Je T'aime Jane

"My look is a cocktail. I'm not as nicely turned out as the French, but I don't care like the English."

~ Jane Birkin

I love Jane Birkin. No, really. I love Jane Birkin. She is my ultimate girl crush, and if I could chose anyone to immediately morph into, it would be her, with her long, lithesome body and her big Bambi eyes framed so beautifully by that cool, instantly recognisable fringe. Singer, actress, model, muse, the woman who inspired the hugely coveted Hermes 'Birkin' bag, what's not to love about Jane?

I also love British Designer Bella Freud and am more than a bit partial to her wonderful knitwear collections (blogged here), so it was a given that I would eventually own her iconic 'Je T'aime Jane' sweater.

In the 1970s Jane and her lover Serge Gainsberg charmed and scandalised the world in equal measures with their wild love affair. 'Je T'aime... Moi Non Plus' is a very successful album featuring sensual performances by the notorious pair and it is playfully referenced here on the Bella Freud sweater. 'Je t'aime Jane' is emblazoned in white embroidery across the front, 'Gainsberg is God' is on the back, and 'Serge' is very aptly placed on the sleeve, where Jane wore her heart.

Styled very simply with a cute black suede mini skirt from online favourite ASOS and a gorgeous pair of Chanel shoes (a nod to Paris, Jane's adopted home), this is my own little homage to a true British style icon; je t'aime Jane!

Get The Look:

Jumper: Bella Freud 'Je T'aime Jane' Jumper in black

Skirt: ASOS Petite Suede Mini Skirt in black

Shoes: Chanel Mary Jane shoes in black/white (similar) 
Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

The Fabric On My Skin

"A thousand eyes are fixed on your glory.

The fabric on your skin narrates your story.

The metal on your hands is a tribute to friends and freaks,

And to those who analyse the colour on your cheeks.

The height on your feet are an excuse to ignore.

The gloss in your hair is consolation for your ache and sore.

You are sheltered in the aura of grace and class,

As you admire yourself in the looking glass"

~ Tokoni O. Uti

From my very first glance at Emma Manley's gorgeous AW15 Lookbook, this was one of the standout outfits for me. A chic, edgy two-piece that had my name written all over it.

The sleek pencil skirt is cut from the softest metallic leather. Two slits on the side add a touch of sexiness to its lady-like length. The matching top strikes the perfect balance between feminine and sporty. Front and back panels are cut from soft leather, and framed with textured silk.

The styling potential for these pieces is vast; imagine the top with a pair of skinny jeans, the skirt with a crisp white shirt or a cool, slouchy rock n roll tee. My favourite thing about this cool two-piece though, is the colour; described on the website as 'petrol', it falls somewhere between navy, dark blue and grey. A metallic sheen gives it a very glamorous feel, and makes it the perfect choice for any party.

I finished my look off with the most fabulous pair of Christian Louboutin studded boots. I bought these boots years ago, and they still cause such a stir whenever they make an appearance. The studs are the perfect match for this rock chick twin-set.

Get The Look:

Top: Manley 'Carly' Top in petrol

Skirt: Manley 'Maya' Metallic Leather Skirt in petrol

Shoes: Christian Louboutin 'Ariel' Studded Boots in black (similar)

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Poem: Tokoni O. Uti ©

Exotic Bird

"Like one of those birds with their long beaks,

their vivid colours and beautiful wings.

Just like a numerous amount of things,

everything, even this, has its own peaks"

~ The Edge

Throughout my recent delightful delve into the wonderful world of vintage clothing, I have always had my beady little fashion eye on one particular website, BOBbyDOP.

BOB was launched in 2014 by the impossibly cool Dawn O'Porter (girl crush!). It was Dawn & her amazing vintage style that actually inspired me to take that first tentative step into a whole new world of fashion. Already a best selling Author, Broadcaster, Wife (to the equally cool Chris O'Dowd), Mother, Muse, and rocker of the most magnificent retro bobbed hair in Christendom, Dawn is now also a very successful Fashion Designer. Her terrific collection features 17 designs (1960s mini dresses, 1950s circle skirts, and 1970s shirt dresses) that have been inspired by Dawn's own wardrobe and her love of vintage clothing. They are available to buy on the website, and in fabulous pop-up shops in London, alongside some of the most beautiful vintage pieces I've ever seen, all sourced largely by Dawn herself.

'The Kristen', an exotically patterned dream of a dress, is the piece I especially fell in love with. A 1970s-style shirt dress, it is brightly coloured, vintage inspired, and features a lively Karen Mabon print of toucans, parrots, flowers and bright green leaves set against a contrasting background of dusty pink. Brass metal buttons, a big 70s collar, short sleeves and a deep v-neck all add up to one very cool, funky dress.

I styled my exotic dress with a pair of multi-strap, patent leather Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes. I love how the contemporary shoes work with the classic vintage shape of the dress so beautifully.

Get The Look:

Dress: BOBbyDOP 'The Kristen' Dress

Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs Multi-strap Shoes in black (similar)

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©

Thoroughly Modern Milly

"Good-bye, good-goody girl,

I'm changing and how!

So beat the drums cos here comes thoroughly modern Milly now!"

~ Dick Scanlan

This seems to be how it generally goes for me with the more expensive Isabel Marant clothes; I fall in love with a pretty dress I can't afford, I wait (im)patiently for the sale, if I'm very lucky I get a phenomenal sale bargain for a gorgeous piece that is (alas) always at least three sizes too big for me, and my poor tailor then has to remake the entire dress to fit me. That's exactly what happened with this Marant dress.

I first saw the gorgeous Milly dress when I was shopping with a friend in Richmond. I knew from the very first glance that the long, impatient wait for the sales had just begun. Again. I waited and waited, and eventually my patience paid off; I got it online from Barney's, New York (one of my best sale bargains ever!) but oh my word, my poor Tailor then had a mammoth job to shrink it down to Hobbit size! 

It was so worth the long wait & all the effort, I absolutely adore it. In a delicate, silk chiffon material, Milly features an all-over red, blue and cream ikat print. It has gathered flutter sleeves, a round neck with pleat-trim on the front keyhole slit, and is cut for a very relaxed, floaty silhouette. A belt gives the voluminous dress a bit more structure.

I styled it here in the true Marant way, with bare legs and the most fabulous pair of boots. The hugely coveted 'Andrew' boots (also by Isabel Marant and currently on sale!) are made from a cool suede-leather combination; they have a pointed toe and a very unusual pyramid shaped heel. The slouchy design and cuffed top make them the perfect off-duty addition to any look.

Get The Look:

Dress: Isabel Marant 'Milly' Dress in midnight (similar)

Shoes: Isabel Marant 'Andrew' Boots in black

Belt: Twenty8twelve 'Penfold' Belt (similar)
Photos: Anna Saverimutto Photography ©

Dress Up - The Best Of 2015

"Pearls & boas, dressed to the nines,

Lipstick on pursed lips, trying to stay in the lines.

Big wobbly high heels, on tiny, precious feet,

Little girls playing dress-up, aren't they sweet!"

~ Laura Taylor Mark

Photos: Kate Carpenter Photography ©
Anna Saverimuttu Photography ©
Mike Lawrence © 
Additional Photos: Phill Griffith & David Ufton