more skulls. Skulls form the basis for prints in array of realistic, graphic and cartoon styles over a monochrome backdrop, with splashes of red. The sharp tailoring promotes cohesion, whilst boundaries are pushed with the skirts.  

Styling of the collection has been executed beautifully noting the skull detail used on the shoes and the backs of the models heads.