Paul Gorman has a CV that would make your average lover of pop-culture physically ill with jealousy. Having successfully worked as a journalist, a music and fashion historian, an author, a DJ and club-owner, and a creative consultant, Gorman has now switched his focus to the promotion and development of his innovative new fashion label, The Look Presents. With limited edition t-shirts already on the hangers at TopMan and two more books in the pipeline, you’d think Gorman would be just about ready to call it a day and, you know, give some of the rest of us a go? Instead he’s tackling ready-to-wear men’s fashion with the aim of giving casual wear a much-needed shot in the arm. The current designs available in store, by iconic Wonder Workshop duo John and Molly Dove, include reworked versions of the ‘Wild Thing’ tee, originally worn by Sid Vicious and Marc Bolan, and the ‘Hawks and Doves’ design once worn by Paul McCartney. The garment designs to be released next will be designed by Nigel Waymouth (co-creator of famous fashion boutique Granny Takes a Trip) and Antony Price (fashion designer renowned for collaborations with Duran Duran, Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music).

Not in the least; it all happened by chance. But the pop star interviews I did were partly responsible for my book The Look. I often found the artists and musicians were more interested in talking about clothes (and many showed a surprising knowledge which would put your average fashion writer to shame) than answering the same old questions about their new album/single/tour.

Then the label sprang from the book; I felt sympatico with many of the people in it and found it ridiculous that great talents such as Antony Price, Wonder Workshop and Nigel Waymouth (to name just a few) were being all-but ignored in fashion circles. It was also clear that their work was being “referenced” without credit, so the label was a way of paying them their dues. Read the rest of this entry »

I really have a thing for maps. My 1986 National Geographic Map of the World (it still had the U.S.S.R.) had pride of place on my bedroom wall when I was younger, and wasn’t even replaced by the posters of David Duchovny or Leonardo DiCaprio. Even now I get a real thrill looking at an atlas or antique map - but that’s because I’m a real nerd at heart.

I’ve noticed on Etsy.com lately that map-based jewellery has become quite popular. Here are some of the best:

A: Custom Antique Map (Choose Your Own City) Pendant by Anne Holman at Etsy.com, $60.00 (USD)

B: Globetrotter Necklace by Crumpet Cake at Etsy.com, $25.00 (USD)

C: Vintage Map Ephemera Sterling Silver Ring by Ajazwinski at Etsy.com, $48.00 (USD)

D: Vintage Map Custom Sterling Cufflings by Anne Holman at Etsy.com, $105.00 (USD)

Is it just me, or are there loads of designs around featuring anatomically correct representations of body parts? I’m not sure where it started, but it’s kind of cool in a really clinical sort of way. Perhaps if I could get hold of a white scientists coat and a stethoscope I could pull it off. Here are some great anatomically correct finds:

A: Heart Cuff-links by TillyBloom at Etsy.com, $15.00 (USD)

B: Bone Socks White Knee Highs by Nojenno at Etsy.com, $12.00 (USD)

C: Cylinder Skelton Vase by CircaCeramics at Etsy.com, $70.00 (USD)

D: Anatomica Ribcage Necklace by Paraphernalia at Etsy.com, $17.00 (USD)

E: Anatomica Red Heart Necklace by Paraphernalia at Etsy.com, $25.00 (USD)

I like jewellery that masquerades as something different, and these gorgeous time pieces are no exception. I’m not too keen on girly watches, so perhaps that’s why I like to be able to tell the time in a different way:

A: Steampunk Golden Filigree Gear Ring at Rivkasmom on Etsy.com, $25.00 (USD)

B: Dismantled Time Necklace by Seditious Seraphim at Etsy.com, $75.00 (USD)

C: Sands of Time Hourglass Post Earrings by MoonFaces at Etsy.com, $5.25 (USD)

D: Steampunk Mens Big Bold Silver Mechanism Ring at Rivkasmom on Etsy.com, $75.00 (USD)