Where to go for a celebratory supper? Quaglino's, of course, which positively pulsates with glamour. Secreted away in St James', at 16 Bury Street, the sweeping staircase to the restaurant is like descending the stairs of a great ocean liner, albeit one anchored in Mayfair. For the occasion, there was only one dress to wear: a mid-century satin number weighed down with beads and pearls. A hand-made piece, purchased in Pimlico's Cornucopia (long-gone but one of my very favourite shopping haunts), this gown never fails to make me feel that I'm "Puttin' On the Ritz" - coincidentally just around the corner. Worn with brown satin heels, a deep-red vintage fur, and a statement pearl ring from Jessica Walker, plus a perfect dining companion (my daughter), in an Isabel Marant for H&M metallic dress.
If you think of one statement colour, I immediately come up with red. Here, I'm in my stand-out and rare vintage coat by Harald, late of 39a Curzon Street, W1. Who was Harald? A Nordic contemporary of Amies and Hartnell in '50s Mayfair? Little is known about this couturier (1904-1994) save that the likes of British stars, such as Vivien Leigh, favoured his designs. The Dolce & Gabbana butterfly-print boots hover prettily beneath the cerise dress-coat. I hope Harald would approve!
My old vintage fur, from the '40s, keeps going strong, especially around Mayfair. On this occasion worn with a pair of low-key palazzo-style pants from Topshop, an Oriental-print silk bag and some old leather boots. The cornelian and silver pendants, and cuff, add a little exoticism: out of Afghanistan and purchased a long while back on Islington Green, from a shop called Rau.
A fine time of year for a Mayfair stroll... there are quiet backwaters, off the main avenues of retail - even in W.1. Cold enough for a vintage fur jacket, a present from my best Canadian pal, worn over a festively red silk dress.
