Category: London
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
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
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
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
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.
A fine way to tie a cravat..
As was this.
It was sleeve and cuff heaven.
Hows that for a trendy man-bracelet?
So unusual..made of scarlet feathers..and holding?
And all the rooms were in strong, royal colours. The perfect backdrop.
We thought this was for a child. But no. I could literally fit my leg calf ankle in the waist. The cut of the neck..so elegant.
More exquisitly unbelievable detail.
I can also confirm..the royal toilets pass muster..
Laters, Kate x
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
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
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 