Category: Bohemian
Result!
What a difference a packet of dye makes! One session in the washing machine with half a kilo of salt and the jacket now has the patina of something between oil reflecting on water and that titanium jewellery which was very popular in the eighties (made from stainless steel with an electric current through to make wonderful, unexpected, rainbow-like colours?)..honestly, you couldn’t replicate this if you tried..I and absolutely love it!
It’s bluer than these photos..and the alterations were surprisingly simple – I took out the zip, took off the blouson cuffs and removed all the velcro square buttons. Then removed all the elastic out of the waistband and ironed it flat. I’ve got some black binding just to tidy up the sleeves, that job has yet to be done. And I also want to add a tie fastening three quarters of the way down..
The one draw back of the dye process was it exposed some small holes in the cotton, exposing the white of the filling. There were four particularly prominent ones on the bottom of the shawl collar..so I’ve started doing some hand quilting in the style of the Kantha quilts of India, in vertical lines but with random spacing. If I had the time and the patience I would quilt the whole coat with all sorts of patterns..but I want to wear it!
It’s thrilling to think that from this reject, my butterfly was born..
Laters, Kate x
Joseph’s Coat x
This is not an April fool, but one of my purchases from the South Bank Classic Carboot…a rather vibrant 80’s number picked up for a pleasing £10. Some would say there’s a reason it was so cheap..
But I think it has potential for a bit of alteration and a re-dye..I love the collar, the padding, and the shape of the arms..
At the moment I’m thinking dyeing it a midnight navy blue to knock back the yellows to a dark green and the pinks to a purple…here’s hoping..I’ll post the result tomorrow..
Laters, Kate x
Inspiration..
It’s rapidly heading towards crunch time for our proposed building works – the builder is coming to quote on Tuesday which means all the big structural decisions have been made. Now thoughts can turn to the decorating..but rather than hoarding pictures of perfect rooms, I’m finding myself drawn to the opulence and layering of faraway cultures…
(All photos from Pinterest)
Whatever happens…it’s going to be a journey.
Laters, Kate x
Eclipse x
As I’m writing this we’re close to a partial eclipse in London – unfortunately the weather is not co-operating, the clouds are thick and low. With minutes to go it’s definitely darker…the sort of dark that precedes a cracking thunder storm..or the moon cutting out the sun..and I can just imagine these boho babes from Etro SS15 somewhere green and verdant, dancing barefoot in the grass..because the green is always brighter on the other side..
Laters, Kate x
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
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
MiH Magic x
MiH, the original British jean brand have brought out their easy wear, always stare SS15 Collection.
With their love of denim and lashings of groovy inspiration, their designs are classic, pragmatic, clever and very independent.
You really sense it’s an high energy, slow process with thought and quality poured in.
They catch the nostalgic vibe of pre-mass market, when things were built to last and gently soften in the sun, improving with age and use.
To be worn collecting sea-shells on a sandy beach..or blinged up with statement jewellery at a posh party in London.
They work.
Wholesome, exhilarating food for the eyes, I can eat it all standing up…and always want more.
Laters, Kate x
Game of Thrones x
I think I have a genetic disorder that reacts to Valentino..every time I see the work of Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri my heart starts pounding and I start reaching for my credit card..and mortgage statements..
Their Valentino couture show was exquisite, drawing on references from across the board: Byzantine, monastical, peasant, ecclesiastical and more, then tying them all up together with a beautiful cohesive ribbon.
This shirt for the summer with a pair of faded shorts..
The achingly wonderful workmanship: It’s not avante garde, pushing the boundaries of wearability. It’s time and craftsmanship with a quiet, deep down confidence.
(All pictures Style.com)
This Collection adds one more cog to their star-making machinery..
Laters, Kate x
Haute Spot x
I have a sentimental weakness for the twinkling lights of Christmas – come tomorrow night, ours will be packed away for another year, marking the end of what has been a really rather lovely Christmas break…if self-indulgence is an art, there’s been just the right mix of celebrations and duvet days: The school routine and early mornings kick-off tomorrow and are going to be a seismic shock to the system..but now, excesses be damned, at least there’s something back in the tank to start the juggling again..and the harsh reality of New Year resolutions can wait another week: I like this feeling of cosy hibernation..
But if I had money to burn in this post-Christmas-spending-month-of-bill-contemplation, this fire-pit would be the object of my desires: Created by hand by the Artist Melissa Crisp and inspired by the north woods of Minnesota where the artist’s mother grew up it’s a living, breathing, visual delight..
Imagine the leaping shadows holding the cold of a winter frost at bay – that wonderful mix of being out in the elements, but warm…But until such times as the Lottery turns in my favour (as The Husband pointed out: would help if a bought a ticket), I shall just dream: There’re enough memories to keep flames burning…and simple candlelight and open fires aren’t a bad replacement..particularly if the candles are Jo Malone..sigh…and so once more into the darkness of winter we go..
Laters, Kate x
I am Lucky..
Because I have fabulous neighbours, which is one seriously important cog in the life’s life-enhancing machinery. Take this Christmas card, drawn by the visually inspired Jane of her dog, Zsa zsa and all her wonderful puppies taking a leaf out of the Great British Bake Off..Talent, verve and festive giggles..
On Friday I spent the day with another neighbour, Doromy, an ex-actress who knows all there is to know about London and is a visceral, witty joy to be with..we headed to Radio Days on Lower Marsh Street, just by Waterloo to check out vintage dressing gowns for Charlie and to buy deco shot glasses as a present to go with the Sloe Gin I made at Creative Coffee…the place is an absolute treasure trove and well worth a visit if you’re ever in this part of town..
In fact the whole of Lower Marsh Street is a little gem: Vintage shops, food stalls, chi-chi pubs..the gnarly mixed with loftier intentions. Further down and just off to the right is this..the underground tunnel leading to The Vaults, a multi-use underground venue and a spray-painted canvas of guttural dipthongs..
Including female graffiti artists..
And a female fire-eater to boot..
We ended our day, setting the world to rights, eating takeaway kedgeree from Konditor and cook, sitting in Waterloo Station and watching the world go by. There’s not many people you can do that with..simple, effortless and full of the unexpected. It was bliss.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 