22 February, 2022

In praise of the cultural oral history

oral history

Never met an oral history I didn’t love.

Oral histories are the perfect format book for the time poor. You can open at any page and learn something or entertain yourself in five minutes flat. I first got hooked in the early 90s, starting with Days in the Life* (Jonathon Green’s seminal deep dive into London’s 60s counterculture), swiftly followed by his equally brilliant It: Sex Since the Sixties* (more 60s rompage) and later, Them: Voices from the Immigrant Community in Contemporary Britain*, a fascinating investigation into British immigrant life (Green mentioned recently that he’s planning an update, which is amazing news). (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 0 Comments Books, Music books, culture, Edie Sedgwick, music, Truman Capote

19 January, 2022

Don’t call it French girl style

Vanessa Seward The Gentlewoman's Guide

Thanks Keep it Chic for the heads-up on Vanessa Seward’s book.

The Gentlewoman’s Guide is Seward’s take on fashion and style from a shy girl’s perspective, which I totally relate to. Born in Argentina, educated In London and living in Paris, the designer and artist tells WWD, “I’m fascinated by all this kind of English, Anglo-Saxon culture, which actually French people sometimes don’t understand at all. It’s just like all the understatement thing or the self-deprecation. I do it all the time, because it’s a kind of twist. It’s also a good shy person’s armor.” (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 0 Comments Books, Designers, News books, gentlewoman style, Keep It Chic, Vanessa Seward

18 December, 2021

Shop the post: A calm, collected (last minute) gift guide

When it comes to gift guides, I always think about the things I’d like to receive. I’m actually very easy to buy for as I’m content with socks, books and edibles. Posh edibles are my top choice as a gift as you can just buy the person the elevated version of whatever their favourite thing is. (Pierre Marcolini chocs are my faves if anyone’s wondering, with Alain Ducasse chocolate and hazelnut spread a very close second.) Tea and biscuits are a particular no-brainer. Fortnums, Liberty and Harrods are especially good for these as the packaging is just sublime and the tins are obviously reusable. Plus, a stroll through the Harrods Food Hall or Fortnum’s biscuit room is surely an essential part of the Christmas experience, right? (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 0 Comments Beauty, Books, Brands, Design, News, Retail concepts, Shopping Acqua di Parma, beauty, Black Ivy, Bonastre, books, Connolly, gifts, Jonathan Franzen, Loewe, Longchamp, Neal's Yard, Paul Smith, Perfumer H, Snow Peak, Sunspel, The Seated Queen, Toast, Uniqlo

22 November, 2021

Rebel stylist: Caroline Baker – the woman who invented street fashion

If you’re struggling for killer fashion gift ideas, allow me to make a recommendation.

I’ve just received my copy of Rebel Stylist*, a fantastic delve into the story of fashion styling straight from the lips (and visual archive) of the lady who invented it all, Caroline Baker. Caroline is a legend in the industry. She has worked for everyone, from Nova magazine to The Face, Vogue and i-D, as well as with iconic designers and brands including Benetton (the Toscani ads), Katharine Hamnett and Vivienne Westwood. Not to mention photographers – Helmut Newton, Hari Peccinotti, Sarah Moon, Guy Bourdin, Saul Leiter. Every mainstream trend you can think of – layering, military surplus, power dressing, underwear-as-outerwear – she was there first, trailblazing well before most of us were in nappies. (more…)