Vogue Festival 2013
Yesterday Anna and I slapped on the lippy, added a little MasonBentley number, clicked our heels and headed off to the Vogue Festival at the South Bank to hear the e-commerce oracle Natalie Massenet give a talk.
Loved the fact that the ad girls that I adore from Bottega Veneta were on the other side of the glass…their beauty was still illuminating..
Impressions? I have never been in such a large group of people where fashion was an over-riding obsession, it created a touchable energy I wished I could bottle. In fact it would be easy to intimidated – I know I used to worry much more about failure – and maybe it’s one of the joys of growing older that you can to stand back, observe and place feelings within context from the memory bank.
It struck me – and I have to be honest here – that there was the lack of heart stopping visions of fashion that really floated my boat. Everyone was all very very – there was neon, there was sheer, there was monochrome, there were see-through clutches..but surely if it’s been labelled a ‘trend’ you are following fashion rather than creating it?
For me great fashion has always had that element of unattainability – all precision cut, impeccably crafted, rich visual rewards with cleverness and innovation, Glamour, mystique and cool sophistication, beautifully crafted visions of perfection. But I did’t see that..instead I saw the need for celebrity spread across clothes like landing beacons for transient moments of limelight and a little bit of me wanted to grow wings and fly away.
Maybe the fashion I lust after is elitist which is why it’s been sidelined to a corner? Maybe fast fashion, bright colours and basic material is the only way? We had hoped that Anna might get ‘papped’ in our Valentina dress..I still believe that quality shines. But it was disappointing when we saw that the only outfits being noticed were the most extreme…the towering platform heels, the tiny skirts, the bling…do they really represent what women want to wear? what makes them comfortable? cool? It feels very wrong when we don’t like good any more…that we don’t hold it in esteem.
The talk was great – I would give my eye-teeth to have a two-to-one with Natalie Massenet..if you want to see it for your self all her slides are available on Instagram at @nataporter_mystorysofar. A huge amount of what she said completely resonated with us and our vision for the future. We were inspired.
Then, on the way out..’Madame..Can we take your picture?’…Only USA Vogue!
As Steve Martin said…be so good they can’t ignore you…
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 
So agree with the world of fashion at a certain level being safe and bland. I have a sign on my fridge that says ” I am not going to listen to anyone whose favourite colour is beige” Amen to that!
Did you get to any of the festival? x
No unfortunately not…busy making for vintage fair next weekend.
Where’s the fair?
Colchester Essex…my patch!
Colchester Essex….my patch!
We’re down the other side of the Thames otherwise would have come! x
Hope to do stall at Spitalfields at some point so maybe see you there. X
Let me know..I will come xxx
Much fashion has become little more than “a theatre of the absurd.” Designers compete for editorial coverage – the more outrageous, the better. Quite sad.
I couldn’t agree more…it’s the unhealthy ripple effect from the cult of celebrity. Bring back talent, achievement, aspiration and a little does of lethal xxx
incredible as always
You are lovely! xxx
This so reminds me of the quote by Oscar Wilde: “When critics disagree, the artist is in accord with himself”
I really love this post. The problem is that style and fashion nowadays are sometimes seen in the same sense. People mistaken style for fashion. To me, style is self-motivated by your inner moods, feelings and individuality. Whereas fashion is just what society or today’s trends say is ‘in’.
I’m actually really proud/happy that you didn’t get caught up in the moment and actually brought yourself down back to Earth to look at the event from a outer perspective.
This is bitchin’.
Thank you luv. Top comment. Was it Chanel that said ‘you can buy fashion but you can’t buy style’? Have you seen any of the write-ups from the Bloggers talk at the Vogue Festival? – wish wish wish I could have gone to that one..it was Susie Bubble, Anna Della Russo and Garance Dore..they also talked about the hoards of extremes hanging around London Fashion week. Garance said she no longer gets her inspiration from the ‘street style’ on show (little sigh there)..but there’s a mis-match if the media are still taking those pictures and that’s were the spotlight is. And if that is where the spotlight is, it will just encourage more of this behaviour…call me old-fashioned but bring back the class of Jane Birken, Charlotte Rampling, Bridget Bardot and the gorgeous Audrey Hepburn..xxxxx
Wish there was something like that near where I live. It looks like it would be fun. Love hearing your observations.
There was a definite buzz and I would def go again next year..have to say the food market just by the Festival Hall was also DELICIOUS!! xxx
Style vs Fashion ladies… style will always win. Stay true to yourselves MasoBento! (sorry… that is the australian penchant for shortening everything)
Anna rocking Valentina. You gorgeous gals!
And top banana to you!! MasoBento hey? sounds like a luscious stir fry with amazing noodles. She looked good didn’t she? Can you tell it was back to being bl**dy cold here! xxxx
It did look as though there might be a chill in the air. I dream of the chance to layer. It is so hot here that I can’t even contemplate a frock with lining. Cotton, cotton, cotton! In Bangkok at the moment and indulged in a little department store hedonism yesterday. Couldn’t help imagining a little MasonBentley booth in the very glamourous Central Store… only a matter of time, I am sure. XX
The “Valentina” dress (and how beautifully it’s worn !) is the best thing in this oh-so-amazing post !
Agree on the Valentina dress. The fabric, the style…lovely.
We’re brainstorming a few ideas at the mo..we will definitely ‘do’ this dress..but we are quite curious to see how the lace would dye…could be interesting xxxx
Goodness, I couldn’t agree with you more! I understand there’s a need for change in a world of fast fashion but surely the enduring beauty of quality should still be more prevalent. Did you say lace? I adore lace…..
I feel a Blog post about this brewing, but it was strange to watch in first hand – there was a disconnect from the presentation of the people on the stage and at first glance (after all they did spot the dress) what was considered interesting to the photographers..the power of the Media is very strong xxx
To me Fashion is for the youngsters (they can pull off the extremes) and Style is for the discerning. Mind you there was a time when fashion was pulled from the street looks of the young and young at heart. Now, it seems the young are following fashion, not leading it.
Love the Valentina, it’s ravishing. I can’t tell you how happy it made me to see that Vogue US was perceptive enough to photograph you both. You both looked lovely.
Oh, and speaking of dyed lace, I just bought a pair of teal green high waisted lace shorts. I have them hanging in my closet and I keep saying “WHAT was I thinking!’ followed by ‘Oh those are SO cute!’
O.M.G..literally today Anna and I were discussing whether we should make some high-waisted fifties style shorts with some of our broiderie anglais..do they have buttons up the front??