Category: Designer Brands
Stella Zoe x
The UK series of Strictly has been over for nearly a month, but I’m still missing girl-crush, Zoe Ball. An absolute natural on the TV, who wears her heart on her heart – it’s surprisingly hard to find a decent photo that does her sartorial and character justice, but squish your eyes and you could believe she’s rolled in from a rollicking night on the tiles with lipstick on more than her collar..but always the supreme professional.
Believe me, Zoe’s got the glam rockster chic look down to a fine art. In the final she wore this witty little number by Stella McCartney – but threw out the rule book on clumsy flats and went sky-high..
(All photos Google.com)
That’s ma girl..
Laters, Kate x
The Sales x
Can ideas grow old and desires outdated? Tastes certainly change and a subtle alteration can update the mundane, but how fast does fashion really run? Does a Season-behind-item really matter when the eye-watering price tag is suitably slashed? So whispers the seductive red-lipped temptation that is the January Sales, hip-swaying us in with a promise and a kiss to that shopper’s minefield of potential disaster and paradise..pick it right and get the prize for half the dosh…get it wrong and it’s a turkey turd festering in the darkest corner of your wardrobe forever..
I always thought the January Sales were the perfect opportunity to invest in a classic..the softest cashmere jumper, a timeless camel coat..an iconic silk blouse. But I’ve now seen the light: The Sales are not about anonymity and being conservative, but taking a risk and finding that one standout piece to love and hold forever, something cutting edge, different, unusual with independent thought, something that can mix the refined with everyday. And pieces like that takes time to find..
Thankfully, the fashion posts of the last year have provided a fine quality control to navigate the choppy waters of desire against fads and fly-by-nights, and the Collection that remains an earworm my head is Peter Pilotto AW15..so I took a deep breath and secretly went on a coat hunt – and this is where technology now makes such a difference…with websites such as ‘Search the Sales’ you can pin-point exactly what you’re looking for, they find it for the cheapest price available….and then (thankfully for Christopher Credit) you find it’s already sold out..
Next stop, Ebay…
Laters, Kate x
Forever Party!
(All photos from tumblr)
It’s not what you wear…it’s the way that you wear it…
Laters, Kate x
Trick or Treat?
(picture from pinterest)
The perfect party skirt has to be the jewel in the crown this party-hopping season, acting like a human Christmas tree, catching the sparkle and reflecting back the smiles and giddy moments. In the haute spot is Burberry with their mermaid inspired work of art – enough to make the most bah-humbug joy-squasher gimlet eyed with misty desire..
Also working in the skirt corner is the ability to mix the well-heeled refined with the everyday low: tactile jumpers or denim or even t-shirts on top….contrasting the glittering below..cocktail mixes of opposites that create a long drink of inherently cool pleasure..
Sequins just too eighties? How about the pared back elegance that is metallic leather? Easily teamed with white when the sun comes out again, this Maje skirt will even carry you on a silver ray of light all the way through to summer..
And don’t forget the high street – if red wine and dancing on the tables are your party tricks of choice, maybe fake is the way to go..
But faux or real, trick or treat..the choice is yours..
Laters, Kate x
It came upon the midnight clear..
That glorious jumpsuit so bold..
Like an angel dancing on the earth,
With tempting touches of gold..
Laters, Kate x
Extra Ordinary x
Burberry Prorsum Pre-fall 2015 is a long way from scuttlebutt rumours and diva strops. It’s classy, simple, elegant dressing with just a whiff of urban street..
There’s a forensically clear silhouettes – skinny legs, ankle boots and big layers that we can all believe in..
The coats are particularly simple and absolutely lustworthy – but there are no surprises, no attempts to gnaw at anything primal..
( All pictures from Style.com)
Just effortlessly produced wardrobe staples you’d want to wear forever…the spice is up to you to add…
Laters, Kate x
Collar Worker..
There’s something comforting about wrapping up in a scarf when the weather turns frosty. We’ve been lucky in London so far – today was only the second frost of the season, but I suspect things are on a downward slide colder..
J Crew have some good offerings – particularly their innovative take on fair Isle, but Paul Smith is the true king of the winter neck-tie..
Clever modern twists smoothly integrated into stylish classics..
It’s that subtle joy of being able to buy for the husband..and wear yourself..
Or buy for yourself..and expect to see the other half in it..beautiful and functional equals design at it’s very best..
Laters, Kate x
Haute Spot x
A new label for me, but one with pedigree: The Adam Lippes brand was launched in 2013 but the bloodline goes back much further..Adam Lippes first started work at Polo Ralph Lauren, before receiving a touch of gilding at Oscar de la Renta, where he became one of the youngest Creative Designers ever, eventually leading to the creation of his own label ADAM in 2004.
The sports lux influence is there, fused with the elegant and refined for clever, multi-functional, multi-purpose outfits..
Comprehensive, wearable designs with enough detail to make you look beyond first impressions.
Add in shearling and padded coats and it’s the stuff of snug bedding translated into fashion..
One to watch..
Laters, Kate x
Rapture x
Once upon a time, a long time ago before the cult of celebrity was even a flash of a lightbulb, there were myths and fairy tales weaving complex ficitonalised versions of life with an extra sprinkle of magic.
Move forward hundreds of years to the Viktor and Rolf Fairy Tales, fresh from the minds of the avant garde fashion greats..
And beautifully illustrated by them as well..
It’s like a dew-drop turned into a telescope with the lens pointed at a whole new world..how very delicious..and the perfect stocking present for Bella…as I get to read it too…
Laters, Kate x
Boyfriends for Girlfriends x
A friend is looking for a pair of boyfriend jeans – I’ve lived in my vintage 501’s virtually all year and for pure value, nostalgia and style wouldn’t wear anything else..but I reckon these by MiH might just be her perfect cup of tea!
(How can a patch be so appealing?)
And the rest of their autumn/winter lookbook isn’t bad either..
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 