AUTHOR Zoe Hodge

Shlomo at Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre

(31 Oct 2010)

The unassuming Shlomo leads a troupe of top beatboxers, musicians and spoken wordsmiths to the stage this weekend with a highly anticipated performance, saturated with spontaneous, innovative and raw sounds, culminating in an exceptional sensory overload.

Beatboxing, a bizarre but extraordinary technique of making drum beats and rhythm using your mouth dates back thousands of years to India, China and Africa. Vocal percussion, as it was formerly known, obtained its name from mimicking sounds of the first generation of drum machines called beatboxes.

Simon Shlomo Kahn aka Shlomo recently contended in the World Loopstation Championships, smashing all other competition and grabbing title of UK Champion; a great accolade to his talents. A true human phenomenon he has been creating improvised sounds from a young age and believes we are all capable of beatboxing:
“I've been making noises since I was tiny … I got a drumkit for my 8th birthday, and after several complaints I was banned from practicing after 6pm. But Top Of The Pops was on at 7! I always wanted to be able to play the drum beat of whatever was number 1, so I had to come up with different ways to practice my rhythms”

Since then Shlomo has collaborated with some incredible artists such as Bjork, on her mainly A capella album Medulla and Imogen Heap from Frou Frou in an outstanding duet this year at Glastonbury. Using his memorised palette of inhuman sounds his impulsive performances are full of rhythmical propulsion, the energy of an atomic bomb and are polished like a brilliant cut diamond.

This guy is firing on all pistons and next appears at the Bristol Old Vic in BOXED his theatre production, which he describes as “beatboxing's answer to Stomp”. Catch him now before he heads to LA to battle it out with the best loopers and beatboxers in the world. He's also included on The Milk Maids Spotify playlist click here to listen and here to see more about Shlomo on the Southbank Centre website.

HAIR AND MAKEUP Carol Morley
ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHER Robert Oades



Coco Sumner – the coco you are blaming – certainly has the blueblood of rock aristocracy running through her veins but she is no rock stars brat! It may or may not be worth mentioning she’s the daughter of Sting and Trudie Styler; she’s the spit of her father and has that familiar gravely tone of voice, but don’t bother dwelling on it she hasn’t. Her and her band, I Blame Coco, are quickly asserting themselves as an authority on the pop scene and with the release of their album, The Constant, critical acclaim is pending.

Coco Sumner is more than her father’s daughter but a song writer and performer in her own right. After an initial beginning if not imitating then certainly referencing the reggae and ska melodies similar to those of the police, Coco has since shifted to a more upfront electro-pop with a philosophical feel, concerning herself with intimate words on top of epic sounds.

On the day of the shoot the weather is somewhat confused; blistering heat followed by pouring rain in a matter of minutes. Coco too can be unpredictable, a contradictory mix of left over teenage angst, insecurities and musical dexterity. She claims to hate having her picture taken, though possesses an ambiguous and striking beauty loved by the camera. Her insecurity manifests itself in defiance and opposition. She often looks confrontational in photographs, staring out the lens with a tense and angry posture, eyes full of challenge and a deep set scowl etched firmly on her face.

She arrives at the studio dressed in her now iconic shorts, ankle sock and brogue combination with the token quilted Barbour jacket. A heavy weekend bag is slung over one shoulder and her hands are full negotiating a packet of cigarettes, coffee and a croissant. Obviously tired, nervous and self-conscious but eager to play the professional, on meeting the photographer she sacrifices the cigarettes, so anxious is she to appear polite and humble, throwing the packet on to the damp floor to free up a hand to shake.

Coco Sumner is more than a little awkward, socially and physically, she’ll be the first to admit she’s never quite fitted in and certainly doesn’t yet seem quite at ease with those long slim legs holding up that tiny frame. Though she hides behind her hair nothing manages to disguise those ethereal and beguiling eyes or dilute the shine and determination held deep within them.

The title of her soon to be released album is open to more than one interpretation; a Constant is something that will always be there, that won’t ever end. It’s also a clock that you put into something and after a number of steps it explodes. Timeless and explosive? Welcome to the world of I Blame Coco.

The Constant, will be released 8th November following new single, In Spirit Golden, out the week before on 1st November. Click here to visit the official I Blame Coco website for more information.

AUTHOR Penny Brewer

By Margaret Howell

Margaret Howell is known for her classic shapes, simple lines and modern aesthetics; pieces with enduring quality and design credentials to last forever!

This autumn the London designer has created a limited edition range of women's satchel bags. Hand crafted in the Midlands by Whitehouse Cox, specialists in saddlery since 1875, each bag is hand finished and debossed with an individual number to indicate the limited run.

If this seasons clothes are about paired down coloured pallettes in greys and camels then accessories must offer something bold, bright and beautiful to higlight the neutral tones. The small red satchel made with vegetable tanned leather designed to soften with age and develop a unique character, is a perfect flash of vibrant colour.

Priced at £225 from Margaret Howell stores, click here to visit the Margaret Howell website.

AUTHOR Zoe Hodge
PHOTOGRAPHY Rei Kawakubo Comme des Garçons Spring/Summer 2007

30 Years of Japanese Fashion

As overcast or rainy days become more common place with winter encroaching, the 70’s concrete jungle surrounding The Barbican Centre is particularly gloomy. However, until February The Barbican is home to the most extraordinary exhibition of Japanese Fashion, perfect to inspire over the dull winter months.

Future Beauty, curated by distinguished fashion historian and director of the Kyoto Costume Institute Akiko Fukai gives examples of the most ingenious Japanese fashion design to date. Visually illustrating 30 years of Japanese fashion design the exhibition showcases the early days of Issey Miyake to present day street culture.

White linen hanging high from the ceilings divides the 3rd floor art gallery into four sections, creating a stark, calm and clinical feel. The space created is perfect for displaying, amongst others the achromatic garments from Rei Kawakubo, founder of infamous label Comme Des Garcons, fragile pieces from Yohji Yamamoto and garments from the technically gifted Junya Watanabe the protégé of Rei Kawakubo. The most exceptional are pieces from the Issey Miyake’s seminal “Pleats Please” collection. Presented are two garments highlighting the complex heat processes and extraordinary origami style pattern cutting expertise used to achieve the unique constructions. This technique is typical of the Japanese aesthetic known as “iki”; encapsulating simplicity, sophistication, and an unwavering direction.

Prepare also to be hit with strips of rouge, again from Miyake and his fascinating and revolutionary A-POC collection. The collection comprises tubes of fabric specially woven with fully finished garments, removing the need for a sewing machine.

Also explored is Japanese street style and popular culture in a sub-exhibition entitled ‘Cool Japan’ featuring youthful cartoon and cute motifs such as smiley bees and wide eyed cartoon characters help explain the fascination with the fashionable concept “Kawaii”.

The penultimate section focuses on individual designers who have a significant presence within the fashion industry and whose style has challenged the Western worlds traditional take on design and the notion of beautify. A thoroughly awe-inspiring display for anyone with an appreciation of design.

The exhibition runs until 6th February 2011. For opening times and to purchase tickets click here.

AUTHOR Penny Brewer

In London's Covent Garden

In a discreet but grand Georgian townhouse located just off Covent Garden Market lies the ultimate 'pop-up apartment'. WIthin the walls of what seems the perfect show home for only one month is a selection of pieces from the iconic American label, Kate Spade New York.

Placed elegantly and merchandised casually among a bespoke interior is a selection of the label's finest pieces, simple silhouettes with clever details and crisp palettes. Blending perfectly with the homey trinkets is exclusive London merchandise and the bags, luggage, shoes, jewellery, stationery, eyewear, apparel and homewear for which the brand is so well known.



Each room of the pop-up apartment is beautifully decorated and accessorised in the manner of the intended purpose. A beautifully made made bed, a wardrobe bulging with beautiful clothes and scarves draped over the door, a cluttered coffee table. Everything in the apartment from the crockery in the dinning room, the books in the drawing room, the lamps next to the four poster bed to the art on the walls, has been hand picked to reflect the world of Kate Spade and the new york woman.

The Kate Spade pop-up apartment is at 7 Henrietta, London, WC2 until 10th November. By which time www.katespade.com will be shipping to the UK, so now you'll never be without!