Vintage Prada

not quite vintage yet - circa 1990
John Malkovich

10 Vintage Modern Living Room Layouts

I've had five sofas in the past nine years but I don't have a sofa right now. To be honest I'm not much of a sofa sitter - I sit on the floor. I've also lived in small 620 sq ft apartments for the past nine years where living room, dining room and work area usually mold into one.

So, if I sat on a sofa and had a living room I'd be inclined to put together a room something along the lines of these ten from the 70s. Numbers 1, 7 and 9 are my favourites. My husband likes number 10.


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9.
10.

Quote of the Week - William Blake

No bird soars too high if he soars with his own wings.

Design Lover - Hans Wegner The Circle Chair

The Circle Chair

More likely known for "The Chair," used in the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate (view here or below), Hans Wegner's portfolio contains more than 500 chair designs. 

The Circle Chair was one of Wegner's later designs. 

The flag halyard back was woven through the frame with a single piece of cord and a special machine for manufacturing it in wood was designed by master of crafts Søren Holst Pedersen and master journeyman Henry Fisker - a feat which Wegner himself didn't think was possible. 

Both The Chair and The Circle Chair were used to furnish the VIP lounge at the 2009 UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

The Chair - 1960

Your Next 5 Investment Pieces

So you've gone out and made the initial investment on your timeless look (see What to Wear for Time Travel), now what? Now it's time to start acquiring some investment pieces. These are the pieces, that if bought wisely, will last you decades. Don't waste your money on unnecessary impulse buys - like baseball hats, cheap leather belts and novelty t-shirts. Save it and put it toward the best you can afford.

1. the grey cashmere sweater - remember your insight on cashmere.

2. the camel hair coat - you'll only look like Frasier Crane if you want to look like Frasier Crane.

3. large leather doctor's bag - about three times larger than Dr. Dolittle's here.

4. Prince of Wales check suit - My favourite pattern (although herringbone has been knocking on my door lately). A pattern that can be worn year round. Trousers, if the right weight and cut, can look great even with a t-shirt and sandals in the summer.

5. Wool Officer's Coat - how many coats can you wear through each of your different phases and still look cool? This baby is about how you wear it not how it wears you.

Which designer runway will channel The Warriors for 2011?

Galliano, Dolce & Gabbana, Gaultier, perhaps DSquared 2011

From the 1979 cult movie The Warriors.

Reading - T.E. Lawrence The Mint

The Mint, Lawrence, T.E., (1888-1935), Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday, 1955.

Like arrows, the tiny flies pricked my cheeks, and sometimes a heavier body, some house-fly or beetle, would crash into my face or lips like a spent bullet. A glance at the speedometer: seventy-eight. Boanerges is warming up. I pull the throttle right open, on the top of the slope, and we swoop flying across the dip, and up-down, up-down the switchback beyond the weighty machine launching itself like a projectile with a whirr of wheels into the air at the take-off of each rise, to land lurchingly with such a snatch of the driving chain as jerks my spine like a rictus.

T.E. Lawrence died at age 46 from head injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident - he was not wearing a helmet. Lawrence's accident deeply affected one of his attending surgeons, Hugh Cairns. Cairns went on to study the unnecessary loss of life by motorcycle riders. This research led to the implementation of motorcycle helmets for both military and civilian riders.

Spring Summer 2010 Watanabe vs Howell

I couldn't resist.

Etsy Vintage vs Runway Chanel

Chanel S/S 2010 --- Etsy seller Planetclairevintage

Design Lover - Achille Castiglioni Primate Stool

About a month ago, I first saw the Castiglioni Primate kneeling stool (Zanotta) at the Vancouver vintage furnishings store Metropolitan Home. Achille Castiglioni designed the stool for his wife so she could kneel down while working and not hurt her back. As someone who prefers the floor or a stool to a chair, the Primate kneeling stool has made its way to my personal list of must-haves. For specs, visit Unica Home.

** Visit Brillante Home for a color pic and a tour of Castiglioni's studio.

Tip of the Week - Travel

Always wrap your jackets and suits in plastic (left over wrap from the dry cleaner) or acid free tissue before you pack them - it helps to avoid creases.

Vintage Kimberly

1970

Quote of the Week - Ivan Panin

For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.

Which fabrics travel best?

When you're building a wardrobe—either for men or for women—keep in mind that one day, you may need to stuff that stuff in a suitcase.

Crepe wool has a pebbly surface. It's my personal favourite, but some find it too casual.

• Lightweight crepe or worsted wool—a dark wool suit or dress in a soft cut doesn't wrinkle, camouflages stains, and is comfortable. The suit trousers can be worn with a less formal shirt for Happy Hour, and switching accessories can transform the dress from a.m. into p.m. Don't mix and match your wool textures.

• Cashmere - wear it on the plane as it wrinkles in luggage. Wrinkles fall out of high-quality cashmere by hanging the garment in a steamy washroom. Be careful with sweaters, as you don't want the hangers leaving bumps on the shoulders. Try hanging them upside down with a pant hanger instead. I bring my travel steamer with me everywhere - invest in a good quality one - they're available at retail supply stores (in Vancouver, try Eddie's). Read my post on the Defamation of Cashmere to know you're bringing the right cashmere.
  
  
  
• Knit tie - Go for a black knit tie, as it goes with everything, doesn't wrinkle, and hides most stains.

• Hose - ladies, you never know. Better safe than sorry.

• Loafers or slip-ons—black ones go with everything and can work as casual or business, depending on what you wear them with. Ladies, I'd do a black closed-toe kitten heel. Remember to keep them polished. Check my Learn Video on the lower left side for a demo, or click here.

Read my post, 10 Household Items to Use on Last-Minute Wardrobe Malfunctions, to learn how to deal with last-minute wardrobe malfunctions.

Inspired by Paris Fashion Week - Shopping Vancouver's Vintage Market

Last week was men's fashion week in Paris. Claire at Harbourmaster (Melbourne), Dana at It's my Darlin' (Seattle) and myself (Vancouver) decided to do a last minute what's going on in our city during Paris fashion week post. Go check out Claire's post for an Australian perspective and Dana's for an American.

Sure, I'm not living in Paris but I do find inspiration in a few places in Vancouver.


I like to pop by the Vancouver Flea Market from time to time to see what's going on. My one complaint is that it's really dirty there. Most of the vendors do a good job with their merchandising and product presentation but those that don't - eck. Bring hand wipes. There's a good selection of 70s kitsch to be found - bring cash and barter.

The flea market is only open on Saturday and Sunday and don't park in the field across the street you'll get towed - like I did.


The best selection of vintage furniture is not in Vancouver, it's in New Westminster - about a 20 minute drive from downtown. There's a block of little shops down on Front St. that are a design hunter's dream. Jenny Cashin's shop, mid-century modern home has the best service, quality, selection, and inspiring staging of mid century I've experienced in my travels. I'm not a full on mid century fanatic, I simply appreciate good design and good grains and Jenny's not a design elitist, she'll gladly share her knowledge. You will not find a better selection in the Lower Mainland than at mid century modern home (609 Front St. New Westminster, 604.515.1865).


To be honest - I find my fashion inspiration in my head at Third Beach - not actually on the beach but in the grassy knoll above it. I've spent 100s possibly 1000s of hours there in the last decade visualizing inspiration for my vintage shows, creating the blueprint for a men's wear label, and simply thinking about the history of fashion and design. It's a magical space with a powerful energy and a scent all of its own.

I went there today in the rain and was inspired to find new inspiration by what is already in my closet. I went home, emptied the clothes out (what's left of them) and put them on my dress form. It felt good - I hadn't played dress up in awhile.

Moral of the story - when you're stuck for inspiration look inside yourself and see what wants to come out.

Nothing smells better than this.