LONDON — Senator Edward Kennedy, the widely celebrated political figure who filled the role of Massachusetts senator for four decades, will be remembered forever in his family’s native Ireland.

The youngest brother of President John F. Kennedy, Ted was part of an exceptionally powerful American family. His death in August of brain cancer marked the end of a dazzling political career. President Barack Obama stated that Kennedy’s death signified the ”passing of an extraordinary leader.”

Entering 2010, plans for a state of the art memorial and visitors center in Ted’s honor are coming into fruition in Ireland. The late Kennedy, will be memorialized in his ancestral home of Dunganstown, near the town of New Ross in County Wexford, from where the family forefathers emigrated in the early 19th century.

The memorial is projected to cost 1.5 million euros ($2.2 million).

Ireland-based Kennedy family descendant, Patrick Grennan, hopes that this project will attract more American and international visitors to the town with a population of under 8,000.

The memorial and visitor center promises to be a most respectful method in which to honor and educate people on the life of Ted Kennedy.

LONDON — Hey Americans! Did you miss me?

I expect you want to know what’s been going on across the pond. Well – a lot! The question is where to start?

La Roux

Have you heard of an artist called La Roux? Well if you haven’t, google her ass right now! I went to see her at the iTunes festival in London, and as well as having a hauntingly beautiful voice, she also had a hauntingly beautiful wardrobe! Dressed in a white leather 80′s style jacket complete with padded shoulders and jewels, skinny jeans, “Ëœboyfriend’ style loafers and gravity defying red glitter hair, she was also sporting something that I think is going to catch on- face jewelery. Sounds a little scary doesn’t it? But it wasn’t. Her left cheek (on her face, get your mind out of the gutter people!) was embellished with what can only be described as an all-in-one gold glitter and sequin cut-out mask. At one point the energy of the gig caused the glue to combine with La Roux’s makeup and run in profuse rivulets down her face. She was unperturbed and the effect somehow added to the intensity of her performance. Anyway, check her out in this video, where she is channeling her inner 80′s diva.

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Fashionable Bikes

The other day I was in Brick Lane ,‚ London, selling all my old clothes from a suitcase on the street, ‚ when I spotted two ridiculously stylish men dressed in flat caps, deck shoes, waistcoats and high-waisted trousers. They were “Ëœriding’ on the most amazing bikes I have ever seen. They are called Steppers and don’t have a seat or traditional peddles but rather steps which are depressed by each foot from a standing position in order to propel the bike forward. One of the handsome guys who was sporting a flat cap and tweeds was riding on a bright red bike with brown leather handles. The other chap, wearing a purple shirt and matching Nike iD’s, was riding on a green and purple bike with green leather handles. Pimp my Bike for real! Wonderful and visually arresting. If I hadn’t already bought an old-school, dutch-style bike two months ago I would have snapped one up immediately. So, if you want to get around in style, grab one of these!

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Vivienne Westwood’s Manifesto

Recently on a show in the UK called ‘Friday Night with Jonathan Ross’ (David Letterman’s equivalent), Vivienne Westwood was interviewed about her latest project. It took me back to March, at Paris Fashion Week, when I was lucky enough to see her show which was influenced by the issue of climate change and environment.

Recently, Westwood wrote a lifestyle manifesto describing how she would like others to follow her lead and live their lives in the most environmentally and economically friendly way. When asked about fashion she said, “People should invest in one beautifully made quality piece of fashion and wear it until it literally drops off you.” Well, although in my book everything Viv says is pretty much biblical, walking around with holes in anything but my tights is U.F.B. (Unacceptable Fashion Behavior).

But this fashion goddess does have a point; everyone should learn to listen to their fashion conscience and buy more vintage and charity shop finds. We recycle our rubbish, why not our fashion?

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Damian Collins and Avigail Clare

The coolest couple; the coolest stylists. Everything Damian and Avigail do is so cool, they could be in a 100 degree heatwave and not sweat a bean!

Power couple Damian and Avigail are designers, stylists and creatives, and own fashion brand Silver Spoon Attire, based in London and New York. Their clients include: Ciara, Master Shortie, and iD magazine. They recently opened a pop-up store in Central London, ’143′, ‚ with creative wizard Kate Morross, selling clothing, art, music and even confectionery. The store was only open for two weeks but it looks as if it will go on a world tour. Next stop, the USA?

Keep up with more London occurrences by visiting me on Twitter too.

LONDON — Fashion is an obscure concept. The actuality of it lies in imagination, creation and the architecture and execution of design. Fashion can, however, be disciplined by seasons and “Ëœtendencies’ which are often very limiting.

In this column I won’t discuss seasonal trends or dictate or “Ëœrecommend’ what you should or shouldn’t be wearing, but I will write about people in the industry who are designing, creating and curating things of artistic integrity and worth. Fashion should be a form of self-expression; something that is personal and emotional, not something that is prescriptive, limiting or static. Not to say that this column won’t be biased; I plan to write only about people and things I like, it’s just up to you to decide if you agree.

A designer who I admire and adore is JCDC — Jean Charles de Cajabajac. This guy is a total fashion hunk. Suave and old school, yet incredibly contemporary, his designs are mad cool. And I mean, literally, a mixture of fashion insanity and cooler-than-cool logos and graphic designs.

Jean Charles recently brought his French label to London in the form of a fashion gallery in Conduit Street, and guess what? He personally and exclusively talked to me about why he chose central London as his destination of choice and how he plans to conquer the USA.

“I chose Mayfair because it is at the corner of two symbolic streets for me: Saville Row, where my father and I used to be dressed at Chittleborough and Morgan, and Conduit Street where my dear friend Vivienne Westwood’s store is located,” he said.

I asked Jean Charles if his connection to England had been effectively reinforced by having his own “fashion gallery” in London. “The fashion gallery is part of my universe, and this store is my place in England,” he responded.

What about a store in the USA? “I love America, that would be exciting!”

The central London store, curated by Anthony Stephenson, is definitely a fashion haven amongst the chaos of the city, and who knows the next stop for JCDC might be America?

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Another designer you just have to know about is the lovely cutting edge menswear designer Katie Eary. She was featured in the recent English edition of Vogue and is set to go international any time. This is what I found out after a catch up (or rather, a mini interrogation session) with her on Facebook.

BLAST: When did you realize you wanted to be a designer?

KATIE EARY: I was always an artist at heart, and so putting my mind to anything creative was always enjoyable. But for me, The Saatchi Sensation exhibition was a turning point in my life. I became an avid fan of all things Brit Art! It was also a wake up call! How was I going to make an impact? If Emin, Hurst, Quinn, Lucas (the list is endless) were doing all this cross-examining of taboo subjects how could I make my own impact? Everything seemed to be exhausted in all areas of creativity… All this except maybe Menswear. And so, 14 years later…

BLAST: ҬIf you could describe your style in 5 words, what would they be?

KE: Ab Fab, Punk, refined, nautical, magpie.

BLAST: You were recently featured in Vogue, how did it feel being featured in the most famous, most respected fashion publication in the world?

KE: I love Vogue, they have been so, so supportive, and to actually be featured is a real honor, and feels great to believe that they believe in me.

BLAST: Lets play Desert island discs. Fave Track/artist?

KE: My Black Hearted- but in general everything by PJ Harvey.

BLAST: Fave artist/piece of workӬ?

KE: Marcus Harvey — I thought the portrait of Margaret Thatcher using the dildos was just genius. But in general I can’t say he is my fave, I have too many!

BLAST: Fave designer/piece of clothing?

KE: Givenchy leather inserted jeans and Balmain military jackets.

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A music /fashion star that you have to look out for is a singer named Mpho ( pronounced: mmm fo). She is releasing her debut single Box N Locks in July. The music video is influenced by an 80′s pop Bowie esque style and Mpho’s fashion sense is a mix between Lady Gaga Futurism and Beyonce sassy-ness. Check out the bright orange mirror top with larger than life shoulder pads in the video below — such a crazy cool look.

Well that’s it for now folks. Hope “y’all” enjoyed my first column. Don’t forget to log onto my blog for even more info on not just fashion, but music and art‚  as well.

Peace, your girl from London, SY. XOXO.