A weekly studio diary, rambles and documents of cool things I've seen, been inspired by and would like to share each week.
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Where did April go?
I thought it just begun last week, what have I done!
We (Paris, Tom and Me) launched the 'From the Source' film and project. This was such a beautiful thing to release into the world and this mantra of 'from the source' seems to be sinking in and helping me focus on where the inspiration is coming from.
Watch the short film here of me draping a dress.
I then decided to take the dress circularity a little further and dug a bed in the rain to bury the dress in. I really wanted to see what would happen to the dress and fabrics if it was buried in soil. Flax seeds were then sewn on the bed and hopefully a beautiful crop of flax will grow up over the dress.
It will be cool to see how the dress degrades. No bodies in there, promise!
We took a lovely walk and long Sunday lunch in the woods nearby at Roberrow, talking about the next stage of 'From the Source'. Paris and Tom have really inspired me and have already produced a beautiful photo book of Paris's photography.
There was a great conversation about using your name for your business and then being tied the seriousness of it. Alexandra King sounds pretty serious, but I'm really not.
We also heard a cuckoo in the woods which I haven't heard in years.
I sampled dresses this week in new fabrics, I've already fallen in love with bamboo jersey, its so soft.
The Clematis is in full flower, April has been gorgeous with massive tree peony blooms, blossom everywhere and spring flowers fulling the garden.
My favourites are the bleeding hearts (as a bleeding hearted liberal) and I love how designed these appear. Evolution is so cool. 
The simplest of flowers have me inspired, there's a carpet of daisies over the lawn, so pretty. Everytime I see a flower I see a dress and the humble daisy is providing my imagination with the most designs. I spent so much time as a child making daisy chains, caterpillars and playing 'he loves me not' whilst lying on the grass, dreaming away.
Random event of the month that made me think ....
There's a Fascist in the swimming pool,
I don't know what to do?
Should I evacuate the pool,
as if he were a poo?
How do you know he's a fascist, I hear you say?
Well there's an easy way to see.
He chose to wear it on his chest,
A design upon his tee.
There's a fascist in the swimming pool,
now topless next to me.
So I decided to ask why,
A fascist he may be?
The fascist smiled and seemed quite friendly.
He explained some reasons why,
he cared about these issues and
how the mainstream lie.
The fascist said the same old tropes,
the nonsense of a troll.
From sheep to trump, the BBC
and a dubious Muslim poll.
The fascist in the swimming pool,
was just a little boy.
A big and bearded baby,
sold bullshit as a toy.
I tried to hear his point of view.
But was sad he had no freedom.
No way to understand the facts,
no way to think or ask or reason?
I felt sorry for the fascist,
not knowing what to say.
So shook his hand and thanked him
And then I swam away.
What can you say?
He was in pretty deep the poor guy.
I've been filling my sketchbook with design ideas springing from the 'from the source' dress. It's the first time I've sketched, then draped, then sketched from the draping in a back and forth. I like the evolving.
Dinner with friends this month has been my favourite thing to do. Catching up, talking, sharing a meal, being treated with performances by their children, being introduced to new music, films, designers, ideas. It's all lush! Friends children growing up to be brilliant is extra lush.
Listening to .... Jalen Ngonda introduced to me by friends who adored him live.
Curtis Mayfield vibes which then led me to Liam Bailey's Zero Grace album which is excellent.
All available on vinyl and cd at Rough Trade too.
Reading .... Vogue Magazine in print. Print is not dead. Fashion is not Dead.
This article in the Guardian on Zines ....
You can buy my zine here, if you like.
Watching ...... Have you Seen the Devil Wears Prada 2 - What a lovely way to explain the current state of affairs and so smart - That's All.
Met Gala should be interesting.
Also
Reality Bites 1994 - loving Grunge, sticking it to boys with car phones and Janeane Garofalo
The Wire 2002 - so late to the work party but I love it. Like The West Wing but the Police and more swearing but cozy.
Grateful for - my ability to stay up late late, have fun and be completely sober -love that I can do more fun things the next day.
More photos from the Month that was. 
Washing vintage lace
2nd place at camera club with a photo of the 'From the Source' dress.
Clematis Montana is the star of the garden right now. 
Studio view of a bespoke underskirt for a bride in New York. 
Tulips at the beginning of April, I would love this as a fabric print border.