Michael Roberts

Found: the perfect white jeans*



Vogue Italia September 1991 - Carre Otis white jeans by Michael Roberts

White jeans have enjoyed a renaissance in recent seasons. Not so much the skinny hipsters of Y2K-era Liz Hurley, but a more forgiving straight leg or roomier boyfriend cut, ideally ending at the ankle to wear with boots, loafers or sandals.

If you’re tall, Studio Nicholson*, The Row*, Raey and Toteme* should fit the bill (if you have an equally capacious budget). But I think I’ve hit the white jean jackpot at Arket. Its Rose cropped straight jeans* (below) are a milky-white, mid-weight 100% organic cotton denim, with a higher-than average rise, straight-verging-on-barrelled silhouette and most importantly for the non-statuesque, they hit the right part of the ankle. (more…)



R.I.P Vivienne Westwood



Vivienne Westwood 1987 by Michael Roberts for Vogue

A truly sad end of an era for fashion. Our most inspiring guiding light has left the building and I don’t have anything to say other than thank you for all you taught us about fashion, art, style, humility and humanity. (Because fashion is never just about clothes.)

Vivienne Westwood was endlessly misunderstood and frequently ridiculed but she stuck to what she believed. She was full of contradictions, but I admired her for her self-belief, incredible tenacity and rebellious spirit. (more…)



This old thing



Jane Birkin - Hermes Birkin bag

I’ve been reading up about the crazy world of status bags and watches and deduced that the only way around the unavailability of ‘It’ Hermès Birkins and Rolex Daytonas is to go the imperfect route. As even pre-loved icons are hard to obtain (mint-conditioned pieces command the highest prices), better to go for the less-than-pristine patina, no?

For me, this aligns with my love of a well-worn leather tote. I just came across a picture on Pinterest of Jane Birkin’s legendary Birkin (above). You know, the one she adorned with personal charms and trinkets – and then auctioned for charity. This bag lived! The picture linked to a ten-year-old old Purse Forum thread on ‘slouchy, floopy, used Birkins’, imploring Birkin owners to share their own photos. (more…)



Quote of the day: Michael Roberts



Michael Roberts

“Today, designing isn’t about making the finished garment as perfect as you can. It is about mood boards and we all know that the mood board is a substitute for not knowing how to make something. It makes fashion much less about the designers, because you no longer need to know how to make a garment in order to be a fashion designer.”

Loving this outspoken interview with Michael Roberts on Business Of Fashion, one of the first people who got me interested in fashion…