Sylvie

If I had access to a magic time travelling phonebooth that would allow me to exchange wardrobes, hairstyles, make-up and teeth with a person of my choice I would... not be able to pick just one person! But on that great big list of figures past (who, in this case, are figures present too) Sylvie Vartan would be very near the top!

I nabbed all of these from a wonderful Sylvie Vartan themed tumblr, here. Read about Sylvie here and listen to Sylvie here!

See more of my style inspirations here.

So badly I need this catsuit.

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The Lady of Shalott

Sidney Harold Meteyard

JW Waterhouse

37   There she weaves by night and day
38   A magic web with colours gay.
39   She has heard a whisper say,
40   A curse is on her if she stay
41       To look down to Camelot.
42   She knows not what the curse may be,
43   And so she weaveth steadily,
44   And little other care hath she,
45       The Lady of Shalott.

- Tennyson, 1842

My love of The Lady of Shalott began shortly after my love affair with Anne of Green Gables did. In kindergarten I implored classmates to push me while I lay flat on wheeled milk crates, hands crossed over my chest, reciting what slivers of the poem I could remember from Kevin Sullivan's perfection of a miniseries. In middle school I covered my room with Pre-Raphaelite paintings, my favourite always the Waterhouse depiction of doomed Elaine. Even now, you will scarcely find me more animated than when I open my mouth to speak of the romantic poets, authors and painters of the past. Reading this poem still fills my mind's eye with that wonderful untouchable world that once existed so vividly in my imagination and inexplicably is able to move me to tears (which, is a welcome change from my overly stoic disposition. Nice to know I have a bit of water in me, even if it is a horrible bit of Victorian sentimentality). It's perfectly fitting then, as I'm working on my first collection under my own name, to find inspiration in this early love of mine. How this bit of inspiration will manifest in these first designs, well, you will have to wait and see, hehe.

Arthur Hughes

JW Waterhouse

Charles Edwin Fripp

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Samantha Pleet Autumn/Winter 2013

Samantha Pleet is no stranger on this blog and, if you've not yet gathered, I can't sing her praises loud enough. Samantha and her husband and partner, Patrick, are two of a kind and their designs reflect so perfectly their sense of humor, adventure and their creativity. Their latest collection combines rigid architectural lines and flowing movement with garments fit for a Giselle or Ondine. I'm hoping to make that little velvet suit mine come round two of the cold months this year!

See the full Autumn Winter 2013 Collection here: www.samanthapleet.com/press/fall13

Photographs by:  Andrew De Francesco
Stylist: Kat Clements
Models: Isabella and Kristi Uhrova @ Q
Hair: Dallin James
Makeup: Jessa Blades
Shoes: Wolverine 1000 Mile by Samantha Pleet
Jewelry: Mociun

See more Samantha here.

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Shae Acopian Detar

You know when you meet somebody and something just clicks? And when you leave their presence you feel a little better about everything around you, a little spring in your step, a little creepy "I just fell in love" kinda grin on your face? There are a few women that I've had the extraordinary pleasure of getting to know better this last year who have each left me in this blissful state. Shae is one of those women. She's as perfect a companion as I could ever dream up. Unfortunately Shae, along with many of my loves (including my business), lives on the West Coast so our time together is sadly limited. I had the pleasure and the privilege of spending the morning with today and was reminded once again just how dearly I enjoy her company. So here is a post dedicated to her. The modern (and equally creepers) equivalent to shouting from the rooftops your love and admiration!

This is just a small selection of her fantastically gorgeous body of work. You can see her full portfolio here.

The artist!

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Visions of Arcadia

Paul Cezanne

Henri Matisse

Seemed appropriate, if not a little premature, to share these spring scenes given the unusually balmy (heh, 42) temperatures over here in New York. This colour palette has been haunting me since we visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the Visions of Arcadia show this summer. It was a beautiful and transportive show on the theme of earthly paradises that we viewed, fittingly, after eating the best philly cheesesteaks around (it was my first and totally unlike and way better than I expected), another variety of earthly paradise.

I want to wrap myself up in these in an attempt to combat the bleak cement grey haze that's been the city since the holiday's end. How delicious are these colours? Were I a clever blogger I'd have found all sorts of clever ways to incorporate these glorious colours into your own collections! Alas!

What pick-me-ups are you indulging in this dreary time of year? I recently picked up this handsome Canal House cookbook at Aimee's recommendation and am anxious to try and make my dinners taste as good as those pictures look!

Henri Matisse

Paul Gauguin

Henri Matisse

Edgar Degas 

Pablo Picasso

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Nadinoo

1. Wearing Lunar Shadows skirt c/o  Nadinoo, purse from The Loved One and shoes from Marks and Spencers, hehe. 2. Lula's Nightbird Dress 3. Pixie's Bird A Day Blouse 4. Pixie's Bird A Day Blouse and Pixie's Trusty Pinafore 5. and onward, my own dingy old wears!

Prior to departing on my English dream trip I received a little English dream package from the beautiful Nadinoo collection. I ended up bringing the lot of it on my month long travels and wore it constantly and have continued to do so since my arrival home. Each piece is handmade and constructed gorgeously with luxurious silks and cottons. Buying gorgeous handmade attire is a closet investment worth making and one I urge you to consider when refreshing your seasonal wardrobe!

Nadinoo's full collection here!

Thank you Nadia for the gorgeous gifts!