connecting the dots

Katie, spotted & dotted outside the V&A last week, in vintage shoes and jacket from 'somewhere in Notting Hill' on the same day I had seen '-h's' shot in leopard coat and clutch - and in fact at the same moment I was thinking about it, and the whole 'classic with a twist' thing.

p.s. Had to run out earlier this morning when I posted this, but also want to say that I was running by Katie when I saw her - didn't want to be late to meet Mr. Dot @ the annual Grosvernor House Antiques Fair (lots o' good style, but indoors & too dark to shoot), and Katie was just sitting there so happily, radiating good style & good vibes. The sun literally came out as I was shooting her!

hoodie

Harrington Gardens, South Kensington

hats off to kitten

Hats off to Kitten, @ pickedpics, who posted a brave and well written piece on Hitler, iconography, guilt, atonement, and tee shirts, on 22 May. It sparked off some great dialogue on a controversial subject. Read about it here.

new girl in town

Inma, Gloucester Road. She's just moved here from Spain. It's funny how every time I think someone is too cool to shoot, they turn out to be the nicest ones.
Welcome to the neighbourhood, Inma. We've got the same Converse, by the way!

model behaviour (when your own initials are enough)

It was a quiet rainy Tuesday and I was taking a self portrait in the Bottega Veneta window on Old Bond Street when I saw through the lens a silhouette that looked stunning. I turned & ran after Hannah Horn, who, as it happens, is a young model starting out. She was so kind to pose, and I said I'd track her down, but I haven't. So Hannah, if you see this, please do get in touch & I'll send you the shots. 'd love to know where you got that great bubble dress. I like the simple touches like the bow and white collar. It's sophisticated schoolgirl chic, especially with the high heeled brogues. It's weird, I've been running into models everywhere lately.

Liliya

Liliya, from Russia, looking fabulous on Sloane Street. She has a gallery on Russian Art, Artelia. I can't wait to see a show she'll be in soon in Knightsbridge, as she specialises in Ukrainian contemporary art, and my roots go back to that part of the world. (All about me, again).
I was thinking about something Nicky wrote in her blog, lipsoflondon, and how Chanel seems to have lost its way as a brand. And yet, that Chanelesque mentality has pervaded modern women's references and attitudes to fashion in so many ways, a theme I keep returning to. Is Nicky right: has Chanel become so much a part of the ether that the centre has dissolved, like a aging star in a distant galaxy? Hmm. Something to think about.

P.s. Just heard from Liliya - on her way to the Eurostar for Paris - who has confirmed the jacket IS Chanel, bag by Prada. Memo to self: when she's back, find out what was in the Vivier bag, for Amy of Style Spy (aka Curious in Austin Texas)

it's not too late (or, a kind wish for imogen)

I don't know about you, but was having a kinda blue moment.. a bit 'is that all there is'... and then I thought of poor Imogen up in some god forsaken place up North, someplace presumably even colder & darker & wetter than London.. and several unrelated people have emailed me today saying they're sorry it's 'too late' to wish Imogen good luck on her exams.
But it's not too late to wish her well! And as tough as my life might feel at the moment, at least I don't have to face sitting in a room with two examiners, a mic and a tape recorder trying to speak about the michelin guide and stem cell research (true story). So to anyone out there: please, leave a nice wish for Imogen. You never know, the person you cheer up might end up being yourself!

p.s. While we're at it: how about a message as well for Nicky, of lipsoflondon, who's also cramming for exams right here in London Town.

pretty in pink

Alex, King's Road, London

kinga

On a street where everyone is vying to get discovered for their street style savvy, Kinga, from Hungary, stood out because she clearly wasn't trying. I met her at Pret a Manger near St. Martins College of Art. She's an absolutely delightful girl. I shoot in film & usually just do one or two shots & hope for the best. I took three, and then truly couldn't decide. Perhaps the one I left out was the best. I have no idea what she was wearing. It seemed immaterial to her, too: the essence of good style is just putting on whatever feels right, and then not giving it another thought.

back to black

I know I've been banging on about black & white lately, but it's just been everywhere in London so far. I'm sure it will stop soon as it gets warmer and people get tanner, and they embrace bright colours and pastels, and (I predict) lots o' white, but it's a shame. When I got back from sunny Florida all tan (still am), I found that wearing mostly black with a tiny bit of white as an accent is stunning. Case in point, Mystery Woman (sorry - we had a fun shoot outside Harvey Nichols - her white sandals caught my eye - but I forgot to ask her name!) If you see this, Mystery Girl, please get in touch & tell me where you got those fabulous shoes!



A nice alternative bag to wear with her ensemble: Dokkim, of Palm Beach and Nantucket. The most gorgeous bags I've ever seen. Made by the most incredible Korean man, named Dok Kim. More on him later - gotta run, got a meeting @ Carluccios.

betsieD and the maharishi

Okay, this has happened a lot recently, and it's a little embarrassing. I've gotten ballsier about running up to total strangers and asking to take their photos (at times, risking certain death crossing busy streets) - and I'm constantly amazed that people let a total stranger take their photo to put up on the internet: that's trust. But recently, I've run after women who turn out to be.. working girls.
Professionals. Models, I mean. It's like going up to Gordon Ramsay and saying, 'Hey, mate, would you whip me up an omelette.' Bit cheeky.
BetsieD was on her way back from a job, with her book in her suitcase, and I assumed she was just another beautiful woman coming back from holiday. She was a good sport about it. (She claims it was because I was so sweet but really, she knew I wasn't going away til I got my shot.) Her gorgeous coat is by Maharishi, aka Hardy Blechman. Interview here in the JC Report.

it's not over yeah!

Erin, on a working visit from Singapore, in a tee shirt she got in NYC. She couldn't recall the name & I didn't want to alarm her by reaching around and checking the label, but if it wasn't made by Katharine Hamnett, it's surely an homage to her work from the eighties.

good sport

Ran into Claire on a grey Sunday morning, near 'Brompton Cross' - that fashionable triangle in South Kensington made up of Bibendum, Chanel, and Old Brompton Road. She couldn't understand why I thought she looked photo-worthy, but was a good sport about letting me shoot her. One can only imagine what she looks like when she makes an effort! Note the Abercrombe & Fitch hoodie and Nike logos on her ankle socks.

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.

a walk in the park

So I was walking in Holland Park on Sunday with Mr. Dot, checking out the daffodils & the Kyoto Garden & listening to London Walks* on our iPod, when I found myself walking thru a Kodak Moment: a lovely family, near the cafe, posing for photographs with a very young baby, and having so much fun doing so.
I don't know what I noticed first, Amanda's fabulous print dress, or her laugh. Love the shoes - and the peek of blue polish on her toes.

*See London Walks under 'nice things' - downloadable, free - and fabulous!

mystery brunette

Saw a couple in the Boltons, loved the whole look, the big sunglasses and shiny killer heels, that great dress.. a cross between Gabriella from Desperate Housewives, and Posh (or what Posh might look like if she smiled).. took a quick pic, but I was in a rush, and it felt like they were, too. Now I can't remember her name! Was it.. Paola? All I know is, she's Italian. But of course!

Fashion update: Mystery solved! Her name is Claudia, she's just contacted me. Good thing I'd given her my card. And I agree with Steve: her look is more a cross between Jackie O & Audrey Hepburn. And she's also so nice. Actually: everyone has been. It's such fun!

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!

bus stop cinderella

I was running into Waitrose, my husband waiting impatiently in the car, when I saw this stunning little girl about to get on a bus with her mother, or perhaps grandmother. I asked the woman permission to shoot the girl - she gave it - and before I got a chance to ask even her name, the bus came. I snapped this just before they hopped on & were whisked away.

She didn't even leave a shoe behind. 

california dreamin'

Lynne, from San Francisco, spends a few months a year in London. She's such a delightful, sunny soul. Shot at the Scottish church on Pont Street.