DIARY: INTO READING WEEK

This term seems to have flown by. Another reading week, another project deadline looming. I feel good about this one though, yes there's still PLENTY to do but it's a project I've become passionate about. More on that later.

Reading week is really a week of self-discipline more than anything. My iCal for these seven days was empty until yesterday, suddenly it's totally packed. Makes me wonder when on earth I'm going to get any study done. Today was admittedly pleasant though, meeting my best friend at Soho's TAP Coffee (fast becoming a routine) where we managed to complete a loyalty stamp card in one sitting (again, fast becoming a routine). Aside from my studies, the Victate Winter '12 collection will soon see its perfect end with the release of our overview booklet that I'm finishing up now, as well as one or two other personal projects that have blossomed in recent weeks... I just can't seem to tame my busyness.

MAG: JAMES BLAKE RETROGRADE NEW VIDEO

Having announced the release of his second album "Overgrown" to be out in April, James Blake drops the official video for the first single "Retrograde". It had its debut airplay on Radio 1 midweek and it's another killer tune from an artist who brought one of my favourite albums of 2011. A man of experimental sounds and exquisite production, I can't wait to hear what the sophomore effort has to offer. Rest assured it's good though.

BLOG: VICTATE EXP001 JEANS

From:Victate

A major achievement fulfilled for us at Victate this week, as our very own jeans are now ready for sale, making up the last item to the Winter '12 Private Stock collection.

I know Edd's been dreaming about these for years and we're chuffed to be able to present them with you. An experimental pair for now, simply as we must yet evaluate how the denim will wear over time, but having used the world's finest denim originating from mills in Kojima, Okayama, we're confident that these are very good.

They've been made with 14oz premium selvedge denim to a tapered regular fit with a raised notched waistband and fine detailing throughout. It includes traditionally placed copper rivets, canvas-lined back pockets, hand-pressed printing and burgundy monogram leather patch pocket on each of the two indigo shades we have available, limited to just 25 pairs for now. Do have a look on our store where you can secure your own pair, raw and unsanforised, and we'd love for you to join us on what we promise will be an excellent journey.

MAG: OLIVER PEOPLES x MAISON KITSUNE EYEWEAR

From: Hypebeast

As part of the new collaborative capsule collection for Spring/Summer 2013 by Maison Kitsuné and Oliver Peoples, this is the Tokyo optical model with removable metal clip-ons. Available in four colorways, it takes 50s vintage influences executed with fine detailing, as one would expect from such high-profile experienced hands, including antique gold plaque and keyhole bridge. I love the black pair and also the Oliver Peoples custom 8108 with the gradient hue in particular. They're priced at $560. (I know...) Lovely collection though.

MAG: DAVID BECKHAM FOR H&M SHORT FILM

I hadn't watched this until my friend showed me the other day, but it's just brilliant. You've probably already heard, but it's the promo video for David Beckham's "Bodywear" collection with H&M (now in its third year) directed by Guy Ritchie. A simple funny story, shot really well. With David Beckham in it (in case you hadn't guessed).

DIARY: ALBAM ALPINE HARRINGTON PURCHASE

From: Albam Clothing

I remember when this first came out for Autumn 2012, three crisp colourways hanging in the Monmouth Street shop window. I loved the shape of this jacket and its interesting texture, which turns out to be a lightweight Italian coated nylon. Of course I glanced at the price, a steep £209 at the time, but after a handful of newsletters informing me of a sale, further sale and so on, the Alpine Harrington was on offer (and still is) at an affordable £59. So I got it. In a tone of charcoal grey, I predict that this will see me well in London's favourite wet and cold weather, because I hear we're not quite done with that just yet... A great bargain, well done.

MAG: ENGLAND 2 - 1 BRAZIL

Super Frank. (And congratulations to Ashley Cole too.)

BLOG: RHYE NEW VIDEO

This is the new video by a very special duo from Copenhagen and Toronto called Rhye. Inspired by 60s soul and classical music, they have created a beautifully collected yet explosive style. Think along the lines of The xx, Bon Iver, Beach House, Sade, The Weeknd. No wonder I like it so much. There's even a hollow emptiness not dissimilar to Ellie Goulding's new material. There's absolutely nothing unnecessary with every word and every instrument considered and just right, it immediately hits a chord with our emotions and that kind of power is rare. The point is, it's fabulous and I've just discovered them this week.

With two short EPs released to date, there's a strong desire for all fans concerned to hear a full album which is indeed due out in March entitled "Woman". There are two other videos as well for "The Fall" and a more explicit debut version for "Open", both well worth watching. They're another artist I'm adding to the watch-out-for-in-2013 list, straight to the top in fact. I'm in love.

BLOG: COFFEE AT MOZZINO CARNABY

Right off London's Carnaby Street on Broadwick Street sits the modest coffee shop, Mozzino. Yes there's plenty of independent caffeine offerers around town but this one has fast become my favourite. Of course it starts with excellent coffee, but the qualities extend to personnel, atmosphere, food and music. I don't know his name, but the owner (who spearheads the one or two staff behind the counter) is a softly spoken kind gentleman and I feel reassurance upon entering, and that's something lacking elsewhere in recent times. And the seating is great, with options for all occasions from a big table for work or larger numbers to little sofas at the back and stools for people-watching when solo.

Just thought I'd share really. I had lunch there today and it was lovely.

MAG: BEACH HOUSE FOREVER STILL

An artistic project, supported by Pitchfork, Beach House have unveiled "Forever Still". A carefully considered and put together live performance of four tracks from their stunning album "Bloom", it's a short film that showcases the sound's quality and experience. An admirable effort and excellently executed, it's a must watch.

"The basic concept is four songs performed from sunset to sunrise.

We tried to keep the edits minimal with long takes in order to focus on the energy of the songs, the landscape, and the physicality of live performance. The entire film was shot in or around Tornillo, Texas, where we recorded Bloom. Like Bloom, we hope that Forever Still is experienced as a whole, long form."

MAG: FALL OUT BOY SAVE ROCK AND ROLL

Pete, Patrick, Andy and Joe have announced a brand new LP for Fall Out Boy, a massive five years after their previous studio album. They've made some awesome music over the years, certainly with a strong presence in my own teenage soundtrack! Patrick Stump had a solo effort with "Soul Punk" which I also enjoyed immensely, a chance for him to experiment with his vocal and producing talents of which he undoubtedly has plenty. But back as a group, it's another venture altogether, and they've returned with a full-out set of news, including the 6th original album "Save Rock And Roll" as well as a huge international tour and a new single available now, "My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)", which comes with an official video (embedded above). May 6 & 7 are the key dates for the release, this is so exciting!

DIARY: MISCELLANEOUS PHOTOS 1.13

DIARY: VISITING THE SAATCHI GALLERY

I'd been meaning to go again for ages, but today after meeting a friend in Kensington, I got to take a stroll down Kings Road and visit one of my favourite (if not the favourite) gallery in London. The Saatchi Gallery always has a nice range of work in a site that is perfectly sized and also kitted with a lovely bookshop too. With its exhibition halls filled with works from Russia this season, I particularly enjoyed the room with paintings by Valery Koshlyakov, the Moscow cityscape on a cardboard canvas much like my experimental work back in A-Level Fine Art. Cardboard's such an interesting medium to paint on, with its varied textures and flexible manipulatability. Of course, these pieces were quite massive, but impressive up close and from afar. 

Perhaps more intriguing for me, however, was to witness such musings of art having myself progressed so much as a designer in recent months. I'm midway through my Design degree after switching from Medicine and I do believe my way of thinking has evolved greatly and my intuition much improved also. This means that the gap between art and design is larger than ever in my mind. Whilst design is very much present everywhere as it discreetly shapes the entire world in which we live, art seems to require self-declaration, screaming and shouting to express itself. And especially as a designer that wants to consider and justify all of my choices, to follow logical and natural steps in my work, I frequently found myself stood in front of a piece struggling to grasp what I was looking at (and why). It bothered me how much disorder there was and what was seemingly careless. Take Gosha Ostretsov's bizarre installation or Dasha Shishkin's disturbing drawings, for example.

I'm sure there's much here for me to learn and potentially harness for my own practice, but right now, reflecting at 2am, I'm rather puzzled and stuck so I record these thoughts down for future-me to look over and digest. I'm sure there are things of great use for me from today's visit with regards to influence and progress, I'm just not really certain what.

Thanks for reading by the way...

MAG: DRAKE NEW SINGLE STARTED FROM THE BOTTOM

Newly uploaded to octobersveryown's SoundCloud in the last hour is this track "Started From The Bottom". It's the new single by Drake from his upcoming third album, over a year after his sophomore record "Take Care" which I must say I enjoyed many many times. It comes rather out of the blue with no build-up whatsoever, although that will undoubtedly happen rapidly over the weekend. Anyway, we've been given the opportunity to stream it as we wish, so let's give it a listen.