Kingdom Of Style

Pppick up a Puppet...

Imagine you could have some new friends.  Friends who you could talk to and tell all your secrets to and most wonderfully of all, your friend would be made of flower strewn liberty print.

The puppets, made in a variety of bright salon and Liberty prints, were created to benefit the Children’s Aid Society, which is to receive 50 percent of the profits. Choose from a menagerie of five: monkey, elephant, lion, rabbit and donkey.

These finger puppets are irresistable especially the bunny rabbit.  Oh who am I kidding, buy them all. At only $5 it would be rude not too...

Find your new friends here

An Apron, A Fish And A Dress

One for your other Queen here. The rather curiously named Apron Fish Dress by Westwood's Anglomania label. Doesn't this fulfill all requirements? Large stripes? Check. Vivienne Westwood? Check. Reasonable price? Check!

It's only £185 from Net-a-Porter which is outstanding value in my opinion, and think of all the wonderful colours you could wear underneath this dress!

Don't look at it on the mannequin though because it does this dress no favours at all, but in real life I bet it sits beautifully.

Nice.

Queen Michelle

Brazenly Scottish

Scotland has a lot of unsung creative fashion talent coming out of learning centres like the Glasgow School Of Art. Unfortunately being based in Scotland generally meant they was little chance of receiving international recognition, and most were forced to make the move southwards. However, slowly, things are changing and Scotland is catching up with London, recognising the need to nurture, and more importantly keep, it's young talented individuals. Companies such as Nesta's Creative Pioneer Programme are giving grants to get them started, realising the value of keeping Scottish talent based in Scotland, as well as giving them the means to show their work in places like London.

Jewellery designer Sarah Raffel set up her jewellery studio, Brazen in 2004 with a grant from Nesta and hasn't looked backed since. But Brazen is not purely for the purpose of showing her own work, she went a stage further and set up the studio to also give other designers a valuable chance to showcase their work too. The designers can hire workshop space and share expensive equipment, to which they might not otherwise have access and the 'exhibition' displays their work.

Brazen is currently selling work by such Scottish talent as: Alison Macleod, Natalie Ryde, Jemma Sharp, Georgia Wiseman, Gillian Munro, Catherine Stafford, Rona McKee, Aileen Tan, Hannah Louise Lamb, Rona McKee, Donna Barry, Leigh Mulrine, Suilven Plazalska, Caroline Cloughley and Helen Wilson as well as selling her own line called Magpie.

Magpie was launched at London fashion week in 2006 and rightly received critical acclaim. The collection is darkly romantic and eclectic and uses materials such silver, ribbon and onyx. These are stand out pieces, bold, contemporary and exceptionally pretty!

I'm also loving this black neckpiece by Victoria Hayward - it's black, it's edgy, it's a little bit scary and it's only £50. I can envisage this with so many things, especially a dress I just brought from Topshop Unique which I've been waiting on and will be showing you and excitedly babbling about this week!

Brazen Studios is based at 58 Albion Street, Merchant City, Glasgow. Tel: 0141 552 4551. 
Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am to 5.30 pm (open until 7pm Thursdays) and by appointment only on Mondays.

Magpie is also available at Brittique.

Queen Michelle

Saving Face

OK, ok, I realise I mention Facehunter's site every once in a while when I see a shot that inspires me, and here I am doing it again. BUT I just had to speak about two images I noticed as I checked today.

Leggings/trousers of leather, rubber or PVC have been on the pages of every magazine, proclaiming it's the new 'futurism'. I used to wear said items when I had a brief flirtation with being a goth. I truly wanted to be Patricia Morrison when she was in Sisters Of Mercy, with all that flowing black hair and eye liner.

I also remember the vast amounts of talcum powder required to squeeze oneself into rubber leggings, and finding out to my pearl that rubber, talcum powder and sweating does not a pleasant combination make. I even wore PVC hot-pants with thick woolly tights and combat boots.

God lord. I've done it all and I have bad memories of how ridiculous I must have looked.

But when I saw the image of this girl in her gorgeous sequined dress with PVC trousers, I thought she looked stunning. I haven't seen the PVC/leather/rubber trouser look achieved very successfully, even in the magazines, but this girl, in my opinion has it bang on. It helps of course that's she's exceptionally beautiful and slender, but the whole combination manages to look chic not cheap.

I think her demure hair, knee length dress and the overall simplicity of colour and shape is what makes this look great. I also like the way she's added a bit of quirk by wrapping the straps of her shoes over her trousers.

Even though I won't be running out to buy PVC trousers anytime soon, it's great to see how other people can successfully pull off a look that I myself definitely could not.

The second image I've stolen from Facehunter is that of this wonderful elderly lady. How wonderful does she look?

Queen Marie and I have occasionally discussed how we will look and dress when we are old, and I always feared I'd end up looking like Dot Cotton from Eastenders.
Lucky enough to be slim now, but my cheek bones will haunt me later in life when I end up looking like I've had all the air sucked out of me.

But if I was drawing my pension looking like this old lady I'd be most pleased, She has a slight severity to her that commands respect, and whilst she's dressed chicly in all black, she has that added twist with the addition of a fabulous neckpiece. I'd omit the scary makeup right enough.

Queen Michelle

Show You Care

I am nothing if not a hard working, dedicated Queen and even when sent home yesterday with this ghastly ailment I still had LOTS of work to do (in fact, I ended up working late - isn't that always the way!), and of course try and give our loyal subjects a post to read last night, even if it was only one - so I apologise for the lack but will try harder today...

I recently wrote about ethical fashion productivity and how the industry is contributing in a major way, to the damage done to our planet.

Well it seems Stella McCartney is taking on the beauty industry now too. She already omits the use of animal products in her fashion collections and her new beauty range, called Care, has been created minus the use of damaging silicones and petrochemicals. Her range contains only 100% organic active ingredients.

Whatever you think of Stella as a designer, there is no denying she has staunch principles which I hugely admire, and she sticks to them religiously.

As a beauty addict I'm quite excited by this as the prices are surprisingly reasonable, well certainly not any more expensive than, say, Chanel. For example, $35 for cleanser and $76 for a moisturiser (with 5 benefits no less!) - that's reasonable, no? Price point is exceptionally important when it comes to enticing people to change allegiance from their usual brands, as cold as that sounds and she could have charged more, but has chosen the right price point - what I'd consider, upper-mid. 

I would much prefer to use organic products if they produce the same luxurious feeling as achieved from other skincare brands, which so far I haven't found.

The products claim that the organic ingredients with their essential nutrients are in greater amounts than what you'll find in conventional skincare offerings - vitamins, antioxidants and essential organic elements such as amino acids and fatty acids, which help maintain the skin's vital functions.

This is what Stella herself had to say about her line:

"My skin is important to me. It's one of the first things people notice about you. But for many years now, I have found myself dissatisfied with what is available in the world of skincare. Just because I don't want to put something unnatural on my face, doesn't mean I should have to make sacrifices. I ask the same things as you do from my skincare; I want it to help me feel and look younger, more radiant. I also expect it to feel rich and luxurious and to sit proudly on my bathroom shelf. It needs to fit into my lifestyle in an uncomplicated way. Why shouldn't it be possible to adopt a more natural, organic lifestyle without foregoing luxury?"

Queen Michelle

Spring Leaves And Birdsong

As your other Monarch mentioned in her recent post about necklaces, I do like a necklace with a leaf motif.

Perhaps I'm constantly hankering for spring time, when the trees are green and the world seems alive and vibrant.

I also like a leaf motif as it compliments, again as Queen Marie mentioned, my draped dresses and tops and makes everything look Roman or Grecian. My favourite are the two necklaces I bought from Topshop, which I wear together.

I have been working on my own design for a leaf necklace with some delicate leaf applique I picked up at an art store. It's extremely fine and web like and will be quite tricky to put together, but I shall muddle through no doubt. It's just at the rough layout stage just now, the black dots represent where the stitch would be to hold each leaf to another and will be covered by a black bead.

Also in keeping with the whole springtime vibe I'm loving birds too. Not the ubiquitous owl which seemed to appear everywhere, but doves and crows and blackbirds.

Camilla Staerk SS06 sent the models marching down the runway with huge black bird necklaces and brooches attached to their ensembles. It was eerie and intriguing all at once, like the scene in Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds' where Tipi Hedren is attacked by the black birds. I would love to have one of those massive brooches clinging onto my clothing, it would look intimidating and beautiful - what a perfect combination!

If you fancy getting in tune with spring then here is a selection of leaf and bird jewellery to get you in the mood!

From a selection from Urban Outfitters US & UK, Trunkshop, Wouters + Hendrix

Queen Michelle

Crochet is gonna sneak in the fashion back door...

when everyone is looking the other way and when you turn round later this year it will be EVERYWHERE!

I love crochet for the same reason I love patchwork, it's that whole 'gestalt' thing - where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.  It always seems so friendly and pure of heart.

As always the best way to work a trend is enjoy it before it crosses over and goes mainstream.  So it goes without saying that when I found this super cute crochet cardigan and full bloom t-shirt for Princess Laura, I snapped them right up.  She is going to love them.
I shall report back on her verdict later in the week

A Doughnut You Can Sit On?

Surely not, I hear you cry.

Au Contraire my stylish chums.

Come sit on my doughnut!

It can be yours for only £69.99.  It is half price in the sale at egamma , which is one of my favourite web sites for chairs.

It is by far the most comprehensive resource I have come across, and you know how much I like chairs.

And in answer to the unspoken question which is hanging in the air- I don't know when this freakin cowprint fixation is going to end...

Queen Moo x

Let's Go Window Licking...

When you are feeling too sickly for the shops, a little window shopping is just what the Monarch ordered.

I am still thinking about jewellery, which is very dangerous, because while I manage to resist most things, when it comes to necklaces, I am like a fat boy in a pie shop...

One for Michelle - a stunning laser cut leather and silver cuff

And one for me, a silver flower cuff. I cannot believe they have got away with this without the Wrath of the Wang being brought down on their head. If Miss Vera was to see this copy, she would have a hissy fit!

And another for Queen Michelle, delicate gold leaves which would go spendidly with her vast draped jersey archives

And finally, "get behind me Satan", the temptation that is this gold tree branch necklace...

Everything is from Farfallina.

I Am Not Feeling Like An Iqon

Firstly let me begin by apologising profusely for this probably dull, definitely not fashion related and absolutely random and ranting post about everything and nothing all at the same time. So, should you have no interest in such posts, move along...

Last night I was DJing a night that was new to me, I was terribly excited as I was going to be able explore the harder side of my music collection - lots of Green Velvet, Luke Solomon, Derek Carter and acid house a plenty - heavenly! I was lucky enough to be given this night as the DJ who had it prior to me heard me play on my usual residency evening and actually relinquished his night accepting that I was more suited to the crowd.

WHAT FRIGGIN' CROWD?? A night full of drunk office girls asking for stuff 'with any singing in it?" - a night where techno music is to be expected!! Then, halfway through my now flowing set (I had now set my mind to playing some scary assed techno to scare the drunk office girls away), some man came and took away the mixer! Unplugged it and off he went to give it Andrew Bloody Weatherall (who admittedly is far more deserving of the mixer that I). Of course I was given a replacement, but by that time I was being stared at like I'd stole the mixer myself! So, not good - I DON'T like being stared at.

Secondly, after a christmas and new year of having this EVIL viral flu thing - two days ago it began to appear it's ugly head AGAIN and it's back!!! And I feel rotten and not a little cross!

BUT, there is good to come of all things bad. I recently was turned onto this Iqons things, via Susie Bubble and the lovely Winona over at Daddy Likey. I wasn't sure what it was all about as I have no interest in the likes of MySpace, which just seems full of random people showing pictures of themselves on holiday. So I tentatively checked out this Iqons things and it's actually AMAZING!

For those who don't know what it is, and if you're like me a bit  scared of the old interweb thing (which is shameful considering I work in a company who's main business is web design and development, and I'm the lone print designer), it's basically a network of wonderfully creative people who have something valuable to share - fashion designers, editors, illustrators, DJ and producers, magazines, graphic designers and even humble bloggers like us. Once I sussed out what went in those "wee boxes" next to your photo (are you hearing this Winona?), it's the most EXCITING thing ever (apart from our blog of course!)

Basically you invite people onto your entourage who's profile seems interesting, and you get invites from people who think you seem interesting! I'm truly gobsmacked! I got invites!! My first was a DJ/Remixer/Producer who'd DJed at shows for the likes of Preen (my DREAM job!) and then I got invited by a well known and hugely respected Chicago DJ and producer, Chip-e!!! Me! A wee lass from Glasgow! I got invites from others who are doing great work, like Play who left a lovely comment on our blog (who has been added to Friends Of The Kingdom list, so check her out), and I invited a designer I'd blogged about ages ago - Lie Sang Bong and even Anne Sofia Back - and they accepted! I know I'm gushing here, but really, where else can you be amidst of such talented people, and yes, sometimes I look at everyone else's work and do feel totally inferior to them, but every single person I have invited onto my entourage, I was inspired by their work and what they do.

It also means, if they allow, I will feature talented individuals on this blog from Iqons, as some of these people have to be shared. So look out for that in coming months. You're going to see a whole lot of great people and if you haven't done the whole Iqons things, I suggest you do it IMMEDIATELY! Queen Marie, I suggest YOU do this (your Queen is an exceptionally talented photographer of architecture) right away.

And in order to tackle my looming plague, I have taken my own personal cure which should sort me right out - two Valium and two Anadin Ultra - but don't try this at home kids (my neighbour, the very lovely Dr Jo and owner of Tana the dog the best chocolate lab in the world, would be horrified if I told her this!). And Breakfast At Tiffany's is on the telly - my most favourite ever film, so it's not all bad.

Queen 'Valley Of The Dolls' Michelle