luxury

Scent of a rose



Tim Walker Roses

Much as I love my niche, masculine fragrances (welcome back Helmut Lang), there’s no denying that timeless florals and fruity orientals are the biggest money spinners. And that’s for good reason – they have popular appeal. Rose is the exception to my no-florals rule, especially the current crop of rose scents that are a bit greener and fresher… (more…)



Introducing Atelier Vlisco RTW SS15



Atelier Vlisco SS15

Bold plans are being forged at Vlisco, the Dutch textile company whose wax prints have been the toast of African fashionistas for over a century. If you don’t know the name, you’ll undoubtedly recognize the prints. They’re what we consider traditional ‘African’ prints even though they orginated in Indonesia before being adopted by the powerhouse that is the Vlisco manufacture, based in southern Holland.

While the prints have traditionally been sold by the yard to be made up by personal tailors into one-off garments, the brand is moving into off the peg territory. (more…)



CULT CANDLES: A.P.C, Bella Freud, Diptyque (and the rest)



Diptyque By Emily Faulstich Hawaiian Coconut Tumblr

So it seems the world is divided into those who love fancy scented candles and those who don’t get the fascination. If you do, they can become something of an addiction (ahem). If you don’t, well, you may as well stop reading now. But not all posh candles are created equal. Some (many) are just an easy add-on to a brand’s beauty output; others are so powerful, that they become cult objects in themselves. (more…)



First look at Chanel Burlington Arcade – the beauty boutique



1 Chanel-Burlington-arcade-beauty-boutique-disneyrollergirl

Oh yikes, Christmas is only four days away and the cut-off for most online deliveries has pretty much passed. This article in the Evening Standard made me chuckle as I’m such a grumbler about the inconvenience of online shopping, it just isn’t quite there for me yet. So if you still have shopping to do, there’s no option than to hit the stores. And this is where Chanel Burlington Arcade comes in.

Burlington Arcade is quite the prettiest shopping arcade in London. There’s been a bit of a rebranding of it lately, it’s become more of a mini Bond Street, with luxury newcomers such as Barrie knitwear and Maison Michel (both owned by Chanel) moving in, and last Friday’s opening of the latest Chanel beauty boutique. (more…)