Hurray for 20 years of the Tate Modern. In celebration of its special birthday on 11 May, two of Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Rooms will be opening for a year-long exhibition. Take this as a nudge to get organised and book a slot now – tickets cost £5 and dates are already selling out fast. And Annabelle Neilson – or ‘Tinks’ to family and friends – was Alexander McQueen’s best friend and muse. Across an 18-year friendship she accrued an enormous wardrobe of spectacular McQueen clothes, many of which are up for sale at Kerry Taylor Auctions later this month. Find all the details here.
The Annabelle Neilson Collection of Alexander McQueen auction
Annabelle Neilson – or ‘Tinks’ to family and friends – was Alexander McQueen’s best friend and muse. Across an 18-year friendship she accrued an enormous wardrobe of spectacular McQueen clothes with many designs adapted specifically for her and cut accordingly. Following her untimely death aged 49 just 8 years after McQueen, the collection is going on sale at Kerry Taylor Auctions. Read the moving introduction here, and view the full catalogue here ahead of the auction on 30 March.
Beauty Pie Pop Up at Harvey Nichols
Beauty Pie is the online members club that grants you luxury beauty products at a snip of their normal price in exchange for a monthly membership fee (upwards of £5/month). The snag is that you can’t actually try what you’re buying. Now there’s the chance to spritz and test all of the products at their first ever pop up in Harvey Nichols. Beauty Pie members will be able to shop at 80% off, whilst non-members can buy a £20 drop-in pass that then gets you 50% off. Numbers are limited so book your pass here. The pop-up will open on 12 March and run for 12 weeks whilst stocks last, with masterclasses and skincare workshops soon to be announced. We’ll have the low down next week when we get a sneak peak at the pop up – be sure to follow us on Instagram @alittlebirdcom for a first look.
Book a £5 slot for Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Rooms at Tate Modern
Hurray for 20 years of the Tate Modern. In celebration of its special birthday on 11 May two of Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Rooms will be opening for a special year-long exhibition. Infinity Mirrored Room – Filled with the Brilliance of Life and Chandelier of Grief will be shown alongside one another, as well as photos and footage of the artist’s early performance works. Kusama always draws a crowd (and indeed dates are already selling out fast) so if you want to stand and marvel at the infinite reflections then book your time slot now. Currently booking until 29 November 2020, tickets are just £5 and free to members (who don’t need to book).
Chandelier of Grief 2016/2018, Yayoi Kusama. Presented by a private collector, New York 2019
Become a Glyndebourne member for only £70
Glyndebourne has launched a new membership scheme for anyone aged between 18 and 40. Costing £70 per year, Fortissimo members will be offered a priority booking period (available until 8th March this year), 50% off a pair of tickets and additional last-minute discounting on tickets through the Festival. There is no joining fee and membership costs £70 per year, with Fortissimo subscription fees also accrued towards the £500 joining fee for Associated Society Membership. Highlights this season include the opening production of Dialogue des Carmelites with Danielle de Niese and directed by Barrie Kosky. Book your tickets now!
March Sample Sales Part 2
Who: Soho Home
What: Soho Home’s first London sample sale. Up to 60% off glassware, accessories and textiles – including House robes for £35, RSVP here.
When: 5 March: 2pm – 7pm; 6 March: 9.30am – 7pm; 7 March: 10am – 4pm
Where: Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, London, SW3 5EE
Who: Aspinall of London
What: Up to 80% off leather goods and accessories, (£2 entry fee, RSVP here.)
When: 5 March: 10am – 8pm; 6 March: 9am – 8pm; 7 March: 9am – 7pm
Where: Showcase, 12 Regent Street, SW1Y 4PE
Who: Temperley London
What: Contemporary womenswear starting at £60. (£2 entry fee)
When: 5 – 6 March: 8am – 8pm
Where: 27 Bruton Street, 2nd Floor, London, W1J 6QN
Who: KJ’s Laundry
What: Up to 80% off womenswear including designers such as Ulla Johnson
When: 5 – 7 March: 10am – 7pm & 8 March: 11am – 5pm
Where: KJ’s Laundry, 74 Marylebone Lane, W1U 2PW
Who: N.Peal
What: Prices start from £30 for mens and womens knitwear
When: 6 March: 8am – 8pm
Where: The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, W1K 5LF
Who: Vicki Sarge
What: Up to 80% off costume jewellery at their last ever sample sale (due to moving from a shop to an atelier)
When: 6 March: 10am – 6pm
Where: 38 Elizabeth Street, SW1W 9NZ
Who: Paul Smith
What: Up to 70% off mens and womenswear and accessories; RVSP here
When: 6 -7 March: 11am – 7pm
Where: Arlettie, 13-14 Margaret Street, W1W 8RN
Who: Whistles & Hugo Boss
What: Up to 80% off all womenswear
When: 6 -7 March: 10am – 6pm
Where: Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, W4 4JN
Who: Mulberry
What: Up to 75% off womenswear, accessories and leather goods (£2 entry fee, RSVP here)
When: 10 – 13 March: 8am – 8pm & 14 March: 9am – 7pm
Where: Showcase, 12 Regent Street, SW1Y 4PE
Who: Jacardi Clearance Sale
What: 3 childrenswear items for £40
When: 11 March: 10am – 6.30pm
Where: Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, SW3 5EE
Who: The Rug Company
What: Big discounts on end of line and surplus designer rugs
When: 12 March: 9am – 8pm; 13 March: 9am – 6pm & 14 March: 9am – 3pm
Where: Carousel Next Door, 35 Baker Street, W1U 8EN
Who: Sunspel
What: Up to 70% off mens and womens clothing
When: 13 – 14 March: 9am – 7pm & 15 March: 11am- 5pm
Where: The BOX, 4-6 Ram Place, E9 6LT
Who: House of Garrard
What: Up to 70% off jewellery (£2 entry fee, RSVP here)
When: 17 March: 10.30 – 7.30pm
Where: Showcase, 12 Regent Street, SW1Y 4PE
Who: Maje
What: Big discounts on all womens clothing; RVSP here
When: 18 March: 8am – 8pm; 19 March: 11am – 8pm; 20 – 21 March: 11am – 7pm;
Where: Arlettie, 13-14 Margaret Street, W1W 8RN
Who: Bella Freud, Aime London and Alighierie
What: Up to 80% off Bella Freud womenswear, jewellery and brands such as Isabel Marant
When: 20 March: 11am – 7.30pm; 21 March: 11am – 6pm & 22 March: midday – 5pm
Where: The BOX, 4-6 Ram Place, E9 6LT
Who: House of Hackney
What: Prices start from £10 for fabrics, wallpaper, fashion collections and interiors accessories (£2 entry fee)
When: 28 March: 10am – 6pm & 29 March: 11am – 5pm
Where: The BOX, 4-6 Ram Place, E9 6LT
Scandi Shopping in Soho
Lately we’ve been enjoying the little Scandi enclave that’s developing in Soho. Here are the shops and brands to look out for:
Wood Wood, Brewer Street
Danish-born Wood Wood‘s large Brewer Street shop not only stocks their own brand (think basics with a twist – soft cotton T-shirts, hoodies and jackets in clever cuts) but a careful edit of other labels too. For more Nordic chic there’s Carcel whose beautiful jumpers are hand-sewn in women’s prisons, Helmstedt for colour and prints and Iuo for sculptural earrings made in Copenhagen. There are also brands from all over the world including Barcelona-based About Arianne, New York’s PRISCAVera and London’s own Shrimps. In true concept store style there’s a mixture of mens, womens, childrenswear and homewares too. Rails carry just one piece of each item so ask for help to get your size to try. Buy something and you’ll get a Wood Wood shopping bag – especially cool, these are totes made of paper that you can put in the washing machine. 33-35 Brewer Street, W1F 0RX woodwood.com
Ganni, Beak Street
Take a look at the pastel-hued home of Ganni’s founders, married couple Ditte & Nicolaj Reffstrup in Østerbro, Copenhagen to discover the inspiration for their uplifting London store. With light wooden floor boards and stripy rugs, comfy armchairs to sink in to and paper flowers perched on textured chests of drawers; trying on dresses here is like being in a fantasy dressing room. The shop also has a Take Back Box where you can drop off any unwanted clothes or shoes (from any brand not just Ganni) and they’ll sort them so that they’re reused, recycled or transformed into new fabrics. Coming next is Ganni Repeat – where you can rent pieces from past or present seasons. Currently only available in Denmark, fingers crossed it will be launching in London soon. 36 Beak Street, W1F 9RF ganni.com
Samsøe Samsøe, Beak Street
Over the road from Ganni, there’s the smaller Samsøe Samsøe, divided in half with menswear on the left and womenswear on the right. The Scandinavian brand excels at practicality so expect jumpers to be properly warm and jackets to be rainproof, and there’s no scrimp on colour or playfulness either. We particularly love their trousers which hold their shape between washes, and their slip skirts that come in different lengths. 47 Beak Street, W1F 9SE samsoe.com
All Blues and Stand Studio at Liberty
Stockholm-based jewellery brand, All Blues is stocked at Liberty. Find their new Hungry (mottled) and Satisfied (smooth) Snakes collection of rings and hoops in store now, plus ear cuffs and minimal bangles in gold and silver. Upstairs there’s a small collection of Stand Studio, a fashion-week favourite where jackets and coats are the speciality. Faux fur and soft leather comes in bright colours and pastel shades. Liberty, Regent Street, W1B 5AH libertylondon.com
Meet the Interiors Experts at Liberty
Tickets are now on sale to the ‘Meet the Experts’ day at Liberty. Rather like speed dating, over the course of one hour you’ll get six 10 minute slots with different interiors gurus. These include Jerome Dodd of Les Couilles du Chien, Lisa Mehydene of Edit58, Jane Rockett and Lucy St George of Rockett St George, Lucy Barlow of Barlow & Barlow, Genevieve Bennett of Liberty and Nikki Tibbles of Wild at Heart. Bring along scrap-books and fabric swatches relevant to your project to maximise your time with the experts. Tickets cost £15, redeemable against any homeware products purchased in-store. Hour-long slots run from 12 noon to 8pm.
Ottolenghi: A Life in Flavour
There’s always fervent excitement around a new Ottolenghi cookbook. His next one, Flavour co-written with Ixta Belfrage will focus on getting the most out of ordinary vegetables. Recipes sound tempting; Aubergine Dumplings alla Parmigiana, Miso Butter Onions and Romano Pepper Schnitzels. Though it’s not published until 3 September, tickets go on sale this Friday, 28 February to his Penguin Live tour events. There’s just one London date so you’ll need to be snappy if you want to hear him talking about the new book and his life in food. The first 100 buyers will receive a free Belazu goodie bag with key ingredients from Flavour, including Rose Harissa and Preseved Lemons. Tickets go live at 8am here.
Artists Unknown at Wilton’s Music Hall
We love the idea behind Artists Unknown, a new kind of music night that promotes only the supporting acts – keeping the headliner secret until the night itself. These promise to be well-known artists (someone you’ll have heard on the radio) and are accompanied by emerging artists who wouldn’t otherwise get the limelight. Tickets have just gone on sale for two dates in March at the wonderful Wilton’s Music Hall. If you haven’t been then all the more reason to book, it’s one of our favourite venues in London. On Friday 20th March hear Milly Upton and Uri Sade, and on Saturday 21st March hear LIO and Austel, plus the secret headliner on each night. Donations and 20% of TNT Productions’ profits from ticket sales will go towards supporting the Australian Bushfire Appeal. Book now.
WoW Talks at the Southbank
Women of the World festival is back at the Southbank for its 10th year and as always there are some excellent talks to book. As fans of Natasha Lunn’s newsletter Conversations on Love we’re interested to hear her live on stage talking to Susie Orbach, renowned psychotherapist (to Princess Diana amongst others) about modern love on Friday 6 March. Vogue editor Edward Enninful OBE will be in conversation with WoW founder Jude Kelly on Saturday 7 March discussing the topic Forces for Change alongside guests Salma Hayek, Fatima Bhutto, Christiane Amanpour, Sarah Harris, Julia Gillard, Sinéad Burke and Paris Lees. And on International Women’s Day on Sunday 8th March there will be a special female edition of Letters Live with a whole evening dedicated to letters by or for women. One of the exciting things about Letters Live is they keep the performers secret until they walk on stage – previous events have involved Olivia Coleman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Kylie Minogue, Gillian Anderson and Nick Cave, so it’s sure to be a good line-up. These are just three of the festival’s many talks and workshops – find the full program here. If you like the sound of lots of things and want to dip in and out, then buy a Day Pass for £40 otherwise individual tickets can be found for each event.
Spring Knits
As much as we want to welcome a new spring, there’s still a chill in the air. Embrace the new season and still keep warm with these mood-lifting knits. Moths come out to play around April, so keep your precious new cashmere under wraps and near a moth ball or two, scented wax or lavender. But don’t worry if you do get the odd attack; darn with contrasting colour to add a unique embellishment and you will love it even more.
Parisian cool comes in the form of the mohair Sweater Gine €195 at Soeur:
Diamond patterned round-neck sweater, £15 at Zara:
Acne Studios Kari cropped cardi £290 at net-a-porter.com:
Mohair lace jumper in cornflower blue, £149 at Brora:
We love the puffed sleeves on this Ivelyne mohair jumper, £540 at Isabel Marant:
Lightweight crewneck cashmere in yellow, taupe, sage and violet, £350 at And Daughter:
If you buy one expensive for-ever jumper, make it one of these. Festival cashmere £600 at Queene and Belle:
Pretty buttons down the back, a cropped sleeve and an openwork knit make this right for spring, £29.99 at Mango:
Cashmere cropped hoodie £119 at M&S:
Yellow, pink and green are the new colours in this super stripe £179 at Jumper 1234:
Pale pink cashmere jumper with neon cuffs and hem, £180 at Gussy and Lou:
Pick your letter and your colours. Alphabet Knit handmade in Scotland, £220 at Hades:
Puff sleeve alpaca–merino top £69 at Cos:
La Fetiche Sidney intarsia-striped wool sweater, £250 at Matches:
