Alex Ceball

For more information on one of my favourite contemporary illustrators, visit his site: Alex Ceball

In Loving Memory...of a dream not meant to be...

While writing this post my hands are shaky. I have debated should I or should I not be upfront about the situation. But as the season kicks off and the clock is ticking for the first, and slightly dreaded, interview where I'm asked about the new collection, where will I be showing etc, etc..

With some sorrow and some relief I confess that there will be no Paris this season. The decision, after ten collections, to let the train go, maybe for now, has been equally simple as it has been complex.

I have never complied with the industry standard but I did have some comfort in knowing that at least Paris was there. Season after season it gave me some normality in a rollercoaster ride of unpredictable excitement.

And as one mourns the loss of a dream, I am intrigued as to what the future beholds.

I know my best work is yet to come. It is when and how, which remains a mystery.

'The Haunted Wood'

"There is a border-land between the grave and the gay, the tragic and the comic, as between the sublime and ridiculous, in which Mr. Pettie is as much at home as when he confines himself to the domain of the more purely dramatic. He generally , however , shows a relish for the sensational, and the picture we engrave from the Winter Exhibition at the French Gallery is a happy and amusing example of somewhat special faculty, as well as a good specimen of the artist's clever and facile execution. No painter conceives a subject like this better than Mr. Pettie.'

The Illustrated London News Jan 20, 1872

Lucy Downes Sphere One

For some time I have wanted to feature a post about Lucy Downes. She's not only a brilliant designer but is one of my best friends in the real world.

For many many seasons we have travelled to Paris together for fashion week, so I guess she's always been there to celebrate or to console....

She uses the finest yarns in the world and her designs are incredibly ingenius

To see the wonderful hand knitted cashmere cardigan that she donated to our cause Talent for Haiti....Lucy Downes Sphere One Donation.

And to see more of her beautiful pieces check www.sphereone.biz

Kiichi Asano

The Taming of the Shrew

There are fewer people on this planet who are further away from being a domestic goddess than I am.

It's not because I'm not interested...I would love to cook a gourmet dinner in 15 minutes as many of these 'personalities' do on TV .

I'm not sure why? It could be due to my incapacity to multi task if one of these requires timed attention.

But also growing up in Spain, were I was part the first generation who was liberated from male imposed obligations and consequently resisting any responsibilities that our mothers and grandmothers may have had.

Whilst at school the theatre group produced the The Taming of the Shrew...and yes... guess who played Katherina...? Is it a case of life imitating fiction?

Many years later and still not domesticated...

I do love cooking, it's like therapy, but when FEDEX is at the door and both phones ring at the same time..the chances are the fire alarm will set off within minutes...as it does every other week.

From next week I'll be posting on my adventures and misadventures in the kitchen....if you have any challenging recipes let me know

bon appetit...

Visual Feast

Yesterday, with heroic efforts (due to the adverse arctic weather conditions) Mr Postman delivered another breathtaking book.

Lillian Bassman: Women by Deborah Solomon has now officially been taken off my never ending wish list on Amazon.

I was relatively famliar with her work. But to have so many of her masterpieces collected in one astonishing book, is simply a visual feast and probably a must have for anyone who appreciates fashion photography at its best.

My heart rate has increased considerably since it's arrival.

Let the images speak for themselves...

English Women

As I start the year working on a new online trove...The Silent Gallery...where my collection will be sharing space with treasures and inspiration..

On the 31st of December the postman delivered an incredible brown paper wrapped package, it included a first edition of Edith Sitwell’s book English Women.

Mrs. Siddons by Sir Thomas Lawrence

This tiny hardback has a pencil written note inside saying:

' Joan,
with love,
Siye
XMas 1943'

This little treasure briefly depicts the life of brilliant and beautiful English women from Emily Bronte to Florence Nightingale

I anticipate many of their stories will be shared in this space soon......

Starting the year with a smile

Peter O'Brien posted this video earlier and I couldn't think of a better way to start the day, and the year, than sharing this sketch of pure genius comedy.

The divine Anne Bancroft.....

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