URBAN GAUCHO Duro Olowu A/W 2011

Sunday saw London designer Duro Olowu debut his A/W 2011 collection for the first time in New York. The collection is inspired by South American gauchos and Harlem photographer James Van Der Zee.

The Duro Olowu Scarf

A couple of weeks ago we were invited to the Gilbert and George exhibition at The White Cube gallery, before we went, we popped in on our old neighbour Duro Olowu.


We instantly fell in love with this geometric cashmere scarf in golden yellow from his A/W 2010 collection which was featured in vogue. With a little styling from Duro and a little deliberation over colour I knew I had to have it.



The three colours sit nicely next to an immaculate Hermès handbag that you would just die for.


Now a staple in my Dalston Pelicans & Parrots shop wardrobe

Skirt 60s suit Pelicans & Parrots
80s purple blouse Pelicans & Parrots



To read a more on the Duro Olowu shop click here

Re-Spectable Duro Olowu S\S 2011

Re-Spectable







More of the collection

Duro Olowu's New Shop

We finally made a trip to visit our old Portobello Road neighbour Duro Olowu at his new shop on 14 Masons Yard. Surrounded by fine arts big names in The White Cube Gallery. Duro offers pattern print to his stark white surroundings.

The Space




Vintage furniture house the payment area


Curio objects alongside fashion


Reupholstered vintage chairs in Doro's prints and carved wood lamp base creates a front room.




A little inspiration


The inspiration for his S/S collection was the colours of Picasso’s ‘Mosqueteros’ paintings and the vibrant goings on of 125th Street in Harlem, New York.






Amazing shoes by Charlotte Dellal which provide a simplicity to the head rush of pattern print.


Duro Olowu S/S 2009

Chris Ofili at theTate

We were kindly invited to the Chris Ofili exhibition at the Tate Britain by Charlie Dark.

Showing for the first time in Britain the Tate brings you an in depth catalogue of over 45 pieces of work spanning from the mid 90s to present day.
Ofili quickly rose to fame early in his career as an artist who is most famous for his Elephant Dung paintings and being the first black painter to win the Turner price.
Now residing in Trinidad the exhibition takes you from a young black artist screaming for attention forged under the back drop of "cool Britannia" through an introspective blue period, then finally out the other side arriving at a cornucopia of colour and passion which is heavily influenced by his residence in Trinidad, the rhythm of the carnival is definitely in his most recent works!

PS. The after party was AMAZING, free cocktails, good tunes.....much fun and mischief was had by all!! LOL!!

Afro 2000


Chris Ofili’s The Upper Room which was especially designed by the architect David Adjaye in 2002 at the Victoria Miro Gallery


Iscariot Blues 2006



Douen's Dance 2007 inspired by Malick Sidibé 1963 photo Nuit de Noel





Good People


The man him self Chris Ofili


Charlie Dark


Caroline Issa Editor of Tank magazine and fashion designer Duro olowu


Artist Yinka Shonibare


Artist Lemi Ghariokwu view our blog on his exhibition of Fela Album artwork





David Adjaye Architect and Okwui Enwezor Curator and writer



Nicola and Roger Robinson. Check his new music King Midas Sound


Studio Pixie Grafic Designer and Twitter Family






Chris Ofili bootleg merchandise


Chris Ofili official






Black Nurse Network................. lol

After the show was the after party








Cocktails, Soca and Sweet mother kept Bnn Happy



Prince Nico Mbarga Sweet Mother




Red Plastic Bag Volcano