Playtime Customised, by Albie Espinola

Femme Clown Painting

2011-12-03T16:04:00.003Z

Femme Clown. Painting by Albie Espinola

I always wanted a cool leather jacket. Technically I thought I had one by stealing my brothers brown jacket that looks and kind of feels leathery. After a couple of months of wearing it I realised it wasn’t actually leather…retarded me.

I wanted a “classic” leather jacket but found this “puffer” style one with huge hood. The jacket has really soft leather and is so warm. It will defs heat me up in those wintry nights going on missions around London town.

Just as I was buying the jacket at the counter, another guy was buying the exact same one next to me. I let out a big “Ehh” to show my disgust but I guess tis expected as the shop is a top end high street brand. However, as all forward thinkers do (me not the random dude), they take it to the next level. The next level in Albie’s world is doing a big painting on the back.

The original idea which I started to paint the first layer on was of a girl and a guy kissing. I changed the guy to have a Mohawk to look like moi but I didn’t change the girl. Although tis only a painting, I got stresses BIG time.

Femme Clown. Painting on leather jacket by Albie Espinola

The stresses made me change the image and so turned it into a femme clown. The final painting looks damn amaze and for sure made the jacket a one-off that NO ONE will have.

Xx

Albie!!

PRESS RELEASE: CSM "Bans" a Student Taking Part in "Two Rivals. One Catwalk"

2011-10-17T23:39:00.026+01:00

PRESS RELEASE

A student at Central Saint Martins who was to represent TEAM CSM (Central Saint Martins) at the “Two Rivals. One Catwalk” fashion show had been asked to pull out by one of his tutors. Upon hearing the news that the student was to show a collection at the event, tutors subsequently "banned" him from doing so because, “CSM don’t want to be on the same catwalk or associated with London College of Fashion”.

Is it snobbery and arrogance that Central Saint Martins are doing this? Is it fair to not allow a student to exhibit their creations? Both colleges are under the same umbrella of University of the Arts London.

The “Two Rivals. One Catwalk” event is about bringing together designers past and present from Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion celebrating the different approaches of cutting edge design from two of the most prestigious colleges in Europe.

designs by Kate Williams

Kate Williams, a former graduate from London College of Fashion and who will be taking part in the show believes it is unfair for CSM to hold back an opportunity for their students to exhibit their work.

“It’s important to be supportive of designers that are coming out...it is quite sad that a school would hold someone back from exhibiting their work…any exhibition for a student to get their name out is only good…getting them out there and getting them seen.”

A few years ago, influential individuals at Central Saint Martins tried something similar with the very first “Two Rivals. One Catwalk” fashion show but the event was championed by the Dean of University of Arts London. The Dean saw it as a positive event for designers to showcase their work in such a setting.

designs from left to right: Ada Zanditon, Phoebe English, Jasper Garvida and William Tempest

Some of today’s brightest designers who have taken part in previous, “Two Rivals. One Catwalk” fashion shows are now making waves in the fashion world. Phoebe English (CSM), Jasper Garvida (CSM), Ada Zanditon (LCF) and William Tempest (LCF) are some of the hottest names in fashion right now.

“Two Rivals. One Catwalk” fashion show is on Monday 7th November. Tickets are now on sale from www.playtimecustomised.co.uk

Meet the Designers: Manami Sakurai (TEAM CSM)

2011-10-14T18:29:00.006+01:00

Manami Sakurai

Manami Sakurai is a Womenswear designer that graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2011.

Manami’s talents have also taken her to Paris, India and Japan designing for various brands such as Bernhard Willhelm, Swash UK and Hello Kitty.

Design by Manami Sakurai

With the disaster that happened in Japan in March, Manami designed a range of clothes to help raise funds to help rebuild Japan.

Manami will be showing her collection “Imagine” at “Two Rivals. One Catwalk” on Monday November 7th.

Tickets for Two Rivals. One Catwalk 4 are now on sale at www.playtimecustomised.co.uk

For More info:
07815 656 440
BB: 280F29D2
info@playtimecustomised.co.uk

Meet the Designers: Shengwei Wang (TEAM CSM)

2011-10-13T02:08:00.006+01:00

Shengwei Wang

Shengwei Wang is a Chinese born London Based fashion designer who graduated in Fashion Design with Knitwear from Central Saint Martins in 2011.

Award winning designer (for L’Oreal and Lancome), Shengwei has worked for Alexander McQueen, Giles Deacon and John Galliano.

Designs by Shengwei Wang

Wang’s work has been featured in the Evening Standard, Vogue UK and was voted the best up-and-coming fashion designer by ELLE, China.

Shengwei’s signature is her experimentation with unconventional materials and form.

Tickets for Two Rivals. One Catwalk 4 are now on sale at www.playtimecustomised.co.uk

For More info:
07815 656 440
BB: 280F29D2
info@playtimecustomised.co.uk

Mark-Anthony Abel Performing at "Two Rivals. One Catwalk"

2011-10-13T01:35:00.006+01:00

Mark-Anthony Abel

Successful singer/songwriter Mark-Anthony Abel is back with a new sound.

Mark-Anthony Abel will be performing songs from his forthcoming album “Naked Future” live on the catwalk at “Two Rivals. One Catwalk” on Monday 7th November.

Tickets for Two Rivals. One Catwalk 4 are now on sale at www.playtimecustomised.co.uk

For More info:
07815 656 440
BB: 280F29D2
info@playtimecustomised.co.uk

Meet the Designers: Willie PK (TEAM CSM)

2011-10-12T20:46:00.006+01:00

Willie PK. Womenswear Knitwear Designer (Team CSM)

Willie PK is a 2nd year Fashion Knitwear designer at Central St Martins.

As well as studying at Central Saint Martins, Willie PK has worked for Craig Lawrence and Alice Palmer, working on their collections that were shown this past season at London and Paris fashion week.

Design by Willie PK

PK has exhibited his own pieces at 'Indigo’ in Paris and Alexandra Palace in London. On the high street, Monsoon and Topshop stock his designs.

Willie PK's work features historical and religious ideology, with gothic, yet poetic qualities. His experimental approach to knitwear has also given his work surreal qualities, reshaping traditional expectations of garments.

Willie PK will be showcasing his brand new collection for TEAM CSM at Two Rivals. One Catwalk 4 on Monday 7th November, 2011.

Tickets for Two Rivals. One Catwalk 4 are now on sale at www.playtimecustomised.co.uk

For More info:
07815 656 440
BB: 280F29D2
info@playtimecustomised.co.uk

Meet the Designers: Jayce Wong (TEAM CSM)

2011-10-11T19:44:00.010+01:00

Jayce Wong. Jewellery designer (Team CSM)

Classically trained as a jeweller in London, Jayce received both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Jewellery Design at the prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art.

From her signature cocktail rings to bespoke service, Jayce Wong is known for her distinctive, modernist style, diverse shapes and geometric forms inspired by contemporary architecture. The look is elegant, sexy and boldly contemporary.

The varied palette of Jayce’s jewellery showcases her passion for coloured gemstones. She transforms some of the rarest jewels into wearable art, through innovative design and a pioneering use of gemstones.

Danni Minogue wearing Jayce Wong jewellery

Jayce presents a new collection every year, pieces which are regularly featured in the world’s top fashion magazines and on television. Her collections always challenge established notions of the desirable, with each piece a seductive object of the future.

Jayce will be accessorising TEAM CSM designers at Two Rivals. One Catwalk.

You could find her work at www.jaycewong.com

Tickets for Two Rivals. One Catwalk 4 are now on sale at www.playtimecustomised.co.uk

For More info:
07815 656 440
BB: 280F29D2
info@playtimecustomised.co.uk

Playtime Customised 11: TWO RIVALS. ONE CATWALK 4

2011-10-05T21:08:00.004+01:00

Playtime Customised presents...

TWO RIVALS. ONE CATWALK 4

Designers past and present from Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion will go head-to-head on the catwalk.

The biggest production to date, the show will include 10 fashion designers, 3 bands live on the catwalk and 4 short films screened.

The event and after-party shall be held at Café de Paris, Piccadilly on Monday 7th November 2011.

Tickets for "Two Rivals. One Catwalk" will be on sale from Monday 10th October.

More details to follow over the coming weeks…

For further information please contact:
07815 656 440
BB: 280F29D2
info@playtimecustomised.co.uk

Woman and Dog Painting

2011-09-26T14:47:00.003+01:00

Woman and Dog. Painting by Albie Espinola

Commissioned by Konrad Mysliwiec for his beloved girlfriend, this is a painting of his girlfriend and his dog whom she absolutely adores.

I normally budget 3 weeks to do a painting but done this in 6 days. I needed full concentration and focus to get this done and glad it worked out perf.

Xmas coming soon so grab an Albie Espinola painting or five!!

xx

Albie!!

Looters

2011-09-12T15:00:00.003+01:00

Albie Espinola and "Looter" Painting

I guess I get some of the reasons why people tried to loot. People can’t afford to get nice things so have to lash. Everyone was doing it so people joined in. No jobs etc. Whatevs. Doesn’t make it right though. I for one am so happy all the people that looted or did worse are slowly but surely getting caught and being brought to justice. Most are a waste of space anyways…

"Looter". Painting by Albie Espinola

Nothing going for them, being sheep, thinking they are bad. I hate HOODRATS! During that time, it was scary going to the corner shop even. The Monday night where it was at its worse, I saw through the bedroom window people parking up in cars emptying out boxes of lappies and other stuff. They would then put scarves back on their faces and go back in their cars. Rinse and repeat. It was a proper scary sight. I couldn’t even take a picture in case they saw and attempt to bang the front door down.

London is my home…best city ever! Look after it and each other…

Xx

Albie!!

Tee Jay Akay Painting

2011-08-11T02:12:00.005+01:00

Albie Espinola and "Tee Jay" painting

In 1987, the ALL STARS BOXING GYM produced their first British Champion, Tee Jay Akay.

Tee Jay, son of head coach and owner (Mr. Akay) of the All Stars was a former Olympian in the 1984 Olympics losing to the living legend, Evander Holyfield.

The last boxing painting I did was of the new British Light-welterweight Champion, Ashley Theophane so when I got asked to do one of Tee Jay, it was a complete honour to.

Tee Jay Akay. Painting by Albie Espinola

Sadly Tee Jay is no longer with us but his memory and presence is forever at the gym.

A champion inside and outside the ring, this painting is for Tee Jay, the Akay family, everyone at the All Stars and those who wish to become champions in whatever they choose to do in life.

You could see both Tee Jay's and Ashley's paintings at the

All Stars Boxing Gym
576 Harrow Road (on the corner of First Avenue)
London W10 4NJ

xx

Albie Espinola

Lady Gaga Painting

2011-07-26T02:11:00.004+01:00

Lady Gaga. Painting by Albie Espinola

The Queen of Pop! This is to all the Monsters out there! Throw your paws up!!

Salute Mother Monster!!

xx

Albie!

Ashley Theophane Painting

2011-07-25T22:41:00.004+01:00

Ashley Theophane. Painting by Albie Espinola

Ashley Theophane is one of the hardest workers that I know in boxing. From when we were kids boxing at the All Stars Boxing Gym, my dad used to see Ashley running almost every day in the early hours whilst on the way to work. He just had that inner drive to become as good as he can be.

Hard work and dedication to the sweet science has paid off and Ashley is now the reigning British Light-Welterweight champion!

xx

Albie!!

Omar Wafai & Father (Mamounia Lounge) Painting

2011-07-25T22:20:00.008+01:00

Omar Wafai & Father. Painting by Albie Espinola

This painting is of Omar Wafai and his Father. They are the owners of Mamounia Lounge (Mayfair and Knightsbridge).

I’m proper obsessed with their lamb tagine and cous cous! If anyone is around those areas, head there for a munch or drink.

Everything is made with love and the décor is amaze! In Mamounia Knightsbridge, they recently renovated the upstairs floor. Comfy as it is slick, they pimped it out proper with a terrace to chill and smoke shisha and even got a PS3 on a 40 inch (actually prolly bigger).

Farah Haraf. Painting by Albie Espinola

Among the entertainment at Mamounia is Farah, the Belly Dancer.

xx

Albie!!

Marc Burton Painting

2011-07-25T17:57:00.007+01:00

Marc Burton. Painting by Albie Espinola

This painting is of Marc Burton, owner of Whisky Mist.

Winner of "Best Boutique Club" in 2010 and 2011, Whisky Mist is where the rich, beautiful and famous all hang out.

Go TEAM WHISKY MIST!

x

Albie!!

Mr.Akay on Winning BBC Sports Unsung Hero

2010-12-27T19:55:00.005Z

Mr.Akay, owner of the All Stars Boxing Gym, recently won the BBC Sports “Unsung Hero” Award for all his good services to the local community.

Mr.Akay. Painting by Albie Espinola

Hardly “unsung”, Mr.A is a friend and father figure to so many people (including myself). He is hugely known in the local community and loads in the boxing and entertainment world come to the gym to either hang out or train. Everyone from the British fighters and international stars like Mike Tyson graced the All Stars. The gym’s walls are full of photographs from its 30+ year history.

The Queen even made him a MBE (Member of the British Empire).

The BBC did a feature on Mr.Akay filmed at the All Stars. In the footage, my portrait of Mr.Akay got shown.

Congratulations to Mr.Akay for his latest award and hope tons more come his way!

Xx

Albie!!

Interview & Katy Perry Painting

2010-12-11T18:11:00.003Z

This video is a little snippet of an interview I did with Lauren Sanins for www.ANDTHENSHEHITCLICK.blogspot.com. Tis about my art and my little journey being an artist. I'm getting cool exposure but the next stop is to do an art exhibition somewhere. Don't know where or how but I will do it and it will be amaze.

If anyone gots any ideas lemme know!

Also, check out the video of Katy Perry. Loving her music at the moment!!

Katy Perry painting by Albie Espinola

xx

Albie!!

Georgia Goodrick Painting

2010-12-11T17:26:00.004Z

Georgia Goodrick painting by Albie Espinola

I've done 4 portraits of Georgia Goodrick now. I recks this is the best likeness so far!! Loves it...

We still need to put it up. Thinking to frame it in a nice huge frame...

xx

Albie!!

Derren Brown Painting

2010-12-11T17:10:00.005Z

I've been watching tons of Derren Brown recently. I love his "Mind Control" stuff and find it fascinating how he does it all. For Xmas, I'm getting Georgia Goodrick to get me one of his Mind Control books so hopefully I can try techniques on people.

One of my fave bits in his programmes was when he tried (mostly successfully) to pay for things with blank pieces of paper.

Derren Brown painting by Albie Espinola

I sorta attempted to do a version of it in a Thai restaurant by trying to only pay half the £20 (only giving £10) and telling them "it's fine". They caught on and I paid the full money...even giving a little tip!!

Georgia is too embarrassed at my amateur antics but when I get the book, I'm gonna be a proper expert.

So yeh, here's my painting of Derren Brown

xx

Albie!!

Wedding Painter

2010-10-18T00:51:00.004+01:00

One of the greatest days in a person’s life is their Wedding Day. I aint married as yets so I wouldn’t know.

Recently did a couple of wedding portrait commissions. One of them was for a couple I have known since 11 years old back in Holland Park School. The woman is called Annika and we were in the same tutor set together. She got married to Huseyin who was also in our year from Holland Park! Good times. That’s like almost their whole life of knowing each other already.

Annika & Huseyin Gunduz

This painting took longer than normal. It posed a few problems with it being black and white but I got there in the end.

Natalie & Arash

The other painting was for Angel. Angel is a doctor but is also amaze with relationships. With Angel’s painting, it went pretty smooth once I got going. I built it slowly and the end result turned out coolness too.

Want a painting? Hit me up!! www.playtimecustomised.co.uk/paintings

Xx

Albie!

"Urban Countryside" for Fashion156

2010-08-23T14:14:00.008+01:00

On top of everything I do with my art, teaching boxing and of course the clubs, I get tons of random work thrown in my direction. My schedule allows me to squeeze in the jobs I choose to take. Mostly fashion and entertainment stuff as my contacts are from those areas. But really I’m not smart enough to get asked to do anything clever. Gutted. I guess I’m smart in other ways.

Recently I got asked by my friend Laura Louise Clare Hall to help film a photo shoot for www.fashion156.com. With my little Flip HD camera that I seem to film everything with nowadays, I offered my humble services.

Polly. Photograph by Albie Espinola

After hardly any sleep the night before (was working), I stumbled to proper South London to film the “Countryside” themed editorial for Fashion156.com. It was a fun day of filming; the crew were amaze and the models great.

Being tired (and silly) I was putting the models off by talking over the photographer at times. Saying that, it kinda helped! One conversation while the photographer was directing, I was talking to one of the guy models about the modelling world. I asked the model if he felt "abused" when he does unpaid jobs. His reaction was so funny. It was angry, thoughtful and almost part realisation that maybe he was getting ripped off doing free shoots. You could then hear on camera the photographer saying..."Oh that's great! Perfect, that look again" with me giggling in the background.

So yeh, this is my little montage of the photo shoot. Hope you guys like.

Xx

Albie

Michael Buffer Painting

2010-08-08T22:03:00.006+01:00

I was inspired by my friend Ashley Theophane’s win vs Delvin Rodriguez a few weeks ago. His fight was the main event on ESPN in America.

Ashley Theophane (left)

Chatting on Facebook, he said he wasn’t getting respect from the commentary team. Some admittedly understandable considering Teddy Atlas was Mike Tyson’s former trainer so he knows what he’s talking about (well mostly). But hey, at least he won and was getting talked about. Most boxers never reach that level.

He spoke about the next steps of being on Showtime then HBO which are the biggest television networks in America to fight on.

Michael Buffer. Painting by Albie Espinola

Being on a HBO or Showtime show is not even about the money, it’s about the prestige. To have the great Michael Buffer saying his trademark, “Let’s get ready to rumble!” then announcing your name to a cheering (or jeering) crowd.

That’s when you hit the big time. That’s Ash’s dream and as a friend and fan, I hope he gets there.

This is the painting of the legend that is Michael Buffer. He is part of most of the greatest fights the last few decades has seen.

xx

Albie!!

Mary's Monza

2010-08-04T12:18:00.002+01:00

Last week Georgia Goodrick and I went to visit Mary Compeau in the Lake District. She's up there camping in her caravan called the Monza.

Instead of writing about it, here's the video I made!

xx

Albie!!

Mayweather Pads, Albie Styleeee

2010-07-29T21:48:00.006+01:00

Full Press release on www.playtimecustomised.co.uk/boxing

Coaching at the famous All Stars Boxing Gym in London teaching tomorrow’s future stars and professionals, I have learnt and developed a variation of the “Mayweather Style of Padwork”.

Albie Espinola et Kathryn by Royal Albert Hall

Inspired by the Mayweather family and Coach “The Mittologist” Rick, I have also added techniques used by some of today’s top trainers in boxing. This style of Boxing Padwork is explosive and dynamic. It is designed to enhance stamina, reactions, speed, power, balance, focus, endurance, coordination, muscle tone and strength.

Every muscle in the body is used during the session and develops a high level of fitness and boxing skill.

Boxing consists of hundreds of moments per round. Your brain works overtime in order to hit and hopefully not get hit by your opponent. The Padwork style directs individuals through boxing techniques which are used by professional fighters in perpetual motion drills. The vast techniques are repeated in organic sequences.

Defence and offence are taught at the same time. You are taught to lead with punches, block, slip, roll, parry and counter punch in different situations.

TECHNICAL PADWORK TRAINING SESSIONS:
• 1 ONE HOUR Session: £35
• 3 ONE HOUR Sessions: £90
• 5 ONE HOUR Sessions: £125

Group packages available
Please contact me on
07815 656 440
albie@playtimecustomised.co.uk
for bookings and more information

So yeh, that's me. Apart from being at the gym twice a week, I take on clients of all ages whether male or female for private sessions. For the private lessons, I choose nice little locations around London.

xx

Albie!!

Mr & Mrs Mak Painting & Thomas Sabo

2010-07-15T18:31:00.006+01:00

For the last 2 years, Kush Mak has wanted me to do a portrait of him. The good friend that I am, whenever he asked my response would always be “soon soon”. So it was to my surprise that when I did have time to do one, he wanted it not of him, but his parents.

Mr & Mrs Mak. Painting by Albie Espinola

That’s Kush. He’ll have you think he’s gangster and vain but deep down; he’s a family guy with a good heart. One of the safest guys I know, it was a pleasure doing the painting finally.

Last week I attended the Thomas Sabo jewellery party in a Church in Mayfair. Weird choice of venue but it worked! They completely transformed it into an un-holy place putting a HUGE bar smack in the middle with tons of free champagne and cocktails flowing. The food was delicious too. It was just all non-stop with beef, fish and even lobster coming out.

Jesus (right) and next to him, Thomas Sabo

Albie Espinola

I couldn’t help but do some things I wouldn’t normally do in a church. Things like shout really loud, fox whistle, standing on a church bench and of course swearing saying, “fucking hell” or “holy shit”. Oh, I’m so mature I know.

Beth Ditto

Coco Summer

Thomas Sabo

The stars were out to support Thomas Sabo’s new collection. Performing was Beth Ditto, DJ’ing was Jesus (Madonna’s boyfriend) and also the very talented daughter of Sting, Coco Summer performed a few songs.

Katy Lubin (middle) and her team

Huge thumbs up to Katy Lubin and everyone who put the party together. It was amaze!

Okay, so I got uninvited for the opening night to Georgia’s play, Elephant 21. Raw but I guess it was nerves so I’m giving her a few days to get comfortable and will be attending the show on Saturday 17th July. So come with! Lemme know if you’re interested and we can all go together.

You can book tickets at http://www.themayhemcompany.net/elephant-21-the-mayhem-company.php

Xx

Albie!!

Elephant 21 & Eve Lucas Painting

2010-07-06T13:22:00.004+01:00

My latest painting was commissioned by Kirk Lucas and is of his daughter, Eve Lucas.

Eve Lucas painting by Albie Espinola

I changed it up a little and sprayed a gloss lacquer on top to make the colours pop a little brighter. Not only it makes it brighter, it strengthens the watercolour paper.

The music I have chosen for the time-lapse video I absolutely love. It is a song called “Be Okay” by Ingrid Michaelson. However, a car company used it in an advert which sucks. Oh no matter, tis a beautiful song and I think it fits this painting perfectly.

Georgia Goodrick is back on stage after a little hiatus from the acting world. She is busy rehearsing for a play called Elephant 21.

Georgia Goodrick

In the play Georgia (playing Lotta who is the female lead) has to kiss 3 different guys so not happy at all about that! The play runs for 11 days which means she kisses them at least 33 times (not including rehearsals)…I guess tis acting? CHEATING more like!! Raw but that’s the name of the game. There will for sure be a huge “Oaffffffff” from front row when I go see the play.

Nonetheless, everyone come see the Georgia Goodrick in Elephant 21! I’m not sure which date(s) I’m going to see the show…might let Georgia shake off the nerves first couple of performances.

Elephant 21 takes place at Unit 215 in Elephant & Castle Shopping Centre from the 14th-24th July. Tickets are £8

Tickets can be purchased from www.themayhemcompany.net

xx

Albie!!

Wesley & Louis Bridgeman Painting for Fathers' Day

2010-06-21T01:16:00.007+01:00

Last week an old friend called Wesley Bridgeman called asking about my art. He asked about me doing a couple of paintings of him, his wife Lucy and their son Louis from their recent wedding. I said sure, choose the pictures and Email them to me.

Wesley & Louis Bridgeman. Painting by Albie Espinola

A few hours later, his WIFE randomly messaged me on Facebook asking about my art also. I said, “Wait, does Wesley know about this?” Lucy said that Wesley had no idea and that she wanted a painting of Wesley and Louis as a present for Father’s Day. An amazing idea for a present if I don’t say so myself.

Wesley has seen the painting and loves it. I woke up to a text from Wesley saying he was all “choked up” when he saw it. On the Youtube time-lapse video, Lucy left a sweet comment,

“Thank you so much Albie. People tell me that Louis looks the image of Wes and I can't see it at all, so I wondered if your interpretation of them would be how I see my boys and it is just perfect. A beautiful memory of a wonderful bond between father & son to last us and Louis forever! You have an amazing gift. Lucy”

That’s why I love what I do and makes it all worthwhile.

To all the good Daddies out there, Happy Fathers’ Day!

Xx

Albie!!

World Cup 2010: Rooney vs Ronaldo Painting

2010-06-08T05:33:00.003+01:00

Wayne Roonie vs Cristiano Ronaldo. Painting by Albie Espinola

Normally I don't even like football. I can maybe sit there watching highlights on Match of the Day with the boys but for the most part...tis crap. 90 mins of people kicking a ball around with only 2 goals (if that) scored. That's just me but what do I know?

However, the World Cup 2010 is upon us so for the next few weeks I'm a fan of footie! Football is taking the world stage and I'm getting pretty excited by it all.

I am supporting Brazil because they are entertaining to watch with all their skills and tricks. And ahem, England I will be cheering for too. Hopefully they will get far but damn they are boring to watch.

I will be hanging out in a pub with all the other yobs or nice people from other countries watching the games while drinking a nice cold beer (prolly an orange juice).

This is my tribute to the World Cup 2010 with England's Wayne Rooney battling it out with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

Thanx to Paul Lamolony (one of The Boys) helping me do research for the painting.

Let the games begin!!

Xx

Albie!!

"Hitting The Canvas: Albie Espinola" in Maxboxing

2010-05-30T23:15:00.012+01:00

When I got into "The Bible of Boxing" (Ring Magazine), my girlfriend Georgia Goodrick said, "Oh, that's nice Albie but you're not in Maxboxing.com." Oaf, so much support for me, eh!? I guess it is Georgia’s way of keeping me grounded…

Georgia isn't a fight fan but sees that every morning; I go straight to the computer or on my Blackberry and type in www.maxboxing.com to read the latest boxing news.

A few mornings ago I went to Maxboxing and recognised a certain Mike Tyson painting on the front page of the website. Oh, really? Oh, is it now? Who has NOW been featured in MAXBOXING.COM!? ME ME ME ME ME!!!! Whatcha gotta do when Albie runs wild on YOuuUUuU GeoOorggiiiaaaa!!??!!

Here is the cool article about me, written by Coyote Duran of Maxboxing.

Read away. Or click here for Maxboxing.com version

http://www.maxboxing.com/news/promo-lead/hitting-the-canvas-albie-espinola

Hitting the Canvas: Albie Espinola

An artist’s true base motivation has always been the love of rendering and as difficult as it can be to actually scratch out a living by solely being an artist, that love has to virtually permeate every fiber of one’s being. As financially limiting as art can be, the success of a sports artist can be even more limiting and that’s why the success of artists like Richard Slone and LeRoy Neiman is an incredible testament to their respective levels of talent. As an artist, I fully realize the struggle it takes to market one’s self, but in my travels, I’ve also encountered other unique talents who are just as like-minded. One of them is Albie Espinola.

“I have been painting and drawing all my life. Art was what I was blessed with and came naturally to me,” the 28-year-old Espinola recently told Maxboxing. “I realized from a young age that people took notice of my art, but didn’t actively get my work out there to be seen until a few years ago. I first started promoting my art while I was producing fashion shows. I couldn’t afford to pay the models what they were worth so, instead, did paintings of them from the shows as payment. It worked as I had top models walking the catwalk in exchange for paintings. When I stopped producing shows to concentrate on my art, I kept the subject matter of fashion and painted the supermodels from the fashion shows I attended during London and Paris Fashion Week. USA Today dubbed me the ‘Fashion Artist’. I enjoy the paintings of true masters such as Monet, Van Gogh, Klimt and Warhol. I love comic book art as well. My influences in life are my family and anyone who is doing something positive.”

Anyone who follows the work of the London-born and bred Filipino surely knows this from looking at Espinola’s wildly creative gestural style and the wide variety of subjects he renders. But amid his hip and signature versions of celebrities such as bombastic chef Gordon Ramsay and model/TV host Tyra Banks lays the niche within the niche: boxing art. And it came with a deep and long-standing appreciation.

“I have been watching boxing since the early Mike Tyson era back in the late 1980s. My dad always used to stay up late watching the big fights from America and UK,” Espinola recalled. “I used to watch them with him…and we still do! My whole family are fight fans. Boxing has been a huge part of my life since I can remember so when I paint boxers, I want to do it justice. Boxing reveals so much character in a person. It reveals their heart, the will and smarts especially when things aren’t going their way. Boxers’ brains are working a thousand miles an hour in order to hit and hopefully not get hit by their opponent. So when I am painting fighters, I try to show these things.”

In a sense, Espinola mirrors the speed and smarts of the fighters he drops to a canvas. At first glance, the level of effort looks far more involved, but Espinola admits, “Most of my pieces take two-to-four hours [from start-to-finish]. It can take a lot longer depending on the detail and subject matter.” That aforementioned gestural style, which is frequently used for mapping out figures for subsequent hard outlining and detailing, is Espinola’s bread-and-butter and aids in his speedy renderings. Think of it like a signature punch or style of fighting, not unlike a Micky Ward left hook. “I start off using light gestured marks to lay out the composition and gradually make more definite ones when I feel comfortable the piece is taking shape. The under layers brings depth to the art. This way, I can afford to make adjustments to the painting.”

These adjustments are only as easy as the artist’s experience allows them to be. In this writer’s artistic experience, a single medium cuts the mustard. However, to Espinola, there’s no prejudice when it comes to a preferred method to his madness. “My latest work, I use pen to draw, then watercolor over the ink to give it life. For the background, I use acrylic paint. I grew up using oil paints, but I really don’t mind which medium I use. I tend to mix different media,” he said. In dealing with such a wet, volatile media like oils so early in one’s artistic endeavors, patience is truly a virtue, but this young artist has obviously found peace in his process, leaving only the question of who inspires him to hit the canvas.

“My favorite fighter to watch of all time has to be Naseem Hamed. He didn’t fight the greatest fighters ever but was a complete entertainer in and out of the ring,” he said. “From his ring entrances [to] his cockiness in interviews and his fights were all must-see events. You were guaranteed an entertainment in some way. I could never get bored watching his shows. Today, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are my favorite fighters. I enjoy Mayweather’s persona out of the ring, as well as his skill inside it. His interviews and family are so funny and it is amazing to watch him break an opponent down mentally before a fight as well as during it. Manny Pacquiao, of course, brings it inside the ring and love that he seems so humble, yet a true warrior. All the Filipino people around the world truly unite when he fights and that is a great thing.”

This inspiration isn’t just limited to finding and rendering the perfect subject. Espinola’s love for the sport sticks with him well into the process, which reveals his fervent fandom. “If I’m drawing a certain fighter, I will preferably watch their most entertaining fights before, and have it on in the background while I am painting. I use a lot of photo references as well as my imagination and memory. When doing a portrait, I create little stories in my head and try to bring it out in the painting.”

When creating boxing art, Albie’s inspiration doesn’t totally come in the form of having his favorite fights playing on the TV in the background. He also goes with a tried-and-true motivator in music. In fact, Espinola has even created a YouTube channel of his own (http://www.youtube.com/altastic1), which features start-to-finish time-lapse videos of him doing what he does best, employing quirky, stylish music to help establish a mood. This example, a rendering of Mike Tyson vs. Frank Bruno, is accompanied by ex-Veruca Salt member Nina Gordon’s cover of NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton.” Strange as such a unique song selection sounds, you couldn’t imagine a more perfect accoutrement for the occasion:

However, in these particular videos, the art is what inspires the music. “The music gets chosen after I edit the video,” Espinola admits. “When choosing the music, I have a concept of the type of music or sometimes a particular song I want to use; then it is just trial and error to see if it fits. Sometimes, I could have listened to the song while I was working but most of the time not.” As far as tuneage during the task at hand, the sky’s the limit. “I listen to all kinds of music. Whether it be chart hits, to indie, classical and hip-hop.”

Espinola’s obviously doing something right. If he wasn’t slinging the brush before, he sure is now. “I’ve been really busy these last few months so right now, [I] try to do one or two paintings a week on top of other design commissions, he said. But, like a true artist, there’s never too much work or getting too far ahead. Espinola gladly fields commissions (with the option of having your own time-lapse video created for a few extra pounds). If you’re into this kid’s unique and mega-stylish approach to creating art, you just might want to get in line before it gets way too long.

Birthday Pics, All Stars & YTFN

2010-05-27T19:45:00.010+01:00

It was my birthday weekend just gone! Fun all the way. I always feel like I’m going to be a loner when celebrating but thankfully lots wished and came to see me celebrate another year passing in my life. So thanks to everyone who attended, Collection and the Whisky Mist team for making it special for moi. Good times.

Here it was in pictures…

Georgia Goodrick and Albie Espinola on Portobello

Puppet Masters on Portobello

Georgia Goodrick and Albie Espinola

Rossella Zilberman and her friend

Katie Lloyd, Emma Downes et others

Textiles designer, Titi Abiola

Selin Taylor and Georgia Goodrick

Teresa Elizabeth Hooper and Kush Mak

Gemma May Birch, Albie Espinola, Teresa Elizabeth Hooper and Georgia Goodrick

India Diamond (left), Keleigh Batchelor (right) and friend

The Boys

The Banter, Peter Lamb

My girlfriend Georgia Goodrick and some friends say I “take, take, take and not give”. Not true! I give back all the time. Like when I ran the 10K for Help a London Child or do random portraits for people because it is their birthday. I even gave endless hours at the All Stars Boxing Gym teaching people to box.

Mr.Akay teaching boxing at the All Stars Boxing Gym

I haven’t been to the All Stars for almost two years but decided to pop in to say hello as I was around the area getting a Salt Fish Dumpling from DJ’s on Harrow Road. It was just like old times. The place was buzzing with the K.O Circuit people punching bags, skipping and of course Mr.Akay teaching the newbies their first lesson in boxing.

I paid my respects to the trainers and people that have been going there for years. Sitting there on the stage eating my dumpling, a woman asked Mr.Akay about buying an All Stars T-shirt. I said, “Mr.AKay, you can deal with the lady and I will go in the ring and do pads with people”. Before Mr.Akay knew it, I took his pads and was in the ring putting people through their paces.

My newly acquired skills in mittwork I have been working on didn’t go unnoticed as I could see from the corner of my eye that people were watching what I was doing. As Prince Naseem Hamed would say, “I’m not bragging or anything but I’m just too good”. Mr.Akay asked when I would come to the gym again, not sure if it was to teach or say hello but I’m gonna pop in Friday to do both!

A worthy cause I thought I should mention is YTFN. Run by Selin Taylor, YTFN hold events where people go to have fun and help make the world a better place at the same time.

The £10 entry doubles as a coupon used to donate to worthy causes. At the events you will find a cheap bar, live music, crafts, tasty treats and other surprises. YTFN invites three inspirational charities to tell guests at the event about their work and pitch projects that need funding. After listening about the different projects, there is a pledging session where guests choose which project to donate their £10 coupon to, donate more money or even volunteer time.

YTFN’s next event is on 21st July.

xx

Albie!!

Adam & Anna Painting...AND My Birthday!!

2010-05-21T00:56:00.008+01:00

WOW...this is my 100th post! Great times. I have been through a lot since I started writing. A lot of it shared with you guys, a few things not. Not a bad thing...just is but as life goes, all will be revealed in time. You guys are seeing me grow as an artist and a person. It's cool and so thankful for all those who read and follow what I do. Cheers to the next 100...

Adam Fielden and Anna. Painting by Albie Espinola

To commemorate my 100th post, here is my new painting of Adam Fielden and his girlfriend Anna. This painting was commissioned for their joint birthday recently. A proper good guy Adam is and his girlfriend is a cool lady.

Another magic number is 28. 28 years old this Saturday 22nd May. Raw. Proper late 20's now. 2 years more I'll be 30!! I'm good though and happy where I am and going in life.

Albie Espinola. 100 posts!!

This year, I am having my party at Whisky Mist, in Mayfair, London on Saturday. Gonna be fun and of course EVERYONE is welcome. Bring yourselves and dress amazing for my camera. It'll be nice. Give me a call if you would like to join. Even people who I haven't met as yet, more the merrier.

Here are details

07815 656 440
albie_espinola@hotmail.co.uk
BB:21529DB4

xx

Albie!!

Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao Painting

2010-05-05T21:56:00.006+01:00

Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao painting, by Albie Espinola

This is the painting of the fight the whole world wants to see: Floyd “Money” Mayweather vs Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao.

Will it happen? I so hope so. Until then, this is only a reverie.

Not much to say so here is a poem that “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali once recited

“Clay comes out to meet Liston and Liston starts to retreat,
if Liston goes back an inch farther he'll end up in a ringside seat.
Clay swings with his left, Clay swings with his right,
Look at young Cassius carry the fight
Liston keeps backing, but there's not enough room,
It's a matter of time till Clay lowers the boom.
Now Clay lands with a right,
What a beautiful swing, and the punch raises the Bear clean out of the ring.
Liston is still rising and the ref wears a frown,
For he can't start counting till Sonny goes down.
Now Liston is disappearing from view,
The crowd is going frantic,
But radar stations have picked him up,
Somewhere over the Atlantic.
Who would have thought when they came to the fight?
That they'd witness the launching of a human satellite.
Yes the crowd did not dream, when they put up the money,
That they would see a total eclipse of the Sonny.”

Muhammad Ali

Xx

Albie!!

Jagger Painting & OnePiece

2010-04-28T22:52:00.009+01:00

On December 2nd 2008, Georgia Goodrick’s beloved pug Cherub died. He was the grand old age of 13 years old.

At midnight on Georgia’s birthday in mid Febs, a breeder and his family drove all the way from Liverpool carrying a big cardboard box. Inside the box were 4 little black pugs.

Jagger. Painting by Albie Espinola

The un-named pugs were jumping around the living room acting all excited. Georgia grabbed the biggest of the pugs and wouldn’t let him go. The breeder explained that was the one they wanted for the daughter who was standing there with a half upset, half happy look. This only made Georgia hold him tighter.

Money paid and 3 pugs left the house. The fourth was still in Georgia’s arms.

A little fact. The pugs were born exactly a year later from when Cherub died on December 2nd 2009.

We named him Jagger.

Jagger is a little charmer. When I walk down the road with him, all I hear is “aww” or people stop us for a stroke (him not me). Last week we were walking by Topshop and got stopped by a film crew who wanted to film us while I talked on my phone (which I was doing anyway nattering to Kush Mak). When they stopped filming, about 10 people came over to say yo to little Jagger!!

Albie Espinola & Jagger in Kingly Court

I got given this jumpsuit the other day courtesy from a clothing brand called OnePiece. It is a Norwegian brand and is really popular and respected over there. They are now branching out into the UK and I’m lucky enough to have one. I chose mine in light grey. I love tracksuits and hoodies so I find it so comfy.

I felt like I was one of the Ghostbusters especially with my rucksack on rollerblading around Central London. That’s a good thing and a classic film tis Ghostbusters. It is also amazing to wear indoors as well as out. Because it is literally OnePiece, no breezes come in like they would a jumper so it will be amazing to wear when it is a freezing.

OnePiece clothing

I give my OnePiece thumbs up and will definitely rock it around London town on chilly days!

The website is www.OnePiece.co.uk. They also gave me a VIP discount card where YOU can get yourself a OnePiece for only £40 (normally £90).

Here is the code. And hurry, the code expires on the 30th April!

Discount code: 123987456789

Xx

Albie

Renato & Alaina Painting

2010-04-17T13:17:00.006+01:00

Renato & Alaina. Painting by Albie Espinola

Commissioned by Renato Termenini, this is the painting of Renato and his wife Alaina Wall.

Renato Termenini was in the first season of Project Catwalk and has worked with designers Roberto Cavalli and the late, great Alexander McQueen.

Designs by Alexander McQueen R.I.P. Photograph courtesy from Fashion Spot

The couple now live in Australia. It’s cool that one of my pieces will have a home in Oz. I hope it adds extra happiness to married life.

As of writing, the painting is on the way to the couple but I couldn’t help but post the Youtube version and put it on my Facebook page for all to see. Renato didn’t mind and they are excited to see the original! They also said they will blow it up huge and put it on a big canvas. Cool times I say! If you’re reading this Renato & Alaina, send a picture when you get the painting with you guys in it…

In the Youtube video I wrote Alaina’s name wrong (Alaina Hall instead of Wall). Sucks. Phew that I noticed the mistake and changed it accordingly before I sent out the time-lapse video on CD to the other side of the world.

xx

Albie!!

Tyra Banks Painting: My "Fave in Fashion" & Website Upgrades

2010-04-05T14:54:00.013+01:00

Tyra Banks. Painting by Albie Espinola

I realised that since I’ve been filming my portraits with my video camera, I haven’t done a fashion portrait. I have painted boxers, a Gaga, myself et Georgia Goodrick and even a chef…I jest, all are icons to me but portraits are not what I am known for: Fashion.

I wanted the portrait to be my favourite person in fashion. Not necessarily a model, it could be a designer or even a stylist like Gok Wan (nah but you know what I mean). Racking my brain no one really stood out as my “fave in fashion”.

Kate Moss

Kate Moss? Definitely up there, however seems odd considering I never really heard her speak! Hmm, except in the Virgin Mobile advert where she's on the phone to her agent. Actually I had to research and she’s very personable in front of the camera. Anyways, she’s been painted billions of times already. Maybe one day…

Another someone I like is Hilary Alexander. She’s not famous but her words are much respected. At fashion week whether it be Paris or London, I like how she walks across a room and there’s a flutter of whispers that trail behind her.

Tyra Banks

The answer however was right in my face. America’s Next Top Model was on the television. Of course! The model-turned TV personality, producer, hugely involved in charities and even hosts her self-named talk show…Tyra Banks.

Tyra is my favourite in fashion because whatever she does (except singing), it turns into gold. She seems a genuinely beautiful person inside as well as out and has true compassion for others. This painting is dedicated to all fashionistas, anyone who has been inspired by her, to the fans of Tyra Banks and her work.

The last few weeks I’ve painstakingly upgraded my website. I do it now and again to keep it fresh. Except at the beginning where I had “the boys” teach me the absolute basics of HTML, I pretty much built it on my own so I’m learning all the time too.

new Playtime Customised logo

Firstly was to get rid of the pink & green logo and went with a gray-ish blue and took away the fashion show part. I wanted it to feel a bit more grown up.

I also added some slickness (new media) by embedding a “share button” to the pages so at the click of a button, the page where it was clicked will be shared automatically to friends on Facebook, Twitter and tons of other websites. So if you like my site, do me a favour and press share!

On the Homepage, Contact and Subscription pages of Playtime Customised there are “Follow Me” links for my Youtube Channel, Facebook Fan Page and Twitter. So subscribe to me on all the sites. Click on above images to go to the sites.

Lastly, on the paintings section of the website I added an option to purchase a larger size of 20 by 16 inches. The larger size includes the “time-lapse video” for free.

Xx

Albie!!

Custom Portraits & Gordon Ramsay and David Haye Paintings

2010-03-30T11:44:00.009+01:00

So many people from all over ask me how much my paintings are. I wasn’t 100% sure myself as there are so many variables, especially with commissioned paintings. Things like size, subject, detail and medium are some of the things that come into factor…

However, for the first time I have priced my work and can be bought from my website (www.playtimecustomised.co.uk/paintings). The prices are based around my newer creations where I use ink, water colour for extra detail and an acrylic background on thick water colour paper (14 inches by 10). Portraits start at an introductory price from only £40!

Selection of my work

Anyone that wants a portrait of themselves, of a loved one, mates or even their icon, get in touch! Makes for great pressies...

You can purchase a painting via Paypal or your card from www.playtimecustomised.co.uk/paintings.

You can choose if you would like a single (1person), 2 or even 3 people in the portrait. There is also an option to add a time-lapse video of me doing the painting so you can see it start to finish.

Below are more details which can also be seen on the Playtime Customised website.

CUSTOM PORTRAITS (www.playtimecustomised.co.uk/paintings)

Ever wanted a portrait of yourself, your partner, special friends, children, other family member or even your favourite celebrity?

For an introductory price of £40 you can have a single (one person) or £55 for 2 people (add £10 each person thereafter)
All portraits are completed in my signature ink, water colour and acrylic background. 14 x 10 inches on thick water colour paper. I can do different media or sizes, just ask (prices may then vary)
Add £15 to the portrait price for a time-lapse video
Payment via Paypal online and postage is only £4, to anywhere worldwide
Portrait will be delivered within 14 days of purchase
Just send an E-mail to: albie@playtimecustomised.co.uk with “Custom Portrait” in the Subject along with a high-res photograph to work from and off we go!!

David "Hayemaker" Haye. Portrait by Albie Espinola

I did a portrait of World Heavyweight Champion David "Hayemaker" Haye. He’s fighting on 3rd April against John Ruiz. So excited!! Go champ.

Gordon Ramsay. Portrait by Albie Espinola

I also did a painting of Gordon Ramsay. I filmed it BUT, I stupidly shot it in "night mode". Only when I was filming myself doing the introduction and saw that my eyes were glowing and had a blue-ish hue to my face did I notice. I like the final outcome though.

Xx

Albie!!

Lady Gaga Painting, Miss Sixty & Pinoy Radio

2010-03-23T18:56:00.009Z

Lady Gaga. Painting by Albie Espinola

I saw the Lady Gaga video, “Telephone” featuring another musical powerhouse in Beyonce. Gaga has grown on me a lot over the last year. I didn’t think much of her when she first came out. The overdressing, overplaying of her songs in the clubs, it all got a bit annoying. Now I think she’s amazing. Especially when she performs live, it’s a true show.

"Gaga dress" by Thomas Hartley

As I said, sometimes she goes a bit overboard with what she wears but mostly all cool and funky. Everyone seems to be designing with Gaga in mind. I like Lizzie Whiston-Dew and Thomas Hartley’s (under the label “Thomas Hartley”) “Gaga dress” designed with her in mind in their debut collection. I hope they get it to Lady Gaga and she wears it on the biggest stage possible cos tis pretty cool. She’s one of those women who can rock almost anything and get away with it. Good for her.

Miss Sixty

Speaking of fashion, I went to the Miss Sixty showcase of their SS10 collection on Carnaby Street. I remembered back in school when all the girls used to wear Miss Sixty. It was the jeans that were impossible to look bad in. It was a weird show because there weren’t many jeans on the catwalk. Times have changed I guess. There were few ‘pretty’ things here and there but it all seemed a bit young. The Miss Sixty brand used to be like the girl version of Diesel, although I don’t like Diesel much now either.

Wonder Bread

I did a portrait of Lady Gaga after watching her 9 minute 30 second video. It’s such a great video except I got brainwashed with all the different product placements in it. Coke, Polaroid, Wonder bread (!!) and even Plenty of Fish (a dating site) were some of the brands. Not a bad thing at all, as I guess someone had to pay for the video.

She also had the Pussy Wagon which was from Kill Bill. “Oh, silly Rabbit”.

A first in my time-lapse videos, I faced the camera and introduced my painting. Memorising 2 sentences was so difficult. I was the only one in the room and still I was so nervous. I did about 30 takes to achieve a half decent one. I'll get better the more I do it…

On Friday night, I got a random call from this dude. I thought it was a prank because he was talking in a thick Filipino accent to me. Now and again the random man would throw out a random English word or 2 then straight back into Filipino.

I said, “umm…English only?”
He was like, “you don’t speak Filipino?”
“Nuh uh” I replied. He seemed a touch disappointed…

Pinoy Radio UK

The man on the phone happened to be Sonny Lagaran of Pinoy Radio UK. I didn’t even know there was a Filipino radio station here in UK but I hear they have a respectable following of 60,000-80,000 daily listeners all over the world. Anyways, they too heard about my painting of Manny Pacquiao and wanted an interview live on air. I said “cool” so they prepped me and off we went.

Joining us on the radio was a listener of the station and fellow countryman Leandro Cancel Ordonez. He spoke how he called in to Pinoy Radio a couple of weeks ago and told them about me, also thanking me on behalf of all the Filipino people around the world for doing a great painting of their icon.

Both Sonny Lagaran and Leandro were complimenting me so much. Sonny said how “all the Filipinos around the world are proud" of me. Even went as far to say I was famous and asked how it felt? I said I wasn’t famous but he insisted so I simply said, “It feels the same”.

To end, he did put me in place for not knowing the Filipino language. Gutted.

Xx

Albie

Albie and Georgia Painting

2010-03-17T21:03:00.006Z

Georgia Goodrick and Albie Espinola

My new painting is of Georgia Goodrick and me. The painting was inspired from when we were in Thailand together. It was a time when there wasn’t a care in the world, just pure happiness and love. All I cared about was what fun things I can do with Georgia and what kind of curry I wanted to eat.

Two weeks ago when I posted the Manny Pacquiao time-lapse painting on Youtube, I didn’t think much of it. The most views for a painting (the Eniko Mihalik one) I posted on Youtube was a measly 2,000 and that was over a year old!

Present day, 2 weeks after I published the Pacquiao painting and I have got 8,000+ views! The Pacman having a fight recently had something to do with it. Also, the production of the fashion painting videos was admittedly weak as I did them in photographs. The finished products are cool though (unashamedly admit too).

I always had my video camera but once I literally almost blew up my desktop when I tried putting in the firewire into my computer. Huge sparks were flying everywhere whenever I put the damn wire in.

Albie Espinola featured in RingTV.com

Not only 8000+ hits but with the views my work got featured in "the bible of boxing": Ring Magazine online! Unless you're a famous boxer, rising star or promoter like Don King, chances are you will never grace the site or magazine. I've been doing these paintings for all of 2 weeks and I’m featured already. Fashion artist doing boxing? Hell yeah! I read the website religiously and I am so honoured to have been in it.

Albie Espinola featured in Sporting News

Not just The Ring, Sporting News, Queensbury Rules and even a Russian website posted my video on their sites. Google my name and see for yourself…good times!

xx

Albie!!

"Iron" Mike Tyson Painting

2010-03-09T19:52:00.007Z

"Iron" Mike Tyson. Painting by Albie Espinola

“Iron” Mike Tyson is one of the most controversial and well known fighters in boxing history.

With his blend of speed and knockout power, in his prime Tyson had his opponents beaten before the first bell with his brand of intimidation. In 1996 for their heavyweight rematch, Frank Bruno crossed his heart 17 times on the way to the ring. He got stopped in the third round then retired for good.

This painting was from their first match in 1989 when Mike Tyson was at his peak: the youngest Unified Heavyweight Champion of the World flattening everyone in his way.

That fight was my first memory of when I became interested in boxing. My family and me used to watch all his fights on TV, even paid for skanky PPV but most of the time there were so many thrills in the way he'd blast people out, shocking things he said like wanting to eat Lennox Lewis' (unborn) children to biting part of Evander Holyfield's ear during their second fight.

When he fought in Britain, he even came to the All Stars Boxing Gym to train! Gutted I weren't there though...

Albie!!

Floyd Mayweather Painting

2010-03-03T09:07:00.004Z

Floyd Mayweather. Painting by Albie Espinola

Although they haven’t fought (yet), they are bitter rivals and I could not possibly paint Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao without doing one of Floyd “Money” Mayweather.

Mayweather is my other favourite fighter. A world champion in 5 different weights, his style isn’t as fun to watch as his pound-for-pound rival (or a lot of the top fighters come to think of it) but Mayweather owns the most gifted skill set in modern boxing.

Floyd Mayweather in Dancing with the Stars

What sets him apart from everyone else is that Mayweather is a complete entertainer outside the ring as well as in. He competed in America’s Dancing with the Stars (American version of Strictly Come Dancing) as well as fighting the 7 foot tall Big Show at Wrestlemania for the WWE.

Sometimes he can be a total prick when he is being brash and arrogant, other times he is personable and extremely humble. Personally I find it all hilarious and it is just his game to entertain the people. People love to hate him but the bottom line is everyone tunes in to watch him fight.

On 1st May 2010, Floyd “Money” Mayweather fights “Sugar” Shane Mosley for the WBA World Welterweight Championship at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.

Can’t wait!

xx

Albie!!

Manny Pacquiao Painting

2010-02-26T16:29:00.010Z

Manny Pacquiao. Painting by Albie Espinola

This is my latest painting. It is of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao who arguably the best fighter pound-for-pound on the planet. Not only is he the coolest boxer, he like myself is from the Philippines!

He is to defend his title on the 13th March against Ghana’s Joshua Clottey at the Dallas Cowboy’s stadium, USA.

Hope you like the painting!

Albie Espinola reading Eclipse from the Twilight Saga

And so much to catch up on. Got back from Thailand 2 weeks ago. with Georgia Goodrick et family. I was there for a cooool month. My tan is still there but fading rapidly. Still going through all the pics but will post them all up for ya in next coming days. And London Fashion Week just finished! Was pretty amazing must say...

Albie!!

Elvis Painting

2009-12-03T00:24:00.007Z

Okay, so I’ve fully moved in to new place and it looks amazing I must say!

I must admit it took me a while to think of the flat as home but as soon as I got my easel and piano in, there’s no other place I’d rather be.

Life is good now again after all the hard work Georgia et I put in and finally I’m back to business. I even did a painting which is something I haven’t done in such a long time…well kinda true.

Keleigh Batchelor

I did a commission for my friend Keleigh Batchelor for her boyfriend not so long ago but that didn’t go too well. Oops.

Commission for Keleigh Batchelor. By Albie Espinola

I didn’t even want to charge her because I was that embarrassed by it but she was lovely enough to give a little dosh (even though I said I really didn’t want any money).

Elvis dress by Jean Charles de Castelbajac. Painting by Albie Espinola

My proper painting was from Paris Fashion Week when Georgia Goodrick and I attended the Jean Charles de Castelbajac show. Another amazing show by JCDC and was simply our highlight of our first trip out of London together.

Xmas is coming up so if anyone wants an Albie original I’m sure we can work out a deal of some sort whether tis money or even a swap!

Albie!!

Orschel-Read & David Koma LFW Reviews

2009-10-01T00:21:00.013+01:00

Feels like forever since I've written! So much has been up, from London Fashion Week to getting keys to the Love Flat (Georgia et Albie's), the farewell Compeau bbq, decorating the flat, working, PS3'ing with the boxing (I take my EA Fight Night very seriously)...everything!

The flat has been the biggest thing taking up my time though, with stripping walls, washing walls, making walls smooth, painting. REPEAT for each room. Tis long but worth it in the end.

Anyways, London Fashion Week was upon us. I went for the first couple of days and a half going to so many great shows as per usual.

Jenna Dzonlic. Contributing writer for Playtime Customised

The last couple of days, I spent stripping walls with Georgia Goodrick et Mark Doogan. However, I did send my writer friend Jenna Dzonlic to report on the happenings at the shows. I'll be writing and drawing my happenings soon enough...

But for now, for the first time Playtime Customised by Albie Espinola has a different voice...presenting Jenna Dzonlic!

Orschel-Read
by Jenna Dzonlic

Mesmerized by the electric milieu of fashionistas strutting their stuff around Somerset House; you got the feeling that this was an exciting week for London. London Fashion Week has a special vibe, untouchable fashion direction, eclectic mixtures of high street and designer, sophistication and coolness.

My first show was Orschel-Read who were showcasing their Spring/Summer ‘10 collection. Their designs were based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and Hindu art; so I was quite excited to see the result of such a diverse match.

designs by Orschel-Read. Photographs courtesy from Vogue

The result was an altogether third itinerary, grass green leather trenches, high collar jackets, black bat like capes, skeletal painted faces and green dye Mohicans.

The show was structured in two parts, the first focused on perhaps more accessible clothing, tailor made black jackets, long chequered shirts and trousers.

The second part was very daring and more for the gothic exhibitionists; long dark sleek hair and long green snakes skin trench coats.

It was a nice experience and taster for what was to come in the following days of London Fashion Week.

David Koma
by Jenna Dzonlic

After viewing Orschel-Read’s show, we made our way to the David Koma. David Koma was winner of Vauxhall Scout Merit Award.

Unfamiliar with his earlier work, I was pretty impressed with his designs. David Koma used oblique and spheroid shapes with a mixture of bold primary colours on white and black tight fitting dresses. Plastic multicoloured mosaic type accessories were placed around models’ arms.

designs by David Koma. Photographs courtesy from Vogue

The distinctive dresses seemed to be influenced by the 1960’s futuristic theme. My favourite pieces were the dresses that had carefully constructed beading sewn around the circular shapes, circles around the sides and in the front of the dresses showing plenty, yet it still managed to look neat, tight and polished!

xx

Albie and contributing writer, Jenna Dzonlic!

Marithe et Francois Girbaud Painting

2009-09-08T22:38:00.006+01:00

I have finally finished my piano book of pop songs. It took me over a year to learn all 22 songs and play them properly. Not gonna lie, so proud of myself. My fave songs to play have to be Cry Me a River by good old Justin Timberlake or With a Little Help From My Friends by The Beatles.

Slowly but definitely surely my skills are improving but I wanna sound REALLY slick...like Alicia Keys. I can only dream me guess. The new book I'm learning is the tunes from the musical, Chicago! The scores are 10 times more complicated than the pop songs book but I'll be sure to complete it. As soon as I finish learning the first song, I'll make a video giving a little performance. I might even get a singer to sing-along for kicks.

Anyways, tis the season of fashion! This season, I'll only be at the shows in London et Paris. London will be exciting because they are moving the shows to the Strand. Way more central and it looks to be bigger than ever.

Marithe et Francois Girbaud. Painting by Albie Espinola

For my latest painting, I decided to paint a model from one of my favourite shows from last season. The Marithe et Francois Girbaud show in Paris.

I went to loads of great shows for A/W '09. In London, Emma Bell always stands out although I hear she's not showing this season. John Rocha I loved too.

In Paris, Viktor et Rolf was the most beautiful show. Literally every outfit was modelled by a top model. 50 amazing looks, 50 great models. JCDC's show rocked and Paul et Joe was pure glitz and glamour. However, what made Marithe et Francois Girbaud memorable was that the models were allowed to go wild. Most of the time, the models are all so serious looking as they strut down the catwalk. For this show they danced, played and waved to the crowd. Everyone in attendance got to experience their personalities.

So let the fun begin and woo woo to fashion!

xx

Albie!!

A Rocking Painting

2009-08-27T03:15:00.010+01:00

Last week was the birthday of Georgia Goodrick's mom, Sandra Goodrick. For her present, I said I'd do a painting but somehow didn't manage to get it done in time for her birthday. In fact, I didn't even have the canvas to start it!

On her birthday day Sandra was kind enough to treat Georgia and me out to lunch at this swank little place near Warren Street. The food was delicious as we ate crocodile and kangaroo and some other yum things. The price wasn’t cool though with £15 added to the bill as RANDOM extra charges (wasn’t even the service charge). I offered to do an “Albie Special” and complain but they said to allow it.

After lunch, Georgia felt really bad because I didn't get her mom a present so she suggested I at least get a plant or something to show I appreciated lunch. Understandable I guess, so we went to the nearest plant shop and chose a pepper plant. We like our chillies all except the peppers are not edible which made it kind of a lame present.

Sandra Goodrick. Painting by Albie Espinola

However, I knew that when I got around to doing the painting, it would be the best present ever and will blow everything anyone got Sandra out of the water...and I think I've achieved that!

So this painting was inspired from a small picture that's randomly in her toilet. It was taken years ago when Sandra was in a band called Après Sex. The band wasn't famous or anything but in fact, it is Georgia's dad that was the proper rocker with his band "Zodiac Mindwarp".

What I love about the painting is that Sandra still oozes that same fierceness and freeness. She's a cool lady and great to be around!

Albie Espinola et painting

I spent 3 solid days working on this painting. I'm a touch rusty as this is the first oil painting I've done in ages. I painted it with love and was worth every minute seeing how much she's done for me.

Anyways, this painting is dedicated and for Sandra Goodrick. Thank you for everything!

xx

Albie!!

"It's Just The Way It Is" & Swine Flu Hooper

2009-08-11T21:13:00.021+01:00

Someone once said to me that when it comes to restaurants, British people tend to not complain if something isn't right and merely accept things because "it's just the way it is". Bad food? Oh well. Bad service? No matter. Skank off cheque? Eh, so what. It's just the way it is.

Luckily for moi, I’m not like most Brits. If anything, if my whole munching out experience isn't what it should be, they and everyone around me usually gets to know about it. I don't like confrontations but if money and my belly are involved, I'm usually more inclined.

don't mess with munch. Self portrait by Albie Espinola

My lawyer friend once explained that if your restaurant experience is crap, like bad service, bad food or you think the food was nowhere near the price they asked for...LEGALLY you don't have to cough up. You can drop a few pounds and say "this is how much I think it is worth".

However, it is illegal if you go out with the purpose to not pay for the food.

I only complain when necessary and not for the hell of it like some of my friends think I do. I love my food and eating out is expensive so I should get what I pay for.

Georgia Goodrick and I went to this sushi restaurant on Frith Street called, Hi Sushi. It was a beautiful day so we sat outside. We decided to have the "all you can eat" offer for £14.80. So we ordered loads of sushi, which was "unlimited” and 8 different hot dishes (which was the maximum amount we can order). Each hot dish we ordered, the waitress said they would bring out "2 portions". We thought this is going to be a huge amount of food.

When the hot dishes came, they came all at once on one of them school dinner plates.

Georgia Goodrick et Albie Espinola

I asked if there was more of the hot food on the way, the waitress replied "this is the 2 portions for both of you". WHAT?! Literally it was 1 squid hoop each, one chicken skewer each, a couple of prawns each, a touch of swine, a few chicken pieces and a little bit of tofu. Georgia said to not say anything as "that is just the way it is". I let that one go as I ate most of the food on the plate anyways.

Nice and stuffed, there was a little sushi left over so we asked if we can get a doggy bag for the last few pieces of sushi. Out of nowhere, they started getting all prick-ish saying in a rude manner, "no take-away, only eat in".

I explained, "I'm not getting take-away, we were eating outside and want the rest as a doggy bag". They tried to be smart, "but there are no dogs here". Stupid sushi place.

Then the bill arrived.

The bill came up to £44! I said "WHAT THE HELL?" Georgia again said, "Let's just pay, it's just the way it is". This time I wasn't having any of it saying it should be £30 and change, if that. They pointed to the menu on the window saying it cost £16.30 each and I said "no, the menu you gave me says 14.80". They said the menu was out-of-date. What knobs. We argued for ages over the prices. Even if the meal was £16.30 each, it doesn't equate nowhere near to £44.

We literally went back and forth for 10 minutes about how much the bill was and why we couldn't take a doggy bag, especially for the ridiculous price they were charging. I didn't wanna mess too much as we were in Soho so we came to a compromise. In the end we paid £30 and didn't pay service charge. AND we got our doggy bag. If you ask me, we should've paid nada after all that arguing.

For your information, legally you don't have to pay service charge. So if service is crap or cannot afford it, don't pay it.

Swine Flu Hooper. Teresa Elizabeth Hooper. Photograph courtesy from Jonathan Griggs

Speaking of food, Teresa Elizabeth Hooper caught Swine Flu! Gutted to her cos no one could visit her even if they wanted. She's getting better though and will be 100% in no time.

Anyways, I love this song at the moment. It's my friends band called Vagabond, it rocks! Alex Vargas (main singer) lives in Notting Hill but haven't seen him around in ages. Now I know why, he's been a busy bee getting his debut album ready and it shall be out on the 17th August.

xx

Albie!!

The Compeau Wedding & The Burglar B******s

2009-07-27T20:12:00.015+01:00

Another year, another friend getting married. This time it was the wedding of Mary and Derrick Compeau. To be honest, I have only met Derrick once before and only twice for Mary through Georgia Goodrick. The couple are the founders of "Buddies" hot Sauce/bbq sauce.

Derrick Compeau and Albie Espinola

Georgia Goodrick and Mary Compeau

I had the pleasure of trying the sauces at their BBQ a few weeks back. It's such a yum sauce. I'm used to quite spicy stuff but some of Mary et Derrick's friends couldn't hack it but all still love it. I think they appreciated /were surprised I ate so much! Anyone who can feed me like they did are definitely friends of mine.

Buddies Sauce

Foy Vance taking a pic after the wedding

The wedding was a small affair but amazing nonetheless. Singer/songwriter Foy Vance sang a song as the bride walked down the aisle. I couldn't stop saying, "aww, that's sick". Of course, I said it in the most complimentary way ever. He's the man!

Buddies for all

I've only started getting to know Mary et Derrick and already they are moving country. They will be heading off to Australia to launch Buddies and their range of sauces and recipes. Good luck and shall miss you guys when you leave.

Albie Espinola and his chicken wings

chicken wings, Compeau style

FYI, the reception food was of course chicken wings with a healthy dose of Buddies as well as some other culinary tricks.

Georgia and I got home early about 9pm as we both were meant to be going out. Georgia was in the living room and I was getting changed out of my formal clothes in her bedroom. From the living room, Georgia shouted "Someone's broken in. My laptop isn't here!"

the last recorded smile from Georgia Goodrick all weekend

I thought she was joking but then realised MY laptop was missing too! Piss take.

The pricks got in through Georgia's kitchen window. They left shoe-prints but no fingerprints were found. Georgia's two laptops, my laptop and some of Georgia's money got taken. They also stole my big leather bag to put all the laptops in. My swank new-ish rollerblades were in there but they took them out.

We should've learned our lesson because only a couple of weeks ago 2 guys were putting their dirty hands through the letterbox trying to unlock the front door...while someone was in!

The scary part is that the robbers now know the plan of the house, what else there is in there and will probably try and strike again being more "prepared" next time. Considering the incident happened while it was daylight, we think someone had been watching our movements. They knew this time no one would be home.

The house is now more secure. Hopefully the pricks won’t get in again or that’ll be really dumb.

Something funny (in a very not funny way) happened shortly after. Only an hour after the police came to check out the scene of the crime, we were chilling out in the living room. Suddenly, we heard this huge smash as if someone was again trying to enter by breaking the window. We ran for our lives into Georgia's room and I locked the door while Georgia shouted for someone to call the police out her window.

The police came to the house AGAIN but turns out it was just the top shelf of the fridge breaking and all the stuff falling on the floor. Pretty funny in hindsight but at the time I shite myself.

All the signs pointed to something bad happening with all my rambling about Crimewatch UK recently.

I hope them burglar b******s get taken off the street and burn.

xx

Albie!!

For Laura Burns

2009-07-16T15:31:00.007+01:00

Friends and family say that when I get presents for them they are actually for myself. For example, I once got my mom a Playstation game for Mother's Day. Selfish and inconsiderate? Probably. However, it isn't always the case.

Teresa Elizabeth Hooper called me up a few days ago and asked me to chip in half the money for a bracelet for Laura Burns’ birthday (which is today). She said, “the bracelet cost £100…so £50 each”. Yeah right! We came to a compromise that if more people chipped in I then I wouldn’t mind paying toward it.

For everyone’s information, both Hooper and Laura did not get me a present for my birthday! Hooper said they’ve chosen a present (almost 2 months since) but not bought it yet. Luckily I don’t give to get…ahem.

Hooper found another person to cough up dosh for the bracelet so I suggested we'd go together to buy it. At least I’ll get to see where my money was going. After a little thought, the present didn't sound cool for a number of reasons. The present wouldn't be from me, just my money put into it. Plus £30 is a lot in this climate we're living in, even if Laura is one of my closest friends.

Laura Burns. Painting by Albie Espinola

My creative little mind started ticking away and I thought to do a drawing for her. Predictable from moi but at least it's from me, and something she will hopefully keep forever.

I've been working on Laura's modelling/presenting website for ages and came across the picture I based the drawing/water colour on. I was actually there for this photo shoot. It was our friend Chanel Raisin's submission for the Elizabeth Arden campaign.

I started the drawing at 11:30pm whilst watching Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift. Amazingly, most of the sketching was done by 3am. So the only thing to do was add colour.

I'm really pleased with how it looks. I also framed it in a white country style frame. Looks fab even if I don't say so myself.

To one of my closest friends, thanks for being there always and this drawing is for you!

xx

Albie!

The Piano Master

2009-06-24T14:19:00.014+01:00

Playing piano is one of my favourite things to do and since I moved to Casa Slick, I’ve been itching to buy a keyboard. Sadly my piano was too big and raw to transport.

Recently, Sam Reed (AKA Dott Reed, her new stage name) had her first gig in over a year. It was held at this art shop place and she played songs on a piano painted like a British flag. There were 4 pianos and over the coming weeks all the pianos will be placed randomly around London so people can play.

Sam "Dott" Reed on the piano

Sammie was rusty to start, as she was so nervous not having performed in such a long time. As the gig went on, so did the rust and she loosened up. Her new song, “Mon Amor” I really liked.

Speaking of rust, I’ve been itching to do the Playtime Customised 11 Fashion Show for a while now. It has been nearly 2 years since I’ve produced a show. I’ve consulted in shows but there is nothing like a Playtime Customised show. I’m thinking mid-August? Sammie of course will be part of the line-up along with the designers.

sing-along at Carnaby Street

the swingin' 60's

Georgia Goodrick and I randomly saw one of the funky pianos on Carnaby Street. A woman was playing songs from the swinging 60’s so classics from the Beatles et others were played. The public were given the words to all the songs so they can join in. Really old school and nice! More of these fun things should be around the city all year round.

Georgia Goodrick et Albie Espinola on the piano

Albie Espinola, the piano master

back to the 1960's

Georgia Goodrick

My favourite song was “Follower of Fashion” by The Kinks. Twas fitting I guess. Georgia and I were dressed more 1980’s style if anything though. However, London Tonight still did a television interview with us.

"The Hoff"

By the way, I met "The Hoff"! I saw David Hasselhoff randomly while he was filming some programme at Charlotte Street Hotel. According to the producers, it's a reality television show. I asked if I can grab a picture with him and they looked at me like I was dumb. "We are filming...?" they said. A few seconds later, the producers thought it was a good idea and said to intrude his conversation while they were filming and ask for a picture. He was like, "sure, but it's £5 please". I gave him a "high five" instead. Unfortunately I somehow stupidly took a picture of someone’s feet instead of me and The Hoff.

Inspired by Sammie’s gig and playing the random piano on the street, I went to Argos and got me a keyboard! It’s a dream. I’m gonna practice on my roof and everything, play in style.

Anyone out there that can play piano? There's only so much I can learn with books, I so want piano lessons...

xx

Albie!!

Psycho Scary Man & The Hills

2009-06-08T20:02:00.018+01:00

Last week, there was a man inside the gate at the bottom of my fire escape at Casa Slick.

It was afternoon so there were a few people around hanging out in the courtyard. I walked downstairs and only until I was face-to-face with the man did he notice my presence. He was a white male with pale skin, in his early 30's, about 5'10, cross-eyed, blonde/white hair and slim build. He was wearing beige trousers and a pale yellow jumper.

Albie impression of psycho man

I hesitantly said "hello" while figuring how to get my scooter out as it is quite a small space we were occupying. Mumbling to himself, he said, "I'm going to set 'her' on fire..."

Freaked out just a touch, I opened the gate and phoned my flatmate Cleo Davis who was upstairs. I asked Cleo to come downstairs to "pass me a jumper". Mostly it was me being a whoosie needing backup but part of it was for the comedy factor (in a not funny way). She walked downstairs and she too was freaked out by the psycho man. When getting the chain off my scooter, he went one further repeatedly saying "I'm going to kill him". I hurriedly got my scooter out, waited for Cleo to run up to the house (and double lock it) and went.

He's been spotted again in my gate recently but I think he’s a local or at least a regular in the local arcade next door to us. I hope the psycho scary man doesn't show again. If he does, what do I do? Call the police? Tell him to pee off ever so nicely?

It may seem minor and I jest about it but imagine if he was downstairs late at night and I was alone! I'd completely cack myself. Or imagine if he actually tried to do harm to one of us!?

Crime date	2nd June 2009
Nature of crime	Psycho Maniac
Where	Casa Slick, W12
Contact	Notting Hill Police Station

Appeal Points

Do you recognise the E-fit of the psycho man? He is likely to be known within the local drug-taking community in Shepherds Bush.
Have you come across something similar by a stranger at your door?
Casa Slick will offer a reward of a cup of a tea for information resulting in psycho man not being on our doorstep again.

One of my favourite programmes on TV is Crimewatch UK so no wonder I think about this kind of stuff. I LOVE that programme. On lots of levels it's a great show. For example, I like scary things, they are all true stories and I've always wanted to see someone I recognise so I can help catch them...even if it's a "friend". Well depends on what the friend did I guess.

A few years ago there was a friend on there but to my sadness and a lot of other peoples she was a victim of murder...the killer is now thankfully caught and she can now rest in peace.

On to a lighter note. Speaking of TV, on my day of rest I spent the evening watching Season 5 of The Hills. Georgia Goodrick introduced it to me and we watched the whole season over 6 hours.

I never used to watch it but by the end of the last episode, I knew all the names of the characters and was singing along to Natasha Beddngfield at the beginning credits.

Lauren Conrad of The Hills

Kelly Cutrone of Peoples Revolution

In the show, the cut-throat world that is fashion was on brutal display when Kelly Cutrone from Peoples Revolution had Lauren Conrad (main character) fire her friend (and deservedly so). She said, "Think guillotine. Clean..." It would be so amazing to work with them, their company seems so cool but at the same time hard work. Plus it’s in LA LA Land! There, or actually any major PR company in NYC and possibly even London would be fun times.

I also actually learned lots about relationships watching The Hills. You got to see the relationships from different angles, which was quite an eye-opener. However, some people are just pricks and the worse thing is that they can't see it. I'm not even talking about Spencer. At first I thought he was a knob punching the guy at the bar but he is too funny! It’s that girl Stacie who I thought the prick of that season was, the bartender girl. I couldn’t believe she turned up to Spencer and Heidi’s wedding. Grrr...

Anyways, peace, love and "please don't have nightmares"

xx

Albie!!

Doogan & The Hitch Hikers

2009-05-27T20:31:00.016+01:00

There are a group of guys that I hang out with loads that were all raised in Ladbroke Grove, like me. To me, they are simply called "The Boys".

The Boys consist of the Lamolony Family with twins Peter & Paul, Daniel and little genius Michael. There is hench Lab, Chris Gosain who has moved to Texas with his wife Susie but comes back to London every year. Mojo (real name Mitu), the lottery winner/turned drunkard/banned from USA "Raksak" (real name Rakesh Patel). Tarek & Jad Issa, Jermal Gray and last but not least, Mark Doogan. We play Poker, PS3, watch boxing together and just hang out.

Mark Doogan

Out of all the boys, "Doogan" as I call him is probably the one I’m closest to. It's weird how we get on as we cuss each other down all the time, especially in front of anyone within earshot. We're both bad losers in everything and also the worse winners. We're so annoying when we win; people just want to see us lose.

However, when no one is around we chat deeply about things. We talk about life, business and even our situations in love. He's just a good-hearted dude. Doogan even made dinner for me, Ahmed Jaber and even his friend the other night. He made Ahmed and his mate steak and a curry for moi!

He is one of the funniest people I know and comes out with the most random stuff in his cockney accent. He once said he was seeing a girl and I would think she was fit as she "looks like a model".

Mark Doogan, Ahmed Obama and Cleo Davis at Casa Slick

Raising my eyebrows slightly from the word "model" and "fit" I asked him to carry on with details. He said, "she's proper fit, model face, body all in proportion, long brown hair and really thin!"

I asked him to show a picture, so he got his phone out. Normally we hugely disagree on what we think is pretty but this time I was like, "Easy Doogan. She IS pretty, but how tall is she though?"

"5 foot" he replied. I pissed myself laughing so hard. I mean, a 5 foot girl with model proportions is like describing a 12 year old girl. Raw.

Another time, Doogan and I went Portobello and he treated me to a coffee from Starbucks. Later that evening, all the boys were over at the house and Doogan asked if he could have a cup of tea. I said "no" and we started arguing. So then I said, "If you want a tea, that'll be £1.50p". He actually paid for the tea in my own house! I sound like a prick toward him but there are so many stories just as bad the other way around.

Mark's a cool friend and everyone should have a 'Doogan' in their lives.

Ahmed Jaber has a "Doogan" in his friend Karim Elgamel. Karim was over at Casa Slick and we had a conversation talking about art and girls and he said the funniest thing I heard in ages...

He said, "It don't matter as long as you get 'pum pum' on the regs".

I was half paying attention to the conversation as I was on my laptop but when I had registered what he'd said I shook my head thinking, "what the hell did you just say?!" Pum pum on the regs...too funny.

Bank Holiday was pure fun in the sun. It was blazing outside so Georgia and I had lunch in Hampstead Heath at the Freemasons Arms which had a really cool garden. The cook just happened to be Filipino so we talked boxing as people from Philippines do. Filipino's are also a tight knit group who stick together and when I asked him to make the country proud when making our food, he gave us the biggest meal ever! So stuffed, we took home a huge doggy bag to eat on my roof.

Zooming on my scooter all day enjoying the sun, I didn't realise my scooter was on its last legs with petrol.

stuck on the A40

"no place like home". My new swank shoes

hitch hiker Albie Espinola

hitch hiker Georgia Goodrick

The next morning, we were driving back to Georgia's "the quick way" on the A40 when suddenly my scoot slowed down to a stop right above Portobello Market. We were rescued by the RAC 45 minutes later and they even gave me free petrol. I'm so getting my monies worth having called them out 3 times in the 3 weeks since I became a member.

My scooter is fine now but thinking maybe a customised paint job and tweaks need to be done?

xx

Albie!!

Georgia Goodrick, Dogstar & MOI BIRTHDAY!

2009-05-18T13:49:00.014+01:00

Georgia Goodrick and I have started hanging out again. It feels weird but at the same time it's an amazing feeling. We're more than friends; she's the leading lady. There are things we have to sort out but we are "mending bridges". It's a huge bridge to mend but we are getting there.

Georgia Goodrick and Albie Espinola

Marie Curie Cancer

Anyways, last week we went to a comedy thing for Marie Curie Cancer Research. It was in Brixton but I love to laugh so didn't mind (that much). I even live with a comedian (at least he’s one of the funniest people I know), in Ahmed Jaber. NOTE: In the pic, he doesn't normally dress like that....

the Jihad of Soul: Ahmed Jaber

Brixton is well dodge. Everyone knows. I did a favour for a friend filming people for charity once and almost got beaten up because I filmed a group of rude boys. Saying that, everyone on the streets was really cool. Gangsters were like, "cool man" and I even saw people I know and surprisingly now live there.

comedian who gunned me

At the venue, Dogstar, we got placed in second row. As expected sitting on second row, I got absolutely hammered by the comedian/presenter who called me a "selective chemotherapy patient" with my Mohawk. Ouch. It was great fun except the last comedian was just plain weird and not that funny.

Comedy Store

Not to stop with the comedy, we also went to the Comedy Store to watch the Comedy Players the other evening. It's a bit like, “Whose Line is it Anyway?” and even had a few people who appeared on that show. Their brains must be working stupidly fast to come out with all them jokes.

It is also my birthday party on Thursday (21st Mayo)! I shall be having my party at Taman Gang (corner of Park Lane/Marble Arch)...all welcome, bring presents, bring whoever and look amazing!

Drinks on moi!

xx

Albie!

Casa Slick & Tabea Koebach

2009-05-05T03:14:00.017+01:00

The search was stupidly long but Cleo Davis and I found the perfect place to move in to! This is the story of finding Casa Slick…

The journey started back in February with Cleo and her friend Natalie Danger putting up a “Facebook Group” advertising a third roomie. As soon as it was posted I added myself, Cleo thought we’d make cool housemates as we’re in the same field and the search was on…

A couple of weeks later we found a nice-ish pad in Willesden but Natalie pulled out last second because she couldn’t find a job in London (Natalie is originally from Scotland). That particular flat was okay but knew we could do much better.

With Natalie Danger gone left Cleo and I so we changed the group to “HOUSEMATE HUNT - cleo & albie need 3rd housemate!”.

We (as in me more but Cleo sort of agreed to it) had very strict criteria for the third roomie.

1. Has to be a girl
2. Has to be pretty
3. Has to have pretty friends
4. Slim
5. Has to have money to pay rent
6. Trustworthy
7. Tidy
8. Doesn’t mind us partying or will join us partying

There were a few hopefuls like models or yummy looking people but could not move in when it came down to it for various reasons (money, tied into leases for another couple of months etc). With that, we loosened up ever so slightly on our criteria.

1. Has to be a girl
2. Has to have money to pay rent
3. Trustworthy

Swank place on Addison Road, Holland Park

We found a good hopeful and even found the swankiest place ever in Holland Park. The house boasted a driveway, mansions all the way up the road, a huge terrace, big rooms, a communal garden (park practically) and even a patrol car for the road. It was a dream.

Somehow the knobs at Chard or whomever the fault it was messed it up for us and didn’t get the flat days before moving in claiming some stupid reason.

Holloway. Raw.

So sad, we became desperate and ALMOST moved to Holloway after finding the first decent place in comparison to Holland Park but it was in a well dodgy area. Urgh, from Holland Park to Holloway! I’m so glad that didn’t happen.

When I went to view the place, I was playing on my phone so when the estate agent drove me there I missed all the scariness that live around the area. I was so caught up in how Cleo and the other girl felt about it (they liked it), I just said yes. All my friends were so against it and laughed at me knowing I’d be doomed in that place. They were right. Plus, who would come to Holloway to visit moi? My scooter would’ve blatantly got lashed, house robbed and lives in danger most probably.

Saying that, we paid the Holding Fee anyways but again something happened with days to go before the move in. Just under a week to go before our move in date, the third roomie got fired from her job thus leaving Cleo and I literally scrambling to find anyone to replace her.

From there, the standard dropped so low all the way to

1. Has to have money to pay rent

Boy, girl, ugly, huge, messy, prison convict, we didn’t care as long as they had the money to pay rent. We used Gumtree, Facebook and even my website to advertise the flat but couldn’t find anyone! We ended up losing the Holding Fee (unless there is a lawyer that says otherwise?)

Pretty much defeated and almost given up on the whole idea of moving in together, there was a flat we hadn’t yet seen although I knew about it since our search started.

Throughout the hunt, Ahmed Jaber who I went to school with had this flat in Shepherds Bush that he was going to move in to and needed roomies. Because he was a guy, I instantly said “Nah thanx MAayttteE!”

Oh, how I was wrong…I visited the flat with Teresa Elizabeth Hooper last week and instantly was like “wow”. A few days later I showed the flat to Cleo, she loved it, Ahmed thought she was ace and before we knew it, we were moved in just like that. It’s not as swank as the Holland Park property but our flat is absolutely SLICK.

Cleo Davis and Ahmed Jaber on the roof

Cleo Davis doing a little work on her laptop

Just off a main road, you go through 2 huge white gates (one of which you need a security code during the day and late at night. From there, you are greeted to a courtyard where there is a bar/gallery/pool place type thing. Opposite is our private gate. We’re the only flat in that space with the people below using a completely different entrance. At midnight after the bar shuts, the courtyard is free to chill in until 5pm the next day when it opens again. So many cool artsy/media type people hang out in that bar and I’m sure I’ll get to know everyone in no time.

pool table on our roof!

Even walking up the stairs to our flat is pure slickness as we’ve got a New York style fire escape to walk up. To proper top it off, we’ve got a pool table on our roof!

So yey, let the good times roll!

I’ve settled in and now back to business with me producing art! Tabea Koebach is the first model from the Autumn/Winter 09/10 shows I've painted. I randomly met her in Paris and she just so lovely.

Albie Espinola and Tabea Koebach

It was Day 4 of Paris Fashion Week but I had no shows to go so did the exhibitions instead. Outside some building was Tabea Koebach with a friend and so I introduced myself saying that I did a painting of her from last season. She replied excitedly, “Oh, I know! Thank you so much”. I was like, “huh?”. Not expecting that reaction I asked her which show it was from because I didn’t believe her and thought she was just being nice. She said the “JCDC show”. I let off a smile and she carried on explaining how much she loved the painting. She be cool.

Tabea Koebach. Painting by Albie Espinola

This painting was inspired from when I saw her, this time on the catwalk at the Leonard Paris 09/10 show a couple of days after I met her. Tabea actually closed this show so was really proud.

A few facts:
Name: Tabea Koebach
Nationality: German
Height: 5’10 ½
Eye Colour: Blue

During the Spring/Summer ’09 shows in New York, Milan and Paris, Tabea modelled in 27 scheduled shows, opening 1 and closing 1.

Art Facts
Tabea Koebach
Designer: Leonard Paris A/W '09/10
Paris Fashion Week
9 by 12 inches
ink and water colour on water colour paper

by Albie Espinola

Xx

Albie!!

Anglomania, WAD Magazine (PRESS) and...FLAT HUNTING!

2009-04-23T03:47:00.009+01:00

As each fashion season passes, more people recognise me and ask my "professional opinion" on fashion, art and all things cool. A professional opinion I don't have quite yet but at least it's more than the shrug my shoulders, nod and say, "it was okay I guess" answer that I used to say all the time. I still say it sometimes I admit, but I’m getting better though and do have something to say.

This month, I've been in 2 publications. The first is for my Mohawk in WAD Magazine (French fashion magazine) and the other for my art in Anglomania Magazine (UK). I'm known as much for my hair as with my art, which is cool but weird.

Albie Espinola in Anglomania Magazine (UK)

In Anglomania magazine I did a full page interview about my fashion art. I owe it USA Today for calling me the “Fashion Artist” because I never knew what kind of artist to call myself. Here is the opening paragraph the magazine wrote about me in Anglomania.

"Fashion flutterby Albie Espinola is not unknown among the fashion crowd…easy to spot with his blonde Mohawk and directional style of dress, and is likely to be seen happily trawling around every Fashion Week show in search for his next artistic subject."

Jourdan Dunn. Painting by Albie Espinola exclusively for Anglomania Magazine

When asked about doing the interview, they were interested in my Jourdan Dunn painting I did a while back. They wanted it in there but I thought it was kinda poo so re-did the painting exclusively for the magazine. It thought it turned out so much better than the original.

Supermodel Jourdan Dunn and Albie Espinola

I met Jourdan in Westfield recently and showed her the painting. She was shopping for her Caribbean holiday and I just finished flat hunting around the area. By the way, she loved the painting.

Go buy the magazine and check out the interview, might learn something you don't already know about my art and me. I bought my copy in Borders so I guess buy it there!

Albie Espinola in WAD Magazine (France)

The other magazine I'm in is the WAD Magazine 10th Anniversary issue! WAD is a fashion magazine in Paris. I heard I was in it from a few friends. The first to tell me though was Antonia Fraser. Antonia works for the Sunday Times Style Magazine. She sent a text a couple of weeks ago late at night saying, "I'm in bed chilling out with my cup of tea and my French magazine WAD...and look who is in there! Ur in the "Jeu de L'WAD" section for your Mohawk. Oh Albie ur just so international!"

Why yes I am!! Haha, I jest. Ahem...

You can find WAD at any cool magazine shop as I got mine from the one next to Kitchen & Pantry on Portobello. Or just find it in Borders also. WAD magazine is in English also but with all fashion mags, I just look at the pictures.

Speaking of house hunting…I’ve been flat hunting for ages but can’t seem to find the perfect 3rd roomie. We found the house, had a roomie but then she pulled out because she lost her job. So yeah, a lovely 3rd person (or even a couple) is needed to move into our swank pad. Here is the link to the house.

http://www.gumtree.com/london/21/37793821.html

xx

Albie!

Mode a Paris A/W 09/10 Diary: Day 3 & Ma Salle à Manger

2009-04-20T04:13:00.015+01:00

Most shows I attend, I have a +1 but as quite a few friends came from London to Paris with me, the only to take them to shows would be to take it in turns as my "assistant"...or so I thought.

back: Teresa Elizabeth Hooper, Albie Espinola and Mai-Ling Dwyer front: Roeland Van Straalen and Victoria Brown

Teresa Elizabeth Hooper, Victoria Brown and Mai-Ling Dwyer at Tsumori Chisato

For the Tsumori Chisato fashion show we decided Teresa Elizabeth Hooper was my +1. Not only did she come to meet me but also Victoria Brown, Mai-Ling Dwyer and Roeland Van Straalen came down. I was like, "this can't be happening". Moreover, both Teresa and Victoria had UGG's on! Umm, did anyone tell them it is Paris Fashion Week? Everything Teresa learned about Fashion Week in London went straight out of the window. To my surprise, the gems at Tsumori Chisato let them all in and even showed me to my front row seat (Roeland sat with me) with the girls in second row opposite us.

View the whole collection of Tsumori Chisato on Vogue

Roeland Van Straalen with his Tsumori Chisato bag

Every season Tsumori Chisato gives a gives a polka dot bag to all those on front row. Each season is a different colour combination. This season it was fuchsia and purple polka dots. What was cooler was that on front row, everyone had bags from yester-season. Even I paid homage with my Tsumori Chisato grey bag, with orange dots.

design by Tsumori Chisato

designs by Tsumori Chisato. Photographs courtesy from Vogue

Marc Chagall painting

The theme of the collection was "Le Petit Prince". The show was dreamlike with lots of prints and funky designs. The atmosphere reminded me of a Marc Chagall painting, one of my favourite artists. It was dark, moody and beautiful all at the same time.

Marithe et Francois Girbaud was the next show but this time I stuck to my guns and said only one of them could come. It's so unprofessional on my part as I’m there to watch the shows for my art.

View the whole collection of Marithe et Francois Girbaud on Vogue

Monopoly board

Teresa Elizabeth Hooper and Albie Espinola at Marithe et Francois Girbaud

To make it fair, Roeland had this Monopoly game on his phone where they all threw 2 dice and the person with the highest number got to go to the show. The winner? Teresa Elizabeth Hooper with a high score of 11!

design by Marithe et Francois Girbaud

designs by Marithe et Francois Girbaud. Photographs courtesy from Vogue

This show was such fun. Models played down the catwalk, dancing, flailing their hands in the air, interacting with each other, smiling into the cameras and blowing kisses. Some models looked a little awkward doing it but others looked so natural.

paint dripping from the ceiling at the Marithe et Francois Girbaud show

Paris again showed it is in a class all on its own having the Marithe et Francois Girbaud black backdrop slowly turn white. As the show progressed, white paint slowly poured down from the ceiling revealing writing.

Sophie Bharj, Victoria Brown, Teresa Elizabeth Hooper and Albie Espinola having dinner at "Ma Salle à Manger" with senior MAC make-up artists

Later that night, we visited the restaurant the old lady invited us to the night before. Ma Salle à Manger (translated 'my dining room') it was called. The food was yum but the experience was even better thanks to cool company courtesy of the Senior Make-up artists from MAC who were doing all the shows.

I did a bit of illegal driving after dinner as the son of the owner had a scooter. I could not resist and had to drive it...

Great times.

xx

Albie!!

Mode a Paris A/W 09/10: Day 2 & "I Jest, I Jest"

2009-04-13T03:33:00.010+01:00

Recently, I wrote a little something about the campaign for Models of Diversity,

"…there were women outside the tents protesting about why models aren't of all shapes, sizes and colour. They all wore these yellow T-shirts with a slogan saying, "Models of Diversity". I kind of see what they were getting at but a lot of the women protesting just weren't that pretty! I jest, I jest…"

When I woke up, waiting in my mailbox was a reply from one of the protestors. She said,

"Just seen on your website what you wrote about the campaign for Models of Diversity. Just to let you know a lot of the women there on that Saturday were not models but believe there is time for change. All we are saying is there needs to be more models of colour, real women and sizes on the catwalk. But for you to write that some were ugly, shame on you! It’s not what the person looks like, is it now!"

Um, in fashion IT IS ALL ABOUT how the person looks. For the record, I didn't say they were ugly, plus I wrote, "I jest, I jest" in case anyone thought I was being mean. As I said, I do get what they were saying, but I also know a little about how modelling works also. Fashion is all about image and looks. There are women of colour and even size on the catwalk, especially in London, maybe not so much in Paris, but then it's all to do with the look the designer wants. For example, a particular designer may want all blondes or cutesy faces.

This E-mail was cool and fair between us, just a little misunderstanding about the ugly bit I guess.

Soon after, I got a not so nice E-mail from another one of the women who was at the protest. She wrote,

"I have just seen on your website what you wrote about the Models of Diversity as well of the photo you have put on of V**** and myself. Isn't it illegal to publish a picture without permission? If the image isn't removed immediately then I will be seeking legal advice from my solicitor over this issue. As we were both asked to be there for the role of press officer/journalist not a campaigner. I don't take kindly of your comments either. …And for you to write that we are ugly, shame on you! It should not be how the person looks, it's people like you that need to be shamed on!!!!!!!!"

I'm not one to judge (sometimes), but they were representing a cause and as soon as a comment was passed on a "real woman" that seemed not in their favour she got pissed off and started acting immature (the solicitor comment).

Models of Diversity

The one who made fair comments offered to meet up to discuss what they did and I said I'd love to. By the way, I didn’t want any lawyers on my case so I changed the picture.

Sophie Bharj at Article 23

When I finally got out of the house, I went to the Article 23 (designed by Naia Rico) showroom with Sophie Bharj (who got into Paris from London that morning) to choose clothes from their new collection to wear around Paris. I chose their tweed jacket, an oversized red/orangey cardigan and a blue V-neck long jumper.

design by Etcetura

Etcetura was my first show of the day. Held in some swank venue above an arcade, the models stood on plinths then walked down the pink-lit catwalk. The show was a bit too long for my liking because of all the unnecessary posing on the plinths but a nice debut for this promising brand. The bling on the tights I liked loads.

design by Yohji Yamamoto

the crowd at Yohji Yamamoto

The next show was held in a semi-outdoor venue (like Spitalfield Market). However, on this chilly night it got turned into a space of pure glamour to play host to Yohji Yamamoto. Heaters and show lights kept the hundreds of press, buyers and VIP’s warm to see Yohji’s new creations.

designs by Yohji Yamamoto. Photographs courtesy from Vogue

Models were mostly all dressed in black, had ghost white faces and parts of their hair dyed red as they walked to classical music that pumped loudly around the vast space. It was such a beautiful show to watch, almost like theatre.

View the whole collection and read the review of Yohji Yamamoto on Vogue

Victoria Brown, Teresa Elizabeth Hooper and Sophie Bharj

random guy wearing my hat and "Flo"

Afterward, I finally got to hang out with the all the girls (including Victoria Brown who also came in from London) and Roeland. We went to this showroom/party type thing where there were tons of snacks and drink as well as clothes and jewellery to look at. There we met this old lady. I think her name was Flo but not too sure. She was so sweet. She said she owned a restaurant along the River Seine but again didn’t remember the name of that either. I didn't listen to anything much as I was eating all the food but as soon as she invited us all down for dinner the next evening all attention was on her. I wrote down the address and time she suggested we get there.

Yum!

Xx

Albie!!

Mode a Paris A/W 09/10: Day 1 & A Sweet Send Off

2009-04-09T15:36:00.011+01:00

Since the last day of London Fashion Week, Jess Vant and I have been hanging out quite a bit. We've known each other since last summer through a mutual friend but only saw and talked to each other during the night at parties. Normally I'm comfortable meeting people but was so shy around her for ages. Anyways, the music is loud so couldn’t really hear much when we talk so it’s nice doing day stuff with Jess and getting to know her proper. She got style and makes me smile.

Jess Vant

To send me off to Paris, Jess did the sweetest thing and met me at 5am in St.Pancras International for breakfast. We only hung out an hour, which made it sweeter considering Jess dragged herself out of bed in the freezing cold from East London to come see me.

After a yum breakfast and lots of hugs, off I was to Paris for Fashion Week.

In Paris, I jumped on the Metro to Naia Rico's and Jean-Sebastien Boileau's house and sorted out my invitations as ritual.

My nice little pile of invites had the coolest shows. Amongst the invitations I normally get invited to, I had the pleasure of looking forward to some other amazing shows I haven't got to see yet. Also, I had a troop from London that would be coming to the shows with me too. So excited about the week ahead.

Camilla Reinholdt and Flore Faucheux

Teresa Elizabeth Hooper, Mai-Ling Dwyer, Sarah Young and Roeland Van Straalen were already in town although I haven’t seen them as yet, but I promised to hang out with my Parisian friend Flore Faucheux and The Great Dane, Camilla Reinholdt! Camilla is now living in Paris to learn French and was so excited to see her again.

designs by AF Vandevorst. Photographs courtesy from Vogue

We all met up for the AF Vandevorst show at the Garage Turene. There was a shaky beginning with the PR guy not letting the girls in. I was waiting patiently but then this old guy started being mean and shouting in French to me. So embarrassing but my fault kind of.

View the whole collection and read the review of AF Vandevorst on Vogue

design by AF Vandevorst

design by AF Vandevorst. Photographs courtesy from Vogue

This season, AF Vandevorst kept it simple doing a straight up and down catwalk. Last season was confusing with 5 models on the catwalk doing zigzags. This show was slick, smart and cool. AF Vandevorst even got away with stockings over the models' heads.

Apart from the mix up at the beginning, this was an amazing start to my Paris Fashion Week. Nothing like a big show to get things started.

I felt bad not seeing Teresa and Mai-Ling but I'm sure I'll see them lots during the week.

xx

Albie!!

London Fashion Week A/W 09/10: Day 5 & "Look at That Doggy in the Window"

2009-03-23T16:14:00.017Z

The last day of London Fashion Week got off to a crap start with the taxi dude taking me the longest way ever to the Science Museum thus making me late to the Osman Yusefzada show. I was right at the back standing BEHIND all the standing people.

View the whole collection and read the review of Osman Yusefzada on Vogue

Designs by Osman Yusefzada. Photographs courtesy from Vogue

designs by Osman Yusefzada

Stupid taxi pricks. Especially old school drivers who refuse/don’t want Satellite Navigation. But then I guess the ones without Sat Nav make the most money cos they skank everyone. I wonder what the law is if I think they ripped me off. Can I refuse to pay? I was so looking forward to this show as well...

Later I went to the Bora Aksu show again at the Science Museum. We were greeted by a really long queue. Queues make me dizzy so Teresa Elizabeth Hooper and Mai-Ling Dwyer and me chilled out to the side away from everyone. A few seconds later, a guy from the Bora Aksu team came up to me and said, "Follow me". We skipped the dreaded line and took our seats.

View the whole collection and read the review of Bora Aksu on Vogue

Design by Bora Aksu

Designs by Bora Aksu

It was another great collection with lots of layers and fabrics effortlessly put together.

cool girl at Emma Bell

A designer with their own distinct style and a funky following is Emma Bell. Even the waiting area where everyone is held is a mini show in itself with lots of people paying homage to the designer by wearing the craziest outfits seen at London Fashion Week. Drag queens, DIY Emma Bell accessories and just all things wacky were among the crowd. For a designer that never shows her face, it is so great she has such a huge following.

performance artist Scottee doing his thing

design by Emma Bell

The show started with performance art from Scottee along with a violinist. Scottee sang, “Look at that Doggy in the Window” with a dog suit on. Jodie Harsh and a couple of the cutest dogs rocked the catwalk.

Rosie Llewelyn wearing Emma Bell

My favourite piece is the gingerbread man dress that opened the show with my friend Rosie Llewelyn wearing it.

Alice Dellal wearing House of Blue Eyes. Photograph courtesy from www.zimbio.com

naked lady at House of Blue Eyes

From showmanship to just weird, gross and over-the-top, the last show of London Fashion Week was House of Blue Eyes. Except seeing Alice Dellal topless and other girls literally naked, this show was not that interesting. Too packed with not much order, lots of random sexual things happening, just a weird show. Some people even started walking out while the show was going on. I guess House of Blue Eyes wanted to make a statement in their London Fashion Week debut show but this was not the way to do it.

Apart from the shows, free parties, glitz and glamour of London Fashion Week, what makes London Fashion Week special are all the different people I meet and hang out with. For during London Fashion Week, the tiny world of fashion unites and rocks the world! Here are some of the cool people that I spent time with…

Teresa Elizabeth Hooper and Jill Hilbrenner

Model, Sosheba

Sarah Young of Socialite Style

Jill Hilbrenner and Paul Persky

Fifi and Albie Espinola

Albie Espinola and Mai-Ling Dwyer

Albie Espinola, Rebekah Roy and Ada Zanditon

Albie Espinola and Hannah Marshall

Tracy Rose

Bring on next season!

xx

Albie!!

London Fashion Week A/W 09/10: Day 4 & The Debut of William Tempest

2009-02-26T05:06:00.020Z

Out of every show this season, the debut collection of William Tempest I was most excited about. I've known William Tempest for a few years, way back when he was at London College of Fashion producing collections even in his first year. He showed his small collections at a few of the shows I produced and you just knew he was going to be a star someday.

View the whole collection and read the review of William Tempest on Vogue

designs by William Tempest. Photographs courtesy from Vogue

design by William Tempest

So much hype was surrounding his show. He was in the papers as one to watch, he had backing from Vauxhall and also had huge names in the fashion industry scream his name. This was his moment, with the world of fashion looking on.

design by William Tempest

This was the biggest audience I've ever seen at that venue for a show not named Emma Bell. With the exception of a few friends and family, all the top fashion writers and buyers filled the room.

middle: Emma Watson

Some names I recognised in attendance were Hilary Alexander (Fashion Director of the Telegraph), Emma Watson (the girl in Harry Potter) and Sophie Anderton. I'm sure there were more but just don’t know their names.

design by William Tempest

I can't imagine how William must have been feeling showing his collection on this scale with so many important eyes on him. But as Rebekah Roy said, "you don't need to be nervous this season, it's next season you should be worried about". So true.

William Tempest on the catwalk saying "hello"

Everything was flawless. Top models to show off his clothes, designs were great and the atmosphere just amazing. So proud of William...the star is shining bright.

London Fashion Week A/W 09/10: Day 3 & The Hayley Hunt

2009-02-26T05:05:00.008Z

Hayley Nye and me were supposed to catch the morning shows together but I literally couldn't move from my bed. Every single muscle in my body would not respond. It was a weird and scary feeling but quite funny at the same time.

London Fashion Week had already taken its toll. Normally it would be after Day 5 of London Fashion Week I’d feel like this but just go on adrenalin for the last day. Hayley seemed pissed off but I hope she understands how hectic London Fashion Week is...well at least for me.

Ekat Kiseleva modelling for Louise Amstrup

design by Louise Amstrup

Teresa Elizabeth Hooper and Albie Espinola at Louise Amstrup

Read the Louise Amstrup review on The Fashion Scout

When I finally gathered enough energy to get out the house (5pm), my first stop was the Louise Amstrup show in South Kensington. I met up with Teresa Elizabeth Hooper who again had make-up on! I know most girls wear make-up so nothing special there but in the short time I’ve known her she hardly wears any. Not that she needs any, as she’s so pretty without it. She also she dressed cooler too! There is a swagger about Teresa being at the shows. My official assistant is getting caught up in this "fashion stuff".

Sado Fashion at the Science Museum was my late show. I sat next to the coolest dog...forgot the doggies name but we got along great. And yeah, the dog and me loved the show!

cool dog

Elena Hell modelling for Sado Fashion

Teresa and I also spotted Elena Hell modelling. She looked cool on the catwalk.

With Teresa being my “assistant”, but with the intention of going to the shows with Hayley, I gave my Assistant Press Pass for the exhibition/media room to Hayley the night before. Because I didn't meet Hayley during the day, Teresa was desperate to get the Press Pass back before Hayley went back home to Surrey with it. The Hayley hunt was on…

randoms at the Pink Party

Hayley said she would be at the PPQ after party in Piccadilly but after the shows, Teresa and I got sidetracked when Courtney Blackman invited us to the Pink Party at the Metropolitan Hotel.

We caught up with a few fashion people, had a couple of cocktails and had a browse around the showrooms. We had a little sneak peek at William Tempest’s debut collection. Pretty impressive but it was always going to be a great collection, especially with Rebekah Roy styling it and the great team he had behind him. I tried not to look too much so I chucked myself out of the room.

Sienna Miller celebrating after her first London Fashion Week show

Julia Smith (a designer who showed on Day 1) had a room for her collection too. I got chatting to their PR person who is also called Julia (her last name Nelson). I didn't give a good account of myself because when asked how I liked the show I replied, "okay…I guess?" and pulled a half un-approving face. However, Julia Smith herself was standing right next to Julia Nelson and me! Julia Nelson and I chatted loads and even dragged her to the Twenty8Twelve (by Sienna and Savannah Miller) after party with Teresa. It was the sisters’ first London Fashion Week show and they were beaming!

Just after midnight, Teresa and I managed to at last track down Hayley and co. at the PPQ after party. Teresa was so happy to be reunited with the Press Pass.

Elena Hell at the Chinese with Teresa and I at 1am

Starving after running around London, we were on our way to Chinatown where we bumped into Elena Hell. Elena Hell was loafing about because Meredith Louise Adams (Elena was staying with Meredith during fashion week) went to dinner thus locking out Elena from her apartment. So to pass time, Elena watched Teresa and I chomp down food.

I thought I was bad with chilly sauce but Teresa is the Queen of spice! Literally every spoonful she has, she puts a big dollop of chilly oil on. So disgusting but admirable.

London Fashion Week A/W 09/10: Day 2 & "Oh Albie...I Look So Pretty"

2009-02-26T05:04:00.016Z

Like in New York, there were women outside the tents protesting about why models aren't of all shapes, sizes and colour. They all wore these yellow T-shirts with a slogan saying, "Models of Diversity". I kind of see what they were getting at but a lot of the women protesting just weren't that pretty! I jest, I jest…

"Models of Diversity"

Albie Espinola

While I was waiting for Teresa Elizabeth Hooper just outside the tents, one of the protestors asked if I could wear one of the T-shirts in to the show. I said "safe" and all of a sudden, they had me wearing the T-shirt, giving an interview into a Dictaphone and had the press take loads of photographs of me. As soon as I got in to the tents, I chickened out and took the T-shirt off. I guess I just didn’t believe in their cause enough. What can I say? I LOVE models.

Teresa Elizabeth Hooper, Jasmine Shalkoie and Sarah Young

Hater vision. View of whoever sits behind me at the shows. Photograph courtesy from Shelly Asquith

John Rocha was the first show of the day. The John Rocha show was already pretty much rammed when I walked inside and so the PR lady said to just "squeeze in wherever you can". I spotted Sarah Young along with her assistant, Jasmine Shalkoie on second row so made space for Teresa to sit with them. Me? I was cheeky and asked the front row to move a few inches to the left and to the right to squeeze me in. She did say, "Wherever you can"...

Read the John Rocha review on Vogue

Designs by John Rocha. Photograph courtesy from Catwalking

Design by John Rocha

John Rocha

I adored John Rocha’s Tudor inspired designs and even more him as a person. He looked so chilled and such a nice guy when I saw him giving interviews to the press after the show.

Design by Romeo Pires

Romeo Pires was next on our agenda. This time, Teresa, Sarah Young and I all had front row. The show had good intentions, with a cool concept having the models looking as if they were walking in reverse because the clothes and accessories seemed back-to-front. However, the "reverse concept" had the worse execution ever!

Read the Romeo Pires review on Fashion Scout

Hole in the catwalk. Design by Romeo Pires

The models had these clogged shoes on with the heel by the toe, which added to the reverse concept. However, the shoes made at least 5 of the models lose balance. One of which was Elena Hell who said she was so embarrassed. Another model tripped so badly, she ripped a hole in the catwalk! Each time a model lost balance, there were huge gasps and everyone started feeling sorry for the girls. Hopefully lesson learned for Romeo Pires.

Teresa Elizabeth Hooper with her new hairstyle

In between shows, Teresa and I hung out at the Media Lounge where Teresa got herself a haircut from Toni & Guy. They gave her a cool fringe and then she got her make-up done in Mac. With Teresa’s spanking makeover, she felt a different person and said in her sweet little voice, "Oh Albie...I look so pretty". She always does but the way she said it was so funny.

Design by Horace

Fifi and Albie Espinola

Teresa showed off her new look at the Horace fashion show. Teresa sat with Sarah and I plotted with Fifi, who writes for Book Moda, a £48 fashion magazine. Go figure but she says I'm in issue 101 so might have to pick up the courage and buy it in Harrods, or steal it!

Read the Horace review on Fashion Scout

Stephanie Cordoba on the catwalk. Designs by Horace

To my surprise and excitement, Stephanie Cordoba was modelling! The models were made to look raw, androgynous with pure attitude. I loved it all.

Xx

Albie!!

London Fashion Week A/W 09/10: Day 1 & A Little Prance

2009-02-26T01:40:00.021Z

This season, London Fashion Week is only 5 days which sucks (not including the Menswear day), because New York and Milan wanted to extend their ones therefore made London shorter.

I woke up especially at 3am to sort out all the tickets I had for the week. I typed my fashion show list on a Word Document with the name of show, date, time and address of the venue then copied it on to my phone. Some shows I marked with a * in case they crossed over and had to make a choice. By the time I finished writing out the list, it was 6am but was too excited to sleep! So Mai-Ling Dwyer “woke me up” at 8:30am and off we went to the Natural History Museum to watch the first show of London Fashion Week: Paul Costelloe with his Autumn/Winter 09/10 collection.

Harold Tilman opening London Fashion Week

To officially open London Fashion Week, Harold Tilman, the Chairman of the British Fashion Council gave a speech before the show. After welcoming everyone, Harold announced that it is to be the last year the BFC Tent will be held at the Natural History Museum. From next season onward, it will be relocated to the more central setting of Somerset House, on the Strand. I hope the On/Off and Off schedule shows relocate too around that area as travelling is LONG.

Designs by Paul Costelloe

Erin O'Connor

This was Mai-Ling's first experience at London Fashion Week but I think I was more excited than she was. Sitting opposite Mai and I was Erin O'Connor but she's everywhere, I even saw her in my local Sainsbury's once.

Mai-Ling Dwyer at the Media Centre

Mac right by the Media Centre

After the show, we chilled out in the "Media Centre" where there are Apple computers for the Press to report on shows, complimentary nibbles and drinks...and the coolest part, especially for girls, a Mac and Toni & Guy station. There, you could drop in and get your make-up done and get your hair styled before going in to the shows! All for free…

Albie Espinola and Meredith Louise Adams at the Caroline Charles show

The next show I took Meredith Louise Adams to the Caroline Charles show. I had only met Meredith a few days before over dinner through mutual friends at the Punchbowl, Mayfair that is owned by Guy Ritchie (who was actually there munching). At the dinner, Meredith sat opposite me along with model Elena Hell. Elena said she was confirmed for the Caroline Charles show and as I had a spare invite, I took Meredith as they are really close friends.

Designs by Caroline Charles

Anastasiya Pavlenko modelling for Caroline Charles

Elena Hell modelling for Caroline Charles

On the catwalk also, was my friend Anastasiya Pavlenko. Her outfit made her look like Lara Croft from Tomb Raider (which is a great thing). It was the first time I have seen Anastasiya on the catwalk so was nice to her strut her stuff on the big stage.

Mai-Ling Dwyer, Albie Espinola and Sarah Young at the Julia Smith show

Meredith left after the Caroline Charles show, so Mai and I went over to the Vauxhall Fashion Scout to watch ethical designer, Julia Smith.

Designs by Julia Smith. Sosheba on the right wearing the "pigeon step dress"

Julia Smith's show was running pretty smooth until disaster struck midway. Another model friend of mine, Sosheba, was modelling. One of her outfits, she had to wear a really tight dress that stayed tight right down to her ankles. It was so tight she had to take pigeon steps down the catwalk. It took forever for Sosheba to walk up and down. People started giggling but I was completely wetting myself. Poor Sosheba but I could not help it! I laughed all the way to the end of the show and what made it worse, I was on front row. It looked so unprofessional but “not gonna lie”…that dress was horribly designed!

I saw Sosheba after the show and we laughed so hard! In fairness, apart from that dress, the prints on the designs I really liked.

Other shows I watched on Day 1 included:

Alexander Groover

Designs by Alexandra Groover

xx

Albie!!

On Singlet-ness & Jourdan Dunn Painting

2009-02-09T07:50:00.007Z

"Everything happens for a reason. Every action has a reaction. Always remember that what's meant to be will always find a way to come about."

I always believed that stuff happens for a reason. Like there’s some sort of path or many paths to choose from and we walk them. Some paths lead to somewhere yum, other paths lead to the crappiest places ever! But tis fine as hopefully we’ll find our way…

A couple of weeks ago on a Tuesday, I met 2 girls called Mai-Ling Dwyer and Teresa Elizabeth Hooper. Laura Burns half-introduced us at Whisky Mist in Park Lane. Teresa (1/2 English, 1/4 Chinese, 1/4 Japanese) works for Abercrombie & Fitch and Mai-Ling (Jamaican / Chinese) studies law and fashion womenswear.

Teresa Elizabeth Hooper and Mai-Ling Dwyer

Both of them seemed a bit down from being dumped by their boyfriends very recently. One was a horrible dumpage, the other not quite so. I had an inkling I too was soon was going to join them in singlet-ness so I was empathetic toward them. Turns out, my inkling was right.

Only a week later last Wednesday, I joined the single world from being dumped as well. However, I felt the relationship was coming to an end from her side over the last few weeks while she was away oversees. In this case, distance didn’t make the heart grow fonder…

The reasons? Rather not get into it now but not good. I was truly so upset but with help from Teresa, Mai-Ling and other great friends they made me see sense of it all. They listened while I talked and gave me advice. But what made me realise I was going to be okay was simply to make me laugh.

I was on the phone to Ahmed Jaber (old school friend) and he was cracking jokes (like he always does), to cheer me up. First I smiled, and then after a while just started laughing my head off at his jokes. The moment I laughed, I knew I'd be just fine.

So anyways, the hopeless-with-love-trio (Tess, Mai and moi), find ourselves in the healing of heart process. For me, the key is to keep oneself so busy and get on with life, follow your dreams and rock! Not that simple but definitely doable.

Tess and Mai were already good friends but we've all become close keeping ourselves literally 24/7 entertained by hanging out, dinners, hot chocs and when not together we're on Skype doing conference calls while we get our work done. Pathetic? Probably...but at least it keeps us smiling.

Jourdan Dunn wearing Nicole Farhi. Drawing by Albie Espinola

My new drawing features arguably the hottest model in Britain, Jourdan Dunn. In my ink drawing / watercolour, the London born model is wearing Nicole Farhi S/S '09 from when I attended their show in the Royal Opera House in London.

Jourdan Dunn modelling for Topshop

A Few Facts
First Name: Jourdan
Last Name: Dunn
Nationality: British
Height: 5’10.5
Eye Colour: Brown
Agency: Storm Model Management

Jourdan Dunn on the cover of ID Magazine

Campaigns: Jourdan Dunn has been featured on the covers of Vogue UK, Elle Paris and ID Magazine. She has also done campaigns for Topshop and Benetton.

Art Facts
Jourdan Dunn
Designer: Nicole Farhi S/S '09
London Fashion Week
16 by 20 inches
ink and water colour on water colour paper

by Albie Espinola

Happy Valentines Day to everyone this weekend. I wish everyone truth and love...

xx

Albie!!

Snow & Giles Deacon Party

2009-02-04T14:53:00.007Z

Last week was an exhausting week physically with me working loads, going out tons and doing lots of fun stuff. Literally I’d be up most hours of the day and night to squeeze everything in. The only sleep I had was power naps.

Snowman on Tottenham Court Road. Made by Albie Espinola, Georgia Goodrick and cool randoms

So on Sunday after having a proper sleep for the first time in days, I woke up to the snow falling outside. It was such a nice feeling. Sunday is my chilled day, so all day I watched films, looked out the window every now and again watching the snow and flicked rubber bands at a wooden Buddha during adverts. Georgia said it was disrespectful to the religion so I stopped...

The news said it was the most snow seen in London for 18 years. I remember 18 years ago when it snowed like that as if it was yesterday. I was in primary school, Barlby Primary School and had a crazy snowball fight with my bestest friends at the time, Tu Ming Chau, Jay Smith and Hoa Tran in the playground.

Georgia Goodrick in the snow

18 years later, I played in the snow with Georgia Goodrick. I even made my first snowman right in the middle of Tottenham Court Road. It was so much fun and a day I'll never forget.

Fire in the chippy!

Albie Espinola chilling out with a blankie in Starbucks

The morning after on Day 2 of the snow, I had the rudest wake up call…at 8am! The chip shop below was on fire so the Police banged on the front door to evacuate the building. I crapped myself as it felt like a scene from Crimewatch UK with burglars trying to break in. As soon as the police said “Fire!” I was out of bed in a second, got dressed and sprinted out the door. All good as I just went to the Starbucks by Goodge Street Station for 2 hours and got free coffee while the fire got put out. No one got injured but the chippy will be out of service for a while.

Rebecca Cella at the Giles/Swarovski Party

Earlier on in the week Rebecca Cella and I attended the Giles Deacon for Swarovski party held at the Swarovski offices in Piccadilly. It was the launch of a project called "In the Studio" where Giles Deacon gets interviewed about how he got into fashion, his business model and thought process in his designs. I kept getting distracted so didn’t watch it fully but looked really interesting. It was such a fun party. Pretty formal for a fashion party, but I got so drunk from all the champagne that flowed. I think everyone did!

Albie Espinola, Rebecca Cella and a couple of guests at the Giles/Swarovski party

Rebecca Cella, Maria N (used to go Central St.Martins with me but never spoke) and Dodo Mu

Teaches me to do my fashion homework before I attend these things. I know Giles’ name but I didn't know his face and said to Rebecca, "so where is Giles then?"...he was standing right next to me. Gutted. I was so embarrassed.

Xx

Albie!!

Nathalie Quere Painting & A Mean Lady

2009-01-29T02:10:00.010Z

I'm a nice person, but sometimes do let my mean streak out. I reckon 93:7 ratio I’ve got a good heart. Even if I do have a horrible thought, most of the time I keep it to myself, give a cheeky smile and let the good prevail.

If a random is being a prick to me for whatever reason, I allow it. If a friend annoys me off, I let it go in no time. “Choose your emotions”, someone once said to me. However, there is a line and will shoot something back if it goes too far. It keeps me sane.

Confrontations were never my thing unless it was in a boxing ring but even then, there are rules in there. My brother's girlfriend tried to give me verbal abuse once. In fact, she tries to push my buttons all the time for some reason but I just ignore her and let it go. On this particular occasion, I took the lickings for a good 10 minutes before I had enough and retaliated.

Here is the story. I was out to dinner in Covent Garden with my friend, Jonalyn Andreou. It was mid-June but that evening was so damn cold. So after dinner at 9pm, I called my brother who lives above the restaurant I was at to borrow a jumper so I would be warm while driving on my scooter.

An hour later, I got a call from my brother's girlfriend. She ripped into me saying I disturbed their house and I should not bother them late at night. It was only 9pm and he is my brother! She then went further saying that I only visit when I want something and how I use them. In my head I was thinking, "what is this crazy lady talking about?” As with every other run in with her, I would chill until she had enough.

On this occasion, enough for her meant her talking in my ear forever. She kept nagging how I borrow stuff all the time, I go there when I'm hungry and she even had the cheek to mention money! What made it worse was that she's got a voice like Janice from Friends but a thick Italian version (where she's from).

Firstly, if I'm around central London, which I am a lot I'll go say hello to my BROTHER once in a while. However, in the last year, I have only visited their house 3 times.

And me borrowing stuff from them? That was the only time I asked to borrow something from my brother. A jumper so I would not get sickly.

With the food comment, everyone knows I can only eat peoples’ food if I feel “comfortable” with the person. She's not one of them. In fact, whenever I go to their house I always eat something beforehand and bring a bottle of water to drink from. I say no whenever they offer food or drink.

She insinuated that I go there asking for money and that’s what pushed me over the edge and so I said, "Are you being serious? I make my own money, more than you…I never ask to borrow money from anyone.”

So as said, after 10 minutes of her rambling I put her straight and shot off some nasty comments of my own. All guns blazing.

Nathalie Quere. Photograph courtesy from Storm Model Management

Some people in this world are literally angels with not a bad bone in their body and are just the nicest people ever. Not in an annoying way, they are just pure angels. No other word for it. In my life, there are 2 that I know. One of them is Maria Lintott who I went to Central Saint Martins with and the other is Nathalie Quere. I wasn’t close at all to Maria but always admired how she took everything in her stride.

Albie Espinola, Nathalie Quere and Melissa Chevalier

Nathalie Quere is a cool friend of mine and shares the same quality as Maria. Nathalie’s a model but I always joke that she is just too nice for the fashion industry where people can be so harsh. Jaime Cooke of Muks (http://www.muklukstore.com) and I were talking about Nathalie because at the time Nathalie was doing the Muks campaign. Jaime said how Nathalie was the sweetest girl to work with. No ego and not one complaint from her through the 2-day photo shoot. She just got on with work and rocked. That's my Nathalie.

Nathalie Quere. Painting by Albie Espinola

This painting/ink drawing was inspired from when Nathalie and Melissa Chevalier came out partying last week with me.

A few facts on Nathalie Quere
First Name: Nathalie
Last Name: Quere
Nationality: British
Height: 5’9
Eye Colour: Blue
Agency: Storm Model Management

Nathalie Quere in the Muks campaign. Photograph courtesy from Storm Model Management

Campaigns: Nathalie shall be in the Spring/Summer '09 campaign for Muks.

Art Facts
Nathalie Quere
12 by 9 inches ink, watercolour and gold leaf on watercolour paper
by Albie Espinola

Xx

Albie!!

President Obama & Eniko Mihalik

2009-01-22T03:32:00.006Z

I’m so gutted I missed the President Barack Obama inauguration speech live. At the last minute, I decided to go to a coffee shop and hang out with Sarah Hilleary munching on her cakes. To make up for it, I watched the replay on CNN like fifty times and followed his 10 parties all through the night. The best party by far was with Beyonce singing “At Last” while President Obama and his wife slow danced. It was the most amazing scene with pure love filling the room. He’s gonna rock as President of the United States.

Eniko Mihalik. Art by Albie Espinola

Eniko Mihalik is one of the hottest faces in the modelling world. In my ink drawing / watercolour, the Hungarian born model is wearing Leonard Paris S/S '09 from when I attended their show in Paris. I love my ink drawings with my Bics but this one took forever! 2 days worth of drawing this was. Not quite forever but felt like it. I'm so glad I documented the piece after all that.

For the music, I chose Holly Harding's song "Cool". I actually use the song as my alarm clock to wake me up. Some people use annoying sounds but that would piss me off and I’ll have a grumpy morning. I like to wake up with a smile and carry it on through the day, so I use Cool, by my darling Holly Harding.

Eniko Mihalik. Photograph courtesy from Fashion Spot

A few facts on Eniko Mihalik
First Name: Eniko
Last Name: Mihalik
Nationality: Hungarian
Height: 5’10
Eye Colour: Green

Eniko Mihalik on the cover of ID Magazine. Photograph courtesy from Storm Model Management

Campaigns: Eniko is one of the faces of MaxMara and has done the Gucci campaign. In the January 2009 issue of ID Magazine, Eniko was the cover girl

During the Spring/Summer ’09 shows in New York, Milan and Paris, Eniko modelled in 57 scheduled shows, opening 4 and closing 3.

Art Facts
Eniko Mihalik
Designer: Leonard Paris S/S '09
Paris Fashion Week
16 by 20 inches
ink and water colour on water colour paper

by Albie Espinola

Xx

Albie!!

A Self Portrait

2009-01-13T21:13:00.006Z

For the first time in years, I did a self-portrait. Taking centre stage with me in the piece is Stephanie Cordoba.

Adoration: Stephanie Cordoba and Albie Espinola. Mixed Media drawing by Albie Espinola

As with a lot of friends, I would meet up with them around my area or Kensington in one of the coffee shops. With Stephanie, it's actually a happy medium and not me being lazy to travel because Storm Model Management is close-ish on King's Road.

We sit, preferably on a couch, with me grabbing a Mocha and Stephanie getting a hot chocolate. We talk about what we have been up to, the future and random things. What I like about Stephanie is that she has dreams and is going for them...like myself. Some people drift through life without living their dreams, if they have any, which is fine...but "fine is not good enough. I want extraordinary". Always a funny time with Stephanie and makes my day every time I see her.

A few facts on Stephanie Cordoba:

First Name: Stephanie
Last Name: Cordoba
Nationality: Columbia / Britain
Date of Birth: August 1989
Height: 5' 10"
Eye Colour: Brown
Agency: Storm Model Management

Stephanie Cordoba. Photograph courtesy from Storm Model Management

Campaigns: Stephanie has appeared in British Vogue and numerous magazines

Art facts:
Adoration
Stephanie Cordoba and Albie Espinola
12 by 9 inches
Ink, acrylic and water colour on thick water colour paper

by Albie Espinola

Melissa Chevalier and Albie Espinola

Going for coffee is the best. Sometimes I'll put on a pair of tracksuit bottoms, make myself comfy in Kitchen and Pantry and get loads of work done. Anyways, I was having a conversation with my Air Hostess friend, Melissa Chevalier and she says that according to the rules, "if a girl asks a guy to go for coffee it means technically it is not a date…it’s a thing that friends do." Therefore if a guy asks a girl out to coffee, it is a date! Is this true? For the record, Stephanie asks me to coffee and I don't ask her (so no Georgia beats please). Also, according to Melissa, if a girl wants a date she will instead say "lets go for a drink" or something. Hmm! Oh, I've never got the concept of dates...

John Carew, Gesche Thoennes and Laura Burns. Water colour by Albie Espinola

When I was in New York for Fashion Week, I did a sketch of my model friend Gesche Thoennes while sitting on the especially laid grass in the Rockefeller Center half watching the US Open Tennis. I completely forgot about the drawing but Gesche recently reminded me of it the other day. So, as a present for her moving back to London (she has been jet setting last few months) I gave her the drawing while out partying the other night. She hugged it loads and showed everyone. It now sits in her room...

Xx

Albie!

Happy New Year & Sheila Marquez Painting

2009-01-07T14:00:00.006Z

Happy New Year!!

I haven’t written in ages because it was the festive season and felt like chilling out. Well hardly chilling out as I went to loads of Xmas parties (including the Jingle Bell Ball at the O2 Arena) but also did the usual of eating loads, watching loads of films and thinking about the year gone past. I think it’s cool that I wrote about all the happenings in my life. I did quite a bit and hope it will only get better. And I wish it will for everyone too.

Svetlana Sysoyeva and I at the Jingle Bell Ball

Stine Bramsen and Albie Espinola at the Jingle Bell Ball after party...cool girl

I had so many highlights. From going to Fashion Week in London, Paris and New York, all the amazing people that walked into my life and especially my 10k run for charity.

At the end of last year my 2 favourite hang out places have closed forever in Paper and Chinawhite. Not because of me but they are turning the whole of Café Royal into a hotel. Gutted, but spending last weekend in from not partying was quite refreshing. I’ve narrowed it down to 2 new places I wouldn’t mind hanging out in and having good times.

So now I'm relaxed, chilled and raring to go! Actually, I've turned into a little insomniac recently and having the oddest sleeping patterns. Stupid winter blues. Worse still, sometimes I'd wake up at 4:30pm which means I've slept through all the little daylight we get. What I would give to be in a hot place like Thailand right about this second drinking a milkshake.

Sheila Marquez. By Albie Espinola

Anyways, I’ve done a new painting! For a rising star, Sheila Marquez is pretty old in the modelling world even though she is only 23. The Spanish beauty is wearing BCBG Max Azria S/S '09 from when I attended their show in New York City. I remember Sheila distinctly because everyone I was sitting by, men, women were saying how beautiful she was when she walked down the catwalk and the clicks from the cameras were going nuts. She is tres yum.

Sheila Marquez. Photographs courtesy from Women Management

A few facts on Sheila Marquez
First Name: Sheila
Last Name: Marquez
Nationality: Spanish
Height: 5’9 ½
Eye Colour: Brown

Campaigns: She is currently in the campaign for Dolce & Gabbana and has shot for Vogue numerous times.

During the Spring/Summer ’09 shows in New York, Milan and Paris, Sheila modelled in 36 scheduled shows closing 2.

Painting Facts Sheila Marquez
Designer: BCBG Max Azria S/S '09
New York Fashion Week
18 by 24 inches
Oil on canvas

by Albie Espinola

Xx

Albie!!