February 22, 2014

Throw on the Throws..

The stand out item on the Burberry AW14 Collection was the blanket cape thrown with nonchalant ease around the models shoulders. You just know it’s going to be a big look next winter as the perfect armour against even the thought of another onslaught from the Polar Vortex, stylishly layering layers on layers. But I do have a little confession….I thought Christopher Bailey was making a political statement against the treatment of cows in the UK..or maybe in support of vegetarians? Who knows – but I just thought..jeez..this is radical!!

You could hear the penny clang when I read later they were actually Cara’s initials..which, honest to God, is a totally awesome concept….just maybe her’s weren’t the best to send out first!

Laters, Kate x

February 21, 2014

Lighting the Way x

In my dreams there’s an Abigail Ahern chandelier hanging over my dining room table. Scrap that – we’re talking dreams..they’ll be two! (and a reinforced ceiling) This one has my heart – it’s made from tiny squares of porcelain that would gently glow on a dark winters night. But at £15,050 a light (the extra £50 tickles my sensibilities) it remains firmly on the once-I’ve-won-the-lottery-lust-list…

There’s also this one (at a mere £2,750) which makes me want to break open the kid’s air-drying clay and get creative. The truth is Abigail’s whole aesthetic has me squealing..the dark, brooding colours with the unexpected pops of colour, the quirky touches and an underlining sense of humour that spontaneously brings forth a smile of pure pleasure.

So it’s rather wonderful that she’s teamed up with Debenhams to design a range especially for them…

I laugh!

For the study?

Guarding the front door?

(This one is on her website but not on the Debenhams one yet..I hope he does appear as I love him and his dark purple lampshade..imagine on two bedside cabinets either side of a glamourous french rococo bed?..sigh)

This is when Designer versus High Street works..when there’s a symbiotic relationship that we can all feel inspired by rather than a parasitical one that destroys as it feeds.

And at £85 a light?

Bring it on!

Laters, Kate x

February 20, 2014

Moments in Time x

There’s one New Years Resolution I’ve slam dunked..I’ve embraced growing younger gracefully by going back to school.

Each week I’ve been studiously at my desk at Putney School of Art learning properly about Photography…and I’ve loved it.

It’s not that I didn’t like the photos I was taking..I just didn’t really know how I was doing it and whether I could do it better. A bit like our brains or computers, we now have these incredible beasts of cameras that we rarely take out of first gear..

Thinking about short term, long term, quality, light, composition…it’s such a peaceful place away from the clamour of family life and I have thoroughly appreciated the time to think of nothing else other than the moment.

Some of these photos were taken on a field trip we did as a class around the streets of London, others are from my beautiful nieces christening last weekend.

Watching for a photo is like waiting for little pockets of opportunity. Often I think – if only they’d look up. But then the sweet spot happens and it’s like the nectar of the Gods.

Is the process getting something right? Or does it go beyond that? All I know is that to break the rules, you first have to know them..and that learning as an adult is the best drug ever.

Laters, Kate x

February 19, 2014

Flutter by..

The Butterfly is appearing everywhere – McQueen, Valentino and here – with this stunning silk jacquard skirt by the New York label Tome that you just want to touch and treasure. I love the way it’s been styled with the long gloves against the short, loose v-necked cashmere jumper.

Freedom, innocence, peace, good luck, nature, femininity…the butterfly is a powerful symbol throughout the world.

(Cinemagraph from Anne Street Studio..the founders of the Art of Cinemagraph)

But there’s also it’s fragile beauty and delicate symmetry. No wonder we humans are obsessed with capturing it’s heart and soul, if only in an ethereal Cinemagraph. This butterfly was let lose after it’s photoshoot, into the wilds of Manhattan because true beauty should only be admired….

Laters, Kate x

February 18, 2014

Oh Joy! x

The thing I ask myself when looking at a Collection for the first time is ‘what is the intrinsic quality that makes my heart beat faster’? For Peter Pilotto AW14 it’s all wrapped up like a beautiful multi-layered present, a waterfall of ideas whose soul is dedicated to colour, texture and verve. Pour yourself a large glass and just revel in the visual delight of a show that sings and delights at every turn.

The colour choices are unexpected..as if my daughter has reached into her dressing up box and paint box at the same time whilst wearing a blindfold..but the patterns of dominance and submission, empathy and detachment are all so smoothly integrated that they appear utterly cohesive and complete.

The colours, patterns and proportions are perfectly balanced so the right spotlight falls on the best accent to compliment the silhouette and the feeling of movement.

When the unexpected is brought together there’s a special magic – ideas that should repel instead harmonise in union. It’s true mastery and workmanship.

This coat could live in my wardrobe for decades and I’d never tire of it. That’s great design.

Or this one. Dress it down or dress it up, it would always turn heads.

Oh. My. Heart….

There’s hardly time to breathe as the wonder just keeps coming…we should be suffocating under a sea of colour clash and texture overload. Except it feels refreshing, desirable and exciting.

(All photos from Style.com)

When I dream, these clothes are there….an now I’m off to buy a winning lottery ticket..

Laters, Kate x

February 17, 2014

Woolly Wonders..

Halfway through the winter and I’ve reached that point where my jumpers are no longer in a good place; The life and soul has been worn and washed out of their sorry, bobbly seams. And it certainly doesn’t help when I see objects of desire like these from Pringle of Scotland AW14.

Which is odd, because when I was at Secondary school we were all divided into tribes depending on what we wore, the main two being ‘Trendies’ and ‘casuals’ – Trendies were the middle class kids who wore their baggy, ripped, holey clothes as a source of pride. Whilst the Casuals – the rougher kids on free school meals – revelled in the allure of Designer labels. Their uniform of choice was a Burberry-check box-pleat skirt, Pringle twin set and knee high riding boots set off with layers and layers of heavy gold chains, worn with the same intent as medieval weaponry.

But after nearly two hundred years in the business, Pringle is moving with the times. Massimo Nicosia is pushing boundaries and experimenting with innovation whilst still retaining a relatable Collection.

He’s recruited Architect and material engineer Richard Beckett and started working with 3d printing.

(All photos from Style.com)

Weaving together heritage with modern flair he’s made a seamless leap to the future.

I think it’s time I looked ahead too….

Laters, Kate x

February 16, 2014

Bohemian Spirit.. x

Special clothes only come out for special occasions, but a special rug? It’s a red carpet under your feet every day.

Alexander McQueen spent three years designing this Collection for the Rug Company, taking their craftsmanship to new, couture levels.

Like iridescent jewels they weave a spell of fantasy and wonder.

Sarah Burton enthuses, “The Rug Company shares similar values to Alexander McQueen. It’s about offering a product that is precious and luxurious that showcases the best of British design and traditional craftsmanship.”

It’s a little bit of McQueen on earth,

Laters, Kate x

February 15, 2014

Tracing Traceloops..

Artist/graphic designer/ Animator Mathias Brownis re-working the art of rotoscoping – an animation technique where animations trace real footage from by frame to create live-action animations with a hand-drawn feel – and then mashing it up with gifs to surprising effect.

Tumble also choose him as one of their Talents with special access to New York Fashion Week.

A new set of eyes is always liberating.

For more pictures and insights check out his website. I so want to play…

Laters, Kate x

February 14, 2014

Happy Valentines! xxx

You live with me always.

Your love will carry me all my days,

as I will live my life, cherishing

my love for you.

Even when we are finally parted,

I will remember,

and search for you.

Earthly love,

Pedestrian and earthbound

Soaring into the sky.

XXXXXX

February 13, 2014

The Wear-Anywhere-Coat x

Taste is shaped by an assortment of interconnected influences one of which has to be nostalgia and that warm, inner glow of special memories. Which was the burning catalyst that drove Alexander Stutterheim to design his first rain coat: He wanted to capture the essence of his Grandfather, an incredible man who not only managed a big theatre in Stockholm and wrote poetry in his spare time, but who would go to sea, defying the worst weather conditions mother nature could throw at him to catch fish (or life, as he said). When Alexander found one of his Grandfather’s old fishing coats in a out-building he was compelled to resurrect it as a personal homage to his memory.

Rainwear as an individual concept has long been swallowed up by giants of sportswear with most of the production now based at big factories far away. But that’s not what Alexander wanted, instead he took his prototype to the last standing textile factory in Sweden in the small town of Boras to Johan Kall, the manager and his seamstresses for their skill, craftsmanship and individual attention to detail.

The coats are a fabulous design – discreet, classic timeless cuts, the seams are all taped and sealed and each coat is signed and numbered by the seamstress who made it as a mark of honour and integrity.

They are coats to wear in the country, in stormy weather, at sea..or even in the City. And still be well dressed. Coats that are made to live and last a lifetime.

The hardest decision is choosing what colour..

It’s the husbands birthday coming up and I think it could be the perfect present: Made to stand both the test of time and weather all storms with passion, authenticity and love. Sometimes it’s not just about what you want to wear but also who you want to be.

And sometimes something comes along that ticks all the boxes. Just like him really.

Laters, Kate x