Phoebemania



Phoebe Philo Celine by Tommy Ton

ICYMI, the biggest buzz of fashion month is all about the return of Phoebe Philo. It has barely started and her new brand doesn’t launch until September, yet we can be certain this will be the topic du jour for the next four weeks.

While everyone seems to be banking on Celine mark II, I’m hoping for something more unexpected. (more…)



Into this: Bottega Veneta banal luxury



Bottega Veneta SS23 ad campaign

The new Bottega Veneta SS23 campaign just landed and I love it.

There’s a soothing video by Massimiliano Bomba shot in a slow-mo Milan streetscape serving everyday city life in the most fabulously chic way. (It’s a little bit Lemaire and a little bit Thomas Maier!)

The stills are also beautiful – elegant yet casual, styled by Alastair McKimm with the leather ‘denim’ jeans and white ultra-luxe vests centre stage, accessorised with slouchy Andiamo totes*. The no-make-up-make-up and minimally styled hair give the campaign a timeless quality and I’m glad that they resisted the urge to include obvious props like a Starbucks coffee or phone. (Wait, do Italians even drink Starbs?) In this case, less it more. Superbo! (more…)



The culture of fashion: I dress therefore I am



Georgia O'Keeffe by Bruce Weber

Favourite artist looks? I’ve had a few. Georgia O’Keeffe’s New Mexico minimalism; Warhol’s beatnik Bretons; Lucian Freud’s sweaters and Huntsman suits; not to mention Basquiat’s baggy 80s overcoats.

The New York Times has a great story about the rise of the artist as avatar. Namely, the merch-ification of artists, selling elements of their personal style – an Edward Hopper hat anyone? – alongside postcards in the gallery gift shop. (more…)



Quote of the day: MUA Matthew James on ‘the big dissolve’



Katharine Hepburn

“Of course it gets addictive. You feel like anything wrong with your face can be corrected. And then all you see are imperfections, and you’re like, well, I’ll just get it done — it’s the pursuit of ultraperfection.” (more…)