Stonewall - 40 Years On.

Yesterday saw the passing of the 40th anniversary of The Stonewall Riots, perhaps the seminal moment in gay rights history.

On the 28th of June 1969 patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York, tired and frustrated of constant police threats and intimidation finally refused to put up with it anymore.

The ensuing riot lasted for three days, with a group of police officers left trapped inside the bar the whole time.

For these events The Gay Liberation Front was born and the fight of Gay Rights really got started.

Some links if you'd like to know more:

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12984.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_riots

Calvin Klein

Really quite a fan of the new Calvin Klein collection.
The textiles are so nicely balanced and presented in looks with a really quite lovely level of tension.



Also it's my first spotting of hot orange and proto neon blue, which I'm suprised that I like as much as I do.
This popped up at DSquared to.
I loved this show to.
Which scares me.

Oh cripes...

... this photo appears to have been taken at the exact moment i was kicked out of The Horrors.

I don't freaking believe it...

... I really like a Dolce and Gabbana show, and not just for the cracking disco tits.
The idea of an embroidered dressing gown is one of genius.



A real tour de force of mens embroidery.
I'm jealous.

Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man.

Tomb

Puppy Dog Eye Glasses

Banana Porn

I successfully circumsised two bananas in a row the other day.
Quite unintentionally I hasten to add lest this post cause a further dent in my dating career.

Many Happy Returns.

I've left your balloon festering on the pavement 'cos your a bit of a knob.

My Life Through A Lens

Here is what I spend a lot of my time looking at through my loop (small magnifying glass).
Weave structures up close amaze me, but then I am a textile designer so I guess that is no bad thing.

This fabric is a silk jaquard trial, the end result of which will be hitting a runway near you next week.

Starface Scarface

This is the face of Kimberly Valminck.
She claims she only asked her tattooist for three stars next to her eye, but somehow ended up with 56.
Her defence is that she fell asleep while Rousian Toumaniantz, shown below, carried on tatooing her.
On the face.



Kimberly is now sueing the tattooist for ten thousand pounds, whilst her father and brother are making claims that her drugged so he could cover her face in stars.

In my view it's a right load of balls.
Not got any tattoos myself, but I hear they are rather painful, especially in areas close to bone.
They arn't something you are likely to fall asleep during.
Not doubt she got bollocked when she went home and is now desperatly back peddling to save more of the same.
What a tit.

UPDATE - just read on the BBC website that Kimberly wants to keep the stars on her forehead and just remove the ones on her cheek.
What a chump.

Shishi Spotting

I spied this massive plastic Shishi the other day.
As a special effect come to life or some such.

Don't Fret

Tehran24

Amazing blog showing the latest pictures from the streets of Tehran.

There's a link in my friends box to the right.

Prawn Biscuits.

I've posted before about the visual delights of Japanese snack, and how they are often a massive let down when you eventually taste them.
Never has this been more true than these prawn biscuits, given to me by a supplier.



Amazing packaging.

Tasted like sucking off a whale.

Here's your key to the rear entrance.

Spotted this lovely little venue on my way home last night.

Book Shop Death

I spotted these blue plaque posters a while ago on Charring Cross road.
The plight of the independant book shop has been well documented, with many closing due to too stiff competition from the internet and big retailer discounts.
I know I'm guilty of shopping online and going for two for three discounts rather than patronising small specialist bookshops.
Visiting a shop crammed full of unusual and hard to find books, breathing in that smell of old paper; it's a unique expierience.
It would be a real shame to loose them all.
But then when you buy a lot of books that bit of discount does make a difference.
Ho hum.

V & gAy

Admitedly the effect is enhanced by my oh so subtle framing.

My Little Phoney

There is a huge community of My Little Pony customisers out there on the interweb.
Let's just say the end results are varied in levels of achievement, but the best I've found come from Mari Kasurinen, whose ponies are well achieved and handeled with a whit and humor many of the others miss.

There is a brilliant Frida Khalo that you cannot miss out on, check it:

http://www.marikasurinen.com/sculptures_main.html

Ammendment to the Civil Partnership Bill

As the current law stands civil partnerships are not allowed to be performed in any building designated for religious worship.
However some religious establishments would like to be able to perform and recognise civil partnerships, but are not allowed to do so.
There is currently a petition on the Downing Street web site asking the Prime Minister to change the bill, giving religious bodies the right to choose.
A very sensible idea to my mind.
Should you wish to add your name to the list the link is below:

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/gayfaith/

Cushion of Choice

Spotted these in the home furnishings shop on Wigmore Street.
Why not choose the face of your most cherished cultural icon to plonk your ass on.
Hepburn, Guevara, Churchill or quite the most bizzare choise, Anne Frank.
And they're on sale.
Who could resist!

Institute du Monde Arab

These are the motorised window screens of the Institute du Monde Arab, designed by Jean Nouvel they are photo sensitive and open and close as a camera apature.
The cafe on the roof is also worth a vist as it has amazing view over the north side of Paris.

Non Event Dragon

A classic stumbled upon Parisian find.
It's a nice bit of corporate art outside the Parisian water board.
Suposed to be filled with rushing water and flashing lights, all I spotted was a crisp packet and the unbiquitous huddle of fag butts in the underground resevoirs.
Shame really as it could look pretty if it did what it said in the tin.

Pony Death

St. Eustace

Just up the road from the office is St. Eustace Cathedral.
A funny looking building whose only note worthy feature in the travel guide is it's 1,000 piped organ.
However when I eventually went inside after passing it by so many times I had quite the suprise; beatufiul high gothic interior with a Kieth Harring triptych and a brand new Pierre et Gilles instilation.
The absence of Notre Dame scale crowds was also a welcome change.