The weather was out, and so were we, in celebration of last weekend's Croftfest in south London and all that's best in SE4. Highlighting both home-grown shops and produce in this particular part of London, Croftfest attracted families, shoppers and indeed passers-by to the day-long community street festival on Saturday, and certainly there was a buzz around Crofton Park in the September sunshine.
We were in our element: dressing up in lots of different styles and eras, courtesy of designer and vintage boutique, Paraphernalia, which celebrates its 18th year at 365 Brockley Road this month. I wore a slinky burnt-orange knit dress with divine Fendi bag and Dolce & Gabbana boots; a funky Traffic People metallic jumpsuit reminiscent of Studio 54; a chic navy ensemble; a sophisticated grey and camel outfit complete with Goyard clutch; and a glamorous vintage fur, with the best boots for strutting my stuff. What a great day and a Happy 18th to Paraphernalia! And check out the amazing street art in this neighbourhood!
Caught the last weekend of the Royal Academy of Arts' interesting show, Radical Geometry, highlighting the dynamic work of a host of 20th century South American artists, as they challenged convention to create new geometric abstract art. Part of the Patricia Phelps de Cisneros Collection, the exhibition was all lines, forms and shapes, rather like my backdrop: the glass/steel staircase in the RA's Sackler Wing, built by Foster + Partners in 1991. By way of contrast, my look was all frills and furbelows in a fine silk duo: a top from By Malene Birger and a Miu Miu skirt from that swish Milanese store, 10 Corso Como, and a soft dove-grey pashmina, slung across my shoulders. My snake T-bars are by Ash and the silver leather shoulder bag by Angel Jackson just keeps on looking better with age!
The K2 kiosk was Britain's first red telephone box. Designed
by British architect, Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the K2 was introduced in 1926,
after which around 1,700 models were placed mostly in London. Now some 200
examples remain on Britain's streets and have since acquired Grade II listing status. The
K2 design had one distinguishing feature: a
domed roof, said to inspired by a lantern design at the Dulwich Picture Gallery. Now you can find a fine example of K2 at the aforesaid gallery. It may not be in working order but it is a charming backdrop, as is the lovely gallery garden, for a few snaps. I'm wearing a vintage dress from Mabel, Melbourne Grove in SE22; studded sandals by Ash; a pair of kiosk-red vintage sunnies by Revlon; some cowrie-shell jewellery, and a basket from my unnecessarily large collection. The lipstick, as ever, is by Dior: Dolce Vita.
N.B. Catch the last few days of the Art and Life exhibition, ending 21st September.
I love London brick... particularly on Edwardian houses where rich earthy terracottas prevail. Even stormy grey weather does not cool this colour, nor indeed any of my clothes which layer tobaccos and tans with darkest chocolates and a flash of orange (lipstick by Dior). Newly-purchased Ralph Lauren suede shirt complements my tan suede, Western-influenced Jigsaw skirt as does my tweed jacket from Olsen. A dash of Mongolian lamb to keep me warm, chunky wedge boots by Ash and my new favourite African woven bag bought at a local charity shop, pour more earthy tones into the picture. Backdrop upon London brick is a recent street-art piece, off Lordship Lane. It also featured in May's 'Tea with a bee' when freshly-painted as part of Dulwich Street Art festival.
I am always comfortable in grey... does being British help? Here against marble and brick, I am wearing a MaxMara pinstripe jacket (seen previously as part of a trouser suit in 'Suited... for a Hampshire wedding'), a silk/organza floor-length skirt by Lynn Lugo, and a diaphanous Ted Baker top, with pleating which has medieval echoes. Chocolate-brown complements the greys, in the drawstring suede and fur bag, and the Ash tooled-leather boots. Even my jewellery is grey-hued,
although the quartz earrings, from Istanbul, have a flush of pink about them.
http://gb.maxmara.com/
http://www.lynnlugo.com/
http://www.ashfootwear.co.uk/
