Natasha Law is the down to earth, incredibly talented older sister of Actor Jude Law. With her natural, caught in the moment works she manages to find the simplest of lines to create pictures that are both intimate and vibrant.
What would I give to have one on my walls??
A lot!!..also quite fancy that green leather skirt…
Laters, Kate x
A few months ago Caitlyn Moran, writer for the Sunday Times, wrote an article on the deficits of money. She decided that once she had money she always chose the easy option..got an Event, need a dress? Buy it. But without it she was forced to be creative – rumble through wardrobe, find something, get sewing machine out. Go to Event as the new Lady Godiva. Her conclusion was that her brain was far better and more inventive in her desperate youth than it is today…and that the ability to adapt and alter is something we need to treasure and nurture.
New bedside tables perhaps?
A rather dramatic floor lamp?
A unique piece of Art…
Just because..
Fur coat, no knickers in the downstairs toilet?
Stunning.
A kitchen..or a new industrial office?
A new headboard?
Life is really what you want to see.
Laters, Kate x
Do you remember these earrings from a post way back? They were as cheap as chips and came from the website Siren London – but they’ve been one of my best purchases ever, hence the follow up.
It was hard to tell from the original picture how everything fitted together for wearing – I’d wrongly assumed the words were the butterfly – but no, the earrings come in three parts – the stud, the word with holes to slide onto the stud and then the butterfly. It was also a concern that the low price (£3.50) meant that the quality of the metal would cause problems..but I think that’s where these earrings have proved such a success..
The way they’re designed means you can use your own good quality stud earrings, then customised with the slide-on words….pure genius! I went back and bought some additional designs as well for mixing and matching (the flowers and the claws are new) though the words remain my firm favourites.
(The new earring box is a pill box from Muji..perfect for storing all the little bits together)
I couldn’t resist this extra pair of earrings even though you can tell how badly they’ve been made by the fact that the pearl is on the same side for each earring. Short trouser mistake. At least I only wear one earring at a time and wear something else in the other ear, like the ‘love’ design..and so far no bad ear lobe reaction..though I fear it’s only a matter of time..
But they were made to be joined with these..
So now all I need is a rather fabulous proper gold jewellery designer to run with this idea and start making proper witty versions so I can wear them forever and ever and ever..
Laters, Kate x
Koppola – Maasai beader.
This season Karen Walker, Goddess of eyewear, is using her product advertising platform to highlight her work with the United Nations’ International Trade Centres Ethical Fashion Initiative whose task it is to promote sustainable business over aid dependency.
Velma – Assistant.
Each pair of her new sunglasses will come with a screen-printed pouch made by Kenyan Artisans, with a further option of buying more embellished, more expensive pouches as well.
Winnifred – Supervisor.
In a clever, human move that perfectly illustrates the interwoven connections within the project and Karen Walker’s thinking, the workers and makers have also become the models and the faces of the glasses.
Beatrice – Craftsperson.
She says: ‘The Campaign captures our innate optimism, our love of maximum-impact in the images themselves and also directs attention to Kenya in a positive way. The images help to bring visibility to how fashion can be a vital vehicle out of poverty.’
Rason – Maasai Beader.
Florence – Artist.
Anton – Metal Caster.
All photos by Derek Henderson
The workers are no longer the forgotten force but have personally created the Work of Art this Campaign is by owning the visual story and underlining the simple fact that beauty is around all of us in our every day.
Effective, clever..and stunning.
Laters, Kate x
Isabella Blow as Joan of Arc by Tim Walker
Yesterday I had the treasure of going with friends to indulge in the Isabella Blow exhibition at Somerset House. If you get the chance, go because it was a pure joy to be immersed in her original, outrageous and extravagant world: Blow found normality in the perfectly absurd and utterly fabulous and, with her instinctive eye for style she had an unstoppable enthusiasm for creative genius – she was happy to break boundaries with those special people prepared to leap out of the mediocrity trap with her. Reflecting afterwards, we talked about the rich source of inspiration that English eccentricity is and I mentioned the photographer Tim Walker, another lover of high drama and magical thinking. My lovely mate Galliana D’ove had never come across his work..so Galliana..inspired by our trip and wanting to luxuriate in the delights of maximalism for a little bit longer, this post is just for you!
Laters, Kate x
Rachel Comey is a Master in the art of adding loose without adding weight.
So maybe it’s not surprising that she originally started out by designing Menswear. She swapped to Womenswear inspired by the number of women sneaking into the Menswear section to buy her clothes. She’s never looked back.
She looks to the past and is inspired by vintage with little sips of rebellion.
It’s not about showily declaring yourself.
But rather great riches in small spaces.
Laters, Kate x
It was two years ago that Claire Burrows first started talking to me about her ideas to create her own shoe label. She’s always had a thing about shoes and studied at London College of Fashion before going on to create award winning ranges for international footwear brands including Kurt Geiger and Fitflop. With nearly 20 years of experience and insider industry knowledge she has an understanding of footwear that’s second to none. It’s a joy to hear Claire talk about shoes as her passion just pours out – she thinks about every aspect and no stone is left unturned. But that doesn’t make it any easier to escape the security of the 9 to 5 and walk down an unknown road..even if you’re wearing the most comfortable shoes ever.. 
But the lovely Claire is special, brave and courageous and she’s taken that leap of faith, producing her very first range based on her beliefs and intuitive knowledge: As a woman wearing shoes every day Claire firmly believes that shoes should be as comfortable as they are fashionable. 
Air and Grace is Claire’s new baby. Her first range of shoes are a series of ballerina pumps: Luxurious butter soft leathers, modern feminine designs..but most importantly..sumptuous, clever underfoot cushioning in all the right places so your feet don’t have to suffer the knocks of every day life, even when you do. 
With her magic she’s turned the ordinary shoe into gloves for your feet and banned the pain of ‘heel smack’ and ‘ball-of-foot-shock’ forever.
I’ve tried them on..and I can honestly say I didn’t want to take them off!
They really can take the strain out of every day..no matter what life throws at you!!
(And before anyone says ‘congratulations’..this isn’t me!)
Of course this is just the start for Claire – these shoes are literally the first designs hot from the factory – she’s now deep in discussions with buyers and designing an e-commerce site with full social media support, but if you believe like I do that women should support women and that beautiful and practical is a wining combination, please show your appreciation for someone brave enough to set out alone in the big wide commercial world and ‘like’ her Facebook page – every little bit helps. They say the journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step..but at least for Claire with her Air and Grace shoes her steps will always be in style and comfort! Go Claire!
Laters, Kate x
Friday started off as a totally normal day. Bella had her class assembly so I went in to school to watch, collecting a happy Charlie from his class to sit with us and enjoy it as a younger sibling. The assembly was fantastic – the kids were so grown up and displayed such blossoming confidence. I said my farewells and went on to meet a friend at London Bridge to discuss her new shoe Collection. As I stepped out of the tube my mobile rang..It was the school – Charlie, who I’d just literally said good bye to wasn’t feeling well and had a temperature what would I like to do? I rang my parents and they said they’d collect him and in the mean time the school nurse gave him some Calpol. Phone rang again..my mother – they’d picked him up but despite the Calpol his temperature was still high, he had a red face, was not looking good and was complaining of a sore neck. What should they do? It was friday, the doctors surgery was closed..we both could hear the warning bells..I said take him to the paediatric A & E at our local hospital and I’d meet them there. Better safe than sorry. By the time I got there my laughing child was curled up asleep on a hospital bed radiating heat and looking very small. It was one of those times when you know you’ve reached a cross roads – to recovery or a darker place. We were lucky..it wasn’t meningitis but a nasty virus – the fever broke and Charlie started responding to us, but my heart so goes out to any parent with a sick child..it’s a gut wrenching place to be. And even when the worst’s been avoided – we all got to go home with Charlie under strict observation – the potential weight of it stays with you for a long time..I swear The Husband and I have looked worse than him all weekend with eyes like piss holes in the snow just from the sheer depletion of emotional energy.
But when all’s said and done….it’s a price you’re more than happy to pay.
Laters, Kate x
Jenny Liz Rome is an illustrator from Southern Ontario, Canada. I love her realism mixed with a fine dose of fantasy..she manages to get the balance just right.
Cousin Elinor – is that you?!
It’s beautiful work that leaves you wanting more.
Laters, Kate x
The rumblings started around 2011 when Hermes walked this one down the runway..
Givenchy did a little number too.
And the odd street style star picked up the vibe.
But this year the noise is getting louder..Spotted at The Row’s Pre-fall 2014 Collection..
Tory Burch SS14, did it more than once..
And now Chanel?
Maybe it’s all been about branding…’Bum’ bag is really such an ugly word. But ‘hipster’ ‘Belt bag’? Far more class..
Mine is permanently attached to my side whether it’s cross body or as a belt bag. Not just because I like the look..but it’s just so practical as well..Compared to the eighties we’re now in the land of miniature and everything fits in perfectly.
All hail the return! Long may it last!
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 