Buy it now: luxe comfort shoes
It’s not just the catwalk getting in on the comfort shoe act (hello Celine Fur-Kenstock), die-hard comfort shoe brands have been drastically upping their game in design. While I’ve never understood the appeal of Ugg boots, I can’t fault the designs of some of Ugg Australia’s recent offers (like its men’s sheepskin-lined trainers) and aspirational advertising imagery. Meanwhile, Swedish Hasbeens has reinvigorated the clog industry and recently FitFlop has really succeeded in postioning itself as a fashion shoe. Fashion editors swear by them, as does Azzedine Alaia who was spotted in them at Paris Fashion Week – no joke. (Plus, I was impressed three years ago when FitFlop founder Marcia Kilgore commented on an unsympathetic blog post, taking criticism on the chin. I mean, who else does that?)
This season, FitFlop has produced a glittery sandal reminiscent of last summer’s Christopher Kane dazzlers (available exclusively at Harrods) and these excellent chunky Marni-esque sandals available this week at FitFlop.co.uk. But the catwalk is equally keen on the down-to-earth sandal. Marni has just launched its SS13 Fussbett, a wholesome sandal designed to be worn with trademark clashy checks and sheer knee socks and despite scoffs, Celine’s fur sandal has been well recieved at retail (although I’ve not yet spotted them in action – have you?). Six-inch Tributes? Pah, it’s like they never existed…
FitFlop camel sandals, £90
Marni Fussbett red and black sandals, £300
Swedish Hasbeens clog sandals, £145
Marni Fussbett metallic sandals, £320
FitFlop navy sandals, £189.95
Swedish Hasbeens clog sandals, £145
Guest post: The craft of watch-making and experiential retail from Jaeger–LeCoultre at Harrods
There’s something charming, and humbling about a one-to-one session with a true craftsman, not least when it comes to haute horlogerie with one of my favourite watch brands: Jaeger-LeCoultre. I’m a big fan of the Reverso watch from the Swiss luxury watch-maker (have you seen its latest collab with Valextra? Oh my!), that just happens to be celebrating its 180th anniversary with a dedicated exhibition space at Harrods. Continue reading
Mood boosting nails from Kure Bazaar and disco nails from Yves Saint Laurent
Summer just doesn’t seem to want to kick in in NW10. I’m still wearing my woolly scarves and HeatTech which doesn’t do much to put me in an upbeat mood. But this is where the power of make-up really comes in as a mood-booster. I’ve been testing out these Kure Bazaar nail polishes and the colour palette is pretty impressive. My current favourite is Fabulous, a uplifting pink with just a hint of milkiness (third from the left). Kelly is another hot, tropical pink, this time with a subtle shimmer. Both shades are super-flattering on short nails and the added bonus is that Kure Bazaar is one of the new generation of non-toxic nail polishes that are emerging. You can buy them at Selfridges and KureBazaar.com.
Another bit of nail news comes from Yves Saint Laurent. I love YSL polishes – the colours and consistency are second to none, and of course you know I adore the gold casing. The way these La Laque Couture Tie & Dye duos work is quite interesting. Apply the main dense colour as your base coat (choose from signature Yves Saint Laurent shades of blue, pink, purple and orange), wait five minutes, then shake the shimmery topcoat and apply as many layers as you like depending on how intensely you want your nails to dazzle. They cost £18 per duo and are a cute idea for statementy disco nails – and let’s face it, disco is definitely cool again…
Oh and while we’re on a nail tip (LOL), I’ve just discovered Deborah Lipmann’s ‘The Stripper To Go’ a lavender-infused nail lacquer remover finger mitt. You get one mitt in a sachet which easily cleans ten nails in about ten seconds. Converted! Six sachets cost £14 so they’re not cheap but an excellent option for travel.
What’s in your man bag?
Who knew that men cared about what’s in other men’s man bags?* Well, it seems Mr Porter cares. This week there’s a feature on stylish, influential men and their ‘everyday carry‘ (kind of). Naturally, I’m all over it. Of course, it helps that Mr Porter has photographed the feature in typical house style – that means styled to perfection, with the latest desirable tech and grooming goodies in place. Continue reading
Remember when…Hedi made these golden boots?
Wonder if he’ll do them again for Saint Laurent?
Indie boy wars: Saint Laurent or Burberry?
I don’t take much notice of male pop stars or what they’re wearing. The only time I pay the slightest attention is when Burberry emails me to tell me who wore what at one of its snazzy events and that’s only a nanosecond before I press the delete button (sorry Burbs, I just don’t do celebs). Continue reading
Buy it now: How Moda Operandi is monetising the Met Ball
Right, now that Vogue Festival is out of the way, the next Vogue event to diarise is the Met Gala, coming on 6th May. Especially if you’re a celeb-loving fashion fan. The red carpet arrivals at the Costume Institute benefit will be livestreamed next Monday at 7pm EST on the Moda Operandi, US Vogue, Samsung and Metropolitan Museum of Art websites. Continue reading
Alpha Industries launch lightweight MA1 for women
I was just too damn slow to nab the Filippa K MA1 lookalike that I blogged about last year. But the gods are smiling on me as MA1 originators Alpha Industries has announced an exclusive with ASOS. Continue reading
Meet Christian Louboutin’s Madame Mouse
I’m not-very-secretly relieved to see the demise of the monopoly of the ‘plat-heel’ shoe. Those overstated stilettos with a stacked platform (also known as stripper heels) have just become ubiquitous on the high street to the point that it’s almost impossible to find high heels with normal soles. Well that’s slowly changing. Continue reading
AW13 trend report: Mich Dulce’s banana-fibre hats
How cheery are Mich Dulce’s new millinery pics from her AW13 look book? I spotted these darling hats on her stand at London Fashion Week in February, where Michelle told me about about the sustainable methods they’re made from. (They’re handmade from traditional Filipino T’nalak fabric, handwoven by women who Michelle trains as part of a social enterprise scheme.) Continue reading
