The Golden Age Of Couture - Paris and London 1947-57

A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to go to the Golden Age of Couture exhibition at the V&A. The museum displayed over 100 authentic vintage ball gowns designed by the likes of Christian Dior, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent and Balmain from1947 to 1957, the time known as the Golden Age Of Couture. The glamorous dresses were adorned with beautiful detailing stitched upon impeccable tailoring. It was one of the most mesmerising collections I had ever seen and as I sketched and admired the stunning array of silks and pleats, I felt as if I was part of the dresses. I don’t think anything has ever made me feel so ambitious, inspired and alive.

As soon as I realised there was a book available on the couture dresses, I literarily flung open my purse and bought it for £35.00 in hardback.

Everything about the book is stunning, even the quality is at the highest possible standard; I actually feel like I should be wearing glove when I handle it.
The book has 224 pages, filled with 97 colour images, and 80 black and white illustrations. Not only is it the most jaw dropping collection of vintage couture photos I have ever seen, but it also includes the original design sketches for the dresses. The images range from well-known couture photography, to rare photos that I feel blessed to own. With every turn of the page, The Golden Age Of Couture leaves me spellbound.






























































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100 Years of Fashion Illustration

The newest edition to my bookshelf; 384 pages of beautiful, unique illustrations over the last ten decades. Truly worth every penny, the book has such varied artwork and lets me explore all types of illustration.
























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Nina Ricci perfume

Yesterday, I decided to treat myself. Although, these “well deserved spending splurges are becoming more daily habit then occasional treats. Following suit for the rest of the week, I thought it was completely necessary to purchase ‘Nina’ by Nina Ricci for £40; the fourth perfume this week. Oh, where did my mother go wrong?

To be honest I think I’m more in love with the bottle than the liquid; the apple shaped bottle in tropical sunset red cupped with silver leaves looks perfect on my vanity table. Marketed as a “fairytale” fragrance, it doesn’t fail to leave the wearer spellbound and mesmerized. With delectable notes such as Calabrian Lemon, Love Apple and White Cedar its heavenly floral hints enchant and captivate. Its fun and flirty aroma is similar to fruit flavoured sweets basked in sugar. Once the sweet but tarty lemon notes begin to wear off, the heart notes are fruity and mouth-watering due to the jasmine Sambac blossom with fusion of raspberry. The moonflower and vanilla becomes the dominant base note leaving a gentle and caressing aura to your skin. One could say however, the notes are somewhat childish, balancing on the line between sweet and sickly. But through the sugared jelly sweets, pink candyfloss and sweet icing memories there is a truly magnifying fragrance, which leaves you spellbound.





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Vintage Yves Saint Laurent sunglasses

Yet another vintage treasure, I purchased these from an online boutique for £120, and they are worth every penny.



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Please return to Tiffany & co.

My Tiffany pendant, courtesy of mother.

Although it needs some serious polishing. I must get round to doing that…

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Juicy Couture Charm

Yay! My first Juicy Couture Charm, this beauty cost me £60 but was worth every penny. The limited edition charm is 18k gold plated, and embellished in swarovski crystals, and of course, the detail is breathtaking.

The charm is a pretty little heart locket. The front is charmingly decorated with black doodles of roses and an arrow. Centred in front of the arrow is the most adorable crystal heart, with a gold banner entwined around it. Romantically engraved into the banner is “Sweet Couture O’Mine”. The tiny clasp on the side really sets the whole charm off, showing craftsmanship and true attention to detailing. Inside is truly lovely, a mirror on the left and a photo slot on the right, juxtaposed above each circle is two dainty words; “Fairest, and Dearest”. Adorable.












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Agent Provocateur

I have had a bit of a spending splurge on Agent Provocateur lingerie, It’s one of those purchases which you know is completely pointless and certainly not nessersary, but the impulse to spend hundreds on a couple of meters of lace overpowers you.

The underwear is packaged like a box of chocolates. A pretty pink bag topped off with a big black bow, the box; candy pink enveloped in a satin black ribbon. Once opened, the lingerie is embraced in black tissue paper, carefully folded and sealed with an A.P. sticker. Now that beats a box of chocolates.

Bra - £55
Frenchies - £50




















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Ooohh my Chanel necklace.

My pride and pearls.

Out of all the jewels and gems, pearls are my favourite. Classic, elegant and simple; what jewellery should be. My mum bought me the most beautiful Chanel pearl necklace and it is now one of my most favoured belongings.




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Avon heart perfume.

I first bought this perfume on a bit of an introductory spending splurge from Avon, having not smelt it, seen it or even heard of Avon’s Today. Tomorrow. Always. Heart perfume, it was a bit of a gamble. The purchase took place a good few years back now, and with the occasional use, it has only just run out. Feeling somewhat disheartened by the puddle of barely there aroma lurking at the bottom of the bottle, I felt it was a must to hunt down this fragrance.

I have several perfumes, the cheap and the expensive, the popular and the disfavoured, but of them all, Avon heart blessed me with an aura of confidence and feminism and stole many complements, from my friends to passers by.



Today my new perfume arrived, courtesy of Ebay since it’s a limited edition. It’s a romantic bouquet of mandarin blossom and star fruit, which leaves a fanciful trail of musk and iris. For what cost me under a fiver, it is now my most beloved perfume and one of my most successful buys. Read more on this article... Read more!

The big book of fashion illustration by Martin Dawber.

Whenever I enter a book store, I walk straight towards the fashion books, pull out the thickest, and balance myself against a shelf studying the breathtaking couture dresses, unusual creations and utterly beautiful women. The pages seem endless and the images are mesmerising. Then, I turn the book over, and there on the back is the price. They usually range from £15 to £60, and before now, that was money I did not have.

After much saving up and persuading my mother that this would be a huge investment in my future, I finally bought those exquisite books.

The first arrived today.

The big book of fashion illustration by Martin Dawber.

True to its word, this book is simply beautiful; every page is flooded in the most intensely captivating images by various illustrators. The book cost me £19.99 and takes up a huge chunk on my bookshelf with 384 pages. I could probably write an essay about every page, but I wont, instead everyday few days, I am going to post a new entry; “Artist in the spotlight” This might be a designer, illustrators or anything else that tickles my fanciful fancy to be honest. So. Lets begin shall we?



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