I write this from my desk, one handed, as the the other hand grips onto my umpteenth cup of tea of the day, made in a desperate attempt to keep warm. I am layered up with jumpers and scarves but it's not helping. I want to be somewhere warm, like lying on sheepskin next to a burning log fire or on a farflung beach where clothes are not necessary and the only tea needed is of the Long Island variety. So I thought it might help (optimistically perhaps) if I wrote about what I would be wearing on said beach. My hands down first choice is a We Are Handsome swimsuit. These first came to many people's attention last year when Rihanna and Diane Kruger amongst others confounded the usual expectations of celebrity beach attire- a super skimpy, frilly bikini- by choosing the label's Amazon Panther print swimsuit. It sold out rather fast after that. However, if you're still interested, Net-a-Porter have an exclusive re-stock. I love the The Amazon but there are also plenty of other fab designs; The Knight Rider shows a staggeringly handsome horse galloping off into the starry night while The Hunter shows a pensive stag. If you're not into the animals then The Carnival (with a very cool scuba zip) and The Garden might be more up your street. If you're lucky enough to be popping off for some winter sun then Start already have a few We are Handsome pieces on sale. And for those of us stuck with the layering and lying in front of log fires option, this is an optimistic future planning purchase.
There is something about Christmas which seems to make it OK to add a comic element to our outfits. I am actually all for this year round. Animals are my favourite; you will often find me wearing owls/ horses/ fish, usually in jewellery form, somewhere about my person. Charlotte Olympia, with her kitty faced slippers, heels and wedges, has done a fine job of be-catting the feet of even the most non-humorous of fashion consumers. I've spotted many a lady in a classic black jacket, perfect blow dry, beige trousers and, incongrousouly yet perfectly, velvety shoes with cats peeping out from above.
Charlotte Olympia designer Charlotte Dellal in her Tessa wedges (image from coolspotters.com)
These Tessa wedges are the ultimate in humorous luxury. So many mega wedges now just remind me too much of a stripper shoe to face wearing myself. But those sweet whiskers and pointy ears have so much of the kitten obsessed little girl about them that they could not possibly belong to a woman who is dressing just to look 'sexy'. These are shoes for girls.
Having struggled through T.S Eliot's The Waste Land, it's always a comfort to remember that he also penned 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats', a set of poems, with lots of excellent words, which gives cats lives and personalities and which was eventually turned into 'Cats!' by Andrew Llloyd Webber. The below is from 'The Naming of Cats'.
'But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?'
And another famous literary cat, as interpreted by Tim Burton...
So there might be Christmas lights going up and endless 3 for 2 offers on wrapping paper but we prefer to focus on the finer aspects of the impending festive season, namely what we dream of finding tucked under the tree on Christmas morning. But do we really dream anymore? Once you're past the age of 11, does Christmas become just a list of things to buy and do? Well, not if some of the Best Fashion Brands in the World have their way.
David Sims for Miu Miu Resort with Guinevere Van Seenus, one of the worlds best models.
Chanel, Prada and Miu Miu mostly trade on the fact that, for most people, they represent an escape from the reality of the day-to-day; I know the moment I pull on my one item of Chanel (some two-tone tights with the double C logo at the ankle) I feel lifted away like Wendy flying off to Never-Never land with Peter Pan. This is pretty much the same feeling I had opening my shiny new bike or Baby Born Doll (Ballerina Sindy in FashEd's experience). We may all be used to ooh-ing and aah-ing each February and September at the catwalk shows (just like I did at Toys'R'Us in my younger years) but these savvy brands know that this is just the door to the Narnia of our imaginations. Once they've sown the seeds of desire, irresistible Christmas collections land in our inboxes and they know that this is the route to making Christmas just as full of anticipation and delight as back in those childhood dolly-loving days.
The selection below will cater to the woman and the girl in all of you. Crucially, each and every item shown is a classic which embodies the brand which has lovingly crafted it to give us a lifetime of satisfaction and a squeal of delight come December 25th.
An Under The Sea cuff
The Chanel Camellia- this could just as easily be from 1960 as it is from 2011. The heather shade is a wintry update on the usual white.
I have a bit of a thing for pearl earrings- I like to think I wear them in a sort of ironic, eighties sloane ranger sort of way but it is quite likely that I don't really pull that off! Nevertheless, I cannot think of a more perfect combination than my beloved pearls, with that interlocked C Chanel logo hovering above as an explicit indicator of their provenance.
My friends and I have been unbelivably organised about our NYE plans this year. We are off to a Prohibition Party- this necessitates a full-on twenties flapper extravaganza in the wardrobe department. Thus, the shoes below are quite possibly the perfect starting point with their jewels and delicate T-bar. This image is going straight onto the mood board for my look and if I happen to come into a fortune between now and NYE then these will be mine!
All the above available in Chanel boutiques from November/December +44 207 493 5040 CHANEL.COM
The Miu Miu seletion has a more fun element than the Chanel but then that's what the Prada's little sister is all about isn't it? All these jewels look like they're from a little rich girl's version of Claire's Accessories- in a really good way!
Miu Miu £295, available from November
Miu Miu £150, available from November
The pearls and gems are a bit Queen meets Little Princess...
Do Miu Miu do Christmas Crackers? Can this fall out of one please? £395, available from November
Note to anyone who knows me ;) £395, available from November
We'll be needing this to carry about all our jewels and trinkets. I just really hope Tom Cruise doesn't buy up the entire stock for Suri...
Miu Miu £750, available from November
Even though Miuccia might like to have us think that Prada is all grown- up and ladylike, she has been messing with that very notion for some time now. Last season's banana motif and the flaming car for SS12 show that there is a very childish element to be enjoyed by a Prada woman. The Christmas collection only enhances that philosophy, mixing up modern essentials like leather iPad cases and purses with quirky key rings which could almost be stocking fillers bought in Hamley's. This means the adult in us can justify the usefulness of the gift, while the little kid will just want to play at attaching the key ring to everything all Christmas day long (and beyond), win/win....
Happy Face Butterfly All Prada and Miu Miu items range from £195-£990, available from November
Ahhhhhhh! Pengy. All Prada and Miu Miu items range from £195-£990, available from November
Its Bichon Prada! All Prada and Miu Miu items range from £195-£990, available from November
This furry purse hints at the fraggle rock puppet fun fur theme from AW11...
Fraggle Wallet All Prada and Miu Miu items range from £195-£990, available from November
