Happy New Year from Tokyo! It seems I’ve run out of space on this blog address so please follow me to linneabylinneanilsson2.wordpress.com where I’ll be posting about my most recent adventures.
Ikebana arrangement made by: master instructor Suisen Takagi
I recently visited the Inside Rolls-Royce exhibition at Saatchi Gallery here in London where the luxury car brand took center stage in order to highlight their use of exquisite materials, superior craftsmanship, customization and high-tech specs.
Audience interaction with an emphasis on innovative technology were the main focus points of the multi-sensory exhibition. Digital installations were featured, one of which could transform you into the iconic kneeling lady statuette that adorns every Rolls-Royce motor car. You could also race the luxury cars albeit only through video games.
A motto to live by: ‘look for the best and make it better, and if it doesn’t exist, design it’ as it says on the Rolls-Royce website.
So what model would I choose? Even though I’m not a bad ass rapper or a mafia boss, we have the same taste for champagne, expensive jewelry and luxury cars so I’d probably choose a model with tinted, bullet-proof windows from their timeless Phantom family like my man 50 cent. What would you choose?
For those of you who didn’t manage to make it to the big Frieze Art Fair that took over Regent’s Park between October 15-18, here comes a glimpse into Frieze London. Now it wasn’t only the heavy weights of the art world that descended but the baby pram club did as well (urgh). Despite Frieze occupying a vast amount of space, there simply wasn’t enough of it to accommodate the SUV of prams (the twin pram in double width).
Regardless, it was interesting to see what each gallery chose to promote. The art was of course of varying quality but there were a few select pieces that I would have liked to bring home with me and many that I wouldn’t have taken even if I got them for free.
Kevin Francis Gray.
Yoshitomo Nara, Beh!, 2014, acrylic on canvas.
Ella Kruglyanskaya.
Takashi Murakami, Cosmic Truth, 2014, acrylic on canvas on aluminum frame.
Now what could be better than spending a magical evening getting inspired by Condé Nast Brides the Show – Where Stylish Weddings Start? Everything from flowers, gowns, stationery, cakes, venues, classic cars and honeymoon destinations are presented to the plenty at the fair which began this evening and runs until 4pm on October 5th at Business Design Center, Islington. The stunning wedding dresses featured above, which look as though they might have come straight from the set of a lavish party as seen on Downton Abbey are by designer Vicky Rowe.Luxury event styling and design by Platinum Raspberry. 
So whether you have a groom or not, stop by and get some inspiration and contacts for your next big fête. I’m seriously tempted to pick up a big, beautiful bridal cake to celebrate that it’s Friday, who’s with me? Have a great weekend!
I’m now back in London and what better way to toast my return than with a glass of bubbly during the intermission of a terrific matinee performance enjoyed from the orchestra stalls of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
Manon, The Royal Opera House © ROH / Johan Persson 2011.
The performance was Kenneth MacMillan’s highly acclaimed ballet Manon which has an intriguingly scandalous story but with a tragic end.
A few months prior I’d seen the opera performance of Manon (also at the Royal Opera House) and absolutely fell in love so I was excited to see how the opera and ballet performances differed when it came to dealing with the same story. Both performances were enchanting with spectacular costumes, props, sets, vocals (opera), and dancing (ballet). The music differed completely between the two performances as instead of relying on Massenet or Puccini’s score of Manon Lescaut, MacMillan used lesser-known music by Massenet.
After a performance I leaving feeling as if I’m on cloud nine and as graceful as the prima ballerina. The last performance is on November 1st so hurry up and catch it before it ends as its definitely worthwhile.
I’m fine dining in the sky (on the top floor of the Chanel Ginza building) with Michelin star cuisine epitomized at Beige Alain Ducasse Tokyo. Could life get any sweeter? I think not! The food is absolutely delicious, the desserts are spectacular works of food art and the service is impeccable. My kind of place, I think I’ll move in so as to reap the full benefits of the sumptuous Chanel interiors, fine cuisine and flowing bottles of Perrier-Jouët champagne.
In 21_21 Design Sight’s latest exhibition イメージメーカー展 (Image-makers), strong, theatrical images by image-makers from diverse fields of creativity from both Japan and abroad gather to create a world of fantasy and entertainment under the direction of Hélène Kelmachter. The fabulous exhibition includes works by Jean-Paul Gaude, Noritaka Tatehana, David Lynch and Photographer Hal to name just a few.
A very fun addition to the exhibition was the interactive section where exhibition attendees could try on Noritaka Tatehana’s sculptural shoes. Walking in the heelless shoes proved to be a bit of a balancing act but channeling the likes of Lady Gaga, Daphne Guinness and my inner diva certainly made it easier.
Heelless Shoes, Noritaka Tatehana, 2012-2014.
These fierce shoes wouldn’t exactly be the best choice for long leisurely strolls but could make for a dazzling pair of party shoe. My favorite pair would have to be probably have to be the red (officially dyed pink but dusted with gold to make it look red, though they mysteriously change color depending on the angle) hand painted shoes that have a bit of a renaissance feel to them. They’re also what I imagine the chopines worn in Venice might have looked like during the Renaissance. In second place come the dramatic sparkly studded heels seen in the background.
Noritaka Tatehana.
Zatsuran #06, PinQ & Pomco, Photographer Hal, 2012.
Photographer Hal’s images in Gallery 1 shows couples tightly confined inside sealed vacuum packaging and although very interesting I can’t help but feel a little claustrophobic by just looking at them.
The Floating World, Noritaka Tatehana, 2014.
These exotic shoes were inspired by the distinctively tall footwear worn by oiran (high-ranking courtesans) during the feudal period in Japan yet look more like stunning ornament or sculpture than shoes that are made for walking.
One Spinning Automaton, Jean-Paul Goude.
Three Muses, Jean-Paul Goude.
I find Goude’s photographs of model turned pop singer Grace Jones absolutely stunning in the bold images. ♫ Link -This is life ♫
David Lynch lithographs.
If you find yourself in Tokyo at the moment then this is an absolute must-see exhibition so make sure you find the time to stop by and check it out!
These terrific but fierce warrior floats were spotted at Tokyo Midtown as part of the Japanese summer festival Aomori Nebuta.
Barbie The Eternal Fashion Icon exhibition held at Tokyo’s Seibu department store is a decadent display tracking the development of an icon from its start as the German fashion doll Bild Lilli in 1955 to Mattel’s refined Barbie doll. Throughout her journey she has been a reflection of the times with plenty of style and fashion hits but also with a few misses just like the rest of us.
To see the many extravagantly chic outfits and accessories meticulously made in miniature for dressing Barbie and the different personas that she assumes through them was incredible. I’m tempted to bust out a selection of my wardrobe’s finest and get fully dolled up in vail, fur and jewels but the sweltering Tokyo heat forces me to be a bit more sensible unfortunately.
Afternoon suit Barbie 2012, Walking suit Barbie 2012.
Evening Splendor 1959.
Silver Serenade 1971, Ken and Go-go 1966.
Lisette Barbie 2001.
Mermaid gown Barbie 2013.
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