Wednesday 31 October 2012

Paris Fashion Week SS 2013...Maria

The beautiful Maria Kolosova, Fashion Editor, Harper's Bazaar Russia, Paris, October 2012.

Love this look on Maria (in fact everything she wore during PFW was lovely)....sequins in the day? Bring 'em!

Recreate Maria's look (kind of):

Although Maria is wearing a Sportmax dress, I think you could create a similar look with an embellished sweater and cute black mini skirt. Just add shiny ankle boots and you are good to go!

Embellished sweater: Funktional Weiland sheer back sweater, Vanessa Bruno embellished intarsia sweater, Marc Jacobs sequinned ribbed-knit sweater, Alice + Olivia crystal-embellished sweater, Winter Kate sequinned sweater, or Karl Kenya paillette-embellished sweater

A.L.C. Devlyn skirt, findersKeepers On The Edge skirt, Miu Miu mini skirt, Thakoon flared skirt, or ASOS structured skirt

Karl Gore patent-leather ankle boots, 3.1 Phillip Lim Delia Chelsea booties, B Brian Atwood Fragola cap toe booties, or KG by Kurt Geiger ankle booties

London Fashion Week SS 2013...After Erdem

After Erdem, London, September 2012.

The amazing technicolour jacket and Marc Jacobs sunglasses. So fun!

Paris Fashion Week SS 2013...Valentina

Valentina Siragusa from Factory Style Blog, before Chanel, Paris, September 2012.

Recreate Valentina's look (kind of):

Make a statement with a notched-lapel winter coat: Ellery coat, Reiss Reid Amaranth coat or Reiss black oversized jacket

Black and white dress: Tibi Violette sleeveless dress, Tibi Natalia peplum dress, Warehouse mirror floral pencil dress, or Rag &Bone Halo embroidered dress (deep navy but I thought I would sneak it in anyway ;) 

Elizabeth and James Sand leather pumps, Valentino studded pumps, River Island Oboe pointed shoes, or Alexander Wang Sonja ankle strap pumps

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012/13...After Issey Miyake

Friends, after Issey Miyake, Paris, March 2012.

New York Fashion Week SS 2013...Kati

Russian/German model Kati Nescher (DNA) after Victoria Beckham, NYC, September 2012.

Thinking about what you will wear over the party season? Instead of a dress, what about a chic jumpsuit instead. I love this tuxedo-style jumpsuit like Kati is wearing....dress down for day with trainers (okay, maybe that only really works for models ;) and team with super high heels for night.

Recreate Kati's look (kind of):


Alexander McQueen Heroine tote

Tuesday 30 October 2012

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Hanneli

Hanneli, after Stella McCartney, Paris, March 2012.

Love this fabulous prim/cool/grown-up look on Hanneli....the flattering peplum continues its reign!

Recreate Hanneli's look (kind of):

Peplum dresses: Jil Sander peplum dress, Alice + Olivia Victoria peplum dress, Matthew Williamson embellished peplum dress, Warehouse peplum dress, Tibi Natalia peplum dress, Stella McCartney lace peplum dress, or Antipodium Tempest peplum detail dress

Peplum tops: Topshop peplum jacket, Preen heather peplum top, Rebecca Taylor tweed peplum top, or Topshop sleeveless peplum top


Stella McCartney Grace clutch

Paris Fashion Week AW 2012/13...After Issey Miyake

After Issey Miyake, Paris, March 2012.

When the weather turns frosty, snuggle up in a hooded anorak or parka (and add fluffy-lined booties as well!)

Recreate her look (kind of):


Sweet little owl pendant: Kenneth Jay Lane Golden Owl pendant, River Island Articulated owl pendant, or Andrew Hamilton Crawford owl pendant

Paris Fashion Week SS 2013...Violaine

The lovely Violaine Bernard, Fashion Director Velour Magazine, before Guy Laroche, Paris, September 2012.

London Fashion Week SS 2013...Taylor

Taylor Tomasi Hill, Moda Operandi's Artistic Director, before Antonio Beradi, London, September 2012.

Recreate Taylor's look (kind of):

Sometimes I think over the knee boots can look a little, um, well, dominatrix-y....which is fine if that is the look you are going for, but maybe not always appropriate if you are working in a professional environment. These Alexander Wang boots on Taylor (and what she has teamed them with (white/neutrals)) are sexy without being too naughty :) Alexander Wang knee boots (they can also be converted to slouchy boots), Alexander Wang Sofia Over the Knee boots, Vince Julianne Over the Knee boots, Rachel Zoe Carmen high heel boots, or ASOS Knock Knock over the knee boots.

Monday 29 October 2012

New York Fashion Week SS 2013...Lara

British model Lara Mullen (Premier), after A Show, NYC, September 2012.

Love the way Lara has worn her Acne camo sweater with a skater skirt and suede booties. Cute and cool all at once.

Recreate Lara's look (kind of):


Add a structured skater skirt: Topshop cream boucle skirt, A.L.C Daltrey skirt, Milly Delphine leather swirl skirt, findersKeepers On the Edge skirt, Josh Goot mini bell skirt, Milly Raquelle flare skirt, or Topshop khaki textured skater skirt

New York Fashion Week SS 2013....Hailee

American actress Hailee Steinfeld, after Prabal Gurung, NYC, September 2012.

Paris Fashion Week SS 2013...Leila

Leila Yavari, Fashion Director StyleBop.com, Tuileries, Paris, September 2012.

Recreate Leila's look (kind of):

Belstaff Avebury dress

B Brian Atwood Fragola cap toe booties, 3.1 Phillip Lim Delia Chelsea booties, Michael Michael Kors Rochelle booties, or Givenchy booties

New York Fashion Week AW 2012/13...Aymeline

French model Aymeline Valade, after A Show, NYC, February 2012.

Recreate Aymeline's look (kind of):

Cosy up in a scarf or wrap: Madeleine Thompson cashmere wrap,  Warehouse animal blanket scarf, Acne Canada fringed scarf, Yarnz deer print scarf, or Warehouse Aztec blanket scarf

Sunday 28 October 2012

Weekend Life....The Wheatleigh Hotel, Lenox, Massachusetts


The Wheatleigh Hotel, Lenox, Massachusetts, September 2012.

On a humid afternoon in early September, we found ourselves meandering along a forest-lined road in Lenox, Massachusetts, in the heart of the leafy Southern Berkshires. Eyes peeled for the first signs of Autumnal colour in the foliage (alas only a few leaves had taken on a glorious golden hue), our destination was the Wheatleigh hotel, a member of The Leading Hotels of The World group. Built in 1893 during the Gilded Age by a wealthy New York financier as a wedding present for his daughter, Wheatleigh is described as a “Florentine palazzo atop a Berkshire knoll overlooking mountains and lake…”. My initial thoughts on the idea of an Italian palazzo-style building in the New England countryside were one of quiet skepticism: would it look starkly out of place? A poor imitation of “the real thing” in Europe? As we pulled into the sweeping circular driveway punctuated by an imposing fountain, all thoughts of an eccentric monstrosity were cast aside. A grand Italianate mansion awaited us.

Greeted with the offer of a glass of champagne in the parquetry-floored Great Hall (which is dominated by a wonderfully ornate fireplace, Tiffany stained glass windows and a soaring ceiling), we were promptly shown to our Junior Suite on the upper floor of the palazzo by one of the friendly staff. Decorated in refined, understated tones of chocolate, toffee and cream (I know, I know, food is never far from my thoughts!), the two things that caught my eye apart from the oversized king bed, were the fireplace (filled with candles on our visit as it was too early in September for a crackling fire) and the bank of windows framing the majestic view of the woods and rolling hills which surround the Wheatleigh estate. Stepping onto our private balcony, complete with elegant arches and columns, we were only persuaded to leave the beautiful view by a soft knock at the door. A question: Would we prefer Bvlgari, Thierry Mugler, Clarins or aromatherapy toiletries, and still or sparkling VOSS water? I ummed and ahhed so much over the prettily wrapped cellophane packages of toiletries (presented on a silver tray) that, encouraged by the service attendant, we ended up with both the Bvlgari and the Mugler! A plate of still-warm chocolate cookies was discretely delivered along with our bottles of water – it is the small, thoughtful things like this which distinguish and set apart a luxury, boutique hotel.

A stroll around the 22 acre estate revealed the full extent of the wonderful craftsmanship of the some 150 artisans who came from Italy to build the palazzo: Intricate carvings, grand columns, Renaissance balustrading, elegantly curved windows and imposing porticos all set on an expanse of immaculately terraced lawn. The décor throughout the hotel was elegant, subtle and tasteful: glass bowls full of crisp green apples, light-caramel coloured velvet couches, discrete lighting, vases filled with fresh flowers, and candles which were lit as night fell. Drawn to the secluded pool area (complete with fire pits and padded lounges) we spent the late afternoon lazing in the heated pool watching squirrels dart from tree to tree and contemplating whether we would have a bottle of red or white wine over dinner (the red won out!). After a dash back to our suite, a soak in the freestanding Czech & Speake Edwardian bath helped warm me up while serving to wrinkle my fingers and toes just a little bit more.

Things to Do:

Wheatleigh is situated about 2.5 hours drive from either Boston or NYC. We flew from London into Boston where we spent the night (loved it!) and then one night in Cape Cod before driving to The Berkshires. I highly recommend a stop at White Electric Coffee for a refuelling latte stop if you are travelling through Providence, Rhode Island on your journey to The Berkshires.

Apart from tennis (there is a tennis court on site…unfortunately it was too rainy on our visit to use. Well, that is my excuse anyway!) and relaxing by the pool, there are a number of things to do in the area (a car is required):

Tanglewood, which is situated within walking/biking distance of Wheatleigh (the hotel provides bikes), is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Unfortunately we arrived a day after the summer season had ended so we missed out on a concert and picnic under the stars.

Apple peeping (joined by Autumnal leaf peeping later in September, early October) at any of the orchards in the local area. We visited Hilltop Orchards and spent a morning wandering about the orchard and admiring the different varieties of apples ready for picking. The reward at the end? A bag of delicious, warm, sugary apple cider donuts! So, so good! Even if you don’t like apples, you will love these cinnamony rings of goodness.

Norman Rockwell Museum. A visit to the museum and Rockwell’s Stockbridge studio is a must if you appreciate art as is the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.

There are also hiking trails in The Berkshires as well as skiing in winter.

Eat:

There is a restaurant and bar at Wheatleigh as well as room service but if you don’t feel like eating in, Lenox has quite a few restaurants and cafes. For breakfast/lunch, we tried Haven Café & Bakery which seemed very popular with the locals (the huevos rancheros was delicious).

If you are driving back to NYC, Stone Barns Center is well worth a detour. We were pushed for time so only had time for a coffee and fresh heirloom tomato salad (delicious). I could have spent the day photographing the farm!

Our stay at Wheatleigh was compliments of the hotel.