Monthly Archives: November 2011

November 30, 2011 in News

Press morning at Christie’s South Kensington – a fashion auction with 132 lots & a paparazzi frenzy!

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November 28, 2011 in Bright and Shiny

Vintage wonderland at Christie’s South Kensington

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OMG and it’s happening right here almost right now, on the 1st of December, in fact: Christie’s South Kensington at 11.00, selected from The Billy Boy collection (the wunderkind who owns the largest PRIVATE vintage collection in the world) , and a couple of other owners too. I am totally fascinated by Billy Boy who schooled in Europe, counted Yves Saint Laurent as a chum, wore his pieces and grew his collection over 40 years whilst successfully managing a career as an author, model, artist and designer, ever so elegantly. He promised himself that a certain age he would refine the collection and then put together a museum. There are some stupendous pieces. The runaway sample of a green and gold lame tunic from Saint Laurent’s first solo collection (below) and the 1948 Lahore from Christian Dior’s second collection – selected at the time by the Duchess of Windsor and Wallis Simpson. And then the jewellery, shoes and accessories…just swoon. Swoon.

Encrusted beaded sheath dress, 1960 Balenciaga est. £1,000-£2,000
Telephone Dial Compact, 1950 after Salvador Dali for Schiaparelli est. £5,000-£6,000

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November 24, 2011 in News

MIRADAS EN EL CAMINO – a photographic event in Arucas, Gran Canaria featuring a series by a terribly talented sibling!

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NADA, SOMBRA, OSCURIDAD, LUZ – a series representing psychological abuse showing in Arucas. The exhibition forms part of the events taking place around the renowned Fotonoviembre now in full swing in the Canary Islands. Antoinette’s entry for this twice annual show astounded me with its beauty and brutal honesty.

Antoinette is a portrait photographer, who over time has collected observations that compelled her to photograph this piece for the show. I just think it’s fabulous, although being the positive birdy that I am, I prefer to think of a happy ending. So her INTACT FACE WINS!

Her life in his hands – they both need help
She begins with her identity almost intact. A woman who still has self respect, hope and joy in her life, but already the veil of suffering has started to form around her and the beginning of doubt has already set in.

With time, the veil of abuse with all it’s destruction, loathing and pain covers her, she becomes deformed inside. Her identity eventually served off and removed completely. She is no longer a person but an object of psychological abuse.

November 23, 2011 in Bright and Shiny

Not being a cowgirl, but definitely a biker chick…Route 66 in Sydney is a STOP

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On the border of Darlinghurst, Crown Street is stacked full of vintage shops and deli’s. There is seriously nothing else, just one boutique after another. It’s truly amazing. On the prowl for presents, I ran into the Route 66 shop and was sweet-talked by this gorgeous assistant on the eve of his trip to the renowned Purple Yoga Retreat in Goa! Breathe baby, breathe…

November 22, 2011 in Bright and Shiny

Shhhhhh – Dover Street, London and a certain members only boutique

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Two friends, Clara and Kara, four years ago left their city law firm to fill a gap and a passion. They launched a complete solution to dressing and have found a niche, catering to professional woman aged 30 plus that want to be a little fantastic but have little time to source. Clara took time out to walk me around the Rous Iland showroom explaining to me why they have such a winning combination (4,000 members and rising).

For starters, they cover a realistic size range from 6 -18. Second, they are open only by appointment and are able to work 7 days a week, including most evenings, and thirdly by only working with designers that are exclusive to them or designers that have such a perfect piece that it falls into the essential item category, they keep their collections original and fresh. Then the bon bon for those little alterations – they share the perfect seamstress with Liberty down the road. Both girls have amazing flair and style with shoes, bags, hats, jewellery, dresses, skirts, trousers knitwear and jeans merchandised to cover every occasion.

I was totally impressed by their stocking of George and Smart, a label I discovered whilst in Sydney, as well as Partimi that shows at LFW in Estethica – two beautiful printers that work sustainably. Iland Bespoke, their own label, and Milli Millu bags are my own favourites and featured below.

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