Celine

Bring on Blazy’s Bottega (and his Strand book bags)



Bottega Veneta aw22 ad campaign Matthieu Blazy

The new Bottega Veneta AW22 ad campaign has dropped and its clearer than ever to see the commercial potential in Matthieu Blazy’s new vision. I never quite warmed to the clickbait-leaning Daniel Lee aesthetic – Blazy’s seems altogether more sophisticated.

I can see shades of Raf (in the knitwear) and Phoebe-era Celine in the classic-cool styling. There’s enough OG Bottega in the intrecciato leather bags* and is that a nod to Ghesquiere-era Balenciaga (where Blazy first interned) in the curvilinear tailoring and shoe shapes*? The campaign imagery is shot by a coterie of up-and-coming photographers, celebrating craft, community and travel. (more…)



Ilaria Icardi: fine jewellery for the sporty and rich generation



Ilaria Icardi jewellery

Continuing from last week’s jewellery post, I’m enjoying this less-is-more evolution of fine jewellery courtesy of Ilaria Icardi. The idea of wearing something super-refined with a normcore bodywarmer is very high-low me and also perfect for the sporty & rich generation. (more…)



New year, old style



Giampaolo Sgura for Sunday Times Style

I love this Sunday Times Style shoot I clocked last week, which looks like it was Xeroxed straight from the pages of an early 90s Elle. Everything from the soft focus ‘corporate girl about town’ vibe to the casting (Louise de Chevigny channelling Ines de la Fressange) and the gamine styling reminds me of Yasmin Le Bon-era French Elle – all that’s missing is the Filofax.

Particular highlights: the mini tan Hermes Birkin (I will be substituting with my Mulberry Small Maple tote), the boxy blazers, the Cartier watch and – of course – the hair. (more…)



Death to minimalism?



The Row SS22

I’ve finished digesting all the SS22 collections and I think we can safely say we’re over the 2010s obsession with #oldceline-style ‘minimalism’.

I say ‘we’, but I don’t mean me.

Personally, I’m still here for what I call gentlewoman style; aka timeless pieces that straddle what we like to consider ‘masculine’ (tailoring, functionality) and ‘feminine’ (decoration, softness) dressing. I will never get bored of my baggy chinos and boyfriend 501s, Dries snakeskin boots, Equipment shirts and merino crew necks.

Professionally, yes it’s more exciting to write about the elaborate, hedonistic and whimsical and I’m tempted to bust out my Prada lip-print mules and Sergio Rossi raspberry moiré-silk heels. Schiaparelli was undeniably a Fashion Month highlight, as was Dries van Noten’s kaleidoscopic colour-fest. But it’s also fine by me if people (read: under 30s) would rather switch the Arket blazers and Acne knits for first wave reality TV garb à la The Simple Life-era low-rise jeans and triangle bandeau tops. (Uggs on the other hand? Not even Telfar* can tempt me to go there.) (more…)