Daring Barbara

Image by Claudette Griffiths - artist/ photographer. I feel like spring itself with my new haircut and colour. Wishing everyone all things radiant and fancy this weekend. Since you asked - couture trench by Manuela von Haldenwang.

An ode to Spring

Image by Jamie Wdziekonski. We choose this image, as everything is bud and bloom in our world. Close not your eyes to the joy and bliss of nature's spring. Fashion is awake - floral blouses and trousers are everywhere!

The Artist, Peter Wiesman

Sketch by German artist, Peter Wiesmann. We are off to the 27 international Hyères festival of fashion and photography. At the Hyeres Festival one meets the most unusual, individual characters of fashion and photography. I heard news on the wind that the Hyeres festival was one of the first to recognise the extraordinary talents of Victor and Rolf.

We are hoping the weather will be fine for swimming. I plan to relax after the festival with sister and friends at our family house in Hyeres - the oldest resort town along the French riviera.

The Artist, Toni Frissel

Here are faces that I have found memorable. If they are not all as happy as kings, it is because in this imperfect world and these hazardous times, the camera's eye, like the eye of a child, often sees true. ―Toni Frissell

Frissel, the eminent American photo-journalist and Vogue's first female staff photographer. Frissel began her professional career as a fashion photographer for Vogue from 1931 - 1942 and Harper's Bazaar from 1941 - 1950. My sister kindly pointed out over tea this morning that Toni Frissel also volunteered with the American Red Cross, and that in 1953 she became Sports Illustrated first female staff member. For those interested. Read more on Toni Frissell HERE. Image by Toni Frissel.

Late Spring

Images: Here are some fashion images by Nicole Neumann for the weekend. We are still travelling. Back to normal blogging next week. We leave you with a late spring poem by Judith Wright.

Late Spring
The moon drained white by day
lifts from the hill
where the old pear-tree fallen in storm
springs up in blossom still.

Women believe in the moon:
this branch I hold
is not more white and still than she
whose flower is ages old,
and so I carry home
flowers from the pear
that makes such obstinate tokens still
for fruit it cannot bear.

Travel: Between lakes and rivers

I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move -Robert Louis Stevenson

Image by Andreas Baum.
The sun is high and penetrating, but the wind from the twin-nippled mountains is quite cold. Sister is asleep in the back of the car as I type. She is either tipsy from the medieval architecture, the luscious Swiss wine, the deliciously crisp, champagne air, or the view from the car of the hills above Montreux. We are at the Genevan countryside - travelling, tasting, sipping. xx

Designer talk: René Storck

The Germans have always played an integral role in fashion culture. Home to exclusive brands such as René Storck, Talbot/ Runhof and Manuela von Haldenwang. It is, therefore, safe to say that Germany produces some of the most talented designers today.

During Paris fashion week I had the chance to see Rene Storck's prêt-à-porter collection, which was modern, unclustered and refined. I can't seem to get the mustard yellow cashmere/silk coat from my mind.

Have you seen the superbly cut dresses from the spring/summer collection? Crafted from the finest silk. They go from classic, high fashion to elegant and glamorous. Perfect for brunch with the family in Berlin, an intimate dinner with the husband in New York, or cocktails with friends in Paris.

I especially adore the pink, turquoise, yellow, orange/red dresses - beautifully fruity, like an ode to summer.





Images taken by our in house photographer at the Rene Storck boutique in Frankfurt, Germany. If you happen to be in Frankfurt. Pop by the boutique on Goethestrasse for more on fashion and all things fancy or visit their online home HERE

Rene Storck Boutique
Goethestrasse 27
Frankfurt am Main
Germany.

Paris: Street Life Photography

Images by David of Nyanzi Report. First image was taken last October at PFW. Second and third images were taken at PFW March 2012. Drawing with light: The camera recalls a moment in time, and engraves it on the marble of memory for our friends, our children and grandchildren.


Photography. The word stems from the Greek words photos ("light") and graphein ("to draw") as documented by the scientist Sir John F.W. Herschel in 1839 in a lecture at the Royal Society in London, England. It is widely believed that Herschel made the word "Photography" as popular as an alphabet tablet. The first photograph was taken in 1827 by Joseph Nicephore Niepce with a camera obscura. Prior to 1827 the camera was only used for drawing or viewing.

Most of you are already aquainted with the street-style blog, the Nyanzi Report. Mr David Nyanzi photographs the esthetic of street-style life. He is such a talented photographer with a sensual, fluid approach with the camera. We invite you to visit the Nyanzi Report for more on street-style photography. To visit David's blog. Click HERE

A cupcake or Two

Image by Martina Voigt:
Twin sister and I were busy in the kitchen on Sunday baking chocolate/orange cupcakes. She told me that the cupcake became popular after Carrie Bradshaw bit into one on Sex and the City.

Silly me, I didn't even know that. What I do know is that the term cupcake was first mentioned as far back as 1796 in American Cookery book by Amelia Simms, which we stumbled upon in the study.

We actually baked our cupcakes in individual pottery cups rather than muffin tins. This was the method of baking cupcakes before muffin tins became the norm. For a modern take on cupcakes I suggest using the muffin tin.

Spring is such a playful season. Throw a cupcake party with precious friends, add a little light music, few pots of golden tea, champagne, good weather and you're good to go. Online recipe HERE

Paris - Amongst the Colours

It is the color closest to light. In its utmost purity it always implies the nature of brightness and has a cheerful, serene, gently stimulating character. Hence, experience teaches us that yellow makes a thoroughly warm and comforting impression - Johann Wolfgang Goethe







Images: Yellow dress by Rene Storck, a painting from my ever expanding collection, sunny, yellow flowers from the garden, and new yellow shoes for spring.

The day is sparkling like precious jewels on a mannequin. Don't you just adore the ripeness of yellow? I think colours follow the changes in one's emotions, like the interaction between child and mother.

Off for a round of riding with twin sister and friends. It's too beautiful a day to remain indoors. See you all after the Easter holidays. Be ye kind one to another. xx

Paris, at the height of Laughter

When you have a heartfelt belly laugh, all parts of your being - the physiological, the pyschological, the spiritual - they all vibrate in one single tune. They all vibrate in harmony-Osho

Mama always told us that laughter is a very good medicine, and that it's excellent at reducing stress. I think the fashion world could use a little more laughter, so I laugh.

Unable to recall the situation in which this image was captured, but I'm quite certain someone said something very amusing, and I just couldn't stop laughing.

The above image was taken in Paris by Wayne Tippet of Street style esthetic. Follow Fashion, Art and Other Fancies on bloglovin - Click HERE