Category: London
Neuter not Neutral x
Have you heard about Selfridge’s new Agender Project? Starting in March, instead of separate departments for men and women, the shop will stock three floors of unisex clothing for browsing by both. So is neuter the new cultural shift and a serious re-thinking of fashion? Or the prophetic skid marks of car crash about to happen? Or just someone with an unerring nose for hype indulging in the need for a good, loud scream?
Selfridges says ‘We want to take our customers on a journey where they can shop and dress without limits or stereotypes.’ It can be argued there’s always been androgyny..and the men’s fall runway highlighted a further blurring of the gender lines. It was only a couple of weeks ago I was listening to a discussion on Radio 4 about a new brand of neuter pants by Play Out – a sort of boxer for boys and girls – I would’ve blogged about it, but I actually found the designs desperately ugly in a post-eighties germanic way that really shouldn’t see the light of day again. But it’s definitely a subject making waves..
(All photos Tommy Ton from Style.com)
I wonder how they’ll manage the button debate – (to the right? Or to the left? Or maybe a coalition??) – not that it’s ever stopped me nicking The Husbands clothes. But then women into men has always been so much easier – if I look in my wardrobe I’ve shoes, jeans, shirts and jumpers all from the mens departments because I prefer the heavier, straighter cut. Men into women? Why not? I love a bit of flower with my masculinity..
Whether or not this is an anathema to the wonderful diversity of gender expression and just another step towards global greyness and generalisation, it’s going to be interesting..but the truth is, it’s just an eight week project..maybe just enough to get people thinking..
Laters, Kate x
China Town x
On Saturday I took the kids plus Bella’s bestie to explore the delights of China Town in London. Charlie, freed from the constraints of school uniform opted for a cunning combination of shorts over jogging trousers..
Accessorised with a pink umbrella..
That was until he spotted this tiger hat..
Not that he didn’t fit in..the place was buzzing..
And tigers were a trend..
It’s not long till Chinese New Year and all the shops were red, vibrant and humming with life and such a variety of whacky and wonderful stuff that blew the kids minds. They spent their pocket money on dresses, silk pajamas, paper dragons, fortune cookies and fans..
Checking out the weird and grotesque in the restaurant windows.
Charlie, being Charlie..as only Charlie can be..with his fan..
We looked at the Chinese supermarkets..so worth a wander..
Before stopping for a conventional drink and a bite to eat. Hot chocolate with cheese and onion crisps anyone??
Charlie was more interested in doing peacock impressions..
Looking at our purchases to offer an unsuspecting Daddy..frogspawn juice was a bit of a fav..
And how have we survived this long without a can of Kickapoo?…
The girls came back to change into their dresses and choreograph a fan dance..
Charlie wasn’t going to be outdone..
A slug of kickapoo later..
And it was sword dancing!
Laters, Kate x
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Toes..
On Tuesday I went to the rather exclusive Westbury Hotel in Mayfair for the PFLM London Shoe Show where there were all sorts of stands offering tempting delicacies of the sole variety – See by Chloe, Jill Sander, Paco Herrero to name just a few…but there was only one label for me….Claire was there with Air and Grace..and most importantly her new designs, literally hot off the factory floor….Meet Woodstock, the sophisticated over-the-knee boot you’ve only dreamt of (see this post here) complete with block heel, super soft black suede, the perfect elasticated cling and an inspirational, funky fringe running the full, graceful length…pure genius.
(Woodstock will also be available in tantalising tan. I drool…)
The new Coachella’s are also a sight for sore eyes..
The leopard and snakeskin offerings are an exquisitely menacing set of shoes, primed and ready to strut street style..
And the pumps are all ready for the summer sun…the nude and stud combination should be an illegal high…
This was also the first chance to see the new Air & Grace sole..Claire’s trademark feather is now a cunning tread, with the potential for a starring role in any detective drama..
There are so many reasons to be excited about this label: A courageous, talented woman ready to take on the world and prove that art and commerce aren’t mutually exclusive, with a product that’s sassy and stylish and super-intelligently combined with the soft stuff of snug bedding beautifully translated into utter joy for feet…
I can hear mine sighing…
Laters, Kate x
Ice Queen x
Bella with her best-bud…on Sunday we took them to Streatham ice rink (where both girls have lessons) to see my lovely, multi-talented friend Kaori Okumura from the Blog, Twist and Turn play in an ice hockey match with her team, Storm..
Spotting Kaori on the ice..
It’s a fast and furious game relying on skill and courage..and lots of padding..
In contrast, Kaori is tiny, delicate and an artisan knitter by trade, producing the most beautiful garments..with her fingers! No needles! An oxymoron in living flesh..
Bella was equally surprised and impressed! Wow!
Laters, Kate x
I am Lucky..
Because I have fabulous neighbours, which is one seriously important cog in the life’s life-enhancing machinery. Take this Christmas card, drawn by the visually inspired Jane of her dog, Zsa zsa and all her wonderful puppies taking a leaf out of the Great British Bake Off..Talent, verve and festive giggles..
On Friday I spent the day with another neighbour, Doromy, an ex-actress who knows all there is to know about London and is a visceral, witty joy to be with..we headed to Radio Days on Lower Marsh Street, just by Waterloo to check out vintage dressing gowns for Charlie and to buy deco shot glasses as a present to go with the Sloe Gin I made at Creative Coffee…the place is an absolute treasure trove and well worth a visit if you’re ever in this part of town..
In fact the whole of Lower Marsh Street is a little gem: Vintage shops, food stalls, chi-chi pubs..the gnarly mixed with loftier intentions. Further down and just off to the right is this..the underground tunnel leading to The Vaults, a multi-use underground venue and a spray-painted canvas of guttural dipthongs..
Including female graffiti artists..
And a female fire-eater to boot..
We ended our day, setting the world to rights, eating takeaway kedgeree from Konditor and cook, sitting in Waterloo Station and watching the world go by. There’s not many people you can do that with..simple, effortless and full of the unexpected. It was bliss.
Laters, Kate x
Just Because..
The Bentleys in a Bentley…
Laters, Kate x
Great Bones..
There’s something utterly majestic, breathtaking and impressive about a herringbone floor..
But the bullion cut? More expensive..but it’s still a temptation, particularly when you know you’re only laying a floor once..
In fact choosing a floor is like crossing all sorts of boundaries..width of wood, colour, type, durability..mix into to that the cost and it’s a potential minefield..
So excuse me if I feel a little bit chuffed in finding Edward Oak Floors (OK. My mother found them first) But you know you’re on to a good thing when the showroom in is a remote part of London, in the middle of an industrial estate, attached to it’s own factory.
And because it’s all made on site, they can smoke, wax, colour, distress the wood to any colour you want – and any size..and if they lay your floor, it’s guaranteed for 15 years..me likey.
The distressing machine..it’s riveting..
But they really do have the ability to transform the mundane..
So that’s one thing ticked off…now there’s just the rest of the building works to plan..ho hum
Laters, Kate
Revolution..
The other night The Husband and I, breathless with anticipation, headed to the Olympic velodrome to watch some of the greats in cycling. I am a self-confessed cycle-head..every summer the Tour de France is always a must-watch..but I love the drama of the track as well. This arena, made up of 4,000 individual pieces of wood is like entering a gladiatorial games, a place where heroes still roam, oozing comradery and confidence, earnt through guts, guile and hard work – the joy about cycling is it’s not just about the individual or being the fastest..sometimes you have to be the most cunning. Laura Trott was the star of the night, winning every single one of her events, beating her great rival Marianne Vos into submission each time..Ben Swift won the men’s big event…how I love that magic touch of satisfaction..
Whilst we were cheering on the edge of our seats, the man in the row front of us wasn’t quite so happy..
I think next time perhaps he needs to read the small print…
Laters, Kate x
Creative x
The aim of Creative Coffee last week was to create felt cushions in the style of Jan Constantine
Surprisingly easy and therapeutic..
Sophy’s sewing basket also provided some Christmas inspiration, but more on that later..
It’s a work in progress..but rather nice to finish on these dark evenings with a roaring fire and a glass of red wine..
Laters, Kate x
Streetwise x
It was a full day yesterday..picture travelled to the exhibition in Covent Garden ready to be hung for the 12..it’s in the Seven Dials area of Covent Garden..a rather whimsical collection of little streets beyond the main thoroughfare that holds some true hidden gems for any shopping aficianado..to be recommended..
Then onto to South Ken to meet the lovely Julie from Vintageattitude, stopping by to check out the swimming pool ice rink at the Natural History museum..it’s a fabulous situation – but I’ve never actually seen ice-skates create their own wakes before..
We were going to the Horst Exhibition at the V&A…I love the V&A but they miss a trick by banning photography – and to outlaw sketching seems somewhat narrow-minded and draconian. Having said that, it’s a wonderful exhibition, highly evocative of a by-gone era, leaving you wanting to for-go champagne flutes forever in favour of silver cocktail shakers and crystal rounded coupes…but you’ll have to take my word for it.
Time for a pit-stop at the magnificent cafe..
Julie’s fabulous bag..she is a true original..and that’s just Julie..
Then it was home for fireworks..
Charlie tried to tell me it was to celebrate Guy Fawkes night..
But I knew it was the warm-up for my birthday today. Cue the rude cards..
Another year older, another year gone..I was talking to a lovely mum in the playground the other day when her daughter came rushing up and said ‘My Mum’s 43 now’. ‘I told her’, she sighed. ‘My Mum’s 30 on Saturday’ piped up Bella..’I didn’t’ said I….
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 