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I am reading a book about Chanel at the moment. No...not the Justine Picardie one, the Axel Madsen. I am about half way through and what strikes me is just what an amazing woman she was. Her determination and power used to create this business in which she knew what women wanted, from the freedom clothes afforded them to the manner in which people assumed good taste, and hence were willing to pay a whacking great premium is fascinating. She was so calculating and so darn good at what she did. And timeless - squint a little and take out the ciggie and this could be Erin O'Connor in a editorial today.
Please also allow me a little vent - I have had the Justine Picardie book on order since October, and since then the release has been pushed back and back - I still don't have it! It was going to be my holiday reading on a plane flight in December, and then my tucked up in bed Christmas treat. Now it's looking like it will be my holiday beach read. Pfft.
Last year I found a pair of Christian Louboutin for Chloe shoes in a charity shop for under £20. They have a dark red almost purple-ish sole, which makes me think they must be from very early on in his career.
I know that heels have gone up and up in recent years, which is one reason why I love earlier Louboutin and Manolo shoes - the heels are much lower and the styling is now retro enough to feel ready to bust out again.
As much as I was thrilled to find my pair - dusky blue satin mary janes with a embroidered flower on the side (camera still broken...), I can't help but feel slightly upset it wasn't these babies that I found instead. If I did I might just hyperventilate so much I'd faint in the shop and someone else would swoop right in and buy them.
Maybe the photo of me as a kid I posted yesterday seared into my brain without me noticing. The little sailor outfit is clearly what I want. This lovely is from Net a Porter made by a brand called Lover. As Rachel Zoe would say, "I Die". I would buy it in a New York minute, but it's a size 10 and alas, my boobs could never accept that.
With my new mac has come new opportunities to tag and organise photos. This image struck me, not least because in the early 1980's a child's proximity to elephants (even if just babies) was clearly no biggie, but also due to the outfit. I'm liking my blue and white sailor style with the Peter Pan collar and puffed sleeves. Also note the ribbon. Accessorising at such a young age. Yep. Haven't changed that much.
I love Beyonce's look in her latest video. She's a funny woman, totally beautiful, but often dressed very badly - by her mother and lord knows which stylists / designers, all of whom must resent having to be in the same room as her - let's face it, most of us would.
This Bettie Page mixed with rude girl look really suits her. I am dreaming of a sharp fringe and long hair right now, and wishing I could wear red lips without being self conscious...well I did say dreaming.
I know, I know, it's the most old school granny bag of all time. It's by a company in England named Launer - they make the Queen's handbags, and there is something in the utter simplicity and forceful dedication to never follow a fashion or make anything other than a bog standard smart bag for old ladies that really appeals to me. Just think - me and Queen having something in common!
I am fascinated by companies like Launer. Why don't they make more of their heritage and the fact that for the last 40 years Queen Elizabeth II has been carrying one of these? After all, look what Diana did for Dior bags. Have you ever heard of Launer?
The Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech is glorious. I took these last year and they are just the pictures to flick through on a cold wintery night in London. Yves Saint Laurent bought the place in the 60's and lovingly restored the buildings and grounds. I urge you go, you won't regret it.
