You're So Vain

Carly Simon's hit, You're So Vain, has been on everyone's lips since Thursday when speculation as to its intended audience was once again brought to the fore. Apparently, the hubbub is all over a sample-artist’s finding of a whispered “David” recorded backwards. However he also found two other whispered words, one recognisable as “Warren” and the other unintelligible. With the upcoming March 1st UK release date of a remastered 'Never Been Gone,' the album which contained the famed lyrics, I have to ask, does this sound more like an accidental discovery or a coy marketing tactic? Either way, Carly could hit the charts again!

This back-masked "David," it has been claimed, is record producer David Geffen, pictured below 2nd from left, sporting a curly shock of hair and what appears to be a jaunty lanyard, singing along with Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchell, Cass Elliot, & Ned Doheny in Venice, California on Easter Sunday, 1972.

Bets are out on if he'll confess to being the gavotting, apricot scarf-wearing man about town who brought her only clouds in her coffee. Until someone does, the mystery of the muse of one of the world’s best-loved songs remains pleasantly cloudy. So, rest easy gentlemen, it may yet be you.

In honour of Carly’s friend with a penchant for apricot, I've pulled together some of the most fruitilicious offerings available at the moment.

This beautiful naturally-dyed silk apricot scarf is calling my name.

www.etsy.com/shop/colorsprouts


Cherished Vintage Cashmere Rose Scarf
www.etsy.com/shop/cherishedvintage


Chanel Cambon Bag


Prada Messenger Bag
(bag shown is a $227 copy from www.Handbagboots.com )

Pastel apricot shades keep perfect company with the wonderful nudes that are very plentiful right now. I for one am thankful. I love wearing the colours in this spectrum and there's a variation to flatter any skin tone.

Topshop's Silk Dress, £45

Topshop’s Heart Ruche Clutch Bag, £25

Anthropologie's Picture Show Dress £203

While, like a setting sun on a desert, hotter and riper perhaps more persimmon than apricot hues accompany taupes and khakis beautifully. This fabulous mood-lifting colour will brighten your day whether used sparingly or in larger doses like this bright head-to-toe ensemble from Future Classics’ SS10 Collection and this sweet princess-line lovely from Issa’s AW 10/11 Collection. My favourite gloves come in this shade as well.



"Leather Half Glove 5 Color" from Ebay seller: esourcinggate

If you’re having trouble finding the perfect apricot scarf, make your own with Urban Gypz’s hand-painted wools.

www.etsy.com/shop/urbangypz

I love this knitted neck cosy from Mountain Mama Jody...

www.etsy.com/shop/mountainmamajody

...and this more elaborate neck-piece with apricot shaded roses by Evgene.

www.etsy.com/shop/evgene

Morning Glory Teahouse's choker adds a feminine touch.

www.etsy.com/shop/morninggloryteahouse

Better yet, put on your favourite Carly Simon tune, open a box of chocolate covered apricots, and enjoy the memories.

www.prestat.co.uk/chocolates/apricots_in_chocolate

"She lives in a world of her own — a world of — little glass ornaments."

Ever since I saw The Glass Menagerie as a child (quoted above), I’ve had a love for art-glass. Back then, I started a collection of miniatures that I still have today and every now and then I spy something that re-sparks my interest, something I’ve never seen done before. Recently, I saw an amazingly beautiful and delicate lampwork art deco female dancing figurine on Antiques Roadshow. The last time glass made me so excited was when at the SS10 shows, a couple of Mary Katrantzou’s models strutted out wearing blown glass necklaces she’d commissioned from artist Peter Layton. The dresses wowed too, in prints that had been created by digitising photographs of the glass blowing process in Peter’s Leathermarket studio, and by further shaping the fabric to look like beautiful glass art. Mary sealed her fate as a top British Designer with this show.




Reminiscent of their collaboration, is this lovely, if less dramatic at 18mm wide, lampwork strand called Tulip Garden Ruffle at Scully B’s shop on Etsy for just $10.99 USD.



Layton’s art is spectacular and he has installations all over the world. This lovely Spirale Dropper can be yours for £490.00. You can find it at: www.spinnakersgallery.co.uk




I was lucky enough to witness Dale Chihuly demonstrating his mastery over the medium at the Birmingham (Alabama) Museum of Art in 1998. The art of glass, from taking a raw piece through the time-honoured alchemical and fiery process and beholding the hypnotising result, is one I will always be captivated by.

One of, if not the most, popular glass artists in the world, Chihuly’s installations are everywhere, from Alabama to Iceland, from train stations to museums and even opera sets.

Find out more at www.chihuly.com





If you don't know Etsy.com, you've been missing out! It's chock-full of one-of-a-kind sold by individuals in their 'shops'.


Bat Chen Designs’ joyous Sea Anemone Beads are exploding with whimsy. At over 1.5” wide, they make a statement that’s all fun.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BatChenDesigns



I love the clean and sleek look of this Harmony Jusseame ‘Iris’ necklace formed of glass and metal hoops.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/harmonyjusseaume



Isn’t she sweet? Giapet’s Fire and Sand workshop has produced this beautiful little 1.5” high Raku Lampwork Goddess bead.



At heights of under 2 inches and with affordable pricetags, Susan Jones’ museum-quality beads show she is a formidable talent.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/susanjonesdesigns




Like a strange creature from 10,000 leagues under the sea of another planet, Donna Millard’s 2 inch lampwork beads are as exquisitely touchable as they are wearable.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DonnaMillard



Allison Hill, a Glass Peace Gallery artist, creates delicate flameworked flowers encased in 1 inch glass pendants.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/GlassPeace



I think Bead Ruby’s romantic and girly Pansy Art Glass Necklace is so sweet!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadruby



Jill Matheson’s Evil Eye Amulets are startlingly realistic.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadruby



For a fun way to wear glass, Nanopod’s Cnidarian Ring fits the bill.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nanopod



I couldn’t help but share these delightful lampwork creations. From trees, flowers and animals to cupcakes as well as abstract forms, there’s a piece out there to make everyone smile.

These pieces are from these Etsy shops:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Naomish
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Carabeads
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Flamekeeper
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarolynsBeads
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Sharrona











I am enamoured with Aardvark Art Glass’ collection of adorable Octopi frozen in their struggle to open enticing tiny jars. Have a look at her shop and I dare you not to smile at the Captain Octopus.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/aardvarkartglass



Beady Girl’s Beads are quirky and fun.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/beadygirlbeads



My traipse through the myriad of lampwork glass on offer, led me to this fantastically skirted White Rabbit from Joan Miller Porcelain. I followed him straight down the hole and gathered some Alice in Wonderland themed fancies to share with you in my next post.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/JoanMillerPorcelain














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FUTURE TRENDS...New A/W Trends to Play With NOW!

When it's so beautiful as it is on the south coast this midday, it seems silly to not be thinking of discarding coats for cotton. Just last week I was rambling on about dreary winter clothes now I am hoping Spring holds off for a few more weeks! I guess that's what happens after viewing the stellar Autumn/Winter 2010-2011 London shows. My head's still spinning from the stunning designs on display this season. Just look at this Burberry beauty.





















There were so many new trends that struck a cord of fancy in my head and I was left with a strong desire to experiment with some of the new looks now.

While I was prepared to have fur envy this season, I was nonetheless enthralled by all the lovely fur on show and I won't apologise for it. I love animals, especially the noble and mysterious fox. Anyone who knows me will tell you I have a special place in my heart for them. However, I believe it isn't morally wrong to farm animals for our clothing any more than it is wrong to farm them for food. Is it not best to use all the animal and honour its life by creating not only sustenance from its flesh but by providing warmth in such beautiful ways from its leather and fur, unmatched by any man-made materials? I do have friends who feel differently and I respect that, however my fox, rabbit, shearling, and mink are desperate to make an appearance. Personally, I prefer vintage fur anyway which is better all ‘round really.

Back in December, ITV aired a special in which an impeccably styled Billie Piper interviewed the real Belle de Jour. In it Billie wore a vintage fur capelet over a simple white cotton dress for a daytime look. I had a Doh! moment, as I have always proudly marched right up front in the vintage fur jazz band, I wanted to kick myself for not coming out with that look a long time ago.

There were more capes on the runway this season and last Sunday, Todd Lynn shocked the senses with his fox shoulder armour. They were gorgeous, though more art than fashion.

But brought down-to-earth, I think a little capelet like Billie's is the perfect warmer for a chilly British Spring afternoon. Resting on the shoulders of a simple feminine frock, it's sweet-as-pie there's no denying it. Capelets are hard to come by but one can easily be improvised if you can get your hands on a vintage coat with a big fur collar. Just remove the collar, sew on a new lining if necessary and attach a clasp or ribbon tie and voila! Instant fur shoulder wrap! There are some old collars out there that are larger than others and bear in mind that a collar that connects low on the chest while attached to the coat will fall quite differently if it connects higher on the neck.

Reinvent a collar as a neck muffler and work it like Matthew Williamson,

Basso & Brooke,

and Amanda Wakeley.

Put fur around a hood like Jason Wu or sew wrist cuffs and get Pringle’s fox mitten look without the annoying mitten bit.

The time is also ripe to get your hands on a fox tail. Yes, I'm serious. Well, I'm going to get mine out anyway. It would look silly if we all had them though, so let's not tell everyone how cool they are. Everything furry is super hot at the moment and will be next year too. I would still love to see muffs make a big comeback! A Copenhagen designer presented this one in 2007.

They’re such a great alternative to gloves and do double duty as a purse with their secret inside pocket. It could be THE accessory to have this autumn. Like every well-dressed little girl in the 70’s, I carried one as part of my winter ensemble. I think it was an Easter present when I was about 6 years old. It was white rabbit fur and I adored it. I'm keeping my eye out for a nice vintage grown-up sized one. Hopefully by next Autumn that'll be sorted.

It's not the only item on my A/W treasure hunt 2010 list however. I must locate the perfect kid leather gauntlet gloves and mid-length shearling coat among other things. Don’t worry, my penchant for half gloves will never die. But aren’t these red gauntlets loverly? Find them at judirosenney.com

Didn't you just love Eun Jeong's painted tights and socks yesterday? What about John Rocha's kneeless tights on Saturday? These are definitely two future-trend statements I want to make right now!

It might also just might be time to get out the pins and needles. When Amanda Wakeley’s simple cape dress looks this good, if you’ve got a machine you’d be crazy not to give it a go.

There’s also the fun contrast print scarf/cowl neck/hood, seen here at Basso & Brooke, a sophisticated look that would be easy to incorporate.

Get creative girls! In case you forgot, London Fashion Week has once again proven we live in the most fashionably adventurous culture this planet has ever seen. We’re very fortunate. Come on now, embrace your individuality and exercise your fashion rights Britain!

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