Tapping into the spirit of Art

I love the Courtauld Gallery, set in one corner of the neo-classical glamour that is Somerset House, and boasting some fine views of the Thames on its uppermost floors. The latter location, part of the Courtauld Institute of Art, is a good spot for the interesting and absorbing shows it stages - the latest being Georgiana Houghton: Spirit Drawings. Earlier in the month, I caught this summer showcase of a most unusual, little-known Victorian artist (1814-1884) whose work is mainly to be found in Melbourne, Australia, at The Victorian Spiritualists' Union. Perhaps the Aussies were onto something... because her work was well before its time.
This collection of abstract watercolours, not seen in the UK for more than a century, capture a kind of spiritual energy (Ms Houghton was also a spiritual medium and this area of interest clearly informed her artistic endeavours) with their magical and heavenly shapes and forms. A truly memorable and other-worldly show.
For ease, I'm wearing a simple linen shift (made in Italy, purchased in Crystal Palace) and my comfortable Supergas, excellent for walk-abouts and those cobbles in the Somerset House courtyard. For essential colour, under changeable September skies, I added a dash of orange with my Parosh top, and lots of ethnic beads and bag. The sunnies are by Moschino. The location are the environs of Somerset House, now a mecca for the creative arts, and with its own fine spirit of place.

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...

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!

Greek is key

Greek is key... in the pattern on the collar of this authentic blouse, purchased in a street market in Islington. I am nowhere near the Aegean, but the colour of the silk culottes is the colour of the sea I'd like to dive into, any time. The '80s trousers, from Mabel in Dulwich, have the quirkiest label: Equipment of Boom Club. My jewellery is vintage, as is the knitted bag, from Past Caring. Sunnies are from Forever 21. Lunch and surroundings, both Med-style, are courtesy of local Italian eaterie in Dulwich, Sorsi & Morsi.

The Years of La Dolce Vita

Caught the last day of The Years of La Dolce Vita at The Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, celebrating in mono-magic, the heyday of Italian cinema. The pictures, from the '50s and '60s, captured glamour and fashion in equal measure as well as the emerging phenomenon of the 'paparazzo' here exemplified by the snapshots taken by the prolific photojournalist, Marcello Geppetti, who notched up more than a million images. A winning shot: the blonde and voluptuous Anita Ekberg, Swedish star of Fellini's La Dolce Vita, immaculate in sheath dress and... stockinged feet, bow and arrow in hand, ready to ward off approaching paparazzi!
In homage, I wore a pretty, floral-sprigged vintage corset, with a great label, Roulette. It gives me a head-turning 'profile' which could rival any '50s starlet and I brought it into the next century with a pair of impeccably Italian navy pinstriped trousers by Emporio Armani. The little Indian basket was bought at Gabriel's Wharf, the '80s earrings are by Erickson Beamon, the sunnies are vintage and the wedges are by Topshop. And my lipstick, for the day, Dior's Dolce Vita, naturalmente!

All about the skirt

It doesn't necessarily have to be the most colourful or loudest piece that draws the most attention. In this case the simple lines, yet complex nature, of this white raffia skirt offers pristine perfection midst the boldness of my Paul Smith silk shirt, and the busy-butterfly vintage Dolce & Gabbana boots. Accessories range from Roberto Cavalli sunglasses and white luminescent bag, to a Florenza embellished bracelet, Georgian ring, and dazzling green earrings.

Viva Italia!

Pink and white blooms in Kensington en route to see the newly-opened show at the V&A: The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014. On display are around 100 ensembles and accessories by leading Italian fashion houses including Simonetta, Pucci, Sorelle Fontana, Valentino, Gucci, Missoni, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Marni, Fendi, Prada and Versace, through to the next generation of fashion talent. The most eye-dazzling display was the extraordinary set of emerald and diamond jewels, once owned by Elizabeth Taylor, and made by Bulgari, sponsors of this exhibition. To match the theme of Italian fashion, I decided to wear a vintage Roberto Cavalli dress, complete with simple, yet classy, black accessories, from my vintage velvet bag, to my Russell & Bromley heels.

Blue mood

The last of blue, blue days... an Hermès scarf tied atop, with a voluminous pair of '80s electric-blue silk culottes. The sunglasses, by Miss Sixty, are still for summer and the brightly turquoise necklace is vintage.  

http://uk.hermes.com/
http://www.misssixty.com/gbr/en-gb

Black on blue

A day for staple black... and a faithful rucksack. Sometimes it is the background in one's life which brings the most colour! And yes, I love blue doors - from North Yorkshire to south London!

Take two: in the same dress!

 

Yes... here again in that Gottex dress - this time against a rustic northern backdrop, which amplifies those blues.

Vintage beaded earrings, a woven bag and plastic-fantastic multicoloured bangles from a local market add to the fun. And the spiky Ash sandals bring a little punk to the door!

http://www.ashfootwear.co.uk/