lost in translation

I love the scene in Lost in Translation, when Scarlett Johansson's character is telling Bill Murray how lost she is, she even dabbled in photography for a while 'but I was always doing something stupid, like photographing my feet.'

At which point, my husband nudged me. I've been shooting my feet since I first got my hands on a camera. It's an ongoing series: I'm fascinated with feet, as objects: the way they age. I don't know what it is about feet - or the shoes that we put on the feet - but there just are an infinite number of variations. And don't even get me started on nail polish.



My feet are wearing Revlon's Sunshine Sparkle (042), which to my mind is a more pleasing, paler version of yellow than Chanel's Mimosa, which is a bit.. hard core. Although, ironically, it doesn't sparkle, not like the lovely little pot of the Swiss brand Mavala's Acid Yellow, (123) which is truly bright and sparkly: like a sprinkling of glittery gold dust.

I'd like to start playing around with the pale turquoise colours, as stripes or a colour block version of a French manicure.

Shot, by me, at the V&A courtyard, on Monday: our one hot day of the summer. We're back to blustery conditions here in South Ken. Even the cat is cold, and he's got a fur coat on.

prime mark

This was a strange Monday.

I met up with some lovely friends first thing in the morning - didn't bring my camera, it's been so cold and dark, there's not much style on the street. I even thought, as I crossed the street in South Ken/Knightsbridge, and saw Chanel (and thought of Pearl, who unbeknownst to me, was at that very same moment, posting about Primark), that it's kind of surreal, in JUNE, to be seeing next Autumn/Winters' clothing in the window and thinking 'Yeah, I wish I was wearing that jacket now, it looks so WARM.'

It was as if the mannequins looked so sad because they were thinking 'another summer day gone by, and I STILL can't go swimming.'



Street style at the moment seems to be more about staying warm and dry and protected from the elements, so no one seems in the mood to friggin' colour block, or wear our little short shorts or wispy frocks - a wafty maxi in a bright colour would look absolutely ridiculous on the London streets. So minutes after snapping the Chanel window with my phone camera, I saw this girl outside South Ken tube. I hesitated but she was standing in such a cool way (not this shot - I didn't shoot her) - it was kind of like a ballet fifth position, and she looked like she was waiting for someone.

I wish I remembered her name! She was so nice (hopefully she'll get in touch: she's visiting London from Edinburgh, so chances are she hasn't got her laptop with her). I admired her dress and asked if it was vintage and she smiled and said 'no, Primark.'



Which brings me to my rant.

I received a very nice email from someone who I guess works with Primark, letting me know about the recent BBC tribunal clearing them of the child labour charges. This video explains it much better than I ever could, and it's really worth watching (it only takes six minutes):




I've since spent much of my morning looking into the history of Primark, which isn't in the States, but is somehow affiliated with JC Penney (I believe). And maybe it's because the founder - who stepped down a few years ago, but is still on the board - shares my father's name, Arthur - or maybe it's simply because I can't wrap my head around why some person, who was GETTING PAID BY THE BBC to produce a show for Panorama, would go to the lengths he did to fabricate a story to bring down a company. Frankly - and I mean this in the most personal way - I just don't understand anyone going to any lengths to cause another human being, or group of human beings, harm. If you don't want to shop in a shop for whatever reason, don't. If you don't want to be friends with someone, or don't want to sleep with someone, or don't want to work for someone.. don't. But what possible good did this guy see in lying about a brand? Did he see himself like some kind of hero, a Man of the People sticking it to Big Business? I just don't get it.



As someone who tends to try to see any situation - political, or in business - as coming down to human beings, my first thoughts when I realised that this has been going on since 2008 is that that is a lot of legal fees for Primark to have to clear their good name. A lot of time, and sleepless nights. I imagined that somewhere, ultimately, there would be one person who had created this brand - even tho countless people worked hard to continue to make it successful - someone who might be a father (or, a mother) with perhaps children, (in this case, possibly even grandchildren - the founder, who is still on the board, is 76) - and it broke my heart when I read the wikipedia story. This is a very impressive company, who are providing inexpensive clothing and other goods for us all.



Yes, I understand that Chanel is Chanel. Good for Chanel.

And I understand about how it's all about the construction, and the quality of fabrics, but - while I hesitate to speak ill of the dead - I can remember, in 2009, being in Harvey Nicks and seeing one of McQueen's dresses - those kind with the digital prints - and the prints on the seams didn't remotely line up. And I looked at the price tag. And it just didn't seem right, somehow. That dress could have fed a family of five for a year, in most of the world's countries, and they couldn't be bothered lining up the patterns on the seams.

And even if I was in one of the top 50 richest families on the planet (which, incidentally, I am not) I STILL wouldn't dress in top to toe Chanel, or any other designer. I have some friends who are royalty, and some are from the wealthiest families on the planet, some are even famous, (no names), and guess what: they still proudly point out, when asked, that they're wearing something from H&M, or Topshop, or, yes, even Primark. (I remember my ex sister in law, a Brit who lives in NY, having returned from London, showing me her stash of Primark goods - she actually introduced me to them, that day at my brother's farmhouse in upstate NY. I can still remember her eyes bulging wildly as she pointed to a skirt and telling me how ridiculously cheap it was - and another item - and another, until finally she ripped open her blouse and pulled her bra strap out and said 'this bra: four pounds. FOUR POUNDS!!)

And - for what it's worth - it was a fabulous bra, at that.

Whew. I'm done. That felt good ; )

So: what do you think? Truthfully. Was the BBC apology reasonable and just? Was it enough? There wasn't any mention, I noticed, about any slap on the wrist to the producer, or any consequences. (When I went thru my own ElleGate hell last winter, for example, altho I was offered compensation, I never got it - or even a proper apology. And the girl at Elle.es, far as I know, has gone unpunished, and her reward is, in a country that was, according to Hachete Filipachhi's lawyers, 'too poor to pay the compensation fee' - she's still got her job! And, I might add: I have nothing but love for the Elle brand, which has since been sold by HF. I always knew it was about two nasty little women, in an office in Madrid - and would never seek revenge on the company, or any of its hard working employees. And I certainly would never seek to distort the truth.)

You can read more about the Primark story on Primark's site, and tell them how you feel.

i kneel at the sequin shrine of alexander

A few weeks ago, I was sitting quietly in my favourite spot: on the floor, in the aisle between front rows, (with permission, of course), waiting for a catwalk show to begin. Who should sit down next to me, in her front row seat, but Hilary Alexander. I'd seen her before, even approached her shyly (she was in a rush that time) and as the lights went up and the show began, I was really afraid I'd piss her off with my snapping. I was trying to snap QUIETLY. I was as fascinated by her as the show: Hilary, following the show with her keen mind, while taking notes, sketching away..



At one point I even tried to snap her sketchbook - just because what was going on there was so interesting, the way she was capturing the essence of the show - and she turned the page. Call me paranoid, but I'm pretty sure it was the equivalent of a star putting their hand to face when they don't want to be papp'd. I felt like this irritating little gnat, buzzing around with my click click click and just annoying her. I was actually worried I might smell bad, kicking myself I hadn't dosed myself with more Jo Malone French Lime Blossom.

So after the show I spoke to her, like Eve in All About. Babbled something about how I looked forward to reading her review of the show. And to my surprise, she softened. Took my hand, for a brief moment: that very same hand. Gave it a little squeeze, and said something kind, like 'good luck' and then, she was gone.

I'm not putting myself down, or belittling what I do as a blogger. The process of posting, combining photography and writing.. it's fun, and it's hard work. But it's a different skill set. And what I do is nowhere near, and never will be, what Hilary Alexander has built and achieved and continues to achieve. I don't possess the experience and knowledge of the fashion industry, and I never will. But that day, I saw firsthand how tirelessly and professionally this woman works. And while I can't speak with Hilary Alexander's wisdom, I can still say how I feel.



I did read her piece. And although I wish I could say this was from the Chanel show - I wish this is the kind of direction Chanel was headed. But this is JOHN ROCHA, a private man, who, as Hilary's article explains, was influenced this season by his love of salmon fishing. (Note to self: must tell Mr. Dot).



I loved that show - these are just a few examples - and I have such admiration for John Rocha, who has quietly created out of the spotlight's glare. Like so many talented designers around the world, I feel he doesn't get the attention he deserves. On the other hand, he probably doesn't get the drama, and the level of criticism, that more high profile houses would get. He just quietly, modestly, creates. Which is in keeping with a man who loves to fish. There is something admirable, noble, in humility. In not trying to stand on the tallest pedestal. Actually, wasn't it also a fisherman who first said the meek shall inherit the earth?

If you haven't already seen it, here is her piece on Sarah Burton's first show in Paris, as the new head of Alexander McQueen. Hilary, it was an honour to kneel at the sequin hem of your garments, if only for a few moments in time.

the emperor's new clothes

Before shutting down, I thought I'd finally take a look online at yesterday's Chanel show. Obviously everyone knows Chanel is the best show in the best city in the world: the icing on the cake, the grand finale of the whole fashion thing.

And obviously, I don't know what I'm talking about.

But as I carefully clicked through each shot on style.com, I viewed it as if I was back at the Earl's Court London Gala fashion student's show last spring, standing on the end of the runway in the photographer's pit. And, from that angle - imagining it was a student show, and not Lagerfeld - I found the whole collection all over the shop. I mean, these two are the closest to a similar theme.. It looked like some kind of weird parody of Chanel clothes. Unlike what Coco was known for: making clothes that made women beautiful, instead I was watching the most beautiful women in the industry, looking.. not so hot. In my humble opinion.

Maybe I'm totally wrong. I must be. Yes granted I liked the little tweed suits with hot pants, that's cute. And it must have been incredible to see this show, with the shrubbery laid out like Versailles (were the bushes really black?). The whole theatre of catwalk shows, whatever music was playing, the buzz and energy of all these beautiful, famous, powerful people.. there is no question, for me, having just come off an intense round of excellent shows in London, that currently, the catwalk, as theatre, is channelling (sorry!) some kind of cross between the best rock concerts of the sixties, or the height of opera in previous centuries.. but just looking through those photos, silently, as photographs.. sorry mate, wasn't doing it for me.



I had planned to do a post about how excited I was, and pick my favourite outfits. I do like the white dress, above left, but I saw so many shows I preferred right here in London - by designers I haven't even yet shown you. And while the model with his real son are both cute as a button, well let's just say I wouldn't want my husband going out in that outfit.

Maybe it's one of those 'you had to be there' situations. God knows, I wasn't. And with this attitude, I'm unlikely to be any time in the near future.

(Thank you to style.com for letting me steal your photos. Thank you to YOU, dear Reader, for letting me rant. And PRET, I do agree: Ines's return IS a big thing! ; )

on nudity (no offense)

File it under G (for 'Oh for Goodness Sake'), or F, for What the F?

Or, where the real blame lies: under N for Nude, this season's must have colour. If you're in the States, this news is probably as old as yesterday's fish and chips wrapper, but I just read in the Telegraph that Michelle Obama's 'nude' dress by Naeem Khan, has offended some people because - catch this - it's not HER shade of nude. AND to pour salt on the wound, the designer himself, of Indian nationality and born in Mumbai has had the affront to call his own dress 'streling-silver sequin, abstract floral, NUDE strapless gown.' (the context being, he's not 'nude' coloured, either): article here.

It reminded me of a running commentary Pearl and I have held over the true 'griege' (beige and grey) which has emerged this spring via Chanel, but which I first read about as a colour Jackie Kennedy was partial to while in the White House (which, come to think of it: is the White House really, technically, white? I mean, is anything White White anymore. Or, these days, is it a bit more.. cream? Off-white? Magnolia?)




I shot this at Uniqlo's Press Day not that long ago. I especially loved a new line commissioned from the creative duo from NY, COSTELLO TAGLIAPIETRA. The company is named after their grandmother's surnames: both women taught them tailoring, and worked for Norman Norell in the 1960s.




I love this stuff. I mean, look at this gorgeous, drapey number in palest lilac. (sorry: I mean lavender. Or do I mean heather? Or is it more of a greyish pink?)

My theory about the Nude thing is, peach is so passe,. As a colour word, I mean. (As a fruit, ripe in the summer, it's divine, especially with yogurt, or in a pie. Except of course in England, where peaches are always disappointing.)

Besides, real peaches are too orange, too bright to describe the colour nude. It's not quite 'ballet pink'. Seashell pink, perhaps, but real sea shells are anywhere from dirty white to the blue black of mussels, and rarely pink. And beige is so.. beige. I don't know why the word Nude has captured our imagination, but maybe it's because the 'underwear as outerwear' trend is so potent right now. (And I know Mr. Dot is so tired of hearing me say this, but every time I see those three words in print, I wish I was getting royalties because I'm sure I've coined the phrase, and will cling to that belief til the day I die: hopefully, clad in elegant lingerie, in the open air, so they can say in my obituary 'she was wearing underwear as..')




Anyway, doncha just love this pretty blue dress? It's kind of a steel grey blue.. a bit indigo, actually. You couldn't call it sky blue. Well, you could... it's the blue of a summer sky just before a tropical storm. It's the colour of the sea on a choppy day. Not a tranquil, Carribean sea, which is really more like aqua, or turquoise. Or, in Chanel-speak, VAGUE. Ironic, as the colour is anything but.

Richard E. Grant did a great show recently for the BBC, on the history of the safari, in his continent of birth, Africa. He was talking with a group of Massai, who had a beautiful safari lodge, about how they felt when their first White guests came to visit. Apparently it upset the staff at first: they were a bit afraid of the 'Pink People'.

I don't know what colour I am: I swim so much, that in warm weather, I'm kind of latte coloured. Double shot, that is. Between holidays, my skin has a slightly olive hue. So I guess you could call me Green. As my dad would say, 'You can call me anything you want, just don't call me late for dinner.'

Loathe to post anything on top of yesterday's shots of Roz. But that's the nature of a blog: time must move on, and if you want to see them, you'll just have to scroll down. It's worth the effort. I can't take any credit for the beauty of that post: shooting Roz is like shooting fish.

brand identity

Yesterday, when I was wearing faded denim shorts with tights & slight heels, inspired by Hedvig, I found myself in Knightsbridge, having just met some great friends and en route to meet my dear friend Natayla for lunch.



I happened to have gone slightly out of my way to check out the location of the new Topshop, opening in Knightsbridge on Thursday, so I could tell friends where to meet tomorrow for an early preview breakfast.



That's when I saw Rachel. I so often see someone with a great look that I just clock but don't shoot, but this time, I saw this girl waaaay across the road. In order to reach her I had to wait for two sets of lights to change, but luckily I could see she was stopped outside an estate agent, which gained me some time.

Still, she was power walking at quite a fast clip, carrying two large Starbucks lattes, AND an orange phone. (Not necessarily an Orange phone, mind you). I was noting the bead work and woven details on her fabulous Phillip Lim jacket, nicely tanned quite perfect BARE LEGS (it was freakin' freezing yesterday!) but as fast as she moved, I moved faster.





Finally caught with her. She's Rachel, she's American, from Michigan originally moved here with her boyfriend via Miami, where she trained in Miami as yoga teacher. Her boyfriend started a school here called Power Yoga London.

We couldn't help laugh at the cliche of it all: American girls, she's carrying these Starbucks coffees.. she's delightful. And now we're facebook friends. And that, my friends, is the end of the story!



Rachel's fabulous little griege suede boots are by a French brand called Maje. Her jacket is Phillip Lim. Her shirt is GAP, shorts Ralph Lauren, bag and sunglasses Chanel. Necklace 3, Forever 21 bracelets. Coffee, Starbucks. Phone, not a clue.

barbarella! (lucky, lucky lavender)

I met Clare Acheson, features editor of Global Color Research, on the first week of the fabulous Sketchbook Pop Up Shop, which is still going on til the end of this week (check schedule). She had just chaired an excellent four panel talk on print vs. online and I simply had to shoot her tights.

When I'd started blogging last year, a cool 18 year old student in China, the Sleek Geek (alas, no longer blogging) had hand drawn a similar pair. I kept after her to do it as a line, and she sent me a pair with my name in Mandarin. I posted about it a few times, then wore it once to September's LFW, hand washed it... she'd done it with non-indelible ink! My tears mingled, like rain, with the smokey indigo ink, swirling round my sink.



Lucky, Clare's tights are not only washable, but WE CAN BUY THEM. She was telling me about this great duo, young girls (sisters? or am I confusing them with Rodarte?) from Glasgow. The company is called BEBAROQUE and considering how creative, innovative, and unusual they are (each pair are hand screened) the prices aren't that outrageous: I believe her pair are the Barbarella, and they're just under £30.00. They sell them also at Liberty.



The Sketchbook Pop Up Shop is just the most amazing place. I'd have posted more shots but a), everyone already was posting on it and b) I have other street style shots I need to show you first. The original Sketchbook online magazine was created a year ago by Wafa Alobaidat, left and the pop up shop is the brainchild of Rachel Menashy, right. Brains + Beauty, both of them. And warm. Professional. Get shit done. Our kind of people.

SAVE THE DATES: check the SKETCHBOOK SCHEDULE for deadlines.

SKETCHBOOK SAMPLE SALE featuring Yan To, Alice Palmer, Viking Wong, Swagga and Soul, Harriet’s Muse, Ada Zandition, Heidi Mottram and Dejan Agatonovic • Friday 16th April 2010, 11am-7pm

Tatty Devine Lecture – Diary of a Decade • Saturday 17th April 2pm

or tweet them. I'm definitely going back.



Last but not least: Hedvig's latest foot wear. When we asked her who made them and she said Acne, we all swooned. They're not cheap, but man oh man. Here they are, btw.

Oh I just remembered the reason I put this post together. Have you figured it out? Yes, indeedy, it's those turquoise nails. I was thinking about this whole nail colour mania the other day during yoga class (actually, it was the part where we're meant to be quieting our minds). I mean, crazy old world: people on waiting lists for Chanel colours... it's a bottle of paint! It's insane and yet, we're all caught up in it now. Females, that is: we're cuckoo for cupcakes, and cuckoo for crazy colour on our nails.

Why is that? I have my theories, but I want to hear your thoughts. And while we're at it, what colour are you wearing right this minute? I'm wearing lilac, from Opi. Actually, I just checked the bottle, it's called LUCKY LUCKY LAVENDER. Hah! Great name for a post title.

everything is connected: easing our way into spring

It started last night, when I saw this post by Erika, of the Fashion Chalet, and decided it's my favourite look of the moment. Of course, she lives in the American South, and on a sunny day can pull this off: I don't know if the London light will ever be quite right. I love the way she channels D&G (her white eyelet dress) with Chanel (the hay).. well just read the post, you'll see what I mean. (E's rings, dress and suede fringe bag by Forever 21, H&M bow hair-clip, suede fringe Minnetonka Knee-Hi boots.)




Anyway, it got me thinking about how if I had to point to one universal 'trend' - it's more than a trend, it's a meme, a movement - to mix it up (feminine/masculine, casual/chic) and decided to pull out one photo that epitomised that trend. I couldn't do just one, of course: but I think black biker jackets - leather and lace, basically - are the best example.



Note her fringe bag channels Erika's boots, and Jen: see her demure patent loafers? Aren't they exactly the ones you wanted in Kate Kanzier but they didn't have in your size?



That led me to thinking about last Friday, and how Jen couldn't decide what to wear, ('easing my way into spring') and I realised how similar her scarf/jacket looks. And how it really is all about that: easing our way into spring, with our own unique but often uncannily similar style.



(On Jen: Mulberry Scarf, Madewell Jacket, Zara T-shirt, Urban Outfitters Leggings, Kate Kanzier Green Luella Brogues)



THEN, I went to E's blog to steal her shots (with her permission, of course) and lo and behold! A new post by her ('forward march'): which, in the most serendipitous, unplanned way, kind of brings it all full circle.

Thank you Alex, for your gorgeous photos of Erika. Thank you Erika for agreeing to 'guest blog', thank you Jen for posing.. thank you blond girl whose name I forgot... thank you each of you, for reading this and maybe even commenting, because otherwise, I'm just shouting in the dark! Have a lovely Tuesday night, wherever on the planet you are, and hope you're easing your way into spring nicely (unless of course you're in the Southern Hemisphere, in which case, you're easing your way into fall).

p.s. While I was posting this, Mr. Dot found this on youtube.. you should have seen us both, mock surfin' & singing along. Something to help ease you into spring, and oldie but goodie:

luxury goods: on griege, and grief

The Wise & Fashionable Pearl and I were talking about the elusive 'griege' colour (which I seem to remember reading about in a bio of Jackie Kennedy: she was trying to describe to someone what she wanted, a cross between grey & beige - or maybe I dreamt it). There seems to be a new interest in the colour ever since Chanel launched a limited edition nail varnish. It's all a bit silly, a bit Emperor's New Clothes, but colour is a very powerful and emotional substance.

Well, Pearl, this bag in the window at Asprey, on New Bond Street, feels about the colour I had in mind.



I shot these last week, and ironically, returned to the same spot just days later to shoot the Alexander McQueen shop. I had the strangest feeling when I took this photo: it was such a melancholy day, and I didn't know why I felt that way. Sometimes it's deja vu, sometimes it's just this strange.. what's the opposite of deja vu? Preja vu? Whatever it is, I get it, sometimes. And I"m trying not to keep posting about McQueen, (I just read a comment on another blog saying she's glad she's not the only one who can't stop posting about him) but I still finding myself reading more & more, and I still have images I want to show you..

btw: in this post, Pearl is talking about what is to become of the McQueen brand, and links to other interesting posts on the subject. I don't know how I feel, but I can't think of anyone who could fill his shoes. What are your thoughts on the subject?

when your own initials are enough

We happened to pass Gregg, who is the general manager for Ralph Lauren on Worth Avenue, outside Chanel, just down the street. He's got the essence of classic Palm Beach style down perfectly, I feel. Actually Mr. Dot spotted him first and while he patiently was posing, Mr. Dot was just outside the shot calling out 'Get his shoes! Get his shoes!'

Gregg is in mostly Ralph Lauren, apart from the shoes Mr. Dot loves, which are Stubbs & Wooten, and bag, Lands End.



These were all shot within minutes of each other: I loved this jewelry shop window display. You might have noticed, by the way, I'm on a roll with this 'griege' colour: can't get enough and now I really do want the nail polish. I've got it on authority from Pearl that it's the Particuliere shade that's Chanel's 'griege', not Trapeze. Will we ever find the true griege?





And Bottega Venetta: they used to run a great ad campaign (perhaps they still do), in reaction to all the Louis Vuitton initials craze: simple photos of beautiful bags, and the strap line 'when your own initials are enough'.



Self portrait in window display: I am wearing navy cotton shorts & black tee, both The Gap. Black suede ballet pumps with harlequin pompom, Topshop, at least two seasons back. Silver watch, Quinn (Germany), bronze genuine bull nose ring worn as bracelet, from a shop in Wales that Mr. Dot bought me ages ago, and his dad, when he heard he spent £20 on it, thought he was a fool to buy as 'I could have gotten you one off a bull for free', purple huge faux jewel bracelet, from Primark for £3, and gold lame metallic bag, American Apparel. Not an initial in sight.

top brasserie

Chanel seems to be outdoing itself lately in the wacky department, at least at their Brompton Cross location. While I was window snapping, Ian, who works at the venerable old La Brasserie next door, stepped out for a cigarette. He was trying to move out of my way but I love the shot. We had a nice little chat & then he went back to work & I went on my way.

Hope all's wrapping up nicely for you, wherever you are.

star quality: milly in chanel

Milly, in Chanel, on Day Five, London Fashion Week.



At the same time & place I shot Milly, I saw another woman also sporting orange hair. In fact I saw several sightings of bright red or orange hair, which works to great effect in a sea of black and navy - either white blonde hair with red lipstick, or very henned'd hair works GREAT provided that, unlike me, the skin is very white, very pale. And sorry, no offense to anyone, but I do feel one must be young to pull this look off successfully. No, I take that back: look at Vivienne Westwood. Or Queen Elizabeth I. Don't listen to me, what do I know.



One beef I do have with Chanel: in a dress where the bold pattern is the star (sorry, didn't mean to be punny), the least they could do for what I assume is one hefty price tag, is to line up the pattern. Or at the very least, not cut off one's own, iconic logo. I could see if it were high street - JUST - but for Chanel, one expects a certain standard.



Apart from that, I love how she's accessorized it so simply: just a bit of silver jewelry, bare legs, ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS KILLER HEELS, and this season's Classic Twist: the ubiquitous black leather motorcycle jacket.

While trying to source this Chanel dress for you, (which I couldn't find, sorry girls) I did find someone in Milan wearing it November 2008, on the Sartorialist's blog. Not to go head to head with the Great Man himself, but I like Milly's look much better. What's your verdict? Which look to you prefer?

a hard day's night

I've seen a few films recently that have had a strong impression on me: Coco before Chanel is one of them, and there have been some great BBC documentaries lately on the Beatles. There was even one show about how the Beatles have been responsible for bringing down the Kremlin (I'm not making this up!).



So you can imagine that first thing Monday morning, when I ran into Julia, from St. Petersburg, channelling Chanel, in BLACK AND WHITE, it was all a bit surreal. Especially since we had both barely woken up, and Julia's jacket, which isn't Chanel after all, but rather, Zara, is also a bit like the Beatles' collarless jackets. All I know is, she's a really nice girl, and it was lovely to meet her (a lot of my family is originally from Russia). And I love those little Chanel-esque nude sequin ballet pumps, and her electric blue woven leather bag.




I know that you guys never click on any of my youtube links (or if you do, no one's telling me) but I promise, if you click here, you'll be in for a real treat, Beatles fan, or not. Actually: does anyone NOT like the Beatles? I have yet to meet anyone who isn't a Beatles fan, except perhaps my husband, Mr. Dot, who always said the Stones were cooler. But he would say that, wouldn't he? Men! ; )

And while we're at it: what the heck, I couldn't resist it: click here, and you'll be humming this all day. And now that I think of it, how could I finish this post without adding this.