classic with a cuban twist

Anna, outside the V&A, looking gorgeous in beige jacket, black leggings, and fabulous slouchy black leather cuban heel boots, which are usurping the peep toe bootie , or extreme platform heels like That Acme Boot. At least, on the street. Evening is another thing, but the mood on the street is going for warmth, and practicality, and apart from a ton of Uggs, the cuban heel is an elegant solution.

It was getting dark, and I was dashing past to meet a friend. She was chatting with someone and standing exactly like that, so she gracefully held the pose for me before I ran off. So I didn't get a chance to ask Anna anything, or get her details.

Lately, I'm in a black & beige mood, and this clean, classic look sums it up for me. When Jackie Kennedy was First Lady, she found an American designer who could give her her Paris couture look: Oscar de la Renta. She loved a colour that was between beige and grey, which she called 'griege'. I've thought about that colour lately, as I love the subtlety of beige and grey together, warm and cool tones. In the deepening twilight, I thought about Jackie, and decided she would approve of Anna's simple yet elegant style: classic with a cuban twist.

jungle fever

Portobello Road, London.

An abundance of black, a good dose of leather, leggings, a sprinkle of brass and gold details, and a pinch of animal print: the perfect recipe for the Fall 2009 Season. (And of course, a little blackberry in one's ear. I am so looking forward to the time when this looks dated, because we've all got little teeny tiny phones in our ears. Like contacts. I'm sure someone's working on it, as we speak).

What I love about this year is how we're balancing the bling with being green: if one wants the luxury of fur, one goes vintage ('I didn't kill it, it was already dead') or faux. And the use of animal print on fabric or knit is such a sweet way to stay chic yet socially conscious. So there's just the leather factor. I was blown away by how Stella McCartney, a passionate vegetarian, has done such gorgeous non-leather shoes. It's all going in the right direction. How do you stand on the real/faux debate?

More fun fur shots coming up. Must fly! xoxo

biker chic (yin yang)

Speaking of trends, you can't go wrong this season with leather & lace. It was once so rad, (I love that phrase, thanks PD) but I bet you'd see it on any high street, or any shopping mall round the world. And yet: everyone can work this look their own way. It's like fur and tweed, or gold jewelry with a ripped old jumper: just mix it up. Masculine & feminine. Glam and casual. As long as they're pieces you already love, that have a history and a story all your own, as long as you love the elements individually, you can't possibly go wrong.

. . .

UPDATE: Okay, this is weird. Blame it on my fever, I'm feeling a bit delirious. I happened to check my sitemeter which shows where people are clicking from, and there were a bunch of people coming from ASOS. So I clicked on the link and someone named Nat said she's just discovered herself in this shot. I took just the one shot, and don't remember taking it - must have just passed her quickly, and clicked - her head was cut off in the shot. So Nat, if you're reading this, please get in touch! Email link on my profile, or comment here - let me know how to find you. I trust I've got your permission, which I'd normally ask, but I'd love a shot of you with a head! So, where'd you get the dress?

I had to register with ASOS to comment there, which isn't a bad thing, as half the people I shoot are wearing stuff from them, so, frankly, it's about time.