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!
You can't beat a good pair of jeans, especially if they're in stand-out orange! These vintage Versace's are actually borrowed from my daughter, yet they fit wonderfully, and the colour, bright and bold, is just what this British weather needs. I'm not one for mixing casual with formal, but I was otherwise persuaded, and the grey and orange compliment each other beautifully. The blazer, by MaxMara, is part of a suit, seen in 'Suited for a Hampshire Wedding'. Accessoried with a stingray bag, from Paraphernalia, a pair of plastic heels by Vivienne Westwood for Melissa, and Dior sunnies, of course...
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.
