My leather scarves at Beuteltiere

Beuteltiere means Marsupials in German, you know those cute animals who carry their young in a pouch - we have a few famous ones in Australia - the kangaroo, koala, possums, wombats...

In this case though it's the name of the stylishly selected bags and accessories laden at Raumerstrasse 19 in Berlin Prenzlauerberg, where I now have a couple of my popular, limited edition, elegant leather scarves for sale, thanks to my dear friend Frau Dietel.

The shop is run by two lovely women Barbara Müller and Katrin Hufer who met as students of design studies. These women have a keen eye for quality, beauty and practicality in their selection of bags, wallets, scarves and jewellery from around the globe. They enjoy promoting the work of lesser known designers and thus it's in their store that you'll find unique pieces that others won't have!

The store is regularly updated with thematic decors, often in collaboration with creators of wondrous things such as origami Daschunds by Munich artist Jasmine T.

Sweet treats

My goodness how could it be November already? I was very busy with making costumes for Berlin theatre company Play2C's production of Edward Albee's The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? at English Theatre Berlin recently (see my personal website for pics). That's how it came to be November, oh yes!

Yesterday my partner Thomas took me to an exquisite pâtisserie here in Berlin, of which there is a branch near both our places... this is potentially dangerous in the best possible way! It's called Albrechts run by French-trained Stephanie Albrecht. The cakes are out of this world sublime, and each time I go I will now have to try a different one. A must for any serious sweet tooth.

The future is light

I've been in France celebrating my father's and my birthday so it's been a bit quiet here in blogland. But of course when you've been to Paris there'll be things to blog about.
But let me go backwards...





Tonight back home in Berlin I saw the wonderful Australian dance company Chunky Move's GLOW (above) at Radialsystem V - groovy newish arts venue by the river Spree. It was my first visit to this venue I'd eyed off from my bike a few times. I already knew the work of Chunky Move - I consider myself quite a fan of the forward-thinking Melbourne-based company directed by Gideon Obarzanek. This work was created in collaboration with German software designer Frieder Weiss. It's an ingenious marriage of physicality and technology, a dance between body and computer, light and sound. I saw a few years back the second work in this vein Mortal Engine which was equally as impressive.



In Paris we saw the wonderful Japanese dancer choreographer Saburo Teshigawara, founder of Karas. He performed a solo Miroku at the Théâtre National de Chaillot. "Miroku" is the name given to the Buddha in his last reincarnation when the world has reached a state of harmony.

His stunningly controlled, centred yet chaotic movement was set off by beautiful spare lighting, also designed by him, which varied in tempo to complement his movements or to draw attention to part of him only. The colour blue was used to suggest the infinite sky or sea. At times it really seemed to me that Mr Teshigawara's body was being moved around by the air around him. I was moved to tears as I recalled a childhood dream of mine that endures to this day, to dance by myself in a huge space to loud music...

Ryan McGinley

I'm sure Ryan McGinley has probably been widely blogged about, but as this is somehow my visual diary of inspiration I need to remind myself of this remarkably talented, successful young artist's new series Moonmilk - such beautiful photographs! A topic that is close to my heart more and more - how we need to be in nature, communing with it. These photos for me are about the scale of us vs nature and yet we most definitely belong in it, particularly in our nakedness. Sublime!

Hut Up Berlin

Mmmm, soft felted beauty abounds in Hut Up, a lovely light airy store in the elegant little courtyard of Heckmanhöfe in Mitte. All the fashion and accessories and toys are made of felted wool, and sometimes combined with silk and other materials. Very beautiful. I own a little halterneck piece that always attracts admiration...

Oranienburgerstrasse 32, Heckmanhöfe, 10117 Berlin Mitte
Mon - Sat 11.00 - 19.00

Fashion Faces

Wow, I love these Fashion Faces made of clothing by photoartist Bela Borsodi... magic!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qG8CvTKYKJg

White Market #2

My beautiful friend Daniela (Frau Dietel - jewellery and pottery above) and I did the White Market again, Saturday just passed, and it was a sunny day under our very cute umbrella stand this time. We had a good spot, surrounded by lovely fellow designers and had fun, despite a quiet day sales-wise. Thank you to all the people who visited us and admired our work! It was great to meet you. My new wool hoods got a lot of attention - and they look good on everyone I think!!