While I’m sitting here in fur-lined boots, clutching hot tea to keep my hands warm, I’m fantasizing about when the weather will be warm enough again to get some Dr. Scholl’s and wear them like Jean Shrimpton (below). I prefer them with the natural wood sole, and I think I’ll get two pairs – one with red leather (gives me happy memories of my childhood) and one in black leather (makes them look a bit more modern)...
This quote hangs in my office. I read it every day. For me it expresses the very definition and value of inspiration. I guess I could argue that nothing inspires me more than inspiration. Sometimes I gather so much inspiration – images, photos, tear sheets, books, notes – that it overwhelms me, making me feel disorganised, unfocused and like I’ll never have enough time in my life to put it all to use. But I can’t resist it – if I see something that moves me I want to remember it, archive it, file it away for when I need it...
You may feel that you never have to see another picture of Lauren Bacall in your life, but I for one never get tired of looking at her. Most actresses of her generation were dressed by costume designers and film studios in a glamorous yet cliché “movie star” kind of way, and her on set and promotional photographs convey that. But I am most interested in her more candid, personal photos, especially the ones with her children...
Gaia Repossi’s classic minimalist style is a personal favorite of mine. It might be the fact that she owns all the Celine pieces I covet, or that she knows how to wear it in a way that is down to earth, yet just fashion-forward enough. There is also her timeless and natural feline-like beauty and the contrasting tomboy-like way she puts herself together. And then there is the jewelry she designs for her family’s jewelry company Repossi, which has become the fashion world’s favorite. I would buy every piece of her Berbere collection if I could. Keep on eye on her – she’s going to be around for a while.
There are lots of amazing pictures of Marisa Berenson wearing a turban – you know the ones of her in the matching purple bikini, eyeshadow and turban, or the similar green version with the clear plastic bikini straps? Or maybe you know the Warhol photos of her with the hibiscus stuck into her turban? They are truly over-the-top fashion fabulous. But my favorite turban shot of her is this one. I probably like it because, well, I’m not saying I would ever wear a turban myself, but if I did…..this..
With all the vintage photography out there on the internet, it’s rare for me these days to discover a new style icon. So it’s a real thrill when I do. The other day I stumbled across a picture of a very chic girl that I included in my paisley post. I hadn’t heard of her before, so I did some more research, with exciting results. Her name was Henrietta Joan Tiarks and when she married, she received two grand titles – Marchioness of Tavistock and Duchess of Bedford...
There is that constant current of melancholy in most photographs of Joan Didion that sometimes makes me question why I am such of fan of them. At best she looks subdued, while in the most extreme she looks tortured and hopelessly sad. In her older years it’s as if that sadness within her came to express itself physically in the lines on her face and the thinness of her body. Yet because she has so honestly shared her sorrows with us, I feel protective and empathetic towards her.
And then there is her style, which is restrained and unselfconscious, but so elegant nonetheless. It looks easy to dress that simply, but it actually takes a lot of discipline to so precisely narrow down what works for you and even more discipline to stick with it. To me she represents the very best of intelligent, courageous and chic American women.
Usually on Fridays I post something about life here on the farm in England, but the next post I want to write on that subject requires a bit more time, and I am just back from London. SO – I will do that post on Monday, and today I will leave you with three photos of Charlotte Rampling that demonstrate that she is quite possibly the most beautiful woman that ever lived. ..
I rarely look back much beyond the 60’s for style icons. On the whole, the clothes just get too costume-y for my taste and the lifestyle they exude is just too antiquated to relate to. Of course there are exceptions, the biggest one being heiress and muse Diana Cunard whose heyday was in the 20’s. When I first saw these pictures I just couldn’t believe how completely relevant she would look today.
Does she remind you of anyone?..
