Since 1981, the Sundance Institute has been dedicated to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences. Originally founded by Robert Redford in the mountains of Sundance, Utah, the Institute is heading to London for the second time and we have a long list of films, music and discussions we are dying to attend. 

Here are some of our top picks of this year’s Sundance Festival in London:

MUSCLE SHOALS – Documentary

When Rick Hall got a call from Paul Simon requesting the black players that played on I’ll take you there by The Staple Singers, Hall said yes but explained that they would be 'a little pale'. In a time of severe racial hostility, Stacks Records helped some of the greatest artists, black and white, to create bestselling albums and iconic songs such as Mustang Sally and Wild Horses.  This extraordinary documentary tells it all, featuring incredible interviews with Keith Richards, Aretha Franklin, Bono and Alicia Keys.

THE LOOK OF LOVE – Film

Hailed as this year’s best Brit flick, the true story of adult magazine mogul and entrepreneur Paul Raymond (played by Steve Coogan) shows his rise to one of England’s richest men and, as he became known, the “King of Soho”. Through the movie you see Raymond push the boundaries of sexually morality in Britain, and bringing with it a litany of obscenity charges, a failed marriage, troubled children, and personal tragedy. We'll be watching for sure.

Images coutesy of Sundance Festival London 

Christmas, aka ‘the most wonderful time of the year’, might be behind us, but that does not negate our wish for snow. In London, there are certain times of the year that just make the city a little bit more special. A quiet calm descends over London as it is covered in a blanket of snowflakes. Transport issues abound and complex weather appropriate outfit choices have to be made, but you cannot deny the beauty of a city lightly frosted.

London image from www.inspiringinterns.com

As we drink copious cups of tea and sit as close as physically possible to the radiator on this cold, cold day, this bright & breezy behind-the-scenes film of our Spring-Summer 2012 Collection look book shoot is exactly what we need. Ruby Aldridge frolics in the West Sussex countryside, running in fields, showing us her (genuine) guitar skills, climbing walls and playing on the swings. Oh how we wish we were there right now.

This picture is just so very English that we couldn’t resist sharing.