... are titles of works by the multi-talented Sonia Delaunay, whose career spanned much of the 20th century. She was a pioneer of paint; a mistress of the applied arts; and ace collaborator with some of the most progressive poets and choreographers of her day - and she was crazy about clothes! This first UK retrospective at Tate Modern has warranted several visits and I shall probably return for one more helping of Delaunay before the exhibition closes on August 9. On this particular visit, I opted for a charming 1920s-style silk shift, but actually a modern piece by Sarah Spencer, in washed sea-green and soft peach, colours which, I think, take their reference from the Bloomsbury Set. My daughter's glamorous gilet, by Lederer, is a jazzy miz of suede and fur, and has abstract patterns cut into it. My trusty canvas bag was bought in Cornwall and the French plimsolls are by Bensimon. A deliciously decadent string of milky-white beads, punctuated by a jade flower, and a pink quartz ring and bracelet, are by my jeweller of choice, Jessica Walker.
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!
The end of colour... as we know it. More specifically, at Turner Contemporary in Margate, where its latest exhibition, Summer of Colour, came to a close earlier this month. Celebrating the works of Dutch artist, Piet Mondrian, from early landscapes and a dazzlingly red windmill to his later distinctive lozenges of colour which inspired the late Yves Saint Laurent, in 1965, to incorporate those block shapes onto shift dresses. I decided to step out in my favourite hot-pink trousers, last worn in 'Carluccio's, South Ken'. The trousers are by British designer, Ally Capellino, who launched her womenswear collection in 1980 and is now best known for her accessories range. My breezy chiffon top is suitably colourful and graphic, whilst the shoes and sunnies, by Roberto Cavalli, are retro but sleek.The three year-old art space on Margate's seafront, designed by David Chipperfield, was also showing ethereal light installations by Brooklyn-based American artist, Spencer Finch, in turn inspired by Turner, who was both schooled and visited the town on sketching trips. Outdoors, on the terrace, contemporary Dutch artist Krijn de Koonig placed 'Dwelling' whose strong Mediterranean colours certainly heated up the Kent town by a few degrees on a September afternoon.
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!
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.
A seasonally warm evening for the private view of Dulwich Picture Gallery’s latest exhibition: Art and Life 1920-1931, celebrating the
work of Ben and Winifred Nicholson, together with contemporaries, Christopher
Wood, Alfred Wallis and potter, William Staite Murray. At the forefront of the Modern British Movement, Ben and
Winifred Nicholson painted some of their most memorable works during this
period. This exhibition, curated by their grandson, Jovan Nicholson, provides a
rare opportunity to see both artists’ views of the same landscapes, seascapes,
still lifes and portraits, together with significant works by their friends and
contemporaries. To suit the balmy evening, I wore a silky favourite by Betty Jackson, worn last summer in 'Betty Jackson (again)', together with my gold Mare sandals. Beads
and cuff are both vintage, from the '30s. The straw hat and basket-woven bucket bag
suit the season.
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/
