Kingdom Of Style

The Treasure of BinBag Mountain, Part 5...

The M&F Girbaud 'Stealth' Jacket

From the first minute I met this jacket in Dr Jives many moons ago, I thought of it as my M&FG Stealth Jacket.
Basically because the dense black blackness, the folds and pointed shaping made me think of a stealth bomber...

When I retrieved this jacket from the BB Mountain, I could not for the life of me figure out why it had been sent there as it looks amazing on. It took a couple of hours and then it all came flooding back.
The day I got it, Gordy Jive Boy and I went into Frasers for him to stock up on his L'Egoiste supplies. I had only been in the shop about ten minutes when I seriously started to overheat. I got so warm, I thought I was going to pass out. We couldn't figure out what was going on until we realised that it was the fabric of the jacket. It didn't wick any heat away from your body and the folds just made the trapped heat build up. So in a single outing the jacket had gone from stealth to furnace and would soon be winging it's way to BinBag land.
Trying it on again today, I think I could handle it in really cold weather and in the car. I will give it a test flight and let you know how it goes.

Queen Marie

* Come in Gordon Wagstaff, your time is up*

As I write this, I know it is a long shot, but sometimes the world can prove to be a smaller place than you would think. Several years ago now, Gordon sold Dr Jives and went to live with Gill (Smith) in New Zealand, where Gill was originally from. Not only did he go to the other side of the world but he literally disappeared off the face of the earth. I know he needed to do it, but now they are often in my thoughts, it has been too long since I spoke to them. I can safely say that Mr Wagstaff is the one person in the world who has been the singular biggest influence on my wardrobe. I miss him and I want to talk to him. So if by any incredible chance you know where he is or how he and Gill are getting on, please let me know or ask them to get in touch. I know this request will probably go unanswered into the ether but if there is even the smallest chance, then I had to ask.
Thank You.
x

Subculture and Mr Saunderson...

An overlong disco-nap meant I didn't get down to the club until about 1am. There were a lot of missing faces but no matter because quite simply he totally rocked it. In fact I would go so far as to say - he spanked it!

Detroit Techno! - when you absolutely, positively have to jack every motherf**ker in the room - accept no substitiute

Thank You Kevin Saunderson
x

Queen Marie

Come to me Watanabe...

I would marry any man who turned up on my doorstep with any of these dresses!
Come to think of it, I would marry any man who turned up on my doorstep with a credit card in his hand, allowing me to buy any of these dresses.

You know you are in trouble when you go to bed thinking of a dress, dream about a dress and get up thinking about a dress. I am in BIG TROUBLE!
And let's face it, who would want to get married looking like a big white meringue when Junya Watanabe* could make you look this breathtaking...

Strapless $1220

Linen $3812

Sleeveless $817

Spread the word friends and hurry.  I'll be sitting behind the door waiting...

Queen Marie

*Junya Watanabe-Born in Tokyo in 1967, Watanabe graduated from Bunka Fashion College, Tokyo, in 1984 and immediately joined Comme des Garçons as a pattern cutter and underling of founder-owner of Comme des Garçons, designer Rei Kawakubo. Three years later Watanabe began designing the Comme des Garçons 'Tricot' line and after a further five years he introduced his first own-label collection in 1992. Although designing under his own name, Watanabe still works under the overall Comme des Garçons title, which administrates and produces his collections. In 1993 Watanabe moved his shows from Tokyo to Paris and another eight years later he launched a menswear line in 2001. Junya Watanabe is renowned for his avant-garde style; in particular, his exploration of new cutting concepts, his ingenious sourcing of fabrics and innovative draping techniques.

Astonishing Anastasia...

Despite the fact that they have been established since 1983, it was only last night that i had my first encounter with the amazing Anastasia
Truth to tell, it was almost overwhelming!
OH. MY. GOD. CAN'T. BREATHE. MUST. HAVE. IT. MUST. HAVE. EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING

So much joy, so much lovliness, I just had to share...
Be warned, it is far from cheap and as a result you may feel some sadness that much of it is slightly out of reach!

Thought I would start with a coat, 'cos heaven knows I could do with more coats.

Peachoo & Krejberg Ruffle Coat $1386

Then lets rock with Rue Du Mail...
Rue Du Mail is a platform set up by Martine Sitbon's vision of blending roughness with richness; her poetic feminine sensibility with uniquely urban sharpness. This duality makes Sitbon an important force in fashion. Rue Du Mail is an address, a space, and esthetic symbolizing Sitbon's independent spirit deeply rooted in Parisian elegance. Sitbon is a modernist whose clothes nonetheless have a sense of history.

Linen Dress $2970

Organza Dress $3320

*heartfelt sigh*

Queen Marie

Rain, hail or shine...

Spring is here.
Spring is where exactly?
It sure as hell isn't here!
Yesterday morning the sun was out and the sky was blue. Like a crazy fool, I thought it would be like that all day and as I left to go thrifting with Queen Michelle, I left a garden of washing and sneakers sitting on a bench to dry. By the time I returned to the Palace in the afternoon, I noticed big puddles and as I parked the car, hail then sleet, then snow started to fall. The washing was a total wash-out and my sneakers were filled with water. Oh joy!
Getting out of bed this morning, I was almost afraid to look out the window...

April showers? not exactly! April snow more like...

Do you think spring is ever going to start for real? I'm losing the will...

A frosty Queen Marie

Until the twelfth of never...

That's about how long it's gonna be before I take L'Oreal up on any of their tempting offers!
With the launch of Revitalift, they urge you to "discover our complete anti-wrinkle and firming skincare programme" They want to help you, they really do. So they have taken out LOTS of advertsing on TV and in print to make sure you realise that. They want to 'silence your wrinkles' Oh sod off!

My biggest problem with them, is a small word. To be more precise it is they way they use this word. The word until
Until is a pretty innocent little word but in the hands of L'Oreal it has become an insidious and sinister one...

"Until you want a permanent lift" - there it is! right there! In a small voice over and over again, they use the word 'until'. Arghhhh . God forbid, you could grow older gracefully or even like your wrinkles. Oh no! you will make do with their wonder lotions until you can scrape together the money for the 'real deal' - cosmetic surgery. Not "if you want" or "should you ever want" but "until you want"

Then they have the gall to tell me "I'm worth it"
You what L'Oreal, you're wrong, we're worth so much more than you could ever know, so step away from the skincare people, step away...

Queen Marie

So much more than just jumpers...

John Smedley, John Smedley, much beloved by The Kingdom.
So much so that Lady Lisa and the Adidas Archduke make like knitwear pilgrims at least once a year to the factory shop. But they will never have spotted this before!
This is the puffin dress

It looks like a bag of tatties without a person inside, but when you see it on,complete with silk belt, it is much much cuteness. I fully expect to see a topshop version within the next week or two!

Queen Marie

No pictures please...

It wasn't always this way. There are lots of photographs out there of Queen Michelle, Lady Lisa and I, but you would be struggling to find one that had been taken in the last few years. Much of this has to do with the rise of camera/phones. They are the scourge of the subclub and the bane of my life. Every week, every where you look, there is a sea of phones,held aloft by halfwits, taking endless pictures of themselves and the dj. This goes on all night, accompanied by much screeching and flashing. It really pisses me off - you're in a club people! dance and listen to the music.
As a result I have become a bit camera phobic. Even when one of my friends asks to take a picture of us together, I have to say no (Sorry Ross x)

But it seems, I am in good company. Behold...
No cameras, no photographs...

Oooh! Fornasetti cushions on a Kartel chair, could it be any better.

You can find these cushions here
They may seem a tad pricey at £55 but I would happily pay that...

Queen Marie

Oh the irony...

My first post of the weekend is called "no pictures please"!
But the image function of typepad is on the fritz this morning.
Please be patient, I will try again soon...

A cross Queen Marie

Take Me, But Please Don't Hurt The Shoes!

So this afternoon I came home to walk the dogs. I also came home to a sight that made me want to cry. A chewed shoe.

Amber has taken to chewing things when the palace is empty of humans, and today she graduated from old crisp bags in the waste paper bin to shoes. Of course, she had to choose my lovely Ash all leather brogues, not the snidey old canvas Converse that were sitting next to them.

The crime scene:

The criminal:

I take this personally - of all the things she could have eaten, she picks the shoes! Good god, not the shoes! She is now officially banished from the bedroom.

Queen Michelle

Furgive Me Fashion!

I've always liked to consider myself as one of those people who are quite invisible to others when I walk along the street - this is very much a good thing as it allows me to check out other people whilst remaining under the radar myself. OK, sometimes I will wear something that blows my stealth cover and suddenly I'm out in no-man's land being all noticed. Those times I can even understand since the items which blow my cover are usually a little louder than what people might be used to seeing. But occasionally there are times when I find my invisibility blown by the most unassuming items.

Today I was wearing one of those items. Apparently.

About 2 years ago I bought a brown faux fur coat on ebay for about £5 and one day I left it at work because it was too hot to wear home that particular day. It stayed in work for 2 years, even though we moved office twice in that time - the coat simply got packed up with my desk and moved office too. But yesterday I found it tucked in one of my cubby holes in my desk space. I dusted it down and took it home to wear today, since the sun was shining but it was still chilly outside. A perfect fur coat day. But good grief I was not prepared for the attention the coat demanded! Silly boys craned their necks out of cars to whistle, girls stared at the coat, in quite a longing way actually, and even the old ladies had a gander to probably imaging it's snuggly warmth. I really was most perplexed. I wasn't wearing an outlandish outfit either: a basic mix of jeans, strappy sandals, purple tights, khaki scarf and some Sony headphones (donated to me by my Prince so I could listen to my banging Gayle San mix really loud without disturbing other people on the bus). Really, a pretty mundane, ordinary, kicking-about-on-a-Friday-afternoon type of outfit.

So I wonder: what it is about fur coats that illicit such gut reactions in people? Do boys instantly think of the old expression 'fur coat, no knickers'? Are girls drawn to it's old screen siren connotations perhaps - that fur coats are associated with glamour and excess? I must admit to myself, I do actually feel pretty good in that coat. I feel more feminine and girly when I wear it - even though I haven't had it on in a such a long time.

The great thing about the coat lies in it's ability to make a basic jeans outfit look quite interesting, which is why I chose to wear it since I haven't been wearing my jeans for a while and felt they needed jazzing up a bit, for their first outing in some time.

Does anyone else who owns a fur coat had similar experiences?

Queen Michelle

How To Court A Blogger

We get solicited by marketing companies all the time, trying to get ad space on our website. We have a blanket ban on banner advertising on the site since, for us, it would compromise the aesthetic value of our site, which is already compromised by the limited templates offered by Typepad, but also because we feel that ads, especially the flash variety, make load times infuriatingly slow. So we always say no thanks.

However, whilst our answer will always be the same, how you ask actually really matters. Only about 10% of these emails are marked for the attention of either myself or Queen Marie, whilst the rest are a genetic Dear Sir/Madam. The fact these companies/individuals haven't even taken the time to ascertain the sex of the author is simply BAD marketing.

Humble bloggers we may be, but marketing companies are still trying to make a buck off our backs, so if you do offer ad space then you should expect to be courted in the correct manner. Make them work for their money.  Don't be a cheap date.

So here's some advice for anyone thinking about targeting us bloggers for our valuable space, and for anyone thinking about accepting.

Hi, my name Is Queen Michelle
The first and most obvious rule when targeting bloggers for prospective ad space, is to at least know their name. This way, your email might at least stand a chance of blagging it's way into being read as opposed to going straight into the trash. If you are asking me to feature your ad, usually for a laughable amount-per click-deal, then I want you to say my name. Say. My. Name. I have don't want to think of myself as potentially just another notch on your marketing bed-post.

My Hobbies Are...
Once you know my name, get to know me. It's only good manners to actually familiarise yourself with what the blogger(s) you are approaching actually write about and the general tone of their site. If you haven't seen a post about nail extensions then chances are it's because we don't feel our readers, or us, would be interested in buying any. So take the time and read through the posts and very soon the personality of the author will shine through. Not only will you be armed with valuable information to show the blogger that you feel you have a mutual interest, but you will also prevent everyone's time being wasted if it's clear you have nothing in common.

Be up front about your partners
Chances are you are courting other bloggers at the same time. Well, I want to know about them. Let's get it all out in the open, especially if you are selling a specific product. I may feel less special if you've asked 20 other bloggers, who've all accepted, so don't let me find out second hand. It also means that any money to be made will be greatly reduced the more bloggers run the ad. Like I said, I'm no cheap date.

Nice legs, shame about the face
OK, so we are getting along alright. Your introduction has me quite interested. You seem to have a nice personality but lets be honest here, this is a fashion blog so looks count just as much. Look at my site. Does it look like your wee this-was-designed-by-my-mate advert matches my site? Do we look like a good couple? If the answer is a resounding no, then perhaps you need to smarten up a bit. When it comes to comes to generating genetic ads, the general rule of thumb is less is more. This is after all my site, and I want good looking banner candy. Call me shallow, but them's the breaks. So go the extra mile and alter your ad to fit in with the blog - the blogger will show their appreciation I'm sure.

Bill time
I'm no gold digger, but I do want to know how much I'm set to make. Explain, in detail, how you plan to pay for my space. Let's not be coy here - you know I can give you access to a worldwide audience, therefore your potential client base has increased without you having to do much at all, so don't insult me. No, I don't want 10p per sale generated by a click from my site. I want a decent percentage and I want to know exactly how you are tracking those sales. Also, how do you intend on paying me? I need details. In full.

I've let you enter my space, but it doesn't mean we're, like, married!
So I've agreed to give you access to my space, but let's not get all carried away. It's just for fun at the moment. We'll take it slow and see how it works out. If I feel it isn't working for me then don't pressure me into continuing the relationship. If I am owed money then just pay up and we'll part on good terms. If you mess me around I can blog about it - remember, that space you felt could make you money can just as easily be used to tell the world how much of a sleaze you are...

So there are my quick tips for good blogger/marketing relationships.

Queen Michelle

Youth, And Makeup, Is Wasted On The Young

I popped into Frasers this afternoon to purchase some lipstain.

I stopped at the Laura Mercier counter and spied something which looked exactly like a perfect shade. The young man who came over to serve me whisked me off to seat to test the shade and I was struck, and ultimately left completely depressed, at how utterly fabulous he looked in totally immaculate makeup. His smooth pale skin was expertly evened out with a silky layer of perfectly applied foundation, his youthful, pillowy lips were tinted with a slick of nude sheer lipstick and his eyelids dusted with the most subtle shimmery eyeshadow. All of this conspired to make me feel like an old broken down actress. A boy of no more than 18 that can apply makeup better than someone who's actually old enough to be his mother, does tend to leave one feeling somewhat shabby.

I shan't be going back to that counter again. I will instead choose Boots as my makeup hunting ground as the orange ladies there always make you feel much better about yourself.

Queen Michelle

The Other Nico

The Kingdom receives many invites to many launches and partays in many parts of the world on a regular basis. Unfortunately, as well as ruling the Kingdom, your Queens also have particularly demanding and stressful day jobs. Being Royalty is not all about cake and hand waving you know!

It's true to say that most invites don't much take our fancy anyway, but some come along that really makes us ache at not being able to attend. One such invite is the Nico Magazine Release taking place next Thursday 10 April in Paris.

Nico is one of those magazines which has your Queens cooing over the quality of print and selection of substrate, as well as actual content.

I managed to get my hands on the first issue, but the second never came my way. The first issue also unfortunately accidentally ended up in my recycling pile and was taken away by the bin men, along with such guilty pleasures like Look - I mean, the poor thing wasn't even in good company at the time of it's demise!

Things being as they are, our attendance potential is pretty much, oh, 0%, but that still doesn't stop me cooing over the magazine itself.

Whilst I generally avoid magazines which cover lots of artforms (I like my magazines to be about fashion straight down the line), Nico is one of the few whose overall design and aesthetic makes the non-fashion related content appealing even to me.

I was initially drawn to the first issue on account of the cover illustration by the supremely talented Christina K.

Greece born and London College of Communication graduate, Christina K creates very sensual, and sometimes quite erotic, Aubrey Beardsley-esque illustrations and screen prints. A mere 27 years old, Christina has already worked for a huge range of clients from Antipodium and HintMag to Toni&Guy and Debenhams.

For those able to attend - please have a cocktail for us!

Queen Michelle

Bringing Stripped Back

Whilst I have been exploring territory reasonably uncharted for me, at least recently, such as pink and florals, I am still drawn to the stark and clean minimal lines I am very used to wearing. Almost uniform in it's appearance it's rather satisfying wearing something so austere as to be almost sterile in appearance. No flounce. No float. No frills.

I was rather drawn to the slightly prettified version of this uniformed look present in this Alexander Wang dress, which essentially looks like a plain black skirt and white blouse. And let's be honest here - who is going to fork out £410 to get a look you easily replicate for a teeny fraction of the price?

Still, it has sparked in me the need to strip back and pare down for a while and I shall do so by teaming my black American Apparel tulip skirt with a semi sheer white vest, thick black opaque tights and some Zara shoes. I will tie my hair back into a pony tail and wear a slick of black liquid liner on my upper eyelids and I'm good to go.

I have been eyeballing two particular looks by New Zealand label Cybele Wiren, which have been sitting in a folder on my desktop for some time now and I keep going back to how simple, yet utterly effective, the monochromatic looks are. A very subtle mixture of weights and lengths adds an additional element to the starkness presented by such a limited palette.

These monochromatic serve to remind me that I just don't have enough sheer in my wardrobe. I shall rectify this by creating a simple straight cut net skirt to wear under bottom skimming vests, for days when I don't feel my thighs are quite up for display when wearing leggings - the sheer skirt will diffuse the edges of my silhouette.

Queen Michelle

Making The Cut

I have this stunning 50's silk tulip dress. I bought it intending to alter it as the exaggerated and structural hip area lends it a very Balenciaga-esque appeal, so once it is shortened, since it currently sits below the knee, it would look superb.

I envisage being a vision in shades of aqua with some turquoise tights and ideally these Proenza Schouler shoes. The shoes, from Yoox, have been in and out of my basket about 5 times since I spied them. I adore them beyond words but the £228 price tag, although a bargain for this label, is somewhat beyond my current fiscal reach - well not without incurring the wrath of my bank manager who now thinks I'm Imelda Marcos in disguise if my credit card statement is anything to go by.

The problem is the dress is so exquisite I haven't been able to bring myself to cut it. It's delicate silk with the skirt part lined in tulle to give it it's stiff structure, so the alteration is not that easy. I fear of ruining it. And I don't trust anyone else to alter it as I want. But since I'm the kind of girl who buys clothes to wear them, not just to collect them, I know i must take a deep breath and carefully take my scissors to transform it.

Part of the problem is my attachment to history. This dress was probably worn for very special occasions by an immaculately presented lady. And it's this wonder as to who it belonged to and what adventures they may have had when wearing the dress that makes it so difficult to alter it - it's like changing history. But then I suppose whoever had it before might be rather happy that the dress is being loved and enjoyed once more, even if it is a little different. Guts prevailing I shall make the cut at the weekend. Wish me luck!

Queen Michelle

Absolutely Fabulous Darling!

Last night I noticed UKTV Gold was showing a re-run of the New Year episode of Absolutely Fabulous.

The show first aired way back in 1992 and I watched it religiously as the hapless fashion PR Edina Monsoon and Editor Patsy Stone make complete fools of themselves in the business of fashion.

Eddie's dreadful attempts at trying to squeeze herself, sausage-like, into all manner of hideous of-the-moment trendy ensembles were totally hilarious, whilst the sharp tongued, ex-model, coke addicted, anorexic Patsy, who "hasn't eaten since 1974",  navigates her way through life in a drink induced haze in complete denial about her age.

As I watched the show though I must admit their outfits didn't seem quite as ridiculous as before! Eddie was wearing some PVC trousers (although teamed with a dreadful zebra-print jacket) and Patsy was wearing a fabulous leather tuxedo jacket and silver trousers. My Prince always used to say I was Patsy - good god he was right!!!

I hope UKTV Gold show more re-runs of the programme as it really was one the one the funniest send-ups of the fashion industry I think I've ever seen.

Of course since then I have never been able to speak about Christian Lacroix without saying "Lacroix sweetie, Lacroix".

Queen Michelle

Pump Up The Pink

I've never had a good relationship with pink, unless it's of the pinky nude variety or Pink Panther, but your common or garden pink pink always made me feel a little bit too girly whenever I wore it. I do own pink items, mostly bright fuchsia t-shirts, but they haven't seen the light of day in many years. However recently I have been delving more into the realms of pink.

It began with some tights, which was the easiest way to inject a flash of pink into my wardrobe. I then procured a Martin Margiela silk scarf made from laser cut circles, which I bought because of the design - the colour was incidental. But last weekend whilst doing our thrifting I couldn't resist an amazing 60's chiffon dress, with a ruffle down the front. It fitted me as it were made for me and I simply had to have it. Bright bubble gum pink it is, but it is the item that sealed my complete entry in the world of pinkness.

^ The way I'd normally do girly - with black tights, black ankle boots and a biker jacket

^ Pink as an accent colour on the tights, with Topshop body con skirt and Beyond The Valley top and All saints shoes

^ Eek! Almost head to toe in pink. I even dug out the pink lippie!

^ An ode to Margiela with the circle scarf, Margiela leggings, Helmut Lang t-shirt and Vagabond cuff sandals

All these are baby steps at the moment, but I honestly doubt I'll suddenly start opting for pink items over an other colour, but I no longer think pink as being much too girly for me.

These girls I found on Facehunter (I think), do pink in different ways but each look equally chic. The first girl has gone head to toe whilst the other has pink as her accent colour. Clearly wearing pink and not looking like candy floss is all in the attitude.

Queen Michelle