Fashion

My Design File > All Articles > Fashion
My Design Travels

Claridge’s …. a very british residence 1953

/images/Claridges-Entrance_blog%5B1%5D.jpg

We all think of afternoon tea when we hear the name Claridge’s, however I was fascinated to learn more of the history of this favourite London icon while reading one of my favourite blogs ….. from Mulberry.

/images/Claridges-Front-Hall_blog%5B1%5D.jpg

Mulberry, another British icon known for its luxurious fashion and leather goods, chose Claridge’s for the fifth time to host its Autumn/Winter 2012 show during London Fashion Week.

As part of sharing this experience with its readers Mulberry asked Claridge’s about its history and for any interesting facts about the hotel.

I hope you enjoy these snippets about Claridge’s as much as I did.  It will make it all the more meaningful when next you meet there for afternoon tea.

PS.  There is something terribly smart about black and white floors whether they be tile or marble, large or small …. and the entrance at Claridge’s …. just so glamorous !!!
My Week in Sydney

Carolyn quartermaine fabrics rediscovered 2426

/images/carolyn_quartermaine_fabric_4.jpg

Featured in countless leading design magazines worldwide Carolyn Quartermaine’s fabrics have always been a favourite.  It is only fairly recently that I noticed that the fabric house Boyac in Sydney were the agent for them.  Carolyn, a London based designer and stylist works on projects both in the design and fashion world.

She is the textile designer who modernised my other favourite fabric….toile de jouy.  Always light, floating designs…ethereal.  ‘Art and inspiration flowing onto fabric’….Vogue Living Australia.

/images/carolyn_quartermaine_fabrics_3.jpg

These fabrics are feminine and pretty yet hold their own in elegant, formal rooms ….. particularly when used as upholstery on french furniture, in fact any antique furniture …..aged, gilt or white washed!!! Her classic designs of lace or script create a formality.

I have on the other hand seen her fabrics used in very formal interiors ….. they seem to provide the whimsical element… it just works.

Since the 90’s Carolyn has always been able to predict and translate trends.

/images/carolyn_quartermaine_fabrics2.jpg

Interestingly, I noticed that there are parts of her collection that have moved away from the colour pallettes here…..she has a brighter more vibrant range with turquoise, aqua and lime…..just fabulous for beach houses and resorts !!
My Weekends

Wet weekends and barbour jackets 2165

/images/milton_park.jpg

Yes another wet weekend in the Southern Highlands…..in fact most places are wet.  I was reminded just how beautiful the gardens at Milton Park Country House Hotel are when I went on a long walk…..in the rain……all very atmospheric. The trees are some of the oldest of their species in Australia…..beech and avenues of oak.

The view to the east is absolutely spectacular….they are actually higher than Mt Gibralter….hence the misty conditions!!

/images/milton_park_2.jpg

Having dealt with the Hunter wellington boots I am now moving on to the Barbour jacket.  Thank you Annabel for the reminder about the Liberty lined Barbours.  Have struggled to find an image of these and the one shown below is not a particularly good example of the prints that are available or the jacket style.

Everybody in the Southern Highlands should own one of these jackets…essential for our climate here.  This year the entire east coast of Australia should treat themselves.

/images/barbour_jacket_liberty_lined.jpg
My Week in Sydney

Hunter wellingtons…..why didn’t I 2245

/images/hunter_wellingtons_1.jpg

Yes we are all sick of the rain but somehow having the right equipment !! does make it that much more bearable. Definitely a bad call on my part when my daughter offered to send back a pair from London two Christmases ago…..and I said no !!.  It seemed such an extravagance at the time …..particularly when I was enjoying heat and sun here and probably at the beach.

Well here we are with the wettest summer in history and I am struggling on with my ballet flats.  Yesterday was really the straw that broke the camel’s back.  After a morning in the city my ballet flats were awash and my feet frozen …. and I was trying very hard to enjoy my coffee on the way home at  our local in Potts Point.  My daughter’s toes were of course extremely toasty in her Hunters!!!

These are the Hunter Wellington’s that were purchased in London ….then not able to fit in the suitcase!!  Annabel was of course prevailed upon again…. to pack boxes of the remaining everything and ship to Australia.  To much excitement and many months later…. they arrived.  Just as well that was last year because this year they have not been off her feet.

I notice that Office in the UK have them for 85pounds which is fabulous with our dollar …. and even Nina Leon in Bowral have them…..they did seem expensive last time I looked here from memory.  Oh and yes there are the copies !!

After yesterdays fiasco nothing is too expensive and I can’t wait for a shipment from London.

/images/hunter_wellingtons.jpg
My Design World

The sartorialist does navy, black and tan 2011

/images/the_sartorialist_black_tan.jpg

Image: The Sartorialist 

Why is my eye always drawn to these colours together.  I think it is just so smart to have the subtle black, navy combination with a luscious tan contrast bringing it all to life.

Tan has been big in Europe this winter but I love it anywhere, anytime.  I was thrilled when I did my dark inky blue woollen armchairs in our sitting room to then find divine tan suede Mulberry cushions to contrast. These, apart from the timber furniture, were the only colour in the room as the walls are the same inky navy blue.

I also love the colour that the natural IL Bisonte leather bags and diaries go after using them lovingly…..tan !!

One of my favourite projects recently was a Polo Clubhouse/Bar Lounge where I did large tan leather armchairs and sofas with brass studded trim ….. and chocolate and cream tartan woollen cushions.  It looked fabulous…..the building itself was spectacular….lots of dark timber rustic panelling, natural stone fireplaces and very large terracotta flagging.

I still miss the greatest source of woollen fabric ever ……. yes mainly shades of tan, coffee and caramel……Fabric Fantasy in Commonwealth Street, Sydney.  Sadly now closed.  It stocked bolts of Italian suiting fabric bought out from the mills at vastly reduced prices.  I couldn’t stop buying it to cover furniture, make bedheads and valances and even tablecloths.  The colours were a dream !!
My Design World

Dreaming of fabric….lace and all things lovely 1806

/images/tessuti_lace.JPG

I set off bright and early with a spring in my step …. today was the day the fabric showrooms were opening …. the first day for 2012.

I had a list a mile long …. fabrics of all kinds and for all sorts of projects. Having not been overly successful in my search in the week before the showrooms closed for the Christmas break, I was determined that today was going to be the day.

The day ended on a high and success on most fronts.  I don’t know whether I was seeing it all through fresh and rested eyes or it was just having a whole day devoted to the task …. and not my usual mad dash ….. but I did discover some beautiful fabrics!!!!

One of my favourites …. Tessuti in Surry Hills.  There are particular corners that I lose myself in …. like the lace …. like the Liberty prints (yes new ones that I hadn’t seen before) and on previous visits …. the wool and cashmere !!

I have decided that Tessuti has a particular vibe …. that of a clientele which interestingly enough includes a large number of fashion students and designers …. all oozing with creativity as they search for the perfect fabric or trim.

More fabric finds to come !!
My Weekends

European style by the sartorialist 2059

/images/sartorialist_allessandra_codinha.bmp

                                                image: The Sartorialist

On a rainy and cold weekend in the Southern Highlands what else is there to do …. but lose oneself amongst the beautiful images of Scott Schuman.  I long to be swanning around New York, Rome or London in this divine coat !!!

I could well … in fact … be in Europe with the weather we are experiencing.
My Weekends

Parisian chic by ines de la fressange 2101

/images/ines_de_la_fressange.JPG

I have loved every little bit of this cute book…..packed with invaluable advice and information.

Advice like ‘split your budget in two’…. use half for quality basics and half for impulse buys that will brighten your wardrobe. After reading Dress like a Parisian I found myself rushing out to buy white jeans …. somewhat relieved to find my wardrobe did include some of the other basics.

What To Wear When is invaluable but the shopping in Paris section …. which is extensive ….is brilliant because it is all,  in the main …. online !!!

Still haven’t got to the sections on beauty, beauty tips, home or how to organize your closet.  However, one quote leapt off the page …. “Frivolity is the key to youth !” …. I will most definitely be embracing this.

Am really looking forward to …..”Secret Paris” !!

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks