Tagged: fashion

May 22, 2014

Joy x

If I see something I like that flutters the gut I follow the trail back to see if it was a one off or a true love. Sometimes there’s only time to scribble a name down..then tracking it down is a bit like a treasure hunt wondering what will turn up. So it was with Joie – a name in my notebook, a diamond in the dust.

What first caught my interest were the shirts with their easy nonchalance and natural grace.

In many ways similar to Zadig and Voltaire except more accessible, less edgy. Although much of that is the contrast of styling. Look at Joie as individual items rather than a whole look and it would be easy to add the urban edge.

Made with quality materials, there’s nothing faddy – they’re the type of pieces that will live on in the wardrobe, adapting and morphing with the times.

Smoothly integrated, wearable, honest.

Key pieces painted in broad strokes.

With a joy of simplicity.

I could say I didn’t like it. But it would be a lie.

Laters, Kate x

April 15, 2014

Coachella 2014

Coachella: A place for people to unshowily declare themselves.

To turn up and have fun like a wild drive through the night whilst still standing in a circle of friends.

To sing, play, dance and listen and put a distance from the real world. Just for a little bit.

Personally, it’s the Coachella Art Studios that would have my name on them – the craft themes this year are: Paper, re-cycled materials, fashion, camp improvement (!) and a banter booth!

You can make a head wrap, get stuck into clay and even draw stranger portraits – love this: Sit down on opposite sides of an artists easel with a stranger and draw each other – get to know the other person through the process by using provided interview questions to break the ice..or just chat! The result is a portrait each and a new friend..result!

The Afterlife is a place to go to give birth to new objects from old…a broken inner bicycle tube? It becomes a wallet. Plastic bags? material! I’d never leave..

For the first time ever there’s even a Quiltchella..a communal quilt in the making..they need you Kerry and Nikki!

(All photos by Annie powers from Style.com)

The next Festival is 18-20 April…only in my dreams will I be there….But one day, when the kids have flown the nest and I’m in my dotage I’m going to dress up in flowing purple robes and a mighty turban and laugh and dance and do it all till the sun rises again…Promise.

Laters, Kate x

April 14, 2014

Espadrille Competition!

Calling all fashionista’s (particularly those with a young child within) for our inaugural Pimp Your Kicks Design Competition! this is your chance to play, glue, dye, make..bake! accessorise and bling-o-rize a classic pair of espadrilles into a thing of beauty worthy of a street style photo shot (See here for more inspiration – seriously – the only limit is your imagination!)

The details:

Sign up below and send a photo of your finished shoes to contactkatebentley@gmail.com by midnight gmt on Friday 23 May
The winner will be announced on Monday 26 May with pictures of all the entries (can’t wait!)
You can enter as many pairs as you wish..and high heeled espadrilles also accepted.
There will be an external judge and a little prize for the winner..

I’m off to scout the internet for the cheapest pair of espadrilles I can find…and if I can find children’s sizes Bella and Charlie will be entering too!!

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 12, 2014

Coming up Roses..

I am a speck of dust hanging gently in the air as I breathe in the expectation of this Collection: Rosie Assoulin AW14, eager to get close to the flame.

Waiting to feel that magic touch of satisfaction.

She doesn’t disappoint: She has a knack of designing wearable hyper-potent scene stealing pieces that ooze cool glamour like a smoking tea infused cocktail.

This I would happily waft the rest of my days in. Rolled up and poshed with kitten heels or laid back with white sneakers.

There are more pieces in this Collection than SS14 and (as Julius Caesar flashes neon in my mind) it’s not all perfect, but I tell myself: Don’t linger on the negatives…and I love the trousers.

There’s always a reference to the classics but then the heat gets turned up with unexpected references and clever tailoring.

Until I find myself dancing in a light and sun-drenched land, where puddles are figments of the imagination and umbrellas are objects of curiosity…

Laters, Kate x

February 11, 2014

Edun Mark 2 x

The most attractive thing is always talent.

Danielle Sherman Creative Director of Edun is, season by season creating and expanding the visual language of this ethical label.

Building it block by block – the inspiration Africa, the journey a clear path: Her palette is clean, simple and continuous which means that like the materials she uses, pieces can be woven together.

Take her SS14 Collection..everything can be seamlessly added as an extra, rich layer – more shapes to play with. More weather changes to adapt to. It’s clever, it’s thoughtful. It’s sustainable in your wardrobe.