Saint Laurent Miss!

What are they doing in Paris? Menswear collections for 2011 from the major houses are just not pushing my buttons. First we had Balenciaga with few pieces that I actually liked and looked more like it came from H&M, and now Saint Laurent, with a silhouette that is hardly flattering.

It seems that they all must have got together before putting pencils to sketchpads and agreed on a few things, like high waists, thick belts or cummerbunds and pleated trousers. I wonder if they all just tossed a few ideas into a hat over drinks one night pulled some out and said, ok are we all in agreement?

I am sorry all you hip young guys out there, but pleated trousers are just not flattering! Believe me they are not, no matter how many times you see them on the catwalk! There a re a few elements harking back to menswear of the 1930’s otherwise I am sorry to say, I think it is boring.

Silver Plate Savoir Faire

When one went behind the scenes of any hotel or restaurant up until the early 60’s you were usually met with row upon row of a plethora of silver plate! From cutlery, ice buckets, coffee and tea pots, creamers, coupes etc etc. Before stainless steel became popular silver plate was it! If you were in the better hotels, it was invariably produced by one of the better firms, such as Mappin & Webb of England or Christofle of France, all with the name or crest of Hotel on it.

I have been collecting bits and pieces for a while now, and use it regularly. It doesn’t matter that none of it matches, that is the beauty of it. A set of knives from one hotel, teamed with a set of forks from another, makes for interesting dining as you can invariably start a conversation around the pieces.

However please don’t full into the trap that because it is vintage that you must have a vintage shabby chic interior! Use it creatively and decorate with it, just remember that less is more! For example these wonderful ice cream coupes planted with succulents would look fabulous on a classic Saarinen Tulip table!

Cutlery is good enough for everyday use, as it is very hard wearing (do remember it was used by 100’s of people everyday)

Use silver dishes and platters in the bathroom or anywhere that matter. A small silver plate display would look fabulous on the below coffee table.

Usually pieces can be picked up quite reasonably at markets, thrift stores and eBay. Have fun with it and bring a little savoir faire into your everyday life.

Don't forget the Savoir Faire giveaway ending Friday!

http://david-toms.blogspot.com/2010/08/savoir-faireaway-giveaway.html