Category: Designer Brands
Silken Favours x
Victoria Murdoch is the independent, free-thinking spirit and designer behind the label Silken Favours, creating her own silk pieces from traditional pen & ink techniques.
Based in London and originally working everything by hand, she’s managed to combined her nostalgic sense of magic with fast, modern digital printing techniques to produce commercially priced work with that personal touch.
Humour with a delicateness to make you smile and lust.
Clever designs that speak to the heart with a shift in every mood and a requisite fair and lightness.
Sort of cute but still sly making it all so appealing..and endearing.
Silk is her canvas, but this is just the start – there’s more to come like insanely printed silk shirts. Imagine!
I can’t wait.
Laters, Kate x
There’s Something about Denim..
If there was one item that caught my eye in Fashion Week last September it was this picture from Valentino SS14..so available now. It seemed to encapsulate everything slightly different, slightly loose and rather wonderful. The dropped waist is heaven and it’s the first time I’ve considered the maxi length in a long, long time. I really thought they could be my designer purchase of the summer..
So imagine my shock when I discovered they were in fact flared trousers. I love they are probably the only item of clothing I have ever seen that discourages thigh gap…it just looks so ugly on this style (the above pic just confirms). But…would they be the ultimate sartorial choice? or would they lie forgotten in the wardrobe, too reminiscent of bad 70’s and something a clown might wear? I’m struggling..
I’m off to the South Bank now to see Alexa Chung’s talk at the Vogue Festival and feel the buzz..anyone else going??
Laters, Kate x
Ruminations.. x
Do you remember these pics? They came from a post way back in November when culottes first started appearing. They still remain some of my favourite outfit combinations.
These were such a clever pair.
But why another post on the same subject?
Because buying less but buying better deserves serious thought.
(and it gives me the chance to show you this pic of the Givenchy pair from yesterday out on the streets. How ravishing?)
(And this pair worn with a battered sneakers. Just for Laura..)
But truthfully, I was thinking seriously about the tidal rise and appeal of Fast Fashion..and I’m convinced that part of the lure is it salves the fear of making mistake purchases, because if we do make one, does it really matter? And so our wardrobes clutter up with unworn, unwanted skins that economically – despite their original headlines – just don’t make sense. Instead shopping feels like a burden..making purchases has lost it’s sparkle: there’s now so much choice that my brain literally melts as I walk past racks of clothes shouting buy me! buy me! The joy of taking the time to make that vital decision has gone out the window..as has the buzz of returning triumphant with that specially chosen piece of treasure that makes you feel a Queen every time you wear it.
The solution?
I don’t know.
All I know is that this season I’m going to go through all my old posts to find my true loves – the ones that really made my heart sing – and ear mark them for the Summer Sales – reduce it down to one Designer item to save for if I have to. This summer, I’m going to only buy seven outfits..three skirts, 2 pairs of trousers and 2 summer dresses and five tops. Shoes? 2 pairs. Jackets/coats?..has to be 2..they are my weakness…
And choosing less means choosing well..talking about..looking at it from every angle…trying everything on, getting things altered if necessary, making them myself if I have too…but most importantly….
It means really trying to get it absolutely right…and never, ever compromising…
Laters, Kate x
(Photo acknowledgements: London-Boutique.com, Walsh Tippetts and Pintrest)
Which Length?
Culottes by Givenchy..long, strong and structured..but too much of a cropped trouser?
(Photo from Elle.com)
Or these (from ASOS) – the midi long, showing a bit more than just ankle..note the turn up.
Then there’s the short style..cut just below the knee in a looser style (these are by ASOS)
Or the structured short by Top Shop..
Ms. Beckham offers yet another alternative…the cropped, tapered fit..
I’m confused! Which one and why?
Laters, Kate x
Etro-vert… x
I was at the Country Home and Living Fair last week where I fell in love with a stand selling loose, square pocketed coats made of that incredible paisley silk/wool blanket material – like the shawls you see in all the Jane Austen films that just sing warmth and wealth. The feelings of desire caught me by surprise so I resisted (particularly as I have a coat fetish) but there was something about their bohemian utilitarian ease that majorly pulled at my heart strings.
Etro cultivates that same vibe, where the smell of old Europe meets the heat of the exotic.
Not for the faint hearted there’s statement in their presence.
But the power of expression is a freedom and joy that should be shouted from the roof-tops..and anywhere else..
Laters, Kate x
Jimmy’s Shoes..
The gorgeous Kit Harington, who plays Jon Snow in Game of Thrones (with the new series coming out it’s the first time I’m gutted we don’t have Sky..) has been named as the male face of Jimmy Choo. Rumour and intrigue has it he’ll be fronting a new fragrance…Blood, sweat and tears with base notes of wolf?
I’ll be there..
Laters, Kate x
Stud Star! x
Look what walked into my house last night…a genuine pair of Rockstud Valentino’s! Such a greatly, brilliant bit of inspiration. We all felt the power, that special bit of magic..and we all tried them on..and they were FABULOUS..the heel height is divine, the ball of foot is softly padded, cankles distracted, the colours magical. It goes to show – find a way to own the best because it’s worth it – and if it takes a bit more pain, then it makes the treasure even greater. Choose carefully, choose wisely – choose once if you have to – and you too can walk with fairy feet…
The latest Rockstud offering is the studded textured-leather espadrille…but choosing carefully, I know where my heart belongs…
Laters, Kate x
White Shirts..
When I first saw these, I knew they were not your average shirts.
7 shirts, one for each day of the week, inspired by Victorian and vintage blouses and made from a very specific fabric made of cotton and linen with a soft texture that holds volume. Designed by the Parisienne designer Atlantique Ascoli they scream style and understated cool.
What appeals is the need to take a second look: The different lines, curves where straight ones should be, the impeccable tailoring, the unexpected twists like attention to the back all wrapped up with a traditional bow.
I am far away from this kind of life but it’s a clever and remarkably simple idea..seven outfits for seven days – do we really need any more? Maybe this needs to be the guiding factor at the core of summer wardrobe planning….rich food for thought…
Laters, Kate x
Bring it to me Beradi..
How gorgeous?? From Antonio Beradi’s Pre-fall Collection..I have a deep vein of romanticism running through my eyes and this lights-up all the boxes..not only is it the whole freakin’ shebango, it’s also the perfect way to layer up for Spring..loose woolly jumpers on top to keep chilly winds at bay, a simple tee underneath to enjoy the strengthening sunshine when it appears..
Note to self: Large roll neck jumpers are very good at disguising double chins…and work perfectly with midi skirts and culottes…Now where to find one…?
(Photos from Style.com)
Just divine. Look into my eyes and you’ll see how much I love this..
Laters, Kate x
The Girl with the Pearl Clothes…
I will love you, Mother of Pearl AW14, but I will hate you at the same time..because I could never afford your prices…
Your witty take on William Morris, courtesy of the collaboration on the Collection with Richard Saja, brought willingly to the twenty first century with neon embroidery has stolen my breaking heart.
There’s the game changing take on tartan..
And ingenious print..It’s not just about what you want to wear, but who you want to be. If I wore this, I’d be myself – but a bit better: I’d waft. And wonderful phrases with many syllables would flow like liquid gold from my happy lips, making even Sparrows smile….
The little touches, the fabulous shoes..how could nude ankle socks ever look so chic?
And this is actually a dress..a surprise..
(Photos by Style,com and Kristabel Plummer)
One by one they follow the shape of my heart…and walk on by…
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 