Tuesday 28 December 2010

The Wolseley

Every time I drive this car it inspires me. I always dress to compliment it. Classic British Motors excite me particularly uncommon ones.

 I found this car abandoned in someone driveway 2 years ago, unloved and not running. it's now my daily driver.


 Wolseley Automobiles have an incredible history, started in 1901, they are a great example of British motoring heritage. The design of the Hornet takes all the depressing elements out of owning a small engine. The miniture Caddy fins and Rolls style grill turn this 60's little town car into a mini 50's style luxury cruiser. Check out the Riley Elf too!










Here's some original ads from the time.

 The old showroom is now a 5 star tea room by the Ritz in London.


Sunday 19 December 2010

Tugendhat

This look was inspired by the great modern architect Meis van der Rohe. Simple B&W's. The pants are WW2 wool, incredibly warm for this time of year. Meis always looked his best never caught without a shirt and tie. We've come a long way since then. 

xx






 Vila Tugendaht

Modern Architecture pioneer Meis van der Rohe designed this monumental home for the wealthy Tugendhats in 1930. It's large open plan design and seamles glass façades were truly groundbreaking. It is a series of stacked box like floors that are disguised by the slope of the site.

A few interesting facts - it was one of the first air conditioned houses in Europe,  air was blown over ice in the basement and distributed around the house. The giant glass walls could be lowered electrically to the basement ( remember this house was built in the 30's!). An amazing pieces of architecture and engineering.

 Below is The Vila with Meis sitting on his own designed Tugendhat chair.

 Here's a few sketches of the house.

Timeless in Richmond

The Richmond Waterfront is one of the most incredibly romantic areas in London. I'm a sucker for the classic apperal, (particularly British Classic) and what better a place than the Snowy Banks of Richmond to wear this look.

This Crombie Coat always seems to tie my looks together for me. The great thing is I bought at a vintage fayre and it was a little big! UH-O, well it actually worked out great cause I can wear knit sweaters and cardi's like this one I just picked up in TOPMAN. Check out the history of Crombies and you'll understand why they give that classic British feeling to your look!




 This Bridge was designed by architect James Paine in 1777. You can see the seam under the arch where it was extended in 1937. They kept to the original design thankfully!

The London Magazine (1779) described the bridge as: “a simple, yet elegant structure, and, from its happy situation,… one of the most beautiful ornaments of the river and the country adjacent. It is built with Portland stone from the design of Mr Payne (sic) of London, a celebrated architect, and the masonry was executed by Mr Carr of Richmond…”

James Paine