Category: Art
Eye Want White x
I’m having a serious limerent moment with retro sunnies..which has led to these heady pics..
Windows to the soul or the opportunity to hide behind a mask..the choice is yours…
Laters, Kate x
I Heart Mr Morris x
But as a rule, it’s been because of his interiors..however..
Nigel Weymouth wearing William Morris Jacket with Rufus Potts Dawson, Amanda Lear and Jess. Photo by Colin Jones 1967.
George Harrison also sporting a fetching number… And the modern equivalents..
Alice and Olive floral skirt. Style.com
Oswald Helgason A/W 2013 Collection..seriously worth checking out.
Crossing the centuries: Maria Sethe.
Which goes to show, when it works..it works.
Laters, Kate x
La vie en rose x
Proud mummy/cousin moment: My lovely daughter, Bella modelling t-shirts designed by my beautiful-inside-and-out cousin Nathalie. I’ll write a longer post when Naths has her full e-commerce site up and running but until then check out her Facebook page because Naths is one of the amazing people of this world – I think all the products (not just t-shirts) she designs and sells are super cool..and this is doubled when you know her story, and the story behind the story.
Nathalie lost her sister, Sam and Sam’s baby daughter, Ruby Rose in the horror of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. As a way of grieving and celebrating her sister’s vibrant life, she started creating and commissioning art works based on the phrase ‘Sam says enjoy life’ to capture and treasure Sam’s spirit. These were then sold on behalf of the charity set up in their names.
Not only does this send a powerful message of joy over adversity, but many of Nathalie’s products are made by women’s charities, one of which is based in Barcelona and helps women recently released from prison by teaching them seamstress skills whilst earning a fair wage.
Love can be so many things.
So if the day is a downer, the suppers in the dog..or the dogs in the supper, just know that worse things can happen and take a step back..and enjoy life..because a certain person says so…
And believe me, she knows.
Laters, Kate x
Quirky Appeal x
I’m a sucker for vintage children’s illustrations and have found myself photographing the back of a free magazine every time it comes through the door…it might be advertising for a local estate agents, but they’ve still got something..
And then today, I thought I was in for the usual hamster-in-a-wheel trip to the supermarket..but the Gods must’ve been smiling.. look what I found in the car park!
Broken glass and a bit damp, but it soon dried out.
Sigh.
Laters, Kate x
At the Palace..
Last week I went to Buckingham Palace no less…sadly Queenie was otherwise engaged, but it did mean I could see the ‘In Fine Style’ exhibition exploring the fashion of the Court during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
I have a pavlovian response to this sort of treat…just the thought of finding secrets, and secrets about secrets and the little ideas that will then play in the mind and link up with other ideas already dancing is enough to make me drool.
I love the collar just poking over the top of his doublet. Tres chic.
A later picture, but another lovely, charming collar line with exquisite detail.
The detail on this slashed cuff with the shirt underneath pillowing through?
How much did Nether Stocks wrinkle? And why did Aglets go out of fashion?
There was no impressing discreetly. This was a time when fashion was a huge vehicle for displaying social status and wealth, but as a consequence the quality of the craftsmanship is awe-inspiring. As was the glimpse of the shell pink pink satin in this pocket.
The work on this collar..literally done by the fingers of angels the stitches were so small. The tassels on the end were like a collection of snowflakes hanging impossibly together.
Monochrome has never been out of fashion.
A fine way to tie a cravat..
As was this.
It was sleeve and cuff heaven.
Hows that for a trendy man-bracelet?
So unusual..made of scarlet feathers..and holding?
And all the rooms were in strong, royal colours. The perfect backdrop.
We thought this was for a child. But no. I could literally fit my leg calf ankle in the waist. The cut of the neck..so elegant.
More exquisitly unbelievable detail.
I can also confirm..the royal toilets pass muster..
Laters, Kate x
Deep Within x
I had to post this. Another illustration (I know. Couldn’t resist) of just what gems Kickstarter has to offer, but more – the chance to be part of a little bit of Art History. Below are pictures from the life works of Howard Tangye, Senior Lecturer and Head of Womenswear Design at Central Saint Martins and teacher to the likes of Stella McCartney and Christopher Kane among many others.
Two of his former pupils who now run the Design Studio, Stinsenssqueeze are collaborating with Tangye to publish a book of his unseen works called ‘Within’ for the first time ever. Why Kickstarter? Because they are not a publishing house and want the money to self-pubish. Why self-publish? Because they believe that this will produce a better quality result with control, heart and integrity…I am seduced.
Whilst outwardly his professional emphasis has been on his fashion teaching, behind the scenes Tangye has been prolifically working on his own style of illustration capturing the clothes and his sitters in a unique and evocative way…It’s the confident, curling lines..the colours, the freedom..the skill.
The blue against the beige with the highlights in white..
That pink. Sigh. Against the orange. Sublime.
The blue with the ochre.
The attention to detail: The colour of the page, chosen to perfection. I die.
They’ve even specifically designed the typeface. Such taste and dedication.
I am in heaven. So much so, I am now a backer – and I will confess – there were literal tears of joy in my eyes to be able to do so…So for £80 (as long as the target is hit other wise this project fails, which would be a tragedy) I will get a signed copy of the book book plus a ticket to a special lecture in September…who knows, maybe I’ll wear a little MasonBentley number..until then, my cup filleth over..
Laters, Kate xxx
The Art of The Letter x
Letter by Seigmund Freud
Anna is a self-confessed font whore – in truth we initially artistically bonded over our strange designs loves like swirly handwriting and Sasha dolls. But whilst I can appreciate the impact even a simple pen stroke can have on a page, she takes the love to a whole new level. Which is how we discovered Harald…
We first saw him on ‘Kickstarter’ (If you can watch the film, it’s delicious) – Do you know Kickstarter? It’s effectively a crowdfunding platform that gives creative projects the chance of financial support without the need to give away their equity. instead, project creators offer their backers ‘rewards’ to thank them for their support..it’s seriously worth checking out..sometimes I’ll just go there to see what whacky creative concept has grabbed the collective imagination..the whole thing is an idea with wings and has breathed new life into the world of struggling creatives..and I adore the huge variety of projects it attracts….’Slime moulds, An Illustrated Guide’ anyone?
or how about ‘Paper Shoes’?
or a self-watering kitchen garden?
..they all sound completely whacko, but I can assure you, these projects are done with the upmost integrity and skill with the majority having true visionaries at their heart.
So Anna puts ‘fonts’ into the search option…and we are hooked.
Harold Geisler wanted to create a font based on the beautiful and unique handwriting of Sigmund Freud:
We became backers and in return for a small amount ($10) we will get the font on completion (imagine on the blog!) and receive regular updates on his progress. We also couldn’t resist going to his website and ordering his Conspired Lovers font as well. A pure extravagance.
But when someone is a Master of their craft..you feel it, see it, want it.
And what better thing to do than be able to support it?
Laters, Kate xxx
YSL lives on..
(Photo by Sophie Carre)
Back to reality..almost..
There are certain places I have visited only in my dreams, but one day, one day Rodders, I’ll get there…Coco chanel’s apartment, the Picasso Museum in Antibes..and the Studio of Yves Saint Laurent at 5 Avenue Marceau, 75116 Paris.
For a lucky few and until the July 21, it’s possible to go on a guided tour of the studio and library courtesy of the Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent Foundation. The Foundation was set up to share the forty years of accumulated memories and artefacts of this iconic creator with his intimidating reputation for excellence and meticulous sculpting of cloth.
Oh to be a speck of dust. To be still and drink it in.
But if I can’t be there in person. Sigh. There is still the internet – part of the Foundations aims is to promote cultural projects and with this in mind, they are releasing all sorts of wonder through their site which is so worth a visit. For instance, there are the production boards..
Illustrating 1283 production drawings from 81 Haute Couture collections from 1962- 2002. Each garment features a sketch, a sample of fabric from which the final garment was produced, the name of the couture workshop that produced it, the name of the model that wore it and even the order in which she walked during the Fashion Show. It is a little glittering cyber treasure trove…
It’s also possible to buy a beautifully bound four book edition of the Production Drawings. And if I had 2,100 euros handy..I would.
The latest release from the Website is the ‘Paper Dolls’ – Yves Saint Laurent made these beauties between 1948 – 1949 using from amongst other things, cuttings from his mother’s favourite magazines – Vogue, Jardin des Modes and Paris-Match. These fragile works of art are the physical embodiment of his vivid, verdant imagination and somehow make him feel very human..touchable even.
The website allows you to pick a ‘doll’ and then choose her outfit by clicking on it..how super cool!
Hours and hours of nostalgic Haute Couture pleasure…with more than a little bit of fairy dust.
Laters, Kate xxx
‘
Set…Go!!
A huge WELCOME!! to all who come here on this wonderous day of a different kind of blogging..our inaugural BLOG PARTY..come in, have a mojito..
Or something from the strawberry bar..
..take the weight off your feet and have a look around!
Our post today is about our Preview launch on Tuesday 11 June..but before that, here is the list of amazing and eclectic blogs for you to ‘Blog crawl’, visit and enjoy!
First of all we want to add in three extra Blogs because they have kindly posted about our launch and spread the love:
www.thewordgirl.co.uk – a lovely, personal post from a great blog
seventy7q.com – beautifully written
dressing4dinner.com – Manuela will be writing her post very soon
reasonstobecheerfulandsad.wordpress.com
traveltalesbytash.wordpress.com
thevintagetraveler.wordpress.com
rachelfashionblogger.wordpress.com
sarathewindowshopper.wordpress.com
diamondsanddirtdotcom.wordpress.com
We’ll be seeing you all very soon!
Now us..we wanted to do the Blog Party today to celebrate one thing – the first ever Preview of our new label MasonBentley..and here are a few pics from the night..there’s not a huge amount as I hardly had time to have my camera in my hand..but I hope it gives a flavour of what a fun, buzzy night it was!
The night was an achievement in itself..but the reality?
It’s just the starting point…
xxxxx
Ready?!
After a truly hectic week – launch and the aftermath (amazing!) plus teddy bears picnics, Sports Days, school fetes and all the wonderful extras that indicate the winding up of a Summer Term (which I do love..must remember a pirates costume for Charlie on Monday..) it’s time to brush up the Blog for the Big Party tomorrow..the glasses are polished..the buntings up..fresh flowers ordered…strawberries plump and ready from the Farmers Market (with a choice of fresh clotted cream or rose water of course)…So I think we are nearly there…just need to write tomorrows ‘Welcome’ post – always lovely to see when you walk through the door!..but most importantly here is the list of all the wonderful bonkers Blogs that are joining us for the fun..(I am more than happy to update if we get more requests)…this is completely mad! but personally I can’t wait to share a glass of something special with you all tomorrow!
reasonstobecheerfulandsad.wordpress.com
traveltalesbytash.wordpress.com
thevintagetraveler.wordpress.com
rachelfashionblogger.wordpress.com
sarathewindowshopper.wordpress.com
diamondsanddirtdotcom.wordpress.com
I’m aiming to get round the whole list. Fingers crossed!
xxx
Maison Bentley Style 