in abundance, galore

The day I met Paulina, from Russia, I was just leaving the V&A. It feels like another lifetime ago, but it was just maybe two weeks - maybe less - during that glorious heat wave. One of those perfect, blissful, cinematic days, and I was alone so I could write. I had to plan to be alone. But I wasn't alone: I was just surrounded by all these happy beings. I want to show you what it was like, but I'll save that for another post.

This one is all about the girl in the white lace go go boots.



Just as I was leaving, at the entrance to the courtyard, I saw her boots first. They're white cotton stiff but soft looking crochet'd lace. The shape felt so iconically Sixties: Go Go boots. That's a shape and silhouette I haven't seen much of - it's almost like Uggs have temporarily ruined the shape for us - but it just looks so great with bare legs or, in winter, tights and short sixties shaped dresses.



Paulina told me she got them in China - Beijing - really cheap, and she doesn't know the brand. I've looked online and can't find them anywhere. We were both going in opposite directions and I didn't even ask where she got her dress, and I know most of you are thinking only in terms of jumpers, coats, warm layers, but right after this, I saw the Marc Jacobs/Louis Vuitton Paris show, or rather, I should say, when I was visiting my good friend Barbara Clapham, who is 98, and she told me about the 'all white show' I then looked it up. It so captured my imagination and is everything I"m obsessed with at the moment: I love that large scale lace motif, in interior design, in everything. It's probably my favourite show that I haven't seen.

What's yours?



I've just discovered, (thank you, wikipedia), that the term 'go-go boots' is derived from the French expression à gogo, meaning "in abundance, galore",[1] which is in turn derived from the ancient French word la gogue for "joy, happiness". Which brings this post, shot in London, of a girl from Russia, with boots from Beijing, full circle to Paris, where an American recently did a catwalk show. With an abundance of happiness, and joy.

And there's not more that you can say, really, can you?

totally rad maddy

I don't know about the rest of the world, but the ubiquitous leopard print phenomenon is spreading faster than swine flu. (Hey: it's December. Weren't we all meant to be dead by October?) My Great Motel Rocks Challenge is coming to an end: they were really kind about loaning it to me, but I've held onto it way too long, mostly because it's rained so much. So Mr. Dot & I are off to the V&A today for one last Challenge, and then, sadly, it's goodbye to The Coat that has become a warm and cherished cuddly friend.



Here is Maddy Ford, who rose to the challenge. We were in Green & Stone & I was choosing coloured pencils when suddenly Mr. Dot pulled me out of the store to meet someone 'perfect for you.' I'm wondering if our marriage is getting a bit weird if my husband is now scouting out beautiful blondes. Maddy is a Celebrity Fashion Stylist, as it says on her card, and altho as you know I only post people's first names, I'm including her surname because it's got such a great sound - Maddy Ford - and this way, if you're a celebrity, you'll know how to find her. She's totally rad. And very, very sweet.



She wasn't sure The Coat would work with her outfit (note: the polka dots on her leggings are evenly spaced sequins, and her blackberry has a matching silver sequin covered case) but that's the point of my experiment: I've yet to find a look that doesn't work with this coat. And yet, come tomorrow, it's goodbye. I just hope the next lucky girl loves it as much as I have.

Maddy's tee by McQueen, bag by Louis Vuitton, but jacket 'only Zara'. Leopard print coat, stylist's own.

hello kitty! (super dry)

Was going dog walking with my friend Bronwyn for one of the last times before they moved across town, and we saw this couple from I THINK Hong Kong. They were so sweet about the shoot but I haven't heard from them yet and forgot their names. I just know her shirt is from Hong Kong, and I can tell she's got a Louis Vuitton bag, Adidas hat, and long Calvin Klein Jeans cardigan, because I can read. Perhaps some of you out there are better at sourcing this than me. Oh, and I can make out the guy in her sunglasses on the left, and that's me and Bronwyn on the right. I love his tee shirt: love a guy who's Super Dry.

Shot on Gloucester Road, London.

walk tall and carry a bit stick

My friend Christine is job hunting and has asked my fashion advice, which is sweet considering I haven't held down a day job in a coon's age. But I do go for the odd business meeting, and I think it's a timely question. How does one dress for success without spending a month's wages?

When it comes to meeting strangers that might be one day paying you, this is a definitely Better Safe than Sorry situation. (Apart, of course, from the World's Oldest Profession, in which case, the sky's the limit, girls, and Less is Definitely More). I'm absolutely convinced one can go into any of the good low range shops (or, online if you're not near a big city or branch) and look fabulous.

Take for example Johanna, above, a graduate student in international relations. When I ran into her on Bond Street, she'd just come from a job interview. This, to me, is the perfect summer interview outfit. I'm sure she left her potential future bosses with the impression of an attractive, articulate, intelligent, well groomed, lovely young lady that they'd feel was an asset to their company. I have no idea if her dress was from Prada or Topshop - and neither would they. This is one situation where we want them to remember us, not our dress.



One exception, of course, is the shoes. With shoes, I feel, one can go a bit doo la lah. I remember a story about Kate Hepburn. She was breaking a lot of glass ceilings behind the scenes with the studio execs in those days. Legend has it, when she had a big showdown coming these men, she'd wear her very highest heels. And she was tall to begin with. Those poor guys didn't stand a chance. While I love the look of Johanna's pretty black ballet pumps with the bows, and they're great for getting to the appointment on time (far more important than the outfit!), I like to think that hiding inside her Louis Vuitton handbag were a nice pair of Louboutins, (above), for her to slip into just prior, or one of the more affordable, but still spectacular, variations found in most shops this season, like the Shelley court shoes for £55 from Topshop, below.

Oh, and wear your good luck underwear, or whatever you're superstitious about. My favourite good luck talisman is a small, magic rock (I've got lots of extra ones, for backup, as I've learned it can really freak you out when you lose one) and a purse sized bottle of Jo Malone in Honeysuckle and Jasmine, or French Lime Blossom. If you can't afford good scent, stop off in a department store twenty minutes prior, and apply liberally. Remember girls: if you smell good, you feel great, and it shows.

So walk tall, carry a big stick, smell like an English rose, and knock 'em dead. That's my advice. But if anyone has any other suggestions for Christine, please do let us know!