Tagged: Buckingham Palace.

September 15, 2016

The Palace x

Yesterday I went with the lovely Galliana to Buckingham Palace. As you do. The only downside was we were there only as ticket wielding plebs. But we still had the chance to admire the ornate state rooms and look out over the beautiful 39 acre garden in the centre of London.

But the highlight was the exhibition of the 90 years of style from the Queen’s wardrobe amounting to eighty outfits and 62 iconic hats.

It was a lesson in the diplomacy of fashion: Made for a reason, for a specific person with a unique job using colours to be seen with subtle emblems and signs to flatter the right people in the right places – like the incorporation of the colours of a national flag for a tour abroad. There was thought, care and attention to detail and whilst fashion was was there, it wasn’t fashion for fashions sake.

It really was the best of British. The collection is on till Oct 2 and is well worth a visit.

(You can also have tea by the lawn afterwards…)

Laters, Kate x

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

April 8, 2013

We went on a Treasure Hunt x

(Photo courtesy of Daily Mail/Getty Images)

As we are away, a few trips coming up from memory lane..

I am a bone-fide Londoner, in truth I was born within the sound of Bow Bells inside the City mile, which officially makes me a Cockney, and once-upon-a-time this bestowed the privilege of being buried within the City Walls..if you visit City churchyards you’ll find them banked high either side of the path as they had to stack the bodies due to lack of space..but I digress: So I am a true City chick..but it wasn’t until a few years ago I learnt there are gas lights still in use in London. 1,600 to be precise, covering 200 miles…

To find them we went on a Treasure Hunt..for four lions, a nose, some lights…and a few knights..

Lions first. Good ol’Trafalgar Square.

Sitting on a Lion’s bottom.

The building you can just see with the clock? Is where the first telegraph from the Titanic arrived to say she was sinking..

Then the search for the elusive ‘Nose’..apparently to be found in Admiralty Arch, a stones throw away..

Can you see it? in the middle of the plain stone under the first dimpled stone..

A side view..Made of pink granite and 7 ft up, rumour has it that it was once the spare for Nelson’s Column in case his was broken on the way up…

Others think it’s here in honour of the Duke of Wellington – it’s at waist height for anyone on a horse and they say the soldiers rub it for luck as they ride through..

The truth? It was put up by the artist Rick Buckley in 1997 as part of a campaign against ‘Big Brother’ society…stop being nosey..

Through Admiralty Arch to The Mall. Lined with gas lights (the majority are around the Palace, Mayfair and Covent Garden).

With appropriate ‘Admiralty’ ships on the top!

Central London..and it’s like being in the countryside.

All the way down to the Palace.

The beautiful lock on the gate…must have a story..

To look at the knights..

And more gas lights – six Gas Lighters work the stretch around Buckingham Palace.

Then Charlie spotted a badger (as you do) and wanted to ask him if the Queen was in and if he was invited for tea..The badger turned out to be an soldier who had done sentry duty himself at the Palace and was a trove of knowledge. Not enough guards he said. She was away and unfortunately unavailable.

This is the better picture of said Badger. But I did debate about whether to post it or not – the anatomically correct part of said Badger was purely unintentional…although his girlfriend seems perfectly happy..

So Charlie then asked a Policeman! He explained that her standard – looking like one of his badges – had to be flying if she was home..

Charlie was a bit disappointed. But we promised to come back another day..maybe next weekend for the rehearsal of Trooping of the Colour..just as good as the real thing, but much less crowded. We then got the train home from Victoria.