'David Bowie Is': a retrospective

The V&A Museum was lucky enough to gain access to the David Bowie Archive to curate the museum's latest attraction.

The sold-out exhibition, titled 'David Bowie Is', features over 300 pieces, including costumes, photographs, album covers and video exerts from films and live performances.

Spanning the career of the Brixton-born musician, the retrospective also includes some more personal items such as never-before-seen storyboards, handwritten set lists and lyrics, as well as some of Bowie’s own sketches, musical scores and diary entries, revealing the evolution of his creative ideas.

The exhibition was brought together by the V&A's theatre and performance curators Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh and will explore the creative processes of Bowie as a musical innovator and cultural icon, tracing his shifting style and sustained reinvention across five decades.

'David Bowie Is' opened on the 23rd March and will run until the 11th August 2013. Find out more here.

Celebrating design 'Before 1980'

Here's a new fair to add to you calendar for the London Design Festival, but this one is not for those seeking out cutting edge design; this is one for those looking for retro.

The organisors say 'Before 1980 is a fair that favours style over age and has invited like-minded traders to exhibit – whose stock style is distinctive and special, and whose displays are always creative and inspirational.' 

Amelia Forster, organiser, says “Interior style magazines continue to reference and feature past design periods – this only helps to reinforce the idea that vintage offers a great level of quality and style without a large investment.  We have recognised the growing interest in vintage design and décor and its place in contemporary homes.”

“Before1980 will be a fair with an eclectic mix of antiques, mid-century and vintage – we hope people will be inspired by the looks on offer but feel they can really go home with something.”

The first fair features handpicked traders selling stylish pieces for the home and garden; it will be part of a series of seasonal events celebrating home style from Before1980. The fair is on Saturday 22nd September in the Central Library, Islington, London.

For more information click here.

Martini gets attitude

Take a look at this new French ad for Martini, 'Luck is an attitude'.

A cool, retro look and feel that uses a split screen to demonstrate how choice can change or make your day, especially if you 'choose Martini'.

Great to watch and very engaging.  

See the video below.