GLAMOUR PHOTOGRAFY

. . . a rainy, rainy tuesday with still much to do, but happily, a houndstooth bow blouse and a high-waisted pencil skirt keeps things polished [& far from dreary] and brighten up the workday -- that, and of course, a break for coffee and a few macarons . . .

{p.s.} this week's {take me away} still to come x


{image: leighton meester, still from gossip girl via the road not taken; blouse by alexander mcqueen paired with double breasted pencil skirt}

. . . must confess, have been avoiding re-organising the closets for spring & summertime, for it is rather a monumental, somewhat overwhelming task, and shoes seem to be overtaking the place, making mornings quite a flurry, and so, a little inspiration before it begins . . .













{images: suzanne rogers by jake rosenberg for the coveteur via studded hearts}

. . . must confess, still a little caught up in the romance of it all, the stolen glances and secret smiles, the horse-drawn carriages and chantilly lace, the balcony kisses and moments so breathtakingly lovely, can barely stand it . . .




prince william & catherine, the duke & duchess of cambridge




detail of the exquisite wedding gown, put together by hand by sarah burton of alexander mcqueen, it is a perfect intermingling of tradition and modernity, with a bodice of ivory satin made of hand-cut english lace and french chantilly lace, over ivory and white satin gazar {a sheer, lightweight silk organza with a glaze-like sheen and moderate stiffness}; individual flowers were hand cut from lace and hand-engineered onto the ivory silk tulle to create the design, which features rose, thistle, daffodil, and shamrocks, the national flowers of england, ireland, scotland, and wales; 58 gazar & organza covered buttons ran up the back




the eight-tiered royal wedding cake was decorated with 900 delicate sugar-paste flowers, including 17 different blooms and foliage for their meaning and symbolism, known as the language of flowers


the veil was made of layers of ivory silk tulle and trimmed with hand-embroidered flowers, sewn on by the royal school of needlework at hampton court palace



the bridal bouquet included myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, hyacinth and sweet william blooms; in keeping with royal tradition, stems from a myrtle planted by queen victoria in 1845 were also added; according to tradition, the bouquet of a royal bride will be left on the tomb of the unknown solider in westminster abbey; the late queen mother began the ritual by leaving her wedding bouquet at the grave in 1923 in memory of her brother, fergus, who was killed in the first world war






. . . and of course, with all of this week's talk of tiaras . . . kate's 'something borrowed' was the cartier halo tiara, made in 1936 and purchased by king george VI for his wife queen elizabeth {the queen mother} three weeks before he succeeded his brother as king; the tiara was presented to princess elizabeth, now the queen, by her mother on the occasion of her 18th birthday; the new princess catherine matched the tiara with earrings by robinson pelham, a gift from her parents inspired by the new middleton coat of arms

{p.s.} for the royal wedding reception, catherine changed into a second alexander mcqueen gown, and her sister pippa changed out of the stunning mcqueen into temperley london


{credits: one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | eight | nine | ten | eleven}

jean paul gaultier


yves saint laurent


alexander mcqueen


christian dior


chloé

. . . at this moment, it's softly tousled and romantically upswept, a whisper of ruffles and white satin sashes, palest champagne intermingling with rambling florals, pretty pink pouts and a feeling of spring in the air . . .



{images: editorial: paris, photography by emma temptest for playing fashion march 2011; models: anais pouliot; stylist: verity parker; via noir façade}

. . . daydreams may float with vibrant colours and spring breezes, but scarcely february and have just purchased a new pair of tall boots to replace the three ruined by snow, sleet and rain, and still stepping out in cool & classic shades of ebony and onyx; and while some days, there may be clouds, here, they are always lined in gold -- and so, a perfect intermingling of the two . . .




limited edition bruno frisoni for roger vivier accessories collection | amelia earhart collar by story via all the mountains | minx nails at alexander mcqueen s/s11 | 18k pink gold day-date oyster perpetual rolex via 1stdibs | backstage.com at nina ricci | maison martin margiela envelope clutch | gold sequined ribbon, iphone photograph by roséline for this is glamorous| limited edition bruno frisoni for roger vivier accessories collection

{p.s.} more black & gold
* modern matallics
* dancing until dawn
* gold lamé & black velvet
* day & night
* artful arrangements

{top image: vauthier couture via another}

Whether fluttering about on the thin straps of a pair of McQueen heels or on a wall of mirrors, shall always be drawn to the magic of butterflies . . .

{p.s.} more fluttering:
* on natalia
* on linda
* on a chandelier

{images: 1 - alexander mcqueen via shoeblog; 2 - california home + design awards}