Waiting for the Bus

I am not sure how many of you will remember the old scroll type destination signs that used to inform of patient commuters of a buss’ destination? Or am I showing my age?

Fabric route signs used on busses in England from the 1920s through to the 1970s are a new decorating buzz. Bus stop locations used to be printed on rolls of calico fabric, and the drivers cranked the rolls to the appropriate stops by hand.

I can remember them on buses in Sydney right through to the early 80s, until electronic destination signs took over.

Now these old rolls are being turned into an amazing array of decorating uses. I am always a big fan of recycling and taking a completely utilitarian item and elevating it too another use including as an art form.

So let these inspire you to look around you to see something which could be put to another use other than what it was intended for.

Do You Pay Full Price?

I have always made it a point of when shopping never to pay full price for anything. I wouldn’t class myself as cheap, just economical. It is almost a given that what you see at full price today, will at some stage be put on sale in the future. So, you have to take a gamble that your size is available, however the rewards can be worth it.

I like the clothes of Andrew Buckler however they are a bit pricey. So I wait for the sale and voila,I picked up the below sweater in a combination cashmere and cotton reduced from $235 to $95!



Of course that is not me in the photo, so I hope I do the sweater justice!

Leave Your Mark This Summer

One of my favourite scents to wear during summer is a long forgotten treasure that was once categorised as one of the top 5 classic scents of all time. Also it had the distinction of being composed by one of the great perfumers of the twentieth century, Jean Carles, who was tragically anosmic (unable to smell anything). Sort of like Beethoven composing symphonies while being deaf.

The scent “Ma Griffe” by Carven, which is a sparkling green concoction full of such wonderful things as gardenia, greens, galbanum, citrus, clary sage, jasmine, rose, sandalwood, vetiver, orris, ylang ylang, styrax, oakmoss, cinnamon, musk, and labdanum. For me it smells likes like freshly mown grass with a hint of fruitiness, which is why I love it!

Mademoiselle Carven defined her fragrant prototype as "an outdoor perfume that needs to give up its heady character", resembling her, hence the name and the packaging: "white for innocence, youth, and freshness; green because to me it's the most beautiful colour in the world". The green and white striped box was a brilliant graphic concept, that went on to do double duty as the packaging for a myriad of Carven perfumes.

On its launch in 1946 a startlingly different advertising campaign was devised: parachuting the Trocadero in Paris with thousands of sample bottles! What a fabulous sight of thousands of little tiny green and white boxes on little parachutes this must have been! Just on the heels of the end of World War II this was a sign that Paris was getting back to its frivolous best.

Ma Griffe has two translations, one being “my signature” and the other being “my claw”. For me the translations are perfect, as it is a signature, an indelible mark, which carries more meaning when worn by a man.

Alas over time and changes of fortunes the scent on the shelves today, pales to insignificance when compared to the original however it is still a gem amongst all the hideously smelling perfumes being launched today.

Originally Ma Griffe was marketed as a young scent at a time when the youth segment had not been catered for. Ironically one of the most common complaints now, is it smells old. Myself, I ascribe that only to changed perceptions and vogues.

Fringe Benefits and Purple Reign at Dior

Now I am not talking the perks of the job or Prince here, but the purple reign of fringes happening at Dior. From necklaces to handbags, the most amazing fringes appeared this season.

The hues and shades of these purples and oranges are so rich and exotic.

These would have to be the coolest, brightest elements of hippy chic we have seen for a long time!

Sacrificial Savoir Faire

It is wonderful to see these innovative and interesting pieces design in men’s jewellery.

Basically limited to the usual chains, bracelets, rings and cufflinks, it seems that where men are concerned designers sometimes forget that we also like the allure of gold.

Now that gold prices are reaching all-time highs, maybe it is time to invest in a few of these conceptual statement pieces from Bevel in New York.

I am calling this Sacrifice before the fall, as the broody-boyish model is befitting of a sacrifice adorned in this somewhat macabre jewellery.

The line features ornate head pieces and necklaces that recall animal spines, and earrings that look like some wild breed of gilded insect crawling up your ear. As fine and delicate as the vertebrae of a sparrow, these shapes are melded and merged into what could possibly be occult ceremonial jewels.

We won’t be seeing these on the street I am sure, however as museum art they are fabulous!

Paris in New York

Now isn’t this just one incredibly stylish and fantastic home in New York. Herve Pierre creative director of Caroline Herrera although being a thoroughly modern man, has created within a New York a thoroughly Parisian and French home with an utterly romantic eighteenth-century sensibility.

Having once being the head of haute couture at Pierre Balmain at the tender age of 24, he has lived in New York for the last 15 years and he has created an environment which would combat any Parisian’s sense of homesickness. “I am in New York during business hours,” Pierre explains, “but at home I need to be in Paris” and this sums it up perfectly!

The home is is filled with unusual accessories, hat boxes stacked haphazardly, sculptures, and works of art. (tip: to achieve the look you can buy Schiaparelli hatboxes on ebay quite reasonably)

The coffee table is currently buried under pile upon pile of fashion and design hardcover books and magazines, rather than stowed away on shelves or in amoirs. Also a wonderful afternoon tray awaits.

I am a lover of perfume and perfume bottles in particular and love seeing those huge old dummy perfume bottles in stores and always lusted after them. I used to have a friend who had several and filled them with spirits such as gin etc, for the coolest cocktail tray you ever did see. Well, Mr. Pierre, must share my love as his bathroom contains a few wonderful examples.

Drapery is used with maximum effect for theatricality on beds, windows and any other area that can support it.

The apartment is positively overflowing with beautiful details, such as a curtain tieback made from a Balmain glove. It is the little details that count!

I must say I do like his philosophy, if you cannot go to Paris, bring Paris to you!

Green With Envy

Emeralds have been favored by many of the world’s most notorious and richest women, from Cleopatra to Catherine the Great and Elizabeth Taylor.

If you are not green with envy, maybe these will stir your emotions as they did Ms. Taylor’s.

Commissioned from Bulgari in 1962 Elizabeth Taylor’s emerald and diamond necklace with detachable pendant-brooch is one of the finest modern day examples around.

She first received the pendant from her fiancé Richard Burton as an engagement gift and then later he gave her the necklace for their wedding.

Taylor was given a choice between two spectacular emerald necklaces. "I tried on the huge one, then the smaller one, the huge one, then the smaller one. By this time we had been joined by Bob, a dear friend and Richard's dresser for years. Richard asked him which he preferred. Bob couldn't decide either. I tried them on one more time and said, 'Richard, I think I like the smaller one.' Bob said, 'Mr. B., you can hardly get girls like that no more!

The piece became one of the actress’ favorite jewels, wearing it on numerous significant occasions.

Richard Burton could be seen visiting the famed jeweler in Rome during the filming of “Cleopatra.” He joked that the only word Taylor knew in Italian was Bulgari.

Another exquisite emerald for which Taylor is famed is the emerald and diamond cluster engagement ring which she received from Richard Burton.

Other Taylor emeralds include the earrings and the brooch below.

Are you green with envy yet?