Kate.

To this day, whenever I stumble upon, or indeed seek out those first photographs of Kate Moss shot by the late Corinne Day, I am aghast at her palpable beauty. I am so frequently questioned by my peers, particularly men about the allure of Moss. “Why is she so famous?” “Her teeth are disgusting!” and the most shocking “She’s ugly.” In a society where ‘beauty’ is so accessible: you can purchase a sun kissed glow in minutes, whiten your teeth for pennies and those cosmetics which in decades gone by might have been reserved for the wealthy, the IT girl or the famous are indubitably cheap by modern standards; perhaps then we have become disillusioned with natural beauty, there is no reverence placed upon it...It would appear that in the short time span between the 90s and the present day, we have forgotten a lot. At the beginning of the decade, we were still recovering from the residue left from the 80s: bad perms, dramatic make-up (more Dracula than Cindy Sherman) and even worse clothes; see leg warmers and spandex. So then, when Kate came along in all of her pure and paradoxically unique beauty, she revolutionised an era…A real Lolita. In my not so expert opinion, it is not Kate’s looks with which we find fault: it is easy in a society in which ‘free speech’ is both so encouraged and exercised to find fault with well, anything. It is then, less difficult to find fault with a multi-millionaire with unprecedented beauty and fame. Perhaps it is not Moss’ atypically British teeth, which we are dismayed at after all they are as aforementioned, a typically British statement. Perhaps we are all (myself included) guilty of putting such beauty on a pedestal, how could a figure with such chaste beauty take drugs and subsequently exhibit human error? Kate Moss is a British institution, up there with The Royal family, ”Harry Potter and David Beckham’s right foot” (Lolz.) If you’re ever in doubt as to why, just look up…

My various loves are documented frequently throughout this blog: Robert Browning, Ben Whishaw's Hamlet, Ryan McGinley's liberal and topographical stills to name a few, but second to none is my love for the fashion house that is Chloé. If I conduct the same responsibility over my own funeral as Ms. Elizabeth Taylor, I suspect my gravestone might relay the following: Daughter, Friend, Lover of Chloé (&here's why:)

Cotton-voile shirt
Crepe shorts

Metallic ballet flats

et voila!
whilst the blackonblack with ballet flats may seem a simple and monotonous choice, i'd be hesitant to agree. I think a more habitual look may have been a chiffon or indeed S/S inspired dress but what we have above is a look which transcends well in to all seasons and flats which deviate ironically from the staple ballet flat and which add femininity and grace to arguably tomboy attire

xx

the eternal allure of black and white (& red)

As I have documented more than once throughout this blog, I have been through a somewhat melancholy epoch in my life. However, things appear to be on the upturn. I have dragged myself out of my too frequently lived in, yet beautiful vintage sheets and have endeavoured to thrust myself back in to a life which previously made me content. Having spent over a year using my magazines as coffee coasters and as representations of my former, albeit real self; I once again feel completely inspired and thrilled by the pages between the covers, adorning clothes and the models bringing them to life. Two and a half years ago after watching the diving bell and the butterfly I was inspired by Matrieu Amalric's depiction of the editor in chief of fashion magazine Elle, Jean-Dominique Bauby, in red jeans. The image of him wearing them stayed with me for weeks until I eventually hunted some down...for £10. Arguably not the same ones worn by Jean-Dominique, then. After the jeans, came the dilemma of the jumper. After scouting ebay for months, I eventually found it. A cream, cricket style, pure wool jumper with classic diamond motif in red and black. I was thrilled then, to find that red in all its boldness is returning to the catwalks and to the streets of the cities playing host to the most prestigious of shows. Whilst the allure of black and white is habitual and well documented, red is often overlooked as a suitable, safe colour. Whilst unarguably bold, it complements the classic combination extremely well! Included are some (albeit small)examples of this exciting deviation from the classic black et white combo. Included (from top left) is Alexander Wang poncho with Alexander Wang shirt for a layered look, red sandro poete mid rise skinny capris, nautical black &white tee at Sonia by Sonia Rykiel, boots Marc by Marc Jacobs, and quilted handbag also Marc by Marc Jacobs.
If only...
xx

proust, la partie deux

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
self-fulfillment, travel

2. What is your greatest fear?
failure

3.What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
my apathy

4.What is the trait you most deplore in others?
selfishness

5.What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
patience

6.On what occasion do you lie?
in order to appear enthusiastic about tasks I have absolutely no zeal for

7.What do you dislike most about your appearance?
My nose

8.What is your greatest regret?
not taking care of myself

9.What or who is the greatest love of your life?
I'm not aware of it yet

10. What is your current state of mind?
Pensive, melancholy, motivated

11.What do you consider your greatest achievement?
independence, moments of spontanaeity or clarity

12. What is your most treasured possession?
My health, people I love

13. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
failure, self disappointment

14. Where would you like to live?
I haven't found it yet

15. What is your favorite occupation?
Writing

16. What do you most value in your friends?
honesty

17. What is your greatest extravagance?
other people

18. What is the quality you most like in a man?
talent, loyalty, passion

19. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Independence, strength of character, wisdom

20. What are your favorite names?
Caden, freya, amelie, lux, frederick, matilda

21. What is it that you most dislike?
ignorance

22. How would you like to die?
Contented, in spring amongst the flowers (Who wants flowers when they're dead? Nobody.)

23. What is your favourite journey?
I haven’t taken it yet

24. What is your motto?
"I think you have to be influenced by everything and be reckless enough to gamble all or nothing to follow your dreams. You have to believe in what you do as much as you love it. You only get a short life so take chances, follow your dreams and go where the winds of fate blow you." -John Galliano

“Fear defeats more people than any other thing in the world.” -Emerson

25. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Fuck.

"attitude is everything"

I adore this photo of DVF in the wig coat by Margiela! DVF & Margiela, fashion's kindred spirits? What I admire in them both, asides from the fact that both of their work is always slightly deviating is the fact that one gets the impression that they could walk away from fashion tomorrow & still have a completely content and inspired existence. I love, love, love them.

apathy

So, I've been really neglectful with my blog for the last few weeks, things have just seemed somewhat inconsequential. One of the things I have been meaning to cover is Paul Smith's London show at Claridge's last month, I've been reading his Vogue blog rather avidly & have come to really admire him. Lately I've been struggling with formal vs. casual and the show struck me as a perfect illustration of the two combined. Defining the style of the show has apparently been somewhat problematic but I think Smith himself probably coined it best when he said "couture-like clothes which could be borrowed from Mum and mixed with teenage co ordination." Perfection!