Fashion

"Fashion, turn to the left

Fashion, turn to the right

Ooo, fashion

We are the goon squad and we're coming to town"

~ David Bowie

Few things look better with a pair of jeans than a Bella Freud cult knit; her jumpers are quite simply the coolest, most stylish, most rock and roll of all jumpers. The Designer draws her inspiration from some of fashion and music’s most enduring and iconic stars, from Jane Birkin to David Bowie to Anita Pallensberg, and the result is a brand that, season after season, produces fashions most coveted jumpers.

This bright, sunshiny yellow sweater is from Bella Freud's AW17 collection. One of her best ever collections, it was full of unexpected colours for that time of year, ballet pink, and sunshiny yellow; gorgeous knits that slip effortlessly into every modern girls wardrobe. This fantastic colour brightens up even the most gloomy Winters day, and the 'Fashion' intarsia emblazoned across the front is me to a tee.

I teamed my jumper with a new pair of jeans. I can't believe I have found another pair that fits me so well. J Brand has become my brand; it is the one brand I know will work for me every single time. I'd been searching for a lighter blue denim and this pair is perfection. They have that low-rise I always look for (I have a short torso so high waisted jeans will never look good on me), and distressed details throughout, for a well-worn look. They are technically a cropped style but being such a shortie the jeans are the perfect full length on me. No alterations needed at all!

This bright, cheery ensemble is very easily dressed up or down. I kept things relatively laid back though, by adding a pair of 60s inspired flats by UK brand Ops & Ops, and the most coveted sunglasses of the season from Rayban.

Get The Look:

Jumper: Bella Freud 'Fashion' Jumper in yellow (similar here and here)

Jeans: J Brand 9326 Low-Rise Cropped Skinny Jeans in remnant

Shoes: Ops and Ops No.10 Bumper Car Flats in cream

Sunglasses: Rayban rb3447 Round Metal Sunglasses in gold/classic green

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Through His Eyes

“In this fake world, with his love so true

And him always by my side, it feels so good..

False images everywhere, world full of lies

I see my true self in his enticing eyes.... “

~ Rohit Sharma

Photos: Photos: Jason Connery ©

Get The Look:

Manley

Valentino

PSC Brand

Miranda Dunn London

Lulu Guinness

See by Chloe

Bella Freud

Donna Ida Denim

Gucci

Rixo London

Queen Of The Underground

"I know you think you're the Queen of the underground

And you can send me dead flowers every morning

Send me dead flowers by the U.S. Mail

Say it with dead flowers in my wedding

And I won't forget to put roses on your grave"

~ The Rolling Stones

Anita Pallenberg was the undisputed, original rock chick; she was an actress, model, style icon, and muse to The Rolling Stones, indeed she played a crucial role in honing the iconic bands mystique. She was the baddest of the bad girls, the original Queen of the underground.

Fashion designer Bella Freud says of her late friend, “If I’m slightly lost about where I want to be with a collection, I think about her and there’s an immediate electricity which happens.”  She designed a t-shirt and a jumper (here) dedicated to Pallenberg, a beautiful gesture to acknowledge her influence. The very cool 'Anita' t-shirt is made from soft white cotton and features a round neckline, short sleeves, and a multi-coloured screen print to the front. It is the perfect tribute to the late, great Anita. I wear it with jeans, shorts, long skirts, short skirts, over dresses, under dresses; it is a fantastic piece, with endless styling potential.

I styled it here with a simple pair of flat shoes by Ops & Ops. Based on an original 1960s design, the retro inspired shoes add to the rock and roll vibe of the tshirt. The No. 10 flats are handmade in Portugal from the finest leather. Made to fit like a glove, they are unlined and mould to your foot with wear. They come in every colour you can imagine. The soft metallic shimmer of this bronze pair, was achieved by rubbing the coated leather. They subtly change colour depending on the light, making them neutral enough for day, and sassy enough for night.

A old pair of worn denim shorts and dramatic cats-eye sunnies complete my Anita inspired look to perfection.

Get The Look:

Tshirt: Bella Freud Anita Tshirt in white

Shoes: Ops & Ops No. 10 Bronze Flats

Shorts: Zara Denim Shorts (similar)

Sunglasses: Target Cats-Eye Sunglasses in black

Photos: Jason Connery ©

Wear Me Like A Sweater

"Wear me like a sweater,

Close to your heart.

Wear me like a sweater,

So I can hear the rush of your pulse in my ear"

~ Pluie D'ete

It has been well documented in this blog how much I love Bella Freud sweaters. Stylish, cool, cozy, lush, versatile - they are simply perfect sweaters. I'm not sure I have enough of them to justify calling my little hoard a collection, but my BF jumpers are much loved, and worn often.

This one is my favourite. Inspired by Patti Smith, and the early New York punk scene in the 70's, this 100% pure merino wool knitted jumper features the brands now iconic '1970' ivory motif to the front; it is slim fitting, with a ribbed crew neck, hem and cuffs, and, best of all, it is the most wonderful, vibrant shade of red.

I styled it here with a fabulous pair of jeans by denim Queen Donna Ida (the best sale bargain ever), a great pair of silver Camilla Elphick ankle boots, and a very cool, backpack by Nadia Minkoff. The grey bag compliments the colour of the boots, and finishes the look off perfectly. As practical as it is beautiful, the Brixton bag has very quickly become my go-to bag. It is the perfect size to take on a plane, to accompany me on my regular jaunts into London, and it's cool enough to funk up any outfit.

Get The Look:

Sweater: Bella Freud '1970' Jumper in red

Jeans: Ida 'Honor' Skinny Jeans in Bright Vintage

Bag: Nadia Minkoff 'Brixton' Backpack in grey

Boots: Camilla Elphick 'Silver Lining' Boots in gunmetal

Photos: John Uwins Photography ©

The Picture Fails: Blog Outtakes

"She would have her picture taken.
She came dressed beyond description,
Dressed in jewels and in satin
Far too gorgeous for an empress.

Grand, heroic was the notion:
Yet the picture failed entirely:
Failed, because she moved a little,
Moved, because she couldn't help it."
~ Lewis Carroll

Photos: John Uwins Photography ©

Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Mike Lawrence ©
Phill Griffith ©