night vision

Mr. Dot & were out recently, at an art launch party on High Street Kensington, and on the way home, we saw this guy with his friend*. Actually, Mr. Dot spotted him: he was his style find. He & Mr. Dot were having a whole kind of alpha male jokey banter going, and I managed to get enough shots in the low light that some weren't too blurry. (This post is for you, Jordan & Trendy Dwarf! And I've just discovered, today is said Dwarf's birthday, so please go to his blog and wish him a happy one!

*Just heard from him: his name is Markus! In fact I remember saying it to myself several times after so I wouldn't forget, but of course I did. He said it's all vintage & I'm going to get more details shortly.



Minutes later, I saw this great Italian girl. Alas I didn't write down either of their names at the time, and haven't heard from them (yet) so we'll only have to speculate where he got that hat (& gloves, and coat, & cowboy boots) and where she got that fabulous lizard effect black leather jacket, brocade Mary Poppins-esque bag, and gorgeous belt. And I'll ponder what names fit them. She could be a Marcella, no? The only Marcella I know is blonde. Or, Nicoletta! Actually, that might be her name.

It just occurred to me: more beige & black. The trends I'm seeing now are: all black, black with beige, black with red, black with accents of brown leather, black with bright colours (as per Emily, but more great looks on that coming up). Oh and of course, the ubiquitous black with leopard pattern!

born yesterday (an american tale)

If you're an American, and you live in London, and you're wandering around New Bond Street area, and you've just landed on this planet, as it seems I must have, you could be forgiven for being confused when you stumble upon what seems to be an exclusive club, A list, private party. In broad daylight. There's this beautiful stone mansion, music blaring from within, stylish crowd, and cute bouncers at the doors.

If, however, you weren't born yesterday, you'd know that it's simply the first UK flagship Abercrombie & Fitch shop. I remember it as a kind of upscale all American sporting good shop in NY. My future husband (the Brit) used to get his fishing gear there. This place is - to an ex-NYer - totally freaky. It's pitch dark inside, for one thing, and all the staff - and there are zillions of them - are really cute & perky & friendly & really, really attractive, dressed identically in jeans & plaid shirts. It's like Studio 54 meets the Beverly Hillbillies. It's ironic to think that an American brand, founded in 1892, has returned to the home of its founding fathers, housed in what was once a private residence, built in 1725 - 51 years before the birth of America.

The first thing I noticed about Rachel was her fabulous, raucous laugh. She emerged from A&F with her friends, having had their polaroids taken with some bare chested stud. She's got it all happening: the flower print frock with black tights look, the lacey Chanel reference as per IT girl - and a sprinkle of biker chic. It's all good!

biker chic

Saw Jo in the changing room - we'd both gone for a swim after Arup's great yoga class. Love the effortless layering, sandals with leggings & topped off with a great leather jacket, in this season's colour scheme of hints of yellow. Accessorised of course with head gear: safety first!

She was a good sport about letting me shoot her before zipping off on her bicycle. Speaking of which: Arup also builds bicycle wheels (see 'nice things'), bringing this full circle. It was all very zen & the art of motorcycle maintenance!

ballet style

Emilia & Megan, the nicest girls, dotted outside Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Love that netted skirt in this season's must have pale pink peachy colour, paired with a white tee and black leather jacket. And Megan got that gorgeous electric aquamarine blue dress on one of her trips to Africa. Fabulous!