A nod to La Sophia...in black and white

If only I was at a resort somewhere in the South of France (away from this wet weather!) channelling a certain charisma and style - then it would be fitting for me to wear one (if not several) of these outfits from Temperley London's Resort 2013 range.  Aren't they gorgeous!

Black, White (and some colour) with a nod to Sophia Loren and the 1950's South of France.  Cool, calm and collected- strong silhouettes and particularly strong monochrome pairings (my favourite!).

More images at Fashionologie.

In The Schedule

I'm feeling fabulous after some pampering at the hairdresser this morning - perfect for a sunny autumn day, so how about some more fabulousness...

+ Stunning abstract images from a collaboration between fashion designer Mary Katrantzou and photographer/filmmaker Erik Madigan Heck referencing Catholic iconography, Greek mythology and Parisian surrealist painters.  The images speak for themselves - More images via.

+  Marchesa will be launching a new website come Summer 2012, but in the meantime we can swoon over these gorgeous offerings to entice the senses shown via video here.  The girls will also be designing a diffusion line which include outfits for daywear and every occasion other than red carpet.  Yay!

+ And one for the merchandisers; Repetto, the quintessential French brand for dance shoes and indeed 'those' ballet flats, and a fabulously unique way to engage the customer and everyone walking by the windows of their rue de la Paix store.   Oh, how I wish I was there - clever!  Via.

+  Claudia Schiffer, as translated by Self Service magazine; she's still got it my friends!

+  Fancy yourself as a magazine editor?  Well my friends, sign up as an intern over at Elle Uk and you could be doing just that - put your stamp on the October 2012 issue of Elle UK here.  Yep, for real.

+  Sophia Loren's family meatball recipe ? - don't ya just love the web... bringing all the corners of the world to your kitchen!  via Manger, via Automatism

Enjoy a fabulous weekend xx

Johanna Johnson - elegant and refined

Having originally studied graphic design, Johanna Johnson started her first collection when she couldn't find a dress she wanted to wear for her own wedding (I know that feeling!).  Taking inspiration from 1920's and from grand old Hollywood, her designs are beautifully detailed with beads, sequins, and lace and all are hand-finished in Australia.

There is definitely a vintage feel to these designs, the details are just beautiful, the palette subdued but not without the obligatory black for vamping it up.  Johanna designs one or two bridal collections, as well as bridal and evening-wear accessories, a Trousseau line, and a lifestyle range that includes day wear, shoes, candles, lotions and scrubs.  The gowns are all just stunning and you might remember that Johanna's profile skyrocketed last year when Christina Hendricks wore one of her gorgeous creations at the Emmy Awards.  Needless to say, she is now firmly entrenched in Hollywood wardrobes and red-carpets.

Johanna recently showed her Spring/Summer 2012/13 collection at Sydney Fashion Week.

Such beauty, such delicacy and such elegance.  My favourite are the accessories - beaded headbands, cuffs and encrusted capelets worn to add pizazz to any outfit, day or night.  

More images from the Johanna Johnson bridal, trousseau, accessories and lifestyle range can be found at Johanna's website.  But be prepared for some serious oohing & swooning - don't say I didn't warn you.

Luxor Gown from the Red Carpet collection / Headband and cuffs from Accessories collection

Spring/Summer 2012/13 via Vogue

Spring/Summer 2012/13 via Vogue 

Spring/Summer 2012/13 via Vogue

Snap!

Same, same but different!

It's about minimal painterly brushstrokes leading to maximum impact.  You like?

Image via FGR / Image MilesRedd / Image Rene Gruau

Image Rene Gruau  / Image FGR

Vintage style

What is it about vintage images that makes you swoon?  Is the fashion, is the backgrounds, is the pose?  Whatever it is, I love to view images from another era; there is so much inspiration.  For me it is definitely about the fashion styling - you just can't wear dresses like that these days... or can you?  The tv serious Mad Men has certainly done alot for bringing back a certain 50's essence to dresses this season as is apparent in shows by Louis Vuitton, Jil Sander and Dior.  And what about the soon to be released Great Gatsby by Baz Luhrmann that will no doubt have us wearing drop waisted sheaths encrusted with beads and sequins for evening whilst adjusting our newly bobbed hair and clicking our mary-jane heels down the red carpet.

Here are some vintage fashion images from the late 50's, from photographer Gordon Parks which will soon be exhibited at New York's International Centre of Photography.    Dreamy chic from another time.

More images via here.  Enjoy...

1958 eveningwear at the theatre

James Galanos dreamy chiffon

Fashion Rocks

The new issue of US Harpers Bazaar hit my mailbox today and I've quickly flicked through the pages.  And within, a fabulous editorial of the best of new season fashion featuring Kate Moss photographed by Terry Richardson in Jamaica.  Can we have some of that sun, sand, beach thing over here for a bit please?

Here's a little something for day and something for night... more images here.

I'm off to sit next to the fireplace and imagine a little warmth on my skin!  Hope you're having a nice start to the week.

Dior dress, Hat by Yestadt Millinery

Gucci gown, Tom Binns earrings, Tom Ford Bracelets

In The Schedule

Here are some inspiring links that I found during the week - hope you have time to take a good look over the weekend-

+ Excuse me madam, is that a swan in your hair?...Helena Bonham Carter photographed by Peter Lindbergh for Interview Magazine - her travels from her ingenue role as Lucy Honeychurch in E.M. Forsters 'A Room With A View' (I totally love that movie and the soundtrack!)  to the magical world of Harry Potter and everything inbetween.   Also, a very funny short film directed by Roman Polanski featuring specially designed Prada pieces, starring Helena and Ben Kingsley - its all about that Purple coat  (and the purple blouse she's wearing)! via here.

+ With the wet weather setting in for the weekend what else is there to do at home but go through the jewellery box and schedule in some cleaning ... and some updating perhaps  -  this pictorial will have you swooning and lusting after these shiny baubles via FGR.  Anyone have a birthday coming up soon?

+ In need of some spa therapy?... perhaps you will find the perfect inspiration here with a list of the top spa retreats, via Elle.  How is that colour of the sky above...

+  New York casting agent and stylish blogger, Natalie Joos, takes us into her double life and talks about which designers impressed her most at Sydney's Fashion Week via here.

+  Want to know what fun you can have with the entire family when you're next in Paris?  Well here is a list of places, tips, activities that will keep everyone busy, inspired and having fun ... and exhausted by the end of the day (which of course means, flaking out in bed by 7.30 for kids and a glass of wine for mum and dad).  via Le Petit Paris

+ And finally, it'll be the perfect weather for these - Ricotta Fritters via FarmhouseDelivery.  Mmm Mmm.

Have a good one!

Hx

Eternal Grace

I finally made it on a day trip to the Bendigo Art Gallery last week and viewed the Grace Kelly, Style Icon exhibition.   Mannequin after mannequin dressed in Princess Grace's evening gowns, boucle suits, day dresses, and of course that wedding gown.  Hats, cloches, stilettos, sandals, handbags and my favourite, the Cartier jewellery (hmmm).

The gowns were all there - the mint green Edith Head dress that she wore to accept her Academy Award; the light as air grey and pink chiffon Helen Rose gown that she wore while dancing with Frank Sinatra in High Society; the McCall pattern dress in floral silk taffeta photographed by Paris Match when she stepped out with the Prince,  the much copied wedding gown and veil in full view; all the labels were represented, Balanciaga (encrusted column dress), Chanel (boucle coat-dress), YSL (Mondrian dress), Madame Gres (fluid jersey columns) and Dior (Bayadere dress).  My favourites were a Dior by Marc Bohan coral coloured silk jersey with gold beaded bodice and extravagant headpiece Princess Grace wore at the Oriental Ball in 1969; the beautiful chiffon Helen Rose silk embroidered gown she wore in High Society and Oleg Cassini lace dress.

Above all, the standout for me was the short film screenings that were held in a side room (full to capacity) - things like private film of the children playing with a hose in the garden on a hot summers day; or Bing Crosby with a golf club looking like he's giving tips to Prince Ranier; or Cary Grant enjoying a visit at the Palace with the kids by the swimming pool; or Prince Ranier and Princess Grace with family just relaxing on board a yacht in the Mediterranean with Aristotle Onassis and Maria Callas.  These images in their grainy, 8 mm, silence give the most candid insights into what we might have imagined Princess Grace's life was like away from the hoop-la and circus of the paparazzi and special occasions.  I could have sat there and watched the collection of photos and family films over and over again.

If you're interested in fashion and film, indeed fashion in film, and of a style that's since gone - the exhibition would be right up your alley!

Detail of embroidery

via

 via

Oleg Cassini Cream Lace dress with bracelet length sleeves
boat neck at the front and deep V at the back - very Alexander McQueen

Grace Kelly Tells How to Travel Light

Wearing Green & Pink Chanel Coatdress - timeless

Wearing Cristobel Balenciaga embroidered bolero jacket (gorgeous!)
with white silk column underneath

Dior dress with elaborate headpiece
at the Oriental Ball 1969 - you can't make out
the beautiful beaded bodice under that stole!

Entrenched

Today was the perfect day for my trench - double-breasted, putty coloured, slightly A-line, Agnes b.

You know those days when the suns out but the wind is biting but a big wool coat is too much - that's when a trench will do.  

Perfect for a morning stroll through the shops, or sightseeing, or catching up with friends for lunch or a picnic; indeed perfect through Autumn and Spring and even Summer when the weather goes a bit crazy.

And you thought I was going to add a picture of Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face as she strolls through Paris or from Breakfast at Tiffany's when she tries to find cat or walking with Hubert de Givenchy - all in her trench.  But no my friends, these images are from a favourite move of mine called Paris Blues.   Close your eyes and imagine strolling through the Paris streets with Sacre Coeur in the background, sightseeing on a boat floating on the Seine, walking back to an apartment in the evening.  Man and woman both in a trench.  And that's called timeless style!  Okay so its 1961, stars Paul Newman, Sidney Poitier, Joanne Woodward and Diahann Carroll, features a jazz soundtrack and venue, set in Paris, filmed in black & white, moody, thought provoking, existential, romantic and utterly cool- aahhh, I'm not a film critic so I'm not even going to try - you simply must track it down and watch it on a rainy, cold day.

Oooh, and check out this encyclopaedia of the trusty Trench and its versatility on film - who wore it best from Bette Davis to Lauren Bacall and Joanne Woodward below, via Vogue IT.

PS:  my apologies to Ada of Classiq who would totally have rocked this trench and film post with her eyes closed!  I needed your help with this one Ada!

Capturing Grace

I love looking at old photos... of friends and family - some people I haven't seen for years.  I'm scheduling a catch up with an old school friend over the next week (trying to find a suitable time really) - and I was just telling her how I found some old photos that I will take with me to show her.  She laughed.

But I was thinking, we do we cringe when we see old photos of ourselves?  I think it's a wonderful thing to see yourself as you were 10, 20 30 years ago and peer into your eyes in the photo and wonder, try to remember, what you thought the future held for you.    It's kind of like that thing where if you could write your 16 or 20 year old self a letter about life, what would you tell yourself?

Aside from the hair moments, a questionable wardrobe choice captured, and perhaps a self-conscious pose, it's quite heart-warming to know that in fact, you are exactly the same as that person you are in fact gazing at - albeit, slightly more weathered (in a good way), more confident (hallelulah!), self-assured, and taking each step (perhaps a little more cautiously) knowing that where you're going is where you're supposed to be.

Enough of the existentialist crisis... these images of Grace Coddington were the inspiration for today (her memoir is supposed to be released at the end of the year so stay tuned).  You can also check out some photographs of Grace and other early 70's stylish artists captured by Willie Christie here.

Grace Coddington by Bruce Weber

Grace In Window by Willie Christie