21 May, 2013

A ToyWatch for the festival season

Here’s something different from ToyWatch and I like it a lot. It’s a watch-friendship bracelet hybrid and all I can think is, why hasn’t this been done before?

The watch face is clean and classic, a nice contrast to the busy South American-inspired patterns of the woven friendship bracelet. These are pitched ‘for the festival season’ but I can’t imagine them going anywhere near a muddy field, can you? Much more suited for lazy days in the park with a Pimms, or a clubby long weekend in Ibiza.

Anyway, they sell for £125 and are stocked at Selfridges, Harrods, Harvey Nichols and ToyWatch… (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 7 Comments Brands, Design, Shopping, Trends accessories, design, shopping, ss13, ToyWatch, watches

16 May, 2013

Workshop visit: The Hermes silk scarf workshops in Lyon

Hermes-Festival-Des-Metiers

“It takes two years to make and two minutes to buy!” So says Kamel Hamadou, the affable communications manager of Hermès silk, hosting a rare tour of the company’s silk printing facilities in Lyon. Two weeks ago I was invited on a whirlwind trip to learn the many meticulous stages of making one of those familiar silk ‘carrés’ of which I’m the proud owner of a few, neatly folded and stored in their equally familiar flat orange boxes.

My most astonishing discovery? The utter complexity of printing involved in a silk scarf of many colours. The average scarf has around 30 colours, of which each shade has its own precise mixing process. The printing itself has to be seen to be believed, but next week, you’ll have the chance to see it all when Hermès’ Festival Des Metiers lands on the London leg of its world tour. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 6 Comments Brands, Design, Events, Technology accessories, behind the scenes, craft, exhibitions, factory visit, heritage, Hermes, how it's made, long read, luxury, scarves

14 May, 2013

Buy it now: luxe comfort shoes

celine-fur-birkenstock

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. (more…)

Disneyrollergirl 2 Comments Brands, Design, Shopping, Trends Celine, FitFlop, Marni, shoes, ss13, Swedish Hasbeens, trends, Ugg

9 May, 2013

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. (more…)