More Paris, More Laziness.

I've kinda been hibernating. Being home this Christmas has been all kinds of lovely. I've just surrounded myself with family and friends and ignored the internet. Usually I miss my beloved Mistress Internet a really worrying amount but not this time. It's kinda nice not being glued to a computer.

Sorry for being a slow-poster once more but here are some more shots of Paris - some are overtly fashion related and others are just pretty.

Un petit peu de Paris.

Just a taste of Paris at Christmas for now...including: tasteful lights and decorations, bubbles coming from Hermes, the shop itself and a fantastic umbrella, a Marc by Marc Jacobs store, Rodin's signature on the base of a sculpture in the Rodin Museum and Gardens, awesome boots and opulent interiors.

Bonjour!

I've been crap lately - I wholeheartedly acknowledge this. I returned from Paris on Wednesday but it was technically Thursday before I got home. Then Thursday and Friday were spent meeting friends before Christmas and before I returned to the back-arse of nowhere. Which is where I am right now...which is part of the reason as to why I continue to be crap. I forgot how damn slow the internet is here; so bad, in fact, that uploading a single image makes my laptop weep and freak out. It's all rather harrowing. So, in the mean time, while I pine for Paris and you await some great (slightly sneakily taken) pictures of it, I will do a quick lazy post so you know I haven't died or something.

I mentioned before that I had written pieces for The Fair, a new Irish fashion magazine. Two of these are now in their first official issue of the magazine, whereas before they been among those posted as a collection of articles in a more blog-ish style. Find the issue here and my articles here and here.

Also, here are a list of the blogs I check regularly because I find them so damn fascinating. Perhaps they can keep y'all entertained while I get my shit together:

http://seaofshoes.typepad.com/ 

http://www.stitchesfabricandsoul.com/

http://www.theroadishome.com/

Alexander Wang Pre A/W 2013

He does it again. Such wearable, simple and yet luxurious clothes. So excited to see what he does for Balenciaga! To all the haters, at least let the man put out a show before you complain. I personally think he could do very interesting things for the brand. And waitago for doing it in reverse! That's a first; having your own label and then joining one of the greats.

(Images from vogue.co.uk)

Things I'm feeling this Winter.

1. Sparkly Nails.

Particularly Topshop's nail polishes. Who doesn't love a little sparkle? 'sides it's as if they bottled both my childhood and the nineties.

2. Velvet.

Kinda practical in the cold, this is another childhood favourite of mine and since it's particularly en vogue at the moment, you'll find amazing pieces in shops right now. I'm loving it as a baggy, gothic tee below by Zara.

3. Beauty Marks.

Since being turned on to Twin Peaks recently, I've been going crazy for beauty spots. I pencil mine darker almost every day. They're just so sexy...

Chanel Pre A/W 2013

SO MUCH GAH!

This collection is something special. I haven't been this in love in a while. It seems the pres are where Karl is at his most eccentric and genius. 

The little girl in me is giddy. I was never a particularly girly child but I dare even the most "macho" of men to look at this collection and resist the urge to don a tiara. It's so very princessy! Clearly, the collection is inspired by royal or court costume of various periods and Scottish heritage. CHANEL + PLAID + HISTORICAL INSPIRATION MAKES ME HAPPY. I'm sorry, I'm just quite excited. You've probably noticed. 

Delicate, pointy shoes.

Stompy boots.

Lace.

Jewel embellishment.

Plaids and tartans.

COLLARS.

It's like visual poetry, non?

(All  images from vogue.co.uk)

Christmas Tree Designer Collabs.

This week saw artists Damien Hirst's collab with label The Row and the Claridge's annual designer collaboration on their Christmas tree. Begs the question, what will a designer have a hand in making next? I mean, there was a Gucci car, for fricksake. But in the Claridge's case I think the combination of beauty + industry-leading expert hand + Christmasness combines in the bestive way possible. Yes, "bestive", you heard it here first.

In the past designers such as Galliano and Elbaz have decorated the tree and this year's guest designer is Kelly Ellis, founder of McQueens Florist. This is interesting as the difference of approach compared to that of the fashion designers is quite apparent with the emphasis on a more traditional way of decorating an, admittedly, non-traditional tree. The whole effect is striking but a little more simple and pared back.

Can't wait to put up my own tree - it'll probably be a slightly simpler affair. (Shout-out to Nez who inspired this post by getting me "in the mood"...for Christmas) 

weheart.co.uk - 2009 - Galliano

cubeme.com - 2009 - Galliano

cntraveller.com - 2010 - Galliano

luxury-insider.com - 2010 - Galliano

fashionweekdaily.com - 2011 - Elbaz

cocosteaparty.com - 2011 - Elbaz

Claridge's Facebook Page - 2012 - Ellis

Winter Wonderland.

Totally called it. 

Love that Kate Bosworth (aka #whosthatgirl) is the current face of Topshop for their Christmas campaign, a great fit, non? She's SO a Topshop girl.

Also, rocking singing on top of a piano.

My Christmas excitement is amping up!

Sarah's Suitcase.

How lovely is this video for Natalie B Coleman's S/S 2013 collection? Anyone who reads this blog knows by now that I'm mad about her clothes and think her to be one of the most exciting Irish designers of the moment. I sense big things. Named "Sarah's Suitcase," this promo video is so romantic and, as per, the clothes are super-gorgeous, enviable and wearable.

http://nataliebcoleman.com/main.html

Mugshot.

Just some random pictures of when Kate did my hair for a reception. I accidentally deleted the best one which showed how intricate it was at the back. Fecksake.

Durer Street Style.

This is me studying. (Okay, so not technically the making of Durer Street Style images but engaging with the history of images.)

Yes, I do this on a full-time basis. I get to surround myself with the best of humanity daily.

Just finished editing an essay on prints in Northern Europe c. 1480-1550 and that meant lots of reading about Durer. I especially enjoyed the book below - the production costs must have been astronomical but it's so worth it, huge, full-page images in colour and of the most amazing quality.

I've always loved his work, there's something beautiful and yet dark and tortured about him. His self-portraits are particularly intriguing and seem all the more relevant to a world which is now all about the individual, "selfies" and expressing ourselves. They can be somewhat painful to look at as his aspirations, hopes and motives seem so terribly obvious - they're almost too honest and revealing. 

However, he does show himself to be a particularly stylish man. Check out the 'do and fur coat below, held together at the breast almost à la Jil Sander.