Come on weather!

I find myself out in the rather beautiful German countryside this Easter. Birds singing outside my window is the only noise to disturb me! Taking time to stroke Vita, a Deutsch-Drahthaar hound, who is heavily pregnant with her second litter of puppies is such a pleasure too.

Blessed with the unusual situation of actually really liking my mother-in-law, this afternoon we headed out with her to Kloster Schöntal in the Badenwürtemberg countryside. A special location for us as it was where we were married, just over a year and a half ago!

What I wore for the revisit:

• Black coat from Reiss
• Green wool mix dress from Zara
• Blue draped cardigan from Cos (just seen)
• Knitted harlequin necklace by Amy Lawrence (shop online at  popthefashionstore.com)
• Cowboy boots from Absolute Vintage (London) www.absolutevintage.co.uk/

As much as I love this Reiss coat, it will be great to put it away as the warmer weather arrives!

What are you looking forward to wearing? 

Beautiful Vita!

Berlin Series: Winter Warmth as papped by Material Girl

• Baker boy cap, camel, wool coat, black leather gloves, tangerine skirt as before
• Missoni Scarf
• Metal Stretch belt, preloved purchased
• Leather Satchel, my junior school one!
• Black Leather boots by Buffalo

We didn't get far after our own freezing photoshoot around the corner, before we got papped by Material Girl Germany! Material Girl is the label created by the retail company OTTO in collaboration with Madonna and her daughter, Lola. www.facebook.com/MaterialGirlGermany  Is available exclusively from www.otto.de/Marken/Material-Girl/

Berlin Series: It's a wrap!

 

• Fur hat from Berlin Thrift store, Waahnsinn Berlin on Rosenthaler Straße
• Black Shawl from Portobello Market, London
• Sunglasses by Versace
• Black leather gloves, Marks & Spencers
• Camel Coat from Spitalfields Market, London
• Black cut out belt from Paddington Market, Sydney Australia (just seen)

You really can't go to Berlin without seeing the wall and since the East Side Gallery,the world's largest open air mural collection, has been threatened with destruction by some money making, luxury apartment building suits, it was top of my must see list.

 

"Who wants the world to remain as it is,

doesn't want it too remain at all"

In 2009 the wall was restored. In more than 100 paintings, dozens of  international artists translated the era's global euphoria and optimism into a mix of political statements, drug induced musings and truely artistic visions.

Photography by Benjamin Macoy

Berlin Series: Metallic Moment

Berlin Series: Metallic Moment

One new season trend, I really like for s/s 2013 is the metallic look. A Berlin purchase whilst perusing Drykorn a rather interesting German brand. The pleated skirt is always an elegant and useful item in the wardrobe and the pale golden hue is just divine for summer. I'll be wearing mine as seen as well as with a silk mix black roll neck, suit jacket and knee high boots for work or with a strappy vest for the evening.

• Nicole Fahri self-tie metallic metal necklace www.nicolefarhi.com
• H&M sheer sleeve sweatshirt www.hm.com/de/
• Metallic pleated skirt by Drykorn www.drykorn.com/de
• OPI nail varnish in Danke-Shiny Red from the Germany collection www.opi.com
• Black Falke knee high socks www.falke.com/gb
• T-bar Collar shoes by Shanibar www.shanibar.de

Photography by Benjamin Macoy

Baker's Dozen Series: Part2 Interview with Amy Silberzahn Part 2

On the u-bahn in Berlin.

A Baker's Dozen Interview Series

What: Interview Part 2
Who: Amy Silberzahn
Where: Berlin, Germany 
 continued from part1 ...

7. What are your favourite art/photography/creative gallery spaces?
I love the V&A www.vam.ac.uk/ in London, it’s an incredible space that houses, eons of amazing design and creativity. I’m also a fan of the Saatchi Gallery www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk also in London as the space is so bright and inviting, they always has great exhibitions. I enjoy visiting the Museum for Modern art  www.mmk-frankfurt.de in Frankfurt, the building is a fantastic piece of Architecture. 

8. What things do you find most irritating?
As a ‘thing’ if you can call it that, I hate the colour lavender, it is simply insipid, a non entity that never looks good on anyone and the curse of all bridesmaids and bedroom walls!

9. What's the biggest lesson you have learnt during your life so far?
To be careful who you trust, follow your instincts and believe in yourself. Nobody will ever find you as interesting as you should, ie. Work on yourself, become comfortable in your own company and look after yourself as best you can, physically, mentally and spiritually.

10. What makes you smile, laugh or feel happy?
Stupid private jokes, phrases and pet names with my husband, family and friends make me laugh. Bunny Rabbits pinterest.com/imerulo/bunny-board/make me smile and meeting people who are deeply passionate about what they do, whatever that is, makes me really happy. Seeking out new experiences, educational or inspirational and planning ahead makes me content on a day to day basis.

11. Who are your top 3 favourite shopping retailers

Cos Tangerine Draped Jersey Dress

 

Browsing through Vintage, retro and second hand shops bring me joy, Beyond Retro www.beyondretro.com in Shoreditch, East London is definitely worth a visit whenever I'm back and there are multitudes of great retro stores in Berlin. I think Zara www.zara.com and Cos www.cosstores.com are great for basics and a trend fix plus creative markets like, Greenwich & Spitalfields in London & Paddington Market in Sydney, Australia where you will always find something original. For something special, I try to shop in independent retailers, supporting small business is really important. www.shopgreenwich.co.uk & www.paddingtonmarkets.com.au

12. Name 3 songs you love and why?
I currently have a tune called Drifted by Groove Armarda on repeat on my ipod, alongside the opening track of the album Fragments by Submotion Orchestra www.facebook.com/submotionorchestra gives me goosebumps I also love Spread your love by the Black Rebel Motorcycle club! I have a fairly broad music taste!

13. Where would you like to be in 5 years
 I see myself still based in either Frankfurt or in Basel or Zurich in Switzerland. Ideally owning an apartment in either city or both!? Hopefully blessed with my first child. And career wise managing a chain of independent retailers in Frankfurt & Basel/Zurich supporting Independant British Fashion & Product Designers.

Basel, Switzerland

come back soon for an interview with a  talented British jeweller!

 

Berlin Series: Tangerine Dream & The Magic Flute

 

Tangerine draped neck jersey dress by Cos

Outfit worn to see The Magic flute at The Komische Oper, Berlin
Photography: Benjamin Macoy

Berlin Series: The Magic Flute performed at the Komische Oper

Musical direction:
Kristiina Poska
Staging:  
Barrie Kosky, Suzanne Andrade
Animations:
Paul Barritt
Concept
»1927« (Suzanne Andrade und Paul Barritt) und Barrie Kosky
Stage and costume design
Esther Bialas

Berlin Series:The Magic Flute

What: The Magic Flute by Mozart
Where: Komische Oper Berlin

The melding of video and live opera intrigued me and there is no doubt that the British theatre group "1927" alongside Barrie Kosky's cast pulled it off. Impressive interaction between man and graphics made this interpretation of the most performed German opera a real treat. In parts it did feel a little naive aswell as too video centric, however aimed towards initiating a younger audience to the opera, then this was a fresh, unique and very exciting venture.

“A perfect mixture of all the things worth loving: silent films, the cabaret of the Weimar Republic, David Lynch, and the brothers Grimm [The Guardian]

The Magic Flute seems to throw up more questions and mysteries than it provides answers. By the end, all logic and reason fail before the immeasurable fantasy of this magic opera. Its secret lies in deeper layers of fundamental human experience, for which fairytales seem to be just the right form of expression, and for which only music provides the appropriate language. After all, the “eponymous hero” of the opera is an instrument, or to put it plainly: music. english.komische-oper-berlin.de

 

 multiple thanks to James for arranging the tickets.

Berlin Series: Bright Lights

Berlin Series: Bright Lights

Friday afternoon in Berlin in March and I can't believe it's snowing! I mean seriously enough already! The only respite, some serious colour to brighten the day.

H&M is a major highstreet retailer success story. With a customer base from baby to grandma and price points even the most penny pinching can't sniff at, it's a great place to pick up new trends. The quality has definitely improved over the years and ever so often they meander into more luxurious fabrics. Of course the huge scoop has been their collaboration projects, which sellout online worldwide in minutes and cause traffic chaos in retail malls everywhere. But for me, it's simply great to pop in and pick up whatever catches my eye and have a bit of fun with it. www.hm.com/de

• Tangerine Stretch Pencil Skirt H&M Conscious Collection
• Acid Yellow Silk vest H&M
• Navy baker boy cap H&M
• Camel wool coat Spitalfields Market www.facebook.com/SpitalfieldsE1
• Necklace by Gallardo & Blaine www.gallardoblainedesigns.co.uk
• Incandescente Lipstick by Chanel

Location: Berlin, Just off Münzstraße
Photography by Benjamin Macoy 

Following the shoot we wandered off down Weinmeisterstraße and got papped by some eager bloggers from www.facebook.com/MaterialGirlGermany! Always good to get some outfit appreciation! Let see if they post the pic!

Baker's Dozen Series: Part1 Interview with Amy Silberzahn

A Baker's Dozen Series

What: Interview Part 1
Who: Amy Ogundehin-Silberzahn
Where: Currently: Berlin, Germany

It seemed unfair to ask other people to answer questions without trying them out myself first so please find below Part1 of my interview with myself.

Why: Creative Director of The London Assembly Retail and Creative space, Lifestyle blogger, Style and travel enthusiast.

1. Can you sum up your career to date in one/two sentences?

My career to date is an eclectic multitude of creative and business projects, now coming together in concept in Frankfurt, Germany. I have run my own fashion label that sold across London, to Paris and LA, worked in Fashion PR & Magazines, as a Business English Language Trainer, a Sous Chef and as an Investment Banking Team Assistant.

2. Who have been the most influential or inspiring people during your life?

Influential, I guess my family, my sisters are very successful in their careers and I find that very inspiring, I’m immensely proud of their achievements. I ran my first company with huge practical support from my parents and will never forget their constant belief and faith in me and my vision.

Outside of my family, I would say Caroline Baker who was my first proper fashion boss at the Mail on Sunday, You Magazine. She told me to go for it with my own label because I had nothing to lose and I love her for that.

I always have a plan B but that attitude; ‘what’s the worse that could happen’ looked at positively has helped me to try to live in the moment and follow my instincts.

My sisters and I on my civil wedding day

3. What were the last 3 books or films you watched?

A TV series called Fringe with the H – Fringe science is all the really fascinating alternative side of science like telekinesis, teleportation etc. It’s the cause of a few scary dreams but I love how it makes you think about all the weird possibilities the combination of science and imagination can throw up.

Books:  I am currently reading Erotic Stories written by women published by penguin as an antidote to last years 50shades rubbish and I've just started a business book entitled "How to set up & run a fashion label" by Toby Meadows which was a gift from my best friend. I love to read and at the moment am trying to absorb as much business literature as possible!

4. Which three places would you recommend as a must visit and where are you heading next?

Costa Rica

I visited Istanbul last year which was incredible as it is such a vibrant city of youthful energy combined with culture and history. The biggest trips I have made to date were to Costa Rica which was just beautiful and of course Australia oluremi-imerulo.blogspot.de: An-Aussie-Adventure-Parts-1-4 which is a fascinating, huge and diverse country.  Next up I would like to do a long weekend in New York, check out Berlin, revisit Amsterdam and explore Russia.

5. Name the creative and business people that you most admire?

Kaisa Larkas Mossop springs to mine, we went to university together and now she is a wonderful wife and the mother of three beautiful children, a personal trainer, a journalist and successful blogger. http://kaisalarkas.com/ Last year she opened a fashion boutique that just made the Drapers Record top 100 Inspiring Indies list! Impressive, slightly intimidating but definitly inspiring! popthefashionstore.com

6. If you could have something made bespoke just for you, what would it be and who would make it?

I think a beautiful piece of furniture would be pretty amazing, something like an incredible desk that would be used all the time and loved. Not sure by who though, I think it would be great to commission a new design graduate, giving them some funds and encouragement to keep going. It's hard to survive in the creative world.

An example of a beautiful desk- Airia by Herman Miller

come back shortly for part 2 of my interview with myself!

Welcome Note

Welcome...

This blog is the beginning and it heralds the opening of my first retail creative space, The London Assembly. It's aim is to provide news leading up to the opening of the bricks and mortar site and for me to muse upon and share my thoughts, pictures, inspirations et al on all things style related.

Opening this A/W 2013, the space will be located in Frankfurt am Main, Germany and will primarily stock British womenswear and accessories.With a solid background in Fashion Design, Marketing and Business, I aim to bring to Germany some of the best British small  business designers, whose eye for detail and original design ethic will offer the international ladies of Frankfurt something alternative to the rather drab highstreet. Alongside the products, will run creative courses and talks.

I hope that The London Assembly will soon become a destination social hub where exciting new things are known to be occuring.

The London Assembly 

A place where people, design and creativity come together.

2013 will bring many exciting challanges and adventures and I hope to share them with you here. If you are thinking of setting up your own business perhaps you may find my experiences helpful. If you are passionate about supporting small businesses survive the globilization of our world, perhaps you'll find my project interesting, If you want to look stylish, elegant and be fashion aware, I hope at very least you'll like the picture story I will put together for you over the coming months.

A Bakers Dozen Blog series* will bring together these ideas, 13 things to guide you, intrigue you and fingers crossed interest you. Planned blogs include; Interviews with designers, stylists and creative souls, reviews and previews of events and exhibitions across Europe and seasonal style advice.

I hope you enjoy following my journey and want to get involved,

bis gleich
Amy Ogundehin-Silberzahn

Come back soon for a picture blog: 5 day Berlin photoshoot, some ideas for 24 hours in Munich, London, Brighton & Amsterdam and the first of my interview series.