An entire catwalk of models dressed as Tilda Swinton; a dress covered in bells that you can hear before you can see; one model wearing an entire collection… such is life in the fabulous House of Viktor and Rolf installation at the Barbican. Including samples of each collection’s couture, as well as pieces of their early work and live footage of their innovative shows, the epicentre of the exhibition is a giant doll’s house,... [continue]

Despite last night's dreary weather, The Magnetic Fields exercised their usual level of restraint by not performing "All The Umbrellas In London" nor even "In The City In The Rain". This reserve extended beyond mere meteorological facts, as the band mostly held back the hits for the entirety of both sets at their first of three performances this week in Sloane Square's Cadogan Hall. The night began with delays and an overcrowded foyer, which... [continue]

Greenness is certainly suffering mixed fortunes today. For a start, Mayor Boris had originally moved to save trees, only this evening to reverse Ken's planned £25 CO2 congestion charge hike. Into the bargain he also thanked Porsche for donating their subsequent legal costs paid by Transport for London to charidee. Meanwhile a campaign launched last week to promote London's Outdoors included the temporary siting of an Outdoor Office in St James Park, but then... [continue]

Khat, the enervating plant masticated across much of the Middle East and Africa, is contributing to serious mental health issues among London's east African communities, according to a report. The somnolent stare of the regular khat-chewer is a familiar sight for anybody who has travelled to the likes of Nairobi or Addis Ababa, and is increasingly seen on the streets of London. A mild sedative that gives off a reasonably powerful high, the plant's... [continue]

It's 3 years ago on Sunday that London found out we'd be hosting the 2012 Olympic Games. The fate of Forman's Salmon Smoking factory was thereby sealed as it was the exact spot that the new Olympic Stadium would be built. Forman's are now in a new factory overlooking the site and to mark this anniversary, they've installed a live webcam on the roof of their new gaff to spy on Stadium building and... [continue]