Four Fashion Tales: SS12

3 .1  P H I L I P  L I M
Astounded. Yes, I was by this collection, not purely because each look exuded the wearability factor but because it was executed in a unique way. There were echoes of shows past, present and future with pastel combinations, contrast double bonded and plasticised fabrics but all with underlying lux sportswear tones. Each element had been honed in and shaped to the 3.1 format of laid back urban elegance - a winning combination everytime.

P R A D A
Muiccia's take on 50's felt familiar but fresh, a successful amalgamation of girl versus boy (and his toys.) Girly chalky pastels were framed with lipstick red and jet black as you would find on  a T bird's cadillac convertible. The feminine shilouette was true throughout but a little more risqué  with cropped bandeau pairings. Tough guy whiffs came from the boxy elongated harringtons and flaming wheel motifs but the bottom line was the lady is behind the wheel with additions of rhinestone panels and colour clash lace.

C H A L A Y A N

What we saw in Paris was a show of contradictions, that challenged us to look a little bit deeper and beyond. This was channelled through the folk floral embroidery that was morphed into swirls as well as sheathed in organza, and the merging of dissected structure and softness but also as the designer himself weaved round the crowd posed as a waiter! Unexpected panels appeared like meaningful windows and prints were broken up with blocks of brights, with colours mirrored in the footwear. 

C H A N E L
Each season Karl's creations are an essential in fashion week viewing, despite this and how much I love of the drama of a Chanel show I sometimes get a bit lost during the middle. This season however I was mouth agape and heart thumping more so with each look. Fantasmical colour palette; pastels muddled with murkier deep sea tones and sharpened with the classic Chanel monochrome. Then softened again by a peach kiss with the edge kept with clears and shimmery metallics. It was a dreamy collection of intricate fabrics threaded through the classic tweed but then embellished with a splash of sequins or corners encrusted with scale like discs. Another success in refreshing the parameters of modern femininty.



Alternative Monday



Recently I came across Eric Cahan's Sky Series and fell in love with the magical colours he captures at sunrise and sunset. I also found this picture of a 90s BMW customised by South African painter Esther Mahlangu, I'm sure you would agree that it is nothing short of rad! But now I can't stop thinking of driving into the pastel inked sunset in it and leaving the autumn chill behind!



FRIDAY

Final day of the week, so its comfort all the way...
Floral piped neck maxi - Vintage
Satchel bag - Mulberry
Converse
Various necklaces as previously

Spanish Tortilla and Garden Salad
Just a few more salad leaves left in the garden as the chill is getting to the, so bulked this up with some chicory and green lentils with a lemon vinegrette and a little homemade tomato salsa. And from dinner we had a tortilla with chorizo, tomatoes, red bell peppers and lots of red onion - really just a very deep omlette with potatoes, but so tasty!



THURSDAY

Oversized Grey Marl Tee - Andrews
Animal Rolled Up Ski Pants - Leeds yard sale
Studded Slippers -Topshop
Necklaces: Gold band / Bronze chain / Bird Skull

both H&M and from NY boutique (think it was in Red Hook)

Yellow Lentil Curry
I ended up freestyling this one, toasting off some spices like cumin, green cardomom and pepper corns then smushing it all down with some ginger and garlic. Cooked this down with the lentils and some defrosted chicken stock, I also added shaven off corn kernels for a sweet crunch and a lonely sweet potato I had lying around. Served with some rice and brown lentils for a bit of bite and lime for zing!



WEDNESDAY



Oversized Check Jacket - Chazza Shop (P.S check out the shoulders and this is minus pads!)
White Tee - Urban Outfitters
Navy Turn Ups - Topshop
Nude Lattice Sandals - Topshop
Necklace - H&M



Green Spaghetti
This is an easy peasy dinner and still great the next day. Inspired by a Matthew Fort recipe that uses purple sprouting brocolli, minus sauce and replaced with good olive oil, I have replaced the broc wit heaps of other fresh greens and a good whack of parmesan. I opted for freshly potted peas, grated through courgette and spinach, then for a lunchy addition my favourite rocket. And heaps of ground pepper.





TUESDAY

Collared jersey shirt - Topshop
Oxblood metallic loose knit - H&M
Pleat shorts - H&M
Platform black boots - Zara
Camel Clutch - Vintage
Coin cluster gold ring - treasured hand me down from Mum



Sumac Chicken and Pumpkin Rice
One of my favourite cookbooks or series of is the Moro ones, and both of these hail from those pages.
Last nights dinner of simple chicken thighs pan fried and finished in the oven with sumac (deep raspberry in colour and lemony in taste) and pine nuts, then slightly more effort needed for the a pumpkin and basmati mixture drizzled with saffron infused butter but well worth it, bit of lettuce too for one more ticked of veg portion for the day.



MONDAY

For those of you who have just tuned in, for a week each month I do a little diary of my work outfits and packed lunches. Every Monday I feel the need to expel all evil weekend toxins so have opted for a super healthy roast veg salad and with the last glimmer of summer warmth I went mildly tropical in dress!

Tropical tee - Topshop
Belt - Car Boot Sale
Super washed denim peg legs - Philippine thrift store
Tassled Toes - Russell & Bromley
Acid wash denim jacket - Dad's

Stuffed Roasted Pepper Salad
Halved peppers roasted with tomoatoes, basil, garlic and parmesan shavings on a bed of rocket and scatterings of sesame, pumpkin seeds and lentils, oh and drizzled with a light lemon vinegrette.