My love of Mulberry is well-known and I was eagerly waiting for the unveiling of their new Spring/Summer 2014 Collection at London Fashion Week. I wasn't disappointed either with their Autumn/Winter Campaign shoot, the location, the whimsical props and of course the launch of a new bag that's bound to take it's place amongst other Mulberry iconics - the Mulberry Suffolk.
Available in a range of gorgeous colourways, it features a vintage inspired structured frame top that harks back to the era of very proper English handbags. In fact, it reminds me greatly of a bag that my grandmother had when I was growing up, and she was very proper and very English and very tea on the lawn with the best silver! All good connotations for me. This bag has the usual signature postman's lock and can be worn either over the shoulder, as it has a detachable strap, or in the hand. The expected attention to detail can be seen from every angle and is joining my ever-growing wish list of Mulberry bags.
Okay, swooning put aside for now, let's just have a quick look at their Campaign shoot for Autumn/Winter. Held at Shotover House in Oxfordshire, it demanded a real tree to be constructed within a large and grand drawing room and was perfectly delivered by Shona Heath, set designer. They used real owls to help Cara Delevigne showcase the new collection and it's just quite simply, stunning.
How breathtaking is this? Have you been following London Fashion Week? What's been your favourites?
Last week I escaped humid London for a mini-break down on the South Coast. I stayed here and wrote about it here. But this isn't about the hotel I stayed in, or even the wonderful beach a mere 400m away, but about the picturesque town of Rye.
Rye is one of the Cinque Ports that was established by Royal Charter in 1155 to maintain ships for the Crown should they be needed. Rye is perched on a hill, overlooking the River Rother and Romney Marsh, so was well placed to perform its role as look-out and defender of the coast. This ancient town is the sort of place you thought existed only in your imagination; with its enchanting cobbled streets, medieval church and beautifully preserved historic houses from medieval, Tudor and Georgian times, Rye is almost suspended in time and has a uniquely unhurried atmosphere.
Although small, Rye has plenty of attractions for the day visitor, from it's cobbled streets and timbered houses, to small boutiques and historic landmarks. Down by the estuary as you come into Rye there are a variety of Antique and bric-a-brac shops, selling everything from vintage kitchen paraphenalia to furniture and garden implements. I spent a very happy hour down there, coming away with some gorgeously heavy, silver plate cutlery.
For the literary minded, Rye comes up trumps, for amongst its illustrious inhabitants, once lived E.F.Benson, famous for his Mapp and Lucia books. He resided near the church in Lamb House. Close by lived the author Henry James. If you wander round the side of the Medieval church, complete with it's original bell-tower you will find the wonderful Tiny Book Store. It really is tiny, but well stocked with a wide variety of second-hand books. A browsers dream.
You can do a lovely circular walk, beginning at the base of the town, up the cobbled streets and past the Mermaid Inn. Take in the old castle and views out towards the sea, before looking round the old church and a browse in the book shop. You finish your walk with an amble down the main high street with it's coffee shops and independent retailers. Check out Violetta Boutique, a gorgeous parfumery/apothecary shop on the main drag.
Although I stayed nearby, you can easily 'do' Rye from London in a day. It takes about an hour and a half to get down there - try the A21, it's not as quick as the motorway, but takes in the English countryside in all it's glory.
I like nothing more than a rummage in a second-hand shop or a stroll round a flea market, so when I spotted this Brocante fair in Antibes recently you couldn't hold me back. The thing that struck me most was the quality of the brocante; no cracked glass in the picture frames, no warped pages in the books, even the jewellery was sold in the original packaging - and we're not talking your bog-standard high street jewellery here - oh no - this was vintage Dior, Chanel, and Galliano! From beautiful french dressers, ornate chandeliers to vintage postcards - it was a rummager's dream...
A beautiful aquamarine and diamond ring (Dior I think!)
Old postcards and vintage confirmation slips
Bundles of old linen
Piles of lacy tablecloths
Entire dinner services and beautiful old cutlery
I was so tempted to bring a stack of this stuff back with me and was only dissuaded by the thought of having to drag my case the length of France and half-way across Paris to the Eurostar! If you like to look at loot shoots, then check out this blog for more vintage heaven.
