Learning to Mend

I've a new addiction.

Last year my 92 year old Grandmother, knowing my love for clothes, gave me two beautiful classic Salvatore Ferragamo cardigans that she had loved wearing but no longer wanted. When I got them home, I found they were very badly eaten by moths, which she hadn't realised. Unsure of what to do, but unable to part with the cardigans, I washed them and put them away in the depths of my sewing box. A couple of weeks ago I came across the trend for 'visible mending' (essentially darning with bright yarn) and was instantly hooked. My love of second hand clothing means I have many things that have been worn to... literal bits. Still very much learning - but it is a deeply satisfying way to revive clothes, adding a bit of individuality to them. For anyone interested in learning more, 'Mend! A Refashioning Manual and Manifesto' by Kate Sekules is a great book I've enjoyed reading. And I am greatly inspired by Celia Pym, an artist who keeps embroidery and sewing at the heart of her practice.

On Set Details

Love the colour and print combination from a shoot I styled last year 

Joy

Taken many months ago between shots on set.

Thinking today about upcoming shoots: being creative, working out logistics, socially distancing, travelling... Lots to piece together! It's the little things that bring joy in life sometimes, like this camo bag - a present from my ever stylish Mum - and luminous red and pink stripes from Molly Goddard.

Coastal

A new editorial now live on my website - a coastal story shot by Jonny Mallen, Styled by me,  Hair by Emma Small, Make Up Sophie Higginson
www.josie-harris.com

Tie-dye and embellishment - when getting dressed in the dark before work ends up being a semi successful look!

Stripes

Styled by me, shot by Andre Skjegstad

Them Apples

Shot by Daniel Shea, Styled by Jason Ryder

NY Times 2018

Fashion at the Foreign Office

The most breathtaking and beautiful show from Molly Goddard this weekend at LFW, which took place at the Foreign Office in Whitehall. My photos don't begin to do it justice...

Colour Block Cosy

New editorial out now for Stories Collective

Colour block jumper by Scandinavian brand, 2nd Day, who unsurprisingly do very good warm knits.

Iullia

  

Iullia Danko from Next Models
Styled by me
HMU by Jo Bernacka
Shot by David Edwards

Kerry for Daisy

Love this shot from a story for Daisy.zine, out last week

Shot by Andre Skjegstad

Berets and Brogues

I've been thinking about ideas for shoots and have been seeking inspiration high and low. While yet another 90s throw back is certainly not on the agenda, I did happen to come across a shoot in an 1994 edition of Italian Vogue that I thought captured the vibe particularly well. It probably helps Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista the models too.

Shot by Steven Meisel, the pictures capture the sultry school girl mood so well, without slipping in to being overtly sexy which can sometimes feel a bit wrong.

Food for thought.

Winter Essentials

Last weekend I hopped on a train with Tessa and spent a couple of days on the Isle of Wight. It was very wintery weather and the coastline looked dramatic as we watched the rain blow in.

Of course Tessa and I debated high brow topics all weekend, but in between and especially on the platform at Southampton station we discussed what items we most need (want) in our wardrobes this winter. This discussion was prompted by my favourite jeans which basically fell apart as I was wearing them over the weekend, and are now sadly too embarrassing to wear due to a rather large rip in an unfortunate place.

Jeans shopping is never fun in my book, and now sadly I am forced to seek some out. R.I.P £12 Primark jeans I have worn for 3 years.
 We agreed on the notion that jeans were an essential winter purchase. We also discussed boots, trainers, coats...
We decided this was not an essential:

 But for me, these definitely are and have been for many years running now:

Another great winter comfort is my massive fleece lined parka that I got a couple of years ago in Manchester. It really means business.

I tend to think the things to spend money on over the winter months are on pieces that you wear on the outside, i.e shoes, boots, coats etc... Everything else seems to be covered up the rest of the time. There's a lot of talk about knitwear at the moment. I've been a jumper lover for years and years. You can read my knitwear musings here, here and as well as an attempt to save a beloved knit here.

Knitted Vest

Traid £3 sale, its a dangerous place. Where everything is somehow appealing. I bought this little hand knitted vest (I think it might be for a child). I am envisaging wearing it over a short sleeved dress when it gets a little warmer, but I did also give it a go yesterday

Hmm........

Hats

Catherine's hat speaks for itself, and love Rosa's bobble hat, green tips and fur collar.