Cutting Edge Savoir Faire

Yatagan – a Turkish sword used in Turkey from the 16th to the 19th centuries. They were
both weapons and works of art, incorporating elegant lines, and occasionally encrusted with semi-precious stones.

Yatagan – a male perfume launched by that esteemed Parisian perfume house of Caron in 1976. With a name that conjures up all the mystique and masculinity of the near east, Yatagan is elegant and discrete with a punch!

This is almost the definitive perfect cologne for men! (and women if they are feeling adventurous). The aromatics cut the air like a knife and then dry down to an incredibly sexy, almost pungent smell, that will see you continually sniffing your wrist just to remind you how incredible this is. Don’t be put off by the initial bitterness of the wormwood (another ingredient in Campari) as this has been offset with the brilliant composition of lavender and vetiver.

Other components are, Petitgrain, Patchouli and Leather.

I am closely guarding my retail source here in Toronto, however seek and ye shall find!

Stay Tuned

Sasek Faire!

I remember as a child a wonderful series of children’s books by Miroslav Sasek showcasing different countries around the world. I have two of them (This is London and This is Edinburgh) and they are very battered as I used to read them continuously. Each book takes the reader on an amusing tour throughout the city, and highlights both the landmarks and uniqueness of each location, with wonderful humorous cartoon like illustrations. The books stick to the same format throughout the series. There is usually an illustration of (presumably) Sasek himself going to wherever the book is set on the bottom left inside cover and a similar illustration on the bottom right inside cover which shows him leaving with some kind of local adornment.

The illustrations although a little dated now are as fresh today as what they were when they were first conceived and appeal to young and old alike as there is something for everyone. The books emphasise tourist hotspots, local transport and national dress (particularly the different cultures that inhabit each place). They are in a very 50s, Eastern European style, but are not dated at all. Most of the things that Sasek has picked out are still noteworthy today and his style has endured. They are true classics introducing the cachet and savoir faire of travel to children, that has endured.

So it is only fitting that since I will be leaving soon for Italy that I feature some of the illustrations from the Rome and Venice books.

Savoir Faire has been Recognised!

I have been very fortunate in the last couple of days to have been recognised by my fellow bloggers with two awards.

The first is the Premio Meme Award from Tristan at Enchanted Revellery. This requires that I write 7 things about myself that you don’t already know. (Trust me I will get onto this)


The second is the ‘Circle of Friends” award from YSL Guy at Let Them Eat Cupcakes who lists me as a favourite male blogger! High praise indeed!



Check out these two blogs as they are wonderful, they are also full of savoir faire!

Drop Dead Savoir Faire!

My apologies style mavericks as my posts for the next couple of days are going to be very short (but sweet) and then will cease for 2 weeks while I am on vacation.

However, that does not mean that my posts won’t contain the usual savoir faire that you have all become devotees of! The below picture is of a friend of mine here in Toronto who is an actress, and let me tell you nobody plays a corpse better than Laura! Even dead in an alley she has glamour! The photo is almost Newtonesque in its approach with colours and the hair, not to mention the setting.

So I am sorry to be a bit morbid here, but when our number is up, I hope we look as good as she does!

Savoir Faire in Capri

Unfortunately on my forthcoming trip to Italy I will not be enjoying la dolce vita, as these two bright young things seem to be!

More Savoir Faire with The Marchesa

I have just picked up from the Library a copy of Infinite Variety, the definitive biography of the Marchesa Luisa Casati! Previously I had done a posting on this remarkable woman which merely scratched the surface of the great savoir faire that she possessed. Long dead and buried she is still a constant source of inspiration for couturiers and artists alike.

I like biographies with pictures and this one doesn’t disappoint. However what does surprise me is the fact for such a woman who was one of the most painted and photographed of her time, little pictorial evidence exists (same can be said for Misia Sert). As most of you know I love to illustrate my posts, and was continually frustrated in my search of images of these two remarkable women to use.

However do not despair! I have found a photograph of the Marchesa taken around 1940, after she had lost all her considerable wealth and was living in London almost penniless. For someone on reduced circumstances she displays a remarkable presence and savoir faire.

I also can’t resist using the below image of Marisa Berenson (Schiaparelli’s granddaughter) dressed as Casati in the late 60’s. Kudos to Ms. Berenson for capturing the spirit perfectly.

Cant wait to read the biography and am saving it for Italy, so I can get in the true spirit of things!