Have you heard about the changes at The Conran Shop? Jasper Conran has been named chairman and as part of his remit has set to rethinking the product offer and environment. Plans are afoot for a little more fashion input (rumour has it, there’s a Tom Binns project in the works) as well as convivial in-store happenings to jolly things up. (more…)
This year is all about the personalised gift, whether that’s monogramming, customising or having things made for you completely from scratch. To those I’d add these Chiniti and Parker initial sweaters. Although I love having my name on things, I wouldn’t want it emblazoned across a sweater, but these supersized initials are so big they’re almost abstract.
The navy cashmere sweaters come in one size, which on me is suitably slouchy (I’m a UK 8), and are perfect for weekend afternoons out and about when you want to be warm enough but not bundled in a dozen layers. I usually stick to plain navy, black or grey knits but the contrast of navy with winter white results in a much-needed brightening effect on dull skin. At £350 these aren’t cheap, but they’re made in Italy from Italian cashmere and Chinti and Parker prides itself on its ethical practices.
I also asked about my cashmere bugbear – bobbling cashmere. Chinti and Parker’s Anna Singh’s advice is to “invest in a debobbler. Contrary to popular belief, high quality cashmere still bobbles over time. Our designer uses a blunt razor to keep hers nice and smooth, stretching her sweater out on an ironing board, but even she admits to the odd mishap, so a debobbler* is best.”
Buy your initial sweater from Net-a-Porter or Chinti and Parker.
*UPDATE: Thank you lovely Amanda from The Womens Room blog for recommending the ‘John Lewis clothes shaver‘ for debobbling duties…
** Typically, it’s currently out of stock
The Prada stacked ‘geta’ flatform is a work of art, that’s undisputed. A piece that you can actually wear? Not so much. Yes, you’ll see Anna Dello Russo, Fran Burns et al admirably trialling it come the February shows, but in the main those editors have drivers; mere mortals will face more of a challenge. Because as well as their height and bulk, these mega shoes weigh a bloody ton! Which is why Prada has also unveiled a far more wearable properly flat version, plus of course its fabulous metallic tabi sock which promises to be the real hit of the season. (more…)
You may have seen the pictures of Kristen Stewart looking very grown up in Victoria Beckham’s tangerine dress and Louboutin Decollettes. But did you spot the bracelet? Of late, Stewart has switched up her grungy Converse-with-everything image for something way more pap-worthy, right down to the smallest detail. In this case, she’s become surgically attached to Cartier’s iconic Juste Un Clou (‘just a nail’) bracelet, the gold ‘bent nail’ that was reissued earlier this year from the depths of the Cartier vaults. (more…)
