Category: Thing of Beauty
Aesthetic Merit x
We Sit Staring Amidst our Gold (2013) by Jeremy Deller
The painting represents William Morris, renown Victorian thinker and Designer returning from the dead to destroy Roman Abramovich’s yacht.
Laters, Kate x
Reality test..
The sort of photo I love..just wish I knew who took it..
The unsuspecting clutter adds weight and surprise.
Laters, Kate x
There are lemon trees growing here…
Can I tell you a secret? I’m not in London..and I haven’t been for almost a week.
We’re living the simple life in sunny Portugal.
Where eyes and ears can savour every exotic change and batteries can re-charge..
And somehow find the balance between the right to sleep and the need to live..
Anna is also heading off on her travels…but you can still follow her via instagram at AnnaMasonBentleyStyle.
So we send you golden tones, summer warmth and relaxation…
Laters, Kate x
Utterly delicious!
A feminine kind of elegance with an office-couture sensibility. Sometimes it’s good to swim against the current.
Laters, Kate x
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?!!!!
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White Vans x
A new purchase: A concession to the obsession with white and surprisingly easy on the wardrobe..like a modern twist on brogues.
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
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
The Art of The Letter x
Letter by Seigmund Freud
Anna is a self-confessed font whore – in truth we initially artistically bonded over our strange designs loves like swirly handwriting and Sasha dolls. But whilst I can appreciate the impact even a simple pen stroke can have on a page, she takes the love to a whole new level. Which is how we discovered Harald…
We first saw him on ‘Kickstarter’ (If you can watch the film, it’s delicious) – Do you know Kickstarter? It’s effectively a crowdfunding platform that gives creative projects the chance of financial support without the need to give away their equity. instead, project creators offer their backers ‘rewards’ to thank them for their support..it’s seriously worth checking out..sometimes I’ll just go there to see what whacky creative concept has grabbed the collective imagination..the whole thing is an idea with wings and has breathed new life into the world of struggling creatives..and I adore the huge variety of projects it attracts….’Slime moulds, An Illustrated Guide’ anyone?
or how about ‘Paper Shoes’?
or a self-watering kitchen garden?
..they all sound completely whacko, but I can assure you, these projects are done with the upmost integrity and skill with the majority having true visionaries at their heart.
So Anna puts ‘fonts’ into the search option…and we are hooked.
Harold Geisler wanted to create a font based on the beautiful and unique handwriting of Sigmund Freud:
We became backers and in return for a small amount ($10) we will get the font on completion (imagine on the blog!) and receive regular updates on his progress. We also couldn’t resist going to his website and ordering his Conspired Lovers font as well. A pure extravagance.
But when someone is a Master of their craft..you feel it, see it, want it.
And what better thing to do than be able to support it?
Laters, Kate xxx
Maison Bentley Style 