Richard Rogers at the Royal Academy

What to see Planned to coincide with his 80th birthday, a retospective exhibition at the Royal Academy entitled Richard Rogers RA: Inside Out opened yesterday. The show in the Burlington Gardens part of the Academy looks to examine the social, political and cultural influences and their connection to Rogers' work. As one of the world's most renowned architects, much is known about his work. But this show delves deeper; the man, his life, his Italian family, the impact of post-war Britain, his education at the Architectural Association and Yale - and then to his high profile projects including Lloyd's of London, the Bordeaux Law Courts and of course, Le Centre Pompidou in Paris. And cleverly, to aid parents with school holiday/restless children, there are plenty of associated events including careers talks from members of Rogers' practice on what it takes to become an architect, family activities that include designing and building models, and Rogers himself in conversation with BBC journalist Razia Iqbal on the architect's enduring belief in the possibilities of architecture and cities to surprise and inspire. www.royalacademy.org.uk

Johansson & McConaughey for Dolce & Gabbana Directed by Scorsese

 Since his recent spate of films playing down and dirty Southerners (rather than slick Southern lawyers) McConaughey has gone up in our estimation.  We think he and Scarlett make a cute pair for D&G!  Check out the story below taken from Vogue online:

SCARLETT JOHANSSON and Matthew McConaughey have teamed up to star in a new Dolce & Gabbana campaign for the brand's fragrance The One, directed by Martin Scorsese. The trio were seen filming in New York over the weekend.
The shoot marks the first time that the Hollywood pair have worked together on a campaign for the fragrance - despite having been the male and female faces of the scent for many years. McConaughey was first signed up in 2008, whilst Johansson has fronted several The One campaigns as well as being one of the faces of the brand's cosmetics range.
Though many at first assumed that the trio were working on a (very stylish) film project together - thanks to Scorsese's involvement - Stefano Gabbana confirmed that the shoot was in fact a "movie commercial" for the fragrance, sharing some behind-the-scenes images on his Instagram account.

Style Surgery on The Style Director

We're averse to cross promotions as we feel this reflects on our credibility.  However, we stumbled across the website below and fell in love with it ...
Seeking the perfect white T Shirt/white shirt/slim pants etc. but time poor and genuinely uninterested in trawling through a mass of websites with an eternity of so called 'perfect' wardrobe item?  Then The Style Director is for you, with only five pieces for each category, carefully curated by fashion and style experts offering their pick of wardrobe investment pieces.
We've just got the heads up on a simple giveaway this stylish website is running via Facebook.  From the 16th July The Style Director is offering £50 to spend on the site for the best style query submitted. A great way to add a style classic to your wardrobe and find the answer to your conundrum at the same time ....

New Collection from Belinda Earl for M&S: Great!

Belinda Earl's first collection (AW 13)  for M&S is pared down stunning.  Can't wait for it to reach the stores and only hope the pix are not for publicity purposes only and the items don't actually exist!  When does it arrive instore??

Frido Kahlo at the Royal Academy

We love Mexican Art - and in particular Frido Kahlo - and are delighted that London's Royal Academy is hosting  A Mexican Celebration ... The latest offering from the Royal Academy, Mexico: A Revolution in Art will provide a fascinating look at a key thirty year period in Mexican history during which time the country experienced extraordinary political and cultural changes. Boasting over 120 works, the exhibition illustrates the diversity and creativity that blossomed throughout Mexico during this much documented cultural renaissance. East London's latest hotspot & Casa Negra, will be hosting a week-long fiesta to celebrate the birth (and death) day of Frida Kahlo (5-13 July).

Kidman for Choo

 

We love the styling for Jimmy Choo's latest campaign using Kidman, who seems to have carved a new image for herself since playing the lead in The Paperboy with Zac Efron as you've never seen him before