I can't sleep; instead, I am dreaming of divine shoes...

Laurence Decade... Parisian Shoe Designer Extraordinaire..

Laurence Decade bought her first pair of shoes at the age of 14- a pair of red and blue striped ballets pumps which had a big bow on them- and so began her enduring love affair with shoes.

I love Laurence Decade footwear.. it is everything that good shoes should be. Sexy, classy, well made, a bit quirky, and heart stoppingly stylish!!

The designs differ quite a bit from season-to-season because Decade is influenced by 'cultures of all women from around the world'. She travels a lot and often contemplates how a collection will take place whilst she is milling about in an airport, or a train station.

She is very cute and 'Parisian': she regards shoes as a 'family'- thereby justifying the lack of cohesion in her collections- some are tall and slim, others short and chunky; however, like a family they are all related and live under the same roof!! I love this quote, it is so 'French'!!!

In true French fashion, Decade's collections are sexy, elegant, and chic. The regular splicing of 'fun' designs throughout the collections keeps things cute, fresh, and upbeat. However, this is not 'fun' in a silly way; this is serious footwear for those who know. Believe me, this lady knows good shoes: she, personally, owns over 500 pairs, and she used to design for Christian Lacroix and Chanel!!

Although her collections differ significantly from season-to-season, and year-to-year; there are 'Decade-isms' identifiable throughout the body of her work. She often uses buttery soft nappa leather, which creates a luxe feel which is at once soft, but also tough. Her range of shoe boots are formidable, and are always finished off with high quality, leather, tasselled laces. She also does a staple range of heeled loafers which are proving to be very popular. These are classically chic and could be worn in many different ways. I came across a patent pair whilst shopping in Liberty. I got to say, for a preppy design, they were pretty sexy!!! All designs are treated to Decade's 'signature: a tiny gold stud placed discreetly on the side of the heel. Very, very cool...

My fave pair, from the pics here, are the first. They are simply superb!!! Black, French lace, high heeled shoe boots with leather tasselled laces????? What is not to love???? There is something a little bit 'wrong' with them, but I think this is why I love them. It would be interesting to see how one would rock the old school, French Madam look?!!!!

On a final note, these shoes are named: 'Jo'. I think it goes without saying, we simply belong together.

xxxxxx

Vacation soon...please...

I want to go far away with the love of my life and bask in the sunshine for a long, long time....

Le soleil et mon amour sont mon aime....

xxxxxxxxx

She had a lot of Men....She had a lot of Style.....

Brigitte Bardot has been my long time crush for many years. She, for me, is the ultimate epitome of Left Bank, effortless, dirty glamour!! How do I love her....let me count the ways!!!

Her legacy is identifiable in many of today's fashion and entertainment icons. From Sienna Millar to Pamela Anderson, all have obvious 'Bardot' elements. Kate moss is a poor man's Bardot, whilst Claudia Schiffer manages to rock the 'Bardot' style in an 'Appropriate, Notting Hill, Mum' manner. Even squeeky-clean Kylie Minouge attempted to pull off ' Bardot'.

My fave pics here are probably the first one and the tenth one. I love the tomato red, ribbed, neat sweater coupled with her amazing make- up and hair. This pic is mesmerising!! The tenth photograph is, in my opinion, what Left Bank is all about: effortless and oh so cool!!

Bardot's iconic look- striped t-shirt, black headband, flared pants and safari jacket- has 'sex' written all over it!!! Other style trademarks include: neat, polished, wool sweaters; fifties style full skirts and dresses; mid-drift grazing, high neck tops; sheer as sheer can be dresses; cute stack heel pumps; wedge sandals; striped colourful linen shirts, over sized sunglasses; hot pants; leather saddle bags; floppy, wide rimmed, felt hats, and of course, the best, and sexiest, bikinis!!!! All of these were often accessorised with some fit actor, or musician, hanging off her arm. There are various cool photographs of her on various sun loungers- minus her cool garments- wrapped around various males!!! Bardot, simply, did not give-a-fuck!!!

I think it goes without saying.....Bardot was fucking cool!!!!

Other fashion icons were also flourishing, fledging- perhaps even wilting- around about the same time as Bardot was enjoying her hey-day (Audrey Hepburn, Edie Sedgwick); but none were doing what Bardot did: Bardot had an effortless 'sex' which oozed from her. Perhaps, because underneath all those stylish looks, she had a body which could literally make grown man cry, thereby giving her a confidence which was often imitated; but seldom realised.

Bridget Bardot....Timeless Style Icon, and The Ultimate Woman.

xxxx

AnOther's: Decade in Style

I recently discovered this project designed and developed by AnOther magazine. The magazine's fashion editors- working on Decade in Style- were granted exclusive access to the design archives of some of the most revered designers from around the globe. The purpose of the project was to showcase some of the most exciting and innovative designs from the last 10 years. Once the fashion editors had made their choices, they paired them with some of the coolest icons from fashion, film, and music. The end result was a collection of achingly cool images. My personal faves are here.

I particularly love the first photograph of the gorgeously disheveled, and divinely French, Charlotte Gainsbourg. She was paired with this breathtakingly stunning piece from Balenciaga's Spring/ Summer 2003 collection. The two look like they were made for one another. A match made in heaven.

Au Revoir.xxxx

French Chic in Italy

Sweet Lord!!!

These ladies look gooooooood!!! They are a little bit scary; but I reckon that is only because they look so fierce!!! When Left Bank style is under discussion, the word 'fierce' is always a plus point!!

Check out the shoes!!! French Vogue's Carrine looks awesome, as usual, but the lady in the leather pants is my favourite. I love the combination here of buttery soft, super luxe, leather pants, cute Saint James sailor tshirt, and white tux jacket, a la Bianca Jaeger. This looks like a Balmain creation. You just know that watch is going to be super special. The shoes, ohhhh the shoes!!! Alaia, I think.

Pic is, again, by The Satorialist, taken in Milan last month. Left Bank looks are infectious, this much is understood.

Wow! C'est Tres Bien....

I want to dress like this every, single day.

How very wonderful does this woman look? I am speechless. This, to me, represents the epitome of luxe, decadent, not quite fully understood, French Left Bank fashion. This pic was taken by The Satorialist last month outside the Louis Vuiton show. I am so enamoured by every piece, and the finish result is undone- but polished- perfection. It is so French, so full of contradictions!!!

Like all the best Left Bank looks, the key lies with the shoes. These fierce beauties contrasted against the ladylike blouse results in a look which is so stunning!!! Quirky, oh so quirky (the 'ear' hat speaks for itself); without being kooky. Effortless style for those who know, who are also grown up cuties!!