‘Fashion is an expression of the times. Elegance is something else again.’ Horst, 1984
The V&A's current exhibition on Horst: Photographer of Style encapsulates a life's work behind the lens, from that corset for Mainbocher to a Persepolis bull, and brings together unforgettable portraits and images of high style and glamour. Horst created more than 90 front covers for Vogue from the '30s to '60s. Notably that 1939 photograph for Vogue of the Detolle corset for Mainbocher informed Madonna's music video, Vogue, in the '90s. Horst P. Horst established himself as one of Vogue's photographers of choice in the '40s, so what better way to be inspired by the German-born virtuoso than wear my own impeccable dress from that era - an original Fashion Preferred, Styled by Jack Liebman. Who he? For my trip to the V&A, my classic black taffeta dress with velvet cuffs and collar stood the test of time on the steps in south Kensington, passing by the Christmas Tree 'Ceremony' by Gareth Pugh in the main entrance hall as well as a stroll through the classic sculpture gallery, keeping company with Diana the Huntress and Helen of Troy. My 'Feather in my Cap' hat was jaunty enough and my cane-handled velvet bag too. The Russell & Bromley grosgrain platforms from the '70s are a failsafe: glamorous and funky. And the tights, by Jonathan Aston, add a bit of jazz! The homage to Horst ends this weekend so pile on the glamour and take a stroll through these timeless images.
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.
Dulwich by night... specifically Dulwich Picture Gallery which hosted its Friends' Preview event for 'Hockney, Printmaker', which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the artist’s first print.This exhibition highlights the variety and scope of the printed works of one of Britain's best-loved artists and judging from last night's turn-out, the exhibition is going to be yet another sell-out. Whilst all eyes were on the modern art last night, I brought a little classical imagery in from the cold with earrings from The Start Collection. The rest was double check: a Betty Jackson dress and vintage tartan silk jacket, last worn at an entirely different south London space - Frank's in 'Frankly Friday!'. Mongolian lamb continued to keep me warm and elevation came from my Russell & Bromley platforms.
After dinner, a short walk on Bankside for drinks at citizenM hotel, with a brief diverting stop on a stack of red chairs! The best chair of the evening was to be found in the hotel lobby: La Chaise, designed by Charles & Ray Eames in
1948. The name is apparently a playful reference to the sculptor Gaston
Lachaise whose 'Floating Figure' inspired the chair, exclusively
produced by Vitra since 1991.
CitizenM is a new group of international hotels, now in Amsterdam, Glasgow and London, and plans to open in Paris, New York and Rotterdam. Visit the website for more details.
http://www.citizenm.com/
http://eamesdesigns.com/catalog-entry/la-chaise/
http://www.vitra.com/en-gb/living/?c=GB
http://www.vitra.com/en-gb/product/la-chaise?subfam.id=37544
Waiting for my Tate date at the river entrance to Tate Modern at the weekend. It turned out to be a colourful evening - even on the plate! I'm wearing my favourite Max Mara dress, with a vintage bolero of swansdown, an oversized patent clutch (a laptop case!), a pair of Russell & Bromley platforms, Gucci sunglasses and vintage jewellery. Tate Modern's restaurant - with one of the best views in town, on level 6 - has a positively mouth-watering menu, and wines to match. My outfit complemented the fabulous Yayoi Kusama's distinctively dotty mural! The gallery held an extensive exhibition of the octogenarian Japanese artist's work last year.
http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern
http://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-modern/eat-drink-and-shop/level-6-restaurant
http://www.maxmara.com/it/Pagina-Iniziale
http://www.russellandbromley.co.uk/
http://www.gucci.com/uk/home
http://www.yayoi-kusama.jp/e/information/index.html
http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/yayoi-kusama
