dokkim: because we're worth it

Jen, Nat and I had infiltrated my wardrobe HQ recently (yet to upload, but when I do you'll be the first to see) and I was so excited at the idea of suggesting a product to Susannah, so I told her about these amazing bags from Dokkim. You might notice that I didn't link Dokkim, that's because they don't have a website. Yes, you've read correctly: no website.



In fact Dok Kim, which is his name, is from Korea, altho he's lived in the States a long time. And when I met him last year in Palm Beach, he didn't even have an email address. Just a printed postcard with his Palm Beach store location (he's also got a store in Nantucket, where he has a summer home), and a telephone number. So he's crossed the line and bought himself a telephone. A land line.



When I asked him how people buy his bags without a website, he said: 'My customers know where to find me'. He is absolutely lovely, so zen and serene.

And his bags are amazing. You might have noticed, I can get all excited about shoes, but I don't really post about bags. I don't get them, for starts. I can't tell what makes a particular designer bag special. I mean, I can understand some are real leather and the cheap ones aren't - the way I can tell is my cheap bags start peeling - but frankly, I prefer a cloth sack. Especially the big ones: it seems a big cruel to kill a whole cow just for little old me.



Except for these. They're made from the same materials and process as traditional tatami mats.

He makes solid leather style, too, but these leather and rattan just appeal to me. He showed me the inside: they've got all kinds of beautiful compartments. I don't know much in this crazy fashion world, but I do understand that these are well crafted. And expensive. The store is on Worth Avenue, which is like ground zero for shopping in the most WASPy white, richy rich city in America and possibly the world. So he is either very well connected, or he's selling these babies to SOMEONE. They sell for about $300- $500 USD, which isn't insane, and if I ever start earning serious money of my own, I want to buy one.

Meanwhile, by sheer coincidence, when I tried to see if anything was online about them, I found this. And coincidentally, the site is called WorthPoint. Everything's connected.

My American sisters: do you know anything about this brand?

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.

all white all weddy

I've been wondering when women in London would start wearing white. It's been black black black (& some grey) for so long, that I was starting to think we'd never see it, but sure enough, earlier this week when the sun came out, so did the whites! It was reassuring, somehow: like the first snowdrops appearing in early spring. Better late than never, white?

Altho I don't yet have any good London white shots, here are some from my visit home (to Florida) at Easter. First up: I spotted Barratt, above, on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, with her husband and young kids. Really nice family.



I met this delightful Norwegian mother-in-law and daughter duo - yes, you read it right! - getting along swimmingly, on my way to the beach. I then ran into them later on, shopping a few steps away on Worth Avenue, and I've got the shot somewhere, just can't find it at the moment.



Another postcard from Palm Beach, to inspire you (& me!) for that sunny blue&white palate.



And for some accessory inspiration, the only designer bags I'm saving up for are by DOKKIM, who doesn't have a website, just a shop on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, and another in I think Nantucket. So I can't even link you to a site, but their number is 561 833 3839.



I haven't stopped thinking about his bags (the designer's name is Dok Kim, from Korea). They're so well constructed. I'm not usually like that about hangbags: I mostly wear cloth things from Accessorize, or hand made by my English mother-in-law from old curtains and curtain pulls. Seriously.

Of course, none of this white stuff applies for today: it's grey again, so I'm sure everyone out there is back to black. But tomorrow, the sun may shine again, and when it does, I'm ready with my whites. (Sorry about the title, by the way: I'm playing Dylan right now, and really tempted to do 'It's all white mom, I'm only sleeping' but I'm afraid the reference will be lost on most people, and besides, my mom reads my blog, bless her cotton socks, and I'm such a lazy old cow, she'll believe it's true! (Hi Mom! : )

because we're worth it

More postcards from Palm Beach: Worth Avenue, and Irma, from Brazil, staying cool in a trend I've seen a lot here this season: white trousers with a neon top, in this case a light polo style in chartreuse. She unapologetically had braces on her teeth and a truly genuine smile and generous spirit. That, to me, is real style.






Window shopping on Worth Avenue: diamonds, as always, appear to still be a girl's best friend.

postcards from palm beach: all the news that's fit to print

Along with this fascination with hot pink (more about that later), the ubiquitous all white/black/neutral uniform, and neon brights (especially green) with white, we're seeing a lot of pattern marching down Worth Avenue this season. Part of the reason is the classic Lily Pulitzer shift dress - she's back, got a shop in town, and is bigger than ever. This (above) is a good example of a classic print shift dress - might be by LP, but everyone's doing a version in PB.







And, of course, Tory Burch, the new(ish) kid on the block, is doing fabulous modern spins on that classic concept. I've even noticed a few rather.. large girls not at all afraid to wear big bold patterns. With confidence.

Hey: I'm not condoning the trend, girls, I'm simply reporting the news. Please, don't shoot the messenger.

new kid in town

MK had just been in Palm Beach one week when I met her on Worth Avenue. Her boyfriend writes for the Palm Beach Post. I promise you, she's going to ruffle a few feathers because she's not just tall, blonde, and beautiful, but she's also really, really nice - and smart & funny. We became instant friends.

Love her clean, confident, classic simplicity, and the whimsy of adding the white waistcoat. The menswear trend is going to be big, we predict. It's accessible - we can borrow from our men, literally - and we can be creative & make it our own style, as MK has done so successfully. (another clever interpretation is on Vicci, of Primrose Hill)

Step aside, Claudette Colbert! There's a new kid in town, and she's writing a whole new Palm Beach story.

postcards from palm beach: hot pink!

Just stopped in between swims to post this: Met Jennifer & her beau @ the beach right @ the intersection of Worth Avenue: ground zero for Palm Beach fashion. She was so much more stylish than the women roaming the streets in the noonday sun - because SHE'S having fun! They're showing a lot of hot pink in the stores (these gorgeous hot pink shoes by Guiseppe Zanotti were in Saks' window; just saw a similar pair @ Harvey Nicks) but the Palm Beach matrons would give up a trust fund or two to have Jennifer's body - and confidence - and to be able to pull off wearing this dress (by Guess).
Gotta go - I'm like a fish out of water. xoxo