Tagged: summer dresses
Life’s a Beach.. x
My personal crush with Lisa Marie Fernandez started last year with her delicious towelling cover-ups. This season she doesn’t disappoint…easy, breezy summer dresses with perfect proportions and edible edging.
There’s more cheeky towelling..
(All Lisa Marie Fernandez pictures from Matches and Net-a-porter)
And the cutest bikini ever..Fernandez manages to walk that sophisticated but essential line between utilitarian and chic…in a fabulous pair of gladiators with no sign of foot-slap or lace louche…
I still love the whole idea of towelling as summer clothes. Why isn’t it more popular? It’s the summer beach dress that’s missing from my wardrobe..that sense of something warm and cuddly to throw on when you’re trying to eek out the last few hours of a perfect summers day, that magical time the dusk starts to draw in and shadows lengthen and a g’n’t tastes especially good..I’ve looked for cheaper brands but there’s very little..unless you’re a child…never thought I’d be jealous of childrens’ clothes…but take away the polka dots and I am.
This is the second year I’ve lusted after the impossible, so this time I have a cunning and devious plan because where there’s a will, there’s a way. Watch this space..
Laters, Kate x
Vita Kin x
I’m a sucker for a boho dress with a folksy feel..the bigger the sleeves, the more intricate the embroidery, the greater my little heart beats.
And Vita Kin with her vyshyvanka dresses hits all the spots.
She’s become an fashion sensation purely through her instagram account, marrying the craft crush of her native Ukraine with artisanal cool and easy, wearable bohemian chic.
It’s a bit like wearing your great-grandmother’s favourite linen (particularly if she was Ukranian) down the street. But the pin tucks are edible, the lengths are to die for with en pointe colours and glorious needlework…and the pockets are perfectly placed.
When asked if she wanted to build a fashion empire Vita Kin is reputed to have replied ‘Of course, not. What I want to do is to lie on the beach on a sunny warm day and sell my creations through Instagram. My terms are 100% payment pre order, a 21-day wait for production, paid shipment, and 2 sizes to choose from. I don’t really care about anything else, I really don’t… I can’t even imagine having a factory or anything like that … I’d rather spend my time thinking of new designs...’ How refreshing.
It’s a high risk way of telling a story – there are many opportunists out there more than ready to jump on the band wagon and copy her designs. But no-one can deny it’s her works that fly out of show rooms and have long waiting lists..it’s rumoured that Matches will have some in in August – but chances are they’re sold already. Sometimes less is more and quality can stand for itself. And why does everything have to result in world domination? Sometimes the greatest power to dazzle is with what is simply there, beautifully done.
I don’t just likey. For me it’s the fire pit of timeless love. Forever…
Laters, Kate x
Chambray love..
Soft, louche, lounging and easy..
Could this be the ultimate denim dress? The cuffs are to die for..
(All pictures J.Crew)
Timeless pieces that quietly scream elegant summer living..
Laters, Kate x
Into the Blue x
You’ll find these dresses in my dreams…
Mine’s the chair on the left…
Laters, Kate x
Packing..
I hate packing with a passion..but at least in summer the clothes are the easy bit…all I take are vintage cotton dresses..
As a change this year – yep, I always wear the same ones..I’ve added an edge of neon pink pom poms..
I have all sorts from all different countries..this is one of my mexican numbers..and yes, if didn’t escape the pom poms either..they’re breeding and rather addictive..
My white broiderie anglais kaftan..excellent for wafting in with a trilby and a cocktail..
This is an African number – comes with a full length wrap skirt in the same material. A girl has to have a bit of bling..
My cheesecloth peasant dress with embroidered butterflies..guaranteed never to meet someone wearing the same..
Another Mexican..they’re rather fab and very easy to wear..
The only two exceptions to the rule are my vintage jumpsuits..dress up, dress down they can take me to any occasion..
This one was originally 80’s purple, but it got a dose of brown dye and now it’s a wonderful burnt aubergine colour. It’s silk so does crease, but it’s worth it with a pair of gold sandals..
But I still hate packing..
Laters, Kate x
Missioni Mare x
Missioni and beachwear feels a bit like a oxymoron..until you see Missioni Mare. Why is it that green and pink go so well together? Maybe it has something to do with nature…
Laters, Kate x
My Summer Beauty..
This was a purchase from my vintage wander to Stoke Newington..and I love it. It hasn’t made the holiday packing cut purely on the basis the material is quite heavy, which means it holds it shape wonderfully..and is perfect for those cool English summer evenings. I wear it with a pair of wedges, my vintage Mulberry bag and a big smile….puurrrrfick!
Laters, Kate x
Camilla Frank x
Camilla Frank is a designer proud to forge her own path of chaotic colour and creative genius perfectly made for the summer fun in the sun…
Laters, Kate x
Laura Manara
Chic prints, butterfly soft fabric and purposeful design, Laura Manara is everything you want to throw in your suitcase. Dress up, dress down it’s a barbie on the beach or dinner at the Ritz..
Laters. Kate x
More Than Words..
If clothes were a vibe then Raquel Allegra would be the coolest place in town.
But then who else would start their fashion line upcycling tees from the Los Angeles County Jail?
Her clothes have an unmistakable air of off-duty model louche looks: They don’t have to be flattering just capture the mood..and they do that with effortless beauty.
They say when I’m comfortable in my clothes, I’m confident in my life.
(There’s also her love of tie-dye..I have two more batches in the dye bath as I type..)
Her work has an honesty and integrity: She’s prepared to get her hands dirty. She says: ‘At an early age my creative heart was broken around creative expression: It kind of shut me off to the possibility of dreams. It’s really sad..but I didn’t think there was anything other than retail for me in my life..I feel very lucky to have found design, particularly in the way that I did.’
The clothes echo who she is – very connected, very personal..you want to know her and be part of her world.
‘I don’t believe you have to be anything but what you are. Be kind to people, and do what you believe in. I don’t believe in competition. I don’t believe in being mean. I believe in helping other people. I certainly couldn’t be here without other people helping me. What it really comes down to is your heart. Follow the light bulb in your head that says this is where you belong. This is what makes you happy.’
Amen to that.
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 