FASHION | GRACE

“If Wintour is the Pope..., Coddington is Michelangelo, trying to paint a fresh version of the Sistine Chapel twelve times a year,” Time Magazine, 2009

Grace Coddington is Creative Director at American Vogue and for over 50 years has remained one of the most influential and creative forces in fashion. Grace started her career as a top model in the 60's and became a British Vogue editor in 1969. She moved to New York in 1987 to become a design director at Calvin Klein, before joining American Vogue in 1988, the same day as Anna Wintour, who gave her the position. She continues to offer a creative edge, producing editorials that always seem to contain a more than a little bit of fashion magic.

Grace is adored for being fun, brave, smart and revolutionary. Her statement flame red hair, lasting creativity and love of cats - she published 'Catwalk Cats' with her partner, hairstylist Didier Malige - all make up parts of her quirky charm. Her memoirs were released earlier this year and who could forget the stunning editorial(originally published in Vogue US,  August 2008  as Graceful Elegance), styled by Coddington and starring Karen Elson -  showcasing her love for her feline friends.

Photography by Steven Meisel

Karen Elson as Grace Coddington

Currently working on a video project with director R.J. Cutler, Grace continues to steal the limelight, whether front row during fashion weeks or through her continually innovatory work, making her a fashion force to be reckoned with. What's certain is that, in the world of fashion, this icon will never fall from grace (couldn't resist).

London Fashion Week - Part 1: Jewellery

Cat ring - Fine by Tatty Devine

London Fashion week went by in a hectic blur, hence this post being a little behind schedule. It would be neon impossible to talk about all the amazing designers and collections in one go and there's such an abundance of stunning new fashion treats, waiting in the wings for show time this Autumn, it seems only sensible to share the over time so not too feel more overwhelmed than a child at Christmas. Best to do the fash-ological thing slowly so not to cause a fashion overload coma and this way we get to prolonge the excitement. Let's start with jewellery for a change. Why? Because this Autumn/Winter jewellery will be taking second stage; no longer content with adorning beautiful garments accessories will be taking over and dominating our looks next season. Jewellery is always a good conversation starter so let's begin...

Moth Brooch - Tatty Devine A/W 12

Tatty Devine never fail to cause little cries of joy with their imaginative and flamboyant jewellery. Their more luxurious new label Fine by Tatty Devine delivers a range of exquisite pieces that should appear on any Birthday, Anniversary, random pressie list. From pretty gold acrobats to that must have moustache ring this is subtle jewellery that on closer inspection packs a punch. Now onto their main collection... the new Tatty  Devine AW12 range  is unsurprisingly experimental, inspiring and characteristically fun. Very English, Autumnal and with a classic English edge this collection was inspired by the idea of roaming in the garden of an English stately home, encompassing endless beauty but uncovering a dark edge.Pieces that depict the beautiful moth that is on closer inspection a death moth and the beautiful berries that are actually poisonous. This collection is all about natures gophic dark beauty and is totally enchanting!

Leather gloves - collaboration between Tomasz Donocik and Emma J Shipley 

Bracelet by Tomasz Donocik

Polish born jewellery designer Tomasz Donocik commenced work with Stephen Webster upon graduating from The Royal College of Art and his fine schooling has lead to collections that contain strong, statement jewellery that's both stunning and ultra wearable. Donocik creates masculine adornment that women love because of it's exquisite detail coupled with a tough aesthetic that also spearheads it's unisex appeal. This is jewellery for the brave fashion conqueror male, female or other. As if his new collection was not enough (just wait and see!) what really got people (aka me) hot under the collar is his upcoming collaboration with Emma J Shipley. The result is a range of gloves that combine an urban worn aesthetic with the softest most luxurious leather that is guaranteed to make wrists shreak with joy when the frost starts to bite.

Naomi Campbell modelling Fannie Schiavoni for Alexandra Vauthier

Next up is a designer who's so powerful, pioneering and influential that it is difficult to express how astounding her work is in the flesh - or should that be metal? Coveted by the likes of Lady Gaga and Rihanna even before graduating from the London College of Fashion in 2009 Fannie Schiavoni had already captured imaginations. Unsurprising considering how her background in tailoring influenced her approach to accessories- creating strong metalwork that empowers the simplest of outfits outfit. Her chain mail body pieces, necklaces and even full length skirts have been designed to dominate and modernise.

               Finger print and Ear Necklaces by Kyle Hopkins
Kyle Hopkins is as inspiring in real life as the pieces he creates and his enthusiasm and ideas are truly captivating. It's pretty hard not to be intrigued and drawn in by a collection that consists of finger prints, lips and ears. This collection is strikingly surreal but when talking to Kyle it becomes apparent that it is also very personal. The intriguing small ears are those of his little sister, the lips made from a mould of his first kiss and the fingerprints belong to his mother. Inspired by the geanologivcal theory of Foucalt amongst many other experimental influences, Kyle designs jewellery from ideas and personal experiences bringing life to jewellery. Kyle adds a personal touch that comes from the artist rather than the consumer who gets to contribute to these pieces by developing their story. Purchasing jewellery has traditionally meant buying pieces of precious metal and jewells that become part of a personal history but what Kyle offers are pieces that come with a personal world that can be transferred to your own sentimentality as his bio says 'the range will be seen by each customer from a different perspective. And in the work she will find a story of her own.' Now that's inspiring! Check out his A/W 12 lookbook!

To finsh is Bark a British made jewellery brand. Designer Miwako Yoshioka delivers the sweetest and most intriguing designs. The knot neclaces are stunning and the love ship rings are magically subtle. There are pieces to suit any taste or style and anything from this very pretty collection would add quirk and beauty to any look. 


So there you have it. Part one of many from London Fashion Week. Acessorising is not just an aded extra but rather a statement. Jewellery is like punctuation to an outfit as it enables a look to be communicated more effectively. These coollections include innovative and inspiring designs that are often exclamation marks and just crying out to be loved, worn and appreciated everyday this Autumn! 

The Starman!

Born in 1947 as David Jones in Brixton, London, David Bowie is a musical icon and a fashion legend, as lifelong fans we wanted to pay a little homage to the ultimate style and music chameleon on his 65th Birthday. 

 It's tempting to go on and on about David's influence on music, fashion, pop culture...but there's plenty of bio's, articles and opinions out there to sink your teeth into.


Just listen to this collaboration with Brian Eno!



The amazing editorial in the French Vogue, January 2011, music issue (a repeat of British Vogue 2003) in which Kate Moss models David Bowie's most iconic stage outfits demonstrates his status as one of the cult fashion icons...

(Let's end on a little bit of Bowie trivia) David's most consistent trademark look...

As a teenager attending Bromley Technical High School  he got into a fight over a girl with his friend, George Underwood.  Underwood was wearing a ring and caused permanent damage to Bowie’s eye. David had multiple surgeries to prevent blindness and his left eye is permantly damaged. His pupil dilated giving the appearance of being a different colour than his right giving David Bowie his trademark look of his right eye appearing blue and the left brown.


K: I grew up listening to David Bowie. My dad used to sing 'Life on Mars' to help me sleep as a child and he constantly lead a family singalong in the car. Growing up and now as a (cough) adult, I am very much aware of his influence on my love of dressing up and if I need cheering up the first record I will reach for is a David Bowie record. Thanks David! 

He wasn't too serious!

I am saving talking about Bowie's films for another time because there's too much epicness to squeeze onto the end of this post.