From a statement green Dior feathered hat, to a chic vintage gold dress, and a charming little black Prada bag, Paraphernalia had it all! Last month local ladies came together to showcase fabulous looks from the south London boutique. Both Honor Oak and Crofton Park businesses, including Pat-a-Cake, Star Cafe, The White Room, Arlo and Moe and Mr Lawrence Wine Bar, joined in the day-long celebrations, which spilled out onto the street. My looks ranged from an Elspeth Gibson sleek black dress, to Marni culottes with a vintage fur. Look out for the next 'fest' on Saturday 6 December!
Last year in June, I headed down to Chichester, in 'Pallant-bound' and 'Bill's, Chichester', and now I'm back again, for both the Pallant and a pit-stop at Carluccio's. The magnificent cathedral guided me to the centre of the city, down charming cobbled streets to the art gallery to view the last marvellous hour of The Scottish Colourist J.D. Fergusson exhibition, after which I passed the Stik men, by a London-based street artist, whose work is to be found across Europe, Asia and the USA. I ended the day at Carluccio's with a lovely meal comprising hand-made tortelloni and wine-braised venison, followed by a delightful cioccolata fiorentina. Wrapped in layered winter greys: a Lowie cape, a TK Maxx merino wool jumper, Nicole Farhi trousers and my Louis Vuitton vintage bag. Both Thierry Lasry sunnies and Versace reading glasses (two pairs are needed when you get to my age!).
... 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!
Celebrated a birthday last night, fittingly with bubbly, cake and music, but alas at 25, not my own, but that of successful local store, The Dulwich Trader. The independent, award-winning emporium with its three shops, has been trading in the manor of Dulwich for 25 years. It attracted a select crowd of faithful customers to its flagship in Croxted Road to celebrate with champagne, cupcakes from Milly and Grace Cupcakes and Bakes, and a trio of cool young musicians: Matt, Joe and Huw. The Dulwich Trader, with its on-trend stock and personable service, has been a fail-safe destination for those seeking pretty presents to a wool winter coat - I noticed a pretty powder-blue one by Helene Berman. I opted for non-wintry whites since I still haven't packed away my summer wardrobe so it was 'boyfriend' jeans by Current/Elliott, a chiffon top by DKNY, a handknit mini-poncho, and a skull-print scarf (a present from Mexico). I even slung on some strappy sandals, by Moda in Pelle, for the evening which showcased the store's recent makeover. Happy trading!
Marking the end of this Indian summer and heralding the new season, The Autumn Decorative Fair opened its doors earlier this week in Battersea Park for a six-day-stay until the end of the weekend. With more than 140 exhibitors, delights ranged from fine furniture to folk art, and a foyer full of original fairground and circus artefacts. I opted for a truly vintage look and wore one of my best one-offs: a jewel-green dress, from the '40s, with jazzy floral inserts. It is a real hand-made piece and comes with a lovely history. Purchased from a girlfriend, it was made by her great-grandmother who took on the mantle of 'family' dress-maker. Happily it fits me - as if I was one of the family! And it is accessorised with my charming Hong Kong '50s clutch, bought earlier this summer at Lewes Antiques Centre. My dress was remarked upon by several of the exhibitors including Josephine Ryan, whose pair of magnificent 19th century Italian 'Wonderland' chairs, would be worthy of any Alice, predisposed to curlicues. Best chairs in show! The dress also looked rather glamorous against the rough-hewn hessian, larger-than-life figures at La Place Antiques, which also had some lovely Gustavian chairs. Desirable fare included a 'men-sized' sofa at Drennan, where big is always beautiful; the coral and cabinets at Martin D. Johnson Antiques; the pretty French bateau at Covelli Tennant; and Gallic furniture aplenty at French Country Living Antiques; and pretty horses - the larger one, an exceptional example from the 1880s, by Orton & Spooner. I went back to the fair on Sunday in my casuals: a Zara knit and Gap skinnies and found a Victorian chair, with Hungarian folk pieces and edged in orange, to try out at Covelli Tennant. And the craziest bag - a crayfish-shaped basket from '50s America - at Katheleys. Truly out there... in the ocean of eccentricity!
