Florals were an endless refrain over the weekend in West Sussex at The Floral Fringe Fair which flags itself up as a 'quirky, quality, friendly, foodie, arty, plantaholics, informative, wildlife event with a vintage twist!'. Set against the backdrop of the John Nash-designed Knepp Castle, home to the Burrell family, both days boasted fine weather, a grand setting, and good trading. Cafe Murano of Hurstpierpoint set up its outpost and sold a variety of collectables from chintz and statuary to a particularly alluring cherub(!); Louise Bunning's stall, Faded Charm, lived up beautifully to its name; whilst Arundel-based Linda Chivers was selling stand-out bras and bags from the 50's and 20's respectively, along with recycled and vintage textiles. Home to the Re-Wilding Project, Knepp also boasted a 'pop-up' tree house, built for the occasion by Inhabit Treehouses, in cedar and Douglas fir. Also the castle had its own flock of birds nearby, albeit of the sculptural variety. I wore my most quintessential English suit: a 50's silk Willow-patterned two-piece by Hardy Amies, bought for a song in Suffolk. It has previously had outings to weddings in the North of England and Goodwood and was much remarked upon...
I came away with a pair of pegs from WildWood, who specialise in charcoal and coppice products and sell everything from besom brooms to Sussex pimps and can turn their hands to hedgelaying and hurdles. I also bought some lovely plants and a charming book of poetry: Bridge Bluster, self-published at Burblebooks by Robert Edwards, who rhymes Putney with chutney. My favourite? Albert Bridge. All in all, a fabulous floral affair!
Once again, Dulwich is landing a cultural punch in the capital, with the launch of the 21st Dulwich Festival. More than 200 artists are now part of Artists' Open House and this weekend (17th-18th) marks the second and final weekend for this showcase. The annual festival started on May 9th and its programme of events has included music, talks, walks, workshops and debates as well as the addition of a Food Trail. As for the backdrop, located off Lordship Lane and Goose Green, these bare-knuckle fighters sprang up last year.
Joining Conor Harrington's astounding work, I'm wearing an Edwardian frock-coat in funeral black.
Yesterday was a roller-coaster Good Friday, beginning in
Bermondsey, at the Fashion and Textile Museum for the Artist Textiles: Picasso to Warhol exhibition. After a burst of mid-century prints, time for a snack,
and where else better to go than Borough Market. To finish the day with a view
of The Shard, I called in on Tate Modern, for the magnificent Matisse show: The Cut-Outs. I opted for a statement Karl Donoghue gilet, a new Chloé knit, black
InWear trousers, some old biker boots from Harrods, a pair of Chanel sunnies,
and a vintage Louis Vuitton bag. All in all, a very Good Friday!
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.
