Looking back

It is that time of year when people and media start the incessant look back at the year. I have no interest in looking back. I've never harboured any desire on that front. I'm a real going forward person and my moments in a year are the new seasons collections. I like the shows but it is when the drops of collections in the stores happen that gets me excited. Although these days with so many drops it is hard to get that start of a season fix as it used to be.

Never mind the changes and in some respects the lack of set times and drops has freed us all to indulge our dressing preferences and really set our own personal style. And thanks to the power of twitter I can favourite items to my hearts content. It really is a wonderful reference tool. My favourite items are an eclectic mix but if something takes my fancy I just 'favourite' it and can read in depth later. It is a great way to reference images for inspiration.

It was quite good whenThe Telegraph did a neat round up of best street style looks of 2011, although street style should be taken lightly as it was around the streets of the fashion week shows so not necessarily a high street look near you! I like these sort of looking back items.

My favourite 3 looks are below and my number one look has to be the pink suit one - love it. Do you have a favourite look?

All images The Telegraph.co.uk

The Barefoot Muse

The word muse is much overrated and over used. However, the muse I'm talking of is inspiration based not specific to a person. I mentioned briefly my barefoot walking obsession yesterday and the fact I tried it on the weekend. Here is the photographic evidence after I'd climbed a hill and was walking along the ridge.


I do feel quite knackered at this point it was a very steep hill but my feet feel wonderful. Surprisingly my feet were not particularly cold from the experience of being barefoot and exposed to the elements. It was a cold day and the wind was particularly biting without sunshine. Yet, and forgive the glamour of the rolled up flared jeans, my feet didn't seem to notice the cold. I'm not sure how long it would have taken until they did but I got bored of carrying my wellies so I did put them back on.

My point, in respect of this post and being barefoot, is I feel fashion has long been based around the shoe. Or the shoe somehow completes a look. I don't think for one moment we could go barefoot all year round but I'm quite interested in exploring options for walking shoes that you can take off at opportune moments which give you the freedom to walk on the natural ground but can be put on for the man made bits.

Nike have of course developed the Nike Free to go in tandem to barefoot running and I would love to try them and see if they do give you the same sense of being barefoot but with protection.

If a fashion designer worked to create a collection based around being barefoot and free I would be very interested to see what their vision would be. Of course I'm not thinking tribal or hippy that would be predictable and dull. I can actually imagine myself walking barefoot in a Vivienne Westwood number with aran sweater and red lipstick!

Vivienne Westwood Gold Label trinket silk corset dress £2,290 at Net-A-Porter

I have a complete styling shoot in my head based around barefoot walking and might have to action it somehow!

Same theme, old advice

My collection of books are quite simple if one was to set about cataloguing them. Literature, Cinema, Fashion being the main ones with Cookery, Nutrition and a smattering of Interior Design. All my non fiction books are biographies on fashion or film stars. Of course I have a few Rough Guides, Time Out or Style City books, but I'm a creature of habit when it comes to reading. So much so my parents recently bought me a biography of Kaye Webb the founder of the Puffin Club who was probably quite influential on a number of young readers. I suppose what I'm trying to say is my habits remain similar in all areas of my life. (Actually, I thought this was going to be a to the point post but it isn't - get a cup of tea now!)

I'm very much a keeping it simple and keeping order when it comes to my wardrobe. I get totally overwhelmed if I have too much. I'm not really a hoarder, although I always keep any designer purchases. I regret having a cavalier attitude to some designer pieces I once had which I lost, gave away or misplaced. Lesson learnt. High St stuff I really ease come easy go about although I only buy when I need to replace worn items, so I repeat the same things. I do have the odd moment of frivolity. I was recently tagged for a reveal but I was too busy to do it so I'm incorporating the gist of it but ensuring you get more in-depth analysis (more tea).

My style icons remain the same regardless of anything and they are:-
Françoise Hardy
Audrey Hepburn
Katharine Hepburn
Grace Kelly
Ali McGraw
Nico

all 3 images are of Françoise Hardy

With the exception of Hardy they all have a cinematic element (although Françoise appeared in a few films). And they all had their own style despite the requirement for performance. If I was to translate the inspiration into films it would run:-
Funny Face
The Philedelpihia Story (the original High Society with Cary Grant, if you haven't seen it you must)
To Catch a Thief
Love Story
La Dolce Vita

There are other films which I find wonderful visual feast when it comes to clothes and most of these are before the 1980s (with the exception of Uma Thruman in Pulp Fiction), including Antonioni's L'Eclisse. The interesting element is how what you love/admire determines what you buy.

When it comes to style books one of my favourites is Genevieve Antoine Dariaux's A Guide to Elegance first published in 1964. She was a director at Nina Ricci for many years and I suppose her views and advice is that quintessential French take on fashion. I read her book many years ago before it was republished in 2003 as part of research for a fashion shoot with style advice. It was probably about the same time I discovered Françoise Hardy because no doubt the style director told me to get some images. In my youth I thought I was the ONLY person to have discovered Nico because none of my peers were into her.

As a young willing junior fashion assistant I became tutored in the art of the capsule wardrobe, the basic wardrobe for building your style and a devotee of quality versus quantity. I still can't cope with quantity although I'm getting better at it.

Genevieve had a view on the budget wardrobe and the ideal wardrobe. The budget wardrobe gave you your starting block and the ideal wardrobe equipped you with outfits for any time of the day and instructed you on what to wear at certain times.

This is her starting list for the winter budget wardrobe to see you through any occasion:

• 1 coat in a bright colour - for example, red
• 1 matching skirt
• 1 sweater in a complimentary colour - for example, beige or brown
• 1 black skirt
• 1 black sweater
• 1 silk sweater, black or white with a pretty neckline
• 1 pair of black high heeled pumps
• 1 pair of flat brown shoes for the country
• 1 black leather handbag
• 1 pearl necklace

Then when it comes to the winter ideal wardrobe her direction is fearless! I'll give you what you should wear first thing in the morning:-

"9 A.M Tweed skirts in the brown autumn shades and harmonizing sweaters (the British are peerless in this realm), worn under a good coat, well cut. Brown shoes with medium heels and a capacious brown alligator bag (A really elegant women never wears black in the morning)."

What is interesting is her old advice regarding budget, the idea if you haven't got the money spend on good items and have a plan for your long term wardrobe. I'm sure most of us don't do this. The idea of having a place where you will be in respect of your clothes seems contrary to the whims of fashion. However, if you can establish your preferences, what inspires you to create your own style then perhaps building a good wardrobe for you lifestyle and creative views is achievable on any budget.

[Both extracts are from A Guide to Elegance]

Make Do Magic

Whilst I'm not of the Etsy variety, I do enjoy a bit of clothing DIY. A couple of weeks ago I featured faux fur collars which in turned inspired the lovely Vintage Vixen to make her own from her jumble sale haul. So we come full circle in the blogosphere of style to a make do Christmas present idea for a dear fashionable family member or friend.

To create a faux fur collar you need either a second hand find to take the faux fur collar off, or go to John Lewis or a haberdashery shop. Handily even ebay has sellers who deal in faux fur.

All you have to do is cut to the required size and add material or ribbon to tie the collar. If you find a long faux fur collar in a charity shop, look for a brooch too to add to it.

For those of you worried about 'cleanliness' then depending on the fauxness, the easiest way to clean/freshen up is to spray the material with Fabreeze or similar and hang outside to dry. Then put inside the airing cupboard or tumble dryer with a drying sheet to make it new.

Look how fab it looks on Viv!

Biba co-incident

The new range of Biba clothes is a House of Fraser exclusive with Daisy Lowe as the face of the relaunched brand. Completely by co-incident I've been asked to photograph a small collection of Biba clothes for archiving. I'm not taking the photos but creating a setting for it all. I've currently got one of the dresses hanging on my bedroom door for inspiration - it hasn't come yet although a preview of Vintage-a-Peel's Autumn collection has me chasing some gold platforms so maybe my eureka moment will come soon.

In search of chemisette heaven

'They had a very fine day for Box Hill; and all the other outward circumstances of arrangement, accommodation, and punctuality, were in favour of a pleasant party.' I've always had a longing for a sojourn to Box Hill due to my love of Jane Austen. As well as quoting from her novel Emma above, I choose the last paragraph of the novel for our wedding reading. Although it is Persuasion that is my favourite.

Living just outside of London has opened up the countryside in a way I couldn't have imagined. So, when Mr MDS proposed a visit to Box Hill on Sunday I jumped. I wondered why we hadn't made the effort before but it seems Mr MDS had failed his first (and last) attempt at a Duke of Edinburgh Award on Box Hill by getting lost through losing the map.

It was a very fine day for us and we enjoyed a hearty walk, although given it is January I was quite miffed I couldn't have re-enacted an empire line Regency dress with a chemisette. I was just wrapped up in bits of stuff which kept me warm. The walk up the hill did result in removal of snood and arm warmers as the sun was bright and a small sweat was worked up.

Full stride ahead for the petit garcon

Soaking up the sun's rays, which have been in short supply this month

The path was quite muddy in places after the snow

Emma was first published in 1816 a year before Jane Austen's death. I'm not sure she would have been on an outing to Box Hill, but I hope she did and was equally amused as me by this headstone.

I also had no will after the outing to attempt a hunt through my items to convey a romantic outfit; but it did put me in mind of the summer months and tea dresses. I will attempt to have a lovely picnic in the summer months ahead on Box Hill, suitably attired of course.

Sketch Garden Dress £45 Topshop

YSL bedding inspiration

Yesterday I needed to plant some new flowers and my selection was based on a very YSL of old palette, I decided to mix orange and pink only, it looks perfectly proper, very this season almost like a Richard Nicoll S/S09 dress.

Richard Nicoll Spring 09 Style.com

I carried on my YSL inspiration taking France and the potted plants and painted walls of Brittany to create my very own homage in another corner of the garden.

Freshly painted fence with B&Q's exterior paint in Sage Moss

Easy pieces

Finding time to post at the moment is a real effort. Yesterday I hot footed it to John Lewis on Oxford Street to get petit garcon a scooter for Christmas. Before hitting Oxford Street I popped into Fortnums to buy some coffee. Christmas isn't Christmas without something from Fortnums and since there'll be no hamper this year, coffee is the ticket. I love the Sandringham blend at Christmas, even though I'm no royalist it is the fact they all decamp to Sandringham in Norfolk for their Christmas celebrations and walk to church in the morning and generally convey an orderly British celebration of yuletide. I even enjoy the spectacle of the hunt on boxing day although I'm anti hunting. I wished they'd just drag hunt. My objection to hunting is the stress and trauma caused to the animal.

Sandringham blend coffee from £5 Fortnums

Sandringham, Norfolk in the snow

Anyway back to Christmas! Near to Fortnum and Mason on Piccadilly is St James Church which always has a market in the church yard this time of year. I popped in to St James to have a browse, and saw a lovely carved elephant which I fell in love with. The stall holder is quite bonkers, eccentric British gamekeeper totally in love with Africa. He saw me examining the tusks and knew what I was thinking and told me straightaway they weren't ivory. If I was to share the whole conversation you'd still be reading this after Christmas. This one carving was in light wood whilst the rest of the Kenyan carvings were in dark or ebony wood. At £35 I thought it was silly to spend on a carved elephant. I decided to walk away as I've never been one for carvings or sculptures and the money should be spend on college books! Well, I literally got up the steps and eight paces along Piccadilly, stopped, turned around and went back and bought it. Wrapped in a used supermarket bag she was a joy to carry around in my bag and now sits happily in my hall. Isn't it funny how you can completely fall for something and it brings such joy.

My lovely new housemate, Poppet the elephant (yes I know I'm getting a bit gaga!)

Mind you the elephant and Christmas shopping has broken the bank and I've stuck to a £300 budget! With college, chrimbo and an overdraft I realise no new clothes next year is a reality. I feel quite sad about it but know I can do it. So last night I watched an episode of Sex and the City to cheer me up. I quite happily watch them again and again because I love the costume detail, even though I mutter about them sometimes not working with the narrative and a few others things! Last nights one was when Carrie gets back with Aidan, when he's actually hot in his white shirt. What interested me was her white tshirt and the diamante necklace. How simple, how easy and yet two pieces that work well together with no effort or clashing. Phew this look is one of the ones that is going to save my bank balance and make me smug. Shame I can't find a photo to share of the outfit - oh well Aidan will have to do instead!

Exhibit inspires design

Miró, Calder, Giacometti, Braque: Aimé Maeght and His Artists is an outstanding exhibition at the Royal Academy until 4 January 2009. This article in The Independent gives more background information but nothing beats seeing it for yourself.

Art was a huge influence on Yves Saint Laurent and his collection was amassed over many years with Pierre Bergé. The influential cubist painting he so loved will be auctioned early next year.

Now if I were a fashion house designer I'd be hot footing it to the Maeght collection exhibit to inspire my next collection and when one does emerge you'll know it was my top tip!

The old and the new...

Having ditched the old blog name (sniff) and morphed into the new I feel somewhat phoenix like. Yet this transformation didn't just occur it was part inspiration from my little journey from Liverpool Street station to the House of Masquerade event I was invited to by Absolut Vodka.

I'd finished work, been to the LCF library, had a sandwich at Pret and still I was way too early for the event. I realised I hadn't set foot in this bit of London for years, now I wasn't catching the train to Norwich to go to university I had no need. I admit I've been angling for an invite to Shoreditch House but when all is said and done Mayfair and Piccadilly are my stomping ground more by chance than anything else.

Given my early bird routine I decided to explore. Spitalfields Market was my little adventure and my how it has changed. The market had been fashioned in a new manner to complement the huge new financial temples (cough) and with a few older remaining building incorporated around the old now enclosed market.

Walking back from the stores towards Bishopgate and Shoreditch High Street, I savoured the old. The old buildings and street unchanged save for roads, pavement and electric street lamps since Dickens paced the old town by night unable to sleep.

S & M (Sausage and Mash - I'm coming back here!)

After S&M some champagne will be in order.

Then from the old into the new. The glass, the metal and the bustle of workers, with the Gherkin rising majestically in the distant.

It is amazing how this new mecca of offices sits amongst the old streets and churches. Walk away from Bishopgate and you enter a mix of run down meets avant garde. Juxtapositioned between tat and cool is Caravan at the beginning of Redchurch Street.

And it turns out Caravan has moved from its old address in Spitalfields Market to its new address up the road on Redchurch Street off Shoreditch High Street. Emily Chalmers is the delightful owner and offers a glorious selection of the old and new in her interiors shop.

Beautiful decor and space to browse in sheer delight at Caravan

My favourite find was the stag heads which I intend to pop back for!

It was a sheer delight for top bird blogger Wee Birdy (more of this in next post) with lots of birdy pieces to choose from. I had a lovely chat with Emily before a wander around Brick Lane prior to my almost fashionable late arrival at the House of Masquerade event party (surely 15 mins after doors open is late!)

What inspires a stylist

I don't know where I found this but I'd stored the picture in my inspiration file.

The upload doesn't do it justice but if you click on it, it enlarges the image to its true splendour.

I wonder if Patricia Fields saw this at some point too, as the first dress we see Carrie in SATC the movie is almost the walking version of this old print.

He who dares wins

This posting interupts the 'How to make a Style shift' trilogy. Actually my weekend away did me in for posting, but least said about that the better.

Suffice it to say I succombed to temptation in Sunglass Hut in Gatwick Airport. In fact, I had left my usual Chanel sunnies at home for saftey reasons and was sporting a £2 pair from Primark.

I have to say that after 30mins of wearing the cheapies, my head was hurting and I had marks on the bridge of my nose. Excuses over, I sauntered into Sunglass Hut and nearly walked out again as the usual array of Prada, Bulgari, Versace, Chanel etc were on display and I really had my heart set on some Tom Ford's or Linda Farrow Vintage this season as recommended by Flashy Shades

Anyway I briefly asked the shop assistant did she have any Tom Ford sunnies and they actually had arrived in that day. In fact Sunglass Hut has only just started stocking the Tom Ford range.

The Whitney style didn't suit me and I was drawn to a beige pair which happened to be Raquel and a fabulous vintage style they are. Gorgeously lightweight and they put my £2 ones to complete shame.

Due to the advantage of duty free they were coming in at £152 rather than £182 and then with a fortunate 20% reduction - they were display ones (by now firmly wrapped round my face) - I only parted with a mere £123.

I like to think I got the 20% discount for making the assistant laugh. Giddy with the excitement of my weekend away I was struck by the fact Mr Ford had no idea that Del Boy's wife was called Raquel when he named these little beauties. So I acted the scenario out of being Del Boy and alerting Rodney to the fact Raquel had had some sunnies named after her.

Ok you'd have to have been there and seen us both laughing so irreverently but as Del Boy so rightly says - he who dares wins!