Always check your gauge

Every knitter's nightmare - you spend hours, weeks, months knitting away at a garment with a vision of how the finished jumper/vest/sweater will look. You take it off the needles and - voila! - it's too big or small. This just happened to me. I even knitted a gauge swatch and everything was fine. Must be a problem with the pattern. I've decided to try to wash it a bit and see if it will shrink rather than frogging and starting again. The worst thing is that I've run out of yarn. So now have to wait for Mr postman before I can finish.

The vest is beautiful though. It's from the Debbie Bliss premiere magazine and is knitted up in Debbie Bliss Como yarn. It's a nice bulky weight so knits up fast. I just added an extra cable repeat to make it into more of a tunic than shorter vest.

In other knitting news, I took a workshop with the infamous (if you're a knitter and addicted to Ravelry) Jared aka Brooklyn Tweed. Jared is the most incredible knitter and pattern designer. And because he's a photographer by trade the photos on his blog will inspire you to pick up the needles even if you're never before had the urge.


The workshop was on Jared's Hemlock Ring blanket. My blanket, when I finally get it finished, it going to look great thrown over one of my leather chairs in the lounge room next to the fireplace. Nice and snuggly for winter. Although it will probably be next winter!

To console myself that my vest is too big it's time for a cuppa and a couple of home made choc chip cookies. These are better than most cookies because they're made with oats and coconut. The coconut makes them really moist while the oats make them, ahh, umm, healthy?

It's tea time!

Google kindly email me notifications of all blogs and websites that link to Brittique. I check them all and enjoy discovering new blogs who have discovered Brittique. Recently a blogger had linked to the new Emma Cook collection and commented on all the items she wanted.

When I read through the blog though it was not just on fashion but a starvation journal. This poor, troubled girl dairied everything she ate (or didn't) while other disturbed people congratulated her on only eating 1 tablespoon of ice cream, half an apple and litres and litres of black coffee a day followed by hours at the gym. Of course she'd have major slipups - her body was starving! - and she would punish herself by eating less and exercising more.

The blogger's thinspiration was the many images of catwalk models with their skeletal figures plodding down the runways. The fashion industry has a responsibility and I hope all the press of the size zero model doesn't quiet down and more is done to promote a healthy image.

I'm doing my bit. I'm working at my desk with a a fresh warm slice of my homemade banana cake with a weak, black Earl Grey tea. Here's to the fashionistas who eat!

One woman's trash is another's treasure

Just this evening I was throwing out my rubbish in our "trash receptacle" room when I saw this shiny gold silk in a bag in the paper recycling box. On closer inspection it was a gold jacquard silk Emporio Armani jacket! Someone on my floor had thrown it out!

It's a touch tight but in perfect condition. It's edged in snake skin leather and has amazing striped silk lining and a stand up collar. While it's labelled a size US6 It seems as if someone has accidentally washed it because it's really shrunk and is more like a 2 and the silk is really crumpled just like when you wet it. I'm pretty sure that if I send it to the dry cleaners they'll give it a good press and stretch it a bit and make it sit properly. What a find! Thank you neighbour! I'm just a bit afraid to wear it around now in case they see me in it and think I'm a scavenger...

D&G sample saleing

Vest Camilla Staerk, top Mango, scarf Salvatore Ferragamo, bag Chloe, trousers D&G, shoes vintage.

Dress D&G, cardigan Massimo Dutti, scarf Louis Vuitton, shoes vintage.

It's sample sale season. Prada's was a couple of weeks ago, Max Mara was this week as was D&G and Vivienne Westwood starts 10 November. I went along with come colleagues on my consulting job to D&G - WOW! It was cheap. Most items were 90% off. I got this black pencil dress for $127.50 and the tweed distressed trousers for $180. Just fab!

The dress has a patent leather attached belt and a large gold exposed zip up the back - and pockets! I do love a dress with pockets. The trousers have distressed raw seams on the leg and waist. They're uncuffed, a touch short and I think they look great rolled.

While a bit more conservatively dressed than usual, I've been consulting the past couple of weeks. Soon I'll be back to my usual style.

I also bought another denim corset style dress with an attached red patent leather belt and straps. It looked fine while i was fighting to see the mirror in the crowded communal dressing rooms, but i put it on at home and it's SOOO low. The vest nearly extends to my naval and I don't think it's my thing. I'll just write it off as a sample sale mistake. We all have those right?

Introducing Bionda Castana SS09 by Imelda

Nothing gets the heart racing like a new pair of shoes. Perhaps that's why shoes outsell clothing on Brittique. When I saw the new collection from Bionda Castana by pulse raced and I knew I had to have them. They're just so yummy! No wonder the designer's won the Vogue Italia's Who In On Next award. While not available until February, preorder yours now.

Since no one know's shoes like Imelda, see the superbly funny blog for details of my recent discussion with the one and only.

Not so coiffured in NYC

Today I tried to pull myself from the grey/black rut I'm in wore my new plaid, flannel, ruffle top by Ivy with a black Amanda Wakeley pencil skirt, vintage shoes stolen from my mother and black waist belt by Mardelle de Caille.

As you can see I don't have time to do my hair. I'm lucky to introduce my hair to a brush once a week. On occasions I get out the GHD's (love love love them) but most of the time it's the bed head slept in look.

New York women always surprise me with how coiffured they are. Where do they find the time to style their hair? Who has a spare 30mins each morning? It's even more apparent when you go to the Upper East side. This is where you find the typical twinset-with-pearls-lady-who-lunches type wearing a Chanel jacket, pearls, of course, boot leg jeans and a sensible shoe from Tods or maybe a sturdy heel. The hair is immaculate the nails are shiny and the look is one of careful consideration.

This morning I had an appointment on the Upper East Side and felt strangely "under dressed" despite my pencil skirt and heels. I just wasn't put together enough and looked like a fish out of water. But then I spied a girl waiting at the lights who looked as out of zone as me. She had the same bed head hair, although platinum blonde, leggings with big Belstaff boots and a black cocoon coat. She looked fab. As I got closer I heard her talking on her "cell" - she was British! Of course she was.

More bows and a sad day for Camilla Staerk UK

I didn't realise I owned so many "bow things" until I snapped my pic this morning wearing this beautiful draped dress from Louise Amstrup and matching red ankle boots from Camilla Staerk. These ankle boots are my absolute favorite pair of shoes so I have them in a number of colours. The heel is just the perfect height - 70mm - and the toe is has the perfect "pointiness". So I was really sad when I read the news that Camilla Staerk will be no more.

Yes I know it's not really Camilla Staerk and the real Camilla Staerk designs under Staerk. But there shoes and garments had a nice feel about the cut and quality. The collections have sold well here on Brittique and I'll be sad to see them go.

Given the current economic conditions this isn't going to be the last time we wish a design house RIP.

Did we skip autumn? I'm feeling the bows

I'm not sure about London but here in New York it's FREEZING! Around 8C actually. But it just seemed like a couple of weeks ago that I was sitting out in the park with my little boy in a tank top and shorts. It was actually three weeks ago and now there's salt on the roads and there's a valuable section of my tween-season wardrobe that didn't get an outing once again. Last year my autumn wardrobe stayed in the closet because I was heavily pregnant. This year it's been skipped!

The past weeks I have been consulting with a corporate client on fashion trends. It's a reach back to my banking days and a nice break from being immersed in my own business 24/7. While everyone else walks the hallways in suits, I don't own any so I'm enjoying tapping into a more corporate side of my style, one that hasn't been out in a while.

What I'm finding though is that I'm a bit stuck in a black/white/grey rut. I'm putting in another Brittique.com order tonight to try to rectify this. I'll show you what I purchase. Can't wait!

Sometimes it's incredible how quickly a trend reappears. Today's coat and top both feature large bows at the top. My top is large bow from Louise Amstrup is part of her SS07 collection (there's a story to this top so more on that in a later post) and the coat is by Katarzyna Szczotarska, who unfortunately doesn't seem to be designing anymore. It must be from her AW06 collection. If you read Elle or the ever candid jewellery designer Wendy Brandes' blog, you'll know that bows are definitely here for at least another couple of seasons.

Unfortunately my top and coat have sold out long ago but if you need a quick bow fix Kirribilla have some irresistibly cute dresses coming in the next month featuring bows. I've got my eye on this one. Perfect for your work holiday party, no? I'll pair it with my super sexy brown snake skin shoes and a gold clutch from Ignes.

The black panel skirt is from Louise Amstrup (stunning skirt with a zip right up the back and zipper lined pockets). I did have my Camilla Staerk ankle boots on again, but then I decided the gold buckles clashed with the silver top and skirt zippers to I change to a lovely pair of vintage kitten heels that I stole from my mother's wardrobe. Thanks mum!

Introducing my style

It just dawned on me that I might have one of the best jobs in the world. As the founder of Brittique.com I get to spend lots of money on clothes each season - all for customers of course - and take from the virtual shelves whatever I like - well, I do have to support my designers and try out the clothes don't I?!?

Each day I step out dressed head to toe in some of the best designer clothing and it would be just wrong not to share when I have a particularly good outfit going on. Introducing my style.

Today from Brittique I'm wearing shrug jacket and skirt by Hussein Chalayan, vest by Camilla Staerk, shoes by Camilla Staerk. The belt is by Mardelle de Caille, a lovely designer who sells at The Young Designers Markets held on Mulberry Street, NYC every weekend. The fabulous redesigned vintage necklace is by Shay from The Ongoing Project. Shay's jewellery is fabulous and you'll be hearing more about her in the future. Watch this space...

The Russians fashionistas were years ahead

I visited a friend in Russia in 2001. His father had the foresight to start importing luxury produces into the country long before the current consumptive environment became apparent. As a result my friend is rather affluent and showed us the high life of Moscow and St. Petersburg. To this day the restaurants we visited were the most opulent I have experienced and around $50 a head bought you an incredible three course dinner, with wine and vodka. My favorite restaurant featured a giant glass fishbowl with a full working farm, animals, farmers, farmer's wife knitting, and all. Each evening we would be chauffeured in our black benz to a non-descript warehouse surrounded by dozens of matching black benzes and groups of drivers surrounded by clouds of cigarette smoke. After passing through metal detectors and numerous body guards, we were lead into these amazing restaurants and bars filled with beautiful monied people (mainly old men with nearly illegal looking young girls).

These barely-out-of-school girls with their long legs, heavy makeup, sleek finish, and doll like faces were very stylishly dressed. I didn't merit a second glance with my slept in, don't own a brush style and easy-to-travel wardrobe. There was one noticeable trend - all girls were wearing mini skirts with ankle boots, generally topped by a giant fur coat. Back in 2001 the bootie hadn't hit the west yet, it looked really odd to have your ankle enclosed and your leg bare. My man and I kept commenting about how strange it looked. It just didn't quite look right. Fast forward 7 years and it's right on trend hot.

Bionda Castana's Kika and Tillie ankle boots are two of the best interpretations of this trend. Judging by the press they've gathered I'm not the only one who thinks that. A couple pairs left...

A song and dance for Evie Belle

I know I know, I'm a bit like a London bus with my blog posts. You wait forever for one and then 3 come at once. Forgive me, like everyone it seems, I've been busy.


Confession: I didn't know who Katherine Darcy Jenkins and Darcy Bussel were when I saw these pictures. Call me uncultured but just keeping track of all the fashion designers is a fulltime job. A google search revealed that the stunning blonde is Katherine Jenkins, award winning mezzo-soprano and, with the list of awards she's received, I really should have heard of her. The beautiful brunette (with incredible legs!) is a now retired ballerina.


Katherine and Darcy appear in this photo shoot for Evie Belle, now available at Brittique.com. Evie Belle has a sexy secretary and yet vampy vibe. Kind of a secretary by day dominatrix by night type thing. The designer Sairah Hick's background with top tailoring specialists such as Burberry and Acquascutum is evident in the cut. The styles are universally flattering for sizes right through to 14. If you are a size 14 and think that designer clothing doesn't cater for you, try Evie Belle.

From Winehouse to wedding

A couple of funny titles came to mind as I write this blog playing on the Wino angle. But like Sister Wolf, I do admire Amy Winehouse for her unique sound in a world awash with pop and R&B and genuinely hope that she can pull herself out of the mess.

So why am I talking about Amy Winehouse? You may recall that this is the dress, or one of them, that she wore for her private concert in Russia. Of course in true Amy style it was an itsy bitsy mini and a super small size. Here's another take on the stunning Kirribilla Hilo dress - the cover of Cosmo bride. The floral print of the dress does make you want to pack the SPF and head to St Lucia. Unfortunately we sold out of this dress as soon as they hit the site. We do have it in perhaps the more wearable colours of black and coffee.

Futuretense by Louise Amstrup

Louise Amstrup also had a short film as part of SHOWsudio's Futuretense series of video essays along with Peter Jensen a couple of weeks earlier. SHOWstudio launched Futuretense as a global platform for new designers to showcase the future of fashion. The Q&A offers an insight into the imagination of each designer.

As I said in last week's Grazia, Louise's clothes are all about flattering a woman. I know so many designers say that but then try on the clothes and the waist is too big and the hips and thighs are too tight. That's not cut for a woman. Most of us have curves and more designers need to understand that. Louise Amstrup does and not only are her clothes cut perfectly but they finish is incredible too. As I'm writing this I'm wearing my favorite from her SS08 collection, the striped cotton dress. It has sold out now but it's also available in a brilliant blue silk.

If you try just one new designer this season take a look at Louise Amstrup. Her pieces are seasonless classics that you'll wear for years to come.

Futuretense by Peter Jensen

Wunderbuzz brought this little gem to my attention. I am always in awe of imaginative, creative people. It's what attracted me to the business. The creativity of designers is not confined just to the sketch book and fabric. Often the way they market themselves is just brilliant too.

Peter Jensen has done a couple of these short films as a subtle way of showcasing his collections. I found this one brilliant but cringey at the same time - the same feeling I get when I watch The Office. You're begging people not to say something but they do.

This young laddie was just so precious. When his heart was broken by his teen lover he spray painted hearts all the way to her school. He was arrested and spent 6 hours in a cell. I want to give him a big hug.

The British accents are just brilliant too and I can't wait to get back to the Ol' Blighty next month for my fix.

Stella's autumn wishlist

Once again the Kika by Bionda Castana is on the wishlist of fashionistas. This time Stella magazine's fashion director's picked this stunning gladiator style shoe for their autumn wishlist. Lucky you if you're a size 7 because that's all we have left.

We've been nominated for the Grazia O2 X award!

When I started getting emails on Tuesday from friends saying they'd seen me in Grazia I was very surprised. I knew that our lovely PR Liz had been working on some press, but I didn't really know what it was. What a fantastic surprise! Each year I read the nominations for the award with admiration for these hard working women. And now I can't quite believe that Brittique is now there.

Thank you to all our loyal customers for all your support over the past 1.5 years. Setting up a business in the competitive world of fashion has been tough, but the feedback I receive from customers makes it worthwhile.

Amy Winehouse wears Brittique

In June Amy Winehouse rocked at a private party for the gala opening of an art gallery run by Daria Zhukova, the girlfriend of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. For the performance she wore the Hilo dress by Kirribilla - and shortened it quite a bit! Such incredible talent. It's just a shame she can't straighted out her personal life before she implodes.

Autumn's new hall of fame

Grazia's fashion team selected their top picks for the new season. Charlie Miller, Executive Fashion Director, selected the Kiki gladiators from Bionda Castana. These are just the most scrumptious shoes I've seen all season and I'm so excited to have a few pairs left on Brittique.com. If you're size isn't there just email me and we can add you to the waiting list.

Electronic brights

It's quite rare to see people wearing bright colours. Generally when you look up and down a street in London and New York it's a sea of muted black, white and beige even in summer. The Europeans do brights better. Especially the Spaniards and Germans. They're not afraid to wear bright colour and pattern. Perhaps that's why Barcelona is one of my favorite shopping cities?

Both the Daily Mail and London Lite picked Kirribilla's stunning Lilikoi dress for their Electric Brights feature. Kirribilla make cute, fun and flirty dresses that aim to make you feel like the prettiest girl in the room. I'm particularly excited about their Fall/Winter 08 collection, especially the Maeve dress. How cute is that big bow?

My prize handbag

I arrived back to my office after lunch last week to find an email from the marketing team at Max Azria congratulating me on winning a handbag. Yesterday my new Mahogany Jillian Convertible arrived and it is beautiful. The leather is so supple and soft and the fold over style is exactly what I've had my eye on. It's a bit smaller than I normally go for, but a great size to throw over your shoulder and out the door with the necessities.

How I won this prize or even entered it I have no idea. I probably signed up for a competition on the website while lusting over some dress. I have spoken before about my love for this brand. The focus is on a muted colour palette with draped styles and soft fabrics. The dresses hang beautifully and the styles are very flattering. The ladies in their West Broadway, NYC store are so lovely that they entertain my little man while I shop - such a bonus!

Max Azria is a collaboration between Max and Lubov Azria and debuted on the New York Fashion Week catwalk in February 2006. The only stockist in Europe is in Paris but that seems to be their diffusion brand BCBGMAXAZARIA. So next time you're state side squeeze the West Broadway boutique in on your itinerary.

Bionda Castana best new designer by Vogue Italia

Bionda Castana cofounder Natalia with Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani

Congratulations to Bionda Castana for winning the accessories award for the best new talent at the Vogue Italia "Who is On Next?" 2008. This award helped put Nicholas Kirkwood on the map after being awarded last year's prize.

We just received these sensational gladiator sandals from Bionda Castana. We only have really limited stock but email us to go on the wait list.

I won the Peckham Rye scarf!

Remember this lovely scarf that Fashion156.com had up for grabs? I won the ebay auction. The 100% pure silk scarf arrived yesterday and I was not disappointed. The guys from Peckham Rye have done a beautiful job with the hand painting.

Love love love it. The best part is that the proceeds from the auction go to Acorn to Oak Children's Trust.

Source: Fashion156.com

Rihanna wears Emma Cook

Image from Batchplease.com

American signer Rihanna was spotted grocery shopping wearing the Emma Cook jumpsuit (Brittique.com, £245). This is one of my top 5 pieces from the entire SS08 collection available on Brittique and I personally have it. Not only is it comfortable but I think it looks good. It would look better with some casual flip flops though rather than towering heels. But some women can't walk in flats anymore! The perfect cure for that, pregnancy as I discovered.

Wedding frocks

In years gone by I loved to collect my mail each day and would feel anxious if I missed a day. But now it's just bills, bills and junk mail. So my mail sits in the mailbox until it spews out and the postman can't stick anymore through the slot.

So what a lovely surprise it was to receive a wedding invitation for a late August wedding in Hampshire, UK. Another friend who is tying the knot in November said she's not inviting anyone except close family because most people groan when they have to attend a wedding. But I do love weddings, not the ceremony admittedly, but seeing who else has been invited, eating, drinking, dancing then staying at a cheap hotel nearby. Most of all I love to dress up.

Nowadays we have so few reasons to dress up, well speaking for myself of course. I don't go to great cocktail parties or gala events so a wedding is the only opportunity I have to really go all out. So the first thing that crossed my mind when I saw the invite was "what will I wear?". The invite says Morning Suit optional. That's fine for the boys, but what about us girls? What does it mean?

I think the chocolate dress by Kirribilla should be suitable. I'd wear it with my pointy snakeskin stilettos and a big, bold, gold bangle and perhaps my hair up.

What about this Basso & Brooke frock? Perhaps it's a little to "cocktail"? I have loved it since the day I saw it and really need a good excuse to wear it.

Another option is this Tata Naka dress. It might be a good choice considering how unpredictable a British summer wedding can be.

Nothing to say

I know it's been a long time but, simply, I've had nothing to say. Perhaps it's the constant juggling of an active infant with business and my life that has drained me of all inspiration? Perhaps it's the constant haze of sleep depravation (no, he's not sleeping though). I'm certainly not complaining, life has been great I've just had nothing worthwhile to add.

Often I read Sister Wolf, Susie Bubble and Liberty London Girl and wonder where they find the inspiration to come up with so much new material. (LLG has resigned from blogsphere for the time being with her excessive workload.)



So what have I been doing? I won't bore you with talk of mother's groups, playdates and baby news. Fashion-wise I have been VERY busy. All the new SS08 stock for Brittique.com has arrived and is, mostly, up on the site. I'm still working through the new arrivals from Hussein Chalayan and Peter Jensen, but they'll be up soon too. My fav dress from these collections is the Hussein Chalayan yellow zip dress in the pic above. This is perfect for strolling around the parks of New York City on a steamy hot day.

Also filling out my wardrobe are a number of Marni dresses sourced on ebay. I've developed quite a habit and constantly scan the auctions for genuine and cheap dresses. Her flouncy, blousey style suit me and feel so right.


So when I'm not buying Marni dresses on ebay I'm buying Marni-esque vintage items on ebay. The above cotton jacket/shirt is a recent purchase. I need a great bubble style skirt and some large beads and I'm set!

Having just started the blogging process again I'm feeling inspired. So more from me again soon. Happy SW??

Elle magazine loves our blog!

Brittique and our blog just featured in the latest Elle UK. They said you should visit our blog for tip-offs on designers and collaborations. I really need to lift my game and blog more often if we get that sort of publicity. I feel bad that I've been AWOL for so long. No more, I promise. I've got so much to write about. Thanks Elle!

Back to it after a long break

Well it's kind of been a break. I have been working away in the background as and when my new little man allows me. Behind the scenes here at Brittique we were kept busy by London Fashion Week, London Fashion Weekend and now the arrival of all the new spring/summer 08 collections. Here we are out and about at the Tribeca Film Festival that's running this week. I'm wearing a fabulous vintage dress bought from ebay.

During London Fashion Week Susie Bubble did an incredible job of selecting some real treats for AW08. I can't wait to show you some previews in the coming weeks. She was able to pin point exactly what the core Brittique customers love and I know her selections will be snapped up come September when they arrive online.

Here in New York the weather has been perfect - 25C days with a slight cool breeze. It means that I'm having to think about my own summer wardrobe. I am one of those people who pack away the winter woollies and plan what I'll be wearing. I then take pictures of my key outfits and stick them on the back of my wardrobe door. It helps me keep organised - something of particular importance now that I have even less time.

With my baby came a change in body shape. I've had to kiss goodbye my small waist (hopefully this is temporary) and embrace a more flowing style of dressing. Thankfully my personal shopping from Brittique hasn't been too hard. I'm just lusting after everything from Emma Cook. These drop waisted, striped denim pinafores will be perfect for this tween season over a little tee and then without as it gets warmer. The cotton voile blouse is stunning too and will hide the last of the baby blub.

We have had new arrivals from Louise Amstrup, Gil Carvalho, Aei:Kei and Peter Jensen. Now to find some time to get them all up on the site!

Fashion star of the future

Brittique.com and Fashion156.com were overwhelmed with the high quality of applicants for our Fashion Star of the Future competition. Help us select the winner and have your say here.

Monochrome Majesty

The stunning Fiocco Di Neve dress by Kirribilla was featured in Northern Woman magazine this month. While I'm a huge fan of colour, it always amazes me to see how stunning and effective simple black and white can look. And so easy to accessorise.

Cooperative Designs makes a darkly comic debut

Our newest designers from Cooperative Designs are featured by Vogue.com today. Cooperative Designs makes a darkly comic debut Vogue.com. I was so excited when I saw their new season collection with the Aztec inspired knits and it seems I'm not the only one. A certain model of the moment has preordered one of the more wacky pieces. I wonder who that could be??? I'm sure we'll see pictures of her wearing it in the coming months.