Seana Gavin - Mindful Exhibition

It's always great to see one of the girls getting towards where they want to be, Seana Gavin is certainly making headway in the art world. Seana was asked to take part in the Mindful Exhibition held in the Old Vic Tunnels.

The exhibition's aim is to raise money for the new creative therapies fund within Mind. The Mind creative therapies fund was initiated in 2011 by artist Stuart Semple to fund projects enabling those experiencing mental ill health to explore creative forms of expression. “The whole point of instigating this fund is to enable others access to the therapeutic potential of creative expression, people who may not have the chance, encouragement, or resources to do so otherwise”.

Other artists who were asked to take part vary in notoriety and medium;
Jake & Dinos Chapman, Mona Hatoum, Tracey Emin, Mat Collishaw, Sebastian Horsley, Liliane Lijn, Sarah Lucas, George Lilanga, Barney Bubbles, Whitney McVeigh, Tom Wilkinson, Kate Moross, Tessa Farmer, Ellie Rees and Stuart Semple.

Barbour / Muters Soft Drinks

Grandma and Grandpa Dunlop lived in South Shields as I was growing up. My dad and I wore Barbour waxed jackets (which he would re wax on top of the aga) when we went out shooting birds and rabbits. Needless to say my association with the brand is a far cry from hip hop stars, Shoreditch trendies, or a store in covent garden. That being said I think its great to see that the brand is still relevant, and seems to have kept its traditional customers whilst embracing new ones. I wear a Barbour jacket when I horse ride, but I'm still in two minds if I would wear one on the tube, mainly due to the waxy smell.



Founded in 1894 the award winning brand has come along way from the coal and shipping industry town. To put things in context I often think of my family business, Muter's Soft Drinks, that started in 1883, in Bedlington just 12 miles north of South Shields. I'd like to think my great grandpa had a chat to John or Malcolm Barbour.







I'm hoping that one day I'll make Muters Pineappleade again! Those labels need to be seen on the shelves again, the colours are great and design still look fresh.

David Koma / Eve Delf

London Fashion Week, love it or hate it, it has some elements that are delightful. Like the work of David Koma, who's colour and cut out devore type lazer geometric layers were flash of intensity on a rainy london day. Also I had the fortune to sit next to the lovely mum of Eve Delf, the model. Having already modelled for the likes of Mulberry she is certainly one to watch. Now with Select after after being spotted in Rye, Sussex at only 15 years old Eve looks like she has a very promising career in modelling. With a lovely mum to boot, she's a lucky girl.



Hilary Alexander busy typing away on her iPad.

Darkroom - Stolen from De Stijl

Now this is dangerous. A shop that has everything that you could want and need, at price that is within the 'achievable' range. Rhonda and Lulu, you know how to capture a girls heart! Some of the jewellery has my name on it!
Darkroom
52 Lamb's Conduit Street, London WC1N 3LL
T: +44 (0)20 7831 7244.














Charlotte (Wolff Olins) & Zaf (Paul Smith) being silly! Both X-Kingston Uni girls :)

COMPLEXD WOMAN: JODI MUTER

Interview for Complexd Magazine

Name: Jodi Muter
Age: 32
Place of birth: Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK
Label: Black Neon

I studied BA Fashion at Kingston University and specialised in lingerie. I love the sun and hope to move abroad at some point but when on holiday I can never find fashionable swimwear that I like. My label Black Neon enables me to design swimwear with creative shapes and colours that are flattering, functional and stylish. I design swimwear that you can actually swim in and not just sunbathe in. If you’re swimming for an hour you need it to stay on!


My grandma Tweedy, worked in the mills in Yorkshire and my mum was born and raised in Haworth, Yorkshire. My mum owned a wool and haberdashery shop, where I use to spend hours knitting and making things. Craft is an important part of all our lives. My stylish Grandmother, Georgina Muter (pictured above), who was an officer in the navy, in terms of style has been the most influential woman in my life. She passed away when I was thirteen but she was the one who gave me the desire to travel and a taste for luxury goods.


I worked at a swimwear factory in Mauritius for six months where I also made my first sample. Mauritius is a very diverse country with lots of religions coexisting with each other. This has a huge impact on everything from colours in the street, to food, ceremonies and life. The experience of integrating into the life and culture was much more fulfilling than discovering Mauritius as a mere beach-lounging tourist.


I have also spent a month in Sierra Leone which had a significant impact on my understanding of the world. Visiting a hospital with only one surgeon, three toilets and 200 people put the issues we face in this world into perspective.


I’ve only released one collection so far because production issues are one of the main dilemmas for small labels. I also work full time as a personal assistant in Canary Wharf, so how I manage my time is critical. On most days I get up at 6.15 am and get home at 6.30 pm. I then work on a variety of things from pattern cutting, to VAT returns from 7.30 pm to around midnight. I have one day off on the weekend. Running your own business has its adversities because there just aren’t enough hours in the day!



Hopefully, the future for Black Neon is bright! I aim to diversify the product range with leather goods and jewellery and perhaps find an investor Looking at long- term goals, I hope to set up an apprenticeship co-op scheme for women with craft skills based in the UK and overseas. For now, life is more about sun seeking adventures and sharing new experiences with the ones I love and am yet to meet.

To view the collection and shop online visit BLACKNEON.CO.UK