From Tokyo with love...

Well, I'm now officially on tour-first stop; Japan!But before I start blogging about my travels, I have to fill you in on one of the busiest weeks EVER. Not only were we filming the new music video for much of the week, I had lots of other exciting places to be too- first up on Friday was the launch of Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration, showcasing drawings by some of the best new talent, as well as interviews with lots of wonderful ethical designers. I got the chance to meet some of the winners of the competition to design my tour posters, including Artist Andrea who had come all the way from Arizona and gave me the original copy of her design! I also met Zarina Liew who illustrated the Beautiful Soul fashion video which has my song 'We're All In This Together' as the soundtrack. Zarina drew this beautiful picture of Stephen and me- having illustrators sketching the guests was such a brilliant idea. I appear twice in Amelia's gorgeous book, in pictures of my performance at Secret Garden Party last summer- I'm so honoured to be in such a beautiful book- you can buy it here.

Home for a quick change into my Elizabeth Lau dress that I wore tucked into a stripey (ebay) skirt, then it was time to head to Selfridges for the launch of Supermarket Sarah's instore wall. It was great to catch up with Meg from Merrimaking Hoods who supply Gabberdashery and Sarah's wall too, and to finally meet Kat who makes the gorgeous Creme Nouveau range we also stock in Gabberdashery and is on sale in Selfridges through Sarah too.

Saturday was just another day at work for us- performing at The Barbican alongside The Irrepressibles!

I wore another show-stopping newspaper creation by Kumiko Tani, and Jennifer Nash my make-up artist outdid herself with this amazing flower-eye look. All these pictures were taken by our new official photographer, Gemma Hall who's not only super talented but also lovely to work with.She was on set for most of the music video shoot so I hope to share some of the still shots she took with you soon...

On Monday evening I was asked to speak at The Hospital members' club in an event organised by Bright Young Brits. One of the other 'bright young brits' was Judith Clark, a wonderful designer who creates beautiful pieces using traditional materials like tweed and tartan, but with an avant garde twist. I love the mix of vintage Victoriana and bright modern colours.

I'm so honoured to be invite into the BYB collective- they are showcasing young talents from all walks of life and everyone is independent, DIY and entrepreneurial and I was so happy to be one of the first to join the list... I also got a chance to claim the owl logo for music in the colour red (of course)

Please look at their site here: http://www.brightyoungbrits.org/

and nominate, get involved - they are doing a great thing and seriously lovely people!

While I'm away, my partner in crime Katie is going to be doing mini interviews with some of the designers who kindly lent us their spectacular clothes and accessories for the new video- so stay tuned as she'll be posting those here to keep you entertained while I'm away. Beautiful Soul have lent me two of their stunning corsets made from vintage kimonos to wear in Japan; I'm so looking forward to playing here again.

Anyway so I have to get some sleep as my Tokyo trip started with a meeting with Peek-A-Boo salon and a drinks in a tiny (I mean tiny as in room for 20 people!) and apparently it's 1am here although it definitely feels more like 4pm (UK time) so that's confusing!!

I will be sending footage from my flipcam to be made into video blogs by Jonny Levene throughout my travels too so I will post them here!

To start us off here is one from the set of 'Ask You A Question' music video shoot:

And that is all my prettys...
Chow!
Gabbletina
xox

ILLAMASQUA INSTORE SHOW

Good eve all!
As you must know by know I am HUGE fan of Illamasqua- it is the makeup for my alter ego and I am in love with their ethics, originality, quality and personal approach. I am lucky enough to be sponsored by this amazing brand and when I first received some kit from them I gushed about it here.
Anyway needless to say I'm besotted with their products and when I was invited to do a pre Christmas instore I couldn't refuse.
I hadn't actually had to chance to visit their flagship shop in Dean Street until this day and knew it would be chic and beautiful as everything they do is but I had no idea how inspiring it would be - the first thing I saw was a black and white vertical stripe PVC curtain behind a shiny black perspex counter. It really is a gorgeous shop- I was so happy to be singing there!
Another thing I like about Illamasqua and something that I really relate to is there charity side they have a whole range dedicated called S.O.P.H.I.E to Sophie Lancaster ... here is a short tribute to her commissioned by Illamasqua (featuring one of my favourite songs- 'Roads' by Portishead):



I hope you don't mind me bringing down the mood- but this really effected me and I always want to help spread awareness - we are lucky to have brands like Illamasqua help educate young people about tolerance and promoting individuality.

*before I get tearful let's change the subject*

Everyone in the store were so friendly and welcoming and I have noticed this from everyone that works for Illamasqua which makes a nice difference from the snooty staff at some makeup shops that I am almost scared to go in... I will say no names!
I had my hair and makeup done by an incredible artistse -Claire Lille ... I think you can agree she did a pretty good job (you should have seen me when I went in!!)

All Illamasqua makeup

I'm wearing a beautiful black vintage dress from Beyond Retro

 Stephen (Ellis) joined me for the gig and we played in the shop to a very appreciative audience and some milling around the makeup who stopped to listen. The snow began to fall whilst we played 'We're All In This Together' and it was pretty idyllic!

All these fantasmagorical photographs were taken by the super talented and lovely lady, Gem Hall who we've all grown very fond of and is our official photographer now so expect so see a lot more from her!

I hope everyone had a lovely christmas and are enjoying the beginning of the 2011... I'm busy in and out of studio, plotting a new music video and getting ready to tour the world! I leave for Japan in 3 weeks then to Australia, Canada, America and Europe! Exciting times here- I need a new word for excited in fact, answers on a postcard please!

I will leave you with a video of a session we did at Green Man Festival - I am all decked out in bespoke beautiful Bonzie dress and wrap and yes, we DID need those wellies!
Oh and I URGE you to vote for Bonzie to be Ireland's Most Influential Designer 2010 there are only a few days left and I can't think of anyone more deserving than this lovely, talented duo.




Green Man Sessions 008 // Gabby Young and Other Animals - We're All In This Together from Green Man on Vimeo.

Nighty wighty kittens!
Xox Gab - up xoX

PS- Some people like to know when our next gig is and so I will use that excuse for a plug:
SATURDAY 29TH JANUARY
GABBY YOUNG & OTHER ANIMALS + THE IRREPRESSIBLES
AT THE BARBICAN, London
Details here
Tickets here