Blog crush; Tragic Sence

Dearest readers, 

Please take a look at Tragic Sense, my newest crush in the blogosphere, run by talented and creative Jessica Celebre that takes us, 21st century girls and boys on voyage to some lost times. Nostalgic mood of analogue photos like a mirror to Jessica’s universe reveal her world as a pretty place of pretty things, girlie dresses, antique furniture, lovely lingerie, porcelain teacups, typewriters and lace gloves. Enchanting indeed. Do you agree?

Biba and Beyond

I know, we don’t have usually little heart-to-heart here on misslikey about exhibitions or events, but when it comes to Biba, hardly any of the rules could apply. In fact, I believe that it would be sin not the mention that currently there is great fashion exhibition at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery that celebrates all things Biba and Beyond. The exhibition's aim is not just to tell a story about Biba, clothes, lifestyle, but to cover everything connected to this revolutionary brand and its and far reaching influence. Through illustrations, film, fashion, music, photography, ephemera and memories of visitors, intention is also to offer retrospective of Barbara Hulanicki’s fashion career, her childhood and views on fashion.

Barbara came to Brighton (“sleepy town in these days”, she tells) in 1948, where she attended Brighton Art College. In 1955 Young Hulanicki won beachwear design competition held by London Evening Standard. She left college during second year and started to work as freelance fashion illustrators for various fashion publications, including Tatler and Vogue. She worked also in London office of Women’s Wear Daily. With her partner and husband Stephan Fritz-Simon Barbara started small mail-order business. The pink gingham dress, offered in Daily Mail was the item that prompted the opening of the first Biba shop in Kensington in 1964.

Ysterike crush

Ysterike is charming and young French label, founded by designer Sarah Lespagnol in 2010. Lespagnol, graduated designer/pattern maker when started Ysterike was inspired by memories she collected on her route from India to Italy, so that’s probably the right explanation of label’s vivacious spirit. Therefore, brand claims it’s the serious style that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Experimenting with cutouts and by bringing edgier elements of retro to girly silhouette, brand gives fresh and innovative vision of sweet fashion. So, we are very willing to add Ysterike to circle of quirky labels where Vivetta or Lady Petrova reign, to become our permanent shopping address. Not that we diminished our Victoriana or granny ways, but from time to time we would love to add a bit of quirkiness on our racks. And have them ready for the times of love, parties, fun and the night.

Orla Kiely's autumn of 2012

What we need for sweet autumn days? 

Tailored pinafore dress that will be our everyday loyal partner. Organza dress with sparkle of gold and white tights for our dancing days. Velvet dress fastened with bow on the waist in moments when we need a breeze of old-school glamour and fitted fox print dress in moments where we are feeling playful, quirky and young. In days like these, we also need good rain coat to lead the battle against harsh wind and umbrella that protects our neat hairs and smart heads from raindrops. 

Made by Orla Kiely, showed "how to wear" in prettiest way by Leith Clark, and old-fashioned romantic atmosphere created through Venetia Scott's lens. Oh, Orla!

where the wild things are

After exploring the path of perfect knitted garment, we went through the chapter of cute little things such as bows or thousands of little hearts and dots. We were also examining the shape of pearls, therefore we came to conclusion that beaded knitted cardigans or jumpers are enough playful, but with a serious dose of glamour. On some other days, we were bedazzled with flowers from the wreaths (just remember Givenchy mohair pullover last year and obsessions it caused). After Burberry Prorsum's Autumn / Winter 2012 owl motif jumpers, Indiana Joneses of fashion and their followers came back to thrift shops to locate their hunts. And we love either patterned little creatures or those that come as appliqués. Peter Jensen, besides past sweet animal collaboration with Urban Outfitters, has always been a man that lived where the wild things are. As the before-the-trend-designer, Jensen’s unisex rabbits and foxes are already classical secret of chic couples. This little-creatures-fever offers dozens of ideas for DIYs, so if you are kind of creature that is hobby lover, you can get appliqués in textile stores and stitch them to your plain jumpers. Adorable are those Fifi Lapin appliqués, which are available for just £ 2.99. For edgier state of minds, it would be useful information that JW Anderson did collaboration with Topshop that’s all about bats and ghosts on jumpers. 

And when it comes to novelty sweaters, girl just cannot defend against the charm of Bella Freud’ s quirky graphics and slogans on basic garments. After classic Ginsburg is a God, there is another jumper from Bella’s factory that has a potential to become a star; Jane jumper that celebrates love of Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. It’s not exactly animal jumper, but romantic love per se could easily fit in the form of our headline; Where the wild things are.

Collage info: Peter Jensen rabbit and fox jumpers here; Yumi owl red jumper, Jane jumper from Bella Freud;  Fifi Lapin appliqués from My Fabric House; Asos rabbit bag

Lula 15

Issue 15 of our dearest Lula Mag is finally out. This time cover girl of my dreams is beautiful Hannah Holman, star of Orla Kiely SS 2013 Lookbook and film. Cover with Hannah, photographed by Damon Heath, comes in three different versions. From scans I collected over the internet, there is also a feature with our new icon Miss Moonrise Kingdom, Suzy Bishop aka Kara Hayward. Also I find very charming Amish-esque angelic looks of Zanna van Vorstenbosch in editorial photographed by Ellen Von Unwerth. What can I say besides I am very impatient to see this magical spreads in my mailbox. What about you? 

Get your copy here
SCANS VIA BELPHOEBE

Dreamland Maison

As a devoted fan of Marie-Fleur Charlesworth photography work, every novel still from Marie’s objective makes me blissful. This time, Marie joined the forces for creating moment-in-time fairytale with our dear  Jaclyn Bethany, owner and buyer of Audrey Grace boutique that was featured few times here on misslikey and that also stocks misslikey collages. 

La Maison De La Mere happened in house of Marie’s mum that is embellished with prettiest antique furniture and details. Rebecca Taylor, Sretsis, and Love Me Tender dresses from Audrey Grace boutique, in mystique, sensual and girlie way contributed to the wistful and dreamy mood of photographs. Details, such as white 1960s earrings, red and polka dot hosiery and gloves gave us vast inspiration for upcoming cold days of Miss Autumn that still have to be lovable. 

For more photos of La Maison De La Mere, visit blogs of Audrey Grace and Marie-Fleur.

my Valentina Assoluto

As a charismatic muse of modern Valentino, Valentina is intriguing, magnetic, unpredictable. Valentina transforms clothing into a secret experience, a private search for her inner self, and a personal and intimate form of pleasure.

I’ve received Valentina Assouluto, a new fragrance from Valentino house about a week ago and I’ve become slightly addicted to the scent it spreads. It’s such a beautiful, mystique, seductive fragrance adorned with notes of bergamot, white Alba, Smeggia peach, jasmine, tuberose, vanilla, cedar, oak moss and patchouli. Pretty and elegant bottle is made of brown opaline glass and adorned with large flower, emblem of Valentino couture. For this little still of my life, I wore my vintage beaded dress that is really one of the most darling dresses in my closet, made of pure soft silk (I’ve became little snobbish lately with fabrics so I avoid fabric mixtures) that is covered with thousands of ivory beads. This intense fragrance smells on all those pretty moments with inner self, rituals of dressing up, love and pretty dresses. It will be my perfect partner in all those lovely moments that are about to come.