bang-bang-banging-it with beyonce

Let me just put it out there right now, I've got a massive girlie crush on Beyonce. She is beyond gorgeous and super talented. One of my biggest regrets is not seeing her when she toured. Well, DEFinitely next time! For now, check out her video clip/workout video called 'Move Your Body', an updated version of her song 'Get Me Bodied' which was part of a campaign in the US (it's got a bit of national pride in it) by The First Lady to help fight childhood obesity. It is off the chart. Things to note before watching:

• Her necklace - this is nOir's Keith Haring Triple Drop Necklace
• Her shoes - the most amazing colour-block patent lace up booties, with cut-outs, by Christian Louboutin
• The popping knee high socks she teams with them - in vibrant lime green!
• Her makeup and nails are also awesome:)
• The kids in it are pretty darn cool

(Thanks to osochic for the details)

Beyonce out and about in a Keith Haring designed dress (heart the bag):

Images: chictopia

kirkwood x haring

Ok, so this sure isn't breaking news or anything but to the unaware, Nicholas Kirkwood shoe designer absolute extraordinaire is opening his debut stand-alone boutique on Mount St, London on July 1st. Here he will be showing the complete collection of his one-off shoe designs inspired by the late artist & social activist Keith Haring. He showed a very edited range at Hong Kong's JOYCE late last year when launching his first exclusive retail space and I remember seeing some of those images then.

 

The 31 year old Kirkwood is British based but was born in Germany, and whilst he has created some incredible shoes for the catwalk shows of designers such as Erdem, Rodarte, Pollini and John Rocha a lot of his work now is focused on his self-named label started Spring 2005. I highly recommend the video below, which shows clips from interviews regarding his Keith Haring Foundation collaboration with Swarovski, and also shows him working on various pieces. Such an interesting glimpse into the world of a creative genius.

Nicholas Kirkwood x Keith Haring on Nowness.com.

Sources of images: cultureshoq, sonnygroo, essence-of-entities

carrie coops beau

Beau Coops at Selfridges display

One of the best things about Beau Coops, the shoe label, is that it's designer Carrie Cooper is an Australian who comes up with entirely original styles. She creates the trends rather than follows them yet manages to maintain a classic appeal to many of her designs. Unique to a lot of Australian shoe labels is the fact that 90% of her products are made in Italy with really the finest materials - trust me on this, that leather is buttery soft - yet not to the detriment of price. Her shoes tend to sit in the medium to high price range, perhaps $300-$500, yet considering the quality & design are quite well priced. And believe me on this as well, really comfy.

Carrie Cooper only launched her debut shoe line, Beau Coops, in 2009 but prior to that she had 8 years experience designing for Alexander McQueen for Puma, Eley Kishimoto and also Bernhard Willhelm. The brand name carries her namesake with 'Coops', whereas the 'Beau' refers to a stylish gentleman or dandy* and she prefers to use the term 'boyfriend chic' to describe the aesthetic of her label. Her current collection 'Statement of Intent' AW11 consists of chunky wedges and platform pumps, androgynous flat boots with a focus on the ankle cut with little twists of material, lacing and other detail, all inspired by her love of equestrian culture: riding, polo, the horses. So gorgeous to look at and wear.

I love pony hair!

The 'Scuba' wedge

Beau Coops for Karen Walker

For interviews with Carrie Cooper see:

Pages Digital - Catching Up With Carrie Cooper 

The Vine - Interview: Carrie Cooper of Beau Coops Shoes 

(both sources of all images)

Official Page:

Beau Coops Shoes

Facebook Page:

BEAU COOPS 

*Dandy: The model British dandy was George Bryan 'Beau' Brummell (1778-1840) who basically became a celebrity for doing absolutely nothing and from being absolutely no one (one of the first), he wasn't of aristocratic blood, except he was always exceptionally & immaculately well-dressed even when unkempt in body. He was highly regarded in circles around the Prince for his style and set innovative fashion trends which we still see today: sober tones rather than the aristocratic favour for colours; focus on clean lines, cut & quality of fabric rather than the prevalent frill and fancy trim; popularised long trouser pants rather than cropped breeches; and placed an emphasis on the tying of neckwear. When he eventually did come into a sum of money upon his father's death he squandered it and died a pauper in a lunatic asylum. Ah but the life of a dandy!