Trends

A.P.C is coming for your bathroom shelf



APC Beauty

Does the world need another beauty brand? Clearly not. And yet. I’m wholly seduced by the idea of A.P.C Self-Care. The signature orange blossom fragrance always transports me to trying on boots in their store near the Tuileries in Paris circa 2010 – so quintessentially ‘garconne style‘ – so the notion that this scent underscores the products, gives me a good feeling. It’s all about the sensorials for me.

The line is miniscule – just six products; a cologne (£65), shower gel (£40), body lotion (£45), hand soap (£40), hand cream (£20) and lip balm (£15). (more…)



Gentlewoman style: Toteme time



Toteme AW24 fashion show

If Toteme is trying to be the affordable(ish) Row, it’s succeeding. Its stealth AW24 fashion show during couture week delivered lean trench coats and floor-sweeping trousers styled with the airiest of scarf-neck blouses, while its new Mount Street store is a shrine to tailoring, leatherwear, handbags (that T-lock!*) and jewellery as polished as its more expensive neighbours (but with much more welcoming sales staff) .

I suspect having established its early position in the stealth luxe sphere, Toteme will start to add a few more unpredictable designs and styling twists to keep our interest piqued (more…)



Inspiration board: Gucci super-skinny scarves



Gucci AW24 menswear

A scarf as a necklace. I like this styling detail from the Gucci AW24 menswear show*; a scarf-necklace hybrid, fastened with a chain instead of a knot.

This is a great styling tweak for upgrading a half-unbuttoned shirt or an oversize V-neck sweater. (more…)



The existential poetry of the overstuffed bag



Miu Miu SS24 main

Will we ever not be eternally fascinated by the ‘what’s in my bag’ trope? This SS24 – surprise! – capacious bags are trending, and not only are they big, they’re stuffed to the brim. Aligning with the outpouring of Jane Birkin love (and hot takes on her bulging Birkin), Miu Miu’s SS24 show was lauded for its chaotic bag energy – each exit showed a model toting a classic bowling bag, top handle or tote overflowing with spare shoes, keys and clothes. As you do. (more…)