Category: Fashion

January 27, 2014

Air & Grace x

It was two years ago that Claire Burrows first started talking to me about her ideas to create her own shoe label. She’s always had a thing about shoes and studied at London College of Fashion before going on to create award winning ranges for international footwear brands including Kurt Geiger and Fitflop. With nearly 20 years of experience and insider industry knowledge she has an understanding of footwear that’s second to none. It’s a joy to hear Claire talk about shoes as her passion just pours out – she thinks about every aspect and no stone is left unturned. But that doesn’t make it any easier to escape the security of the 9 to 5 and walk down an unknown road..even if you’re wearing the most comfortable shoes ever.. But the lovely Claire is special, brave and courageous and she’s taken that leap of faith, producing her very first range based on her beliefs and intuitive knowledge: As a woman wearing shoes every day Claire firmly believes that shoes should be as comfortable as they are fashionable. Air and Grace is Claire’s new baby. Her first range of shoes are a series of ballerina pumps: Luxurious butter soft leathers, modern feminine designs..but most importantly..sumptuous, clever underfoot cushioning in all the right places so your feet don’t have to suffer the knocks of every day life, even when you do.

With her magic she’s turned the ordinary shoe into gloves for your feet and banned the pain of ‘heel smack’ and ‘ball-of-foot-shock’ forever.

I’ve tried them on..and I can honestly say I didn’t want to take them off!

They really can take the strain out of every day..no matter what life throws at you!!

(And before anyone says ‘congratulations’..this isn’t me!)

Of course this is just the start for Claire – these shoes are literally the first designs hot from the factory – she’s now deep in discussions with buyers and designing an e-commerce site with full social media support, but if you believe like I do that women should support women and that beautiful and practical is a wining combination, please show your appreciation for someone brave enough to set out alone in the big wide commercial world and ‘like’ her Facebook page – every little bit helps. They say the journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step..but at least for Claire with her Air and Grace shoes her steps will always be in style and comfort! Go Claire!

Laters, Kate x

January 26, 2014

Friday..

Friday started off as a totally normal day. Bella had her class assembly so I went in to school to watch, collecting a happy Charlie from his class to sit with us and enjoy it as a younger sibling. The assembly was fantastic – the kids were so grown up and displayed such blossoming confidence. I said my farewells and went on to meet a friend at London Bridge to discuss her new shoe Collection. As I stepped out of the tube my mobile rang..It was the school – Charlie, who I’d just literally said good bye to wasn’t feeling well and had a temperature what would I like to do? I rang my parents and they said they’d collect him and in the mean time the school nurse gave him some Calpol. Phone rang again..my mother – they’d picked him up but despite the Calpol his temperature was still high, he had a red face, was not looking good and was complaining of a sore neck. What should they do? It was friday, the doctors surgery was closed..we both could hear the warning bells..I said take him to the paediatric A & E at our local hospital and I’d meet them there. Better safe than sorry. By the time I got there my laughing child was curled up asleep on a hospital bed radiating heat and looking very small. It was one of those times when you know you’ve reached a cross roads – to recovery or a darker place. We were lucky..it wasn’t meningitis but a nasty virus – the fever broke and Charlie started responding to us, but my heart so goes out to any parent with a sick child..it’s a gut wrenching place to be. And even when the worst’s been avoided – we all got to go home with Charlie under strict observation – the potential weight of it stays with you for a long time..I swear The Husband and I have looked worse than him all weekend with eyes like piss holes in the snow just from the sheer depletion of emotional energy.

But when all’s said and done….it’s a price you’re more than happy to pay.

Laters, Kate x

January 25, 2014

Jenny Liz Rome x

Jenny Liz Rome is an illustrator from Southern Ontario, Canada. I love her realism mixed with a fine dose of fantasy..she manages to get the balance just right.

Cousin Elinor – is that you?!

It’s beautiful work that leaves you wanting more.

Laters, Kate x

January 24, 2014

It’s coming…

The rumblings started around 2011 when Hermes walked this one down the runway..

Givenchy did a little number too.

And the odd street style star picked up the vibe.

But this year the noise is getting louder..Spotted at The Row’s Pre-fall 2014 Collection..

Tory Burch SS14, did it more than once..

And now Chanel?

Maybe it’s all been about branding…’Bum’ bag is really such an ugly word. But ‘hipster’ ‘Belt bag’? Far more class..

Mine is permanently attached to my side whether it’s cross body or as a belt bag. Not just because I like the look..but it’s just so practical as well..Compared to the eighties we’re now in the land of miniature and everything fits in perfectly.

All hail the return! Long may it last!

Laters, Kate x

January 23, 2014

Mexican wonders..

Anyone else having problems with WordPress or is it just me? This wasn’t the post intended for today..but amongst other things I’ve lost the ability to upload pictures..to edit..to go into ‘Help’ which sort of sums up frustration..and Live Support is currently closed. Ho hum. Anyways – I originally collected these pictures as they never fail to remind me of the summer sun; It doesn’t matter what the fashion world is dictating, each year I always love the bohemian effortlessness of a peasant style shirt. Most of these are vintage from Mexico, a country which still embraces the beauty of embroidery but whether you’re a lover of colour or prefer the simplicity of a single colour, there’s something for everyone. Thinking of good times ahead..

Laters, Kate x

January 22, 2014

Jumpers of Desire..

There’s something very special about the jumpers of the 1930s – 40s.

There’s an eye-sharing presence that’s graciously engaging.

Something softer than the mainstream with emphasis on shoulders and form.

Where the wool takes centre stage and starts the dialogue.

Of course there’s always a danger with nostalgia that is stops ideas moving forward.

But it can also be a huge source of inspiration and these jumpers and their motifs have my heart…..

(All pictures from Etsy)

So if anyone knows of anyone making modern equivalents, pray tell, otherwise I may just have to learn to knit…and then you can only pity the poor sheep that give up their wool for such an unworthy cause…

Laters, Kate x

January 21, 2014

Springing Ahead..

Spotted! – The first Snowdrops.

Let’s be honest, haute couture is something we observe and aspire to but more often than not it’s the High Street where we spend our money. Thankfully in the UK the two are virtually joined at the hip, fused together in taste, habits, socks and everything else, meaning that many of the clothes available to us mere mortals are just as sleek and lush as their designer relatives. Take these from the quintessentially British Jigsaw: Following the trends and perfect for Spring…the blue diffused silk flower top and the purple digital print floral scarf.

Combined together they sing the song of bold pattern and colour clashes. Add the precision cut Melton coat and a classic satchel..

Plus a pair of 3/4 length, loose boyfriend jeans and pair of emerald green kitten heels…

And it’s a rich thread of satisfaction…

Laters, Kate x

January 20, 2014

Allelujah!

The Row have presented their Pre-fall 2014 Collection using Linda Roden as one of their models which is utterly refreshing – it’s about time sophistication was used to sell to the sophisticated.

In the larger scheme of things it represents a pee in the Pacific. But it’s something.

Just a shame the Collection itself is so harmless and she has so little to work with – it doesn’t shout, doesn’t dance, doesn’t impress with ingenue and life. There’s no seduction or provocation.

The best thing is this leather skirt.

But the whole thing could be a Marks and Spencers commercial.

So different to the Karen Walker campaign above and below. Style and colour is so much more attractive.

Which shows it’s not youth that makes an impression, but good design.

Laters, Kate x

January 19, 2014

Russian Ad..

You can’t beat a bit of Sunday fun…Sometimes claimed as a Russian tampax ad, this is apparently a cleverly ‘adapted’ scene from the Farrely Brother’s ‘Movie 43’. Whatever it is, it reminded me of summer. I jumped. Then I laughed.

Laters, Kate x

January 18, 2014

Lust Lust Lust..

Maria Grazia Chuiri and Pierpaolo Piccioli are producing the type of Valentino Collections that bleeds my soul.

I tell myself – it’s only clothes…but my heart knows better.

It’s as if they’ve stepped inside my head and cherry picked my favourite things: Blanket coats, proper boots, Doc shoes, loose but crisp, colours on the side of dusky..and handed them to me as a lighter than air, perfectly baked clafoutis.