Category: accessories
Fashionable Selby x
There’s a new book out by the Photographer Todd Selby – Fashionable Selby – opening the door to the sort of voyeurism that really tickles my fancy: Designers at work..
(Photo by Todd Selby)
Dries Van Noten quietly arranging beautiful flowers.
(Photo by Todd Selby)
A highly organised bohemian Isabel Marant.
(Photo by Todd Selby)
A Marant mood board with a lust-worthy bracelet.
(Photo by Todd Selby)
Olivier Rousteing, Creative Director of Balmain at work on a stunning parquet floor.
(Photo by Todd Selby)
Inspiration from every corner: Carla Sozzani, Italian gallerist and founder of Galleria Carla Sozzani and the creator of 10 Corso Como in Milan.
(Photo by Todd Selby)
Surrounded by colour: Pascale Mussard, Artistic Director of Hermes Petit H.
It’s thinking you have that little bit of knowledge to know what they’re really like and what makes them tick..the reality behind the curtain. Even though you know in your mind, you’re still seeing what they want you to see….but it helps that each profile is accompanied by Selby’s watercolour portraits and illustrated questionnaires, revealing answers to personal questions.
It sounds delicious non?
Laters, Kate x
Leg Bling..
Ever heard of Tattoo Socks? Nor had I until a random search on Etsy threw them up (which some of you may be tempted to do..but bear with me). Think about it..it’s like statement, throwaway fashion that makes more of a mark than any High Street rip-off could…your favourite outfit taken to new, giddy heights. Try it and love or try it and loath it, the choice is yours but at – considering the wow factor – a pocket pleasing price…
(If I was an actress up for an Oscar about to walk the red carpet..I’d wear these..or as a bride going up the aisle??..or a first day at work under a pair of three quarter length trousers?? Hehe! )
Ever wanted long hair??!
Possibly better than nude ankle socks (Sorry Kerry!) I just feel these things have legs….I wonder when we’ll see them at a Fashion Week..or on a runway..
Laters, Kate x
Pretty Bling…
I was initially trawling for an ear cuff I’d squirrelled away a picture of..just a simple band with the words ‘I CAN’T HEAR YOU’ pressed in – why should teenagers have all the fun? Surely these are a must for any frazzled mum?? I tracked them down..they’re by the designer Ryan Storer, but their not made any more..gutted. My only hope will be Ebay…
Then got the urge to find some more ear cuffs with words..but I’ve been side-tracked by these..thought they were a) Stunning and b) the best price I’ve seen..so I’m sharing..
Love rocks articulated flower hair clip £38.00 from ASOS.
Love Rocks multiple stone articulated hair clip £40.00 ASOS.
Enjoy your sunday – blue, blue skies here and rumours of 18 degrees! Surely some mistake?!
Laters, Kate x
I Dig Kate!
Call me ignorant, but I had no idea that Kate Spade did stationery..possibly because it’s only just come to the UK – Quilllondon.com have started selling them (just so you know – they haven’t asked me to write this! I just love it!) It’s fab…utterly charming, witty..and I want some! The prices are not silly for a bit of designer magic – from £20 – £28 – which makes them the ideal gift..now it’s just a matter of choosing. And that is NOT easy!
This box sorts out all your cards so they’re no longer lying cluttered in a drawer…heaven!
There’s a similar box with ‘enclosure’ cards inside to add the personal touch to presents…j’adore!
Designer drawing pins or paper clips anyone?!
And the notebooks…divine! This one..Eat cake for breakfast..
When’s Christmas??
Laters, Kate x
Lay on the Lippy! x
How much love is involved in the beauty of a vintage lipstick case? They exude the allure of times gone past with fleeting glimpses of decadent Hollywood glamour. Let alone that evocative smell that is like no other.
They speak of a time when the packaging on the outside was as precious as what went on inside.
I don’t have one – partly because I’m wary of investing in something that can’t be used, which would be heartbreaking.
But I’ve spotted these by Paul and Joe (also available at ASOS) – refillable lipstick cases – the cases are about £7 and the refills £14 and, whilst I applaud the concept, and as much as these are fun (great little present) it’s a bit like comparing cheap fizz with Veuve Cliquot.
Does anyone know – CAN vintage lipstick cases still be used? Does lipstick come in a universal size?? If so, I’d be one happy bunny!
Or maybe one of the big Cosmetic companies are still making proper, metal, swanky lipstick cases that can be refilled it’s just we rarely hear about them?
If they’re not – why aren’t they? They’d be little bits of every day heaven to treasure, with the joy of upgrading and swapping colours – or buying new cases! I’d buy in like a shot! – I really can’t think of anything chicer to have in my bag…
Laters, Kate x
Throw on the Throws..
The stand out item on the Burberry AW14 Collection was the blanket cape thrown with nonchalant ease around the models shoulders. You just know it’s going to be a big look next winter as the perfect armour against even the thought of another onslaught from the Polar Vortex, stylishly layering layers on layers. But I do have a little confession….I thought Christopher Bailey was making a political statement against the treatment of cows in the UK..or maybe in support of vegetarians? Who knows – but I just thought..jeez..this is radical!!
You could hear the penny clang when I read later they were actually Cara’s initials..which, honest to God, is a totally awesome concept….just maybe her’s weren’t the best to send out first!
Laters, Kate x
Lighting the Way x
In my dreams there’s an Abigail Ahern chandelier hanging over my dining room table. Scrap that – we’re talking dreams..they’ll be two! (and a reinforced ceiling) This one has my heart – it’s made from tiny squares of porcelain that would gently glow on a dark winters night. But at £15,050 a light (the extra £50 tickles my sensibilities) it remains firmly on the once-I’ve-won-the-lottery-lust-list…
There’s also this one (at a mere £2,750) which makes me want to break open the kid’s air-drying clay and get creative. The truth is Abigail’s whole aesthetic has me squealing..the dark, brooding colours with the unexpected pops of colour, the quirky touches and an underlining sense of humour that spontaneously brings forth a smile of pure pleasure.
So it’s rather wonderful that she’s teamed up with Debenhams to design a range especially for them…
I laugh!
For the study?
Guarding the front door?
(This one is on her website but not on the Debenhams one yet..I hope he does appear as I love him and his dark purple lampshade..imagine on two bedside cabinets either side of a glamourous french rococo bed?..sigh)
This is when Designer versus High Street works..when there’s a symbiotic relationship that we can all feel inspired by rather than a parasitical one that destroys as it feeds.
And at £85 a light?
Bring it on!
Laters, Kate x
Edun Mark 2 x
The most attractive thing is always talent.
Danielle Sherman Creative Director of Edun is, season by season creating and expanding the visual language of this ethical label.
Building it block by block – the inspiration Africa, the journey a clear path: Her palette is clean, simple and continuous which means that like the materials she uses, pieces can be woven together.
Take her SS14 Collection..everything can be seamlessly added as an extra, rich layer – more shapes to play with. More weather changes to adapt to. It’s clever, it’s thoughtful. It’s sustainable in your wardrobe.
She answers ‘Who am I?’ before ‘What shall I buy?
And 85% of the this Season was made in Africa.
Unlike Karl, Danielle gets the sneaker aesthetic to perfection.
Simple but with intelligent, creative twists – a juxtaposition here, the unexpected there. She’s not trendy..she’s effortless.
Laters, Kate x
Anything Goes..
There’s no getting away from it – part of the breathless anticipation of any Fashion Week are the Street Style photos of the good, the bad and the fabulous pretending they’re unaware they’re the players in their own performance.
An unfortunate accident? Or the latest accessory?
Because ultimately, even with this small number of elite beings, they’ll only be a select few who can really tick the boxes and dress the way you want to feel.
But they still all know to carry themselves with extreme confidence, no matter what they feel like inside..and as perception becomes more important than truth it makes these some of the most interesting, schizophrenic moments to secretly observe.
We’re no longer in the land of princesses. What we wear, even to posh events is becoming more generalised, more ‘every day’. Which is why these flashes of inspiration are so important – they’re within our grasp.
But innovative and desirable is still the holy grail.
(All photos by Tommy Ton from Style.com)
The pictures tell us: To change our spots, all we need to do is change our skins. Essentially, they give us hope.
Laters, Kate x
Earrings x
Do you remember these earrings from a post way back? They were as cheap as chips and came from the website Siren London – but they’ve been one of my best purchases ever, hence the follow up.
It was hard to tell from the original picture how everything fitted together for wearing – I’d wrongly assumed the words were the butterfly – but no, the earrings come in three parts – the stud, the word with holes to slide onto the stud and then the butterfly. It was also a concern that the low price (£3.50) meant that the quality of the metal would cause problems..but I think that’s where these earrings have proved such a success..
The way they’re designed means you can use your own good quality stud earrings, then customised with the slide-on words….pure genius! I went back and bought some additional designs as well for mixing and matching (the flowers and the claws are new) though the words remain my firm favourites.
(The new earring box is a pill box from Muji..perfect for storing all the little bits together)
I couldn’t resist this extra pair of earrings even though you can tell how badly they’ve been made by the fact that the pearl is on the same side for each earring. Short trouser mistake. At least I only wear one earring at a time and wear something else in the other ear, like the ‘love’ design..and so far no bad ear lobe reaction..though I fear it’s only a matter of time..
But they were made to be joined with these..
So now all I need is a rather fabulous proper gold jewellery designer to run with this idea and start making proper witty versions so I can wear them forever and ever and ever..
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 