Coming into Fashion: A Century of Photography at Conde Nast

One of the sections that I always check when I pop into my local branch of TK Maxx is the book section. I always find a great selection of cookery and design hardbacks ( perfect for the coffee table and to dip into) at much reduced prices. Here is my most recent purchase which I picked up for £8.00 instead of the RRP of £42.00. As a reader of a number of Conde Nast titles, I couldn't leave this languishing in the Clearance section. I love using books to decorate my home, but hardback design books like this are often very expensive, so I have to be very selective. However thanks to TK Maxx I can add a few more titles to my collection.

The pages are crammed with an abundance of beautiful and often iconic images taken from Conde Nast titles over the last century. Here are some of my favourites (Solve Sundsbo, Love 2011; Willy Vanderperre, W, 2011; Corinne Day, British Vogue, 1993; Tim Walker, Italian Vogue, 1995; David Bailey, British Vogue, 1962; Guy Bourdin, Vogue, 1958) :

 

 

 

 

 

Fashion Sunday - Part 1 - Tim Walker: Storyteller

Yesterday, I spent a fabulous, if very busy day up in London with the lovely Penny, my friend who I met on Twitter via a shared love of all things fashion (and especially Chanel) -related. We had a busy agenda for what we had dubbed #FashionSunday, with four exhibitions on our 'to-see' list. Our first stop was Somerset House, for two very different, but equally fabulous exhibitions: Tim Walker: Storyteller, and Valentino: Master of Couture.

I don't want the post to be too picture-heavy, so this post will be about the Tim Walker exhibition. I have previously blogged about my love for Tim Walker's photography, but the exhibition surpassed even my expectations. The way that his work was presented alongside the giant props that he uses in his work (eg. a giant spitfire) just added to the surreal experience that his photographs convey. At times it felt like having stepped into one of his photographs. It is safe to say that the weird and wonderful world of Tim Walker is most definitely my kind of place!

The exhibition, which is free, is on until 27 January, so if you haven't seen it yet, I would highly recommend it.

Here are some images from the exhibition, quite a few of which I hadn't previously seen before. I would love to know which are your favourites.

Exhibition Alert! Tim Walker: Story Teller

Another day, and another exhibition is announced that will be a must-see for me! Somerset House have announced that they will be holding an exhibition of fashion photographer, Tim Walker's work: 'Tim Walker: Story Teller'. In addition to the photographs there will also be installations and a selection of the extraordinary props and models on show, e.g. giant grotesque dolls for Italian Vogue and an almost life-size replica of a Spitfire fighter plane.

I love Tim Walker's photographs. They are alway extravagant and original, and are characterised by a sense of humour and vibrancy, combined with fairy-tale elements. I have a poster of his 'Dress Lamp Tree' image in my bedroom, and his work is always the first thing to jump out of me when I look back through my past copies of 'Vogue' (I was recently given a 4 year archive of the magazine, from 2006-2010).

Somerset House will also be hosting a series of events including a 'In Conversation With' session with the photographer himself, and workshops with some of the set designers and prop builders. Further details will be announced in early September. I can't wait!

Here are some of my favourite Tim Walker images: