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the pursuit of world class style in everyday life

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

first pick

the title of this post might be a little misleading.  by "first pick", i refer to the pieces jotted down as i browsed through the web pages in two minutes, essentially picked at first impression.  why do i feel comfortable sharing this on the blog, you ask.  because as much as i believe life should be lived seriously, i often remind myself to be light.  so here's my "light" list of suggestions out of the net-a-porter sale (on accessories).  let me know if you like!

this piece caught my eye immediately.  love the polka dot tie.

margiela is margiela, even without margiela..

a more modern and edgy erickson beamon piece i've seen.

this piece is big and clunky, nice.


a substantial belt.



check out other images on the website.  this is a handsome belt on the right dress.

the vintage clasp makes the belt.

i'm not always crazy about judith lieber's designs.  but this piece can almost pass for a georg jensen, whose work i love.






Sunday, November 28, 2010

house of conran

Barton Court is sir terence conran and his fourth wife vicki davis' home in england. the house is spacious (at 25,000 sf, 27 rooms), well-lit, mostly retains its history and character (dating back to 1772), yet modernized and comfortable.

this article i clipped from Metropolitan Home back in 2005 (the magazine went out of business in 2009). today i spent time digging it up to illustrate an idea to our son. when i read it again, it clearly proves that a good design can withstand the test of time.
topiary plays a big part in the gardens.

when you are contented with life, you look extra lively.

a simple but practical kitchen.

i love the patchy yellow walls in the master bedroom. it was painted by conran's nephew morrison when she was an art student. now she is co-partner of sigerson morrison shoes.

the 30'x30'(!) master bathroom is serene and relaxing. the milk chocolate colored travertine, the gigantic double basins, the display of brushes, the round fireplace, and most importantly, the abundant natural light make it a sanctuary.

models of his furniture design line the shelves in his office.

the stack of little cabinets house his butterfly collection.

the guest room is my favorite with the original ceiling design. it is questionable why conran lowered the ceilings of most rooms from 12' to 8'.

the "garage hallway" aptly houses his collection of bugatti pedal cars on the wall. the color of the wall imitates his signature blue shirt.

the living room is my least favorite space of the house. its style departs from the intrinsic character of the house and takes on an almost shabby chic look.

this photo of vicki conran in the garden picking fresh crops with her hair blowing wildly in the wind makes their life in the house believable. it is more than a set prepared for a magazine shoot. i love it.






Saturday, November 27, 2010

SHOWstudio

besides being one of the best fashion photographers of our time, nick knight is a brilliant art promoter and businessman.  his founding of SHOWstudio to offer rare and bespoke artefacts created for iconic fashion shoots and catwalk shows allows the general public to participate and perhaps even own a piece of fashion history (if you can afford).  he also invites artists to hand-craft their creations in front of webcams in his Live Studio. it is his belief that "showing the entire creative process - from conception to completion - is beneficial for the artist, the audience and the art itself".  of course, the art itself will be for sale through his shop afterwards.

Kate, print by nick knight, 2006. 
15,000 british pounds.

Pleated Puke, mixed media by various artists, 2009.
15,000 british pounds

part of lady gaga's 2009/2010 tour, the fashion film, Puke on Gaga, features puking millie performing on lady gaga in a pleated white markdo mitanovski dress (above).

Black Tie, artefact by alister mackie, 2010, sold.
i am definitely making this for our son's collection of bow ties.





Friday, November 26, 2010

lou doillon

this video of doillon for vanessa bruno's S/S 2010 collection is probably the most romantic fashion video i have seen.  her atypical beauty, irresistable spirit, fragility shone through and gave the imagery so much more.  to me, she's a real style icon.  you can't take your eyes off her for who she is and not for what she wears.  with enviably good genes in her, being the third daughter of the stunningingly cool and avant-garde jane birkin, it seems promising that she will lead a colorful life.

lou

jane

mission statement contradiction?

alot of friends have subscribed to 11 FEET and written to let me know how much they love it.  a couple of gals heeded my tip, rushed to RH and thanked me for the additional discounts on their big purchases of gifts and stocking stuffings.  my church friend was so inspired by the safety-pin necklace, she can't wait to start making her own.  when mk came by this morning, she said as much as she enjoys reading the posts, she's starting to wonder what a 10K purse (the egg) has to do with "everyday life".  that's true.  some of the pieces i blog about are beyond everyday reach.  however, it is from an awareness of their existence, an exposure to and understanding of the high art and style, that will inform and encourage us to draw inspiration from everyday life.  please accept my apology to be stubborn, but i am determined to expose you to the full spectrum - from the dirt-cheap to the ultra-decadent.  it is my hope that once you've trained your eyes and sharpened your discerning taste, you might find yourself shopping at 99-cent store just as enthusiastically as at bergdorf goodman!

sweet butter

for my valley pals, a new bakery/cafe/market Sweet Butter just sprang up in sherman oaks.  before opening this week, owner leslie has religiously updated a blog to keep us posted with every construction move, delivery, new dish made.  on the opening day, mk and i couldn't wait to visit.  quaint little place, making smart use of the outdoor spaces (alley, sidewalk).  we felt that some simple layout changes will lead to huge improvement in traffic management.  perhaps given the craziness and exhaustion leading up to the grand debut, the store atmosphere that day wasn't particularly warm or personal.  but the menu looks enticing and we'll surely check in again soon.

just folk

it was preparing for a kids' school camp up near santa barbara one year that i started researching into the neighboring communities.  i came across this little store Just Folk in summerland with the most unusual and unpretentious collection of traditional americana as well as outsider art (their terminology).  the work is so refreshing with a simplicity and child-like appeal.




the Trust Ritual Heads date back to the late 19th - early 20th century, used in Odd Fellows Ritual.  why they splashed some red ink on the cut edge of the neck is more than a little troubling..




Thursday, November 25, 2010

fleet ilya

fleet ilya is not for the faint of hearts. take caution before you hit their website (make sure no kids are looking over your shoulders). the creepiness of some of the images, as kr put it, "leave little to the imagination". nonetheless, it doesn't take away from the beauty of the work.

black waist belt

black corner studded collar

kate moss in black studded cage corset

naomi campbell wears white 3-buckle wing corset.
these two photos shot by nick knight.

black layered cuff

layered black bag with shoulder detail has been sported by rihanna

belt and purse from current collection. select pieces available at Opening Ceremony.




sandra backlund

i stumbled upon sandra backlund a few years ago and was mesmerized by her beautiful and impractical sculptures.  in her own words, "the human body is always the starting point.  i am really fascinated by all the ways you can highlight, distort and transform the natural silhouette..."  below are some images pulled from the collections throughout her young career.  SS 2010 is her first collection that went into production.  fashionistas, look out for her.

Control-C

In No Time

Diamond Cut Diamond

In No Time

Body Skin and Hair



egg & FEED

oxidized silver-plated egg minaudiere.  i like the hammered chain wristlet and the unexpected interior lining in matte black alligator.
by Tamlin & The Fall, $10,500, Vivre

FEED 2 KENYA BAG is stylish and practical, a good choice for schlepping around everyday.  at $195 (including a $100 donation to the UN World Food Programme's School Feeding operations in Kenya), it is a great deal relative to the egg.  available at Bergdorf Goodman & the FEED Foundation.


happy thanksgiving!



Wednesday, November 24, 2010

neighborhood scoop/gift idea #4

for my friends living in the valley, here's a good tip.  Restoration Hardware in sherman oaks galleria (the one at riverside and woodman) is having a promotion for the closing of that location.  they are offering 20% additional discount to sale items and 30% discount to non-sale item.  we picked up a couple boxes of their mini cashmere hand warmers regularly priced at $20.  with the sale plus additional 20% off, we got them for $12 each box (of two warmers!).  that's good value.  and they are beautifully boxed ready to be gifted.

besides the hand warmers, the cashmere pillows are amazingly luxe and in beautiful muted colors.

 

couple things i like

from the Restoration Hardware catalogue.
the tie.

mirror.

i applaud RH's recent effort to ramp up their style to be a rich man's version of vintage-modern, flea-market-finds-chic, thereby separating themselves from the forever-constant horchow, williams sonoma, etc bunch.  it is refreshing and risky, and the quality they deliver is commendable in every way.  i hope the new approach is successful though i'm a little skeptical that RH may be a bit ahead of its time for the mass market appeal.