Following his success last year with the Blank Canvas Exhibition, Josef Valentino, the founder and creative director of Pollocks, is launching ‘Worthless’ – a live art installation that explores the value of material items.

Inspired by the recession to create something positive, Valentino intends to explore the concept that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure, challenging current perceptions of ‘worth’. Members of the public will be invited to bring their own ‘worthless’ items into the pop-store and have them transformed into pieces of art.

The Worthless store event will pay homage to the institution that was Woolworths, via ironic references throughout the installation space. A team of Pollocks creatives will be working continually in the basement workshop on the transformations. The experience culminates for participants when on collection of their item, the customer will be asked how much they now think the item is worth. This amount is what the customer will then pay for the item, and all proceeds will be split equally between Pollocks and the artists. The pick of ‘worthless to priceless’ creations will be exhibited in the store from 1st – 5th June with several items being auctioned on behalf of the ‘MS Society’.

Valentino established Pollocks twelve months ago with a simple blogger site allowing artists to submit their work for digital exhibition. Essentially a website, its aim was to be an online playground where young people could share and discuss their art work, whether it be a performance art video, interview or even a fashion shoot.

Last year Blank Canvas attracted some high profile names such as Marc Quinn, Annie Lennox, Levi Palmer and Rankin and Valentino promises another impressive line-up for this event.

‘Worthless’ runs from 22nd – 29th May in Seven Dials.

www.pollocks.org

The deVigne Bar, at London’s upmarket Mandeville Hotel, will be treating patrons to a new superhealthy yet delectable range of cocktails this summer. Director Claudio Grisorio has concocted a variety of fresh and organic drinks to tempt guests and the public alike, all of which weigh in at under 100 calories and so can be enjoyed by even the most calorie-conscious of customers.

Grisorio has taken mixology to new levels in creating drinks that use interesting and diverse ingredients – the Skinny Dipper, for example, takes vodka, lime and ginger and adds further kick with a dash of cayenne pepper. Expect to also find an extensive list of old favourites such as mojitos and martinis, given the modern deVigne treatment. The array of drinks is complimented by a light and healthy menu, offering Summer Salads and fresh fruit desserts – and all served, of course, in the vibrant deVigne Bar, the perfect place to drop by for some well-deserved relaxation.

Find the Mandeville Hotel just off of Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BE; for enquiries call 0207 935 5599.

Dries Van Noten is the fashionista’s subject of honour at the Couture Council’s Artistry of Fashion annual lunch this year, placing the designer up in the ranks of Isabel Toledo, Alber Elbaz and Ralph Rucci.

The Belgian designer will not however be publicly revelling in his achievement, telling WWD that he will not be making a dramatic acceptance speech à la Oscars. The prestigious award is significant for its celebration of true “artistry in fashion” – “It’s the skills, the craftsmanship, the colours and the fabric I create” said Noten. Valerie Steele, director and chief curator of The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, praised Van Noten’s “incredible sensitivity to colour, to pattern and to ornamentation – and the way he has searched the world to find crafts people who can do what he wants them to do – is extraordinary”.

The Couture Council of the FIT is based on a group of true fashion-lovers, whose membership group works to support and promote the development of world-class exhibitions, bringing designer style to the adoring masses. For more information on the Museum and their fantastic pieces go to www.fitnyc.edu; or appreciate Dries Van Noten’s success at www.driesvannoten.be

Selfridges is celebrating its 100th year by collaborating with the world’s most influential designers and iconic brands to produce sought-after products in Selfridges’ iconic 109 pantone.

The limited edition ranges will be available exclusively from all Selfridges’ stores from May 2009. They include Jimmy Choo stilettos, Lulu Guiness ‘posy’ bags, Paul Smith Selfridges skirts and Marc Jacobs ‘Stam’ bags, as well as a list of other coveted designer items.

Selfridges will also be celebrating its centenary throughout the summer with a number of events which includes the Big Yellow Festival of music, fashion and variety every weekend in May and a retrospective exhibition from 2 May – 31 August.

The business was founded by American entrepreneur Gordon Selfridge in 1909 and run by him until he retired in 1940 and took on the role of President. In 2003 Galen Weston purchased Selfridges. He and his wife Hilary are closely involved with the development and growth of the company and their daughter Alannah is Selfridge’s Creative Director.

We don’t mean to be judgmental…but a superbly packed and branded goodie bag can be a critical factor for an event, leaving clients and guests with a strong final impression of a company’s ethos. Gone are the days of a paltry brochure or branded pens – enter All Bagged Up.

The UK’s premier goodie bag creator appears to be defying all signs of recession and is going from strength from strength, now offering more choice and innovation than ever before. After five years of industry triumph they have added more services for clients, making the job of collating the bags easier than ever before, and allowing a much more personal touch by always working with the client’s exact brief. Since their launch in 2003, All Bagged Up have built significant business relationships with big names such as the BBC, Barclays and Vodafone, and are accustomed to catering for huge-scale promotions and events.

The new website  is now live, and showcases the new products and services being offered, along with valuable insider advice on how best to maximise the client’s resources – try it for your next event.

www.allbaggedup.co.uk