Erdem

The fashion house Erdem has fabrics that are just so stunning. I love the painterly effect and I love the way they have created what is essentially a traditional garden print without it looking twee.

All these are from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection but the fabrics from the Autumn/Winter 2010 are equally as stunning and very different

Inspiring and beautiful

images via www.Vogue.co.uk

Kate Spade book clutches

I think these clutch bags made to look like books from the Kate Spade Autumn 2010 collection are such fun. 'We wanted to pretend we had our own publishing house' said creative director Deborah Lloyd. Kate Spade will release the bags one volume at a time as a sort of Book-of-the-Month club from August. Which book would you like?

Found via Vanity Fair

Paris

My time in Paris at the weekend with friends was a treat as always (despite being freezing). We ate steak tartare at an art nouveau brasserie (bouillon racine),

popped into the incredible (if macabre) Deyrolle taxidermy shop to look at the crocodiles, tigers, lobsters

and amazingly iridescent butterflies,

bought some coconut and passion fruit macaroons from Gerard Mulot (reputed to have the best macaroons in Paris),

window-shopped until our feet hurt and looked at the Selby window in the always interesting concept store Colette. Fun was had by all!

Images via musicandmarket.blogspot.com, macaroon image via parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com. Other photos my own.

Needlework

Rather like these needlework deer heads from Frederique Morrel

He also creates footstools, and candlesticks and other goodies to see more click here

A different piece of needlework from Clare Crespo, who recently created A Madi Gras feast, an exhibition of crocheted Cajun dishes!!

Off to Paris for the day!

Image via the Selby

Dior 1953-1960

Love these vintage Dior photos from the 1950s. I am amazed with how modern they look and I really like the colours.

The anemones on the table and the small hanging picture really add interest to this photo I think.

Ah .. leopard - need I say more?

See more here

Nature taking over

Quite inspired by this theme at the moment. More to come!

Would love to do this with the anzu logo outside the office - anyone know how to do it?

Images: top two unknown, Anna Garforth, Tim Walker

Busy painting flamingos...

Busy painting a random combination of objects from flamingos and baby rattles to fairytale carriages for a book cover commissioned by Hodder publishers.

Sibella Court

As per usual I am rather wishing I lived in a loft with lots of space. I found this loft of Sibella Courts rather interesting when it was featured in Living etc.

Another advantage of lofts is that they seem to allow you to be a bit messy. These piles of shoes and books look cool here, which in my flat they definitely do not! Sibella Court is also a stylist - below is an example of her work

And has her own shop in Sydney, Society Inc. Below is a cabinet of curiosities from the shop

If you'd like to read more she also has her own book.

Driving into work part 2

Uh oh... Everyone warns me against vintage cars. Carlos told me that there are two happy days in the ownership of one - the day you buy it and the day you sell it. But recently I am getting very tempted by this Rover.

These Rover cars were nicknamed Aunty Rover after the war because everyone thought they were frumpy but I love the look.

My Dad suggested I go to work in this instead:

Set off down the Thames each morning. At least there'd be no traffic but I'd better watch out for the Perch and Seals.

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen's funeral today and a sad, rainy day.

The dress that McQueen created for Bjork's album Homogenic, photographed by Nick Knight.

Alexander McQueen was just truly inspired. What I loved about McQueen was the exquisite attention to detail,

the stunning show-stoppers he created (this took my breath away when I saw it sashay down the catwalk - it moved so beautifully)

the way he would combine ethnic and often tribal influences with true British style (would love to have something from this Widows of Culloden collection)

and sharp Savile Row tailoring. I loved the Hitchcock influence in 'The man who knew too much' collection.

Even his invitations were an inspiration (original images on heavy card and beautiful paper). And not least the drama and sets of the catwalk shows, which were always so striking and original - above is a still from his 'The girl who lived in a tree' catwalk show.

Alice in Wonder Room

Just some snaps from my iphone but I like the Selfridges Alice in Wonderland display that they have in their windows and their Wonder room at the moment. Such a great theme though...