Moving forward

It's one thing sorting your wardrobe out and having an organised space but what are the next steps? When I stood back and peered at my mass of black, grey and white with a few injections of colour I knew, and as Isobel said 'where's the colour'. Minus my orange Zara dress, which was too big and got consigned to holiday stash as handy beach number there really is only a smattering of quite pale colours. Nice pale colours I hasten to add! However zing is required and no more black. And if you have any doubts over colour then the Dior Haute Couture show should dispel this - not only was the execution of sculptured (and the deconstruction of garment wearing) items a pleasure to behold, the use of colour and fabric was equally eye popping and sublime

image from Fashion Moment

What I've got will go together, and I can mix and match a plenty, creating lots of different looks, therefore my requirement is to inject lovely new season garments - yippee. The idea is to inject colour, texture, push the boundaries a bit (Isobel will be poking me with her pen) and pull together an A/W 09/10 capsule collection to wear.

I'm very lucky that I have another stylist who can be directional and understand the need to have a new direction. Styling is a business where image is everything and your look is key. I've been completely absorbed by my MA and have had little time or energy to devote to myself, so this little bit of me time is a tonic!

Today's the day

Gulp! I'm about to be glammed up. I'm posting this in memory of leaving my rather t-shirt and jeans look behind. Not strictly true but I'm usually more off duty than on duty and undertaking my MA has highlighted I've not really advanced much dress wise since my undergraduate days!

I've enlisted the help of uber stylish stylist Isobel Kershaw. I trust Isobel to not indulge me one iota in my fantasy film outfits and gently shove me into a better organised (and I am super organised but I know Isobel is the most super super organised) working wardrobe.

Isobel

I rather dislike the term working wardrobe but it clarifies the point to some extent i.e. having a wardrobe that works for you, what you do and what you want to project. I use all my clothes most of the time but now I want to buy less and make what I have work harder. Also this year petit garcon will be 4 and I can move back into the more full time work world and need to prepare for this.

Isobel is very understanding of the conflict of working and being a mother. She adores her son and I often tease her she'll hold his hand on his first date, in case the girl is badly dressed! Isobel is perfection itself but of the ease associated with stylish French women. I'm a francophile at heart and am shedding a part of my left bank artisan look for a nonchalant but sophisticated stroll through Galeries Lafayette then onto a late lunch at Alain Ducasse, 25 Avenue de Montaigne, Paris

PS Now I know what it feels like to have a stylist come into your home. This is quite exciting and weirdly worrying too. Gosh if I didn't know the drill I'd be sick or weeping or both!