Grace & Manners

Monki TV

I am really liking Monki Television right now. Their weekly documentary-style videos showcase all kinds of different creative people; great to get one's own creative juices flowing again!

Lessons in Poise

The beautiful Lili Damita

Vogue 1951, Photo by Robert Randall

Vogue 1952

Vogue 1951

Vogue 1949

Vogue 1956

 

All images from myvintagevogue.com

A Face to Remember

I have just added a new lady to my list of girl/woman crushes: the fabulous Paloma Faith.

Apart from her unqiue voice and great first album, it was her special style that captured me - a wonderful mix of vintage, whimsy, the theatrical and historical references. Have a look at the fantastic Elizabethan inspired corset jacket in her Live at the ICA video. In fact, go and watch all her music videos; Paloma (in collaboration with Petra Storrs, see above picture) creates magical worlds you want to walk right into.

And the hair, oh! I have a soft spot for redheads anyway but even more so if those flame-coloured tresses are done up in vintage inspired styles.

We need more Paloma's - women who are the makers of their own style and aesthetic and are fearless in its execution.

Tales of the Unexpected

By now you probably know, dear reader, that I worship Tim Walker. So, here comes the ultimate Tim Walker feast, composed of the finest ingredients: set designs by Shona Heath, the redhead goddess Karen Elson, the ultimate eccentric couple Tim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter (two other heros of mine), the great Imelda Staunton and beautiful clothes.

Enjoy this visual indulgence and get carried away to marvellous and fantastical places. The world needs more magic!

All scans from Vogue UK, December 2008  

A Night to Remember

I was fortunate enough to attend a special Paolo Nutini Fan Club gig last Wednesday at the Scala in London. Boy, what an amazing live performer he is! A fantastic band, great set, perfect-sized venue, THAT Scottish accent and great company - a truly memorable night. Bring on the next secret gig!

Video is from the official Paolo Nutini website - only available in the Gold Club section, though - and has been uploaded with permission

Individuality

I love this guys outfit; it is crazy and very theatrical but, really, that is the appeal of it. Add to that the hair, elaborate beard/sideburns/moustache combo and an incredible name - Aymeric Bergada Du Cadet; I assume it is a pseudonym but if not, it is even more incredible - and you have someone who isn't affraid to show his individual style . More power to him, I say!

Picture from Stil in Berlin.

Dreams, Sculpted in Fabric

Alexander McQueen's last collection was shown to a small group of people this week in Paris and I am sure it must have been an emotional affair.

The sheer beauty of his creations and the incredible craftsmanship that went into the 16 pieces that were shown, took my breath away. One of the reasons this collection so appeals to me is that it looked to history for inspiration, in this case the Middle Ages. Paintings by Bosch, Boticelli and others were used for the digitally printed silks; like all the fabrics, it was exquisite. Go to Vogue UK and use the magnifying tool to see all the incredible details up close. 

The draping, the embroidery, the shoes, the models' tightly wrapped heads, the sheer attention to detail and precision of his craft...it was magical, inspiring and simply beautiful beyond words. Dreams, sculpted in fabric - the lasting legacy of a genius.

   
 
 

 

 

I love capes and this incredible emroidered beauty is one of the best I have ever seen.

  

The digital prints in this collection are amazing; the dress on the left is like a liquid, flowing version of marble.

  

The two dresses below are my favourites. Perfection.

 
All pictures from Style

A Vintage Life

I have the greatest admiration for people who create a complete universe of their own, where all aspects of their lifes - values, interests, aesthetics, fashion, interiors etc. -  feed into each other. People like Barbara and Bill Neuweiler who were featured in last weeks 'Unsere Welt' column in Migros Magazin.

The fabulous car, the hat collection, the interior design...Inspiring!

A Girl Can Dream...

  

If I could get one dress for Christmas... This one is just perfection; so elegant, graceful and seductively beautiful. I can feel the smoothness of the fabric by just looking at this fantastic photograph! Of course it is rendered ten thousand times more beautiful by the stunning Fleur de Guerre. I adore her and her fabulous and witty blog.

Ages of Elegance

While I am stirring and seasoning the concotion that is my future, let me post some pictures that have inspired me lately.

 

Carmen Dell'Orefice - what can I say? If I am going to look half as elegant as she does at 78, I will count myself lucky! Beautiful. Her personal life is very interesting as well; read about it here.

 

Pictures from www.fashionmodeldirectory.com

 

Fleur de Guerre - Vintage model, pin-up and simply a gorgeous woman. I love people who live, breath and dress the vintage way, not afraid to be different. So elegant! She has a fantastic blog as well: Diary of a Vintage Girl

 

Pictures from www.fleurdeguerre.com. © Allan Jenkins