the haute heel: September 2011

Cafe

As I write this I am currently sitting opposite Hugo and Rosie from the TV show Made in Chelsea and feel like I should be writing about their outfits instead of mine. Despite the hot weather I still wear cashmere as it is one of those materials that has a wondrous ability to comfort me. If you are following me on twitter you will know that I have been incessantly garnering sympathy with complaints of illness. Heels also lend that gift of a smile, until of course, you walk on cobbled streets.

POLO SHIRT-BAPE
CASHMERE JUMPER-PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND
JEANS-ABERCROMBIE
HEELS-MULBERRY
BAG-VINTAGE LOUIS VUITTON

Tie a bow

Settling back into my usual routine after months of being on holiday starts off with catching up with all my best friends. This is the kind of layering and colours I usually style myself in when I am facing the unfamiliar cold of London. The YSL lipstick I am wearing was a gift from my mother and I got so excited because I love the chilled bluish shade. It is also the first lipstick that is a match for my favourite Guerlain.

COAT-BURBERRY
SHIRT-RALPH LAUREN
TIE-DRAKES (MY BOYFRIEND'S)
TIGHTS-FALKE
SHOES-MARNI

Strolling in plaid

Now that I am in London and have moved into my new flat (sans internet :( ). I could not wait to take a walk around Covent Garden and see the new Ralph Lauren Rugby store and visit the Laduree tearoom.

PLAID SHIRT-UNIQLO
CARDIGAN-BURBERRY VINTAGE SKIRT-PHILIP LIMBAG-LOUIS VUITTON VINTAGEBELT-VINTAGE
WELLIES-HUNTER

Goodbye Jimmy Choo

Jimmy Choo Couture, run by the real man himself is finally retiring. As his shop is couture they only have one of each shoe, including the samples. Since my first internship there when I was 16 I have always been a great admirer of their craftsmanship and their impeccable customer service. Being in that shop is like being among family, it's a family business, they cook and share their lunch and they have family friends (often fellow designers or celebrities) stopping by to say hello. The ready- to- wear, although glamorous and easily accessible does not have the personality and individuality of JC Couture.

BLAZER-BANANA REPUBLIC
NAVY JUMPER-ZARA
BLACK JEANS-H&M
POINTY SHOES-JIMMY CHOO COUTURE
WELLIES-HUNTER

Boys on NYFW

I have picked some looks that I think best summarise their designer's collections and chosen some of the most fashionable guys I know to give their personal opinion on the following looks. (I have actually placed the following 'looks' in my personal order of preference.)

The panel

Q. How would you describe your style?

ALEX: In general, I wear American or Japanese streetwear. Italian shoes, British suits and bespoke shirts. For something to catch my eye, it has to have a single unique and striking quality about it.

TIM: Business casual

KRISTOFF: Preppy/ casual

PRABAL GURUNG
(Right image)

ALEX: It's wonderful, and would actually be quite versatile. The gut reaction is that it is a catwalk-only piece because of the transparency, but upon closer inspection it is tastefully teasing, and almost conservative.

KRISTOFF: I’m not sold. Perhaps the top half could fly on it’s own - though I’m really not 'getting' the whole tiny corset supported with a tiny bit of black string. The bottom of the dress is horrid - it looks like dirty tissues have collected at her feet and she’s dragging them with her - which is a shame given the beauty of the flowing colours in the upper portion of the dress - 5/10.
TIM: I love how the middle of the skirt is so empty and it's so busy at the bottom, it's as if she's walking on flowers. The corset fitting on the top gives it more shape; I like the marbling effect too.
ME: What type of woman could you imagine wearing this?

KRISTOFF: Russian Oligarch’s wife.
TIM: Middle- aged, someone trying to be young might wear this.
(Left image)
ALEX: It's a lot of fun. It's art, and in that regard, it's quite well done. In particular, I like the trim; it's almost an atmospheric costume. The flowers are pretty, but it almost looks like surf on a beach. It's so brazen that it's a lot more palatable than some other catwalk fashion that masquerades as street fashion. Clearly, this is not the kind of garment you can wear out to dinner.

KRISTOFF: I can’t quite make up my mind about this one. I like the overall shape of the dress, it’s definitely elegant with a hint at the hourglass figure, but the actual figure of the dress/model is completely lost by the odd splattered black all over it. It seems there is too much going on. 7/10
TIM: I like the cross harness, it's similar to the other dress. As the material is already flows it brings it back its shape. I like the sleeves but I can't imagine this being produced for retail.
ME: What type of woman could you imagine wearing this?
KRISTOFF: One who’s a bit out there. Trained in fashion classics but itching for ingenuity.
TIM: A younger woman because of the higher hemline, someone who can be whatever she wants.

SACHIN+BIBI

ALEX: I very much like the Sachin and Bibi stuff

TIM: I really like the design of Sachin+ Bibi, the panel on the shoulder looks really cool, and I like the simple design and layers (left).
I like the fitted jacket (right), but I don't really like the skirt it's too shiny.

THE ROW
(Right image)

TIM: The top bit is really cool.

KRISTOFF: I really love the sheer material of the trousers - so elegant it hurts. But this is ruined by the vomit on her torso, the texture is ridiculous. He is definitely to be commended for the overall concept - I like the loose trousers with hint at braces concept - Excellent execution of the high waisted effect - so clean and elegant. Could be so effing sexy. Also loving the sandals - totally chilled.

ME: What type of woman could you imagine wearing this?

TIM: Not a fat girl, obviously.

KRISTOFF: She needs a good figure to achieve the pinched waist effect which is essential for these to work - but only a complete buffoon would attempt that material on the top. Ditch the top and just go topless?

(Left image)
TIM: I like the jacket, it's really cool. I like how the lapels are cut. Is this RTW?

Me: Do you think it has an element of androgyny?

TIM: No, the trail stops it from being androgynous, it reminds me of a wedding veil.

KRISTOFF: Love love love. I like the hint towards the lion-tamer shape on the outfit. The Row gets the smartness of that tailored jacket - but forgets the harshness. Really don’t think it needs the train however, it’s not a dress, so stop trying to give it that silhouette. Also not too keen on the sleeves- they’re too long, giving her an inelegant skinny wrist/hand look.

ALEX: A little too avant garde for normal streetwhere. If anyone wore that off the catwalk I would be worried for their mental health. Although, if we are talking clockwork orange, a cane would make a perfect accessory.

ADAM
(Right image)
ALEX: Wonderful. I love it. It's fanciful but the skirt is a great juxtaposition. It's very contemporary and anchors the whole thing so that it's palatable.

KRISTOFF: No idea what is going on here. I can kind of grasp the concept of the thigh-hugging denim skirt, but the actual denim is so soccer-mom, which when coupled with the 70's throwback strap sandals is a total mess. Not much keener on the upper half. Waste of fabric. 6/10
TIM: I like the floral print, it matches the skirt because both look sensible. I really like the shoes because of their simplicity.
ME: What type of woman could you imagine wearing this?

KRISTOFF: Someone who has a very down-to-earth side to them. Risks looking 31 when they’re 21... too loose to be sexy, too weirdly shaped to be classic.
TIM: A powerful career girl

(Left image)
ALEX: This lacks that anchor and looks kinda ridiculous, although the print is quite beautiful.

KRISTOFF: Very intrigued by the slinky material of the undershirt, but any attempt at sexy is most definitely ruined with this body-hiding pyjama suit.
TIM: I don't like it the print looks like curtains, but I like the club collar of the shirt.

ME: What type of woman could you imagine wearing this?

KRISTOFF: Drop the jacket then I’d say a body-confident girl who spends a lot of time in the sun?
TIM: A bohemian girl going to the beach or on holiday

ALEXANDER WANG
(Right image)

KRISTOFF: Not really so keen on this one. I get a good feeling from the shape of the corset, but it’s without doubt completely spoiled by the 90s biker material.Really hating the flowery leggings, a bit camper van trip to Las Vegas..... not helped by the shoes.... remind me of cheap garden furniture. 4/10

TIM: I like the black tube top, I really like the camouflage looking print of the trousers and the skin showing through.
ALEX: You could get away with it at some of the more fashion forward clubs. It could be a very good filter, because only like minded people worth your time will approach you.

ME: What type of woman could you imagine wearing this?

KRISTOFF: Definitely someone with money, but a cockney accent in their recent family history. (He means nouveau riche).
TIM: No one I know.

(Left image)
KRISTOFF: Not very keen on this one either, the shorts may have worked if they’d been left as fitted trousers, but really hating the whole dipped cut across the knee, I can’t decide if it makes her legs look stocky or too skinny - but something is going wrong, wrong, wrong. I can’t find her breasts behind all of that striping and faux-layering - the outfit passes only thanks to the shoes.

TIM: I like the high waisted shorts. I like the panels on her top.
ALEX: This doesn't really do it for me. It's hard to articulate. Amongst a few things, the silhouette of the headwrap is a bit awkward, and there is a white clash between the top and bottom.

(all original photos from style.com)

Who do you agree with the most?

Fairytale

When I start to see the same pieces everywhere I get a little frustrated and really bored. Art is totally inherent with creativity, so why is everyone stuck in the same outfits? I think the problem is that although I respect 'trends' I simply dislike them. To refresh my view of fashion I start making clothes that I want to wear and see everyday. Using tulle, velvet ribbon, crystal buttons and rainbow sequins I made a 'fairytale' dress by hand. It reminds me of dress- up games that children play, where they can't choose just one outfit so they are a hybrid of characters.

DRESS-MADE BY ME :) HEELS-RALPH LAURENEARRINGS-CHANEL

Red hot-pants

Yes I know, you've seen the shoes twice before and you're getting bored, but look I'm wearing red leather hot-pants with them! It is really quite hard to make such things look less streetwalker/ lady of the night and more 'polite'. I think adding a feminine cropped jacket and a ruffle collar shirt helps a lot. In case anyone disagrees I am wearing very sharp shoes and I am small enough to kick where it hurts :).

photos by Gillian D :)

JACKET-ZARA
HOTPANTS-FAR EAST PLAZA
BAG-LOUIS VUITTON

(I've realised that unless you are from Australia or a neighbouring country of Singapore you are very unlikely to know where these boutiques are so I promise proper labels will come when I am back in London with more universal brands and shops.)

Footwear weaponry

I'm in love with my spiky shoes. They are so versatile; they can be used to brush your hair, to scare creepos on the train, to scratch a mosquito bite on your leg... whilst looking completely glamorous in a medieval torture way. I am certainly drawn to items that look like they could be a form of self- defence. North of the image we see Chloe jacket that is so light and sheer it's almost a shirt. Almost.

JACKET-CHLOE

SHORTS-F21

SHOES-SINGAPORE

WRAP BRACELET-SEE HERE

So long sweet summer

I'm flying home in a week! I will miss these lazy days where my only worries were how I ran out of strawberry Pocky so quickly and why there wasn't enough jelly in the fridge. 'Ladies don't eat, they graze', I was once told. The only places I had to wake up for were shops and pretty restaurants. I was so blissfully far from drama and the stress of 'home'; but now I'm just looking forward to snuggling with my lovely dog Gatsby and my beautiful boyfriend :)

Here are some photos that are quintessentially Summer.