Oh Hermes
… you’re such a hoot with your wild n witty window displays!
Brands
Joseph – it’s back!
The prize for best catering during LFW had to go to the Joseph shop relaunch in Westbourne Grove. Not only were the non-alcoholic cocktails delicious and plentiful but the food was a never-ending succession of crispy bruscetta bites, cheesy nibbles and delicate duck wraps. Usually you are lucky to get one or two of these tasty morsels all night but we seemed to be in prime position for a proper feeding (and it’s not because we were pitched directly outside the kitchen door – honest guv). Anyway, I did circulate a little bit. Just enough to get a good feel for the space which has been carefully curated by new artistic director (and ex-Colette buyer), Alain Snege. In amongst the Marni and Maison Martin Margiela, I discovered the chiffon-petal adorned cashmeres by Koi Suwannagate, Zero Maria Cornejo’s cape cocoon dresses and an impressive shoe department. Downstairs was the casual department boasting Jerome Dreyfus (AKA Mr Isabel Marant) suede bags of every description, Golden Goose tees and stripy boy-shirts and Joseph’s own lovely soft denim collection.
Back in the eighties and early nineties, Joseph was right up there in terms of the ultimate shopping experience. Its chunky handknit sweaters (80s) and boy-cut trousers in every conceivable finish (90s) were the mainstay of fashionistas’ wardrobes far and wide but somehow it went off-radar in the noughties. It just had no personality. The latest round of revamps aims to return the Joseph brand to its former glory, let’s see if they succeed.
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You know the eighties are back good and proper when…
…Maria Cornejo is the toast of NYFW and Pam Hogg is the hot ticket for LFW. “What next,” spluttered my PR pal over tea and finger sandwiches in Liberty yesterday afternoon, “the return of Bodymap?” Um, actually yes. Bodymap’s Stevie Stewart has cooked up a collection with Pippa Brooks (AKA Madame) called Goldstein Attire. Not quite the graphic knits and jerseys of back-in-the-day Bodymap (above) but the spirit of the eighties is certainly there. Watch this space.
…Harem pants, leggings and jumpsuits are selling like hot cupcakes not only in American Apparel but M&S and Next.
…Marc Jacobs’ AW09 collection ‘melded together the power-dressed party posse in their brocade, power shoulders and puffball skirts with the Blitz kids in their laquered hair, brothel creepers and fishnet,’ according to Grazia Daily.
…Minder has been reimagined for the noughties complete with Glaswegian band Attic Lights’ re-recording of ’I Could Be So Good For You’. (Oh dear.)
…River Island unveiled its We Love The Eighties collection last week which is unleashed on the public in March.
All we need now is for Sara Stockbridge to rematerialise. Oh, here she is!
[Bodymap pic: Rock Pop Fashion]
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Roberto’s ‘up yours’ to the recession
Politically correct or no, I’m loving all the latest reports of credit crunch defying antics. From Balmain’s now infamous sell-out £1000 jeans to Christian Louboutin’s Lesage-embroidered tart’s shoes… it means I can live vicariously through those who aren’t suffering as much as me. Personally, I’m still trying to spend a wee bit to keep the economy afloat. What I do is on the days that I’m working from home I have Heinz tomato soup (not the organic one though – too expensive) or beans on toast for lunch, so the tenner-a-day lunch budget saved goes on a Wagamama/Busaba/Harvey Nicks lunch on the days I’m out and about. (Back in the days when I had an office job I was laughed at for my lavish takeaway lunches but I’m sorry, I don’t do sandwiches – too depressing – plus I need a hot meal and lunchtime is the highlight of my day!)
Anyway I digress. Roberto Cavalli has collaborated with Mastercard on a super-swanky credit card. Here’s the blurb:
‘Created for those who thrive upon excellence, elegance and quality, “The Cavalli Card” promises cardholders a host of premium benefits – each specifically tailored to their needs and lifestyle. Dedicated VIP services at every Cavalli boutique across the world; access to special sales, both in Cavalli retail outlets and online; exclusive invitations to prestigious events, fashion shows and trunk shows: these are just some of the many “deluxe” services offered to the carholders.’
Sigh. See anything wrong with this picture? My problem isn’t the at-odds-with-the-times flashiness but with the brand itself. I’d love all those benefits, just not with Cavalli. However if Acne, APC, Margaret Howell or Chloe decided to do the same, I’d sign up straight away.
