Monday 26 November 2012

Style Icons, Iconic Style


Hello Hello,

As promised it’s Lily here to share some of my style icons. When Rose informed she wanted us to post about our icons, I have to admit I had a little brain freeze, nobody instantly popped into mind! Now this isn't because I don’t follow the fashion pages, as I have an unhealthy tendency to go straight to the ‘fashion’ tab on any website. No, my brain freeze was due to the fact that I take inspiration from many places. I dress according to my mood. Some days I might want to look very prim accompanied by the go to pearl studs, and other days I am all about printed trousers and chunky necklaces. That being said, here goes my list of icons... 


I couldn't write a post about icons and not start with Audrey Hepburn . So chic, so timeless, so classic,  she is the quintessential lady of style.
Evidence of my love for the classic, tailored look - I had the same dress made in 3 different colours


Above is Giovanna Battaglia, fashion editor at L'Uomo Vogue and W. I adore everything this woman puts on, and she may be my ultimate icon as she changes her look from day to day, sometimes fun, sometimes chic, sometimes bold. The black and blue skirt to the right is a copy of Giovanna's skirt which I had tailored in Vietnam. I am yet to wear it, as I want to find a top which will make the outfit as fabulous as her's (unfortunately I am not a 6 foot tall former model, so the bar has been set pretty high.)


When I mentioned I liked Emma Stone's style to Rose, she was a little dubious. I hope these outfits can convince her. I love the statement shoe on the left, and the print and sleeves of her dress on the right. Emma's outfits are actually a perfect example of when I say my inspiration comes from many places. While I wouldn't say Emma is an icon of mine, both these numbers struck a cord with me, so they were neatly put away in my style file. We can put Emma down as a watch this space.

                                     


Jason Wu Spring RTW 2013 - I am a big fan of his designs 

Carolina Herrera Winter 2012 collection - I always like her clothes, they have that classic timeless quality 
I hope that gives you an insight into my style and icons, as Rose said she is the boho to my tailored. That being said, the attack of the Sisteritis never fails to rear its heard, as both Gwen Stefani and Chloe Sevigny came to mind when I was thinking of icons, but Rose had already nabbed them!

Until next time,

Xx Lily

Thursday 22 November 2012

Me friend's want your style

Hello world!

As suspected, my previous post on style icons has resulted in a frenzy of feedback from my fans. And by fans, I mean three friends who I forced to read my post.

Even though I know these lovely ladies quite well, it was still fascinating to hear their stylistic inspirations. More interestingly, I can see how their choices reflect their everyday wardrobe. Needless to say, these women are among the most stylish people I know.

So here's to you Miss A, Miss K and Miss L for 1)  providing me with your feedback, and 2) for giving me an excuse to continue this post!

Miss A's Icons:

Uber chic former editor of  French Vogue/Tom Ford muse, Carine Roitfeld


 Current Editor of French Vogue, Emanuelle Alt (am assuming a key criterion for editing French Vogue is having legs which begin from the ear lobes)

 


Miss K and Miss L (both quintessential lovers of 60's fashion):


British fashion doyenne and fellow lover of bold make up, Mary Quant  




Vintage advert featuring Mary Quant make up. Me love.
I suspect Lily will be posting on her very own style icons in the upcoming days, so stay posted!

Until next time...Rose. xx

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Me want your style ( update)

Hello world!

Given the tag line of this blog, lovers of couture and all that, Lily and I are often caught waxing lyrical re the sartorial choices of the people around us, and our style icons.

Like most things in life, we have very similar taste and pretty much see eye to eye on most things fashion-ey.

Having said that, I definitely lean towards the more quirky, boho, vintage look, while Lil'z is much more streamlined, often teaming classic tailoring with lux accessories, which sometimes can be a far better choice, as my affinity towards the quirky has sometimes seen me fall victim to some pretty horrendous trends - hello 80's revival ala ra ra skirts and neon off the shoulder tops, shame on you Rose, shame, shame, shame.

Anyhoo, before I embarrass myself further, here are my fave style icons:

Zooey Deschanel
Oh how I love thy whimsical style with your oh so perfect bangs


Love the fabric.
 .

My favourite city in Europe for style is defo London. Having visited Europe for the first time earlier this year, I was in awe of the place. The people of France and Italy were all so beautiful, and reeked of such glamour, that it figuratively hurt my eyes.

But, there's something about London. I think it was seeing the experimentation with colours and textures which really grabbed me. Plus as a lover of face art, I loved that the ladies were so bold with their make up.


Brit girl Lily Allen. Fellow wearer of winged eyeliner and lover of vintage.


Speaking of Brits, I have to give a shout out to one of my favourite designers of all time and fashion royalty, Vivienne Westwood.



Could a dress get any cooler?! 


Again, as someone who leans towards the Avant Garde (and melodrama) I really don't think they make em any better than Ms Westwood. I recently saw some of Ms Westwood's pieces at The National Gallery of Australia and my was I in love. Plus, I was insane enough to purchase a Westwood bag when I went to Hong Kong in 2008 (pre mortgage). I don't take it out very often but I'll treasure it forever.


The rest of my style icons in no particular order:


Gwen Stefani
Love her funky vintage/punk style and ever present red lip.



If I was a rich girl...I'd buy your wardrobe.



Sonam Kapoor

Indian Bollywood actress, Sonam Kapoor, is considered one of the most stylish women of India. Here's why.

Are y'all sensing I might like a red lip?
 

Chloe Sevigny
The ultimate fashionista, blending quirk with couture.

Can I have your pins?


Michelle Williams
While it's hard to look away from her beautiful face, I love how she keeps it simple, focusing on beautiful tailoring and sweet delicate details.


This Vera Wang dress is one of my ultimates.


UPDATE!

I forgot to mention Miroslava Duma, the former Russian fashion editor, now storming the fashion pages with her bold, eclectic and oh so expensive wardrobe. While I wouldn't dream of attempting her look I am defo intrigued.

 

Until next time...Rose. xx














Monday 12 November 2012

Self fulfilling crockery


Hello world!

I'm writing to you on this most lovely of evenings. As I sit on the deck, with the Husband cooking dinner on the bbq, and Little Rose scooting around on her bike, I can't help but feel pretty darn thankful.



Said deck, all tarted up.


With Christmas approaching and life in general winding down, I'm starting to go the way of Deepak Chopra, reflecting on the year that's been and making tentative plans for the one ahead.

Although many of my 2012 goals haven't really materialised (hello knitting scarf and starting post grad uni) I'm still determined to finish these projects.

You see that's the thing about self fulfilling prophesies. If I were my usual self, I'd probably be stewing in a pool of disappointment, bemoaning my inability to finish anything. But I’ve come to realise, it's this very act of self pity that stops me from progressing whatever it is I've started in the first place.

Come 2013 and 2014 and 2015 and 2016...( I'm guessing you know where I'm going with this) I'm determined to keep pursuing whatever goals I've set for myself, but instead of focusing on a finite and arbitrary time limit, I'm just going to go with the flow and enjoy the process of doing something as much as ending up at the finishing line.

So there it is friends, Rose aka Deepak Chopra’s lesson for 2012, self fulfilling prophesies are just that, something which you (the self) have control over. So let’s raise a cyber glass to that old proverb 'it's always better to have tried and bombed then to have succeeded and acted like an ass' or something.

Speaking of glasses, I recently procured the cutest tea/coffee cups. As an ardent lover of polka dots, these Maxwell and Williams cups have been on my wish list for quite a while. So what better excuse to buy them than ‘we’re having people over for an afternoon bbq and what’s an afternoon bbq without polka dotted cups?’.



 

Well that’s about it from me today, folks. Until next time...Rose. xx



    
 

Monday 5 November 2012

Cat out of the bag



Hello world!

Exciting news. Our beloved Gibi has been featured in interior design blog Desire to Inspire's regular
'Pet's on Furniture' feature.

So proud of our kitty!

http://www.desiretoinspire.net/

Featured photo below.

Proper post soon!




xx Rose