Love Supreme Festival, Glynde Place, 5-7 July 2013

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This weekend me and Mr Material Whirl went to the inaugural Love Supreme Festival, Jazz FM's first foray into the festival scene with a boutique, greenfield experience. And what a debut it was. Set in the idyllic grounds of Glynde Place in East Sussex and sheltered comfortably by the glorious Sussex Downs, even the perfect weather couldn't top the impressive world-class bill that featured Gregory Porter, Chic, Soweto Kinch and Jools Holland to name a few. Which I will, later.

Friday night began very nicely with DJs Chris Philips and Jeff Young in The Arena with Jazz FM's now legendary club event Funky Sensation - we all had a bit of a dance to classic jazz, funk, disco and soul and looked giddily ahead to two days of music and festival capers. Pru Fiddy, who took the reins from Jeff, knew where we were coming from - she looked like she was absolutely loving it. A slight mix up with the festival shuttle bus on our part (err, there wasn't one until Saturday) meant a possible stranded-in-Glynde-situation but we carried on dancing regardless and jumped in a late taxi back to Brighton with some other poor souls who hadn't planned properly either. No mind, we were tipsy and happy and the music was already working its magic.

Festival proceedings were kicked off good and proper on Saturday as the sun beat down fiercely on Glynde giving everything a gorgeous sienna glow. The vibe was friendly and up for it and the multi-age crowd smart but unpretentious. The ubiquitous festival food stalls were there (I had a pie every night. Yep, that's three pies) and some great vintage clothes stalls and record and book stores when we fancied a wander in between tunes.

Naturally, festival style fascinates me and Love Supreme gave good fashion-off. It was a real mixed bag; my favourites being festival brights, neon lips and plaited hair and some beautiful vintage skirts, African prints and sawn-off denim shorts with Navajo boots.

But ultimately we were there for the music and as expected from Jazz FM, it didn't disappoint bringing us a celebration of inspirational sounds. The line up included a dazzling selection of US artists and homegrown British talent that held its own amongst the big jazz guns. Highlights for me included the soulful singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka, and Chic with Nile Rodgers, resplendent in white suit, and who blessed the crowd with a steady flow of iconic disco classics. Gregory Porter's gorgeously honeyed voice and super tight band deeply wowed us and the rest of the crowd, with a set that effortlessly combined the exquisite mellow sounds of 'Be Good (Lion's Song)' with the glorious '1960 What?' that had the loyal crowd shouting back to the great man 'Ain't no need for moon light...' with fervour. Sadly we couldn't get in to the Big Top to see Courtney Pine as he was too popular and it was too squished but we caught the end of Soweto Kinch who had the crowd of all ages up on their feet.

Surprises for me were Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires and the stunning self-taught singer-songwriter from London, Andreya Triana, who performed a beautifully raw and classy set to a packed Arena in killer print top and trousers. Woozy on her incredible voice and liberal after a few pints of crisp sun-drenched cider, my husband yelled out 'You're f**king amazing!' to which she endearingly responded 'You're bleeping cool too, dude!' and we all laughed and got lost in the hypnotic music.

The most memorable bit, arguably after a few more ciders (there is a theme here), was the Grand Marnier Hidden Charm secret space. Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra were doing what they do best and putting on a fine show with special guests including Gregory Porter and Roland Gift, but we were in need of another refreshment. Love Supreme promised that behind the elegant Parisian facade, a land of flamboyant characters, delightful drinking, music & joie de vie awaited us... and as we stumbled in we weren't disappointed - wow, what a way to end a cracking festival. The cocktails were indeed delightful, bar staff flamboyant but super friendly and the music supplied by DJ NoisseS was outstanding. He played an exquisite set fusing a multitude of sub-genres including hip hop, soul, reggae, funk, jazz and ska. Skilfully mixing The Notorious B.I.G., Musical Youth, Tom Jones and DJ Zinc to extraordinary effect, this was for music lovers of all ages and preferences. Incredible.

Sadly, the sun had to go down on Love Supreme's debut, and we made our back to London reluctantly and not really ready to leave (although my body cannot take any more booze or food consumed from a box for at least a few weeks). John Fordham writes in The Guardian that 'promoters Jazz FM and their partners may find they have invented the British jazz world's Glastonbury' and so if it that's the case I'm glad I was there to experience what I hope will be the first of many more to come. As Chic say, these are the good times.

 

Jazz FM's Love Supreme Festival was held at Glynde Place from 5-7 July 2013
#lovesupremefest
http://www.lovesupremefestival.com/ 
http://www.jazzfm.com/

Revenge Wears Prada

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Tonight Material Whirl had the honour of attending a very special Q&A with Lauren Weisberger, the author of The Devil Wears Prada that was made into a $27 million-grossing smash-hit film starring Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt and the fabulous Stanley Tucci to name but a few.

I had won a prize via Grazia magazine to be part of an audience at the very glamorous Charlotte Street Hotel to listen to Weisberger being interviewed by Decca Aitkenhead of The Guardian. She has penned a sequel, Revenge Wears Prada, and I was curious to discover her motivation for bringing the marvellously monstrous Miranda Priestly back into our lives, immortalised so skilfully by Streep. Oh, how I had missed her.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MqiHurbexE]

It's hard to believe but Weisberger wrote The Devil Wears Prada ten years ago. Where on earth have those years gone? She wrote the book at the very impressive age of 24, a year after working as an assistant to the legendary Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of the gigantic US Vogue. She admits that she never envisaged that the novel she started in a writing class would be turned into a book, let alone a phenomenally successful one. This is the stuff that dreams are made of.

We were skilfully taken by Aitkenhead on an interesting journey with the very unpretentious and self-deprecating Weisberger, who seemed very at ease and definitely the kind of girl you could go and have a beer with. She revealed she remains both fascinated and traumatised by her time at Vogue, and who can blame her? When asked what advice she would give to those who read The Devil Wears Prada and still want to go into fashion, she replied 'Read it again'!

From a career perspective, Weisberger said that she loved the writing aspect of being at Vogue, although more the travel and food and less the fashion, and gave some very useful career advice for anyone who had ever worked for shall we say, a challenging boss - work hard and keep at it, it may be painful now but it might only be for a short time and you'll soon move ahead. With the devilish Miranda in mind, when asked what she herself is like as an employer, she joked that she spends a great deal of time trying to get her team to love her. She also emphasised that it is mandatory to be successful and kind, and in real life it is possible to be a decent human being and good at what you do. Some very useful advice and one a lot of successful women could do with taking note of.

She remained very gracious when asked for an insight into life behind Vogue's glamorous doors and would not be drawn into revealing anything defamatory about Ms Wintour herself. Instead she hinted that the 24-hour nature of the role was crazy with lots of things required THIS SECOND or face dire consequences, but admitted this was not particular to that one office. She also lightheartedly revealed that when she made the decision to leave the assistant role, she had to work up the nerve to approach Wintour, explaining 'you don't approach Anna. She approaches you'. Wintour though politely thanked her for her help and Weisberger admitted there was no huge dramatic ending as there was a modicum of civility to maintain. Interestingly, she also described how working for Vogue meant a complete immersion into that one environment and nothing else, which was even more apparent years later when she watched The September Issue (which she felt was more about Grace's story) and realised she had no idea how talented Coddington actually was.

Weisberger was funny and incredibly down to earth and at the end of the Q&A there was the chance to meet her and come away with her new book signed. We had a brief chat, she was very friendly and I plucked up the courage to ask for a photo to accompany this here blog post, which she happily agreed to. Unfortunately my plans were scuppered at the last second, as the Grazia team said they had to be the bad guys and ask for no photos due to the every growing queue of people waiting to meet her. They weren't the bad guys at all, on the contrary, they were lovely.

I found myself in a great audience of interesting, friendly and stylish women and as I made my way home through London town, goodie bag in tow, I felt inspired and motivated to keep writing and to keep on working hard, no matter what the circumstances.

In the words of the unforgettable Miranda Priestly and with a dismissive hand gesture to go with it, That's all.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3a5BsmxNJ0]

Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger is out now (Simon & Schuster, £14) from all good independent book shops.

I wish, I wish, I wish

Fashion is part of the daily air and it changes all the time, with all the events. You can even see the approaching of a revolution in clothes. You can see and feel everything in clothes'. 

Diana Vreeland

Simone Rocha

Here is my fashion wish list for this week. A panoply of delectable pieces that I wish were mine.

PRETTY IN PINK

BAGS OF STYLE

SHINY METALLIC HEELS

Everything is contrived; nothing is real

"Very often there's a kind of nostalgia built into a photograph by virtue of you taking it. You've taken the photograph and its immediately a thing of the past the moment you press the shutter".

I think that everyone needs to be told a visual story by Tim Walker through the medium of his photography. Even if you choose to detach yourself from fashion and remain unconcerned by who designed what, or when, it does not matter. Walker's work transcends fashion and design and takes you to a world that you could not in your wildest dreams have imagined.

Tim Walker is a London-based British photographer and moving film maker whose extravagant and romantic photographic stills have entranced his followers for many years.

Born in England in 1970, Walker worked as a freelance photographic assistant in London before he moved to New York City, working as a full-time assistant to Richard Avedon. On returning to England his initial focus was portrait and documentary work for UK newspapers and at the age of twenty-five he shot his first fashion story for Vogue.

I recently went to visit the Tim Walker: Story Teller exhibition at Somerset House and was treated to a visual delight for the senses. The major mid-career retrospective is sponsored by Mulberry and marks the launch of his second book, 'Story Teller'.

The exhibition is flanked by wooden floors and stark antique white walls that encourage the magnificent colours to pop out of the photographs. The fireplaces and radiators are also painted white and there are gigantic snails on the wall and lifelike clockwork dolls that make you feel as if you were trapped in his exuberant imagination. Wooden boxes frame photos of various sizes and there are huge red and yellow jelly cases displayed like hats on a hat stand. This is the best grown up's tea party you have ever been invited to.

Come with me on an adventure into some of Tim Walker's beautiful work.

MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH

Walker has re-imagined fashion photography in terms of its own rich history and Britain's cultural past. In the exhibition a life-size spitfire in blue and black and white whistles through the interior of the bare white room as if it has just fallen from the sky in front of you. These photographs portray a vivid reinterpretation of Neo-Romantic cinema: the doomed pilot of A Matter of Life and Death (1946).

A SONG AT EVENING

Walker's photographs are often rooted in childhood and tinged with a very British nostalgia. He is accomplished at telling stories conjured directly from a very youthful imagination.

Princesses take wing in lilac clouds. The swan, symbol of grace, purity and love syncs its sad song at twilight.

THE WILDER SHORES

To its earliest audience the most magical aspect of photography was that it opened windows onto the world: it provided images of distant landscapes, undiscovered people  and exotic flora that had then been as remote as the stars. It remains absorbing and a platform from where adventures come alive.

"Everything is contrived; nothing is real. You try to make your own real moments. And then you go home and make sense of it".

'What I'm photographing is an imaginary place that never existed but is often connected to something that has already been."

THIS SIDE OF PARADISE

A sense of loss underpins Walker's work and the impermanence of youth and beauty. It is difficult to look at his work without feeling a wistfulness of what will disappear. None more so than his portrait of Anna Piaggi who died at the age of eighty-one in August 2012 and who is already missed by the fashion world.

'Really I only photograph what I truly love. By this I mean I only get involved with and place in front of my camera what moves me uncontrollably deeply.'

FUN HOUSE

Walker is the master of creating  fictive worlds and a parallel world where he sees the world through a child's eyes - in evocative fashion fantasy. This is not a real life though, but a second dimension, where the beautiful and monstrous come alive. He reminds us that it is perfectly acceptable to dream and look beyond what we know in our own time.

"And when everything comes together and you look through the viewfinder, there is a window to something magical. You see something you have never seen."

DANCE OF DEATH

Walker creates pictures that should be impossible to construct and have an illusive aspect to them. They evoke an enormous feeling of wonder.

"I don't want to sound mystical but sometimes when you take a picture  - when the sets are in place - then something takes over and leads you. It's this sense of extraordinary luck and chance. The shoot is blessed and charmed, and you make pictures that you couldn't in your wildest dreams have imagined. That is the magic of photography."

COME LIKE SHADOWS

In Walker's photos nothing is as you might expect. When I look at his photographs, I feel like Alice in Wonderland and wonder if I fall down the rabbit hole, will I keep on tumbling forever? Magic is transient dissolving like shadows and dust in twilight.

A SLIGHT ANGLE TO THE UNIVERSE

Walker is able to draw out a narrative strand in his photographs, as well as showcase beautiful couture. He is also able to construct fictive worlds that are enchanting, sometimes impossible and always alluring.

'The way I work I have to have a mood in my head, a feeling for something, almost like a set of directions, a map of how to gt through the day".

CLOSE OF PLAY

In the end, Walker exults in fashion photography's pretends. The mystique and the charade, the luxuriant drape of cloth, the flowers and the decoration and the happiness of it all - the unmitigated joy of a works, even when it tries to be normal, just can't ever be ordinary.

Where troubles melt like lemon drops, this is the world of Tim Walker.

Tim Walker: Story Teller runs from 18 October - 27 January 2013 in the East Wing Galleries at London's grandiose Somerset House and is a visual delight for the senses.

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A dress from another time

Sports luxe, florals, mirror-prints, printed pants, neon. Modern fashion can be exciting, bold and fierce as it fizzles and crackles off the pages of glossy magazines.

Yet, just like many things in this progressive world we inhabit, sometimes don't you just want to go back? There is no time like the past and demure, fifties-inspired fashion is having a fashion moment right now. This week's Grazia reports that 'from the red carpets of Cannes to the bars of Dalston, ankle dusters, high collars and long sleeves are everywhere'. Which is welcome news for a girl like me, a passionate admirer of retro-inspired clothing and accessories. Vintage has had quite the renaissance over the past few years with festivals and pop up fairs, not to mention an influx of vintage emporiums, and it is coveted the world over. Sometimes it can be hard to separate the Westwood from the Cassini; it would appear that everyone is jumping on the vintage bandwagon and taking advantage of our obsession with nostalgia.

So I was delighted to recently discover a sparkling treasure trove in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, in the pretty market town of Halesworth.

Bluebird Vintage is a clothing and accessories boutique specialising in vintage clothing for ladies and gentlemen. Perfectly housed in what was formerly The Hawk Inn pub, it truly is a feast for the eyes, generously full of vintage goodies from the 1920s through to the 1980s. Clothes, shoes, hats, jewellery, gloves and bags adorn every beautiful space like delicious treats in a sweet shop. It is very easy to walk in and lose yourself for hours but it is decidedly tricky to leave empty-handed.

On my visit to Bluebird Vintage I met Laura Churchill, the glamorous owner who smiled at me in welcome from behind a vintage desk. Laura allowed me to look around what was in effect an art gallery of clothes in my own time, uninterrupted, as I perused the delicacies from an era of elegance. These were sumptuous pieces that didn't shout loudly, but instead whispered flirtatiously to me like movie stars from days gone by. As I glanced around at the unique one-offs I honestly believed I was immune to the glamour, that I could easily walk away with, admittedly, an empty heart but a full purse and some space in my wardrobe. Silly, silly me.

I had seen it. Or maybe it saw me first? The dress hanging delicately on the rail. I tried to avert my eyes, but it was too late; I was snared in its twinkling trap. As my eyes brushed over the dress again from afar, I could see it was vanilla ice cream in colour with gold trim glistening in the light. I tried to resist, but it murmured at me 'take a closer look. Go on, what's the harm? Try me on!'.

I approached the rail to inspect it more closely. It was a sleeveless cocktail dress with a high collar trimmed in gold and a very demure hemline. The top half was covered in a delicate cover of sheer, flowered gold lace and under the waist, also trimmed with gold, cascaded a swath of cream chiffon. It was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. The label informed me in swirly letters that its creator was Marcel Fenez, designed by Roland Klein. It was a little piece of fashion history.

French-born Roland Klein, first worked at Christian Dior from 1960-1962. He then went on to work for the legendary Karl Lagerfeld as an assistant at Jean Patou. Klein moved to London to learn English in 1965, and he worked at Marcel Fenez, where the ready-to-wear line of Madame Carven was made. In 1973 he was made the director of the house, and was given his own label, going on to open his own design business in 1979 in Chelsea. In the 1980s, Roland set up in London and established his own label.

Klein's innovation had completely won me over. I guess you could say I was hypnotised as I tried the dress on in the quaint changing room at the back of the boutique. OK, admittedly it was a little snug across my back and restricted momentarily not only my movement but my breathing until I moulded into its shape. I knew I would be terrified to eat or drink anything that wasn't translucent whilst wearing it in fear of tainting that perfect cream colour, but it was so beautiful I knew I had to have it. This dress was simply too special to part from.

The Klein creation had its first outing in March this year, the night before my sister's wedding in Sydney, Australia and I felt proud to tell enquiring guests that it was Roland Klein vintage, from a stunning little boutique in England.

In today's world of over styling and mass production, vintage pieces are a timeless investment. They were beautifully hand-made to last. To buy vintage is to acquire an item with a story from days gone by and showcase a long-forgotten design. To wear it is magical.

If you are ever passing through Halesworth, which I highly recommend, do stroll along the Thoroughfare and step through the ornate door into Laura's beautiful vintage emporium. I promise that you will not be disappointed and you may just walk away with your own little piece of history. If you are the lucky one, I defy you not to smile as you float out of the door, happily lost in another time...

Bluebird Vintage, The Hawk Inn, Bridge Street, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 8AD
info@bluebirdvintage.co.uk
01986 875325
@BluebirdVintage

L-U-V Madonna? I think you should

L-U-V Madonna Y-O-U You Wanna.

Yep, I bet it is in your head too.

After that half-time Superbowl performance, Madonna is the name on everyone's lips, the force dominating the twittersphere and Give Me All Your Luvin' is the song that you just cannot stop singing no matter how hard you try.

With the announcement of her forthcoming MDNA World Tour last week, once again Madonna has her sights set on world domination.

She courts controversy and is the undefeated queen of reinvention, but whatever your opinion of Madonna, here are a few reasons why to me she remains the most important and iconic person in music today.

Music, makes the people, come together

Sadly, the music often gets overlooked but Madonna's impressive back catalogue has provided a soundtrack to our own lives, loves and losses ever since she made her first UK appearance in 1984 (at Manchester's Hacienda Club where she danced and mimed to Burning Up and Holiday). She has sold more than 300 million records worldwide and is recognised as the world's top-selling female rock artist of the 20th century. Her album covers are iconic works of art, telling a story of an era gone by, and showcase trends that get up again over and over.

So take a seat, sit back and relax and let us go on a visual adventure of some of the Material Girl's studio, soundtrack and compilation albums.

Peak UK Chart position: 6
Song you probably like very much:
Lucky Star
Heard this?
Physical Attraction
Who took the photo?
Gary Heery and George Holy

Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Like a Virgin
Heard this?
Angel
Who took the photo?
Stephen Meisel

Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Open your Heart
Heard this?
White Heat
Who took the photo?
Herb Ritts

Who's That Girl - 1987

Peak UK Chart position: 4
Song you probably like very much:
Who's That Girl
Heard this?
Causing a Commotion

Peak UK Chart position: 5
Song you probably like very much:
Get into the Groove
Heard this?
Where's the Party
Who took the photo?
Herb Ritts

Like a Prayer - 1989

Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Like a Prayer
Heard this?
Keep it Together
Who took the photo?
Herb Ritts

I'm Breathless, 1990

Peak UK Chart position:  2
Song you probably like very much:
Vogue
Heard this?
Sooner or Later

Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Express Yourself
Heard this?
Rescue Me
Who took the photos?
Herb Ritts

Peak UK Chart position: 2
Song you probably like very much:
Rain
Heard this?
Bye Bye Baby
Who took the photo?
Stephen Meisel

Peak UK Chart position: 2
Song you probably like very much:
Secret
Heard this?
Forbidden Love
Who took the photo?
Patrick Demarchelier

Something to Remember - 1995

Peak UK Chart position:  3
Song you probably like very much:
Crazy For You
Heard this?
One More Chance
Who took the photo?
Mario Testino

Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Don't Cry for Me Argentina
Heard this?
You Must Love Me

Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Ray of Light
Heard this?
Drowned World/Substitute for Love
Who took the photo?
Mario Testino 

Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Don't Tell Me
Heard this?
What It Feels Like For a Girl
Who took the photo?
Jean-Baptiste Mondino

Peak UK Chart position: 2
Song you probably like very much:
Frozen
Heard this?
The Power of Goodbye

American Life - 2003

Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
American Life
Heard this?
Nothing Fails
Who took the photo?
Craig McDean

Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
Hung Up
Heard this?
Get Together
Who took the photo?
Steven Klein

Hard Candy - 2008

Peak UK Chart position: 1
Song you probably like very much:
4 Minutes
Heard this?
Beat Goes On
Who took the photo?
Steven Klein

Peak UK Chart position: 1 Song you probably like very much:
Vogue
Heard this?
Revolver
Who created the cover?
Mr Brainwash

Peak UK Chart position: ?
Song you probably like very much:
Give Me All Your Luvin'
Who took the photo?
Mert and Marcus
She gives good face

Madonna is a creative force to be reckoned with in her own right, but add some very famous friends to the energetic mix and you have an explosive collaboration. She has worked with some of the most prolific fashion photographers in the business to produce album covers, accompanying artwork, music videos and fashion campaigns, creating a visual treasure trove of images.

Take Patrick Demarchelier for example, the acclaimed French photographer who worked with Madonna on the artwork for her 1994 album Bedtime Stories and the cover art for the Justify My Love single. In 1989 he gave us a rare glimpse into Madonna's world by photographing her in her LA home for US Vogue.

She has worked with the legendary fashion photographer Herb Ritts on a number of occasions. From the iconic True Blue album cover, the instantly recognisable cover for the single Dear Jessie in 1987 (with the infamous Minnie Mouse ears) and the beautifully aquatic music video for Cherish. Not to mention those classic monochrome shots that showcased the music on the Immaculate Collection album in 1990, arguably Madonna's most successful year.

She teamed up with her good friends Dolce & Gabbana for their Autumn/Winter 2010 campaign, reportedly inspired by Italian Neorealism cinema. Shot by renowned US photographer Steven Klein in New York City, Madonna features in stunning black and white shots posing alongside an Italian family and even showing her domestic side. Fashion meets Italian-American legend.

On the cover of a magazine - Madonna always shines. She has featured on a multitude of covers from 1984 on the cover of i-D magazine, her first UK Vogue cover in 1989 and her shots with Helmut Newton for Vanity Fair in 1990, all telling the artistic story of a living legend.

She possesses the ingenuity of knowing when, where and how and the result is always iconic - a collector's item image right there on screen.

Beauty's where you find it.

Dress you Up

Admittedly, she may not win style plaudits, but Madonna is a game changer and her metamorphic style has empowered and inspired women through the decades. She has always set a trend and created enough looks to cram a stylist's lookbook and saturate a digital moodboard.

When she burst onto the scene back in the mid 1980s, she represented youth and strength as shown here on the The Virgin Tour in 1985. All of a sudden, it was perfectly acceptable to wear blue tights, lashings of romantic lace, religious adornments and strong makeup, all in one go. It was fun, it was accessible and it was totally unobjectionable to celebrate your sexuality.

Then in 1986 a different Madonna emerged; a complete image makeover. She gave us the gamine look with jeans and a tough-girl leather jacket, alternated with a toned and muscular Madonna with platinum blond hair and 1960s capri pants with bustier. Almost two competing sides of Madonna. We fell for them both. Italians really did do it better.

In 1990, we saw the tough, strong and fierce Madonna showing her Blond Ambition to the world in Jean Paul Gaultier. Then at the 63rd Academy Awards in 1991 we were presented with her homage to the great Marilyn Monroe. She displayed a softer, more curvy side in platinum blond curls as she purred her way through the award-winning and exquisite Sooner or Later.

Madonna is the ultimate style chameleon and remains fresh, fearless and daring when she dresses up, even to this day.

You can dance for inspiration

Madonna knows how to put on a show. Her music is powerful and remains a timeless listen but if you add slick choreography and striking visual art, the result is meteoric.

In 1990 she embarked on the Blond Ambition World Tour in North America, Europe and Asia and changed the world of tour concerts forever. Unfortunately it will always be associated with controversy and hair extensions, but the world was treated to what Rolling Stone magazine called 'the greatest concert of the 1990s'. Cleverly choreographed by Vincent Paterson, Madonna's performance was energetic and empowering. It was brilliantly theatrical and was both inspiring and inspired.

The costumes achieved cult status thanks to the cone brassiere and high blonde ponytail, a creation of the genius minds of Jean Paul Gaultier and Marlene Stewart. It combined fashion, art, theatre and music and influenced the world over.

The opening of the tour began with a segment named Metropolis, inspired by Fritz Lang's silent film. My favourite song was Express Yourself - an incredible way to start a concert. Inspired by the music video of the same name and set in a large industrial machine room with shirtless male dancers, when Madonna pops out of the stage resplendent in black suit, monocle and asking if we believe in love, it's impossible not to. The dance routine is amazing.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9goAWJ6L00]

Madonna ends the show with Keep it Together - inspired by the work of Bob Fosse and A Clockwork Orange. With bowler hats, ingenious dancing and chair juggling, not to mention an introduction of Sly and the Family Stone's Family Affair it enthralled me.  The song, and the concert, ends with Madonna throwing her bowler hat in the spotlight, and it gives me goose bumps every single time.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x0M3mK-TO4]

During the performance of Keep it Together, Madonna tells the audience to 'never doubt yourself'. When I'm unsure, having a wobble, unconvinced of how to handle a situation or what might be ahead, I think of those words and what Madonna stands for.  As my good friend Gin said to me, 'even at a young age, I just found her very inspiring, very brave and very courageous and it was these qualities that made me want to independent and want to lose the fear of what others may think and have the confidence to be just me'.

Last week I bought my ticket to see Madonna in July and I am just as excited as that seven-year-old girl whose first glimpse of Madonna was on Top of the Pops back in 1984, singing and dancing to Holiday.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMkwWamTRD8]

I last saw Madonna in 1993 at Wembley Stadium and it blew me away. Me and my close friend Louisa waited all day to get as near to the stage as we could, only to realise as we were firmly wedged between fellow fanatics that we desperately needed a wee. However, excruciating pressure on my bladder was not going to ruin the moment for me and she did not disappoint. It was an incredible show.

Take a Bow

So, I present my case to you. The haters will always hate, the disparagers will always disparage, no matter what she does. Her gender will automatically mean people judge her on her age (post-Superbowl critique featured tweets such as I'm sixty and I know it) and appearance (incessant scrutiny and speculation about possible surgical enhancements), but not many quinquagenarians can do what she does and in my eyes she is, and will always be, an inspiration.

Madonna is the original superstar, a creative phenomenon, and I for one cannot wait to see what she has next in store for us.

So dust off your old records and forget about the bad times.

It's time to celebrate.