One September song on my playlist and my mind wandered immediately to autumn days and the beautiful transition between the two seasons. I hope I am not too early in my autumn selection, and ideally there will be warm weather for a little longer still before we are able to enjoy this selection... These are key statement pieces that can easily build your wardrobe, and are perfect for pairing with basics.
IT SEEMS LIKE OVERNIGHT the mornings have begun to get crisper and now, in mid-August, autumn seems to be slowly, nearly imperceptibly, inching its way into the nights. It's a bittersweet time, for summer's end is always something to lament, but change is good, and we do love new beginnings every once in a while.
DANIELA & I NOTICED lately, a flood of long seashell dresses, tops and mermaid swimsuits floating by our Instagram feeds―a welcome sight, of course, because who doesn't have mermaid dreams from time to time? The long slinky satin sheath dresses with their spaghetti straps are most likely by Bevza, the Ukrainian fashion label launched in 2007. All of the dresses appear to be sold out, although the Seashell Top is still available (for now). We've found a few other similar styles, including a fun fanned out bikini top―scroll through our inspiration board below for some serious seaside vibes...
WITH THE RECENT HEAT WAVE in many parts of Europe, it was hard to know what to wear to look chic and keep cool. Enter ANNE-MIEK KESSELS of Mode d'Amour. The Netherlands-based style blogger adheres to a strict style code of minimalism, neutrals, and black & white looks, and the result is nothing short of chic. Here are a few of our favourite looks, whether an off-the-shoulder blouse with oversized linen pants or a halter top paired with a brown suede miniskirt, Kessels has mastered the art of sexy summer dressing...
PARIS-BORN Leia Sfez is a Creative Consultant and Director for brands in real life, but her Instagram page, @leiasfez, is like a dream. Like many enviable Parisiennes, the self-described "Creative Mind Mum of two" has that certain je ne sais quoi that comes through in everything. Whether she's traipsing about the streets of Paris in little summer dresses and wicker bags or belted tops and blue jeans, everything looks effortless...
DANIELA IS GOING TO Provence on holiday in August, a time when it is typically hot in the south of France. She's excited for the trip, but does not do well in the heat and does not wear dresses, and asked for advice on what to wear? The first piece of advice would be to keep to natural, breathable fabrics such as cottons and linens. Loose-fitting linen pants with white cotton or linen blouses (this scallop collar linen shirt is perfect) and singlets look chic while still keeping things cool. Here is some style inspiration that includes pleated trousers and ruffly blouses, city shorts and more...
IT'S SUMMERTIME, which means bare arms and shoulders, sunshine on golden skin and the humble singlet (or tank top) is suddenly finding its way back into fashion, and not as an undershirt or with pyjamas pants for bed, but in a starring role worn all on its own on city streets everywhere.
OUT OF ALL THE RECENT trends we've seen lately, from silk to (white) pantsuits to silk scarves, our favourite would have to be the chain belt. Appearing as early as 1922, the chain belt is most associated with the 1990's, when it was made popular by Chanel. And since the 90's themselves are having a moment, it's no surprise that this trend has made a resurgence. Whether made of medallions or coins, interlocking circles, pearls, flowers and even starfish, chain belts are a chic way to finish off any outfit, from jumpers to blue jeans and everything in between... (including swimsuits).
WE PAINTED THE LIVING this weekend, Farrow & Ball’s Middleton Pink, and it turned out to be rather disastrous. We ended up having to pick up new paint the next day and repaint everything, despite all my research pointing to the colour being pale powdery perfection, the prettiest and most delicate pink. We’re not certain what went wrong, but perhaps a combination of the wall texture and room lighting were to blame in making the colour appear a vivid candy floss pink that somehow even managed to clash with the fireplace mantle, which is cream. Décor misadventures aside, everything else was rather perfect, with sunset walks and Spanish wine in the last golden light of day; old stone houses and English roses and roaring fires and the feeling of being really very happy.
Little have I thought about styling and fashion these past few weeks, as my mind is wandering to sunny places, near the sea always, in the mood for watching sunsets, looking at the works of Picasso, Matisse, Duchamp and Miró.
IT'S THE SPRING BANK HOLIDAY here in Britain this coming weekend and the Memorial Day holiday in the US, and so we rounded up a few favourite things to shop for in anticipation of summertime: face oil and lip balm and the perfect little white dress and wicker bag; a gold sculpting bar that everyone seems to swear by at the moment, hoop earrings, a lace bralette, raffia mules and more...
WE HAVE BEEN highlighting the latest spring trends, from silk scarves to trouser suits, to the eternally chic trench coat, but one of the most unexpected ones for us, is the white city short. Far from common, these pleated and belted styles have an elegance not often associated with shorts and when paired with a white top, are the epitome of chic...
OUR LONGSTANDING LOVE affair with the little white dress always goes into overdrive at this time of year. When long summer days are so near, one can't help but dream about this magical season, our favourite. We're looking forward to countryside picnics and morning walks along the shore, early evening dinners on the terrace by fairy lights and the sound of chirping crickets, all of course, in a favourite little white dress...
There are no rules on how to perfect shopping. As a stylist, I see women everyday trying and buying things―things that are trendy, things that don’t fit well, or the right colour. For this week, I just want to share with you a few essentials that every woman needs in her wardrobe. Every one of these pieces will elevate your look, no matter what your work environment looks like. These are the key pieces to put on your shopping list.
OF ALL THE CURRENT spring trends, the silk scarf is one of our favourites. Pretty and versatile, you can wear it in your hair or adorn the handle of a handbag or wicker tote; wear it around the neck or the wrist, or channel Audrey Hepburn and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and wear as a head-covering with oversize shades. Whatever your preference, nothing is quite as chic as a silk scarf this season (or anytime, really).
