Who couldn’t love an author who suggests colour coordinating your book jackets to your clothes? My favourite film director Miranda July, she of Me And You And Everyone We Know has a book of short stories out this month called No One Belongs Here More Than You. (noonebelongsheremorethanyou.com) These pics are from her website and she is scheduled to do a talk at the Serpentine Gallery on June 4th.
Even though I confess to having an All Saints leather jacket I’m not really an All Saints kind of girl. I dunno, all that deconstructed jersey and faux rock chick styling just seems a bit over-played. But I have to eat my words when it comes to their menswear. Not menswear for guys you understand, I mean menswear for ME! My first must-have from their autumn winter preview had to be the wallets – I have a bit of a fetish for those credit-card holders on a lanyard and these are nicely understated. Then there are the mens scarves. I’m talking grey/black silk leopard print, black silk with tiny lime hearts, cerise silk squares with red piping. Yes, these are all mens! And don’t even get me started on the man bags – fabulous totes in nylon and leather – nicely sized but not too ‘statement’. Then there are the thin sloppy joe tshirts and stripy vests – just the right cut for a boy-girl fit to go with jeans and cowboy boots Kirsten Dunst/Johnny Borrell style.
Actually, there were some winning womenswear looks. Namely the necklaces which will look good worn on their own or tangled up together and the denim corset dress (which is nowhere near as chavvy as it sounds). Thanks to the generous £100 voucher press gift I can indulge in some of these when they hit the shops later in the year.
Barbour is the latest British heritage brand hoping to ‘do a Burberry’. It’s autumn/winter preview showed some nice steps in the right direction. A fitted silk quilted jacket which I image will go down a storm with its Japanese fans, a multi pocketed waxed jacket that owes more than a nod to Belstaff, and a quilted nylon Mulberry-esque handbag. Barbour is considering doing a link up with a designer which I’m sure won’t harm its profile. My money’s on Luella Bartley or Paul Smith.
In the random mix of photos of 80s and 90s bands at the Lawrence Watson exhibition, I happened upon this bitchin’ picture of Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force. Aren’t those white Wayfarers just sick? That’ how I want to look next time I go to Secret Sundaze. (Well I haven’t actually been there yet but when I do).
