The fur dilemma




Another trip to Portobello yesterday in almost-spring sunshine and minus the Saturday crowds. I went to One Of A Kind, the vintage shop I have never been into before. Guess what? I liked it! I ‘ve deliberately avoided it til now being anti-hype and it always seemed a bit too…up itself. But it had some great stuff, and nicely displayed but pricey. Under the Westway I saw some cute velvet bowties and by Acklam Street a selection of very-nice-indeed saddle bags and not too expensive either.

Then I saw it. A very Desperately-Seeking-Susan-style cropped snakeskin-print suede jacket (you know, the scene where she goes in the vintage store and he says ‘that jacket belonged to Jimi Hendrix’). Very Antony Price but it had four real fur tails hanging from it. I really am a hypocrite when it comes to fur. On the one hand I know it’s cruel, even if it’s vintage. There’s just no excuse and I know wearing any kind of real fur sends the message to impressionable people that it’s ‘OK’. It’s not even to keep me warm (the usual excuse I trot out when I wear my ‘extreme weather’ Russian fur Ushanka). On the other hand, although it’s wrong sometimes I just can’t resist it – say what you like, fake fur just isn’t the same. So I tried on the jacket and the shoulders were a mite too big but hey, it was £35! I deliberated for all of two minutes. Now I’ve got it home, tried it on with my Nudie Slim Kim jeans and Tony Mora ocelot cowboy boots (oops, more fur) I think I can make it work. I just need to take the shoulders in …and get rid of the mothballs stink.

0 Comments



Giles unveils his New Look






So what do we think so far of the Giles-New Look marriage? I went to the launch last night not planning to buy (even though it was 10% off) but more for the spectacle. Celeb count was low – I saw Daisy Lowe – but fashionista count high-ish for a high street do. Katie Grand and Katie Hillier (she of the Marc, LV and Luella jewellery) were in attendance to support bezzy mate Giles, model-of-the-moment Agyness was happy to pose for everyone’s digicams and scenester Molaroid was just there to be seen. Sadly no sign of Giles fan Sue Pollard or Drew Barrymore who modelled the pics. However the music was great and champagne free flowing. Reactions to the collection have been decidedly mixed. The print shoes were my favourite but apparently people in out of town stores have been pointing at them and laughing (Peasants!). The clothes are OK but if they didn’t say Giles you wouldn’t think they were anything special. I had high hopes for the goody bag but oh dear, a cheap pendant on a tatty chain do not a thrilling gift make. Poor Giles! I wonder how Madonna’s collection will fare when it launches this month?

1 Comment



Today’s question



Talking to Steven at Rellik got me thinking what will be the next generation of collectable fashion? He said the days of the hardcore Japanese Westwood collector are over. They have all grown up and it’s all about collecting chi-chi Vuitton, Fendi and Gucci now.

0 Comments



Portobello past it?




A nice jaunt to Portobello yesterday. Westbourne Grove swarming with Fulham type yuppies -there is even a Smythson at the posh end. Golborne Road by contrast was full of character and still a bit rough around the edges, like Portobello used to be in the eighties. First stop was Rellik to look at a Westwood top D had seen for me. Got talking to Steven who was most charming and insisted we visit on a Saturday morning at 10am when they pull out all the rare stuff. Oh yes! Yes! Yes! On to the furniture shops. I love Ollie (69 Golborne Road, W10) where there are just heaps of old broken mirrors, desks and chopper bikes all piled higgledy piggledy against each other – a complete treasure trove and not shockingly expensive either. I fell in love with this FiFi sign in another shop but I fear the neon sign has had its moment. Maybe I’ll reconsider.

0 Comments



«< 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 >»