Betty Holmes

Before I am lost to the Spring 2011 catwalk reports, I want to to celebrate a fantastic style of Winter 2010/2011. Betty Draper meet Sherlock Holmes.

Louis Vuitton.

For me it began last July when American Vogue featured the fashion story 'Magnificent Obsession'. Peter Lindbergh photographed Natalia Vodianova and Ewan McGregor- Fall collections via a 1950s domestic love story. Stunning.


On the left Prada wool and silk dress and Prada handbag. On the right Dries Van Noten wool dress.

Marc Jacobs strapless silk ball dress.


Oh Betty Draper where would we be without your style influences and attitude. Thank you January Jones and Janie Bryant costume designer extraordinaire.





Add a touch of Sherlock Holmes..




... and you have the Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 show. Delicious.






...add some stunning prints and you also have Prada's Fall 2010 Collection.





It's been a beautiful winter.

This January I Rather Like..

My New Fashion Crush

My new fashion crush is Whistles. Their photographs don't do their clothes justice. Their winter collection is just lovely- elegant but with that essential edge, and with great fabrics that will last. Delicious.


In 2008 Jane Shepherdson came on board as the chief executive of Whistles, previously she was the head of Topshop- and key to its success. Whistles was formerly owned by Baugur, the Icelandic investment group, but when Baugur went into administration earlier this year it became an independent company.

A major plus point is Shepherdson's ethical principles- much manufacturing is done in Europe and that which is done in China is carefully scrutinized. She has stated that Whistles knows where the fabric comes from and what factories they use, and they realise how important this is to their customers.

This winter they feature a collection by Serbian-born designer Roksanda Ilincic, who is a relative newcomer to the fashion scene.

She also created a Spring/Summer collection for them this year. Which was feminine, but very playful- the embellishments nod to the late 60s/early 70s.

It reminded me of a favourite Spring collection in 2007 by Chloe, it didn't receive many positive reviews but I loved it. The embellished dresses were fantastic- daring colours, combining print with heavy embellishment.

It was actually a 'filler collection' as Chloe waited for their new designer to arrive, Paulo Melim then coming from Marni. Who is now at Diane von Furstenberg. People do move around!

So this collection was overseen by Yvan Mispelaere, who had been the design director of Phoebe Philo- a seminal designer for Chloe.

colours for autumn and winter 2010/2011

I loved creating these. They are up on my studio wall reminding me to be inspired by COLOUR and colour combinations!

rewarding
homespun, quietly rustic, warm, textiles are subtle, folk style prints
visuals: baskets, coloured glass, type, handwriting, milk bottles, jars, wood, industrial, plaid and check




imaginative
bright, quirky, illustrative, humorous, block colours, hand drawn, make-do-and mend aesthetic, mix of patterns, innovative, bold, optimism
visuals: bold graphics and vivid palette, combinations, functional ceramics, playful and bright human aesthetic, conversational and graffiti inspired prints




harmonious
emotional connection, timeless, craft and elegance combined, all over patterns and placement prints, atmospheric and decorative, vintage and antique elements, abundance of contrasting textiles
visuals: degas, floral, lace, japanese antiques, gilt frames, venice

One Day in San Francisco

It's wonderful when you come across lots of exciting people and places in one day. Which is what holidays in creative locations are all about!


Firstly I met lovely Canadian Illustrator Emma SanCartier, who is now based in San Francisco. Her work is both playful and heartful.

She showed me the lovely shop Paxton Gate's Curiosites for kids. The shop has a gorgeous design and layout. My favorite had to be the mounted soft toy heads. Then there is the sister shop down the road for grown ups. With real animals. Here the crazy mice where a favourite.






Later I stumbled upon Mission Bicycle Company where you build your own bikes. Your own gorgeous bikes that is. Be sure to park them against complimentary backgrounds such as these to do them justice.





Pastel coloured homes and crisscross tram wires.


Cold ears on the bridge, and a lovely view at the end of the day.

Charming Colours

A lovely collection of images to illustrate a current colour story...





A motorbike from San Fran, a beautifully laid table featured on Flickr, a car from Italy and bridesmaid dresses from Etsy!