I took an intensive haute couture sewing and patternmaking class last fall, taught by a tiny old seamstress we called Signora. We sat at workstations in serried rows for hours at a time while she paced about the room, examining our work and holding forth on the subject du jour. It was fantastic. Very rigorous, but just what I wanted.
As the Resident Foreigners, my friend Astrid and I were given many lectures on why traditional Italian tailoring enjoys the reputation it has (and let me tell you, there is WORK that goes in to properly tailoring something!) A constant refrain from Signora was “Rifiniture!” The finishing touches. She showed us the extra steps that made a hand-made garment into a work of fine craftsmanship. It’s all about the little thoughts that make a garment truly special.
That’s why I’m particularly drawn to vintage tailoring, such as with the suit above. The perfect seam on the waist and the buttons at the back are beautiful touches, showing that the garment was thoughtfully constructed. I’m working on building a skeleton wardrobe right now, of perfect base pieces, and it is these careful details that I’m looking out for, such as a well-made hem or something to make the piece more beautiful and unique. I think I might be done with fast fashion, except for pops of trendiness. Quality and thoughtfulness are becoming more and more important to me. How do you feel about this?
I love, love, love this blouse from Norwegian Wood‘s shop. I’m love with unusual pieces based off coat details, and so the trench-coat-like box pleat on the back of this blouse is really appealing to me. The sheer panel is also lovely. It’s a perfect spring blouse– though sadly it’s October, and out my window I can only see grey skies and rain. Stupid seasonal changes. Pah.
If you could just messenger me over the following looks from your new collection, that would be great. You’ve even sold me on the colour white.
Smooches!
Alex
(Seriously, I would sell my baby brother for this jacket. Sorry Charles. I love you and all, but I’m a sucker for asymmetrical closures and interesting peplums.)
Sleek, black, vaguely armour-like. WANT.
Disco cyborg. Hate the leggings, covet the dress.
This is so cool and android-at-a-Ren-faire-y. I want to twirl around in it.
I think my other brother might have to be exchanged for this jacket. Sorry, Max. Your charms are no match for metallic drapey awesomeness.
So, Gareth, what do you think? Do we have a deal? My undying love and two brothers in exchange for your awesome clothing?
What do you mean, it doesn’t sound like you’re getting much out of it?
So cruel of you, Gareth. I thought you were better than that.
[via where you will also find awesome menswear looks which I ignored in my selfish focus on my own imaginary wardrobe.]
And inspiration to revisit the collection thanks to Gene!
I know, I know, I know that spring is almost here, but it’s still a bit chilly in New York and I couldn’t resist this final shout-out to cold weather attire. I’m ordinarily as desperate as anyone to shed my winter layers, but this coat is just charming enough that it reminds me of the allure the colder months can have– if one is thinking of them in the midst of an August heatwave, that is. The detailing is so like something one would don for a tromp through the woods– or urban jungle, for that matter– in a grown-up fairy tale. I can’t bear to think of buying it now, but I’ve bookmarked it for perusal in late August, when I know I’ll be sick at the thought of yet another sundress.
Fortunately, her store also contains a sundress that might just have to worm its way into my wardrobe, in preparation for those sultry summer months. Isn’t it perfect for throwing on on a sultry summer afternoon? I’m daydreaming about lazy beers on a blanket in a park with a friend, followed by dancing. Yes. That needs to happen.
I’ll happily admit I may have shrieked a little bit when I saw these scans. This editorial throws together two of my very favourite things– ultimate Texan goddess Jerry Hall and the USSR– and the combination is so exciting that I can’t help but giggle to myself with glee. Throw in some horses, some camels, and some Soviet statuary, and I’m in heaven. It’s like the shoot was done with me in mind.
Did I mention she’s a goddess?
Jerry Hall by Norman Parkinson for Vogue January 1976.
I love this shoot from the winter issue of Wonderland. The combination of the colours and textures are so opulent, especially in contrast with the black backgrounds, and the black photographs.
I’m also interested in this because I realised that I’m not really sure how to react to these photographs. It’s funny to me that the head scarves should read so differently to me– reminiscent of turbans and Eastern European headscarves in the coloured pictures, but then dangerously tinged with controversy in the black-and-white pictures. It’s hard to tell where or what the story is in this photoshoot, especially with the one photo where her hair is uncovered and big.
Maybe I’m just reading more into this that I ought to be. My dad moved to Saudi Arabia about a year ago, and since then, I’ve become more aware of the roles that head-coverings play in women’s rights and expressions. It shocked me once I realised that my stepmother has to cover up like this any time she wants to leave the compound. Still, the images where the faces are veiled had an immediate shock effect when I first saw them. It’s funny how a piece of cloth can be so steeped in politics.
Also, here above: a niqab, a navel and a bare leg, all in the same shot? Can’t quite wrap my head around it. Love the gloves, though.
The model is Darya Kurovska, and the photographer is Xevi Muntane.
I love these “Fashion Faces” that I came across on Overdose de Moda, Patricia Lima’s wonderful blog . They remind me of a cross between African masks and the images to be found on Faces On Inanimate Objects. They’re delightfully humourous. I’ve always been a little too fond of anthropomorphism, a little too prone to adopting objects I see looking “mournful” in vintage stores. These clothes, formed into faces, take this to a further point. I can totally imagine them having great conversations, the one above and the bottom one booming out wise sayings. So cute!
Musie 