Happy New Year!

"Forget the bang
i am going out with a chorus
i stole from an orchestra
and some pretty shoes from an old box" ©fashionandfables

Dree Hemmingway

"In Paris i am only as good as my grand jeté
Rome eyes my profile and plans a seduction
and London thinks nothing but to pick my brains
but in fiction i can embody all and more" ©fashionandfables

I am not much of a Hemingway Fan. But to be honest i can't say i have really tried to make that relationship work. I see a New Year's resolution in the cards perhaps...?
I do remember i took a copy of "The Old Man and the Sea" along to Cuba. But i never finished it, I was a little bored with all the freaking waiting around for some fish that i left the old chap at sea and opted for dry land and a tan! Ernest, did write an absolutely great short story called " Hills like White Elephant" freaking amazing, after all these years, i can still taste the Anis del Toro! Read that in high school.

But i digress. Aside from his literary legacy, Ernst Hemingway passed on some pretty good genes. Readers meet Dree, Dree Hemingway, Ernst Hemingway's beautiful great-granddaughter . Le sigh. Isn't she a sight. Before she took to the runways she was a ballerina! I want to be a ballerina! She is uber super stylish and the star of Halston’s Fall collection! I covet her shoe collection!

Shala Monroque

"Swiftly
in and out of worlds
light on my feet
i dip my toes in a feast
splash around in a prim garden for tea
and walk quietly away from a scene
leaving you with a picture to remember how i dressed the stride"
ⓒfashionandfables

Yes, the mourning of Katie Grand's departure has been long, very long. There were days when it was hard to get out of bed you know. Or hear the word Pop without wanting to burst out in tears. Oh those days! Thank goodness for good old English Tea! But, i think it's time to bid adieu to all our black attires and perhaps opt for some gray hues? Because the stylish editor-at-large Shala Monroque is oh so freaking fashionable. Dig her hair too! I dig her hair a lot. And she has amazing taste in jewellery and knows how to pick a great colour, did i also mention she looks great in a turban! Wondering if she needs like a side-kick?

Concise Statement

The thing about statement jewellery is that if you are not careful they can get a little too verbose and heavy! Not to mention uncomfortable! Why i love the lightness of these knitted necklaces and bracelets by Orly genger by Jaclyn Mayer . The collection is courtesy of Manhattan-based artist (Orly) and the California-born and New York-based designer(Jaclyn)! I like. i want! I like concise statements!

Model Crush: Rose Cordero

How beautiful is the 17-year-old model Rose Cordero! The Dominican model with African and Spanish roots is signed with Supreme models ( big grasp there as Supreme tend to stick to white models) and has appeared in editorials for Teen Vogue and W.

Let them eat Commune De Paris

"The polished armour
and glistening sword
does not win my battle
my infantry is in my cause and valour" fashionandfables


Forget a televised revolution and gear up for a wearable one. Commune De Paris is a fashion brand drawing inspiration from the little known Paris Commune of 1871. With shirts, pull overs, tee-shirts, polo-necks, bags, cushions, wallpapers, posters etc, the label reinterprets French and revolutionary symbols in their range of clothes, accessories and objects. Qui, qui it's for the boys, but boys can't have all the fun. I wear men's wear all the time, they have better t-shirts, better fit.

Viva la revolution!

More Chanel

Isn't Ms. Iman a sight! Went shopping the other day and got leggings. So proud, it's been 3 months since i have actually bought clothes, other than leggings. Leggings are like my favourite thing in the world. all i wear are leggings! and not to the gym, just round. Went to a shoot the other day in leggings.Sigh i know. But the make-up lady said i had hot legs! YES! leggings make your legs hot.

But yes, i digress. After the leggings i picked up the free H&M magazine and who was there, Ms. Chanel Iman. She is everywhere. Sigh. so pretty.

Chanel Iman for German Vogue

The lovely Chanel Iman rocking it in a shoot in this German Vogue's December Issue.

Head in gear

"You followed me regardless
in high spirits
down a messy orange roundabout
before a dip around a sullen corner
you followed me
in one form or the other
like no other
you are in my head" ©fashionandfables

I don't really like fancy hats, mainly because they look horrible on me. Also, they kind of remind of stuffy horse races, think that comes with living in England too long. And, if i am brutally honest, i associate them with old ladies who attend early morning mass.
And where the hell would i wear one to? Suggestions?
But i am singing a different tune after looking at the above spread in Glamour magazine. Oh, the power of good styling. Maybe Santa will put one in my stocking come Christmas.

Glamour shoot

I have been getting rid of a lot of old magazines this weekend, as part of le"operation organize office space".
I have to say that this saddens me a great deal. In fact it hurts. . But i don't need Glamour magazines from 1999? Especially since i need the space for my sanity. Sanity vs. magazines, was a tough choice there for awhile :)
Anyhows these images are from an old shoot early on this year. I like. I want the skirt outfit. might wear something like that tomorrow. Working from home kinda sucks as no one gets to see your pretty outfits. I need to get a cat soon!

Naomi's Eden

" Four rivers for a walled orchard
blighted by swinging ivy that blinds the eye
Paradise is of lust as much as it is of love" fashionandfables

One of the things that draws me to Flaunt magazine is their play on concepts and presentation. Each issue is treated to two covers, both adhering to one theme. The more commercial and obvious image is the epidermis of the magazine so to say, and this layer opens up to a more daring and artistic interpretation of the overarching theme. And sometimes the first cover is the artistic interpretation, like issue nr 58, my very first purchase of the magazine might i add. This issue had an abstract portraiture of the lovely Mos Def! hot.
Fast forward to the current edition, and Flaunt is still at it. I am not sure if i really like the cover. But i like the concept. It was shot by David LaChapelle who named it “The Rape of Africa” and features Naomi Campbell. It holds my interest.

Belle du Gripp Jeans

"if my mood permits novelties
I will scribble a note by the door
my head is still with the party
the dancing lights and the intoxicating nonchalance " ©fashionandfables

At one point or another, what girl doesn't dream of pairing skin tight pants with bright red lips and cutting loose on a dance floor?


Gripp Jeans understands the allure of a strong, beautiful, sexy and nonchalant girl who rocks it till the early morn only to look beautiful come daylight with disheveled hair and the ever elusive promise of her company.
Qui. Qui. Belle du Jour.
Aussie label Gripp Jeans executes “goth rock chic” to perfection. sexy lace dress, check, hot acid-wash denims, double check, deliciously flirty red mini skirts,tailored jackets and there is more, much more. The brand, designed by Dianne Grgat, is sure to be a hit.

Images courtesy of www.grippjeans.com.au

Twin Magazine

While some magazines are going to print for the last time others are taking their very first steps. But then again Twin Magazine from Rebecca Smith - former creative director of cult fashion magazine Lula - and Vogue's Aimee Farrell. refutes the magazine label for that of "an old-fashioned book".

From the looks of it, the bi-annual issue magazine will stick to its motto "substance over surface".

Ms. Portman looking badass on the latest cover of V magazine. Her makeup is very well done! All she needs is a leather jacket and her very own James Dean.
Oh Nathalie, you are so cool! You even looked good with no hair! that's the true litmus test of hotness!

Planet AwesomeKid

Photo by Andrew Adler.

Me and my sisters had pretty cool wardrobes as children, before le awkwardness of puberty that is. We were in possession of an array of dresses, skirts, shorts, you name it. I even had a pretty neat collection of ribbons. Yep, an outfit is nothing with a ribbon!
But looking at all the fashionable kids on the streets nowadays, i think i was kinda dorky compared to them. Point in case the very cool Planet Awesomekid. Created by Julia Samersova Adler, a casting director, Planet Awesome Kid is the first street style website dedicated solely to kids street style. It's so adorable, wish i had a kid to dress-up now, think i should get a dog or a rabbit, they look nice in miniature clothes, only joking well...! Julia Samersova Adler also uses the site to create resources for children's charities. i know. just makes it even cuter.
to be young again!

Ashley Smith for Russh Magazine

Like the beautiful Ashley Smith, i have a gap between my two front teeth. I am not always comfortable with it. Now that's an understatement as i took to braces as a teenager to rid myself of the "burden". But to make a long story short, i am still carrying the load.
Nowadays, i forget i have one, at least most of the time.
Would i think differently if models like Ashley were celebrated when i was young? Who knows.
Gap-toothed models are the latest "it girls"
Picture above is that of American model Ashley Smith in Novembers issue of Russh Magazine.

Happy Wintour Day

Dear Ms. Wintour,
Congratulations on yet another fashionable year! 60? you don't look a day past 47! And, might i add, i love the fact that your face while still striking doesn't look botoxy. Age loves you! Did you by any chance instill fear in her too :)! Will there be 60 candles on your Birthday cake? People stop putting the exact amount of candles on their cake past puberty, it's a shame if you ask me! I do hope you sleep in today and not wake early for the tennis courts.
I think you are great.
Yes, you might be harsh, and i might not like the fact that your wardrobe is a little monotone. But i still love ya. In fact i think i might petition to have the 3rd of Nov made into a public holiday :)

Model Prose!

There are more to models that their pretty exteriors! Just ask the lovely Chanel Iman who recently launched her own fashion blog. From snapshots documenting fashionable nights on the town to her opinions on recent designer collections and coffee table books, the blog is an insider's take on the industry.

Fräulein Von Unwerth

"It matters not
what she clothes she drapes
what moods she flashes
which words she unbuttons
it matters only that my breathe
forgets its jaunty pace
and the rest of me loses control" fashionandfables


What makes a woman sexy is the question Ellen Von Unweth's zooms in on in her new photobook Fraulein, a collection of images of contemporary female stars from Monica Bellucci to Kate Moss and Natalie Portman.

Be it walking up a flight of stairs in seductive lingerie or unwinding in a clear bath with a smoking cigar, all women are photographed in provocative poses, which makes the title of the book "Fräulein" literally translated to "little woman" quite ironic.

A little playful irony is something the talented photographer has used very well over the span of her 15-year career where she has worked for the likes of Vanity Fair, Vogue and Trace. Through her lens a "Fraulien" is embodied, playful and comfortable with her sensuality, all while being a little playful.

Remember all work and no play......After all she says "Women are not just there to be admired, they are there to be enjoyed" this enjoyment starts with appreciation of self.

Only 1500 copies of the book will be published worldwide, which is a shame, but then at approximately US$700 per copy, don't think i was going to be purchasing one. I will be checking out the eponymous exhibition at the Michael Hoppen Gallery in London which runs from October 12 to November 15.

All images from www.ftape.com

"Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker"

"Bring me all of your dreams,
You dreamer,
Bring me all your
Heart melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too-rough fingers
Of the world."
The Dream Keeper, by Langston Hughes

The art of dressing is one of many dimensions. Especially if it is for an occassion. We look in the mirror, button up a shirt, straighten out a smile, tame our stray hairs, take a deep breathe and walk away. Only to come back to the same reflection to pout our lips, sway ever so slightly to the right, second guess decisions, bring on addictions, go for second, third or maybe even a fourth glance. Eventually, we are pleased; we have perfected a look; created a dream, all of course for the purpose of one day holding one that keeps longer.

And the very ridiculously beautiful Chanel Iman captures that perfectly in this shot. it's gorgeous. Oh to dream. to dream

What Style Means To Me

I often cringe whenever I dust off old pictures of myself in unflattering outfits. Like the summer I ventured out in MC hammer-like trousers, a shoulder-padded blouse and a pair of hideous white flats. In my defense I was only 10 and my mother really should have barricaded the doors. But I would be lying if I said my fashion faux pas moments ended there. Let’s see, we had the over-sized blazers and baggy pants that did nothing for my petite frame at 14; the obsession with tie-dyed skirts paired with white t-shirts around 16… which on hindsight were the perfect attire for a commune …. And between you and me, I have many more skeletons in my “fashionable” past.

This is why I take great comfort in knowing that at the end of the day fashion and style are two entirely different things. Style, to me, is a little like falling madly in love, while being fashionable is more of an infatuation, albeit with a deadly handsome man who encourages shopping sprees for Balmain jackets, Alexander Wang dresses and a range of items you really can’t afford and will probably only wear for a season.

Much like falling in love, before one can even begin to develop a sense of style an element of self awareness is necessary. In this case, this means understanding your body, personality, mood swings and comfort zones. For me this equates to no high-waisted jeans, leaving skin-tight one piece outfits for Halloween, saying yes to denim, draping, layers, pretty little dresses and jersey, but a definite no to all black ensembles; colour is everything to me!

I find that most women we have crowned style icons over the years, from Audrey Hepburn to Madonna and Chloe Sevigny, have embodied this sense of awareness. As Miss Hepburn once said on the subject of style: “you have to look at yourself objectively. Analyze yourself like an instrument. You have to be absolutely frank with yourself. Face your handicaps, don’t try to hide them. Instead, develop something else.” And a woman of her words she was. As a tall gamine, she shunned popular sexy designs of her time in favour of clean lines and simple staples such as Capri pants, turtlenecks and nipped-in the waist dresses and worked with designer Herbert Givenchy, who catered for her slender frame.
Fast-forward to modern times and style icons like Chloe Sevigny follow the same principle. Whether she is relaxing at a music festival in denim shorts and killer boots or attending an award ceremony in a quirky dress paired with cute flats, her style, although not championed by everyone, is individual, fun, whimsical and charming; she knows what works for her and isn’t afraid to follow her instincts.

Some might think this condemns one to a life of monotony, but on the contrary. I believe it simply means your identity seeps through every outfit you choose. Sure Monday morning might break to find you inspired to be a sixties’ flower child, and by all means travel back in time, but style to me merely implies that you can be inspired by a trend while remaining true to yourself.

Self-awareness might form the basis of great style but it’s nothing without butterflies; after all what’s a great love affair without romance. Knowing what works best for you only goes as far, having style I find means you must have the ability to have fun with your clothes, be excited by them, from the concept and the tailoring down to the detailing and colour.
When I was a child one of my favourite outfits was a yellow dress I nicknamed my “Cinderella gown”. Looking back there wasn’t that much to it at all, but I loved it mainly because whenever I slipped it on I felt special; like the queen of the ball. Exuding that excitement, not necessarily in a brash manner, is an inherent part of style. It is more heartbreaking to see a perfectly dressed woman looking horribly uncomfortable in her skin than to be privy to a fashion faux pas where the woman seems to radiate ease.

Yet, like with every love affair style most not be fearful of experimenting to keep the passion burning and should leave enough room for growth. Even though personally comfort is the basis of my style: I have a penchant for draped dresses- in another life my wardrobe would be filled with Costelleo Tagliapietra creations. And I hardly ever buy dresses without pockets and prefer silks and jersey. But as I have grown older the range of what I now deem as comfortable has expanded. I can wear a fitted dress and not spend the whole night fretting and fidgeting.
Madonna, I believe best epitomizes this. From her beginnings as a young entertainer, accessorizing with laces, cone bras and diamante cross to her more demure spiritual look in the early 90s, she embraces change and is always adventurous: “I’ve been popular and unpopular, successful & unsuccessful, loved & loathed, and I know how meaningless it all is. Therefore, I feel free to take whatever risks I want.”

I think regardless of what one’s style is, it should emit an element of ease and fun, like a lasting love affair, because after all it’s an extension of who you are, or rather who wish to be at that moment.

Kinder Aggugini's Mayfair

Snapshot of Kinder Aggugini's pop-up store

I love the concept of pop-up stores. When executed correctly, as they are by nature fleeting, they can soar to great heights leaving conventions and practicalities dedicating the foundation of a permanent store well behind. In other words they are just crazy fun!
So, i am super looking forward to checking out Kinder Aggugini's pop-up store housed in the basement in Mayfair's Mount Street. It opened about 3 weeks ago but i haven't had time to check it out yet. But hopefully i will this week. The store is has a Dickensian-style feel to it and brings together a range of the creative designer's signature pieces from past seasons and one-off garments from the current season. Alongside garments are photographs, paintings and a range of vintage Chanel jewelry from a generous private collector. Excited!

"L’amour c’est être stupide ensemble"

"When the day is done
our past will roar in our creased ears
lift our furrowed brows
and remind us
that we once were a sight" ©fashion and fables




Avedon

Balenciaga



Gainsbourg & Birkin.


Chanel
Hepburn

Ever dusted out your parents old albums to be met by snapshots of them in Afros, sky-high wedges or flared jeans, wearing hopeful grins, commemorating a milestone, or simply succumbing to a laughing fit ? Now imagine your parents were super cool artists, famous performers, elusive writers, beautiful models or bad-ass photographers and you've got the feel of "The Impossibly Cool" blog.

This blog is one of my new obsession. And what seals the deal are the pretty cool quotes spread across the site . Par example, the title of this blog is "Love is being stupid together", uttered by the insatiable poet Paul Valéry. I love it! C'est tres cool.

Images Courtesy of Impossible cool

Roland Mouret

I fell for Mr Mouret long before i dreamt of owning one of his designs. In fact, it wouldn't be all together incorrect to say i love his designs because of his personality. If there was ever a designer who embodied his creations, it would be him. What seems like a life time ago, he came to speak to us at London College of Fashion and i couldn't get over how funny and articulate he was, and of course the French accent...mais qui, need to get over my thing for french men.
Forget that the fact i didn't know what the hell his designs looked like, i just wanted to be in his presence 24-7.

He is so charming, in an easy and natural way. it's ridiculous just ask anyone who has interviewed him.
He designs with the female form in mind. In his spring 2010 collection is aesthetic is less super-fitting (which i love, if i was curvy i would live in body-con dresses but yah alas), love his pallete and i can't get over the jewellery! love it. want it!