The hem of her garment.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2011-10-31T06:04:00.000-07:00

Florence's album is out today, I got to see her first performance of tracks from the new album a couple of weeks ago at a Luv Luv Luv records party, where she gave a surprise performance, skin tingling stuff!

Shout out to Charlotte who took lessons from GAGA on her skeleton make-up this year, that's me as a Zombie Prom Queen to the left.

Hello Stranger

2011-10-31T05:51:00.000-07:00

After a long (yet stressful) slumber, I AM BACK (again). Stay Tuned.

Unexpected

2011-03-01T15:29:00.000-08:00

I found this researching 40s fashion, sexy non?

The Coveteur

2011-03-01T15:22:00.000-08:00

The Coveteur...dare I say an upgrade on the Selby?

Oh to live like the beautiful people.

Oh Land

2011-03-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

I saw this slammin hottie at Home House Live recently...

Nailz

2011-03-01T15:00:00.000-08:00

MATT BLACK:

[found via my new favourite place, The Cool Hunter]

Alexa's palm trees aren't helping my summer craving....

Givenchy S/S11 Couture

2011-03-01T14:50:00.000-08:00

Ricardo Tisci, you bloody genius...

This was apparently inspired by Kazuo Ohno, a prominent figure in the Japanese performance art of Butoh.

On Self Respect

2011-02-24T15:25:00.000-08:00

A friend showed me this and suddenly it all made sense....

Joan Didion's Essay 'On Self Respect'

Once, in a dry season, I wrote in large letters across two pages of a notebook that innocence ends when one is stripped of the delusion that one likes oneself. Although now, some years later, I marvel that a mind on the outs with itself should have nonetheless made painstaking record of its every tremor, I recall with embarrassing clarity the flavor of those particular ashes. It was a mater of misplaced self-respect.

I had not been elected to Phi Beta Kappa. This failure could scarcely have been more predictable or less ambiguous (I simply did not have the grades), but I was unnerved by it; I had somehow thought myself a kind of academic Raskolnikov, curiously exempt from the cause-effect relationships which hampered others. Although even the humorless nineteen-year-old that I was must have recognized that the situation lacked real tragic stature, the day that I did to make Phi Beta kappa nonetheless marked the end of something, and innocence may well be the word for it. I lost the conviction that lights would always turn green for me, the pleasant certainty that those rather passive virtues which had won me approval as a child automatically guaranteed me not only Phi Beta Kappa keys but happiness, honor, and the love of a good man; lost a certain touching faith in the totem power of good manners, clean hair, and proved competence on the Stanford-Binet scale. To such doubtful amulets had my self-respect been pinned, and I faced myself that day with the nonplussed apprehension of someone who has come across a vampire and has no crucifix at hand.

Although to be driven back upon oneself is an uneasy affair at best, rather like trying to cross a border with borrowed credentials, it seems to me now the one condition necessary to the beginnings of real self-respect. Most of our platitudes notwithstanding, self-deception remains the most difficult deception. The tricks that work on others count for nothing in that well-lit back alley where one keeps assignations with oneself; no winning smiles will do here, no prettily drawn lists of good intentions. One shuffles flashily but in vain through ones’ marked cards the kindness done for the wrong reason, the apparent triumph which involved no real effort, the seemingly heroic act into which one had been shamed. The dismal fact is that self-respect has nothing to do with the approval of others – who we are, after all, deceived easily enough; has nothing to do with reputation, which, as Rhett Butler told Scarlett O’Hara, is something people with courage can do without.

To do without self-respect, on the other hand, is to be an unwilling audience of one to an interminable documentary that deals one’s failings, both real and imagined, with fresh footage spliced in for every screening. There’s the glass you broke in anger, there’s the hurt on X’s face; watch now, this next scene, the night Y came back from Houston, see how you muff this one. To live without self-respect is to lie awake some night, beyond the reach of warm milk, the Phenobarbital, and the sleeping hand on the coverlet, counting up the sins of commissions and omission, the trusts betrayed, the promises subtly broken, the gifts irrevocably wasted through sloth or cowardice, or carelessness. However long we postpone it, we eventually lie down alone in that notoriously uncomfortable bed, the one we make ourselves. Whether or not we sleep in it depends, of course, on whether or not we respect ourselves.

To protest that some fairly improbably people, some people who could not possibly respect themselves, seem to sleep easily enough is to miss the point entirely, as surely as those people miss it who think that self-respect has necessarily to do with not having safety pins in one’s underwear. There is a common superstition that “self-respect” is a kind of charm against snakes, something that keeps those who have it locked in some unblighted Eden, out of strange beds, ambivalent conversations, and trouble in general. It does not at all. It has nothing to do with the face of things, but concerns instead a separate peace, a private reconciliation. Although the careless, suicidal Julian English in Appointment in Samara and the careless, incurably dishonest Jordan Baker in The Great Gatsby seem equally improbably candidates for self-respect, Jordan Baker had it, Julian English did not. With that genius for accommodation more often seen in women than men, Jordan took her own measure, made her own peace, avoided threats to that peace: “I hate careless people,” she told Nick Carraway. “It takes two to make an accident.”

Like Jordan Baker, people with self-respect have the courage of their mistakes. They know the price of things. If they choose to commit adultery, they do not then go running, in an access of bad conscience, to receive absolution from the wronged parties; nor do they complain unduly of the unfairness, the undeserved embarrassment, of being named co-respondent. In brief, people with self-respect exhibit a certain toughness, a kind of mortal nerve; they display what was once called character, a quality which, although approved in the abstract, sometimes loses ground to other, more instantly negotiable virtues. The measure of its slipping prestige is that one tends to think of it only in connection with homely children and United States senators who have been defeated, preferably in the primary, for reelection. Nonetheless, character – the willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life – is the source from which self-respect springs.

Self-respect is something that our grandparents, whether or not they had it, knew all about. They had instilled in them, young, a certain discipline, the sense that one lives by doing things one does not particularly want to do, by putting fears and doubts to one side, by weighing immediate comforts against the possibility of larger, even intangible, comforts. It seemed to the nineteenth century admirable, but not remarkable, that Chinese Gordon put on a clean white suit and held Khartoum against the Mahdi; it did not seem unjust that the way to free land in California involved death and difficulty and dirt. In a diary kept during the winter of 1846, an emigrating twelve-yaer-old named Narcissa Cornwall noted coolly: “Father was busy reading and did not notice that the house was being filled with strange Indians until Mother spoke out about it.” Even lacking any clue as to what Mother said, one can scarcely fail to be impressed by the entire incident: the father reading, the Indians filing in, the mother choosing the words that would not alarm, the child duly recording the event and noting further that those particular Indians were not, “fortunately for us,” hostile. Indians were simply part of the donnee.

In one guise or another, Indians always are. Again, it is a question of recognizing that anything worth having has its price. People who respect themselves are willing to accept the risk that the Indians will be hostile, that the venture will go bankrupt, that the liaison may not turn out to be one in which every day is a holiday because you’re married to me. They are willing to invest something of themselves; they may not play at all, but when they do play, they know the odds.

That kind of self-respect is a discipline, a habit of mind that can never be faked but can be developed, trained, coaxed forth. It was once suggested to me that, as an antidote to crying, I put my had in a paper bag. As it happens, there is a sound physiological reason, something to do with oxygen, for doing exactly that, but the psychological effect alone is incalculable: it is difficult bin the extreme to continue fancying oneself Cathy in Wuthering Heights with ones head in a Food Fair bag. There is a similar case for all the small disciplines, unimportant in themselves; imagine maintaining any kind of swoon, commiserative or carnal, in a cold shower.

But those small disciplines are valuable only insofar as they represent larger ones. To say that Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton is not to say that Napoleon might have been saved by a crash program in cricket; to give formal dinners in the rain forest would be pointless did not the candlelight flickering on the liana call forth deeper, stronger disciplines, values instilled long before. It is a kind of ritual, helping us to remember who and what we are. In order to remember it, one must have known it.

To have that sense of one’s intrinsic worth which constitutes self-respect is potentially to have everything: the ability to discriminate, to love and to remain indifferent. To lack it is to be locked within oneself, paradoxically incapable of either love or indifference. If we do not respect ourselves, we are the one hand forced to despise those who have so few resources as to consort with us, so little perception as to remain blind to our fatal weaknesses. On the other, we are peculiarly in thrall to everyone we see, curiously determined to live out – since our self-image is untenable – their false notion of us. We flatter ourselves by thinking this compulsion to please others an attractive trait: a gist for imaginative empathy, evidence of our willingness to give. Of course I will play Francesca to your Paolo, Helen Keller to anyone’s Annie Sullivan; no expectation is too misplaced, no role too ludicrous. At the mercy of those we cannot but hold in contempt, we play roles doomed to failure before they are begun, each defeat generating fresh despair at the urgency of divining and meting the next demand made upon us.

It is the phenomenon sometimes called “alienation from self.” In its advanced stages, we no longer answer the telephone, because someone might want something; that we could say no without drowning in self-reproach is an idea alien to this game. Every encounter demands to much, tears the nerves, drains the will, and the specter of something as small as an unanswered letter arouses such disproportionate guilt that answering it becomes out of the question. To assign unanswered letters their proper weight, to free us from the expectations of others, to give us back to ourselves – there lies the great, the singular power of self-respect. Without it, one eventually discovers the final turn of the screw: one runs away to find oneself, and finds no one at home.

Wounded Rhymes

2011-02-24T15:13:00.000-08:00

Counting down the days until I can get my hands on Lykke Li's new album, Love Out of Lust and this video are gorgeous...

I'M BACK

2011-02-10T14:30:00.000-08:00

Here is where I have been...

MARRAKECH

BERLIN

PARIS

WORK IT

2010-11-20T08:31:00.000-08:00

I'm going to Work It tonight, my favourite place to dance in London. Time to celebrate, it's the end of a hard week and I'm off to Paris on Tuesday, this calls for a fix of retro Hip Hop and R'nb...YES. If only I had some vintage Versace to wear...

Dear Lou Doillon

2010-11-20T07:57:00.001-08:00

...I love you.

Hugs and Besos,

Nicola x

Your Song

2010-11-14T13:38:00.000-08:00

Beautiful....

Blissful Haze

2010-11-14T12:35:00.000-08:00

[Knight Cat]

I need that furry coat in my life, flo has one just like it from Zara (see below) in case you're interested in purchasing. Brrr it's cold out there.

Kate B

2010-11-14T12:32:00.000-08:00

Kate Bosworth rocking the smart/casual thing to perfection as per.

Miss Moss

2010-11-08T15:33:00.000-08:00

Kate and Johnny forever! Seriously though, that shot by Leibovitz is brilliant.

Come Around Sundown

2010-11-08T15:25:00.000-08:00

...but then I listen to this:

check out the new Album:

WoAH, KenZO.

2010-11-08T15:19:00.000-08:00

[Cherry Blossom Girl]

...reminds me of all the crazy colourful costumes I saw at the Diaghilev exhibition at the V&A yesterday, splendid.

IMBOYCRAZY.com

2010-11-08T14:53:00.001-08:00

A friend recently told me about this chick's blog...yes it's kinda emo, yes it's kind of gross but yes it's also kind of funny and yes it's kind of true. The films are good too and I admire how bravely she puts herself out there. I also like how she asks every guy their height when she grills them, it's something I would do, being a GIANT and all.

One for the GIRLS that might make you feel more/less crazy?

A Good Looking Grilling.

Advice for BOYS.

Something silly.

Another stupid thing.

The FILMS.

Grey Goose Character and Cocktails

2010-11-07T04:07:00.000-08:00

I had an amazing time at the Grey Goose Character and Cocktails winter ball aka Elton John's annual AIDs Foundation fundraiser...A warehouse in Vauxhall was converted into a sci-fi Parisian quasar den with a touch of Britannia (the whole facade of the place was covered in a projection of Buckingham Palace). Wowza. It was all designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, I even got to speak to JPG himself, sure it was short, sweet and PR related but it COUNTS ok? Lazer beams, celebs, beautiful people, cute french music and waiters, performances by Elton John and Roisin Murphy...I could go on. But I'm boasting too much as it is, so here's a peek instead:

Soon I really will be in Paris...2 weeks and counting...I'm going to meet Shona who's living out there at the moment and then we're going on to Berlin for a few days, too excited!!

Next Year

2010-11-07T04:03:00.000-08:00

[Knight Cat]

I gotta be a corpse bride for Halloween.

OH my.

2010-11-07T04:01:00.001-08:00

...Hyperventilating.

If I had a heart

2010-09-16T14:02:00.000-07:00

Fever Ray were magical, Karin was dressed in this strange masked get up, mysterious as ever (see second to last pic). All the flashing vintage lamps and lazers spaced me out and the music was scarily good.

Notting Hall Carnival

2010-09-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

Gaz's Rockin Blues, Rum, Sun, Florence Welsch and an Animal Party. Best ever!

Creds to Georgia for the last pic

Mad Men

2010-09-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

...and Mad Women, everybody in this programme is sad, but it's bittersweet and clever. I love these behind the scene shots from Rolling Stone...

Look at that wardrobe!! Constantly amazed by the clothing, I wish everybody was still this sophisticated.

Buff Window

2010-09-16T12:54:00.000-07:00

Everything you wanted

2010-08-18T14:58:00.000-07:00

Gainsbourg

2010-07-19T15:04:00.000-07:00

Must.See.This.

So sad about Lucy Gordon, who plays Jane Birkin...apparently she is fantastic.

Elysium

2010-07-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

Andrew Davie is really rather brilliant. I was lucky enough to watch him perform a live acoustic set at a recent work event - Home House Live, hosted by Raymond Weil (excuse the shameless plug). I love my job! He has such a pure, effortless voice.

Changing Rooms

2010-07-19T14:23:00.000-07:00

I move out on Saturday to a beautiful Georgian house in East london, exciting times ahead. I have been framing pictures and making pilgrimages to Ikea lately in preparation and considered buying the above from Urban Outfitters...I decided not to for fear it is too cheesy? I bought this little fella instead as a house warming gift to myself:

...trying to think of a good name for him, any ideas? We already have a fish in our garden pond called Edmund ...

I want, I need, I must have...

2010-07-19T14:11:00.000-07:00

Some Smythson by Holly Fulton, to match...

...either that coat or the cape, or both?! I'm thinking the coat...either way, I am in love with Topshop's new A/W10 shots and cannot rest until I get some of their CAMEL...also perhaps the peachy shirt...perhaps.

Dearest Abandoned Blog...

2010-07-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

I am so sorry to have neglected you, here's what I have been doing during my absence...

Admiring Woolfgang Tillmans' raw pictures blue tacked and cellotaped to the walls of The Serpentine.

Watching filmic dance at the Electric Hotel

Looking at Walker Evans' hidden camera shots and Women in Thought by Harry Callahan amongst others (that I will write about when I am less weary) at the Exposed exhibition at Tate Modern.

Celeb spotting and waiter stalking (flowery hats!) at the Acne Store Opening

Creeping around The Surreal House at The Barbican and the concrete blocks surrounding it... again, more on this when I have the time, particualrly enjoyed the surrealist films and Francesca Woodman's photography.

Maxi

2010-06-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

Addicted to maxi dresses at the mo, I have a nice long sleeved, sharp shouldered black one from H&M, a dark greyish-green asymmetrical beauty from Topshop and a printed bohemian, strapless number, also from TS. They make me feel so elegant and are perfect for the strange rain filled sunny days we seem to be having lately in London...shall try and post pics of them soon, here's inspiration in the meantime:

Michael Clark

2010-06-13T07:42:00.000-07:00

I went to see the latest offering from my favourite choreographer Michael Clark - Come, Been and Gone - last night. Above is a clip from the final section! Every time I see his productions I come away feeling alive. He used to choreograph for bands like The Fall and uses music by bands like Wire, The Velvet Underground and Bowie. On top of the awesome music he always has fun costumes (or lack of in some cases), lighting, film and props that blow me away every time. Come, Been and Gone was a little slower than his usual productions (I think Oh My Goddess has been my favourite of his works so far) but I still enjoyed it, especially as it was at such a great venue, I had never been to the Barbican's theatre before, it's so 70s/space age.

Fashion Against Aids

2010-05-31T09:28:00.000-07:00

In love with my new H&M Paperbag shorts...super high, super comfy, super colour = super summer! What's more, these are part of H&M's new Fashion Against Aids range, with 25% of the price being donated towards AIDs/HIV education and prevention efforts = super samaritan!

[Thanks to Georgia for these pics]

Western Wonders

2010-05-31T08:57:00.000-07:00

Time to embrace that inner Pocahontas this summer?

[Souvenirs]

If only

2010-05-31T08:04:00.000-07:00

[The Sartorialist]

...I could go back in time to the 50's and ask her where she got this bikini from.

You can't run and you can't hide...

2010-05-05T14:39:00.000-07:00

...from camels or nudes.

And I don't mean the desert creatures or naked people, though that would be kinda fun. I have yet to meet my perfect camel/nude combo, let's hope it arrives in time for Autumn.

[From all the usual places - Jak&Jil, Still in Berlin, Face Hunter etc]

Jukebox Jam

2010-05-05T14:27:00.000-07:00

[Photo taken at JJ]

Went to a fun night - Jukebox Jam, for my friend Georgia's birthday last week, it sure was good for a boogy! If only music was still that simple and fun.

Listening to

2010-04-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

Kurran and the Wolfnotes - their new single Four Bends. They remind me of The Shins.

She & Him - Their new album, Volume two and You Tubing their Coachella covers.

Kate Nash pretending to be Karen O on her track I Just Love You More - surprisingly sexy.

Laura Marling - Rambling Man is my favourite.

Irving Penn

2010-04-25T06:09:00.000-07:00

I went to the Irving Penn Portraits exhibition at The National Portrait Gallery a couple of weeks ago. It's insane how all of his photos, even those taken way back in the 40s, still seem so fresh and modern. If you forget about the snazzy clothes, you could almost mistake some of them to have been shot this decade. I particularly like the ones taken in his studio where the subjects are sandwiched between two walls, and his extreme close up shots (in some of them he's so close to the sitter you can see his shadow in their eyes).

[Photos taken from Google images]

I'm Here

2010-04-25T04:52:00.000-07:00

Watch it here. You really must. Heartwarming stuff, it's one of those films that leaves you feeling odd, in a good way. Has a nice soundtrack too featuring Aska Matsumiya!

Micro...

2010-04-23T03:34:00.000-07:00

PIG! Gimme.

[Inside-Out]

.com

2010-04-18T03:11:00.000-07:00

Two of my favourite online stores...

Family Affairs

The Queen's Wardrobe

Thanks to the cherry blossom girl and wishwishwish for introducing me to them...

Ashes to Ashes

2010-04-18T02:39:00.000-07:00

In dedication to the Icelandic ash fall that's emptying the sky of planes at the moment, isn't it strange - reminds you just how small we are!

Most Wanted

2010-04-11T06:17:00.000-07:00

I'm on the hunt for a perfectly tailored oxford shirt, inspired by...

[Knight Cat, Jak & Jil, Alessandro Dell'acqua A/W 2010 (taken from Obsessee), Wishwishwish]

Oh, Chlo.

2010-04-11T05:02:00.000-07:00

[Terry's Diary]

Chloe Sevigny, even with that boyish bob, still manages to look too cool for school.

Loved this shoot she did last month with ELLE UK...

[OBSESSEE]

Italia, In Film

2010-04-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

I took these using my manual OM20 Olympus camera. Having been quite out of practice I was surprised at the lack of blur and even when I overexposed some of the shots it's seemed to have worked in my favour - some of these almost look like paintings! Happy Snapper.

Italia, The Trench

2010-04-08T04:00:00.000-07:00

Now THAT is how to wear a trench coat. I spotted this dapper gent strolling down the street in Bologne. Check out those shades. The Italians sure know how to dress, I saw so many men casually cycling around the streets, fully suited. Belissimo! They reminded me of this.

Italia, The Fedora

2010-04-08T03:54:00.001-07:00

Only a few posts back I was wishing I could pull one of these off, I tried it on for a laugh at the Leather market in Florence...but was encouraged by friends to be brave and buy it!

I'm still unconvinced that I suit it, but it's fun to wear, even if I do look more like an Australian ranger than a Kenzo girl!

Italia, Love Locks

2010-04-08T03:33:00.000-07:00

I had never heard of love locks before my trip to Italy, it's such a sweet phenomenon. Couples attach locks and throw away the key to prove their everlasting love for one another. I visited the most famous site for this in Italy - Via Dell'Amore, where a path/tunnel connects the towns of Manorola and Riomaggiore in Cinque Terre. The pathway's legend holds that it was a meeting place for lovers from the two towns...

The entrance to Via Dell' Amore...

Italia, Snapshots

2010-04-08T02:53:00.000-07:00

A few snaps from my easter weekend away to Bologna/Florence/Pisa/Cinque Terre....

Time Reversal

2010-03-29T02:12:00.000-07:00

Wow, take a look at the latest exhibition by Alice Anderson -Time Reversal - being held at The Riflemaker Gallery at the moment on Beak street! 3000 meters of synthetic dolls hair flows throughout the the building to make Anderson's installation, Rapunzel. Beautifully creepy.

[Modus]

I wish I could wear...

2010-03-29T01:47:00.000-07:00

One of these, Kenzo's lovely Autumn/Winter 2010 Fedoras....it's such a difficult look to pull off!

[Jak & Jill]

Kelly Sheppard

2010-03-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

Here are some beautiful drawings by my friend Kelly, she was lucky/talented enough to win an illustration competition held by Vauxhall Fashion Scout last month and attended and illustrated some amazing shows!

Back in the day.

2010-03-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

The Sartorialist is running a great vintage photo competition at the moment....

I particularly enjoyed the story behind that last photo:

'May I introduce you to my Texas Grandma, Charlene Beck, I liken her in my mind to a cross between Rosie the Riveter and Bonnie Parker. This image of her was taken in the 1950's on a road trip from Texas to Tennessee by my Papa, Henry Beck, whom you can see in the reflection of the mirror. What is so inspirational about this image goes beyond the fabulous sense of style my grandmother had (and has still very much to this day). I mean, how cute does she look in her cuffed pants and rolled up sleeves with the scarf sweeping her shoulder?!

If you look deeper you'll realize she is a woman in the 50's wearing men's jeans, something women did not do in small town USA back then. She was a style trailblazer, not letting the fact she is a woman stop her from wearing what she wants, when she wants. The outfit in present day is not shocking but I think we can still appreciate her sense of style and take inspiration in that freedom she so boldly stood for back then with what we choose to wear today. Just a side note on this photograph — if you ask my Grandma about it she likes to point out the fact that she's at least drinking milk so no one gets the impression she's as bad as she looks... I think anyone can see why she is my hero.'

Paris, A/W 10

2010-03-28T11:04:00.000-07:00

Always my favourite Fashion Week....

Miu Miu

I have always been a Miu Miu girl and I'm not about to stop. Loved the strange foamy materials & stunning embellishment this season, the retro feel combined with neon eyes, the Oranges and Purples and crazy shoes. Go here for detail shots to see what I mean.

Chloe

Totally on trend with their signature camel colours. So sophisticated!

Sonia Rykiel

Rykiel girls have more fun! Especially with pom poms on their heads, prancing around in fluffy frocks. It's always nice when models don't take themselves too seriously.

Ellie Saab

If I ever land myself that elusive movie star husband and had to take to the red carpet...I would be in Marchesa or Ellie Saab. Stunning.

Cacharel

Pretty prints...J'adore

Alexander McQueen

I can't imagine what the atmosphere must have been like. 16 looks inspired by the dark ages - with bandaged heads, finely tailored jackets and high collars...the collection harked back to McQueen's past work and trademarks, taken to the next level.

Disappointed by...

Louis Vuitton

With Marc Jacobs at the helm, LV took a dodgy lurch towards casual wear.

[NY Mag , The Cherry Blossom Girl, Style.com]

Danny Tang's Vogue Debut, April 2010

2010-03-15T15:03:00.000-07:00

Taking a breather before I tackle my favourite fashion week, Paris - to show you my client Danny Tang's beautiful shrugs in this month's Vogue. A proud moment for both of us!

[Vogue, April 2010]

Private Dancer, shot by Javier Vallhonrat and styled by Lucinda Chambers

Milan, A/W10

2010-03-15T14:09:00.001-07:00

All I have to say is VERSACE. A surprise favourite for me this season - both their mainline and Versus collections were stunning.

Versace

The colours, the panelling, the way the fabric falls.

[Jak & Jil]

Versus
Christopher Kane worked his magic on these dream dresses with eye popping colour and cut, oh how I wish he had created something equally as brilliant for his own collection!

[NYMag]

Dolce & Gabbana
Love how youthful this collection is - gorgeous embellishments and fun accessories.

[NYMag and Jack & Jil]

Disappointed by...

Prada
I'm all for vintage/retro (I practically drool over the clothes in Mad Men) and championing curves, but aside from the odd pretty piece, alot of this collection just looked frumpy to me.

[NYMag]

London, A/W10

2010-03-14T09:03:00.000-07:00

And back to London again....

Topshop Unique

Can't wait until this collection hits the stores. Loving the woodland creatures theme!

Mary Katrantzou

It's all about the digital print.

Burberry Prorsum
Can Christopher Bailey do no wrong?

Peter Pilotto
More delicious print...

Bora Aksu
Pretty Pastels in winter? Yes please.

Erdem
I loved the colour palette of Moralioglu's nature inspired collection.

Louise Goldin
Badass.

Disappointed by...

Christopher Kane

I'm hoping that these embroidered flowers will grow on me...pardon the pun...but his Ginghams from last season haven't yet, so I fear the same will happen with this collection. However I absolutely LOVED what he did for Versus, more on that later.

[Images via NYMag]

New York, A/W10

2010-03-14T06:06:00.000-07:00

Rewinding back to New York Fashion week and my favourite looks...

Jill Stuart

I love the mix of smart and casual, yet again it's all about the layering.

Mulberry

The new Luella? Mulberry put its own spin on this season's retro feel with its clashing patterns and jackets.

Proenza Schouler

Sexy.

Marc Jacobs

Though I didn't think the collection was his best, I can't help but fall for these girly looks...the bow reminds me of the MiuMiu s/s10 dresses that are getting so much press lately.

Rodarte

Though it looked great on the catwalk (I managed to catch the live stream - you could feel the excitement even from the other side of the world and the music was amazing) and I always love the way they mix fabrics, it wasn't my favourite collection by the dream duo, I'm interested to see how this will be shot in editorial/be worn by the celebs...

Zac Posen

Just lovely.

Marchesa

Already a firm favourite on the red carpet, there were too many beautiful looks for me to choose from!

Disappointed by...

Alexander Wang

I admire that he was trying to do something different with his usual sports lux style, he said it was about 'growing up' ...but I really don't like his spin on the bankers suit or the Velvet and Chenille he used. Dare I say it...the collection just ended up looking a bit tacky.

[Images NY Magazine]

Danny Tang

2010-03-14T03:20:00.000-07:00

For me, Fashion Week kicked off in London with the first show I've organised as a professional (and not an intern!) - Danny Tang - at Vauxhall Fashion Scout. His collection, Urban Victorian, was designed to bring old school glamour and sophistication back to the catwalk, inspired by Queen Victoria with a modern twist. Here are some behind the scene pics I took & my favourite looks!

We hear ya, Edward!

2010-03-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

One of the new window displays at Browns...

[Wonderland]

They spelt Cummings wrong! But I agree with the sentiment - I'm so sick of wearing a million layers - tights under jeans, socks over tights, hat hair, snood strangulation, feeling fat in fur whilst trying to cram onto packed trains. My list of wintery grudges is endless...but the cold still hasn't stopped me from going on a bit of a Spring/Summer spree, I always find it quite amusing that the high street release Spring collections as early as January. I've already stocked up on a heap of floaty dresses and tops - all screaming to escape my frostbitten cupboard!

Anna Dello Russo

2010-03-11T06:35:00.000-08:00

Here are some snaps by Tommy Ton (Jak & Jil) of Vogue Nippon's Fashion Director at-large, at her two ridiculously lavish apartments in Milan. This woman is like a modern day Marie Antoinette. Whilst her style isn't usually my kind of thing, I can't help but admire how elegantly extravagant she is. It's like she lives in a whole different world that's laced with leopard print & dripping in gold.

I think you're a Contra

2010-03-11T02:23:00.000-08:00

Slow off the mark with this one, but I just cannot stop listening to Vampire Weekend's new album. Definitely my spring soundtrack. I'm trying not to over play it before my trip to Italy next month (I'm off to Bologne/Pisa/Florence and Cinque Terra over Easter weekend, can't wait). The title track I Think Ur A Contra as well as their latest single Giving up the Gun are my top two....

A Single Man

2010-03-11T01:59:00.001-08:00

Last week I finally saw A Single Man. As predicted, I loved it.

Critics complained about how everything is too perfect - the expensive suits and crisply cut /beehived hair. But that was actually one of my favourite things about it!

The friend I went to see it with is an aspiring director and complained that the colour grading was too obvious...the colours switch between grey and orange tones showing Firth's lapse in and out of reality/depression. But again, this was another of my favourite features...

Perhaps I am just naive/easily pleased, but it was just so sumptuous to look at, as well as brilliantly acted. Based on a short story by Isherwood, the film charts Firth's final day, preparing himself for suicide following the death of his lover... but this darkness is cleverly balanced with humour and, of course, (if you haven't heard by now, the film was produced/directed by Tom Ford) apart from Nicholas Hoult's fluffy jumper...the fashion is flawless.

[All images via Google images]

The way they wear it

2010-03-01T13:04:00.000-08:00

I've spotted two of my most recent coat purchases starring in a couple of blogs lately. The first one I bought from Whistles (sample sales are totally worth it, I got this beauty for £50 instead of £250)...whilst the bottom was a winter sale steal from Bonsui.

I have a love/hate relationship with seeing other people in 'my' clothes, on one hand it makes you feel less special/it's embarassing if you are wearing it at the same time/same place as somebody else (which happened with the Whistles coat on the train the other day, I slowly edged as far away as I could from the copy cat)...but on the other hand it's always so fun & inspirational to see how somebody else wears it!

[The Sartorialist]

[Still in Berlin]

I'm loving the red lips and knee-highs!

Oat Montien

2010-03-01T12:42:00.001-08:00

I had to show you my friend Oat's beautiful illustrations...

The top two are from a poem he recently illustrated, followed by his self-potrait and a cute impression of our mutual friend Flora.

The Ghost Who Walks

2010-02-24T11:46:00.000-08:00

[Lula October 09]

Karen Elson is singing now! I love it:

Elson's new album is produced by her husband Jack White (The White Stripes)and should be out this summer.

p.s. Fashion week posts to follow shortly...

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T11:46:00.000-08:00

Awesome Paperchase bag I was given at Christmas that's way more appropriate for today.

RIP McQueen

2010-02-12T01:52:00.000-08:00

A true legend...

Grace

2010-02-06T03:30:00.000-08:00

Something to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside...

A Graceful Man, A Gentleman

...One of the things I mentioned yesterday, was the "manner" of a person. "Manner" or "grace" is not something that you can learn from a book. Unfortunately, it is something you just have to be or to develop. A great scene of modern grace on '30 Rock' the other day: Liz and Jack went out to dinner at a very chic restaurant. As they sat down at the table, Jack immediately moved the candle from the center of the setting to the side of the table. Liz looked at him kinda funny, not understanding why he did that but, not really caring either. Later, however, when Liz reached across the table to steal some of Jack's food (as she always does), she realized he moved the candle so her sleeve wouldn't catch fire when she reached across the table. Jack's manner and grace were so attuned to her as a friend, that he knew her moves before she did.

That tiny gesture ended up becoming the pivotal moment of the episode and changed the course of their business relationship. I'm telling you guys again, women notice the small stuff. They notice the gentleness/gentlemenliness more than if you use the right fork at dinner. I'm a very lucky man, Garance notices every little kindness I offer her, she doesn't miss a thing. Knowing that makes it so much more rewarding to do even more little things for her. I'll be honest, my biggest obsession in life right now is not better shoes, more suits or a bigger career but, to simply be a more graceful man for my graceful woman...

by The Sartorialist

[Image By Edouard Plongeon]

This whole idea of grace can also be applied to the way you carry yourself, obviously, that is one of its very definitions. Sometimes it's not what you wear, it's how you wear it...the way you walk, how comfortable you look. There is nothing more unattractive than seeing a girl hobbling along in 6 inch heels without grace...and there is nothing better than feeling comfortable with what you are wearing and who you are surrounded by. It's that extra bit of consideration, whether it's with Fashion, Friends or Relationships...the smallest effort can make the biggest difference.

Chanel Couture 2010

2010-01-29T15:01:00.000-08:00

I refuse to show any restraint with photos for this post....

[Style.com]

I really don't think words can justify my love for this collection. The pastels, the heart shaped hair (that reminds me of My Little Pony) the sixties/alien vibe...the stunning silks...the crazy Karl gloves...and the polish. I'm really digging the silver polish.

Basically, it just deepens my obsession with Chanel even more, when will it ever end?

"It's the first time in my whole career I've done a collection without black or navy. There's not one gold button." - Karl Lagerfeld

IRM

2010-01-25T14:11:00.000-08:00

Charlotte Gainsbourg's new album IRM, is brilliant. Written and produced by Beck, my favourite tracks are Le Chat du Cafe des Artistes, Time of the Assassins and Le Collectionneuse...I wish I could speak French, it's probably the nicest language to listen to, don't you think?

[Stylefrizz]

Go here and here to watch her perform a couple of the new tracks.

I should probably pluck up the courage to see that film she was in, Antichrist, though something tells me it won't be as chilled as her music is...

Birthday Treats

2010-01-24T12:36:00.000-08:00

I thought I would share some of my favourite birthday surprises...

Delicious Patisserie Valerie cake.

Yoshitomo Nara card from Flora, entitled 'Missing in Action' and 'Orange Fizz' Chanel nail polish from Sass.

Alex Monroe Bumblebee necklace, set against my new Asos dress.

I was thoroughly spoilt by Fiona, who bought me a metallic Green Marc Jacobs keyring, a cute lipstick pen and a lovely Marc tote that will be perfect for spring time sprees...I love its slogan: 'Jacobs By Marc Jacobs For Marc By Marc Jacobs In Collaboration with Marc Jacobs For Marc Jacobs By Marc Jacobs' ...try saying that double time!

The Amsterdam Chainsaw Massacre

2010-01-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

"In A Season When Fashion Houses Are Playing It Safe, Maverick Designers Viktor & Rolf Took On The Credit Crunch With Their Thrillingly Impractical Mutilation Of Tulle"

[Dazed & Confused, Feb 2010, Shot by Josh Olins, Styling by Katie Shillingford. Source]

Couldn't wait to see Viktor and Rolf's S/S 10 collection off the catwalk, Dazed didn't disappoint!

Ladoga

2010-01-20T14:01:00.000-08:00

My new Whistles 'Ladoga Lurex' sweater has made me very happy...it's one of the few things I managed to find in the January Sales, £40 down to £25!! Apologies for the rubbish photography. It reminded me of Alexander Wang's Spring/Summer 2010 collection....

[Alexander Wang, SS10 - Style.com]

Birthday Bunny

2010-01-19T11:06:00.000-08:00

It's my Birthday today so to celebrate I thought I'd post the Comme des Garcon themed Fifi Lapin that popped up on her blog today. What a cutie!

I am 23 now, so much has happened in a year but as usual I don't feel much different...only perhaps a little annoyed as 23 is one of my least favourite numbers (37 being my most hated)...it's something to do with odd numbers I think. I'm coming down with a cold...good thing I had my Alex Monroe birthday bumblebee necklace and Patisserrie Valerie cake to cheer me up (photos to follow soon if I can get some nice ones)!

Baby, it's cold outside

2010-01-16T13:27:00.000-08:00

Some of my favourite winter looks...

[Still in Berlin]

[The Cherry Blossom Girl]

[fashiontoast]

[Copenhagen Streetstyle]

Can I call you mine?

2010-01-16T08:05:00.000-08:00

...July Flame - title track of the new album by Laura Veirs which has been getting rave reviews this week that I definitely can't disagree with. It's just the kind of music I love listening to on a lazy Saturday afternoon, check it out, if only for the cute split pin puppets!

Maggie for Miu Miu

2010-01-16T03:24:00.000-08:00

Maggie Gyllenhaal for Miu Miu - A/W 2004, shot by Terry Richardson...who recently started an awesome photo blog, Terry's Diary!

Patent Pennies

2010-01-11T15:20:00.000-08:00

My Kate Kanzier Penny Loafers arrived today!!!

I wish it wasn't still icey outside so I could give them a test run.

You should really check out her site, there's a great sale on right now and plenty of affordable pretty little shoes!

Real Vs Fake

2010-01-11T14:52:00.000-08:00

These are the latest additions to my nail polish collection...inspired by the below manicures my friends and I were treated to at Chanel during Vogue's Fashion night out a few months ago! I've been living in Rouge Noir and have found the perfect fake version of the Chanel Jade polish that sold out...good old Barry M!!

This marks the start of my blog becoming a little more personal...I'll try my best to include some snapshots of my favourite things this year, bear with me though, I don't have a DSLR and it may take a while for me to get into the whole visual merchandising side of blogging!

Atacoma II

2010-01-11T13:43:00.000-08:00

Though they are pretty amazing, I've started getting bored of seeing the same old Black Acne Atacoma wedges everywhere... still, I'm looking forward to seeing the new grey version gracing the feet of the blogging elite sometime soon!

Charles Anastase

2010-01-11T13:23:00.000-08:00

OMGCharlesAnastaseforJoseph?! Sorry this picture is kinda poor quality, but you get the LOVELY gist...

[Fashion Editor at Large]

Rodarte Report

2010-01-10T08:36:00.001-08:00

[New York Magazine]

Rodarte for men is now being stocked at Opening Cermony.

The line is aptly named Brodarte, ahaha.

I wish I could have been in America for their collaboration with Target last month...tho I'm unsure I would be able to cram myself into the Junior sized collection!
I may have to settle for this copycat by Whistles instead:

Desert Rose

2010-01-10T08:22:00.000-08:00

[Vogue UK, May 2008, Styled by Kate Phelan, Photographed by Venetia Scott, Source]

Louise Goldin

2010-01-10T07:05:00.001-08:00

As well as collaborations with Mark Fast, Jonathan Saunders, Ann-Sofie Back and Ashish...all to be released this year, Topshop has been working with Louise Goldin on a line of shoes, out next month:

Louise Goldin's collection was in my top 3 favourites for SS10, so I was really excited about this news...and I love the first pair pictured above (the last pair are a little too Dolly Parton for me). BUT. As usual with all the nicest shoes and collabs, I'm a little bit put off by the height of the heel.

I always have a constant battle over whether I should brave it and wear high-heels. Being roughly 5''10 I feel like a giantess in flats already - let alone in courts/killer heels...but perhaps this once I could make an exception...though I'd much prefer a pair of the sparkly originals like the ones used in her show:

[Style.com]

Looking forward to seeing her new collection next month, not long to go!!

Samurai

2010-01-10T06:45:00.000-08:00

If Karl had an army...

[Mandi & Tetsuyua Noguchi]

To be adored

2010-01-06T14:22:00.000-08:00

Am infatuated with tba's new collection, especially this little peachy number. I'm very tempted to take the leap and dish out the money, it's nearly my Birthday after all...

[Asos]

There is more to life

2010-01-01T11:16:00.000-08:00

...than increasing its speed.

- a Ghandi quote I saw on an underground poster in London recently. How true.

[Relaxing in Langkawi last month, take me back!]

Resolutions

2009-12-31T03:09:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!

[Le Fashion]

My resolutions? There's only one...no more waiting. For anyone or anything.

Life's too short and all that jazz.

Field Trip

2009-12-30T08:30:00.000-08:00

....Eeee, so adorable. I think I'm going to have to try this out. These were taken from Coco Rocha's Blog - her agent invited his son's class to Elite to tell them all about the industry...lucky things, the only school trip I can remember is a visit to Godstone Farm.

Taken By Trees

2009-12-30T03:48:00.000-08:00

A cover of My Girls by Animal Collective - Directed by Marcus Soderlund
Also take a look at their version of Sweet Child O Mine...super cute.

R.I.P Daul Kim

2009-11-20T02:04:00.000-08:00

I feel so sad about this, I only started following Daul's blog I Like to Fork Myself a few months back. She was so beautiful, honest and intelligent.

Hansel and Gretel

2009-11-13T09:09:00.000-08:00

[Vogue December 09]

Too many good collaborations to count...Lily Cole as Gretel...Lady Gaga as the witch...styled by Grace Coddington and snapped by Annie Leibovitz. I've been delving through Grace Coddington's archives over the past few weeks after having fallen in love with her in The September issue. She is so Dreamy. Here's a behind the scenes vid of the shoot and the rest of US Vogue's December issue...

Like an onion

2009-10-30T03:03:00.000-07:00

Note to self: must perfect layering this Winter, the way she has.

It must be somebody's fault.

2009-10-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

[W magazine, Nov 09, photographed by PierPaolo Ferrari]

Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan has put together a portfolio for W's latest Art issue, featuring Lisa Evangelista. The whole thing confuses me but I love its retro feel, each of the shots could have been taken from a film, Kubrick comes to mind.

Chanello!

2009-10-09T03:21:00.000-07:00

Chanel SS10 [Garrance Dore]

Oh MK

2009-10-09T03:10:00.000-07:00

RINGS. That is all.