Pearly Dollies

Wandering through the very cramped Pollock's Toy Museum (yes, that's right) I stumbled across this delightful doll of Queen Alexandra. The label reads that though the original doll was broken, (this is a 1971 reproduction) the clothes are those that were made by the donor's nanny at the time of Queen Alexandra's Coronation in 1902.

The museum has also dedicated a little window display to the Pearlies with a variety of dolls and ephemera.

This handsome couple were dressed by Lily Lodge when she was Pearly Queen of Lambeth.

Would you like to find out more about Pearly Kings and Queens, one of the most cherished East End traditions, and even try the look yourself?

Be a Pearly King or Queen for the day! Saturday 7 March 12:30 - 3:30pm at the Museum of London Docklands, as part of the EAST festival which celebrates London's history and cultural richness.

Caroline.

Is military a 'do'?

It seems that Glamour magazine online has caught onto our royal style idea. Their Slaves to Fashion style blog asks visitors to fill out their do's and don't's quiz for their May issue, and the headlining question? Is the military look a do? Ah! Well, our blog shows plenty of celebrities and designers trying it out, but like Glamour we want to know what you think.

Personally, I'm all for it. Military only ever reminds me of my dearest 18th century riding habit a la Lady Worsley, or some dirty indie boy trying to channel Mick Jones or some gorgeous French revolutionary Incroyable. Am I crazy? This is a serious debate.

Check out Glamour's blog.

K.R.

Sire Slimane

We all knew that Hedi Slimane was a fierce Anglophile, but following his recent shoot for Dazed and after taking a thorough look through his photo blog (a personal favourite) it seems he may well have a certain penchant for the regal too . . .

 

Caroline.

Historicism A/W09

D&G's show appeared to be a theater show rather than a fashion show. This time the Italian duo transported us back in time and back the the early-mid 18th century. The models strutted down the catwalk in intricate low-necked bodices with puffed short sleeves teamed with 'mini crinis'. A bodice and trouser suit featured beautiful prints reminds of renaissance religious paintings. Dominico and Stephano are truly one of the greatest masters of historic fashion.






T.L.

Capitano Dolce & Capitano Gabbana

Look what else was marched down the runway at Milan Fashion Week.... This embroidered jacket by D&G evokes the captain's uniform with the red piping, epaulets and gold buttons - there is definitely a feel for all things military in Italy this season, we expect to see an army of stylish ladies this coming autumn!

Stephanie

Milan Fashion Week Trend Spotting

Just had a browse on Catwalking.com and came across these fabulous military inspired pieces from the Blugirl Show (not to mention the trench is in Royal Blue!)

I also spied an underling military theme sweeping across both Emporio and Giorgio Armani's catwalk; with military badges pinned to knits with gold piping, and in the double breasted trench coat...

Stephanie

McQueen or Topshop?

As Steph and Sophie pointed out all designers are going crazy over the Union Jack trend from Chanel to McQueen and this month Topshop has too jumped on the bandwagon.

Can you spot the difference?

T.L.

LONDON FASHION WEEK DAY 5 ROUND UP

Mark Fast opened day five with more punk. His signature second skin dresses look like they had been knitted in 1977. London Fashion Week girl got tougher as the day wore on, but her embroidery continued to shine.

Jewel encrusted armour styles at Osman Yousefzada echoed MacDonald pieces of yesterday.

Military Embroidery at Meadham Kirchoff.......

A touch of refinment to round off the day. Smart styles executed in watermarked taffeta at Bora Aksu.

E.D

King of British fashion

If Vivienne Westwood is the queen of British fashion, surely Paul Smith must be the King. Paul Smith has always used iconic symbols like tweed and Union Jacks in his collections fused with a bit of British humour. This time the A/W09 collection pays another homage to his homeland, packfull of British references, including the classic trench coat which has been transformed into dresses and skirts, Fair Isle sweaters and oversized English rose prints, which remind me of 1930s hand painted postcards and military style fashions.

T.L.

Naval Funhouse

Seems like P!nk is taking up the trend for all things naval. On the opening night of her new tour, in France, for her album Funhouse she wore a naval bicorne with feather plumage and a rather space-age bodice and plume skirt.

Claire

Shooting Straight-Up

Was just alerted to these photos from a recent hunt that a friend of mine organised.

As demonstrated by the Straight-Up on the Status Symbols website, there are so many Londoners who are going crazy for the Barbour jacket at the moment, but it was originally adopted by the 'country set' back in the 1890s for practical reasons when out hunting on the estate. So I thought these photos would be great evidence to show that the Barbour is still worn in the surroundings it was originally intended for.

Also notice the tweed suits, flat caps and plus fours, which bear remarkable resemblances to these two photos of Royal Hunting Parties in 1905 (King Edward VII) and 1936 (Edward VIII, later the Duke of Windsor).

Claire

LONDON FASHION WEEK DAY 4 ROUND UP

Military ruled the runway on Monday.

First stop tea with Luella, and her models marched down the catwalk in dresses with blown up hook and eye plackets and military caps. The trenchcoat was reworked in khaki and black wool.



































The navy suit jacket (left) edged with red also had a military vibe...

Even Julian MacDonald swapped glam for grungy. Showcasing punky looks; holey knits were partnered with ostrich leather trousers and layered under sheepskin and furs.












This green dress with zippered shoulder was reminiscent of Zandra Rhodes' sanitised punk of the seventies.







Jasper Conran lopped the bottom off his trench reinvention for his noir-clad vixens.....




















The trend continued at Paul Smith with the designer proclaiming khaki as a sexy colour for women. Harris tweed featured heavily; a pink cocoon piece came with bright yellow epaulettes. Very Sergeant Pepper....





























Rising talent William Tempest harked back to Tudor times, abstracting a Hilliard portrait of Elizabeth I for his prints.


















Elizabeth's style reigned over the whole collection manifesting itself in stiff shapes and high collars.

























E.D