Planning the Attack of Malta..

Planning the Attack of Malta, the Mastermind, 2001

My picture of the day (evening!)
I love the glamour of the historical costume, the high boots and the hair!
After all the excitement surrounding the couture shows and the Kate Moss bag collection for Longchamp, I need a little bit of quiet space and familiar images! A lovely self-portrait, the painting captures a moment of self reflection, or reverie perhaps. Whilst is it has been said that the ornate elements of the paintings refer to her Eastern European heritage, to me it evoke the charms of historic costume and the power of dressing up. I am working on a new collection themed around the history of fashion; this image is on my mood board!

Cafe Flirting

Cafe Flirting
Originally uploaded by tompalumbo

This series of photographs of Paris from 1962 by Tom Palumbo have been around the web these last few weeks, so this is not super new… I love the instantaneous quality of the images. At the same time, they look as if straight from a movie. It really worth watching the whole set – was transported back to a more glamorous era.

I had a great trip to Paris at Christmas, and seeing these images make me feel like going back as soon as I can.

New clutch! The history of costume!

 

The pictures did not come too well, it must have been too late or too dark when I took them!
I'm quite pleased with this clutch - the print is an history of costume from around 1500 to 1800. The fabric is an organic cotton with a lovely satin sheen, so it works well as an eveningish bag. It is lined in cream silk satin, so feels very luxurious!

My green kelley suit

During the holidays (basically ages ago!) I bought this fabulous boucle suit from Hannah from RedoRedux . I am so pleased with it, the quality is amazing, its colour is splendid and it fits me perfectly! Definitely one of my best online purchases, and Hannah's so easy to communicate with!
I have to stand tall and feels straight out of Mad Men! 

New fabrics!

I had ordered some cotton sateen fabrics to my own designs.. These arrived today! I'm so pleased with the results and will start using some today! I'm developing a new theme around the history of fashion. New designs will be available from early February!

New season... new corsage brooches

 

 

Here are some pictures of  two new felt flower brooches. They're a bit retro and they look lovely pinned on the dictionary cluch!

Winter wonderland...

Not quite the view from my home and studio... It's getting warmer today and the snow has melted here in Kensal Green, but it is still winter and this image is so beautiful. I love the reflection of the snowy trees in the lake; it makes me feel like going on a long walk!
The image is called Autumn Snowfall on Moraine Lake (in the Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada) and is by Alan Majchrowicz.

Paris

I went to Paris during the holiday break. I did not do that much sight seeing, but I love this card by Anais Dulac. I hadn't been in Paris for a long time, I had forgotten what the city had to offer.
As luck would have it, there was an amazing Madeleine Vionnet exhibition at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs.
 

 

I fell for this gorgeous gold leather belt, so modern (but dated 1936) and the perfect accessory for the cream grecian dress. 
So many dresses from the 20s and 30s, each superbly displayed with the original photographic shot of the era, this was such a treat!
I'm starting a new pattern cutting course tomorrow - learning to drape on the stand - so it was perfect so see those amazing dresses, all so ingeniously cut.