The Berkeley hotel & Harvey Nichols

A few weeks ago I was busy working for the Berkeley hotel and Harvey Nichols in adapting the Pret-a-Portea image for what is fast turning out to be quite a road trip for the Pret-a-Portea project, and I'm excited to be able to reveal my illustration for the project (why it always loses colour from the image when I upload onto the blog I still haven't managed to work out). The famous fashionista tea will be held in the Dublin and Edinburgh Harvey Nichols stores during May.

When this patent Alexander McQueen patent 'Elvie' handbag started out in life, little did it know it would be transformed into a chocolate truffle tote wrapped in mint flavoured marzipan

and this Herve Leger bikini clad model didn't know she was about to undergo radical plastics work and come out as a vanilla biscuit, but a biscuit with a reasonable tan nonetheless

and a sole Christian Louboutin shoe had no idea that it would be transformed into a coconut cream sponge cake topped with a metallic frill and get two new companions to hang out with.

And then that they would get to have their shots taken by a professional photographer, have all their make-up done by adorable Simon in the Berkeley Caramel room, before being eaten by some greedy fashionista. Lucky things.

So, if you'd like to see how many bikinis, totes, dresses and shoes you can eat, oops I mean biscuits, truffles, sponge cake and mousses do try and reserve a table asap.

The dates are Tuesday 28th April until Saturday 2 May in Dublin and Wednesday 13 May until Sunday 17th May in Edinburgh. Visit www.harveynichols.com or www.the-berkeley.co.uk for more information

Re-decorating the office

We have been re-painting the office so it's been quite chaotic.

I also hated the windows, so I thought I'd post the before and after shots. Above are the windows as they looked before, and below the end result!

I didn't want to spend lots on them so we just covered the existing windows with these Japanese/Swiss chalet stained wood panels with rice paper inside. It makes such a difference to the look of the office I think. We can still open the windows and have the existing ones behind so it worked out far more cost effective than replacing all the windows.

Spaghetti trees

We are laughing at this in the office.

It was broadcast by the BBC on April Fool's day posing as a serious documentary. Hundreds of people called the BBC after the broadcast asking where they could get hold of a spaghetti bush so they could grow their own. Spaghetti was actually an exotic alien food then so people easily fell for the joke. Thankfully, British food has certainly come a long way since then!

Lookalikes

We are working quite intensively at the moment, so I would imagine that sometimes when we leave the office we are looking rather like this.

Muhammad Ali

When I work on the Anzu men's range, I am always inspired by traditional male icons. One of these is Muhammad Ali, who was the inspiration behind our 'Boxing' card. Whilst researching, I came across some great quotes of his:

"If you even dream of beating me you'd better wake up and apologise".

"It's the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen".

"The man who has no imagination has no wings".

"Frazier is so ugly that he should donate his face to the US Bureau of Wild Life".

"It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself".

"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer".

"I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel and was in bed before the room was dark."

Amazing photo from Life magazine, of Muhammad Ali

Spring blossoms

Some pictures of the blossoms on my street.

The amazing blossom outside the Japanese embassy on the parallel street, and below more of my street...

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from everyone at Anzu!

Wellicious homepage

Just thought I'd post a recent commission I did - a new painting for the Wellicious homepage. Check out their great products on www.wellicious.com

Easter bunnies

I came across this on Spiegel online - apparently there are a lot of giant German rabbits.

Spotted in the Westfield - a giant chocolate bunny. When are they going to take down the fence and let me in?

Petersham nurseries shop

Ok I'm aware I might be beginning to sound like an advert here (and I promise I'm not on a retainer) but if you are in London and stuck for something to do this weekend, do go to Petersham nurseries and book a table at the restaurant. You won't be disappointed. Here are pictures of the shop - this place is a lot more than just a nursery.

I love these beeswax candles in this chandelier.

Go to www.petershamnurseries.com to find out more.

Rachel Ridgley

I recently came across Rachel Ridgley's work and in particular this photo of a meadow and I love it

You can see more at http://rachellaurenphotography.blogspot.com or buy them onine at www.ugallery.com/ArtistDetail.aspx?ArtistID=1155

A lot of them have a kind of brooding Midwest feeling to them. Of course, I am especially drawn to the meadow ones, which is a bit of a preoccupation of mine at the moment. Look out for a new Anzu meadow design coming out soon!

More St Tropez

Some more St. Tropez. Whilst working on the current commission, I came across this image I did for a previous range of anzu cards inspired by St. Tropez. Funny how you can forget your own designs!

1950s St. Tropez

Photo Robert Cohen/RDA/Getty Images

I am busy painting my latest commission. Part of the brief was that it be in the style of 1950s St. Tropez. So I have been looking at lots of photographs like this, of Bridget Bardot, yachts, and gorgeous beach accessories.

Emilio Pucci hat from Net-a-Porter

1950s/60s Riviera chic is such a great theme and classic style - floppy straw hats, gingham shorts, oversized sunglasses, and tanned gigolos!

Oliver Peoples sunglasses

Chloe bikini from Net-a-Porter

Whilst looking for images I came across this. I think it's Bridget Bardot, but my question is did men really wear shorts like these?!!

Summer - sigh....

The Rang decor blog www.rangdecor.blogspot.com recently posted a blog on Summer inspirations (Summer has already arrived in India). I just love this photo.

This photo is from a Danish website. Just looking at both these images makes me yearn for Summer - I can't wait!

Jungle fever

We are about to have the office re-painted, so off we went to Homebase today to choose from the various shades of white. Whilst there, I rather foolishly decided it would be a good idea to get some plants for the office and home. I started off with a little orchid, then some daisies, and then added this giant palm. This is me sitting in the car!

New commissions

I can't say anything yet, but I am currently busy working on three separate pieces of commissioned work. All three are quite different and cover everything from yoga bags to dress mannequins.

Chocolate pencils

I am forever chewing my pencils - perhaps I should start drawing with these instead? From www.nendo.jp via the fortysixthatgrace blog

Trellick Tower & Goldfinger

I recently saw this photo in the Getty gallery and had to get it for the office. It shows Trellick tower, which is just round the corner from the anzu office. It was designed in the Brutalist style by Hungarian architect Erno Goldfinger and was built in 1972. A cab driver wouldn't believe me the other day when I said it was a landmark, but it has become an icon - it was the first building featured in the animation segment of the Olympic handover ceremony, is sung about by Blur and also featured in a Gorillaz video amongst other things.

It also has an odd connection to the author of James Bond, Ian Fleming, who decided to name his villain Auric Goldfinger (a character who kills women by spraying them head to toe with gold paint) after the architect. Erno Goldfinger immediately reacted by consulting his lawyers. However, after Fleming threatened to rename the character 'Goldprick', Goldfinger decided not to sue!

Anzu branding

We are currently working on re-branding anzu. After nearly 10 years it's good to work on a fresh look I think. Above is the new logo!

Ryma continues to work on it. We've ploughed through tons of books for ideas and are gradually getting there. Will be sure to show you the new look once it's ready.

I'm in love

with Petersham nurseries in Richmond! Right now is such perfect weather for a trip there, and everything was lovely - the food, the atmosphere, the nice things to buy. I would highly recommend it.

See www.petershamnurseries.com for more information.

All the waiters and waitresses wear wellington boots.

These are all photos of the restaurant. I got a bit carried away with taking shots, so expect another post on the shop soon!