Shelter | Vogue UK October 1997

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“Shelter”, a story photographed by Carter Smith and styled by Kate Phelan was about Autumn 1997 best coats wrapped around exquisite gorgeous Shalom Harlow, but frankly, it was the first picture that spoke to me – the beauty of it, regardless of my love for the model or my seasonal obsession with the garment of the editorial choice. And then there was the second shot and the mix of tweed and sequins that I happen to adore.

And last, but not least… There was a feeling of calmness in all this… Which was perfect for the announcement.

I am taking a break and leaving the blogosphere for a whole week. Unlike any other little blog holidays I’ve taken over the last two years, this time I am not going to be blogging at all, nor will I be visiting any blogs for I want to spend time with my family and autumn while it’s still there, glowing, inviting and calm.

I am off to recharge my batteries, enjoy long walks, late mornings, movie nights and a few delicious treats made as we crave them…

I do have a long list of stories to share including the fashion week that I decided to postpone as the posts required some finishing touches before being revealed… A lot is yet to come and that is why I need to take my time and and find energy to keep going upon return.

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Photo source: Vogue UK October 1997 (photography: Carter Smith; styling: Kate Phelan)

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A beautiful dozen: grey coats

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It is only when I embarked on a quest of collecting twelve grey coats I realised how challenging the task was going to be. I craved the Dior grey, the icy, silvery hue, almost as if made by elves from the lightest web and fogs woven through it, the colour of haze that spreads over the dewy fields on a September morning – not a heavy, dusty cloud stuffed with rain drops ready to fall, a subtle nuance that can turn something sparkling and gorgeous into dull and lifeless.

I think that the love for the shade was brought by my memories and nostalgia for the colour does remind me of snow and moody Russian winter forest where every tree, every bush and twig are generously frosted with those blue-grey ice microcrystals. It also takes me back to rainy Paris and its mirrored streets. And the window of MaxMara shop where I first saw a light grey cashmere coat – so beautiful, desirable and perfect in its luxurious wrap-around-me softness.

There are very few colours more beautiful and elegant than grey, but there are quite a few that will look harmonious with it, so a classic coat serves as a wonderful investment piece, especially for the girls with pink skin undertones when the came shade looks a little out of place and the black – to harsh to bear.

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Where to buy: 1. Double-breasted wool-blend coat, Stella McCartney (£1085), 2. Tropez belted wool coat, Reiss (£275), 3. Oversized wool coat, Richard Nicoll (£1395), 4. Mesmerize coat, A.F.Vandevorst (£1256), 5. Wide lapel wool blend coat, Mango (£139), 6. Light grey cashmere coat, MaxMara (£877), 7. Wool blend oversized coat, Mango (£119), 8. Grey wool Maple coat, Surface to Air (£380), 9. Double-faced mid-length coat, Jaeger (£350), 10. Palomba coat, Sportmax (£565), 11. Florelle soft grey tailored coat, Fenn Wright Manson (£250), 12. Double breasted wool coat, Maison Martin Margiela (£1220)

 

Photo source: Vogue UK August 2010 (photography: Willy Vanderperre; styling: Miranda Almond)

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Bag of the month: September is for Smythson

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Luxurious? Yes. Beautiful? Of course. Timeless? Very much so. And these are just a few reasons for loving this gorgeous Smythson Grosvenor tote made from the soft French calf leather adorned with subtle touches of polished gold. It’s refined, understated, classy, "charming in appearance” and “useful in character". A real gem for fashion connoisseurs from an iconic British brand that recently celebrated its 125th anniversary.

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Also available in birch, a delicious shade of milk chocolate.

If the bag is out of the question, but you love the style, treat yourself to a Grosvenor passport cover, iPad case, travel wallet or a scented candle presented in a very special leather-covered pot. 

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Stylish quote

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“Women don’t need a closet full of clothes. They just need the right clothes.”

Michael Kors

 

Photo source: L’Officiel Singapore September 2013 (photography: Chuando & Frey, styling: Jimius Wong, Jack Wang)

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Milan fashion week favourites

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Fashion certainly is a wonderful phenomenon that can reveal so much. Take Milan… The fashion capital of a country where the food is full of flavour, life – emotions and the world – colours. The place where the sun, passion, flavours and sensuality are turned up to their maximum volume which can be absolutely intoxicating. This is the place where you can, metaphorically speaking, catch the rainbow, hold the rainbow, wrap it around you, put on your best bra and heels, handfuls of gold jewellery, dot a bit of Dolce&Gabbana perfume and pretend to be Sophia Loren. Or Isabella Rossellini if you are more Marni than Cavalli (in this instance you can scrape the silky lingerie part and keep it simple).

Milan was that rainbow for me, indeed. Or a flower bomb. I felt blinded and concussed for a while. Then I saw Ferre and Marni. And with them came a sense of calmness and tranquillity that I craved. They balanced everything nicely.

Marni with its drapped skirts, graphic pleating and beautiful prints made me think of a Japanese garden, waterfalls and origami, serenity and peace. I loved the accessories and jewelled details very much, too. Nobody does it quite like Marni (or Consuelo Castiglioni if you please). Whenever I replayed my Milan fashion week visuals in my mind, it was Marni that stood out for me the most. I will remember it, I will crave it and I will certainly try to make some of those  pieces mine.

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Gianfranco Ferre was my other favourite because the looks inspired by classic Ferre designs and Gia Carangi were very, well, Gianfranco Ferre – it was like a piece of architectural design made into elegant clothes. The shimmering fabrics felt luxurious and every fold and stitch were impeccable.

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And there was Fendi. As I was waiting for the live stream to begin I found myself wondering what it was that made me love Fendi in a first place years ago. I couldn’t find that start off point… And then the lights flashed and the show began and there was something so magical about the delicate layers of laser cut organza and the soft fur and shiny plastic that my questions varnished. It was a beautiful show made of weightless and intricate designs, and the collection became of my most favourite Fendi ever made.

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And then there were a few designs from several collections that I adored and would love to wear (allow me to dream a little here…), so my imaginary wish list included… 

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…this Sportmax dress – the right amount of flow and polka dots. It would make a nice alternative to a plain little white dress.

And… 

…these looks from Dolce & Gabbana.

I must say, this time the collection felt a bit over the top to me, but I just couldn’t help loving the cherry blossom dress and a few simple, but feminine shifts… I guess, when it comes to Dolce&Gabbana there’s something for everyone.

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And princess’y Alberta Ferretti dresses and ribbon tie shoes – perfection!

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Photo source: main photo via Dolce&Gabbana official website, collections via wwd.com, details via style.com and fashionising.com

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