Sunday 30 August 2009

Cover me with hearts


Not much of a tights girl. But just saw this picture of Garance Dore's website and i am in love. I want it. It's perfect for the coming winter, i can see it already: snow-covered streets, moody London commuters and MB in tights covered in hearts skipping along and humming " i got the world on a string.. I'm sitting on a rainbow
Got the string around my finger what a world, what a life - Im in love with my tights."

Image from Garance Dore.

Morning Breathe



Against this morning dew
i could you tell you lies
whisper them over and over
for a moment
close my eyes against a pondering heart
and twirl
twirl
twirl
around in circles, out of tune
draw in this morning breathe
cast a shadow with the morning light
and smile
till noon ⓒfashion and fables

Pretty Young things






Whoever said that beauty is wasted on the youth was probably living well before the era of le supermodels...
Man, to be young, beautiful and fierce. Four of today's young and brighest top black models- Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn, Arlenis Sosa, and Sessilee Lopez- grace the cover of September's ID magazine loking amazing. Love their make-up and hair!

images courtesy of http://sessileelopez.blogspot.com

Friday 21 August 2009

Fasten up your knits




Warm cozy nights by the fire, an ice rink with delicious warm coco, quality time with Santa and his merry elves... a number of things come to mind when i think of knits but sexy isn't one of them.
But then just look what Santa left me in my stockings: Mr Mark Fast.
Being a good girl means i get gifts 4 months in advance :)! Thank you SANTA!
The London-based Canadian designer, who honed his craft at Central Saint Martin, makes knits that are a little too hot for the cold if you ask me, and all by hand on a domestic knitting machine.
And if that isn't enough his website gives me the chills! love the design. Mr. Fast is just so after my heart.
He does live in London....






Wednesday 19 August 2009

The Princess and the Pauper



Cinderella had a night, and then i guess a lifetime, as i am sure Prince Charming had a pretty attractive bank account to go with that dazzling smile of his. And probably a good pre-nup if he was smart!

Unfortunately Rodarte's collaboration with Target doesn't come with a Prince, but who needs one when their garments will leave you feeling and looking like a Princess, sans all the lameness that comes with royalty.

Rodarte is one label that makes me remember how i used to feel about getting into beautiful dresses as a child. Kate and Laura Mulleavy do a great job in conjuring up fairy tales. To be young again.
Cue Sinatra please

"Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you
If you're young at heart
For its hard, you will find, to be narrow of mind
If you're young at heart"


Images, courtesy of Glamazons are preview of their collection which will be in stores from late December.

Monday 17 August 2009

I want some sugar in my bowl!



Or in this case, i want something bright in my bowl!
Yellow is one of my favourite colours. I have a yellow canvas i wake to every morning... so this is true love folks!
I know this dress isn't everyone's cup of tea, but i like it. It's a See By Chloe number currently going for a "mere" 270 pounds on Browns! It takes me back to the 60's! Come on people can't you see the likes of Mia Farrow with her cute pixie cut accessorizing this some cute wedges and an intellectual hottie!
Ah, to have a pixie!

Saturday 15 August 2009

Jolibe





A designer who pays an equal amount of attention to structure as they do texture generally tends to have my vote. This is why i love Jolibe so much as the designs have a life of their own.
I also quite like the name of the brand, makes me want to belt out Dolly Parton's "Jolene".

"Jolene, jolene, jolene, jolene
Im begging of you please dont take my man
Jolene, jolene, jolene, jolene
Please dont take him just because you can"

What a song, what a song. I am sure Jolene could steal a man in a Jolibe design

Joel Dias, the brains behind the label, is a Parson's graduate, grew up in the Dominican Republic and began the art of dressmaking at 14. Dias describes his label as "New, intelligent, balanced, passionate and versatile." I like

Friday 14 August 2009

Cat Fight



Top cats have not only perfected the art of fine landing, they raise stakes with a deck of nine lives and also pack a mean punch when it comes to style. Boxing Kitten is a spanking new fashion label courtesy of Ms Maya Lake who began fashioning outfits from the age of 10. Inspired by the likes of Josephine Baker and making use of bright african-inspired textiles, Maya describes her brand's look as "ethnic rockablity". Fans of the label include Meshell Ndegeocello, DJ Rashida and Erykah Badu.

all images courtesy of Boxing Kitten

Thursday 13 August 2009

Sika Designs




Sunday mornings in South-East London is serious business. Sunday, you see is church time, and most people, at least most black people over here dress-up.
There are grandmothers in skirt suits paired with colourful wide-brim hats, from turquoise to grass green guiding children in dresses resembling ball gowns trying not to trip over shoes too high for their little feet.

And my favourites, the African women in traditional wear. Wearing their Buba (blouse), Iro (wrapper)and Gele (head-gear). There are a sight.

Many people associate traditional African prints with stuffy styles. London-based Sika, established by Phyllis Taylor, is one of the many labels that try to counteract this stereotype. Inspired by Ghanian prints and colours her designs are playful, modern and wearable.
I recommend a visit to their Greenwich store, i always have fun browsing.

Wednesday 12 August 2009

Audrey Hepburn



Fashion wise, i believe it's probably safe to say that "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was Audrey Hepburn's most memorable film. At least for me. The first time i saw it, and i have seen this movie a lot of times, i pressed pause on numerous occasions just to sigh.

True story folks. True story.

I mean, who could forget Givenchy's little back dress worn in the opening scene. Or the collection of fashionable hats, the delectable red peacoat, and of course the shades and cigarette holder. To be that beautiful and wear clothes so gracefully. Oh Audrey. all memorable.
But the Audrey Hepburn that caught my attention in that movie is the one that sat with one foot out the window in a simple grey sweatshirt paired with black cropped pants and flats busy strumming a guitar and singing
"Moon River, wider than a mile,
I'm crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going I'm going your way."

She even looked good with a towel tied around her head like a turban; now that's style.

And i think that's what this short documentary on Hepburn's style conveys: that a style icon is someone who looks good in simple things as much as they do decked out in elaborate designs. That an icon not only understands clothes and what works for them but who loves them with the same tenacity, not because the piece is in, but for the way a garment looks and feels and makes you feel.

i like the quote from her son who describes how she thought of herself more as the " perfect package of imperfections! and explains that's what made her so beautiful

"the definition of beauty is not knowing that you are so special"
and special Ms. Hepburn was.
Happy viewing.
warning might make you want to go play dress-up, sure had that effect on me!

Sunday 9 August 2009

Snoozer Loser



"If time would permit
i would wrestle with slumber
slay suitors and dragons
to hold you with my eyes for hours
in the simple light of clear day" © Fashion and Fables


If you have every willed to stay awake, you know it's the simple things that's at the root: love, excitement, ecstasy; the need to prolong something beautiful for as long as you can.

Season after season, NY-based label Snoozer Loser's produces a collection of easy wares with a bohemian feel, from totes to jewellery to trapeze dresses.
I especially love this season's collection of accessories.




Founded in 2005, Snoozer Loser is an eco-friendly label courtesy of Sonia Tay. The talented designer is inspired by " nostalgia and long Sunday afternoons in the local library" among other things, and also makes her own prints.

Check out their onlinestore, even when you are not looking ways to keep sleep a bay.