Daul Kim - a tribute

Daul Kim, a tribute to one of my favorite models, for her transformational editorials, elegant queen of the runway, untouchable street style and most of all her sense of fun.
You will be sadly missed, rest in peace and kindest thought to your loved ones.

Comme des Garcons 'Beatles' Collection!

Just a quickie to let you know about this collection of Beatles themed clothes and bags from Comme des Garcons. It launches on 27th Nov at Dover Street Market http://www.doverstreetmarket.com/

Whilst I am not really a Beatles fan, I wont be partaking but I can see the appeal. The shirts in particular have such a wonderfully Comme design based around the polka dots but with apples! I believe tee shirts will be priced at around $100 (no idea what exchange rate that will work out at in £s these days).

(Credit: see Nitrolicious.com for more info and pics)

The two faces of fashion: Designer + High Street collabs

This was the insane ques outside Oxford St H&M, all eagerly awaiting the launch of the Jimmy Choo collaboration. Yep that's right you do see camp chairs, as people waited through the night to get a piece of Choo.

Nope I wasn't will to do that, as I didn't really take to anything from the collection. It was beautifully designed, and for the most part well made. I did think quality lapsed on some of the bags and jewellery but I know they had to keep the prices down. Purely out of perverse interest I went for a look at about half eleven thinking the mania would be over, erm how wrong was I! The clothing was at the front of the shop, not much left except the pricier items like the leather jackets and dresses. I was really surprised by this as the jacket were beautiful and £150 is a bargain. But the bags and shoes were cordoned off and they let in 10 people at a time to shop and try on shoes - what a great idea! There might have been very, very long ques but at least shoppers could buy at their leisure.

This comes after the horrendous experience I had at the Matthew Williamson range this summer. People were so rude and greedy, grabbing arm fulls of the same item for sale on ebay.

So this is the thing that puts me off the designer collabs, the sheer ruthlessness it brings out in people, I saw two girls literally fighting over a dress.

But with this collection it was really different, whether it was due to the shopping regulations I can't say but I really got a feel that the people queing were there because they genuinely wanted to be able to buy into what is usually an out of reach brand for most.

I didn't join them but I did pick up a pair of the jersey leggings and a furry vest, the last ones on the rail and luckily in my size! I was shopping with a friend the whole day and so many people asked if I 'Qued for Choos!' The best thing for me though, was the amount of teenagers I saw clutching their shiny blue carrier bags with sheer glee on their faces. So, for that I think we can only applaude H&M and Tamara Mellon.

Just had to show you this as it made me laugh. Tamara with Hayden - a lesson in product endorsement!

Nicola and Alex, a lesson on how not to!

Is it me or is Nicola thinking, through her grimace 'just take bloody photo so I don't have to touch this inferior bag any longer'.

Sorry I love both girls but this looks hilarious!!

So did you get anthing?

Did you camp out?

How do you go to the loo, if you camp all night?

P.s Again appologies for not getting back to anyone this week, I know most of you know but for all the new readers, I will be insane busy all next week too, hence lack of posting. But will be back to normal after that, so more posts and I will be intouch and visiting your blogs again soon. Also I will get some photos of my Choo outfit up too.

Have a great week,

xx Pearl xx

Luella Ceases Traiding

In a shock announcement made this morning, Luella Bartley has revealed that her Luella fashion label has ceased trading. Club 21, the London-based global licensee has pulled out of the brand, which it has backed since 2003. In a joint statement, VSQ Limited, the subsidiary of Club 21, had reluctantly ‘taken the decision not to invest further in its relationship with Luella Bartley Limited.’ Bartley added: 'This is a very disappointing situation for everyone involved with the brand… I very much appreciate the support that VSQ has given me, but it is upsetting not to be able to protect jobs in this difficult economic climate. We have a number of options open to us, and are considering these over the coming months.'

Bartley won the British Designer of the Year award at the British Fashion Awards last year, and has a large fan base including Alexa Chung and Daisy Lowe, while she is best friends with Katie Grand and Giles Deacon. In a double blow that signifies how tough the current climate is for designers, Luella's key ready-to-wear producer was also hit by the recession and the factory closed unexpectedly last month, which has meant that Bartley's spring 2010 orders will not be fulfilled.

Source Grazia.com

I for one am in total shock and am so gutted as a huge Luella fan, I hope that something can be done to save the brand, big hug to Luella Bartley and her team x

Florrie had a great idea that we should try and save Luella - just email her a photo of you wearing a Luella or Luella inspired outfit, sort of a sartorial protest. Come on Mr Brown if you can bail out the banks!!!

http://intrinsicallyflorrie.blogspot.com/2009/11/show-luella-love.html#comments

Me and Sirius looking sad for Luella, wearing quite fittingly my Luella sad clown tee.

Cruise Control: Chanel Paris-Venice

I discovered two things yesterday:

1. It is now winter! Yep it is now officially too cold to wear shoes, tights, ankle boots and leather jackets. Instead thick clothing, tall boots, proper coats, hats and gloves are all needed.

2. I love Chanel (well alright we already knew that), but I love the timing of the Cruise collection going online on the same day I suddenly step outside and my limbs are going numb.

So what is there to do in such a situation? Have a lovely Chanel fest and pretend I am due off on a luxurious cruise to warmer climates. Here are my favorite pieces, and yes I would very much love to be wafting around in the 'Merchant of Venice' cape right now.

See the tiny Coco charm!

I cannot express my need for these! I am thinking loose fit cropped pants.

One thing I miss in summer is the lack of boots, here is the perfect solution light weight denim ones! Paired with leggings and a striped tee - perfection!

This I would wear right now, I adore the double jacket combo.

Is this the most perfect jacket ever???

This PJ style suit is so chic and yet so comfortable (I would imagine obviously) and perfect with the little bow boots.

With all this cruise on the brain I really started thinking how much I need a pair of palazzo pants, I think they would be perfect with a Chanel jacket and stripe tee. Guess I have plenty of time to find some, since I wont have the chance to wear any for at least 6 months!

Just like Coco herself!

Katherine Hepburn

Victoria Beckham

A past season Chanel look

So until the spring I will say good bye to my favourite summer pieces, the striped cardigan and cream jacket with blue and white camilla -and keep some ideas in my head for what I might want to pair them with next year!

Some of the best pieces are cruise or resort, as they bridge the gap between seasons. You will find pieces such as the anchor cuff which will instantly 'summer up' your look. Or pieces you can wear now through winter such as the long striped cardigan and pearl cluster jewellery (on the neckline of the black suit). So, if I can just win the lottery I will be straight to Chanel for all of the above and more. Otherwise I will be saving up for one key piece, as usual.

I must say though my 'summer up' item is the blue and white camilla brooch (above), cover it up with your finger, go on! Without it, it is season-less cream jacket and black jeans. I could just add an autumnal brooch, a scarf or statement necklace and instantly autumn up the simple monochrome look. That's the power of accessories!

Have a great week, and keep warm

Pearl

P.S For all the lovely readers in warmer climates you can pretend I am wearing those outfits right now with you! LOL x

Also so sorry for anyone who I haven't had a chance to reply too, or whose blog I haven't yet visited. I have 2 weeks to go to handing in my thesis (the date got put back- long story), then I am all yours! Thank you to everyone who reads, comments and follows 'Wisdom, it really does mean a lot me xx

Dear Christopher Bailey...

This is the last of my '2007' clutches post, as mentioned in the last outfit post this is my Fendi Indi convertible clutch. I've gotten so much use out of it as when unfolded into a shoulder bag it is actually really roomy!

But I think this outfit is much more of a love letter to Burberry, I cannot express how happy these boots make me, 5" and comfy, what more could I ask for as I stomp around with my new found height!

Also wearing Jaegar coatigan, Topshop leggings, Prada belt, M&S hat with Chanel brooch and Burberry scarf.

What I would really like right now, is one of these Burberry snoods. They have so many amazing choices but I like the small simple ones, as I think you could wear it all day rolled down and they just flip it up when its cold outside. I adore this one in the black and beige.

On the runway, the snood really makes the outfit, like a winter statement necklace! So on my Christmas list! But for now I have just pinned my scarf for a snood effect.

So I love the snoods, I LOVE the boots but my secret love is the trench coats. A big thick, beautiful, shiny buttoned trench is one of my all time 'wish-lists'. Until I have a spare couple of grand to throw down on one I will continue to gaze longingly. But until you have been and fondled one, you just will never believe how amazing a trench can be. But I think that is to do with the Magic of Mr Bailey.

He joined the house in 2001, taking over as creative director from Menichetti. Whilst Menichetti had his fans and he certainly took away the frumpy and staid image that had been cast over Burberry. For me he was never in harmony with the brand. The clothes now clumsy, with awkward layering and a loss of the 'brand identity' - no trenches for a start. But then from S/S2002 Bailey's touch brought such a freshness to the brand, that it almost seemed from another period, let alone just one year. He introduce his characteristic crinkled shirts and flared pants. The for his first official collection A/W 2002 he brought Burberry back with a bang, the trenches, the plaid, the metallic - so sumptuous and so tailored...

You could take any piece from that collection and it would be current today.

So, Dear Christopher Bailey... Thank you, thank you very much!

The classic Burberry trench

The Bailey touch

The latest campaign

And the latest fans

Trenches aren't just for A/W the S/S collections are just as beautiful, I loved last S/S floral necklaces - daffodils

And of course there is plenty more to come, S/S 2010 - I cannot express how much I love this - big black shiny buttons, and a tan belt - PERFECTION!

And if you are Gwenyth Paltrow you can have 2010 right now! Love this outfit, it is very me!

Oh and of course Mr Bailey is a Yorkshireman - I have never bumped into him in case you were wondering! And he has now brought Burberry home to London rather than Milan Fashion Week!

And I am tring to move away from the 2007 fixation, but I adored the warrior women of Burberry's A/W 07, all leather over knee boots and gauntlets!

What do you think of Burberry, especially you guys from across the pond?

If you missed my post on the Burberry boots here's the link:

http://fashionpearlsofwisdom.blogspot.com/2009/10/confession-of-shopaholic-regression-and.html -Mary Kate and Alexa have them too.

Have a great week,

Pearl

***NOTE: Check out the Sartorialists post for Burberry's are of the Trench: http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/2009/11/sartorialist-for-burberrys-art-of_09.html

Also I just got an email about the launch of http://artofthetrench.com/ A site dedicated to trench styling! Well worth a good look, so inspiring!

Beware falling boots!

Do you have one of those cupboards which you just keep stuffing things in? Just one more, then another, then you shut the door quick! Well this is what happened when I tried stuffing yet another pair of boots into my 'boot closet', I could have been crushed under there!! But, well, now I figure I should sort it all out, and I can't believe I forgot I even had some of these boots, yay! I will introduce you soon, and also have some tips for vintage footwear - the first one being they get mad if you stuff them into a closet!


Have a great weekend!
Pearl x