House of Flora SS11

The only way to beat the gale force winds sweeping the nation today and keep your 'do intact is to try out one of these faaahhbulous headpieces (or you could just take a taxi into the office like I opted for this morning...).  Taking the idea of wigs to the next dimension, I absolutely love House of Flora's rigid felt creations.  And not just for Halloween - I'd be quite happy popping down to Waitrose in one of these (though maybe not Tesco's...).  There are also some Haus-of-Gaga style sunglasses.  I just wonder - where do they go from here?  And when will they start producing accessories for other brands?  I can totally see collaborations with Jean-Charles de Castelbajac or Ágatha Ruíz de la Prada, or even, dare I say it, La Gaga herself...

xxx
Duck

Snow SS11 Press Day: Fanny & Jessy

Good morning on this frosty day!  I thought I'd spice up your and my wintry week with a quick look at playful Fanny and Jessy,a brand I have heard a lot about but never really taken a close look at until last week.  The eponymous pair (who both studied at LCF) have worked for hot London stylist-cum-designer Nova Dando as well as Parisian Anastasia & Duck favourite, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac.  Their young street look has a masculine/unisex edge to it which is so London right now (probably why it was picked up for the Queen of ugly-sexy herself, Lady Gaga, for her tour this year).  For next season they have gone mental with the metal chains, embellishing shell-suit type jackets and leathers trousers to the point of no return.  The trousers seriously weigh a tonne - I really think La Gaga is the only woman on the planet who could be bothered to wear them for longer than 10 minutes, but the rest of the collection is really fun and surprisingly wearable despite first appearances.  Personal favourite?  The sheer black blouse/body which would be great over a 90s crop-top/sports bra. 

xx
Duck

Wolf & Badger

On Wednesday night Anna and I headed over to a fancy dress party at a relatively new store just off Westbourne Grove, Wolf & Badger.  The theme was obviously Halloween-related, but the party really served to launch their next season of up-and-coming designers, who can change up to every three months in the store.  Some of the costumes were quite incredible, especially milliner Louis Mariette's entourage, whose extravagant headpieces were matched with expert make-up and even a full-on wedding dress.  There was also a female Uncle Karl and a piece of walking, talking roadkill.  Naturally, the store owners themselves came dressed as a wolf and a badger (who was particularly cute).  Both Anna and I wore Castelbajac; me, a duck (well, of course!) and she, a kooky clown.  We also bumped into a tipsy Amy Jackson (of Big Brother fame), an artist we studied with at Oxford and who has modelled for Anna's jewellery company.  I had never been over to the store before, which opened in February this year, but I will certainly be going back considering the wonderful mish-mash of designers, and some truly fabulous accessories including those solid metal skulls...

Many thanks for inviting us to the party!
xx
Duck