Category: Fashion

September 12, 2014

Kule x

Kule – not a clever play on words, but designer Nikki Kule’s highly appropriate name.

Offering a modern, classic luxury, ‘preppy luxe’ aesthetic thats easy on the eye and edgy in look.

It sits perfectly in that aspirational ‘smart casual’ part of the wardrobe..that essential area that’s surprisingly hard to fill…

Mi piace.. xxx

September 11, 2014

Photo Shoot x

Many, many , many years ago (when I was seventeen: Long time) we were staying at my Grandparent’s house on the Greek island of Spetses when there was a terrible forest fire. The sun was blocked out by the smoke and falling ash and our only escape was to be evacuated by boat from the beach to the safety of the mainland where we sat and watched the island burn.

Our biggest regret was that we hadn’t thought to rescue the family photographs…my Grandmother had died in the Easter and my Grandfather had been killed in a car crash when I was two so these were some of the only photos we had, virtually everything else was replaceable..

As it happened, soon after we left, the wind blew back on itself and our enclave was saved. The fire started up again at dawn but by that time the sea planes had light enough to see and could put out the flames with sea water, although it took another 10 days for the fire to really stop burning – Spetses is a pine island and the sap in the trees keeps on burning.

But what it taught me was the value of photos – that moment caught in time? – utterly priceless.

Which is why, each year since Bella was eighteen months (the months before passed in a haze..) my Mother’s day present has been a family photo session with the highly talented photographer, Alexandra Joseph. We even did a session of me pregnant with Charlie – and then him at just 5 days old, all curled up and pink. How precious?

Charlie looking at our previous books – this one when Bella was a toddler..in a world of digital everything to be able to hold something tangible has it’s place.

Him as a baby..

These are from this years session..the books they’re turned into rank amongst my most prized possessions..

Alex has this utterly natural, spontaneous way of not only taking beautiful photographs, but of capturing moments.

This is how Charlie will look when he’s a bored teenager telling me I’m wrong again!

She works without lights or any paraphenalia with simple honesty and incredible skill.

She’s so peacefull and relaxed, you have no idea what you’ve got..

Till she sends you her tantalising previews..

I’ve learnt my lesson – once lives our safe, the next thing to save would be my photo books – and I can’t wait to hold my next one.

Laters, Kate x

September 10, 2014

The Outside Edge x

Moncler Gamme Rouge is a thick layer of visual lust spread across the page..

Rene Ramillon from Grenoble, France made the leap from making sleeping bags to fashion when he turned the technique for making sleeping bags into coats. The rest is history.

Giambattista Valli is the brains behind this couture inspiration of the urban, utilitarian style and the man happily playing in the proverbial sweetie shop..

A collection that tempts and teases..

Street cleaner neon, shearling, and firefighter silver all braought together in a heady vision of aspiration..

Big, bold and beautiful but also utterly wearable and wonderfully practical…just a shame I’d have to sell the house to buy one!

Laters, Kate x

September 9, 2014

Rachel Rachel x

The appeal of perusing the latest catwalk offerings is thinking you are getting ideas hot off the sewing machine..

Except of course you’re not..large flotsam of inspiration comes for the likes of you and I just walking the streets with a strange consortium of bits from vintage sales and jumbles..so there’s a rather wonderful organic life force with no-one having a monopoly, a wave of responding and creating that the Designers then put a spotlight on..and then we think it’s brilliant all over again, but maybe in a different way..

Except the way something influences and what processes then happen is up to the individual, which can be truly enlightening, particularly if they have a strong voice..

Amplifying, creating opposition, accepting, asking for more or leaving a loose edge – utilitarian wear in posh fabrics, it’s all in the interpretation..

At Rachel Comey SS15 you can taste the strength – there’s a simplicity reflective of a confidence in what she sees..

With masterful strokes of clashing patterns, eras and colour. But does she influence my style? – or do I fly to her light because there’s a kindred understanding?

I can’t really say why her silhouettes appeal so much..

(Although I find it hard to resist a good beltbag..)

Her designs are far from the traditional feminine shapes..

(photos courtesy of Style.com)

But then, I’ve always preferred sexy to be a suggestion of shape – and fashion to be style rather than trend…and maybe that’s why she makes my eyes sparkle…

Laters, Kate x

September 8, 2014

My Right Charlie..

Inevitably, in Edinburgh we went shopping – not so much for me mind you, but for the kids..and in particular Charlie..

Our first stop was Zara – Eagle-eyed Bella spotted a dress there..and given she’s a girl that never wears dresses it was nothing short of a miracle and a slam dunk purchase; Grandma said she’s buy it for her birthday in October but she was allowed to wear it to the party. Then she spotted a sky blue cardigan and matching hat..I succumbed in a hazy cloud of steam train nostalgia……she looked like something straight out of the Railway Children..

Then Charlie piped up…’But I want a fluffy cardigan too’ ‘Do you really?’ I asked, ‘Shall we check out the boys department?’..’But I want that one’ he said, pointing to a girl’s navy blue version…so I thought, why not?

And he looked so fab! It’s not like he’s effeminate – I couldn’t care if he was – but the truth is he makes these choices (necklaces, rings..and neon pink toe nails this summer complete with gems!) and is still masculine which is part of what really makes me smile..it’s his ability to happily go beyond societies invisible boundaries and just not care.

We walked into another shop – and Charlie made a bee-line for a pink faux fur coat with grey leopard print…there are many times in life where you really have to think about what you want for your kids. My golden rules is I want them to have the confidence, freedom – composure even, to be themselves and follow their own path no matter what..

So I told him to try it on…and hand on heart – he looked edible (I have no picture – I had no batterie left. It’s a regret) – but more men need/should wear faux fur – yet I knew there was an invisible line that would be crossed if we purchased it, and I had to make sure he was up for it – the last thing you want is for your child to be ridiculed, particularly for being such a sparkling treasure….I pointed out the coat had a hood – and the hood had bears ears..was he happy with that? He seriously considered the matter and then said he felt the ears were a bit childish…

Was I relieved? No – because he did look inherently cool – I would’ve bought the coat for him; his little sips of rebellion are like a glowing light. My only real worry is that I have to celebrate this flamboyance now. I’m realistic: Peer pressure and life will do it’s best to temper and conform his eccentricities. My wide-eyed five year old may proudly wear a fluffy girl’s cardigan or a fur coat that my worldly-wise ten year old son might not..

So for now, I’ll revel in the confidence he has to be himself – I’ll treasure his energy: smart and unique with a chameleon mind and no pigeon-holed attitude that I just wish I could bottle forever.

The truth is I can only hope with all my heart he continues to have fun: I can’t care if he sings like a bird of paradise or becomes defiantly average because ultimately it’ll all be his choice…but I’ll always have the memories of the day in Edinburgh when he tried on a girls pink faux fur coat with grey leopard print..and we both clapped with glee…

It makes you think: Just imagine what the world would be like if we weren’t all so afraid…

Laters, Kate x

September 5, 2014

Stepping Forward x

Fashion: It doesn’t have to be flattering – just capture a mood. But sometimes it does both.

Derek Lam 10 Crosby SS15 with it’s efficient dynamic of form translated into movement is grounded in the classics..but then given wings..

It’s the details that do the talking..the cut of a sleeve, the place of a pocket…it’s a perfectionists attitude fused with giddy moments of occasional laughter..

( All pictures from Style.com)

It’s authentic, wearable and timeless with a clever nod to the memorably wearable..

Laters, Kate x

September 4, 2014

SS15 x

Narciso Rodrigez..

Jason Wu..

Philip Lim..

Suno..

Diesel Black Gold..

Edun..

J.Crew..

Tome..

Delpozo..

Jenny Packham

All tantalising split-second sneak peaks of the inspirations behind the coming performances that is the circus of NYFW SS15, courtesy of Style.com.

Which ones tempt the saliva buds?

..And will they live up to expectation? All to be revealed…

Laters, Kate x

September 3, 2014

Stamptastic…

As the seconds, minutes, days..even years tick past there’s one never-changing truth that remains a constant….for every good thing, there’s a shadow and for every bad event, somewhere, there’s a pearl..

Joy: The kids go back to school TOMORROW!!!

Horror: All uniforms, shoes, bags, pencil cases blah blah blah have to be ready…and labelled..

Sewing on labels is my idea of purgatory – I dare anyone to disagree..(And I’ve done ironing them on…and melted Bella’s coat..my normal cheat is a permanent marker – tres slummy mummy – but why are the nibs always so thick and the tabs so small??)

Happiness: The discovery of the website Stamptastic – Set up by three SW London mums (A local company – yay!) with 8 children under 11 between them they sat around their ~~witches cauldron~~ kitchen table and agreed that labelling stunk. So they came up with a genius solution: A simple stamp in just the right size with a special ink pad that can be used on all types of surfaces from clothes to stationary equipment..I’ve ordered mine with just our surname on it so it’ll do the whole family – nothing that moves will escape: Shoes, coats, gym stuff, goggles, swim hats..the husband..

Horror: I only ordered mine yesterday….so until it comes, I’m just going to duct tape everything, everything to the kids…

It’ll be a conversation starter if nothing else…

Laters, Kate x

September 2, 2014

Flying Fur x

Firmly in the faux-fur camp, Shrimp is the tongue-in-cheek, slightly eccentric and definitely witty British brand founded by the rather wonderful Hannah Weiland.

The lady herself..

The Collection is inspired by such deliciousness as picking daisies, cartoons, school uniforms and playing with fluffy animals..it’s pretty..surreal..and unexpected..

They have a unique sensibility to transform the mundane..

You can’t look away – it’s like being intriguingly bathed in sunshine and smiles..

And who would Hannah like to see in one of her coats? The irrepressible Grayson Perry no less!

I just want to hug her..and her coats..

Laters, Kate x

September 1, 2014

Elegant Edinburgh..

For the last four days we’ve been visiting the glorious City of Edinburgh, oozing with life and culture and it’s row upon row of gorgeous Georgian architecture…we stayed in a flat on the top floor of this row..complete with 64 steps up..

But worth it for the view right out to the Firth of Forth. Situated in a little road at the end of Princes Street, it’s hard to believe this is the middle of a capital city..another of Edinburgh’s many charms..

We were up there for family celebrations which took place in Edinburgh Zoo….

My Uncle Jake (now based in California..the shirt is the give away) was celebrating his 75 birthday, along with his 25 wedding anniversary and the fiftieth wedding anniversary of his best friend..