A cape to covet
Summer’s not over yet (although it might as well be) but the new collections are flooding in so of course I’m going to get excited about them. A few days ago I was interviewed for a book on bloggers and was asked a question about my must-haves for autumn-winter. After the Isabel Marant ankle boots I saw at Merci in Paris, and the entire Sonia by Sonia Rykiel collection that has just landed at My-wardrobe.com, the only thing I could think of was something that doesn’t exist. Or does it? I’m hankering after a knee-length gold sequin cape – or chain mail at a push. Something dramatic and luxurious that would work as an entrance-making evening coat. Let’s be clear, I’m not talking about a namby pamby Primark flammable capelet sprinkled with a few cursory gold-coloured beads, but something substantially fabulous that weighs a ton – something Patrick Wolf might wear.
Snippets
Today has been a complete whirlwind so I’m speed-blogging to get it all down.
Breakfast with Tiffany
9am Brekkie at Automat with a very blog-savvy PR. Lots to discuss including the importance of brands to have a two-way conversation with consumers online.
First look at APC
1030am Love that familiar signature candle scent on first entering the new Dover Street store and I immediately eyeballed all the shirts, wedges and belts. Welcome back to London APC!
Murdock opens store no 3
1045am Just a stone’s throw from APC in Dover Street was the latest Murdock luxury barbers (5B Stafford Street, W1). These guys have cornered the market in high end (but not poncy) male grooming. Alongside the trad barbers service, they offer a lovely retail experience, especially if you’re a girl gift-buying for a fussy discerning guy. When I asked to have a nose round, I was invited to have a look upstairs, even though ‘it’s not finished yet’ and my host also revealed that Scott Schuman had recently enjoyed the Murdock experience. Didn’t surprise me one bit, this place is a must-visit for all sartorialists.
12pm This Uniqlo window caught my eye – same-day instore alterations. Me likey.
3pm After more meetings and lunch I headed to Fashion Business Club to take in an interview with DailyCandy.com‘s London editor Malika Dalamal. Daily Candy is looking into encouraging feedback from its readers via comments which I think is a very good thing indeed as it harnesses the community spirit and keeps the punters coming back. Post-interview I caught up with a number of fashion people including accessory designer, Quentin MacKay. I first met MacKay years ago when he had designed some very simple black leather wristbands and I had bought one (I think it was when Browns Focus had just opened). I still have it today and was pleased to discover that following successful stints at Tanner Krolle and Samsonite Black, MacKay has now launched a luxury accessory line under his own name – it’s the real deal, have a look here.
I love this…
…new German magazine, I Love You, edited by Christiane Bördner which I found in Colette. Gorgeous luxe minimalist format with select content.
Bloggers go mad in Paris
After a 4am wake-up call, I found myself aboard the Paris-bound Eurostar on Saturday morning to sample their Big Break Little Difference fashion bloggers day trip. It was a long, action-packed day, so here are my highlights although not many photos (guess who forgot to charge her camera?):
*The business class treatment on the Eurostar – smoked salmon brekkie, hot towels and leather head-cushions, yes please!
*Perfect weather – sunny, warm with a light breeze
*A lunchtime talk with Concours de Style award-winner, designer Marion Cointot and a chance to study her collection. Finely-detailed trend-free dresses with a typically girlish French aesthetic. Impressed.
*Keeping a lid on my spending. Didn’t I do well, I didn’t even spend £100! Other than my fragrance and some museum postcards, I bought German magazine I Love You for a mere five euros at Colette. Cheap n chic, just like me…
Although our bloggers trip was all-expenses paid, Eurostar have some good deals at the moment, including London-Paris return journeys for only £59. Get more info here.
Get ready…
APC London opens at 35 Dover Street, W1 tomorrow!
[Pic: Net-a-porter.com]
What piqued my interest at the Net-a-Porter Cruise press day
Burberry’s suede peplum trench jacket
Alexander Wang’s denim-gilet-slash-hoodie hybrid (hey Grazia, come up with a funny new name for that!)
Elizabeth & James’ 30s Poiret-esque furry coat (chill people, it’s fake)
Jonathan Saunders’ print t-shirt dresses
Christopher Kane’s chiffon biker – even better up close than in pictures
Ungaro’s posh biker jacket – literally looks and feels as soft as butter
Jason Wu’s magenta and red petal coat – very First Lady, very me
Christian Louboutin’s studded bellet pumps – I don’t do ballet pumps, but I’d do these
I also nearly keeled over when I opened the goody bag and found one of Kain’s slouchy silk-blend T-shirts tissue-wrapped inside. I’ve wanted one for ages. (Er, too bad I then proceeded to leave the goody bag and its contents in the bank. Thankfully, it was still there the next day…)
Tim Walker interview
Finally got around to watching the edited version of Tim Walker’s In Fashion SHOWstudio interview. I liked the observation about how in the days of contact sheets (sigh), you could see all the mistakes and almost follow the thought process of the photographer during the shoot. Interesting also how the technical aspect of the camera first put him off becoming a photographer – a bit like me choosing fashion illustration over fashion design because I didn’t know how to sew!
What tickled my fancy at the Stella McCartney Spring 2010 press day
Pop art tote bags
Dual functionality parka that turns into a jacket
Silk blouse with detachable collar
Bejewelled leggings
Waxed fruit-coloured jeans – straight or skinny
Balloon leg trousers
Win stuff now!
If I wasn’t being whisked to Paris on a bloggers’ jolly, I’d pretty much definitely be hitting the V&A Village Fête this weekend. The action kicks off this evening (er like, now) and continues tomorrow arvo. My lovely jewellery-crafting buddy Leona from Lady Luck Rules OK and her team of creative cohorts are ramping things up on their stand with a giant game of Rock’n’Roll Tiddleywinks. What loons, I don’t even want to imagine the carnage.
There will also be the chance to win one of LLROK’s Rock’n’Roll Kitten necklaces (named after Leona’s punk kittens Dee Dee and Joey) which have been designed and handmade especially for the Fête.
BUT if you can’t make the Fête, you can still win a necklace – just enter this exclusive (er, I think) wee Disneyrollergirl competition by answering the following question:
FURTHER UPDATE>>> Here’s the winner
What floated my boat at the Gap Xmas 09 press day
Denim of every description including biker jackets and workwear gilets
Roll-up boyfriend jeans
Olive khaki slim-fit chinos (at last – could these be THE ONES?)
Denim-on-denim layering
Mens cardigans
Stompy suede ankle boots (Pierre Hardy I think)
