We're all going on a Summer Holiday

So to celebrate the end of my exams I thought I'd spread the vintage love and wet your appetites for summer!

Roll on summer!

Typical..

This is a video by National Geographic I saw the other day- how typical are you?

Andrew Marr's Megacities

The latest series to hit the BBC is Andrew Marr's Megacities, this three part series started last Thursday and watchers saw Andrew Marr visiting 5 of the 21 megacities (that is they have a population of over 10 million people): Tokyo, Shanghai, London, Mexico City and Dhaka.

Marr focussed heavily this week on the mood and atmosphere in the cities, some of which, despite their size, managed to retain real community spirit and seemed to feel more like a village than a city of such enormous proportions. He spent a night 'slumming it' with a family in Dhaka (where he was compared to Mr Bean) and also revelled in the 'Dancing Days' in Mexico City which, despite being one of the most dangerous cities in the world suffering for 500 kidnappings a month and 3 murders a day, seemed friendly and joyful.

Shanghai- a  city from the future

Marr also visited a glittering penthouse worth £9million in Shanghai, a bargain for the cities 7,000 billionaires. The underlying message in all Marr's findings, which saw him climbing the Shard in London and hiring a friend for the day in Tokyo, was one of sadness. He reminded us that by 2020 3/4 of the World will be urbanised and used Tokyo as an example of the monotonous regularity of life created in a city. This unbreaking routine has forced some people into their homes too scared to venture out because life is so overwhelming beyond the confines of their home.

The village atmosphere found in the Dhaka slums

As a result, despite the glittering lights and sleek glass skyscrapers of Tokyo and Shanghai Marr made it clear that for him Mexico City and Dhaka were his preferred type of dwelling. The people may not live in luxurious penthouses in a city where the transport system is so sharp that you need written proof of a delay if you are late to work, but they have a community: friends and family are around them and they appear content with what they have.

Party time in Mexico City

Of course, an English TV series couldn't come to any other conclusion than that of London being the best megacity. Not only does it have evidence of the magnificent statement buildings namely the Shard, like those found in Shanghai and Tokyo, but there is also the sense of community found in Dhaka and Mexico City- aptly demonstrated with the roller blading that takes place through London at the weekends.

The next edition to London's skyline

This is a series I will definitely be watching more of, it is well directed and Marr moves between the five cities with ease. He manages to give you an insight into a variety of people's lives and delivers humour and amazing statistics.

Andrew Marr's Megacities continues on Thursday 9th at 8pm on BBC 1

Markets and Molas

I was absent- mindedly looking back through my GCSE Textiles sketchbooks earlier and found a cushion I made based on the theme of "Layers." I looked at Latin American markets which led to me discovering the Mola- the traditional clothing worn by the Kuna Indians in Panama and Colombia

I remember being captivated by the simple, vibrant beauty of these panels which are stitched onto jackets and skirts. The Mola started as a form of body art but was later transferred to clothing when missionaries found the tribe.

A traditional Mola

Molas are made using a Reverse Applique Technique where several layers of bright fabric have a design stitched onto them and layers are then cut away to reveal the different colours. They can take up to 6 weeks to complete because all the rough edges have to be stitched under. All girls living as Kuna Indians are taught to make the Molas from a young age so the tradition doesn't die out.

The Kuna Indians photographed with their Molas to the left of the photo

I translated my findings into a cushion for my final piece which I split into quarters and demonstrated different layering techniques on each quarter, including the reverse applique used by the Kunas.

The Final Product!

I find the tribal traditions still in existance in our world so interesting- the way that a whole society can remain untouched by the modern technology that is so present in our world nowadays and still live in their own little self- sufficient eco- system is amazing. Sadly many tribes are being forced to integrate with modern society because the tribal lifestyle simply isn't practical nowadays. The Kuna Indians are doing their best to preserve their ancestry and traditions and, for the benefit of all of us, I hope they do.

PS. One blog worth checking out is The World Effect where they show photography from all corners of the globe capturing everyday life everywhere from China to France to Mexico to South Africa

Watch Out For... La Romería del Rocio

Spain's biggest pilgrimage is coming up in June when over 1 million people take to the streets and countryside of Andalucia to worship the Shrine of the Virgin Mary, sing, eat, dance and celebrate in the small village of El Rocio in Huelva.

It is generally a very traditional event with most people travelling on foot or on horseback, the pilgrimage was first established 800 years ago and it is still going strong. Of course urban legends and myths surround the statue at the shrine as with any great religious figure: the hunter who found the statue in the trunk of a tree claimed it could cure disease, infertility and mental illnesses.

The fiesta atmosphere done best by the Spanish

Despite being a religious festival there is a great party atmosphere to be found, as with any Spanish Fiesta: women wear bright gypsy skirts and men wear traditional wide- brimmed bolero hats. Accompanied by the sound of tambourines, flutes and guitars the crowd sings traditional folk- songs such as "Viva La Reina de la Marisma" (Long Live the Queen of the Marshes) as they enter the village and set up camp for the next two days.

The Shrine of the Virgin Mary in Rocio- the centrepiece of the pilgrimage taken by 1million people each year

First time visitors have the chance to baptise themselves by dipping their hats in water and pouring it over themselves and everyone enjoys the traditional food and music and general festivities until the village empties and becomes quiet again for another year.

Holiday Wardrobe

Its no secret that a holiday wardrobe is one of the first thing that springs to mind when you see summer on the horizon. A new website this year is Style- Passport, a website designed to give you a entire holiday wardrobe in one place, quite literally selling everything from Carmex to Kaftans, you can even choose between Festival, City, Spa and Beach to narrow down your search: definitely one to watch!

At the top of my summer wardrobe wishlist this year is a pair of espadrilles in classic navy blue. They just scream summer and will be perfect in the day with a pair of chinos (ordered from River Island this weekend) and a shirt or with a cute sun dress in the evening.

Espadrilles come from the Catalan region in North- Eastern Spain and were originally the footwear worn by peasants because of their cheap materials, nowadays they are popular with everyone.

Espadrilles were originally designed to be worn by the poor

This summer I am also trying to add a more festival feel to my wardrobe-- I lust after a leather satchel like the one found on Style- Passport:

Festival chic done perfectly by Vida Vida

Aside from that the classic Breton top is a must and no one does them better than the masters of nautical stripe, Petit Bateau. A fashion classic!

Hope this little peek into my list of summer must- haves (believe me, the list is much longer!) has wet your apetites a bit! Happy shopping xxx