Category: Fashion
Oooh ay Mouret!
I got a giddy thrill when I realised what exactly Roland Mouret had chosen as the inspiration for his fall 2013 ready to wear collection…nothing less than Catherine Deneuve in the 1983 film The Hunger..
A three-in-one sliding doors moment of revelation, sparks and vivid memories with many things colliding – first there is Mouret, the fashion designer and the inventor of the infamous Galaxy dress, then there is Catherine Deneuve – the aloof and mysterious film star and a fully fledged MasonBentley style icon as one of the world’s most elegant women.. and then there is the beguiling fact that I – yep, as in ‘moi’ – I was actually in The Hunger…along with David Bowie and Susan Sarandon, all directed by Tony Scott…
I played the musical double to this girl – can’t remember her name now – but in the movie it was Alice. We all played in a piano trio together practising Schubert.
Alice played the violin (well, I did)
David bowie the Cello (I first met him at the hairdressers with me under a halo of hedgehog-like highlighting foils. Most glamorous – but we did share a sandwich together!)
And Catherine Deneuve on the piano. Which was completely bonkers, especially when you realise that with a modicum of musical knowledge, we were all sitting in the wrong positions – but hey – that’s show business! and the light has to take precedence..
I was a little shadow happily lost in a fairytale – the bulk of the filming was done in a huge, stunningly beautiful old house encased in marble round the back of the Dorchester Hotel in Mayfair and I spent many a day watching in the wings, amazed by the amount of smoke they used and talking to costume, make-up and hair. I have graphic memories of the clothes..the lovely lady in charge of costume had just won an Oscar for Chariots of Fire (Kate, always wear pastels – they are your colour!) and I can see the influence of that film running through The Hunger…it was sophisticated, graceful…
But this wasn’t what inspired mouret…he looked to the edgy club scene in the opening scenes and the underlying aggressive, feral emotions that permeate the movie..
Check out the sunnies and the harder edges..and see the influence:
(courtesy of style.com)
(courtesy of style-com)
(courtesy of style.com)
(courtesy of style.com)
I particularly love the cream coat and the trousers above – and it is wonderful to be reminded of a special time in my life… there was talk of me having a proper part – playing Deneuve’s daughter – and I actually got taken out on a wardrobe buying mission…but the idea got canned…however I did get to have my throat cut by David Bowie..
How many people can say that?!
laters, Kate x
Oh. My. Lust.
Sometimes pictures speak louder than words…which has to be a good thing as drool is stopping me from forming recognisable sounds let alone intelligent sentences…
Mary Janes have grown up – sheer class by Manolo Blahnik. Sigh.
Flights of fancy by Giuseppe Zanotti. Quite frankly edible.
Everyday joy by Longchamp. Supermarket shopping could really feel this good?
Sultry butt-kicking ankle straps by Etro. You know you want them.
Combat fighting grace by Belstaff. Aggressively delicious, no chocolate necessary.
By Tods – The optical illusion double whamy – a heel you can walk in AND thinner legs
Laters, kate x
New York Fashion Week in the Snow
I’ve been looking at all the pictures coming in of New York in the snow..
And between you and me, I’m a thinking that snow and fashion just don’t mix…
But hey – it’s Fashion Week! It’s New York! It’s an inspirational combination!
Except something is nagging in the back of my mind, a niggling, whispering, wicked little voice saying this just isn’t right…. isn’t normal, isn’t human…
I’m loving the style…but tell me, do you hand your skirt over at the cloakroom? And is that before or after you’ve floated there because if you can walk in those heels lady, I’m a pink leprechaun with purple spots, even without the snow…
Ladies, tres tres chic…but please,Why isn’t your pristine fur covered in clinging wet slush? Your tights ripped – your knees gashed? Your bottoms blue?
I love it!…but I have to ask – don’t your toes get cold?
You left in a hurry…but it’s not worth getting hyperthermia for…just put them on.
And socks, add socks..
You too – I’ll actually be able to see your feet turning blue. You can wear gloves? So why not something decent for your poor feet?
These could either be a rare pair of socks. Or an extreme form of fashionista gangrene.
I look…I like…I think inevitable banana skins…
Bet these looked good in the shop. A nice, warm shop. A dry shop. With thick piled carpet to stride on without a care in the world…
My ultimate wish:
1. To be a fly on a wall to see if these people can actually move. Safely. In a dignified manner. More than 2 feet.
And
2. If they can shuffle walk – To be magically enhanced with whatever biological gene/super power they have that I am certainly lacking. Snow or no snow.
Laters, Kate x
Lust and Function
Shock, horror…
In my last post I dared to criticise the high citadel of Celine and shamefully suggested that beauty should come before comfort.
But that’s just spin. In fact I criticised spending lots of money on orthopedic shoes when they can be bought cheaper elsewhere. Comfort is actually the third word of the holy trinity after beauty and desirability – admittedly, it’s the most neglected of the three…but perhaps it’s strength comes with age…or maybe it is something else. There is a Blog I love to read called The ManRepeller, the basis of this Blog is that the esteemable writer, Leandra Medine, realised the clothes she wore, despite the fact the she loved them, repelled the majority of men. I thoroughly recommend a good, long trawl through her posts because not only does she write brilliantly, she is a kindred spirit. I have also taken the liberty of pasting Leandra’s own definition of what Manrepelling is exactly as no-one explains it better than her:
WHAT IS A MAN REPELLER?
man·re·pell·er1 [mahn-ree-peller]
2009-10; < repellius (ptp. of repellia to eliminate male attention), equiv. to L repel– (s. of repellix) unattractive, celibate, paris fashion week, M.C. Hammer + -repel –ler1
Photo by Bridget Fleming, suit by DVF, Leadra Medine, The Manrepeller.
No! not that one! That’s the female insipid watered down version of the Brogue that shoe designers think they have to offer because of a perceived vision of clownlikeness clownlyness clownishness (is that really a word?) that exists in their minds only – they too have become obsessed with size zero and forget that chunk can be good.
Be still my beating heart – those are they!..and see how easy they are to wear..
No! No! No! Not like that…not the geeky school girl look – I’m far to old for that..
Or the vintage ration book look with a short skirt…
Katherine Hepburn. That’s more like it. A winning combination of cut and flow with the whisper of silk and the confidence of a classic.
Twiggy too
Long wide trousers, or loose, casual three quarter lengths
Socks can strangely work
Or not
Layering is great
Smart is good. And wear them with skirts. Longer skirts.
And dresses..lovely dresses
For me, the longer length is easier the way to go, but if you’re still picking spots then she rocks this.
As does she
Where can I get a manly brogue I hear you say. Look no further than Grenson – a British brand with quality to match..
And my ultimate favs and firmly on the wish list, The Rose. Sigh:
If the Grenson price is a sticking point (The rose comes in at £265.00)…swallow your pride, embrace your blushes and buy a pair from your nearest, dearest’s men’s department – clunky, classic and cool – come take a comfortable walk back to reality. You’ll thank me.
Laters, Kate x
Feet on The Ground
I was flicking through my March edition of Vogue, as you do, when my eye alighted on these adverts for Celine. I am a huge devotee and happily lapped up the sharp tailoring with gentle flare, the feminine take on boyish charm…
..the elegant simplicity, the aspirational something you can’t quite put your finger on, the WHAT THE F*CK IS THAT?? I took a closer look…
Slap me with a cold, wet fish…but what are those? And I am still in shock as to what offends me more – the orthopeadic style? or the BLUE FUR INSOLE IN A SUMMER SANDAL??? In a shoot beside a SWIMMING POOL??????
I find myself viewing this paradox of multi faceted distortion through a lens of wonder with eyes slightly popping and mouth agog..
Are we looking at the modern version of the Emperor’s new clothes of acceptance without question? A story of pictures where powerful fashion houses can impose a narrative, a romance onto things that intrinsically have no attractiveness and that we blindly follow?…Cheer and wave pretty flags because it is Celine..
Or is it that when set against each other, ugly displays beauty better?
Or is it an engrossing, original, provocative comment on life that perfection is always unattainable?
Or is it a secret signal to say book your foot op now because no-one will guess…
I am a girl who likes her mixes – high end with a t-shirt or these joseph trousers – joggers, but made in silk. Delish.
But I will always hold true to the Shaker philosophy ‘Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful.’
Utterly banal or totally profound, I give you this pair of shoes from Webster Shoes:
At £69.00 probably a snip of the price and easily accessorized with a bit of fur….suitable for arthritis, diabetic foot, poor circulation, swollen feet and ankles…and bunions.
Laters, Kate x
Working hard
Maison Bentley Style 
