Category: Fashion
Is the grass is greener?
The end of term is starting to feel like an adopted sack of King Edward potatoes continually strapped to my left thigh and I can see the effect slowly spreading through the whole house..things are in piles waiting to be sorted, which is basically good, but there’s never time to organise anything so they’re just breeding free-style like a tottering physical rash. Take the laundry room which I always think – possibly strangely – is the outer representation of my inner mind. Ordered = in control. A shambles = manic. We are somewhere inbetween with ordered chaos: Clothes in baskets but heaped to the ceiling and bursting at the seams. The other barometer of life – My handbag?…an overflowing dustbin of cr*p..
It doesn’t help that the days are loosing their rhythm..suddenly there is a cornucopia of End of Year Shows, Sports Days, interviews at new school, tea party at new school, Second Hand Uniform sales, Ballet exams, Art Exhibitions and Prize days to fit in with their ever-growing list of additional requirements and I can feel my shoulders needing to grow on a daily basis. The social diary? It’s like Christmas again with late nights and lots of alcohol – which initially feels a necessity..until the next day…and I know I’m grumpy when I examine things and any bad grandma grammar really starts to great grate…It’s reached a point where I’ve actually started to hug people with tears in my eyes when they cancel..
I’m not the only one feeling it..
So from where I am standing, the kids off school for nine weeks?.. looks like bliss!
(Just remind me of that in a few weeks time…)
Laters, Kate xxx
A Bella Belle x
A beautiful customer taking the (Frillie) Billie for a tres chic stroll in Cannes!
Plaisir d’amour…I hear the siren call
xxx
Deep Within x
I had to post this. Another illustration (I know. Couldn’t resist) of just what gems Kickstarter has to offer, but more – the chance to be part of a little bit of Art History. Below are pictures from the life works of Howard Tangye, Senior Lecturer and Head of Womenswear Design at Central Saint Martins and teacher to the likes of Stella McCartney and Christopher Kane among many others.
Two of his former pupils who now run the Design Studio, Stinsenssqueeze are collaborating with Tangye to publish a book of his unseen works called ‘Within’ for the first time ever. Why Kickstarter? Because they are not a publishing house and want the money to self-pubish. Why self-publish? Because they believe that this will produce a better quality result with control, heart and integrity…I am seduced.
Whilst outwardly his professional emphasis has been on his fashion teaching, behind the scenes Tangye has been prolifically working on his own style of illustration capturing the clothes and his sitters in a unique and evocative way…It’s the confident, curling lines..the colours, the freedom..the skill.
The blue against the beige with the highlights in white..
That pink. Sigh. Against the orange. Sublime.
The blue with the ochre.
The attention to detail: The colour of the page, chosen to perfection. I die.
They’ve even specifically designed the typeface. Such taste and dedication.
I am in heaven. So much so, I am now a backer – and I will confess – there were literal tears of joy in my eyes to be able to do so…So for £80 (as long as the target is hit other wise this project fails, which would be a tragedy) I will get a signed copy of the book book plus a ticket to a special lecture in September…who knows, maybe I’ll wear a little MasonBentley number..until then, my cup filleth over..
Laters, Kate xxx
The Art of The Letter x
Letter by Seigmund Freud
Anna is a self-confessed font whore – in truth we initially artistically bonded over our strange designs loves like swirly handwriting and Sasha dolls. But whilst I can appreciate the impact even a simple pen stroke can have on a page, she takes the love to a whole new level. Which is how we discovered Harald…
We first saw him on ‘Kickstarter’ (If you can watch the film, it’s delicious) – Do you know Kickstarter? It’s effectively a crowdfunding platform that gives creative projects the chance of financial support without the need to give away their equity. instead, project creators offer their backers ‘rewards’ to thank them for their support..it’s seriously worth checking out..sometimes I’ll just go there to see what whacky creative concept has grabbed the collective imagination..the whole thing is an idea with wings and has breathed new life into the world of struggling creatives..and I adore the huge variety of projects it attracts….’Slime moulds, An Illustrated Guide’ anyone?
or how about ‘Paper Shoes’?
or a self-watering kitchen garden?
..they all sound completely whacko, but I can assure you, these projects are done with the upmost integrity and skill with the majority having true visionaries at their heart.
So Anna puts ‘fonts’ into the search option…and we are hooked.
Harold Geisler wanted to create a font based on the beautiful and unique handwriting of Sigmund Freud:
We became backers and in return for a small amount ($10) we will get the font on completion (imagine on the blog!) and receive regular updates on his progress. We also couldn’t resist going to his website and ordering his Conspired Lovers font as well. A pure extravagance.
But when someone is a Master of their craft..you feel it, see it, want it.
And what better thing to do than be able to support it?
Laters, Kate xxx
YSL lives on..
(Photo by Sophie Carre)
Back to reality..almost..
There are certain places I have visited only in my dreams, but one day, one day Rodders, I’ll get there…Coco chanel’s apartment, the Picasso Museum in Antibes..and the Studio of Yves Saint Laurent at 5 Avenue Marceau, 75116 Paris.
For a lucky few and until the July 21, it’s possible to go on a guided tour of the studio and library courtesy of the Pierre Berge-Yves Saint Laurent Foundation. The Foundation was set up to share the forty years of accumulated memories and artefacts of this iconic creator with his intimidating reputation for excellence and meticulous sculpting of cloth.
Oh to be a speck of dust. To be still and drink it in.
But if I can’t be there in person. Sigh. There is still the internet – part of the Foundations aims is to promote cultural projects and with this in mind, they are releasing all sorts of wonder through their site which is so worth a visit. For instance, there are the production boards..
Illustrating 1283 production drawings from 81 Haute Couture collections from 1962- 2002. Each garment features a sketch, a sample of fabric from which the final garment was produced, the name of the couture workshop that produced it, the name of the model that wore it and even the order in which she walked during the Fashion Show. It is a little glittering cyber treasure trove…
It’s also possible to buy a beautifully bound four book edition of the Production Drawings. And if I had 2,100 euros handy..I would.
The latest release from the Website is the ‘Paper Dolls’ – Yves Saint Laurent made these beauties between 1948 – 1949 using from amongst other things, cuttings from his mother’s favourite magazines – Vogue, Jardin des Modes and Paris-Match. These fragile works of art are the physical embodiment of his vivid, verdant imagination and somehow make him feel very human..touchable even.
The website allows you to pick a ‘doll’ and then choose her outfit by clicking on it..how super cool!
Hours and hours of nostalgic Haute Couture pleasure…with more than a little bit of fairy dust.
Laters, Kate xxx
‘
What a Blast!!
What can I say other than a HUGE THANK YOU for what turned out to be one of my most amusing, funny days in the blogosphere ever…it tickled me pink that so many of you took up the dream and ran with it..poor husband didn’t know what had hit him..’No,no I can’t come now, I’m wafting about in a flowing yellow Ossie Clark number on my third bottle of Bolly!’…we will HAVE to do it again…and dress up! Vintage Chanel for me..or possibly Valentino…hmmmmm, decisions, decisions..and shoes! And Bags! and more food…maybe in September for London fashion week?? I will polish up the crystal in preparation..
Until then – I hope you all got home safely..there were some that were definitely the worst for wear – hope the heads are ok and no-one woke up with a stranger?!…lots of water and asprin!!..and an early night!
Huge love to you all, you mad mad people..I loved it!
Kate xxx
Ready?!
After a truly hectic week – launch and the aftermath (amazing!) plus teddy bears picnics, Sports Days, school fetes and all the wonderful extras that indicate the winding up of a Summer Term (which I do love..must remember a pirates costume for Charlie on Monday..) it’s time to brush up the Blog for the Big Party tomorrow..the glasses are polished..the buntings up..fresh flowers ordered…strawberries plump and ready from the Farmers Market (with a choice of fresh clotted cream or rose water of course)…So I think we are nearly there…just need to write tomorrows ‘Welcome’ post – always lovely to see when you walk through the door!..but most importantly here is the list of all the wonderful bonkers Blogs that are joining us for the fun..(I am more than happy to update if we get more requests)…this is completely mad! but personally I can’t wait to share a glass of something special with you all tomorrow!
reasonstobecheerfulandsad.wordpress.com
traveltalesbytash.wordpress.com
thevintagetraveler.wordpress.com
rachelfashionblogger.wordpress.com
sarathewindowshopper.wordpress.com
diamondsanddirtdotcom.wordpress.com
I’m aiming to get round the whole list. Fingers crossed!
xxx
It’s Pardy time! (With an update x)
Our big day was Tuesday 11 June when we finally Previewed our First Collection…more on that a bit later – but we’ve been thinking..what better way to celebrate than having a Blog party?!
Lord only knows if it will work!
The plan is that all who want to join leave their Blog addresses in the comments below..then all day on Sunday 16 June (Got to have a bit of advanced warning to get the nibbles in..) We visit each other’s Blogs on the list and share the creative spirit..
Up for it? Or is it utterly bonkers?!
P.S. Little update: The Preview was a BRILLIANT night! Fantastic turn out..very buzzy…and most importantly..SALES!! We are delighted (understatement) !!..I will write more as part of our ‘Welcome to the party’ post on Sunday – but I just want to leave this main post here till then as a point of contact for as many potential party goers as possible..we are so thrilled by the response to this idea! I will post a list of all razzle dazzlers on Saturday evening UK time – whoo hooo! – and update the list on Sunday if nec..we really can’t wait!…
xxx
Every little bit counts..
The tags for our clothes have arrived!
Laters, Kate x
Nearly there..
The clock is ticking down…Tuesday 11 June is our big day, well, night really and we’ve not been idle..the rest of the Collection all ready for our Preview…
The Bardot. Light, loose, sassy dressing.
The Grace, tweaked into a beauty with additional beige piping.
The Bergman Print. A classic take on neon with effortless class.
The Bergman in beige broiderie anglais. Easy.
With added drama: The Bergman in black broiderie anglais.
The Valentina joins the photo family. (NB She is actually part of our winter collection..available from September onwards)
The Audrey skirt makes an entrance with it’s fabulous pleated waistband and side split.
The Grace Top. An elegant every day metamorphosis.
The Grace top and the Audrey skirt. Simple styling.
A taste of the exotic: The Vreeland in silk. A sneak peak of a transitional winter item.
The Vreeland with additional Dandy Frill. A thrill to wear.
Our infamous collar, now to be named The Deneuve, sitting perfectly on the Vreeland.
Elegant sophistication.
The Fitzgerald. Hits the sweet spot.
The Estella jumpsuit. Cool and classy. Part of Winter and available from September.
Tarted to perfection with the Deneuve.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 