Wee Birdy

Wee find: French and English Confectioners

 
I'm loving these limited-edition ‘Gold Dust Woman’ bags by French and English Confectioners, one of the labels I discovered at Swanfield. Featuring incredible starburst designs in raffia and metallic thread, each bag (there are only 14 in total) has been hand-cut and hand-embroidered by designer Lucie Gonnord.

There are also some rather lovely satchels and clutches in patent leather with sweet cut-out details. Priced from £85, at Swanfield.

Swanfield (until the end of Oct)
1.2 Kingly Court
London, W1
Tel. 07595 64040
Nearest tube: Oxford Circus.
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 11am-7pm

Something for the weekend

I've been a very bad (but also v. busy) birdy of late. Huge apologies for my lack of posts. I promise I'll be back on form next week. In the meantime, check out my personal highlight from Arcadia's A/W09 press day: the Beth Ditto doll, courtesy of plus-size UK high street brand, Evans.

I think every little girl should have one. Unfortunately the doll (made by Superdoll Collectables London) is a one-off, but check out those boobs and tummy! Ace hair, too. I'm really looking forward to seeing the full line-up from this exciting collaboration - if the monochrome dominoes dress is anything to go by, it signals a brave step by Evans in a brand new (and much younger) direction. Bravo!

Wee finds: LBDs for A/W 2009

Jil Sander's LBD for Autumn/Winter 2009

Sifting through my favourites from the Autumn/Winter 2009 collections, I noticed a wee trend emerging: LBDs. OK, so LBDs aren't exactly "wee" or a "trend", since designers march out a new version of this modern classic every season. But LBDs seemed to be the flavour of the month this time around. Or maybe I just liked more black frocks than not. Anyway, here are my favourites:

Modern assymetrical '40s style with skinny belts at Lanvin.

A modern take on the classic sheath at Bottega Veneta.

Soft sculptural silhouettes at Jil Sander. 

Holey felted wool (!) and exquisite plissé detailing at Calvin Klein.

Images from Style.com.

Wee finds: New York fashion week

 

Whilst the Marc by Marc Jacobs' show at New York Fashion week wasn't exactly earth-shattering, I'm not ashamed to admit that I like his accessories and details. But stuff the idea of waiting around 'til next Autumn - I'm taking on board all the hat/scarf action right now.

 

Those in the Northern Hemisphere may relate when I refer to late-February wardrobe tedium. Seriously, I've been pretty much wearing the same coat every day for four months' now. Never mind if I'm actually wearing a new frock as it never sees the light of day. I may as well be roaming central London in my pyjamas for all that matters.

It's still too cold (and I'm too broke) to even contemplate the tasty new Spring collections arriving in store, so that's why I'm taking such a special interest in all the vintage-style knotted lovelies in Jacobs' line-up.

They look especially good paired with the muted shades of what Style.com describes as "felt Molly Ringwald hats" (ha!). I'm going to dig up my collection of colourful silk scarves and see what I can do. Might just do the trick and make same-coat-wearing that much more bearable - you know, breath of fresh air and all of that.

Jacobs always does a few super-sweet brooches and hair accessories for his diffusion range - and these apple and birdy(!) ones are no exception.

And if you dig Jacobs' plaid blanket cape (above), you might like to check out this Vivienne Westwood orange version on Ebay - it's currently going for £31.

All images from Style.com