Marais

I always believed myself to be more of a clothing gyal than a shoe-fetisher, but recent postings would suggest otherwise. A recent blog-gazing session lead me to this cute little website that I'm now obsessed with: Marais USA. The brainchild of two impeccably-tasted American natives who, having spent a summer living in the Marais district of Paris whilst students at Parsons School of Design in New York, were inspired to create their own label of selling perfectly delectable as well as practical shoes for the stylish girl.

The Marais USA blog is a lovely little read and I adore that the label, as evidenced by the website, has embraced the muse ideology in their Marais Girls concept, which features the girls behind the label, who clearly represent the buyer demographic and are the perfect brand ambassadors. Discovering these girls' personalities via this feature and seeing how they put their own style stamp on the items, makes them all the more covetable.

Check out the website's great displays.

I've spent an unhealthy portion of my Saturday lusting after both the Mary-Jane Bow and the Cross-Strap Flat pumps in beige (a chic, goes-with-everything, alternative to black that I've hereby decided I must invest in).

They're so pretty and practical to boot. I love how they remind me of shoes you might have worn to school when you were like 5 years old. The cute little details like ankle straps tied with a buckle at the side- timeless.

And it would seem they ship to the UK... dangerous.

Sunshine-induced Wishlist

With the sun being out in all it's glory this weekend, my thoughts have turned to my summer wardrobe wishlist.
A few coveted items:
1. These simply delectable Charlotte Olympia 'Tutti Frutti' pumps- I think even just for the name I would love these (takes me right back to eating ice cream in summer with my Dad when I was little), but then they have the looks to match- look at them! Fruit-tastic. The beauts are competing on my fantasy wishlist (sigh) with the Prada Made In India woven multicoloured numbers already lusted over today below. These have been on my radar for a little while, since seeing some incredible campaign shots (interestingly, styled by the talented Valentine Fillol Cordier, style muse du jour)and now they're finally available at Matches
2. A pair of denim and/or (preferable the former) coloured cut-off shorts. The denim pair are by Ksubi, a brand founded by two Australian punk-rock surfers and the red pair by Maje, one of the recent exodus of cool Parisian brands, both of which I was excited to recently discover (a tad behind the fash pack I suspect!). Serious summer-wardrobe-staple potential.
3. A nice bright blue nail polish, like Topshop's Limited Edition 'Zenith' shade. After falling in love with my new Illamasqua orange lipstick I thought it's only right and proper that I roll with it as regards summer beauty brights.

All ideally to be worn together with a peasant-style floaty top and lovely wide-rimmed straw sunhat. I love wishlists.

from the Charlotte Olympia S/S 2011 campaign

Prada Made In India

Prada's Made In India range combines, with aplomb, two things close to my heart: India and fashion artisanship. I've always been completely awe-inspired at the sheer talent of India's craftsmen on family trips back to the motherland, which instils in me such pride in my heritage.

The items in the Made In campaign have been produced using traditional techniques, materials and craftsmanship from the world over.
India: clothing made using Chikan (an ancient embroidery technique that my Mum's been wearing for years), PUMPS (want, want, want) and bags conjured up using an age-old method of weaving fabrics. Peru: items of wool knitwear using peruvian 'campesinos'. Japan: jeans from world's most sophisticated denim manufacturer. Scotland: trad tartan wool knits.

Applaud to Mario Prada, Miuccia's grandfather, for scouring the globe to seek out the very best of global artisanship and to the ever-forward-thinking Miuccia for championing it today in this way.

Meeting the Made In India ballerina flats, pump-to-face, in Selfridges' beautiful Shoe Lounge only confirmed to me, in my day-dreaming little mind: I want these ballerinas on my feet right now please. Absolute beauties.

PRADA

Post-Valentine's Day Valentine in Erdem

As well as marvelling at the beautiful yellow and orange roses and white chocolate and lemon truffles my Valentine presented me with ealier this week (I heart my sister) I was also 'ahh'-ing over my latest style muse: VALENTINE Fillol Cordier (she's French, naturellement), modelling my latest label muse: ERDEM, in this cute little video.



So romantic and whimsical- makes me too want to prance around the house in divine prints, posing to my heart's content, ideally barefoot and twirling around with daisy chains in my hair.

Just Dreamy

Current obsessions: ballet and dreamy videos/ photography. Ah ah, wow.
Thank you Opening Ceremony.
(Also obsessing over Chloe Sevigny's new collection for OC: nothing new there then).

Pas de Deux Coda from Opening Ceremony on Vimeo.

Lanvin for H&M

'OH my god'... 'Oh my GOD'!

Alber Elbaz's Lanvin collection for H&M in stores later this month.
shop the collection here

I can't express my delight on first watching (and then re-watching, multiple times) this video lookbook and the campaign shots by David Sims, which showcase the exquisite pieces in all their glory.

Thank you my lovely and ever-on-the-fashion-pulse Madeleine for bringing this collaboration into my world.
My only hope is that Santa may bring one of the DIVINE pieces into my wardrobe.
(psst, the yellow asymettric ruffle-collar dress please Sants!)

Fisheye

Lomography, I love you

Lou Doillon

I'm going to refer very little to my recent months-long bout of Muse du Jour awol-ness apart from to say that yes, I realise that I am probably now officially Queen of blogging-grand-plans-with-no-follow-through.

I do however want to share with you the overwhelming guilt I've been feeling since forgetting my camera on a recent London escapade and thereby missing some amazing, AMAZING street style on Brick Lane and in Shoreditch. Ahh, the lost street fashionistas, the ones that got away! Must style scout harder (i.e. at all).

Also, a sample of fisheye results (remember, those photos I promised were 'coming soon' about, oh, an age ago?) will be put up pretty pronto I tell thee!

I know, I know, you won't be holding your breath... I'm like the girl who cried 'blog'.


Hopefully my latest style crush will compensate in some way.
Daughter of ultimate style icon Jane Birken. She's beautiful, she's French (aah), she's style gold... ladies and gentlemen, I give you Lou Doillon.

BERLIN: Street Style

Spotted, on the hip streets of Berlin...


...European/ Australasian quirk (call it continental fusion)


...Stylish Swedish lovelies

...City cyclist-perfection

...Amsterdam's finest

GLASTONBURY: Street Style

At last... my very first STREET STYLE post. This is rather exciting stuff for me given that this was a founding basis for this here blog. I tend to move from muse to muse at a fairly fast pace, being inspired by anyone and anything from fashion to art, film, music, travel, nature and beyond.
Something that provides me with the hugest inspiration is however perhaps the most easily accessible: the street.

The best inspiration can often be found on the street. Beautiful things old and young, the translation of trends, personal stamps of style, the coolest cats, the hippest hipsters, the scenest of the scene... walk the streets with an observant and appreciative head and you'll see it.

Glastonbury Festival 2010 was pure perfection on so many levels.
En plus, it provided no shortage of muse-worthy guys and gals. Having recently spent a year living in France, arguably the chic-dresser's capital of the world, I have come back to truly appreciate the braver and eclectic style choices exhibited by us Brits.

I hope you enjoy oggling the first dose of my street style muses of the day...

GLASTONBURY

yes... yes... YES! watch this space for hot young festival things... oh yes

A Tribute to douce France...