Category: 2015

March 10, 2015

Craig Green x

It’s taken a while to track down the designer of this coat..

Not surprising: It’s from an SS15 menswear collection…and is a rather nice – rare? example of an element of power women have in fashion…we have the most choice clothes-wise, nothing is forbidden or taboo..and then, when a talented, new menswear designer does turn up…we snuffle him up as well..

Wise women that we are…

This is all the work of 27 year old Central Saint Martins graduate Craig Green who debuted his first solo runway show in London..where the unthinkable happened..tears and cheers from the notoriously fickle fashion pack..and women running after him waving their gold-plated credit cards..

It’s easy to see the appeal..his work conjures up such contradictions as mesonic and pagan, protective yet vulnerable..layers versus movement..

But I just like it when functional clothes are plundered – fencing uniforms, riding clothes, army uniforms..let’s face it, any uniform..and the fact that it’s padded. I also revel in the joy that women know exactly what they like, and have no qualms stealing it as their own..

I just wish I had one…

Laters, Kate x

March 9, 2015

Chloe x

Chloe fall 2015 delves into the deep satisfaction of beautiful tailoring and boho chic. This coat: I lust. The soft retro cut, the wide lapels, the longer arms, the burnished brass buttons, the subtle height on the shoulders..the length (a pain to walk in, but oh-so elegant to see). Simple, exclusive, fashion gold.

It’s 70’s but it’s cultured 70’s – the tiny covered buttons, the thin neck scar..it’s elegant campari drinking on a balcony in Italy rather than bronzed beach babe with a bottle of beer.

There were dresses for the barefoot comtessas.

But my heart was beating for the tailoring: I could’ve easily eaten more and felt disappointed every time the music stopped.

But when you see Chloe and Burberry plundering the same creative vein, you know there’s something in the air: patchwork and ponchos are obviously the mind-candy of the moment.

The boho vibe is strong between them: But I still think it’s the cuts and tailoring where the true riches lie.

Laters, Kate x

March 6, 2015

Dries Van Wonderful x

Dries Van Noten Fall 2015 is that rare mix of beauty, intellect and empathy.

It’s what happens when fashion, art and history collide. The layering is exceptional – clever pieces, beautiful materials and brilliant lengths that reference the past – from the brocades of the tudors to the frills of the dandies. Combined with innovative textures and a lifeblood of ideas, the collection springs to life.

Long oxblood gloves with short sleeves..

Jumper dresses re-invented with brocade..

gold and decadence..

(I must get a quilted jacket)

High mixed with low..chinos with velvet and…more quilting..

Clothes made with a warmth associated with polar bears and snowy days..

(All photos Style.com)

It’s winner, winner, chicken dinner.

Laters, Kate x

March 5, 2015

Doll Face x

I saw this first on a friend’s Facebook page (thanks Sarah Dezille) and found it incredible on so many different levels. These are the Tree Change Dolls – face-overs given to unwanted Bratz dolls by the artist Sonia Singh from Australia. Using simple nail polish remover and eucalyptus oil, she removes the original paint..and re-paints new faces. The dolls are then re-dressed in outfits handmade by her mother, transformed from something ready to be thrown away..to a true Cinderella moment…it boggles the mind to think they once even shared the same gene-pool..

Sonia was just doing this for fun..then she uploaded a few pictures on her dolls to Tumblr..and the effect went viral..

It’s not surprising..she’s created something so simple, so innocent..and for me, captured something utterly nostalgic and precious. Inadvertently her dolls have opened up the debate on the sexualisation of children and the increasing speed with which they now grow up. For me it’s less about that – I wouldn’t tell Bella not to play with a Bratz doll. But I love how something so simple can radiate an even stronger power: After years of drink, drugs and bad hair extensions, these Bratz have a new lease of life away from their whirling, high-energy, high-pressure existence and are now embracing and thriving in the type of life I’d like for my kids..

And there’s nothing to stop anyone else from having a go – there’s various Youtube films made by Sonia showing how to do it yourself which I thoroughly recommend..but I rather like her first film, explaining how it all started:

I think they’re wonderful, and hope, over the Easter holidays to create some UK versions with Bella (although I ‘d be perfectly happy just to find a quiet corner and do it by myself…)

Part of the appeal is that the eyes and expressions remind me so much of Sasha dolls from the 60s and 70s. A doll I never had but coveted – my best bud Ella had two! Not only did they have such enigmatic faces, but their wardrobes were to-die-for too..

(I’m sure it was my first experience of the power of clothes..)

It always amazes me how life works in cycles…Tree Change is the old-fashioned calm at the heart of the modern life storm…and I love it!

Laters, Kate x

March 4, 2015

Into the Blue x

You’ll find these dresses in my dreams…

Mine’s the chair on the left…

Laters, Kate x

March 3, 2015

Charlie x

This is hearsay…so I can’t tell you if it’s actually true…but according to The Husband (who’s birthday it is today – happy Birthday hubby! – which also managed to coincide with the final break down of the boiler. Should I be worried?) Charlie had a rather enlightening conversation with him at the weekend whilst watching Bella ice skate. Apparently he’s desperate for some younger siblings and thinks two more would be ideal. Sadly (wrong word, but he’s got a lot to learn…A lot.) there’s not a snowballs chance in hell of his wishes ever coming true: The wish for younger brother’s and sisters is rather like counting to infinity – it can never be satisfied as someone (In this case, Charlie) always has to be the youngest. But more importantly, that was ten years of my life I gave up and I have no wish to return to. Except Charlie thinks he has a cunning plan which he’s prepared to put into action…according to him, if he pushes my boobies (his words, not mine) five times, it makes a baby!…he knows this is true because he saw it on television! (also worrying. On a different level..) I asked The Husband whether he put him straight and grasped with two hands the perfect opportunity for a manly bird et bees conversation….he said he’s been far too amused watching me run away every time Charlie comes close…

Laters, Kate x

March 2, 2015

Padded Cell.. x

Sometimes I wonder if my coat obsession is a bit like a whining cry of entitlement, endlessly wanting it all. The Husband is certainly worried – he now wants one coat in, one coat out..which seems eminently sensible..but it nags away at me. I just think we spend a lot more time in coats – particularly in the UK – than we ever give them credit for. They can be the ultimate style statement of an outfit.

The latest flame for my moth is the quilted coat. I’ve been looking for the perfect one for sometime and was even considering buying an indian kantha quilt to make into the ideal article. How ironic then to see Burberry Porsum with the same idea..

(Although I know which option will be cheaper..)

And then there’s the smoking jacket, once the sole preserve of men and now fair game for all with their jewel-like colours radiating magpie charm. How cool with the cropped trousers and no-nonsense footwear?

Or else there’s the Japanese option, particularly the winter quilted kimono jackets to love and wear..imagine with a pair of dark navy flares and a casually worn cross-body fringe bag..and the majority of these are reversible: Two for the price of one! Bargain!

The truth is how can one be limited in a world of endless possibilities??

Laters, Kate x

February 28, 2015

The Ride of Our Life!

The Top Secret Project?…

Started like this..as made by Mandy and Philip.

Went on to this..

Transformed to this..

Then multiplied..by eight..

We added legs.

Lots of legs..

(It was a shock every time we walked in the room!)

And then the top halves! And all for the School Quiz!!!!….

Go to Facebook for the vid!

It was a top, top night..such tables as ‘fifty shades of Farrow and Ball’..’Teachers Pets’ – dressed as animals with school ties and complete with squeakers..and a fabulous ‘my big fat gypsy wedding’ with dresses, cake, tent and fairy lights!

But we won!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was really rather fabulous!

Laters, Kate x

February 27, 2015

Sarah Harris x

Sarah Harris, Fashion Features Editor at Vogue, started going grey at the age of 16.

She says: ‘It’s amazing the consternation and/or bafflement this is causing the people around me. I am ‘brave’ apparently. Or ‘mad’. And though I remain determined I can’t deny a frisson of concern at their horror. What if they are right?

How levelling to know a stunning, stylish, beautiful woman has the same issues as the rest of us..

It just goes to show..it’s never one thing..it’s the whole person and their ‘look’.

(All photos google)

It’s about all those cliched, over-used words..honest and authentic..and still being utterly fabulous.

Laters, Kate x

February 26, 2015

Super street style x

It’s the little things that make the street style photos of fashion week so fascinating..the glint of an unusual piece of jewellery sparkling in the sun, a plait of hair coiled like a blonde horsewhip on a cashmere shoulder..or just a casual chic humour that brings an outfit together in a shower of golden sparks..