The Swelle Life

Sweet Paul Styles Us a Blissful Life

Tailgating. Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Jim Hensley

Have you ever tried to photograph food? Try it, look at the photo, then ask yourself "Is this something I would eat?" I guarantee your response will be "Only if I were starving." Like anything done expertly, Paul Lowe aka Sweet Paul makes it all look so easy. A Norwegian who came to New York for love in 2006, Paul has been styling food, props and interiors ever since a photographer friend recognised his talents while he was still arranging flowers in his shop 17 years ago. It didn't take him long to prove he has the keen eye, instincts, style and ingenuity essential for creating scenes that make beautiful photographs, and he's been in demand ever since.

Sweet Paul is not just a nickname but also a stunning blog where he shares his work and his life with a growing global fanbase who check in religiously for their daily dose of Paul. It is serene, highly inspirational, gorgeous and addictive (visit when you have time to browse, and you'll see what I mean when you find yourself 10 pages deep.) And it's interactive - Paul will seek the opinion of his readers when facing a styling conundrum (eg. which one do we like better?), and we are only too happy to put in our two cents. Rewards for loyalty now include Recipe Monday which has featured original concoctions such as Fallen Chocolate Cake, Accidental Pie and his creamy risotto (Paul is often asked to create the recipes for the food shoots).

As for his interiors, they are likely to illicit an 'I wish I lived in this' response, regardless of your style preferences. Who doesn't want to find themselves in surroundings that are warm, vibrant, tranquil, and inspired? And as a special treat Paul shares his brilliant DIY home styling ideas, such as using old books to paper your walls and create the loveliest photo holder:

Both for Country Living. Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Ellen Silverman

(Is it just me or do the phonetics of 'Sweet Paul' sound especially pleasing? Just whisper it to yourself 's-w-e-e-t-p-a-u-l'...To me it's the phonoaesthetic equivalent of 'cellar door'. Quite befitting of the blog, isn't it?)

Paul Lowe shared with me a bit more about himself and what drives him (beyond taxis):

Was it a smooth transition going from arranging flowers to styling food and interiors?

It kind of was. It is all about colors, textures, and having good taste in your work.

Has living in New York changed you and the way you style?

Oh yes. I think my work has gotten better and better. There is so much inspiration here, it's amazing. The competition is also very high so you have to be on your toes all the time. The choice for props is also amazing, you can get whatever you want. Love it!

You say that fashion is your greatest inspiration - does it translate directly in your work?

It does. I have a book that I stick in pictures I rip out of fashion magazines. Colours, textures, combinations - it all inspires me. My black fig story was inspired by the all-black Viktor & Rolf Fall collection from 2001. 

Black Fig.Styling:Paul Lowe. Photo:Colin Cooke    Viktor & Rolf, Fall 2001 RTW

Do you ever go to fashion shows?

I've been to some small ones, but I would love to be in the front row of Marc Jacobs, Viktor & Rolf, Dior, Lanvin, etc.

Have you ever had a food that was a naughty model and didn't want to behave?

It's all about the recipe, sometimes it just does not work. I made some crème brûlées the other day, after two hours they were still runny. 

You have thousands of fans around the world who follow your work and your personal life through your blog - how does that make you feel?

Oh, Wow. Ehhhhh...Now I feel like Brad Pitt. He he. I think it's amazing that I have so many readers (Ed note: monthly page views currently total 32,000.)  And they are so great, they leave lots of comments and send the best emails. I love them all. I think it's great that I can inspire people.

Does your home interior reflect the warm and vibrant aesthetic you bring to your work?

Ehhh no! We live in a small apartment here in NYC. It's full of stuff - props and books. I did have a shoot here a while ago, I had to tidy up for three days beforehand, so it's a mess. But it looks okay once it's tidy. I'm not the most organised person in the world.

Now that's a sure sign of creativity! If you'd like to know more about what happens on Paul's shoots and advice he offers to aspiring stylists, there's a great article at Cookbook Catchall.

Just one warning before you go exploring: While writing this article - quite late into the night and enjoying the photos from Paul's stories - I finished off stirfry leftovers, then had a yogurt, and I was still searching the refrigerator. You may not want to visit Sweet Paul when you are hungry and have no food around - the suffering would just be too terrible!

Takk skal du ha, Paul.

Black Fig. Styling by Paul Lowe. Photographed by Colin Cooke

Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Colin Cooke

For MORE magazine. Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Kana Okada

Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Steve Giralt

 

Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Steve Giralt

 

For The Comfort Table. Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Miki Duisterhof

Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Studio Dreyer Hensley

 

 

Tailgating. Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Jim Hensley

 

For ELLE Interior. Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Studio Dreyer Hensley

Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Colin Cooke

Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Colin Cooke

Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Colin Cooke

 

Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Colin Cooke. Get the recipe for Nested Eggs
 

Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Colin Cooke

Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Studio Dreyer Hensley

Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Gemma Comas

Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Frances Janisch

Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Frances Janisch
 

Styling by Paul Lowe. Photography by Ellen Silverman

From article: Raspberry jars and sofa with doily curtain photographed by Frances Janisch

Exclusive! That Song from the Marc by Marc Jacobs Show? Meet GoldieLocks

If you've seen the Marc by Marc Jacobs show video for NY fashion week (watch it now if you haven't seen it, bottom right video link), you are likely wondering 'What is that song? I must know! I can't get it out of my head! I'm dancing uncontrollably!'' That was my reaction after hearing the track Marc Jacobs used to open and close his show, it suited the spirit of the collection perfectly (well, maybe not the guys, they looked like eunuchs). After doing a few fruitless Google searches for 'English female rapper' and variations of, my light bulb went on (it's low watt). I recalled hearing '...and I'll be rockin' em in that Goldilocks way' and 'Goldlilocks hoodie' throughout the track and thought 'hmm....maybe that's a hint'. Bingo! The song is called Neek Chic by Croydon, South London vocalist/producer Sarah 'GoldieLocks' Akwisombe.

Amazingly, the 23 year-old beatmaker wasn't aware her work had figured so significantly in the show, until I contacted her and asked about it! How did she react to the news? Read the interview for some insight into this exciting new talent:

I won't pretend I know...what does 'Neek Chic' mean? And what is the song about?

It's loosely based on me and my mate making our own t shirts a few years ago. Neek is like a Croydon word for a geek, and we didn’t care that we were neeks, so we thought we were Neek Chic. The tees ended up having ‘Neek Chic’ on them. The chorus doesn’t actually make sense, I just thought it sounded cool. I made it up behind the bar at Starbucks when I used to work there. It was released back in May on the ‘Wasteman’ single as the B side.

How do you feel about your track being used for such a major NY Fashion week show? Hearing yourself while Marc Jacobs is taking his bow?!

Well I actually only found out cos you told me! It’s really weird actually. Really cool but weird. Seeing them all walking straight faced and taking such a stupid song so seriously. It’s funny, and I’m very honoured! Hopefully I can go to the show next time ;) The girls in my management office are working on blagging free clothes from Marc Jacobs as we speak...

What do you think of the collection?

I really like it actually! I need to watch it properly as I was so excited earlier I just watched the bits with my song. But I like it a lot.

Who or what do you like to wear right now? I sense of bit of a fashion rebellion in your tracks. I think I heard a diss on Topshop in Neek Chic? And then there's Mmm...Fashion "all you wanna do is talk about fashion, and I don't wanna hear it!"

I usually wear big baggy cool T shirts with printed leggings, or band T shirts. A lot of trainers, some heels on occasions but I usually end up taking them off.. Anything with colour! Topshop here is good, they have good pieces and good value for money but its just so ‘done’ here. You go out and everyone is wearing the same clothes cos they all bought their outfit in Topshop. ‘Mmm Fashion’ was more a diss at the people in London who try so hard to out do each other and look original that they all actually end up looking the same, and how seriously some people take fashion. 

Do you have any thoughts on Marc Jacobs using only female artists for his collection? Do you know any of the others?

Not really any thoughts, I guess it’s kinda cool! I didn’t recognise any of the other songs apart from M.I.A whom I love. They all sounded pretty fresh.

Listening to your voice in your tracks and how it works with the beats, you make it seem so easy. When did you realise you're a natural for rapping/singing and making beats?

Making beats I’ve been doing since forever, just in different ways, I used to play the drums but I never had a band to play with. I’m more of a producer than a writer but as time has gone on I’ve got better at singing hooks and writing melodies.

Considering that your lyrics represent your views on the world around you, your personal world, does it give you a kind of freedom to be able to express yourself this way?

It does and doesn’t. It means you can say your opinion but you still have to fit it into a 3 minute song that people can understand and doesn’t go way over their heads. Also, people often get your opinions twisted or think you are arrogant. One line can suddenly stop people listening to your music from that point on.

Is Wasteman about someone you know, or a broader frustration?

It was about a guy who messed my sister about. She was kinda pissed off about it so I was trying to cheer her up.

Where are you looking to go with your music? Do you see yourself as strictly an underground artist (referring to the electro and grime influences) or do you have aspirations to reach as wide an audience as possible and go stateside, or global?

I’d like to be world known, but still on an indie vibe, if that makes sense. Kinda like how M.I.A or Dizzee Rascal have done. I would like to be well known as a producer, as that’s more important to me than being an artist.

How is it that you're not on your way already? You're obviously a huge talent, your voice has style, you can write and produce and your tracks are immediately addictive. Never mind certain aesthetic qualities that make you a marketer's dream. Seriously!!

Because some people find my voice annoying! I think also I don’t fit into a box, which I like, but can be hard for people to make their mind up on. I think I make music like Marmite, you either love it or hate it. Most people are quite sheep-like when deciding if they like music, it’s easier to say a song is ok and save face than saying you love a tune and the person next to you hates it.

 Aside from collaborations, you produce all of your own music?

I mostly make my own beats, occasionally make songs with other producers and produce / remix for other artists a lot. (Ed. note: She's made beats/written for Kate Nash, Example, Neon Hitch, Cerebral Vortex, Tinchey Stryer, Jeeday Jaws, Frisco, Miss Odd Kidd, and Cock n Bull Kid, and done remixes for Mutya Buena, Example, Eliza Doolittle, The Mitchell Brothers, Master Shorty, and Envy.)

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

My new single is out NOW on itunes and as limited edition CD. Check out my merch shop at www.goldielocksmusic.bigcartel.com (Ed.note: you can buy the Wasteman / Neek Chic 7" vinyl here)

GoldieLocks will be performing live tonight at the launch party for her 2nd single 'Kids / Drug Dee-La'. It's a free event and begins at 6 pm at Puregroove Records at 6-7 West Smithfield, London, EC1A 9JX. RSVP asap to sarah@ATCmanagement.com to be added to the guestlist.

And if you're finding yourself loving GoldieLocks' music, spread the word!

Tasty Crumbs Well Worth Picking Up

The women's apron can be seen as the symbol of a hard-day's work in the kitchen, a throw back to the era that gave us casseroles, Sunday pot roast dinners and a bold fearlessness of lard.

Or better, it's a sweet reminder of those warm memories of baking chocolate chip cookies alongside mom on rainy Sunday afternoons, while dad watched the game on TV in the living room in the big chair. And then ate most of the cookies. But you didn't mind, the fun was all in the pointers learned from mom, and the giggling and sharing of secrets that dad would never understand anyway.

Donning an apron to cook or bake, especially a great looking one, transforms the act of simply preparing sustenance to one of nostalgic ritual and great fun. To indulge in it myself, I went searching for true vintage to get the authentic experience, but was disappointed when I found that the originals don't look anywhere near as good as they do in our memories and imaginations. And the thought of a 50 year-old pork n' beans stain is a bit unappetizing.

Luckily, there is a designer who understands such wants and needs and is passionate about them. Jennifer Lucas of the Canadian company Crumb Designs has created a line of flirty and romantic aprons 'to inspire everyday living', as is her motto (and a wonderful one at that). Each is handmade with fabrics that are carefully chosen for colour, design and the quality to endure a lifetime and beyond. Such a lovely family keepsake they would surely make.

Jennifer is most compelled by the happy times she spent as a child in the kitchen baking and cooking with her mother and grandmother, and through her designs offers such an opportunity for others. Her impossibly adorable and stylish matching aprons in adult and child sizes are the perfect recipe for creating that special bonding experience for you and your favourite wee one. What little girl wouldn't light up when presented with such a delightful invitation?

Crumb Designs aprons are available online at www.crumbdesigns.com (nice website, too!).

Coming soon: Watch the website this spring for the new line of gardening aprons for adults and children. (Bake cookies, just the two of you, go outside to the garden to plant your tulips in the sunshine then enjoy your homemade snack together on the porch. How's that for the perfect day?)

To learn more about Jennifer Lucas and how Crumb Designs came to be, read the interview (a very sweet and inspiring story).

More delicious treats to savor:

Anax Imperator Machina - How to Create a Buzz

Whether insects are your thing or not, the Anax Imperator Machina, latin for 'The Emperor Dragonfly Machine', is undeniably a very striking specimen that demands closer inspection.

Painstakingly hand made by artist Jesse Danger (don't you love his name? He can make you cool stuff AND save you from a burning house), this intricate invention is a several hundred-hours-long labour of love and a truly original creation.

The best of both worlds, the Anax Imperator Machina is beautiful as well as functional (if only we had such options with men). Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's fantasized gadgets, Mr. Danger takes classical engineering one fabulous step further by using the finest precious metals and gems to produce a stylish and coveted work of art. Turn down the tip of the tail (actually the abdomen) to make the finely detailed argentium silver wings flutter (argentium is superior to sterling and fine silver). The internal mechanisms, gears and moving parts were industriously hand-milled and hand-calibrated with absolute precision from 14k gold. The body, mechanical frame and wings, also handcrafted from argentium silver. Those pretty baby blues are large 10 carat Swiss Blue Topaz cabochons and the 14k gold bezel on the tail contains a 4mm Amethyst bullet shaped cabochon.

Breathe. After taking in all of that, how can you not be impressed? (and a little tired...imagine?).

This extraordinary one-of-a-kind dragonfly is for sale in Jesse Danger's Etsy shop which also features his eco-jewelry line of Asian-inspired rings, pendants and earrings. I have his textured brass earrings, they are awesome. Look for his incredible Eco-Silver and 22k Gold Ring, which brazenly re-defines 'ring'.

Coming in May is his dragonfly wing line of jewelry and a limited-edition booklet. I anticipate a quick sell-out so watch closely if you're interested!

Read the interview with Jesse Danger to find out what makes him buzz.

Note: Just a word of warning if you haven't looked at the shop yet, the price on the dragonfly is not for the faint-hearted, thick-templed or curly-haired. Okay, maybe strike the last two. It's a heck of a lot of money, but well reflects what's gone into it so no overblown gasping, okay? If you could, you would, right? I would!