Quite contrary: Curious gardens and bustles

Bustles are curiously unique fashion features. You don’t see many these days, except at weddings, or occasionally as costumes in Victorian and Edwardian period dramas, or gothic horror films. However, the other day I was driving down the North End Road in London’s Fulham, when I spotted a young woman, with a pushchair, wearing a full length skirt with a large bustle. The immediate thought that came to mind was that she must be a fashion designer, or perhaps this is a curious new trend?










Bustles have appeared on catwalks over the past couple of decades – notably from the likes of Vivienne Westwood – but unless worn for a grand occasion, or by those with a penchant for neo-Victorian Steampunk style, they’ve been seen as little more than an avant garde stylistic diversion. Recently, more mainstream, toned down versions of the bustle have been popular sellers at outlets like All Saints and online, at ASOS.



They’re probably not so great for gardening in, but I wonder if we’ll start seeing the full length, Victorian style bustle skirt walking down the high street soon...

Do you?

Hollywood hair accessories

These days, there’s no need to go overboard on the millinery front – elaborately sculpted and embellished headgear has given way to more subtly elegant hair accessories and smaller scale fascinators.

A simple, but uniquely decorated, Hollywood style headband can bring a touch of glamour to the proceedings at Summer events like weddings and Royal Ascot.










These seriously stylish hair bands by Sheena Holland at ShopCurious are handcrafted using natural fabrics, including feathers and leather - and decorated with original vintage jewellery and curiosities.








Hats can sometimes get in the way, but these are easy to wear and will take you from day into night, without having to worry about your hair getting all messed up.

























You can even make your own, by buying a plain metal or velvet covered hair band and adding your own feathers, trinkets and beads.












However, leading ladies usually have far better things to do with their precious time - like posing for photographers and signing autographs...

Do you?

Blossom springs eternal

Spring has finally sprung, in an exploding confection of sugary pink blossom.

However hard the winter, Spring arrives at roughly the same time every year, with a fecund flourish of magnificent, flowering buds.

The eternal beauty of Spring never ceases to amaze and uplift the spirit.


(click on the photos to enlarge)


































































If you share my love of blossom, this unique. vintage 1950s, floral raffia handbag, available at ShopCurious, is covered in candy coloured blooms, and simply perfect for Spring weddings , or dressy outdoor occasions. Pastel pink, camellia and candy colour accessories are going to be big this season too.

Enjoy the fabulous fruits of the Spring!

Will you?

The race for Ascot hats

Just thought I’d make a brief diversion off course in case you’re in the running for Royal Ascot this year. Not suggesting that you choose a nautical theme for your day (or days) at the races, but here are some ideas for Ascot hats that will definitely make heads turn – though what type’s your best bet may well depend upon the weather.

Last year the rules were relaxed slightly, allowing fascinators at Royal Ascot for the first time ever, but I noticed that some members of the Royal Enclosure managed to gain access without any hats at all – and others with seemingly little regard for the official dress code.



In case you do want to follow the new trend for fffffascinating headwear, ShopCurious has a selection of fabulously minimalist titfers by British designer Gil Fox. Of course, we also have a larger selection of more substantial hair accessories to choose from, ranging from quirky hairbands and floral headpieces by talented young milliner, Sandra Bamminger, to vintage Philip Tracey and elegant 1940s feather numbers. All of these hats are perfect for summer weddings too.


If you’re looking to save a few bob, we’re also offering our timeless raffia hats at a bargain price (I seem to recall that LK Bennett were selling the same in some rather odd colours last year at £69 a pop). These hats are also great for holidays and travel to hot climes, since you can scrunch them up and shove them in your suitcase – so you’ll turn out looking shipshape, however far-flung round the world you’ve been...



And they're also plain enough to dress up with your own choice of floral corsage, or even add a fascinator for more of an individual look.


Ultimately, it’s the unique accessories that really make an outfit. How about a statement hat that's also a work of art - like one of the curiously collectable stamp hats by Laura Wellington.





By the way, I think this stylish lucky horse shoe of a bag by Timmy Woods of Beverly Hills is simply perfect for a day at the races.

Odds on it's going to rain, so don't forget to take your brolly too.

Will you?

Blushing bride

I recently attended a fabulous wedding in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. The reception was held in a spectacular pink palazzo: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild at Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The gardens are simply stunning and make for one of the most romantic settings for a wedding party in the world.













Needless to say, I got a bit over excited (hence camera happy) and seem to have accumulated rather a lot of snaps (curiously, dozens of fountains - of which more later...) I'll spare the bride, groom and their families any blushes by not publishing any private photos of the very special and highly memorable occasion. But here's a curious phenomenon: with the arrival of dusk and and then darkness, the photographs from my camera became increasingly pink as the event progressed.


























I think this may have been something to do the misuse of my camera rather than any strangely original lighting, or could it have had something to do with all that champagne ... was it pink? The resulting effect is curiously exotic. Talking of curious exotica, if you're a lover of unique accessories, we have some quirky new designer bags at ShopCurious. They're by Timmy Woods of Beverly Hills and have wonderfully stylish tropical flower designs carved and handpainted onto acacia wood. They might even come in handy if you're looking to make a fashion statement at a wedding - or even as a luxury gift.



Whilst I'm on the subject of pink faces and Timmy Woods, one might spot the odd blush at Harpers Bazaar. In their UK October edition, they've a feature on The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, where on page 350 they have a picture of my hand carrying another individual Timmy Woods bag - The telephone bag , which they kindly say has 'surreal appeal' and is 'fitting for an art event.'


However, I think Harpers may have slightly overlooked the exclusivity of this bag, which they attribute to Lulu Guinness. I did notice that Lulu's new lips bag looks a lot like another of Timmy Wood's creations, so maybe there's been a little confusion. I'm very curious... is anyone able to shed any light on this unfortunate mix-up?

Are you?