Mini Maxi

Totally head over heels for Michael van der Ham and the mixed length thing that’s going on lately.  It’s loose and effortless, a hard thing to achieve with mixed fabrics.  Ain’t it beautiful!?  I’m thinking to do a full report on Mr. van der Ham, but this is a little teaser.

Le Bel Eté

Fashion videos seem the done thing to do these days, and when done wonderfully, they can be wonderful!  I’ve fallen in love with the loose cuts and maxi skirts (and slightly with Lou Doillon) you get such a sense of movement.  As a designer I get it, the thing of being able to show the details in a way photos just can’t.

The sketch I did whilst watching Doillon dance/hop…

The Way You Drape

You’ll all may be aware that I missed out on seeing this show, my poor invite sits on my desk unused while I’m writing this.  But perhaps it’s a good thing, had I been there I can’t promise that I wouldn’t have stormed the runway to grab that beautiful soft trench (below).  I may be small, but nothing comes between me and the perfect jacket, uhuh!

So I’ve been resigned to looking through the wonderful photos falling in love with stuning colours and silhouettes.  ’I'd wear that in a heartbeat’ (said to myself over and again.)  And that’s the thing with Amanda Wakeley, she knows how to create pieces that love the female form.  The loose cuts are modest and the drape creates wonderful shapes which transform over the body as you move.

Of Accessories

The Camilla Skovgaard shoes need no introduction, being as they are,  a mainstay of collaboration with Wakeley. But particularly in this collection, the desert boot soles are just perfect.  Then there are the bracelets which given half a chance, and the bank account, I would find myself acquiring.  Something about the strong structural shape and the softness of what is reflected in it is simple and beautiful, something that could easily be the tag-line for this collection!

Rather been in a mood for sketching lately, and this look was eyeing me up, what can I say..

Favourites Anyone?

I’ll be honest and admit I can’t choose between these looks.  But I’d love to know which is your favourite.

(images: backstage via the Amanda Wakeley blog, runway via ELLE UK and Vogue.co.uk, sketch via my scanner)

Loose Style

This beautiful long kaftan from the Chanel resort collection actually made my eyes widen when I came across it.  I love the soft tones and the billowing fabric, and the ornate jewelled detail is so delightfully delicate.  You know what though, Natasha Poly just doesn’t do it justice… (that, naturellement, was sarcasm)

Lily Cole for Vogue Nippon

Just a little something to get me in the mood for a fun summery weekend.  Trying to catch that festival vibe with ditsy florals and loose layering.

DON’T FORGET THE ‘STYLECOVERED’ 15% DISCOUNT CODE FOR MAYSAA ENDS MIDNIGHT THIS SUNDAY (GMT)

(images: Vogue Nippon)

Spring Summer 2010

Maxi dresses, head scarves, and geometric mosaic prints from a Japanese fashion house?  Antonio Marras took us on a Middle Eastern adventure, not surprising as the starting point for the collection was Freya Stark, an English writer and Traveller of the Middle East.  It was a tale of two parts with bright bold colour block looks preceded by beautiful printed maxi dresses and that stunning large check trench.

I love how even in the very Islamic patterns there were still elements of the Japanese aesthetic in the indigo blue and white prints.  An harmonious marriage of cultures that didn’t look in the least bit contrived.  Kenzo is always a go to fashion house for jilbab style maxi dresses and loose fit, so there’s not a lot more Marras could have done to speak to us ladies this Summer.

Cultural Combinations

I guess the Japanese, English, Arab mix isn’t such a strange one after all, well  it is something very close to my heart.  It’s rather lovely to know it can be done so beautifully too!

(images: via style.com)

Mixing Styles

Sorry about my absence I was up in London feeling very guilty about not posting!  I spent yesterday looking through some stunning prints for MAYSAA, so maybe that’s why I’m on a bit of a mixed up prints kick at the moment.  If you ignore the semi-nudeness of the model you can see a beautiful mix of colour and pattern.  I love how it’s been put together, the shot, the loose styling, so beautiful.

This second shot is sans colour, but that helps bring out the textures.  I love that depth and subtle repetition of stripes.  Reminds me that next time I’m in Morocco I should stock up on scarves!

(images: Vogue Paris Feb 2010)

Modest cuts and Stunning detail

This is for all you brides to be looking for inspiration.  Amanda Wakeley designs in such a way that as a hijabi, just a little imagination is all that’s needed to create a perfect look.  The cuts are loose or covered up, but it never takes away from the design.  Such simplicity and delicate intricacy is hard to put together but it seems like second nature in these designs.  See more at her online store.

I am in love…

For more inspiration see the gallery below

(images courtesy of Amanda Wakeley)

[View with PicLens]

Plain & Print

You know how you discover something you’ve had for ages and fall back in love, well I at the moment when I look into my wardrobe I see only this dress.  These photographs just don’t do it justice.  It belonged to my grandmother, or great aunt, it’s hand made in so many silk panels and just feels beautiful to wear.  I walk feeling unashamedly feminine as silk swishes around my feet.

Style Stories

I wore it earlier in the week whilst falling in love with a leather jacket in Reiss:

Shop Assistant: That’s such a lovely print.

Me: Thanks, I think it was my grandmothers.

I could have said vintage, boho, hand made, but no, I chose the one thing that made me sound like I just rummage through old peoples wardrobes for me clothes (which I do). I wouldn’t mind, but not in front of the jacket, just let me hide my embarrassment far far away from that soft peachy leather.

With a hat to match

My very special ebay buy, this Barts faux fur hat was my lifesaver in Paris where it was très froid.  I think the trick to wearing hats with a head scarf is finding one that covers your ears (like this rather lovely head scarf by maysaa.com).  Started off feeling kind of conspicuous I have to say but that wore off when it started to drop below zero, now we’re best of friends.