you ain't never caught a rabbit

Suggested viewing: turn up your volume, click below, and read on.





Because there is nothing original in this or any world, I am going to STEAL the first lines from an article by Tim Blanks in STYLE.COM on this amazing, Topshop Unique show (LFW: Day 3, 20.20.11). He said:

"Doncha just love life's little synchronicities? The 101 Dalmatians were all over the new Topshop collection. The woman who wrote the book on them in 1956 was Dodie Smith. Topshop's design supremo Karen Bonser currently lives next door to the house where Dodie lived..'

But what Mr. Blank didn't mention - and I wonder if anyone even realised it - the finale for this brilliant show in an amazing locale was Elvis singing 'You Ain't Nothing But a Hound Dog' - which I believe he first performed the same year as Dodie Smith wrote the book.





I've been, it feels, surrounded by a whole lot o'crazy before, during, and even after - especially after! - London Fashion Week. Mentioned it to Mr. Dot this morning, and he just looked at me said, deadpan 'it's not like you weren't warned.' It's true. I had to laugh. Thank God for men. And it's not just fashion, we all know ballet is the same.. hence the success of Black Swan.. let's face it, whenever you get an industry that is predominantly women, when there is so much money, and ego, at stake, there's bound to be a little bit of, let's just say, female canine behaviour going on.

So in keeping with the Black Swan/White Swan theme - because I believe there's a bit of Black Swan in us all, along with the White - I'm doing this post on just the black and white looks of this show. The colour ones will have to wait for another day. Besides: the sun is out and why aren't I?







Ever since I saw this show - and it wasn't just me singing and dancing in my seat along with the song, I could see Pixie and Alexa were, too - I've just been singing this song in my head. You've got to love the simplicity of these lyrics. There are no other lines, just these:

You ain't nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time. You ain't nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time. You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine. Oh they said you was high class, but that was just a lie. Yes they said you was high class, but that was just a lie. You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine.

And then he just sings it again. And again. And again.




Happy Pancake Day, all. Our family didn't celebrate it growing up but tonight I'm making something crepe-related. I know it's meant to be the start of atoning for our sins, and I'm not quite sure these days what mine are exactly, but hey, any excuse to eat pancakes!

Big hug and thank you to Liz Shuttleworth at Arcadia, for the invite. Just think, if I didn't ask to street shoot you that summer day in Primrose Hill.. I might have missed such a fabulous experience.