July 8, 2013

The Best of British x

Andy Murray has won Wimbledon!!!! Yayyyyyyy! (Do you KNOW how many times I have suffered, truly suffered watching Wimbledon?) The Lions won their tour (Whooo hooo! Nice lead up to the World Cup lads…shame you’ll all be on different teams) and Chris Froome is wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour de France (I am a Tour nut. Sad but true. Go Sky!) What’s more the sun is finally smiling: Britain is cresting a wave..and good ol’Marks and Spencer are keen to get in on the act..

The Marks and Spencer AW 2013-14 Best of British Line will land in selected stores in October and I for one will be watching with interest. Like us, they want everything to be manufactured in the UK – Jumpers from Hawick in Scotland, Outerwear in Manchester, Shoes in Northampton with Goodyear welted soles..which means a higher price-point (coats £299, trousers £129, shoes £165 etc), lower margins and an emotional plate-shift away from chasing the fast fashion phenomenon of the High Street. The big question: Will the public buy-in and buy it?

Like many Brits, I’ve always had a soft spot for M&S and have found the destruction of their chore values some what soul destroying..timeless, classic, quality was down trodden in the rampage of the decision makers seemingly more eager to get close to the flame of pile it high, sell it cheap.

But fresh from this stuttering nervous breakdown Best of British is strong and striking with distinct and praise-worthy heritage references.

I’ve missed the repression and reliance on tradition.. I want those pieces in my wardrobe..the ones that melt seamlessly in. The honest truth is, if I want stand-out, I wouldn’t look to M&S and that has always been the case.

Now they are toying with ennui and affluence.

Opulence with restraint.

It’s a marriage built on strong visual foundation and an audacious narrative: Buy less, but buy better..a Collection of integrity with a clear message that has my absolute support.

Laters, Kate xxx

July 6, 2013

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

July 4, 2013

Insouciance Celebrated x

Rosie Assoulin is the new darling on the fashion block and it’s easy to see why with her first 2014 Resort Collection. More cunning, less solemn with a louche swagger that leaps off the page and into the first passing wardrobe..

I could wear this, knock people’s socks off and still eat lunch. Result.

Sharp timing, yet oodles of time.

Block colours with contrasting avant-garde shapes. Unconventional, succulent and impressively chic..it’s a joy to see that sexy doesn’t have to equal fitted to within an inch of respiration. Case in point..but topical..the women tennis players at Wimbledon..

Beautiful, fit girls in their prime…wearing figure hugging clothing that reflects back every lump, bump and bra-strap…loose is imagination..even slightly loose is an optical illusion in progress.

Give me a secret hint that impresses with personality and promise any day of the week.

Laters, Kate x

July 2, 2013

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

June 30, 2013

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

June 28, 2013

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

June 26, 2013

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

June 25, 2013

Is the grass is greener?

The end of term is starting to feel like an adopted sack of King Edward potatoes continually strapped to my left thigh and I can see the effect slowly spreading through the whole house..things are in piles waiting to be sorted, which is basically good, but there’s never time to organise anything so they’re just breeding free-style like a tottering physical rash. Take the laundry room which I always think – possibly strangely – is the outer representation of my inner mind. Ordered = in control. A shambles = manic. We are somewhere inbetween with ordered chaos: Clothes in baskets but heaped to the ceiling and bursting at the seams. The other barometer of life – My handbag?…an overflowing dustbin of cr*p..

It doesn’t help that the days are loosing their rhythm..suddenly there is a cornucopia of End of Year Shows, Sports Days, interviews at new school, tea party at new school, Second Hand Uniform sales, Ballet exams, Art Exhibitions and Prize days to fit in with their ever-growing list of additional requirements and I can feel my shoulders needing to grow on a daily basis. The social diary? It’s like Christmas again with late nights and lots of alcohol – which initially feels a necessity..until the next day…and I know I’m grumpy when I examine things and any bad ~~grandma~~ grammar really starts to ~~great~~ grate…It’s reached a point where I’ve actually started to hug people with tears in my eyes when they cancel..

I’m not the only one feeling it..

So from where I am standing, the kids off school for nine weeks?.. looks like bliss!

(Just remind me of that in a few weeks time…)

Laters, Kate xxx

June 23, 2013

A Bella Belle x

A beautiful customer taking the (Frillie) Billie for a tres chic stroll in Cannes!

Plaisir d’amour…I hear the siren call

xxx

June 21, 2013

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