Design

The culture of fashion: Alex Michon, shy punk (part 1)



Alex Michon

In December 2020, I interviewed my friend, the artist, writer and a director of Transition Gallery, Alex Michon for an article for Bon Magazine called ‘Can what you wear change who you are?’ I could only feature a couple of her soundbites in the piece, but on recently rediscovering the transcript, I realised she had some incredible insights into a pivotal time for young women and their attitude to clothes and self-expression. I spoke to her about her years designing and making clothes (alongside her friend Krystyna Kolowska) for The Clash at the peak of their influence along with her own personal style metamorphosis as a reaction to living in 1970s Britain. (more…)

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On my radar: Reluxe x Madewell



Reluxe x Madewell

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Reluxe founder Clare Richardson briefly at a Reluxe x Sana Jardin breakfast event in the Reluxe store. Clare is better known to me through her styling work for publications including Vogue, Holiday and Wall Street Journal magazine, very much in the ‘gentlewoman style’ vein of classic but sexy dressing.

During her talk, Clare made the point that women founders are natural multi-hyphenates, which suits her as a freelance stylist but also explains her segue into founding a luxury resale business. She has smartly chosen to use her top tier fashion industry contacts to foster collabs with relevant brands, the latest being Madewell. (more…)

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Shop the post: Jeans and jumper



Frame denim Nordic sweater

I’ve enjoyed the mild September window we’ve had going on – while it lasted.

Bliss for me is going coatless for as long as I can, so a sweater and jeans combo is always a good idea. I’m very happy with my dark indigo Levi’s Column Jeans* but rotate them with the off-white Arkets from a few seasons ago. (Yes, I love a uniform!) Meanwhile, Alex Mill’s Bev Relaxed Jeans* look like a perfect vintage 501 dupe for when a lighter, retro wash is called for. I bet they look great with 80s-style tall boots*.

Rustic chunky knits are a perennial favourite of mine. Frame’s alpaca Fair Isle number* looks thick but it’s light as a cloud, while the grey V neck* is something I’ve been meaning to revisit – this one is perfectly proportioned. Jigsaw has excelled itself with its slouchy funnel neck Snowdon sweaters* to wear loose, or half-tucked in. (more…)

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The Bally formula



Bally SS25

“Dadaism was about a sense of play, and gentle subversion. What I’m looking for is finding equilibrium between rationality and whimsy.”

Bally was one of my MFW SS25 highlights. This is a masterclass in brand coding, when the pieces themselves are twisted classics rather than wholly avant-garde. Simone Bellotti knows the formula – simple pieces can be given romance, decadence, edginess etc with interesting casting, unexpected hair or makeup, memorable music (Bellotti worked with Swiss artist Aisha Devi on a bespoke soundtrack) and a clever incorporation of house codes.

Thus his new motif, the Swiss cowbell has become a recurring decorative feature on shoes and bags, he is building a recognisable colour palette of cool primaries with neutrals (black, brown), he is owning the Mary Jane, and the leather coat is becoming a new Bally wardrobe staple. (more…)

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