The other side of the glass

Dreams of Miu Miu

New Bond Street, September 2016

Paolo

Paolo Roversi, 2015

Embroidered plastic bag

Browsing AnOther online is one of my daily habits, particularly when in need of a bit of inspiration

This embroidered plastic bag made me think of the embellished bags that Ashish put down the SS14 catwalk

 I love these bags - such a great mix of playfulness and prettiness. Who wouldn't want a sequinned covered shopper?!

Sequined military

Cuba 2010

This afternoon my Topshop suede jacket did me proud and earned me a compliment from my favourite stylist, Bay Garnett.

 This 2010 Vogue shoot in Cuba is styled by Garnett and is stuck in one of my much loved scrapbooks somewhere - digging that out will be a fun task for the rest of the day

 I am pretty sure this shoot informed my wardrobe for at least year after I first saw it. Luckily Shepherd's Bush market has no shortage of all things embellished, frilly, shiny - anything slightly over the top. I was in luck.

Sunday Best

 

Lord John Stuart and his Brother, Lord Bernard Stuart, c.1638, Anthony van Dyck

I hurried over to the National Gallery again after work today and managed to scoot through the doors just before they closed for the evening (yes, I was that annoying person, security guard). This evening I purposefully walked in the opposite direction to the rooms I instinctively head towards, and ended up in front of this van Dyck painting of the Stuart brothers, who were also wards of King Charles I. Wow those boots and lace frilly sock things... Lord Bernard Stuart's outfit (on the right) is particularly opulent. I love all the lace and trimming, the pearl buttons and satin gloves.

In stark contrast on my way out, I came to an abrupt halt in front of this guy

 

 Portrait of Don Justino de Neve, 1665, Bartolome Esteban Murillo

No showing off of fancy frills here. I think it was Don Justino's determinedly steady eyes though, that made the painting feel so different to King Charles' wards. I love that the dog is the one wearing the bows in Murillo's picture. I suppose I have in small ways, been trying to adorn myself in lace recently with my homemade shoelaces. Murillo was a Spaniard, and very popular in Seville during the 17th Century. The Spanish know how to do lace. Click on the ladies below to have a look at some Mantillas I saw first hand last summer.