Twelfth Night

If you're going to have an epiphany, it may as well be on Twelfth Night!

So pull down your Christmas tree, recycle the cards and scoff those festive left-over chocolates...

Allen Jones RA

Cutting a dash in Mayfair lately is this distinctive orange sculpture by Allen Jones, and arresting poster girl, Kate Moss, wearing one of the Royal Academician's 'bodies'. The ever-controversial, often-debatable Mr Jones, a pioneer of Pop Art, is enjoying a major retrospective at the RA's Burlington Gardens, the grand mid-19th building by Sir James Pennethorne. Allen Jones' show has provoked further discussion as well as mixed reviews. Either way, you can't ignore him even when you set those cut-out figures against the august statues of 17th century philosophers, Sir Francis Bacon and John Locke. The latter wrote 'An Essay Concerning Human Understanding'. Indeed! 
To see the exhibition I wrapped up in Joseph knits, with a Tait & Style scarf. The bag is DKNY and the boots, by Ras, are firm favourites.

The only real adventure is me...

... so says the solipsist in me. For Tracey Emin, whose new show is currently at Bermondsey's White Cube, 'The Last Great Adventure Is You' brings together sculptures, gouaches, paintings, embroideries and signature neon bon-mots. All eminently... Tracey. This solo exhibition, her first in five years, runs until November 16.  Bermondsey is always good for a Sunday stroll to take in great art and... certainly some art in the knitwear, to be found at the Fashion and Textile Museum's latest exhibition, Knitwear: from Chanel to Westwood. Fine work from the likes of Biba, Ossie Clark, Comme des Garçons, Courrèges, Julien MacDonald, Sister by Sibling, Matthew Williamson and some nostalgic Fair Isle. I wore my Armani pinstripes, an asymetrical Comme des Garçons knit, Dior sunnies and a couple of scarves, in fur and Caledonian mohair. My vintage bag is chic whilst the 'Here's winking at you' '60s earrings are fun. The modern hand-made Porcelain Bling necklace (by Schneider) is a distinct one-off. My Ras boots are back out for winter!

Dressing for the sunshine

Even though we're only into March, the weather has been surprisingly good of late, and what better way to embrace the sun, than wear sunshine colours... and a pair of Tom Ford sunnies. My most recent purchase, from south London boutique, Paraphernalia, is the Christopher Kane psychedelically-patterned cardigan, that reminds me of being in a chemistry lab circa 1979! Another statement colour is the vivid turquoise, in the jeans by Met from the Living and Giving shop in Dulwich which opened its doors in December. It is a charity concept that was set up by Mary Portas, and developed for Save the Children, following her TV series Mary Queen of Charity Shops. To mellow down the look is an old tan bucket bag, and a pair of comfy, but quirky, Ras boots!

Heed the tweed

 

... from Somerset House, a major arts and cultural centre with riverside views. Nothing like a good stroll across the cobblestones of Fountain Court, after all, these boots (by Ras) are, surprisingly, made for walking. Even though it's almost springtime, the weather still requires lots of layers, starting with a pair of red leather skinnies, you may have seen in 'Double leather' and 'Artists' Open House'. I'm not one for DoT (Dress-over-Trousers), but here I'm wearing a checked one by Betty Jackson, recently worn in 'Let's all be Friends!'. Yet more layers with a Nicole Farhi cardigan, and a Joseph tweed crombie-style coat. Gucci sunnies and a charming tweed bag always brighten my day!

Wallpapered hideaway

Don't you just love a place where pretty much everything is for sale? From a slice of delicious lemon loaf and a glass of hot chocolate (complete with marshmallows) to quirky collectables and pieces of artwork on every wall. Where? The Montage in Forest Hill. You may recall a post last year in June. This time I'm sitting in a little wallpapered hideaway within the maze of rooms that is the magical Montage, wearing a silk embroidered Chinese jacket from nearby shop, in Sydenham's Kirkdale: Syd's Vintage, run by Claire Draper. Alongside the jacket: a pair of plum skinnies, a purple John Smedley knit, funky Ras boots, all topped off with a Nicole Farhi coat over the shoulders.