Creativity and innovation are celebrated this month with a spectrum of new launches from the world of art, motoring, fashion and design.  The largest ever portrait of Nelson Mandela is unveiled.  Fashion empress Isabella Blow’s wardrobe is showcased in a new exhibition, Roli creates a musical storm with a revolutionary new keyboard and beloved French restaurant Boulestin reopens in London’s Mayfair. On the grapevine, the very best of menswear design showcase new collections in London, Tom Dixon creates a range of luxurious camping-ready accessories with adidas, performance furniture by Oma and Knoll excites the interior’s world and three-wheelers go electric. We also pick out top gifts to make this Father’s Day (16th June) truly special.

Largest Ever Portrait of Nelson Mandela

We’re privileged to have the world exclusive on the largest ever portrait of Nelson Mandela. At a colossal 4.2m squared, the stunning image dwarfs the 6ft 5” tall South African artist Paul Blomkamp. The painting is rendered in Blomkamp’s hallmark medium of acrylic paints on nine individual canvasses, which collectively form the overall image.  It took him 14 months to create as a tribute to one of the world’s most inspirational statesman for his forthcoming 95th birthday.

Blomkamp is a master of this highly specialised technique and has enjoyed numerous prestigious exhibitions and major commissions.  In recent years he has completed portraits of Oprah Winfrey and Richard Branson.

The minimum reserve for the magnificent portrait is £193, 000 ($304, 800 – 2,750,000 Rand) and a £1000, donation will be made by VeryFirstTo and the artist to The Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital upon purchase.

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Blown Away

She famously wore couture to breakfast, was a muse to milliner Philip Treacy and championed the late, great Alexander McQueen – breaking and redefining the fashion rules with her eccentric style.  So, it comes as no surprise that six years after her tragic suicide, Isabella Blow’s maverick style should be honoured for all to enjoy in a major exhibition.

‘Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore!’ at London’s Somerset House, will allow style aficionados, pop culture fans and art lovers alike to walk through the Fashion Editor’s flamboyant wardrobe...

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