Category: Fashion

July 15, 2013

Fabulous Friday..

Dressing is telling the story of who we are: Anna wearing the Bergman in Soho for our series of Press Meetings…She promised me she would get a picture of her next to real Will.I.am in within 24 hours…like yeah Honey..

First stop. Town Daily – a seductive glossy mag and a daily Blog dedicated to discovering the best London has to offer, where we had a chat with their lovely Fashion Editor, Nadia Balame. Plans are afoot..watch this space.

Town is published under the umbrella of Brave New World which works to bring creative talents and business development together, so we spoke to their dynamic Chief Executive Crispin Jameson as well..who then introduced us to Jo Malone..honestly, what a charming lady..the sort of person you want to settle down to have a long chat with over a strong brew in a beautiful garden somewhere delicious..

Lunch in a little Italian round the corner. Loved the linen napkins over the lights..

Got to Vogue House early so soaked up a few rays in the garden opposite.

An iconic moment.

At Tatler we met with Sophie Goodwin, Style Editor. Professional to a stitch, utterly approachable and a true lover of fashion. A bridge has been made and we will be in further contact.

Up to Vogue to meet Serena Hood, Executive Fashion Editor and her enthusiastic team. Chatty, spontaneous and warm, we left two of our Deneuve Collars with them..fingers crossed they make a shoot.

We did have a ‘Devil Wears Prada’ moment..

The day was still young. Anna wearing the Harper and mate Kate in the Macaroon in Abba style poses ready to paint the town red..

Which they did with style..

And ful-filled promises!!

Laters, Kate x

July 12, 2013

SHOES! What SHOES?!

It’s like being a child again and knowing Christmas is around the corner..or getting a private invite to Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory..and it’s happening TODAY..we really are going to Vogue House to show the Collection to Vogue and Tatler…Anna’s wearing the black Bergman…I’m thinking the Billie or (frillie) Billie for me…but SHOES..

Elegant, faithful favourites. But probability of face-plant? High. I’m not sure pigeon steps are a good look and I have an irrational fear of stilettos on marble floors – do you think they HAVE marble floors?..golden gates..angels?..with wings?…

Understated, simple, easy..and very, very..flat?

Love my Hasbeens – comfortable, quirky, and….loud….would be like arriving with my own personal set of percussion players..

The ideal. By Belstaff. That ankle cuff. Sigh. The compromise..

These. Found in a little local shop…just enough of something..I hope.

Think of us!!

Laters, Kate x

July 10, 2013

Why I love SW London..

Because even though it’s only 10 minutes from Victoria we see green every day.

Which means popping out for a pint of milk is a simple pleasure.

And for some strange reason we are surrounded by huge Laburnum trees with their evocative smell that lingers everywhere: Our equivalent statement scent to orange blossom.

And we get to walk past this to and from school each day.

And disappear in it.

(an attempt at a panoramic shot. Needs practise)

And we can decide whether to cheer George and his freedom on..or commiserate with the obvious unrequited love of his owner. Hell, I’m not sure if I saw a furry animal of this size my first thought would be ‘Guinea-pig..must find owner’..

And the playground on the Common becomes our in-child-care-hours Office. No computers allowed.

Until a certain person (Charlie) knocks over all the squash..or someone (all of them) needs a wee..And it’s time to go home.

Laters, Kate x

July 8, 2013

The Best of British x

Andy Murray has won Wimbledon!!!! Yayyyyyyy! (Do you KNOW how many times I have suffered, truly suffered watching Wimbledon?) The Lions won their tour (Whooo hooo! Nice lead up to the World Cup lads…shame you’ll all be on different teams) and Chris Froome is wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour de France (I am a Tour nut. Sad but true. Go Sky!) What’s more the sun is finally smiling: Britain is cresting a wave..and good ol’Marks and Spencer are keen to get in on the act..

The Marks and Spencer AW 2013-14 Best of British Line will land in selected stores in October and I for one will be watching with interest. Like us, they want everything to be manufactured in the UK – Jumpers from Hawick in Scotland, Outerwear in Manchester, Shoes in Northampton with Goodyear welted soles..which means a higher price-point (coats £299, trousers £129, shoes £165 etc), lower margins and an emotional plate-shift away from chasing the fast fashion phenomenon of the High Street. The big question: Will the public buy-in and buy it?

Like many Brits, I’ve always had a soft spot for M&S and have found the destruction of their chore values some what soul destroying..timeless, classic, quality was down trodden in the rampage of the decision makers seemingly more eager to get close to the flame of pile it high, sell it cheap.

But fresh from this stuttering nervous breakdown Best of British is strong and striking with distinct and praise-worthy heritage references.

I’ve missed the repression and reliance on tradition.. I want those pieces in my wardrobe..the ones that melt seamlessly in. The honest truth is, if I want stand-out, I wouldn’t look to M&S and that has always been the case.

Now they are toying with ennui and affluence.

Opulence with restraint.

It’s a marriage built on strong visual foundation and an audacious narrative: Buy less, but buy better..a Collection of integrity with a clear message that has my absolute support.

Laters, Kate xxx

July 6, 2013

Proud as Peacocks!!

The latest variation of the Bergman in our Collection…and testament to just how much we love our customer…because of the way we work, we can be flexible on the little things that really matter like hem length and even colour….just ask, and we will always do our utmost to help: The Bergman in the colour way of the Kaftan dress?…no problem.

And doesn’t it look Dandy?

A stand out breath of fresh patterned air in a summer of simple monochrome.

Laters, Kate xxx

P.S. It’s been rather an exciting week for us (NB typical, undisputed British understatement)…if you can believe this – gulp – we still can’t…The Collection and the pair of us are heading in to see VOGUE and TATLER next week. F*** me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND we have requests of clothes for London Fashion Week!! Whoo hoooo!

It’s not so much ‘what are we going to wear?’..but SHOES what SHOES?!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

July 4, 2013

Insouciance Celebrated x

Rosie Assoulin is the new darling on the fashion block and it’s easy to see why with her first 2014 Resort Collection. More cunning, less solemn with a louche swagger that leaps off the page and into the first passing wardrobe..

I could wear this, knock people’s socks off and still eat lunch. Result.

Sharp timing, yet oodles of time.

Block colours with contrasting avant-garde shapes. Unconventional, succulent and impressively chic..it’s a joy to see that sexy doesn’t have to equal fitted to within an inch of respiration. Case in point..but topical..the women tennis players at Wimbledon..

Beautiful, fit girls in their prime…wearing figure hugging clothing that reflects back every lump, bump and bra-strap…loose is imagination..even slightly loose is an optical illusion in progress.

Give me a secret hint that impresses with personality and promise any day of the week.

Laters, Kate x

July 2, 2013

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

June 30, 2013

White Vans x

A new purchase: A concession to the obsession with white and surprisingly easy on the wardrobe..like a modern twist on brogues.

Laters, Kate x

June 28, 2013

An update..

It’s been just over two weeks since our Preview Launch and life certainly hasn’t stood still. The most popular items of the Collection have so far proved to be…

The Bergman

The Bergman Print

The Bardot

The Macaroon

The Trilby

The Harper

And Anna has been busy experimenting with various additions..A vest for the Audrey skirt so it cleverly turns into a dress..

or down-grade it to day-wear with a plain white t-shirt..

Also a softer, less formal take on the Harper…the scoop necked Harper..

Excitingly, because of the number of appointments we’ve been asked for we’ve made the decision that starting from Thursday 4 July and continuing every thursday until August we will hold a show room day for anyone who wants to see us and try the clothes on…Please contact us for further details.

For those further afield: If we know your size and basic measurements, we can make for you and ship. Our contact details are here.

Next week we’re going to spread our net a bit wider and heading off to the wilds of Oxford:

On Tuesday 2 July from 10 am – 2.00 pm at Bledington, OX7 6XA we will be taking part in a special sale along with Para-B, Juliet Faucus, Lou Searby Scarves, Little Knickerbocker, a Laurent-Perrier Champagne Bar and many more..

If you are free..we would love to see you there!

Pray for a good dose of vitamin D..

Laters, Kate xxx

June 26, 2013

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.