HATS!!!!!

Check out The Times magazine this weekend. It has one of Stephen Jones' union jack hats, LOVING IT!!

He said, "A top hat is one of the most important hats, and the Union Jack is always sexy, on a man or a woman. It adds edge to everything."

Collection: Vivienne Westwood A/W 1987
Hat name: Harris Tweed
Style: Crown
Colour: Multi
Fabric: Wool

Sight of royal knees inspires catwalk

A photograph of the Prince of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles taken in Scotland was the inspiration for an Italian designer's collection shown at Milan Fashion Week.

Anna Molinari described the photograph, in which the Prince wore a kilt, as "fun and romantic".

"I believe in love, and for Charles and Camilla to be still in love at their age after so many years, is fantastic," the designer said. The couple, she added, represented a modern interpretation of tradition - but her fairytale version of the Balmoral dress code for her Blumarine label blew tradition out of the window

Pugh ruffles Paris!

We love Gareth Pugh's fusion of airy Elizabethan ruffs and dark Victorian starchiness for Spring 2009!

Caroline.

Fair Tale?

Hey you guys, Kensington Palace is thinking of doing a fairy tale theme for the exhibition. This will be to tell the story of the transformation of the palace and to bring a more fun approach to the pieces.

What do you think?

Queen VIV

If I had it my way she would be Queen.

But for now I will just enjoy watching Vivienne waxing lyrical about all things royal:



The interview from 1990, charts the influence of royal style on Viv's designs from punk to harris tweed.

I would love to try on one of those punk muslins, i think they are still so visually arresting.

What piece of Westwood would you like to see up close?

E.D

Has Balmain gone Bananas?!

The Daily Telegraph 26/01/09

Christophe Decarnin's latest outfit for Balmain: A pair of tattered jeans at over £1000 have been paired with a military inspired denim jacket! 

It seems the credit crunch won't be taking its toll on fashion's price tags . . .

We love the look though!

Patriotic Fashion

Topshop's Spring/Summer 2009 lookbook is out and it seems that this season we'll yet again wear our Union Jack with pride. Topshop described the collection as 'Nostalgic for the glory days of post war Britain, pack your pretty garden florals and take a trip to the English countryside. Mix delicate patterns with pale denim, weather worn stripes, vintage-esque petticoats and faded Union Jack prints.'

We know this will be the key trend this season, because Agyness Deyn has been inseparable from her Chanel Union Jack bag.

T.L.

The Queen of England and the Queen of the Silver Screen

I came across this photograph of the Queen and Marilyn Monroe, when I was hunting for images to include in my Style pages for the website. It was taken at the Royal Film Show in October 1956. There is also video footage of their first meet which is avialable by clicking the link below.

It is a classic moment captured on film - I love how they both have similar coiffed hair and off the shoulder dresses... Although Marilyn's is slighty more reavealing than Elizabeth II's!

Stephanie

Private and ceremonial mourning dresses

Queen Victoria went into mourning in 1861 when her husband Prince Albert died from typhoid fever. Typically for a spouse you remain in mourning for two and a half years. The first year and a day was full mourning where plain black crepe was worn. The use of crepe was lessened over next nine months. In the third stage lusher fabrics were introduced and crepe was no longer worn. The final six months is called half mourning where purple, grey and trimmings such as lace, bows and rosettes were allowed.

While two and a half years was considered sufficient to mourn a spouse, Queen Victoria remained in morning for fifty years, until her death in 1901.

If you want to see one of Queen Victoria's mourning dresses, pop down to The Fashion Museum in Bath, where one has just gone on display.

Claire Browne & T.L.

Keep Warm with Military

This season designers took their inspiration browsing through every military uniform era in the archives. From Napoleonic styled jackets with high stand collars to gold bordered hussar influenced garments to admiral coats, the military jacket is a winter fashion statement. Think metal buttons and stick to colours like navy, grey and even red.

Sophie

Shopwatch

Normally the preserve of the idiosyncratic dresser Luella has been given the royal seal of approval by fashion follower Princess Beatrice.

During a trip to the Mayfair Store, Princess Beatrice was spotted picking up this pin tucked cocktail dress....The royal also took a shine to this fun clutch bag......

The admiration is mutual, Luella described the influence of her S/S09 collection as a 'royal garden party on acid'......

Princely Salute to London's Teenagers

This months wonderful cover shoot of Dazed & Confused by ex-Dior Homme frontman Hedi Slimane, features models scouted in 'trademark-Slimane-style' from the streets of London (including Clash bassist Paul Simonon's handsome sons, Louis and Calude.) Styled by Dazed's creative director Nicola Formichetti, London Teenage Portfolio features this princely photograph. A regal nod from Brick Lane and beyond.

Caroline.

Homecoming King and Queen

This image 'King and Queen of a Senior Citizens Dance' by Diane Arbus shows two awkward and slightly confused looking elders who have just been crowned homecoming King and Queen. "Their numbers were picked out of a hat. They were just chosen King and Queen of a Senior Citizens dance in NYC. Yetta Granaf is 72 and Charles Fahrer is 79. They have never met."
Arbus is brilliant in portraying everyday people in everyday situations in a surreal and humorous manner. Perhaps this is her interpretation of the royalty.

T.L.

Against military influences...?

Tui and I spotted a guy in a cinema in Dalston yesterday who was wearing a great naval inspired jacket. So Tui approached him and he was more than happy to let us take a photo, which was great. He was very interested in the project and asked for the web address etc.

But he told us an interesting story - one of his mates was wearing a military-inspired coat recently and went into a Sainsbury's, but the security guard at the entrance got really mad at him!! Apparently the security guard used to be in the military and was very angry that people were taking the uniform to use as fashion, which he felt devalued its importance and significance.

I had never before considered that people might view the cross-over of military, naval or royal garments into fashionable dress as a bad thing, but apparently it is an issue...just something to think about.

Claire Browne

Magnificence of the Tsars

Went to see 'Magnificence of the Tsars' at the V&A just after it opened. The exhibition aims to show Russia’s relationship with her past and with Europe through two centuries of men’s court dress. Most of the garments were worn by Russian Emporers and their families.

I personally loved the exhibition, as the embroidery and decoration on the all-male garments was incredible. The workmanship is outstanding and I have never seen such detailed work before. It really displayed the grandeur of the Russian Courts, especially when considered against the extreme poverty of some of the population, which eventually led to the revolution.

But...you would have to love embroidery to make the entry-fee worthwhile, as the actual display is not up to the V&A's usually standard due to it being externally curated. It is very 'mannequin in a white case', but I guess that does focus your attention on the magnificence of the garments. It also could have done with a bit more contextual information about Russia at the time.

Definately worth a trip, if just to see some of the most incredible embroidery you will ever see!

Claire Browne

Monarchs of the East End

Was just tipped off to this picture. It's from a 2007 exhibition of Gavin Fernandes photography at Rich Mix in Bethnal Green called 'Monarchs of the East End'.

This photo is called 'Hoxton Princes' and thought it was a rather fab example of royal fashion and royal-style portraiture influencing modern photography. Especially love the accessorising with a star belt across the bottom of his military jacket.

Claire Browne

Fashion Princess

Just as we embarked on this project with Kensington Palace, fate had it that French Vogue invited a princess to guest edit the final issue of the year.

Princess Stéphanie of Monacco graced the double December/January issue, in a series of black and white photographs by Mert Alas and Marcus Pigott. Dressed in the latest fashions, the photos of the 80s icon reveal her strong and fragile beauty. Through various articles, Princess Stéphanie talks of  subjects as diverse as her fashion career, her tattoos and the association close to her heart, Fight Aids Monaco which she co-founded in 2004.

Caroline.

A Royal Salute!

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