Sketched Out On the Streets

 

Newburgh Quarter seems to be an ever-shifting retail space where pop-up shops are groomed to do a lot of popping in and out.  These units don't seem to be out to make a huge buck and a half which is a godsend for independent start-ups, considering this is a prime location in zone 1 of London.  Therefore it's not too much of a  surprise that Sketchbook Magazine, the print-on-demand mag that has semi-filled a gap that the printed version of Amelia's Magazine left (though their website is still very much alive), have taken over a space on Newburgh Street.  Yes, I was on the cover in the first issue and no, that isn't the reason why I'm shouting out to their pop-up shop exhibition as I soon discovered when I dropped by last Tuesday, huffing and puffing, from Bicester Village to take part in the Print vs. Online panel along with Becky Smith of Twin Magazine (Lula's founder…), Sandrine Maggiani of trendforcasting site Style Sight and Adrian Shaughnessy of ThisIsRealArt.  The storefront and window constructed by Serene Khan pretty much set the tone for the whole set-up.  

To say that the Sketchbook peeps have put in a looooot of effort into the pop-up is an understatement… in two days, they and a group of illustrators/artists transformed this space into their own ultra-personalised haven from which to operate as well as host three weeks (we're in week 2) of talks, Q&As, workshops… a full schedule can be found on their blog.  Looking forward to…

… the other half aka Style Salvage Steve taking part in a 'Blogs and Brands' panel along with Mademoiselle Robot…  

…Young designers Ara Jo and Viking Wong give a talk and Q&A…  

…Amelia's Magazine creator Amelia Gregory talks about how she got started…

…Rosie and Harriet from Tatty Devine looking back on the jewellery label's amazing decade…

With regards to the panel I took part in… with a title like 'Print vs. Online', of course it's pretty obvious there is no other conclusion other than the two mediums are bound for co-existence… and how the two will develop within a fashion context, this is the golden unanswerable question.  So ensued an hour of to-ing and fro-ing between different issues of print vs. online.  It could have gone on for longer but there ya go… 

I got to have a good chat with Twin's Becky Smith and also have an indepth flick through of their debut issue which I previewed a while back.  This greatest hits video on their site gives more of a tangible round-up.  Issue 2 is going to print as we speak… !  

Seeing as I have no real insight into a weighted subject that really needs more than an hour to properly dissect and also has no real conclusion as yet, instead, my eyes started to wander around the Annie Driscoll decorated basement where the talk was being held… and so starts the incredible roster of illustrators that Sketchbook have enlisted for the pop-up shop and exhibition as well as for the future issues…

 

Lucia Emanuela is probably the first to put Prada A/W 10-11 on  tee… another reminder of those covetable double collared jackets…

Her tees are available to buy at the Sketchbook space as well as through her website…

And so Sketchbook issue 2 launches (not yet available through MagCloud but me thinks it's coming soon…).  My mug has finally been replaced (did get a bit weird constantly looking at my own face on Sketchbook's Twitter feed…).  Mag addict John Paul Thurlow (his exhibition at the Sketchbook space opens 11th April) Kelly Jackson has taken to illustrating the portraits for the new issue dedicated to London designers with Henry Holland on the first part.  

I love that there's an ickle Agyness at the side blowing some HoH signature slogan letters all over the cover… courtesy of arrangement by Lala Lee

Here are some sneak peeks of the accompanying features inside with the Henry Holland one giving me an idea of what to do with my own 'Cum Again, Christopher Kane' t-shirt seeing as the neon green has faded to a less vibrant shade…

Roger Daniel has imagined an invasion by prints designer David David… 

 

Jack Teagle has illustrated Danielle Scutt's fashion tips…well actually, it's just the one tip… my character of choice would be any Care Bear… 

Derek Lawlor's loopy knitwear is delved into…

Emilio de la Morena's way of working also gets an investigation… with cute illustrations by Laura Callaghan…

Of course the issue is still chock full of inspiring bloggers and it's Tavi's turn to get sketched… with these wonderful pieces by Serene, who also designed the window…

Luxirare also deservingly gets a shoutout…

My favourite bits from issue 2 though were these illustrations of five wonderful women by Bryony Lloyd…

**EDIT** I was trying very hard to get all illustrator credits etc 100% correct and even went to the gallery again to double check names… but alas with so many links, I still bungled it up… this post has now been amended!