Whilst the Marc by Marc Jacobs' show at New York Fashion week wasn't exactly earth-shattering, I'm not ashamed to admit that I like his accessories and details. But stuff the idea of waiting around 'til next Autumn – I'm taking on board all the hat/scarf action right now.
Those in the Northern Hemisphere may relate when I refer to late-February wardrobe tedium. Seriously, I've been pretty much wearing the same coat every day for four months' now. Never mind if I'm actually wearing a new frock as it never sees the light of day. I may as well be roaming central London in my pyjamas for all that matters.
It's still too cold (and I'm too broke) to even contemplate the tasty new Spring collections arriving in store, so that's why I'm taking such a special interest in all the vintage-style knotted lovelies in Jacobs' line-up.
They look especially good paired with the muted shades of what Style.com describes as "felt Molly Ringwald hats" (ha!). I'm going to dig up my collection of colourful silk scarves and see what I can do. Might just do the trick and make same-coat-wearing that much more bearable – you know, breath of fresh air and all of that.
Jacobs always does a few super-sweet brooches and hair accessories for his diffusion range – and these apple and birdy(!) ones are no exception.
Come Wednesday, I'm going to be literally stalking my letterbox for my new issue of Time Out. Actually, I don't think I can wait that long and will have to sneak a peek at WH Smith today. The reason for all the excitement and increased neurotic activity? Time Out London's Fashion Week special, which is guest-edited by Gareth Pugh – and therefore utterly compelling reading.
That's him on the cover (above), along with his co-cover star Daphne Guinness. The line-up of features sounds brilliant, including Pugh's pick of the six designers and fashion creatives he has earmarked for the top (hmmm – wonder who they are?).
I'm gagging to read the story where Pugh's fashion friends (including hat milliner Stephen Jones, stylist Judy Blame, Fashion East
founder Lulu Kennedy and photography professor Penny Martin) reveal their favourite secret shops. Sounds just like my kind of story!
Don't miss out – Time Out London's Fashion Week special goes on sale today.
I'm also quite liking the idea of Louise's wallpaper sample service, which might be just the (affordable) ticket for all sorts of lovely paper craft endeavours. You could try popping a sample of Harry's Garden wallpaper into a white IKEA RIBBA frame (from £3.91) for instant – and bargainous – wall art.
Now here's a brilliant idea: raise funds for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal by purchasing a ticket to the Art Fights Fire exhibition fundraiser in Melbourne.
Gemma Jones, curator at Outre Gallery and ringleader of the Kaotic Kraft Kuties, has rounded up a hard-hitting bunch of generous and international and local artists to donate artworks for the fundraiser.
The artists involved – including Shag, Kozyndan and Gina Garan of This is Blythe – all have a strong collectable history within the lowbrow art scene and the craft community.
Gemma says, "It's been an instant call to arms across the seas. Big deal artists from all over have – without question – donated art as part of the cause. This is an awesome chance to help the grim situation in fire-stricken parts of the state – and add to your art collection."
All monies go towards the Red Cross Appeal.
Raffle tickets for "Art Fights Fire Fundraiser" will be on sale from MONDAY 16 FEBRUARY.
What: Art Fights Fire Who:Kaotic Kraft Kuties and Outre Gallery When: Wednesday 25 February 2009 Time: from 6.30pm Cost: AU$10 raffle ticket purchase on entry Where: Outre Gallery, 249 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Tickets are also available to purchase online at KaoticKraftKuties.Blogspot.com. International people are welcome to purchase tickets – but if you win, you will need to pay for postage of your artwork (average AU$25).
I've just been reading all the shocking reports about the tragic bushfires in Victoria and it's just headlined on BBC News in London tonight.
If you would like to lend your support to the victims of the bushfires, Melbourne-based Pip from Meet at Mike's has just written an excellent post about the various ways you can help. Please note that the Australian Red Cross is in desperate need of monetary donations, blood and volunteers. xx
I've just been reading about the truly frightening temperatures in Australia right now.
May I suggest you meditate for a few moments on my snow angel from earlier this week? Pretend you're lying in it right now. Naked. Think cold deep snow, cold deep snow …
Introducing the latest in Keep Calm and Carry On paraphernalia: the lip balm. Handmade and available in assorted flavours including almond, blackberry, pistachio, strawberry, apple and peppermint. What say you? (You may like to refer to this Wee Birdy post.) Coming soon to Lapin and Me.
London-based jeweller (and Wee Birdy favourite) Alex Monroe is renowned for his delicate, whimsical (and Valentine's-worthy) creations. So when I had the opportunity to ask him about his secret London destinations, I jumped at the chance. Here's what he had to say …
"Warning! Don’t forget that although I make particularly feminine jewellery, I am a bloke! Which means that I have a whole different relationship to shops and shopping to women. Bear this in mind and forgive my sins …"
Best for a bargain? "Guilty secret: I love cheapie shops like Uniqlo, Hennies and Gap. And they’re all over the place! I sometimes pop into town with my eldest daughter to buy piles of skinny jeans (for her not for me!). The kids grow out of things so fast, which isn’t a problem when they’re cheap. We always have a bit left over for Hot Chocolate at Leon, and a treat lunch in Sakura (on Hanover street). I’m afraid I’m not much of a bargain-hunter, except for my bi-annual purchase of John Smedley pull-overs from London Fashion Week-end. Oh, and the odd spree at The White Stuff."
Best for vintage? "I only ever buy vintage bikes and crockery. I don't know how many bikes I have – Holdsworths and Hetchins from the 1960s. Ahh. Bliss. Herne Hill bike jumble if you’re a ‘Classic Lightweight’. Never drink out of a mug. I get my cups, saucers, tea-pots, etc from car boot sales. Now friends buy me bits and bobs whenever they see something. There’s a handy car boot sale in Battersea on Sunday morning, or check out Bermondsey Market on a Friday morning."
Margaret Howell's spring/summer 09 collection.
Best for fashion? "Margaret Howell, mmm! Or Old Town Clothing, they rent a showroom in Dickensian East London once in a while. You have to get in touch and make an appointment. And John Smedley. For browsing, stroll from Angel tube station through Camden passage and along Upper Street. Don’t forget to stop for a coffee and treat in Ottolenghi!"
Old Town Clothing.
Best for jewellery? "Ha! Me, of course! But seriously … Liberty are re-doing their jewellery department for Valentines Day, it should look great. Harrods have a fab department. Sweet Pea in Primrose Hill is lovely, as well as Kirt Holmes in Camden passage. It's harder work, but it's really exciting to see the St. Martin’s degree show exhibition in June, or New Designers in Islington in July."
Alex Monroe jewellery.
Best for interiors and gifts? "For gifts, head to Burlington Arcade. Lovely macaroons from Laduree, tea from Luponde, or smellies from Penhaligons. Anything extra, pop over the road to Fortnum and Mason (and get afternoon tea while you’re there!). Petersham Nurseries are fab. They have a lovely nursery, cafe and wonderful shop in the old greenhouses. Lovely gardening pots, strings, and gadgets all on a dry mud floor intertwined with jasmine and honeysuckle. It’s heaven. Great furniture, too."
Best for stationery? "Smythson of Bond Street. (Save up for it though, it’s not cheap!)"
Best for kids? "My kids are out-doorsie so we love Nunhead Cemetery and Dulwich Woods."
Best for beauty/skincare? "I’m a bloke! But my wife is an aromatherapist at Neal’s Yard in Marylebone. She does natural facial rejuvenation which is fantastic."
Number one London shopping secret? "The Neal’s Yard Dairy cheese shop in Borough Market. I love it!"
Best London souvenir? "Cheese of course!"
Best for food? "Depends if you’re feeling poshy, or noshy. For Posh I love a long lunch at Roussillon in Pimlico. The wine is perfect and the food – well, try it for yourselves. It’s a taste-bud treat from heaven.
For Nosh there’s only one place, The Anchor and Hope in Waterloo. I’m a real fan of great British food, and that’s what they serve. Crab on toast, mackerel with pickled cucumber, potted shrimp and beetroot salad. All washed down with a lovely Kentish beer. It doesn’t get much better than that. The freshest of local ingredients at a great price. I go there every week to catch up with my big brother. We have a chat, a drink and some grub. It’s lovely."
Here are my some of my photos from London's Day of Snow yesterday. Like the rest of the street, I got the camera out on Sunday night when the first few flakes started to fall. But that was nothing compared to waking up to a complete white-out on Monday morning, the heaviest snowfall London has experienced in 20 years.
The view from my window at 7.30am.
With public transport completely shut down and no way to get into central London, there was nothing else for it but to don a pair of wellies and embrace the situation. So we decided to head over to Greenwich to take in the sights. The usual breezy 20-minute walk turned into 40 as we trudged through knee-deep snow and negotiated icy pavements. And despite the fact I was wearing bedsocks over a pair of cashmere tights and jeans, it was still toe-numblingly cold. But it was all so pretty – even the dumpsters at the side of the road took on a fairytale, sugar-coated appearance.
As soon as we got to the park we followed the sounds of wild whooping and cheers to find half of South-East London using every kind of flat implement to hurtle themselves down the hill. I spotted quite a few baking trays and road signs – but I was also surprised by the number of old-fashioned wooded sledges and snowboards that turned up. The local dogs went batshit-crazy by all the excitement.
After learning the fine art of rolling a snowball worthy of the finest snowman, we retired to the first open cafe we could find for a restorative cuppa. I have no idea where we ended up, but as most of Greenwich had closed down, that little cafe must have done a roaring trade. By the time we got home I felt like I had trekked to the Arctic and back, and rediscovered the simple pleasures of a steaming bowl of tinned Heinz tomato soup.
I'm just catching up on this week's couture shows on Style.com, and was wondering if we could take a moment to appreciate the genius that is Karl Lagerfeld. (But really? I'm just looking for a good excuse to post these incredible pics from the Chanel 2009 Spring/Summer haute couture show…)
I do love the graphic simplicity of an all-white collection, except Lagerfeld's pieces were anything BUT graphically simple. At a closer glance, the most streamlined and simplistic designs featured embroidered, lace, appliqued and beaded embellishments with the most incredible attention to detail. (And have I told you how much I adore pleated chiffon?)
And the exquisitely-crafted white paper headdresses by Katsuya Kamo sent me into a dozen different daydreams about alternate bridal headgear. If I had my time again I'd love to get hold of one of these seriously dramatic numbers.
And this one looks like it's a creation straight out of thaticonic scene from Antonioni's Blow Up…
I'm also inspired by the super-pretty peaches-and-cream make-up, which is toughened ever-so-slightly with a subtle-yet-dramatic flick of black eyeliner. The use of thematic white eyeliner and white shadow also provides a nice contrast to the black liner. It's an easy look to play up or down on a night out – or indeed, your wedding day.
p.s. LOVING these white mesh leather driving gloves…
