The Photographers' Gallery

The Photographers' Gallery reopened this weekend with a two-storey extension, a new, improved ground floor café and a fantastic exhibition by Canadian Edward Burtynsky. Whose decade-long project on OIL shows an ugly industry in a beautiful light:

 

As you can tell from my out-of-focus pictures (below), I'm no photographer. But they let anyone in, and so I went along and was quite taken by the new digital programme. Particularly the GIF of Dodgy Dave's face with summer riots and burning cars flickering across it:

Eton Mess.

So as not to put visitors off, there's the friendly face of Lora Rempel on reception:

I can remember the days when Ramillies Street was just a quick cut-through from Oxford Street to Liberty. A dirty back alley that stank of stale urine. But now the whole area has had a facelift, the new gallery space is gorgeous and the café's good too. But sssh..don't tell everyone.


The Photographers' Gallery, 16-18 Ramillies Street, London W1.

Liberty Nike Air Max

Do you like my new Liberty Nike Air Max? When Phoebe Philo wears an item, you know it's the epitome of effortless style. I may not be able to afford Celine but I'm pretty pleased with myself this week for bagging the pimped-up version of this modern classic.

Nike Air Max on the catwalk photo: Garance Doré.

'They're like gold dust,' said the shop assistant as I sprinted over to the till. And, she's not wrong. Liberty sold out in under 24-hours but I know how to play the long game i.e wait until they go on sale in Office and then trawl every central London store. This takes stamina but it's worth the style stake-out because they're the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. And, as we all know it's impossible to be fabulous when your feet hurt.

Stunning Old Lass

Unlike Jenny Joseph, when I'm old I want to wear crazy cat's eye sunglasses, Liz Taylor earrings and fabulous designer frocks. Preferably Marni. Just like the women in this Stunning Old Lass shoot, from the latest issue of Ponystep magazine.

I asked Ponystep's associate editor and resident That's Not My Age menswear expert Paul Tierney for his thoughts on the style at any age scenario, 'I'm always saddened when older people dress like teenagers, but I believe you can get away with well cut, interesting clothes at any age if you have the personality to support them. These ladies have poise and character. They're not trying to look 21. They're not even trying to look 61!'

Here's to growing old fashionably.


What are you going to spend your pension on?




Photos: Andreas Larsson.

Word Up

Valentine Tags: STILL BREATHING pendant.

I'm always happy when a designer creates something fantastic for the older customer. So, now when anybody asks me how I'm feeling, instead of spouting tired old clichés, I'm going to let my jewellery do the talking. This 'Still Breathing' necklace shows individuality and humour and is perfect for the days when that extra shot of caffeine isn't doing the trick.

Designed by Valentine Breton des Loys, 49, who was born in France and lives in London, and wears an 'If Only' tag. VBL worked as a stylist before turning her hand to jewellery making. Her company Valentine Tags sells online and at Merci in Paris, and also has a bespoke service where customers fill in a questionnaire and she proposes a slogan and creates a mock up of the necklace.

That's Not My Age had the opportunity to throw some (of her own) questions back at VBL:

Valentine at work in her London studio.

TNMA: So when you design the bespoke range do you feel a bit like a detective - quizzing a customer about his/her lifestyle and then coming up with a suitable statement?

VBL: 'Oh I like the idea of being a private detective of the secret mind - but I would never share my information!'

TNMA:Why the I-D tags? Where did that come from?

KARMA TAKES TIME. Oh yes it does.

VBL: 'It started with a thank you note that I wanted to send to a friend after a dinner party. I took what I had lying around, a thin silver strip and punched in the words PLEASURE TO SEE YOU. I liked it and since then I've improved the shape and transformed it into a necklace. The words make the tags, it is about saying something you don't want to say out loud.'

TNMA: What's the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you? 

VBL: '"Forget your good education," given by Jean-Jacques Beinex when we were working (I was a costume designer) on his movie Roselyne et les Lions.'

TNMA: Which movie/book has changed your life?

VBL: 'Nothing has changed my life (what a question!) but I loved and was inspired by One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marques, Alice by Woody Allen, The Darjeeling Limited by Wes Anderson, and artists including: Gordon Watson, Cindy Sherman, Louise Bourgeois, Annette Messager, Maurizio Catalan.'

TNMA: And finally, what advice would you give to my readers for looking stylish at any age?

VBL: 'Don't change. It's difficult because you don't want to dress like you're 20 when you're 60, but it's stupid to say things like, "I'm too old for jeans." Believe in the style you have. I still have the same general silhouette and it works for me. I don't think I've changed a lot.'

Let's hope she's not...

Tags are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, sterling silver and 22ct gold.

Hermés: Leather Forever exhibition

Neon Kelly bag arrangement.

Until this weekend, the closest I'd ever been to an Hermés leather bag was when Jane Birkin showed me hers. Customized with worry beads, ribbons and Aung San Suu Kyi stickers, the eponymous bag had been given a delightfully irreverent spin. Costing over five and a half thousand pounds, a Birkin bag is well off my pay grade - but if you're in line for an astronomically-priced accessory, then this is how to wear it:

Jane Birkin's bag.

As the folks at Hermés point out, 'Fashioned by the rules of art, handsome leather does not spoil. On the contrary, it adapts to time. Grows in nobility. Is unwithered by age.' Just like the great style icon, herself. Apparently, unlike Victoria Beckham, Jane Birkin likes to have just one bag at a time and has only ever owned four Hermés numbers.

To celebrate the French luxury brand's 175th birthday, and the Queen's Jubilee, Hermés have just opened the Leather Forever exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. And it's fabulous. As well as an impressive range of products (including the Duke of Windor's sporran), there's a leather library and a room where artisans hand-craft bags right before your very eyes.

The exhibition is on until 27 May at the Royal Academy of Arts, 6 Burlington Gardens - and is well worth a visit.