Savoir Faire and The Travelling Blues

Well, the weekend is over and I have the travelling blues. I am in need of a vacation; however I do not have the time available to take one. So hence the travelling blues.

Here are some blue destinations that might just happen to satisfy your travelling blues.

Nobody does blue better than the Greek Islands. Whether it be Mykonos, Santorini or countless other islands, the blues are fabulous. From the water, to the sky to the painted doors and shutters against the white stucco, the blues are stunning.

While having never been to the Blue Grotto in Italy, it looks fabulous. I can only imagine what it would be like swimming in the ethereal blue space in crystal clear water. (Just hoping that it is not too overrun with tourists)

For those that feel a bit of a blue Scandinavian vacation, taking the waters at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland might be just the thing, and besides you could be helping Iceland with their economic blues.

Moving further east to Istanbul the Blue Mosque is just wonderful. While only having blue domes, it conjures up all the mystique and exoticism of the East.

Moving down south to the Southern Hemisphere, travelling through South Africa on the Blue Train, will definitely recharge your batteries watching the landscape just slip away.

Lets zip across the Indian Ocean to good old Australia, where a stay in Sydney at the Taj Blue Hotel will definitely chase those blues away. Built in an historical finger wharf jutting into Sydney Harbour it has the best views of the harbour and surrounds.

Just a short 2 hour drive out of Sydney are the Blue Mountains, so called as they appear blue. The blue tinge is caused by mie scattering which occurs when incoming ultraviolet radiation is scattered by particles within the atmosphere creating a blue-greyish colour to any distant objects, including mountains and clouds.

How do you escape the travelling blues?

Savoir Faire is 200!

It is hard to believe that last year when I started this blog that I would be where I am today in blogging land. This is Savoir Faire’s 200th post, and I am so thankful for all the people that follow Savoir Faire.

So since it is Savoir Faire’s 200th anniversary lets all celebrate with some bubbly.


Douse yourself in Champagne, the YSL perfume that unfortunately had to change its name to the almost un-pronounceable Yvress, due to those damn champagne lobbyists objecting to the use of the name Champagne. Housed in distinctive bottle with a champagne styled stopper, this is a light airy summer fragrance that actually smells like champagne.

Molyneux and Schiaparelli had the endorsement of Mumm champagne in the 50’s to use their name on perfume bottles with their scents encased within. Molyneux chose “Le Numero Cinq” as below and Schiaparelli ‘eau de sport’, proving that it was a celebration to use both perfume and champagne.

Around the home we may like to celebrate sitting down on this fabulous stool made to look like the wire of a champagne cork.

At the dinner table these quirky little salt and pepper shakers in the shape of champagne corks are wonderful.

Dinner could be illuminated via the fabulous lighting fixture commissioned by Veuve.

Although not particularly me, I can see the fabulous design aesthetic behind this wonderfully designed champagne carrier and table. Definitely something to take us into the space age while sipping champagne.

While on the subject of sipping champagne, it was the ultimate in decadence to drink champagne out of a lady’s evening shoe. Christian Louboutin and Piper Heidsieck have been in collaboration to produce this fabulous glass slipper to drink out of with out the threat of any nasties.

Catching the Eurostar to France from St Pancras, I don’t think a little glass would go astray at the Champagne bar at St Pancras Station, just to get us in the mood for the journey.

Once in France a stay at the Hotel Du Marc in Champagne would get you in the celebratory mood.

Or if travelling to the other side of the world, no celebratory visit would be complete with out a visit to the Champagne Pool in Rotorua, New Zealand, a hot thermal spring with bubbles like champagne.

And for the serious, the ultimate in Champagne glasses the Hoffman Series B.

So Ladies and Gentleman, I raise my glass to you all, and say thank you!

Below the Belt

Believe it or not one of my favourite belts and buckles is my old Boy Scout belt. I have been wearing it on and off for about 30 years. It incorporates a two of my favourite symbols, the fleur de lys is encompassed in the centre a reef knot and the Boy Scout motto of “Be Prepared” is written above the knot. Everyone should have a motto and I have adopted this as mine.



I recently came across these fabulous Art Nouveau examples from Liberty designed by Archibald Knox and Oliver Baker. Designed at the height of the Art Nouveau movement these encompass all the hallmarks of the era. Silver and the turquoise coloured enamels are a fabulous combination and these leave me swooning.

On the other end of the spectrum these highly colourful resin buckles from Mark Joiner give an unexpected pop of colour where people are least expecting it!

Old Fashioned Savoir Faire

Call me old fashioned, however I always carry a clean pressed handkerchief with me. I am not talking a pocket square here, but actually those that you blow you nose on! (Shock horror). I loathe tissues. A friend of mine here loves the fact that I still use a handkerchief. Every year there would always be a box of handkerchiefs as part of a Christmas or birthday gift from my Grandmother, usually white Irish linen with a big letter ‘D’ in one corner in blue.


I like them plain and usually white. Sometimes a splash of colour or pattern is ok depending on what I am wearing, but usually white is the go.

However I can’t resist these from Thornback and Peel. I love the look and feel of these and the cute little screen prints. Definitely savoir faire here when you whip it out of your pocket.

Lacroix and Patou

Before Christian Lacroix set out by himself in 1987 he was at the helm of Jean Patou. Now unfortunately both Patou and Lacroix no longer produce clothes. Patou has been reduced to a shade of its former glory with just perfumes which are waning in today’s markets, and Lacroix always teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.

Recently this year the last Haute Couture collection for Jean Patou by Christian Lacroix went up for auction. This was a chance for bidders to purchase the end of an era and the beginning of the next.

The creations hold that un-mistakable Lacroix style, while maintaining some of the Patou design aesthetic, which is important. We have the juxtaposition of a couture house trying to maintain its design roots and the birth of another brand new house as Lacroix then left to start off on his own. When he took over at Patou the house was flagging, and Lacroix seduced us all with fabulous, luxurious shows, which put himself and not Patou in the limelight. There had not been a new opening of a couture house in Paris since Saint Laurent in 1961, and Lacroix’s timing was impeccable. However as the 90’s wore on it became obvious that couture was no longer becoming viable.

The collection after being shown was never produced as Patou cancelled it and it went straight into the archives.

With all the rebirths happening or rumoured to happen, I think that Patou is a prime candidate for a relaunch. Maybe Christian should go back.

Liberty Faire!

I love London, for a variety of reasons and one of the main reasons is Liberty and Co. Forget Harrods (tourists only please and oh so de trop), Selfridges if I must, and Harvey Nicholls only at pinch, for none compare to Liberty’s. Always known for their tradition for fashionable and eclectic design, Liberty is the place to go for new upcoming designers that often reflect their passion for handcrafted work with savoir faire.

First incorporated in 1875 selling ornaments, fabric and objets d'art from Japan and the East, the store quickly expanded in to a fashionable stop for all things luxurious and exotic. Their clientele were equally exotic and included many members and admirers of the Pre-Raphaelite movement.

Housed in a magnificent Tudor building just off Regent Street the store has now become an icon of savoir Faire. Timbers from the HMAS Impregnable and HMAS Hindustan were used extensively in its construction.

Strong relationships were fostered with leading designers of the day especially within the Arts and Craft and Art Nouveau movements to create designs which are un mistakenly English and products with an exotic edge, which still continues to this day.

Liberty fabrics are instantly recognisable as such and have been highly copied and used by leading designers of their times such as Poiret, Saint Laurent, Cacharel, Jean Muir and Hermes.

*Hermes for Liberty Scarves

The designs relying heavily on arts and crafts and at noveau motifs are luxurious in their approach. Designs are continuously updated to reflect current moods and trends. Paisley, peacock feathers and floral patterns run riot across fabrics with abandon.

The furniture department is filled with modern day classics form the utilitarian to the cutting edge, stocking well known design classics to the avant garde.

The character of products carried by Liberty change very little compared to other major retailers. There is always a strong emphasis on good distinctive design maintaining an aura of exclusivity. The major goal in products carried and designed is to set trends while remaining true to the sensibility of founder Arthur Lazenby Liberty, while remaining cutting edge.

I was very surprised when I had read about the Liberty collaboration with Target, and think it was all done very well, without any design compromises being made to the design aesthetic.

So next time you are in London lose yourself in the Savoir Faire that is Liberty.