Kingdom Of Style

Like I need an excuse...

Time to forget about the cupcakes kids, tomorrow sees the start of British Sausage Week.

No really!  C'mon, even  I couldn't make this stuff up...

Looks like my lunch is sorted for this week then.

Queen Michelle on the other hand will briefly sniff a sausage on Tuesday.

Oh if only I had a fraction her willpower...

Queen Marie

x

Gentlemen, you are ready for take off...

Viktor and Rolf have taken tulle to new heights and I am love love loving it...

The fashion moths have found their way into Viktor and Rolf's studio too, but going by the size of the holes, they must be be pretty friggin gigantic moths...

But no! it's not moths! as Rolf himself explained "With the credit crunch and everybody cutting back, we decided to cut tulle ball gowns" 

This stunning show also had one outfit that somehow managed to sum up all the diverse things we love in The Kingdom - The shape, colours and cut of this dress are pure Queen Michelle while the whimsy of the floral sandals is making my heart jump...

Lovely!

Queen Marie
 

Imagine my surprise...

when out shopping with Grande Empress Gillian, I opened my mouth to say - 'I'm just nipping into Miss Selfridges when what actually came out my mouth was - "I'm just popping into Dorothy Perkins "

What the frick!  You may remember I had a pop at Dottie last year about those vile short sleeve parkas and truth to tell, I couldn't tell you the last time I even crossed the door of one. But I always listen to 'the voices' so in I went. And there it was! the best coat in the whole wide world. I grabbed it, marched straight up to the counter and almost ran back to meet Gillian who declared it "happiness in a bag"

Do I look happy here?  Hell yeah!

I mean come on! Chartreuse and Ruffles!!!!  can it get any better...

Well yes it can!  this little beauty was only £75!  oh happy day!

Now if you will excuse me, I'm just off to see if dottie p has any other treasures for me...

(Chartreuse Coat, Black Rundholtz Dress, trusty converse and vintage choker worn as headband)

Queen Marie

x

Pass the mothballs and the dry shampoo...

T

When you go see Yohji you don't expect the hair and the make up to be more radical than the clothes.

The latest collection, shown yesterday all seemed pretty risk free, which may not please fashion purists but should delight the retailers. That's not to say it wasn't without it's appeal and charms. I was actually quite taken with all the little laser holes and  the much loved and distressed look of the spriggy print dresses...

Kind of James bond meets Liberty methinks...

Queen Marie

 

Paws for thought...

You know how much we love  Steven Shein in the Kingdom, so I was most happy to get an email from Sarah who is handling his PR offering us a 20% discount in his super sale. (Just put in code SM1 at checkout)

Hororay! I think I would start of course with this...

Gold Glitter Paw Candy Necklace $59

Of course there's lot to choose from, but I'm sucker for the stacked plastic candy necklaces. Yum!

Glitter Crown Candy $59

And perhaps my most favourite of all The Glitter Boombox $59

Don't forget that you can also find Steven Shein in the UK, along with lots and lots of lovely new things, at the wonderful and fun Lazy Oaf

Queen Marie

x

Put your hands together for Mr Palmer...

Mr Levi Palmer.

The talented and original texan bitch in boots (cowboy boots that is, of course)

Levi graduated from St Martins in August this year with an Honours degree in Men's Fashion Design

When I asked him about the inspirartion for his collection he told me -

"My graduate collection was inspired by my Texan heritage with softer influences coming from my Muse, good friend, and 80's super model Jan Strimple. I took her elegant graceful and androgynous personal style and combined it with the ultra masculine idea of western garb to try and create a more romantic idea of the cowboy. I also tried to stay clear of anything to western cliche in the individual garments, allowing the styling and accessories to maintain the cowboy theme, so that when the pieces are worn separate from the collection they can meld into any wardrobe without appearing obviously western."

The stunning Jan Strimple...

In view of the fact that he worked with Jean Pierre Braganza  for two years it seemed obvious to ask if he saw himself as primarily a meanswer designer.

He answered -

"While I love the glamour that womenswear allows and hope that the path of my career will lead me into an arena that will allow all aspect of my design skill to flourish,currently I am more interested in Mens fashion...

... I find it much more stimulating as it pertains to me and my style. 

selfish and self centered much?"

Not selfish Levi! seems entirely logical. Stylish and logical!

Thinking about that, being able to make clothes to suit your own style, I realise, it is just as well I can't sew or it wouldn't be long before you were all shouting "Sod off Queenie, not more sequins and while you're at it, you can f**k off with the florals..."

Queen Marie

x

Legs In Chains

So after mentioning the wonderful Litter SF in a recent post I sort of starting obsessing over the chain garter. A reader in the comments section pointed me helpfully in the direction of an Etsy seller who was also creating similar pieces. Naturally I ordered one but, being the impatient person I am, today I decided to make my own until the one from Etsy arrives.

I hacked up one of my bootstraps, added some more chain I had lying around (hence the frantic hunt for pliers) and now I have my own chain garter. It only took 10 minutes to make but will do until my Etsy one arrives.

I may add some lighter chain to it too from some old necklaces but it'll do a turn, as we say in the Kingdom.

Queen Michelle

Edit: Leggings are indeed Black Milk - who else?!

She Rides

Sorry, it's Friday and I'm so not even remotely on the ball today so please amuse yourselves with some music until I stop tearing the house apart looking for some goddamn pliers.

I ADORE this Danzig track and I know at least one person out there who'll love it as much as me ;)
Oh, but I apologise on Glenn's behalf for the uber cheesy video with the uber cheesy chicks. Just enjoy the tune...and Glenn of course!

Queen Michelle

Crown Of Vines

As I mentioned before I am most definitely not the marrying kind of girl. Nope. No thank you. However that doesn't stop me hawking the bridal bits and pieces on places like Etsy which is how I discovered the fabulous Bonzie.

Well an email arrived last night from Tara of Etsy telling me about a video seller Which Goose had created. Which Goose sells the most heavenly, magical bridal crowns. But of course, these crowns would be fit for a Queen to wear any day of the week. I am adoring all of them!

Much too beautiful to just wear on your 'big day' - I'd make every day a big one in of these!

Queen Michelle

Layer Cake

Yesterday I received an amazing package of goodies from my lovely friend Sara as payment for a branding project, which I can't reveal just yet but will when the time is right. I had no idea what she was sending me except it was a clothing package.

As it turns out it was a parcel filled with a perfect mix of vintage and new goodies, all of which are either nude or black. As one of our esteemed readers recently pointed out I, like them, like to mix nude and black together, which is absolutely true. I love that combination of lingerie hues. So taking my favourite pieces from the parcel I created my own kind of layer cake of nude and black.

Layer #1
The foundation for my cake, the sponge if you like, was my Christopher Kane for Topshop sheer leggings, and AA black mesh dress. This helpfully doubles as my cat burglar outfit when I'm out on the rob, well, minus the clunky Givenchy wedges clearly!

Layer #2
I then added one of the pressies - a stunning mesh skirt with a nude bottom hem. It's utterly amazing. Slightly too big so I will most likely get it taken in at the waist, but for this cake it was fine as I needed it to sit low on my hips anyway.

Layer #3
Sara included a gorgeous lace nude top with padded shoulders. She also provided me one in black. This is the next layer of my cake.

Layer #4
Next I added the gorgeous black tulle tutu style skirt she included too. I love this!

Layer #5
Finally the most amazing sheer draped cardigan. This adds the final layer to the nude and black cake

Mmmmm cake...

Queen Michelle