Happy New Year, or welcome to the first month of 2024! January is one of those months where we are still processing the Christmas madness and all the food we consumed, it's the time when most people settle at home as it's cold outside, plus we all make a promise to not drink alcohol for a month hence the lack of excuse to go out. But here I would like to suggest that January is better than December, it's in fact the best month to treat yourself with the final reduction sales. Nothing brings more joy than going for a walk around Central London on a quiet January afternoon (unlike the December circus, yes, I have a conspiracy why that junction is called Oxford Circus), shopping, picking a quiet little café around the corner for a break and a moment to catch up with friends. Below is a list of my suggestions of things to do this month in the city. Twelfth Night London's annual Twelfth Night celebrations mix ancient customs with modern festivities, making for a bizarre and eclectic event. Head to the riverside near Shakespeare's Globe to witness wassailing, The Holly Man (or Green Man) being paraded across the river, dramatic performances, and a chance to be crowned King or Queen for the day by finding a bean or a pea in a cake. Like we said, an odd (but fascinating) one. FREE, 7 January RuPaul's DragCon More than 175 queens are on the line-up at RuPaul's DragCon at ExCeL Centre, including stars from 13 international franchises of the show such as Canada, Spain and Thailand. Full schedule TBC at time of writing, but expect appearances and performances on both the main stage and pink carpet. 13-14 January London Art Fair The capital's art scene swings into action for the year at the London Art Fair at the Business Design Centre in Islington. Focus is on modern and contemporary pieces, with galleries from all over London and beyond exhibiting. 17-21 January Balloon Museum Why not kick-off the new year with one of the most unique of London’s new art exhibits at the Balloon Museum. This fully interactive experience allows visitors to go on a journey through over the top, oversized, and emotive immersive installations with unexpected shapes. Billed as ‘art you can feel’, head here to get a burst of static electricity to blow the January cobwebs off. Torstig Bar After a few weeks of heavy drinking and eating, many of us resort to dry January as a way to reset our bodies. Torstig Bar is the perfect spot to do so - alcohol free bar where you can catch up with friends without the temptation of alcohol. Visit Maddox Gallery for ''Dreamland'' Maddox Gallery offers a new exhibition by Russell Young this January which explores the celebrity as a cultural phenomenon. The exhibition needs to be on your cultural list to help fuel your curiosity. It showcases a new body of work by Young, featuring images taken by legendary photographers Terry O’Neill and Gered Mankowitz.

Claridge’s unveiled this year’s Christmas tree - a sculpture made from Louis Vuitton wardrobe trunks that stands 17 feel tall in the hotel lobby. This year the hotel invited Louis Vuitton to design their vision of a Christmas tree, previous years, the hotel has seen designs by Jimmy Choo in 2022 resembling a diamond, or the 2021 Dior’s Kim Jones design titled ‘Celestial Snow Globe’. The sculpture this year is composed of 15 chrome, repurposed trunks that have been stacked to create the silhouette of a traditional Christmas tree, and styled to reflect the Art Deco aesthetic of the hotel. At the top of the tree is a model of Asnières, the Louis Vuitton family home and atelier in a northern suburb of Paris. Scattered across the silvery trunks and amid the snowy landscape of the tree there are 21 figurines, including one of Father Christmas. Both the hotel and the brand share a rich history. Established in 1854, they boast strong connections to Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III. Louis Vuitton served as the personal "layetier" to the Empress, responsible for crafting her array of luggage and expertly packing her bags. The French royal made Claridge’s her winter residence, and she received so many visits from Queen Victoria that the hotel came to be known as the “annex” to Buckingham Palace.

Some of the biggest stars of American pop culture gathered in New York in the American Museum Of Natural History for the CFDA 2023 Awards, presented by Sarah Jessica Parker. What's CFDA? The Council of Fashion Designers of America is a not-for-profit association founded in 1962 and has around 500 members consisting of American fashion, jewellery and accessories designers. This won't be a fashion show in the 20s if Kim Kardashian was not the first in line, so there she is: Kim showed up in a halterneck leather dress from Chrome Hearts adorned with crosses. Very simple styling, no jewellery with a messy bun, but perfectly sculpted on the body. Serena Williams arrived dressed in Thom Browne. She received a lot of heat online for her look but the interesting combination of silky metallic organza draping on the sleeves, along with the gorgeous black sequin dress make for a great evening look. The silhouette around the waist isn't so flattering, as well as the bulky straps, and perhaps these are the only drawbacks of this look, but other than that, it's cute, it works, and we are here for it. Lola Tung arrived in a stunning Balmain dress which beautifully accentuated her waist and would actually be considered fairly minimal for the brand. Karlie Kloss made an entrance with a Thom Browne all black look, which looked like was held together by buttons, and they were the ones shaping the dress to her body, which created an interesting almost pulled and perfected boxy silhouette. Vanessa Hudgens wore a long ball gown with a plunging neck and thigh-high split by Vera Wang. To complete the outfit, the gown was complemented by a pair of leather theatre gloves and black chunky shoes. The Cruella Deville of the fashion world - Winnie Harlow arrived in a stunning Marc Jacobs dress, which beautifully wrapped around her body in a polka dot black on black pattern. Emma Chamberlain picked a laundry basket up on the way and forgot to drop it off, so here we are... Not much else to say really... Gwyneth Paltrow could have stayed home really, but decided to show up in the end, wearing a messy high waisted? skirt with a high split, and a turtleneck? Anyways, moving on.

The Yield Gallery in Soho has just announced a highly anticipated private viewing press night, titled “Urban Impressions”. It features an exceptional lineup of renowned artists including Fern, Richard Hambleton, Mathew Marquis, Basquiat, Banksy, and Mr Controversial. "Urban Impressions" brings together some of the most influential and innovative artists in the genre. The event aims to celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of street art while paying homage to the visionary works of these iconic artists. Highlighted Artists: 1. Fern: A British Painter Fern’s style displays the influence of a variety of contemporary painters and draws upon imagery from mid century posters. As a female artist Fern often demonstrates a joy in self assured femininity and female sexuality and expresses overt or implicit of the "man's world" in which she lives. Her rebellious art, combined with her free- spirited lifestyle, has made Fern a herald of today’s feminist culture that appeals to many contemporary collectors. 2. Richard Hambleton: Widely regarded as the godfather of street art a title he rejected began in 1976 with his mass murder series. Selling in cities across the world Richard Hambleton became an established artist.As Rochard became more established he began to paint on canvas, but fame didn’t satisfy Hambleton and by the nineties with a ever worsening drug habit he had fallen out of view. In 2011an exhibition touring milan, Moscow, cannes, paris then back to New York had catapulted Hambleton to high esteem and twice he appeared on the cover of Life magazine.in 2017 Oren Jacoby produced an award winning documentary shadowman which premiered at the TriBeca film festival. 3. Mathew Marquis: Matthew Marquis 42 is an American contemporary artist that inspires his oil paintings on canvas with a wide range of grotesque figures with bulging eyes, bulbous cheeks, proliferating limbs, and fractured faces evoke the allure and abjection of a carnival. Marquis has been painting for over 20 years in his hometown of Telford, Pennsylvania of the United States. The talented Marquis takes inspiration from artists including Pablo Picasso and George Condo integrating tenets of abstraction into a practice that ranges from macabre portraiture to more geometrical, less representational compositions. 4. Banksy: Arguably the most controversial street artist in the world, Banksy has developed an entire art subculture devoted to his works. Banksy’s art can impact any location at any given moment. His identity remains unknown, even after over 20 years of being involved with the graffiti scene. He has worked with many different types of street art media and street art types. His work not only includes many powerful, often controversial images, but they may also be found throughout the Internet as viral images. Banksy’s artwork has been seen across the world. His travels have included Australia, England, the United States, Israel, Jamaica, and even Canada. Most recently, he spent an entire month glamorising New York City with his street art, which grabbed the attention of thousands every day. The media and his supporters have always questioned Banksy’s identity due to a variety of identity claims. Most recently, many popular theories, including an entire newspaper publication, pointed his identity at being a Bristol native by the name of Robin Gunninham. If this is theory holds true, it will allow even greater insight into the artistic world Banksy inhibits. What is even more interesting is that he has managed to completely conceal his identity from his family. To this date, no Banksy identity claim has ever been definitive. Banksy’s artwork has been seen across the world, His travels have included Australia, England, the United States, Israel, Jamaica, and even Canada. Most recently, he spent an entire month glamorizing New York City with his street art, which grabbed the attention of thousands every day 5. Mr Controversial: Mr Controversial has been mentioned as the “one to watch” when it comes to rising artistic talent in the UK. He is hot off the back of multiple sell-out exhibitions and collections and has amassed a solid collector base that includes established collectors and a few well-known celebrities. Early on in his artistic career he raised eyebrows and quickly became known for his twist of vintage pulp imagery with funny, relatable captions. Most recently, the artist has been working on his new typographical oil paintings which are equally as bold, witty and riddled with truisms that we can all relate to. Due to the sharable nature of his work, it often goes viral and he aims to hit the sweet spot between social media viral content and contemporary fine art. From his new collection, you can expect oil paintings with deep textures, vibrant colours satirical messages which the artist will be releasing through a handful of entrusted selected galleries globally. "Urban Impressions" promises to be an evening filled with creativity, inspiration, and artistic exploration. The Yield Gallery in Soho is known for its commitment to showcasing groundbreaking contemporary art. With its chic and modern setting, it provides the perfect backdrop for this extraordinary event, where art enthusiasts, collectors, and the press can come together to celebrate the world of urban art.

Gone Rogue, founded by Kim Shaylor in 2018, is an international art curation and consultancy collective that supports emerging and established artists. Their mission is to champion artists, encourage growth and experimentation, and promote diversity in the art world. With over 50 artists and a track record of successful exhibitions and projects worldwide, Gone Rogue has established itself as a respected art partner, collaborating with renowned brands like McLaren, Sushi Samba, and The Prodigy. They provide comprehensive advisory services, from concept development to artwork commissioning and installation. One of the standout artists associated with Gone Rogue is Emma Gibbons, whose exceptional success in 2022 with a sell-out solo show in Piccadilly has led to a larger and brighter exhibition at the Gone Rogue Gallery. Her latest exhibition, titled "Barbiecore," celebrates the extravagant legacy of Barbie, inspired by the iconic doll's hues. The exhibition opens three days before London Pride and coincides with the premiere of the Barbie Movie in London, creating a vibrant celebration of all things pink, sparkly, and delightfully camp. Interestingly, Margot Robbie, the lead actress in the Barbie Movie, is not only a collector but also a fan of Emma Gibbons. Robbie purchased one of Gibbons' earlier Barbie-inspired artworks, which now hangs on the wall of her production company's office. With Robbie's endorsement and Gibbons' iconic art pieces like the Parfum bottles and popsicles on display, the exhibition is highly anticipated. Gibbons' recognizable signature technique involves using hundreds of pill capsules filled with glitter and coloured powder set in resin, arranged into slogans, and poured into perfume bottles. In this exhibition, Gibbons adds dollhouse miniatures and various Barbie doll paraphernalia to the mix. Additionally, limited edition Barbie Parfum artworks, featuring polymer clay hearts and confetti, will be released in May 2023. ME London Hotel, known for its reputation as a hub for both emerging and established artists, has formed an exceptional partnership with Gone Rogue, resulting in a series of remarkable exhibitions that further enhance the hotel's acclaim. Visitors should not miss the opportunity to experience the camp and captivating "Barbiecore" art exhibition at ME London. The hotel offers more than just accommodation; it is an architectural masterpiece bursting with art, music, design, and fine cuisine. Located in the vibrant Covent Garden district, ME London immerses guests in a lively atmosphere with theaters, pubs, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and live music. It is undoubtedly one of the most energetic and lively places in the world.

Discover the enchanting world of Korean Hanbok at a prestigious event hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with the Korea Craft Foundation and the Korean Cultural Centre UK. Hanbok, the traditional style of Korean clothing, takes center stage as Korean fashion rides the wave of global K-pop domination. Witness the rise of Korean designers at London Fashion Week, where their innovative approaches, meticulous craftsmanship, and attention to detail have captivated fashion enthusiasts worldwide, making them the talk of the town and social media. The event, aptly named "Hanbok Wave," pays homage to the Korean style of dressing popularized through games and pop culture. Ten talented designers have been handpicked to showcase their interpretation of this traditional wear, accompanied by visually stunning photo shoots shared with mainstream media. As the year draws to a close, a special Hanbok Wave pictorial video will grace the Broadway billboard in Times Square, New York, capturing the essence and allure of Korean fashion for all to admire. LEE YOUNG-AE HYEON GUIROE C ZANN-E HAPPLY HAEMI BY SAIMDANG GEUMUIJAE MORINORI HEYUM LIV DAMYEON