The Year of the Snake

Since 10 February, according to the Chinese calendar, we are in the Year of the Snake. Apparently, those who are born in this year are charming, charismatic, and are good with money. The Year of the Snake is considered to be so lucky, that - I`ve heard – many couples plan their wedding or the birth of their child to fall within the next 12 months.  

I am currently reading a fascinating book entitled `What Chinese Want` by Tom Doctoroff; he is an expert on marketing in China and Chinese consumer culture,  and his theories on how China really works are a real eye-opener.  

I revere snake accessories; here I am in London`s Soho Hotel in a Chloé dress, snake-pattern embossed on leather boots from Zara, and snake bangles from Africa, gold and semi-precious stone rings are from Missoma 

Snow White Captured My Heart

Rabbit and fox gilet from Ducie; leather sleeveless dress by M&S (I bought it about six years ago); snake bangles from Africa

Which S/S13 trend makes your pulse beat faster? For me it is definitely `white on white`. I like the idea of wearing any colour head to toe (legacy of early years spent in Paris) and white shouts `sophistication` and `cleanliness` to all who happen to witness this assembly. What is not to like? I was therefore happy to discover on Sunday – at my latest shopping spree – that Ducie were selling white fur gilet during London Fashion Weekend at the Somerset House. I will pair my newest purchase with white t-shirt and jeans (note to myself: buy white skinnies!) or with white, sleeveless dress by James Lakeland. Will keep jewellery to a minimum to let rich textures shine on their own. I welcome the simplicity of this look and await sunnier and warmer days. The winter, however, didn`t want us to forget who is still in charge, by sending a few snowflakes our way, when Alice and I left the event.

Legacy of London Fashion Week

These spiky flats from Salt & Pepper – one of my recent purchases – will be road-tested soon

As a devotee of towering heels and elevated platforms, I wasn`t pleased to see during London Fashion Week designers such as Christopher Kane and Burberry displaying on their catwalks, flat boots and low wedges. Well, to be honest, I should have seen it coming. After all, a few of my girlfriends have been practically living in their trusty ballerinas. The trend, judging by the latest collections, is here to stay. So should I? Would I? Shall I allow comfort to triumph over decadent desire for longer and leaner limbs? I am certain my back would be grateful (!) so I will give it a go and – on occasions – mix high fashion with low heels.

Is Socialising the New Shopping?

At Home House in a Roksanda Ilincic dress

With the retail spend contracting month on month, over the last year, it seems like the army of consumers had moved from entertaining themselves in shops, to attending large gatherings in clubs and bars. I have noticed deserted shopping arcades but – at the same time – overcrowded clubs and fashionable parties.  A sheer number of people that gather at these events can be astonishing. But this is consumerism `on a cheap` as I witnessed people in unattractive clobber everywhere, and –on one occasion – a few ungrateful individuals who come to a fabulous birthday party with a tiny gift for an elegantly dressed hostess who went into trouble to offer refinement in food and entertainment.  I call it `sad socialising` and hope we can all raise a bar and be more civilised; I am not calling for everyone to dress up in a star-of-the moment, split-up-high dress by Blumarine, but a bit of an effort wouldn`t go amiss and aid our quest for fun and frivolity.

In my own living room in London; dress by  Roksanda Ilincic;

Made-to-measure curtain by Osborne & Little