Vivienne’s Diary: 2 – 10 July

Our pattern cutters are working on the patterns and sample toiles created last week by Iris and Andreas and bringing them a stage closer to finish, so Andreas and I carry on with Q v Q*. Then on Friday afternoon Andreas and I work together trying to put outfits together for Gold Label – of course this brings us nearer to deciding which fabrics to use. We do this again at work on Sunday.

Reading: I have mostly been catching up with various articles I have been meaning to read, especially John Pilger – I read everything he writes – and following what is happening to Julian Assange. Justice worldwide has now become pretty impossible because the “War on Terror” was used as an excuse to push through laws which have over-ruled and overthrown all legal standards, so the law cannot go through its due process. It’s like: whatever law you appeal to is a waste of time; we will treat you as if you’re guilty because we now have the right to decide you could be guilty.

We must get rid of these anti-LAW laws. They are here solely for the use of Big Brother; for the perversion of Justice.

On Tuesday, the 3^rd, Cynthia and I had a very exciting lunch with Michael Stein and Jon Snow, who is his friend. Michael has a solid strategy underway to mobilize business in the fight against climate change. He has a new baby; he’s very concerned and clear about the danger we face. We really believe in the power of his conviction. His plan is so sound, he’s got it all worked out. These are large scale efficient ideas – a top-down plan; we hope it can meet the fight of all of us who are working from the bottom up and we can all work together. We will let you know more about it when the effects start to show. Also things that might happen because of lovely ideas from Jon Snow.

Tuesday evening: Andreas and I go to Tracey’s birthday party at “Annabel’s”. Tracey Emin is one of the sweetest, most kind, loyal and reliable people I know. She is so generous to her friends and she always celebrates her birthday with a big party for them and we all love her (she writes us letters and postcards). I first met Tracey at a photo shoot and I talked to her because I found her attractive to look at with super feminine figure and legs. I think she could make more of an effort with her art but she chooses to be happy; her art keeps her happy and she likes to be successful. She likes me, so she ignores the fact that I criticize her. She knows I dismiss all these modern artists, e.g. Andy Warhol, is artistically irrelevant. Tracey said to me, “Aren’t we lucky!”

Monday, 9 July: Gold Label – prints and fitting.

Tuesday, 10 July: Cynthia and I had tickets to hear John Pilger speaking at the Southbank Centre – but I gave mine to Daniel Lismore (who was thrilled) because Andreas wanted us to accept an invitation to Glyndebourne.  Andreas couldn’t go because he was exhausted from doing too much for all kinds of reasons so I went with Theo:

Hi! I’m Theo and I have been working for Vivienne for four years now- I look after the products we design specifically for the Japanese market. In addition to our main lines, there are two lines of clothes, one for men and one for women, as well as a range of fourteen different types of accessories (from umbrellas to socks and scarves) that are all produced and sold in Japan.

It’s needless to say how very thrilled I was to be able to  escort Vivienne to Glyndebourne – a place I had heard of and always wanted to go to. We took the train from Clapham Junction, through the Downs to Lewes, the carriage was filled with people in evening clothes carrying picnic baskets – then on to a special double decker bus.

The house is thought to be 600 years old. The first opera house was built by the grandfather of Gus Christie, the current Director of the Festival. His grandfather was married to an opera singer and Gus is now married to opera diva, Danielle de Niese. This woman is an amazing sex bomb, I saw her in the role of Cleopatra in Handel’s Julia Caesar. We make dresses for Danielle, including the one she wore in her recent performance on CBS TV with rap star LL Cool J. She doesn’t want her image to be limited to something grand. She’s really looking forward to next week  singing in Central Park and on Brooklyn bridge. I asked her how she felt about opera being expensive for young people, she said it actually doesn’t cost more than going to see a big pop-star like Madonna.

Theo: “The pace of the opera was remarkable and it was funny too – lots of  giggles and stamping from the audience. I liked the wicked stepsister in the centre – her hair and make-up were done in such a cooky way and she was so desperate to be chosen by the Prince. Cenerentola, of course, was a mezzo-soprano whose voice and presence filled the entire theatre!

Cynthia and Daniel loved John Pilger’s evening. Cynthia reports: John Pilger is one of our most respected journalists and almost legendary war correspondents.The large Queen Elizabeth Hall was sold out (we tried to get more tickets but couldn’t), packed with admirers (including us) who learnt more about his career and also got to hear his views on the world today – including military intervention in the Middle East and his observations on “the West”.(www.johnpilger.com) We also ran in to Julian Assange’s colleague, Joseph, in the foyer who brought us a bit more up to date. John Pilger is a big supporter of Julian and let his views be known to the audience.

Wednesday, 11 July: Andreas and I are off to Italy for a week to work with our people there. More when we return…

* Quality rather than Quantity