Shower-coats - photos by Rosalind Hobley

Yes, the British weather is very predictable .....

We managed to dodge the rain for five minutes and took photos of our lovely

linen shower coats!  

Khaki Shirt Dress

This belted khaki shirt dress is a key piece in the collection -

beautiful soft cotton, secret pockets and lovely detailing!

I've styled this with a conker brown leather belt - 

but the waist detail on this dress means it looks just as good unadorned. 

Dress up or down this is your wardrobe essential!

........... other colours are available.

Regents Canal

Sixty minutes less sleep - an extra hour of sunshine.

A gorgeous day for a walk along Regents Canal!

  

Through a tunnel that leads to Regents Park 

I love these muted tones and the scaly reflection on the ceiling. 

Eurostar to Paris

  Its that time of year again, Premier Vision Paris!

 P.V. was as busy as ever and the show did seem more optimistic than previous seasons. A number of my suppliers were quite upbeat reporting a buzz despite the doom and gloom. So good news all round!

As usual, I found great fabrics and embellishments for the new collection - my selections will arrive in the next few weeks - can't wait!

Grand forum displays at the exhibition

Three 'stories' forecast for Spring/Summer 2013 were full / light, massive / supple and fluid / long and lean. Look out for lots of layering next summer with copious amounts of gauzy linens.

Pattern is still strong and some of the mills I work with were producing subtle ombre effects in plains as well as in print. Lots of chalky muted tones here but some fresh vibrant colours too.

Jardin du Luxembourg

No matter how many times I visit Paris I leave inspired and refreshed - I stay in the same hotel in St Germain each season and love the walk from my hotel in Rue St Andre des Arts to Luxembourg metro. 

Rue des Mèdicis

The building and doorway in this photo are so typical of Parisian architecture.

Au Nom de la Rose

I love just walking past Au Nom de la Rose, Rue de Tournon, it never fails to make me stop and smile ...... yes, really!

Hervè Gambs

Herve Gambs  Premium artificial flowers… or rather 'designer flowers', since everything is handmade. Rue Saint-Suplice.

Opticien

'Opticien' a real eclectic mix of eye wear and accessories. Rue St Suplice 

Life style boutique in Rue de Tournon

Love this window - the colour mix is delicious

There seems to be a theme going on here...... just love the colour of this gorgeous little shop
on Rue Dragon.

Ibrahim Maalouf plays the trumpet

I heard this interview with Ibrahim Maalouf on Radio 4 a couple of weeks ago, it took me totally by surprise, especially as it was only 8.00 in the morning. Its only a matter of time (I'm sure) before Jools Holland has him perform on his show. Are you listening Jools ?
This link will take you to his fabulous music.
Be prepared to be blown away!

William Morris - Story, Memory, Myth

At the time of visiting this exhibition I had little idea that Burne -Jones 
had such a close working relationship with Morris.
As I'm such a huge 'fan' of Burne -Jones (however unfashionable that might seem!)
 it was real surprise and delight to see these gorgeous pieces. 

Having a strong friendship and similar aesthetic, William Morris and Edward Burne - Jones  collaborated on various works, thus linking Morris's passion for design with the stylised art of Burne - Jones.

 Myth and legend remained a constant and central theme to both designer and artist.

The Romance of the Rose

The Romance of the Rose illustrates this beautifully. 

The tapestry was commissioned for Isaac Lowthian Bell in 1874 and embroidered

 by Bell’s wife Margaret and daughter Florence. 

The work was taken from the drawings of figures by Burne-Jones
 together with William Morris’s brier rose background

 and depicts The Pilgrim observing the sculpted allegorical figures of the miseries of the world at the gate of the Garden of Idleness.

Love Leading the Pilgrim through the Briers

‘King Arthur and Sir Launcelot’, from The Story of Tristram and Isoude series.

Stained-glass panel, 1862. Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co.

Pomona: Embroidered wall hanging

William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones, and John Henry Dearle.

Pomona

I am the ancient apple-queen,
As once I was so am I now.
For evermore a hope unseen,
Betwixt the blossom and the bough.

Ah, where's the river's hidden Gold!
And where the windy grave of Troy?
Yet come I as I came of old,
From out the heart of Summer's joy.

William Morris

 Woodpecker Tapestry 


This wall hanging was designed purely by Morris - this was unusual as most of his work was done in collaboration with other artists and craftsmen. 

Two Temple Place : William Morris - Story, Memory, Myth.

Two Temple Place

Two Temple Place provided the perfect setting for this intimate exhibition.
The house built in 1895 for William Waldorf Astor is typical arts and crafts. John Loughborough Pearson was the architect and with unlimited funds at his disposal, he was able to design and build this magnificent building employing the best craftsmen of the day. Oak panelling line the rooms and intricately carved mahogany figurines decorate the staircase. 

I loved the decorative glass panes in the roof of the stairwell ....

Flanking the steps leading to the house are two absolutely stunning bronze lamps designed by William Silver Frith. 
These are set on stone pedestals and although a pair, they are exquisite in their difference.
 One child holds a telephone and the other a globe, heralding the then new age of telecommunication. 

Sitting proud on top of this ornate building is a stunning gilded weather vane in beaten copper depicting Columbus's caravel, the Santa Maria. 

This  was executed by J. Starkie Gardner, a well-known English metal worker,

 who was also responsible for the metal work both inside and outside this building.