Category: Fashion
Lord of the Flies..
On Friday I went to see the Brilliance that is Lord of the Flies at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. The story starts when the child survivors of a plane crash find themselves alone on a desert island. They have to come to terms with the enormity of what’s happened, enhanced by the genius stage settings of Director Timothy Sheader and Designer John Bausor. I mean..how awesome to walk into this? There’s a fleeting glimpse of friendship and paradise, before everything descends with gathering speed into a swirling, smoke-filled, fire-glowing hell hole of hate, malevolence and ominous spite.
You watch transfixed as the morals we and society hold dear obligingly fall apart as a 12 year old choir boy rises to the ranks of a Caligula: a crazed power addict manipulating and terrorising all around him, his primal drive to gratify his own desires and enforce his will and fuel his lustful sense of power.
(Pics from Regents Park Open Air website)
It’s a primal scream unleashed and puts a magnifying glass on the beast under the bed we all want to ignore. Fast, furious with flame throwing high energy, it’s some of the best acting by young actors I’ve seen in a long, long time.
Utterly shocking but totally compelling..there’s a UK tour..go see it if you can. Be prepared to feel pared all the way to the bone.
Laters, Kate x
Charlie Retrospective x
This photo was taken almost exactly a year ago in Scotland, when Charlie warmed the cockles of my ageing heart by choosing a girls fluffy cardigan to buy and wear (post here). I wondered when society and conventions would catch up with him and overshadow his individuality with the urge to fit in. So has a year made a difference?
He’s certainly grown taller…and likes to flaunt rules..
And he still wants to wear his red chinese silk pajamas to do the shopping!
Go Charlie!
Laters, Kate x
New Start x
Uniforms washed and ironed, school bags packed, kids out the door!!!!!!! Finally time to step off the battle bus, to stop chasing screams and no longer think about jumping the pitfalls of regular crashes. It’s a huge sigh of relief that once the breakfast things are sorted, my house will remain in the same state ALL DAY…that I can sit at my desk to write without earplugs or feeling guilty that I’m ignoring the chaos or their needs, because that’s where the holiday conflict lies – doing something just for me, which is effectively inherently selfish versus being at everyone’s beck and call. Despite knowing that a happy mum is a happy family, it’s incredibly hard – like holding a bubble – to find the balance. Which I think is why my brain has been swirling round the notions of simplicity and how it works across all aspects of life. Take Sonia Rykiel Resort 2016 – in the happy, slightly dappy land where my second self permanently lives, I could cheerfully own the whole collection, but not just for Resort season – it would last the whole year and beyond..the outfit above would be for today, the first day back..
Parents evening..
Cooler, autumnal days..
A bit of bling for Christmas..
New Years eve, painting the town red in black and white.
Spring.
All the way to sports day..
(All pics from the new Vogue.com)
And summer hols.
(Please note that my second self can fit all these sample sizes and has legs up to my armpits) But then what would I do next year? Sell it to make way for new stuff? Store it because one day Bella might love it too? or just love it till it falls to bits in the acceptance that fashion is fickle and there’s no point in chasing rainbows?
It’s a conundrum. Deep within, even for my second self, there’s a questioning at the constant need for accrual, for stuff, for the next big thing. We’re constantly bombarded with pretty things, branding and temptation. Consumerism is important – businesses and artisans need supporting, and I’m as guilty as anyone, constantly looking for the next delight, the next perfect shoe or dream coat. But has it all gone too far?
Oh God. I think I think I need a uniform too.
Laters, Kate x
Jason deCaires Taylor..
A true global and renaissance man, Jason deCaires Taylor was born in 1974 to an English father and Guyanese mother. He then grew up with one foot in Europe, the other in Asia with regular diving trips in Malaysia. In 1998 he graduated from the London Institute of Arts with a BA honours in Sculpture….before becoming a fully qualified diving instructor, underwater naturalist (Note to friends: That’s not a naked diver) and award winning photographer.
Then in 2006, off the West Coast of Grenada, he created his first underwater sculpture park and a life blood of creativity was unleashed.
His work explores the slipstream where Art and Nature collide, the grey area between man’s exploitation of nature for industrial means and the acknowledgement of the fundamental power of the earth: As time begins to colonize the forms it creates it’s own architecture, dramatic pulse and language.
This pulls on something deep within – the mystery of Atlantis, Pompeii, fairytales..even gothic Victoriana. They’re a dark presence, yet awe-inspiring at the same time.
Under the water is a world Jason knows, and through his art he aims to highlight the living beauty of the under world to encourage environmental awareness and instigate social change.
For anyone who’s heart sank at the news this week that 90% of sea birds have plastic in their stomachs, he’s a crusader you want to stand up and applaud.
His work isn’t limited to the turquoise depths of Cancun and the Bahamas..this mystical beauty can be found in Canterbury…
And now, from Sept 1 – 30, on the Thames foreshore at Vauxhall, London, adjacent to Camelford House and 87-90 Albert Embankment, is a new example of his work: The Rising Tide, commissioned by Totally Thames.
It highlights the role the river has played in the shaping of London’s history. And how easy it’s been for us to abuse it.
(All pictures from here and Jason deCaires Taylor’s Facebook page)
These could be horses, but they’re oil pumps..animals of industry, draining the land.
A theme as strong and compelling as any story ever told.
Laters, Kate x
Inner Life, Outer Coat..
No Joke (hashtag-no-filter-added) this arrived through our door yesterday. ‘Guys, let us inflict extreme pain and fleece your crown jewels (literally) for your hard-earned cash’. It’s the biggest rip off I’ve seen in a long while….waxing is the love child of the devil with the craft and credentials of Nurse Ratched. And then they have the cheek to call it Serene..
Apparently Essex is the Mordor and birthplace of this spawn and the materialistic home of the pejazzle – a county sadly known more for it’s orange tans and love triangles than brains, a place where this torture is considered an accepted part of male grooming with crystal tattoos (slot eyeballs back in) applied during treatments. But for this madness to reach the leafy shade of South West London?…it’s the world gone mad. I’ve been against the silly stripping of women to prepubescent levels since the plucked chicken look became a brand – a women should be a woman, it’s one of the things that defines us as adults. Keep things under control by all means…but this phobia against body hair because porn stars want to look like girls? it’s just plain wrong. And now men want to follow the same route?? All I can say is you’ve got a lot to learn…watch this video without wincing (a man, no less, going through a wax sack and crack..be prepared)..and then, if you still think this is something that floats your boat…don’t look to the Essex boys for advice, skip a few generations of intelligence, ask the girls and google electrolysis. But believe me, a man obsessed with body hair shrieks of narcissism, sheep and the need for help. Just don’t do it – remember everyone loves a man’s man with something to hold onto and plait.
Laters, Kate x
It’s All in the Name..
Just under a week to go before the school gates once more swing open and a sense of routine returns. Sigh. Just enough time to get feet measured (Charlie – two years younger – is now the same size as Bella..could be fun) and to work out whether I can still squeeze them into their old uniforms without too much amputation et blood shed. The curse of this part of the holidays, as it is every year, is then labelling everything – except I now have a solution: Last year I wrote a post about Stamptastic, the ingenious stamp with the magic ink that works on everything from Clothes to swimming hats to rulers…a year on, and I can confirm that a) it’s brilliant and b) my original stamp is still going strong.
It’s now an essential component in the battle against time versus brains cells and the lost property box.
Laters, Kate x
Creature Comforts x
It feels horribly unfair that summer in the UK is already slipping away over the horizon, but this week has heralded non-stop torrential rain and the unearthing of boots and jeans.
Normally, there’s a tipping point in late summer when the weak sunshine, falling leaves and hit of frost take on a tantalising sense of expectation for soft layers and roaring fires..but not in August. Not before terms even started..
But it seems that we’re in serious transition..that time when bare legs get mixed with big cardies and upper halves look like winter, whilst below is still hopeful for sunshine.
A time to look ahead for some serious wardrobe planning.
(All pics from Google or Pinterest)
Of course, I’m still praying for an Indian summer..but I’ve lived here for too long not to be prepared: 80s mohair cardigan and long, lace-up boots, here I come…
Laters, Kate x
Subversive Snigerings..
Far, far away from London, inside the walls of a derelict seaside swimming resort in Weston-Super-Mare, Banksy has waved his magic, irreverent wand, and with the help of various artistic friends, transformed the once decaying ruin into a decaying, satirical parody of twentieth first century subculture. Welcome to Dismaland…
The enticing brochure reads:
Are you looking for an alternative to the soulless sugar-coated banality of the average family day out? Or just somewhere cheaper. Then this is the place for you—a chaotic new world where you can escape from mindless escapism. Instead of a burger stall, we have a museum. In place of a gift shop we have a library, well, we have a gift shop as well.
Bring the whole family to come and enjoy the latest addition to our chronic leisure surplus—a bemusement park. A theme park who’s big theme is: theme parks should have bigger themes…
This event contains adult themes, distressing imagery, extended use of strobe lighting, smoke effects and swearing. The following items are strictly prohibited: knives, spraycans, illegal drugs, and lawyers from the Walt Disney corporation.
Witty, provocative, erudite, it’s Willy Wonka on speed…and how I would love to go..no doubt to see a Hall of Mirrors without the distortions because we’re all being made to laugh at ourselves. Except buying a ticket is apparently a lesson in frustration…..one can’t help smirking at the irony…and wondering if it’s all part of the explosive satire…
Laters, Kate x
Greece Part 4
It’s pouring with rain here..time to return to summer memories of the sun.
This was the evening of our fifteenth wedding anniversary with an obligatory, if rare selfie.
My parent’s had decided to stay an extra day and had moved to this beautiful hotel in the middle of Leonidio town.
Full of antiques and curiosities, beautifully done…a real gem.
We sat around their pool for an aperitif and watched as 20 or more bats from the red mountains dipped into the pool for a cooling evening drink.
Bella was none to pleased at being ‘forced’ to wear a dress for the occasion.
Not even a cuddle from Daddy helped. It was a lovely evening though..we went into the town..
And found this incredible shop run by a mother and daughter who, in amongst the washing up liquid and Ajax sold all their own homemade produce including jams, honey, capers..and a spirit made from Aubergine! They’d just bake a whole tray of almond biscuits which they proceeded to hypnotise us with..honestly some of the best biscuits I’ve ever eaten. We stocked up on all sorts. Our meal was equally memorable..in a little square, with one long table full of local friends who were musicians, happily playing, singing and dancing. Pure magic.
The next day we waved good bye to my parents who were off to meet their Greek son-in-law for a trip to the theatre at Epidauvros, and returned to our favourite beach/taverna. On the way there Bella said she didn’t want to go as she wanted a sandy beach..the Gods heard her for when we got there, it was! Large waves had rolled in and taken all the round pebbles away..
Then the waves rose up again..which the children loved.
During this time, we’d spend the mornings at the pool whilst the husband was on the phone/internet, going through a nightmare with work. And then we’d head out for somewhere for lunch, dragging him with us. The problem was there were no facilities at the villa complex – nowhere to get an ice cream or drink and no taverna within walking distance. We were reliant on the apartment, the internet, the car and on him.
Having lunch at Plaka..Charlie decided he was going to jump off the pier..
Which he did!
But then he got really upset that Bella didn’t jump in with him and started throwing a paddy, screaming and hitting the water – all the locals thought he was drowning..and were wondering why his parents weren’t jumping in after him..we stayed a safe distance away.
The screams got even louder when we saw there were ducks in the water with him!
And then we lost the internet. The husband really thought he’d have to return home..he needed the car to back to Athens..but we couldn’t manage without a car.
So we re-packed the cases, in case he had to fly back..
Rang my parents who were now back at Spetses and explained we needed refuge..we could return to Athens under our own steam from there..and it had internet.
And made our way back to Spetses!
It wasn’t exactly a hardship.
Laters, Kate x
Curtain Call x
If I wasn’t part of the Curvy Chick’s Club, this is where I would buy my lingerie.
At Rose Fulbright. Because I love the sense of an iron fist in a satin glove – that nostalgic, firm silhouette and structure that begs to be paired with soft, pink maribou feathers, Parisian boudoirs and exotic perfumes.
The fact that the Company is run by a 26 year old woman, Rose Fulbright-Vickers, and is manufactured in the UK with a strong ethical conscience is a further Brucie bonus.
But it’s the up-front bra-fastenings that ‘ve really caught my eye.
I wrote a blog post back in Dec. 2013, a cry from the heart about the need for decent nightwear for big-busted beauties. In a nutshell, I wanted to find a company that sold bra-sized nightwear that would halt my girls from rolling under my armpits at night, which didn’t involve primary coloured cotton elastane but instead celebrated a girl’s primal desire for satin, silk, bows and just a little bit of frou frou. All these years later, these bra’s are the closest lingerie I’ve seen to that dream..all they need are the appropriate sizing and a skirt on the bra to transform them into a camisole top..(and then the addition of some slinky french knickers/matching pajamas) (and a monogram please)(and all in pleasing pastels) and we’d be there..
It does seem incredible that all this time later, fashion is still ignoring boobs, despite the average UK size being 36D. That’s a huge market waiting to be tapped. Until things change, I’ll just have to admire the aesthetic of Rose Fulbright from afar, my nose pressed up against the candle-lit, handblown, lust-loving glass.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 