FLOATING IN DIOR HEAVEN

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Illustration based on the Lady Dior Pre-Fall 2014 Campaign, Photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

Illustration based on the Lady Dior Pre-Fall 2014 Campaign, Photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

Illustration based on the Lady Dior Pre-Fall 2014 Campaign, Photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

Illustration based on the Lady Dior Pre-Fall 2014 Campaign, Photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

I had originally intended this post to be something of a re-cap of my visit to the Christian Dior museum in Granville. The museum displays pieces from its archives, along with rotating exhibits - the current being 'Femmes en Dior' which includes 49 gowns and photographs of loyal, royal and celebrity clients and spokes models of the fashion house.
I was due to take an early train this morning, however the current transport strikes in Paris meant that it was cancelled, which was more than a disappointment.

So imagine my surprise, upon visiting instead the original Dior flagship store on Avenue Montaigne, to find a very special 'open house' at the Maison next door as part of the LVMH Journées Particulières event. Opening their doors to small groups for one weekend only, the beautiful spiral staircase led to rooms and rooms set up with displays from each area of the design house; couture, jewellery, accessories and parfums.

I can't even describe how incredible it was to see - and hear - each worker explain his or her process. I don't even speak French, but it was clear for everyone to see how each individual piece is created. I'm still pinching myself that I was able to have such an up-close experience with such a special design house and to see so many iconic pieces IRL.
It definitely more than made up for that missed train to Granville...

The illustration above is based on Christian Dior's Lady Dior Pre-Fall campaign from 2014, photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. One of my all-time favourites.

TOKYO

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Just touched down in TOKYO!

It's no secret that Japan is one of my favourite countries in the entire world and I'm so excited to be starting off my adventure with the bright lights and floral scents of Tokyo + Kyoto.
While I might have JUST missed out on sakura season, I'm bound to be blown away by the azalea and wisteria that will be in full bloom this week. Not to mention the sartorial choices of the cos-playing, colour-loving, Harajuku Girls. KAWAII!
P.S I wish I had the guts to take my hair to this colour...

"I'M OUT, BABY!"

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...as a man that looked a lot like Patrick Swayze once said during a Summer in the Catskills.
Only I haven't been fired for dancing too dirty, I'm off on an overseas adventure for the next 4 weeks!

While my shop will be closed for the duration of my break (you can purchase prints in-store at Signed & Numbered) I will be updating my blog and social media channels with highlights of my trip!
I made sure to build up a wee portfolio of new work to post while I'm away - suited to each city I visit - so do keep your eyes peeled and follow the hashtag #birdytravels to catch up on what you might have missed.

For now, though, it's Sayonara, Ta Ta, Au Revoir and Arrivederci from me!

BELLA HADID X MISHA COLLECTION

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Bella Hadid for Misha Collection

New work for luxe Australian label, Misha Collection, and their collaboration with the stunning Bella Hadid.
Attending this year's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia to open and close the Resort '17 show, Bella is also the face of their new 'Misha Gold' line.

I loved working on this image - after all, what can be better than monochrome brush strokes and a Hadid in a little black dress?

View more at www.mishacollection.com.au

Original photograph by Nino Munoz for Misha Collection.

THE LITTLE MERMAID

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What girl DIDN'T grow up wanting to be a mermaid at some stage in her life? Looking at you, Ally, if you're reading this!
'The Little Mermaid' is one of the first Disney films that I remember seeing in the cinema. For years I was under the impression that I must have been at least 8 or so. But, no - I was 4! That's right - Disney's version of 'The Little Mermaid' was released in 1989!
You: Whaaaaat?
Me: I KNOW!
Needless to say, my earliest memories of the story were purely those of a sassy Sebastian, Flounder the guppy, and THAT scene which always made my Dad cry; when King Triton gives Ariel her legs back so she and Eric can get married and she whispers 'I love you, Daddy' before sailing off into the sunset. I know, Dad. It was emotional stuff.
So, imagine my HORROR when I first encountered the TRUE story of Hans Christian Anderson's 'The Little Mermaid'. You know, the one where she DOESN'T win the love of her prince (he marries someone else) OR get to keep her legs (they felt like walking on razor blades 24/7 FYI) but disappears instead into a cloud of sea foam, ceasing to exist.
Thanks, Ursula, you sea b*tch.
You can view a 1975 Japanese animation of the original story here. But, be warned - it's v.sad.
(But also kiiiiiiiiinda funny when her name translates simply to 'Princess Mermaid.')
This original ending does not a fairy tale make and just goes to show how sinister our favourite stories were before Walt got his magical, sugar-coated hands on them.
The final line from the 1975 re-telling goes thusly:
"Eventually, The Little Mermaid's soul was allowed to return from heaven to the sea, where it had dissolved to foam with the coming of dawn's first light. From that time on, through her story, the story of her love and her courage, she has guided the wayward hearts of men and so she shall, forever."
For this reason my version of 'The Little Mermaid' does not include a sassy sidekick, a singing crustacean, or even a well-coiffured Prince unable to reciprocate her love.
It focuses purely on the Mermaid herself, who, in my imagination, is something of a magpie of the sea; scouring shipwrecks in search of lost treasures and jewels. Of course in this instance they are sparkling gems of Chanel and Christian Dior, her tail wrapped in Tiffany & Co pearls.

Glittering prints are available in my store here: www.birdyandme.bigcartel.com

More mermaid-spiration below:

Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2008 on display at the NGV, 2015

Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2008 on display at the NGV, 2015

Lily Donaldson by Alexi Lubomirski, VOGUE Spain, 2012

Lily Donaldson by Alexi Lubomirski, VOGUE Spain, 2012

Kristen McMenamy by Tim Walker, W Magazine, 2013

Kristen McMenamy by Tim Walker, W Magazine, 2013

Lexi Boling by Laurie Bartley, Numéro China, 2014

Lexi Boling by Laurie Bartley, Numéro China, 2014

Kristen McMenamy by Tim Walker, W Magazine, 2013

Kristen McMenamy by Tim Walker, W Magazine, 2013

Daryl Hannah & Tom Hanks in Splash, 1984

Daryl Hannah & Tom Hanks in Splash, 1984

'Untitled' by Alix Malka. Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2008.

'Untitled' by Alix Malka. Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2008.

Alexander McQueen S/S 2012

Alexander McQueen S/S 2012