Great to see the old crafts are returning and better still being used in designer and high street fashion.
Ecru tops and skirts, shoulder bags and totes seem to be trending.
Years ago I used to crochet too at home or while travelling. I think I initially took it up when I stopped smoking, many many years ago. My first attempt was a green crochet bikini, and yes I did wear it but it did droop a bit when wet. Back then I was also an avid knitter and got pretty good with the Arran intricate style, crocheting was more relaxing as you did'nt have to look down at what you were doing all the time once you were in the zone.
Crochet is the French word for hook and all types and thickness of yarn can be used.
I found the patterns below in my old sewing basket, the cot blanket I made in white for my baby son, the pillow cases are still going strong. I used basic natural string and no doubt the ecru colour would still look ok in a modern setting. I did'nt attempt the beautiful bed cover but....who knows
Trying out a basic square patch is a good place to start, crafters have used this method, using wool remnants left over from knitting projects, then creating lots of ‘granny squares’ then sewing them together to make colourful blankets and furniture covers, You might just notice an old style one draped across the back of a sofa in the 'home of the Dingles' in the soap Emmerdale. British Grandmas knitted these for home sweet home and then they are passed down to the generations.
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Hats off not quite the right wording as the race-goers donned the most flamboyant headgear and frocks with carefully chosen handbags and footwear to complete the outfits. Last week the ladies had another opportunity to shine at the New Market July Festival.
The ladies and celebrities toned down their outfits for Wimbledon, going for traditional white with no over-the-top hats - I mean you can't watch the tennis with someone in the row in front of you in a big hat blocking your vision. The highlight of the event was a radiant Princess Katherine wearing a vibrant purple dress to present the cup to the Men's finalist winner, Carlos Alcaraz, a perfect match.
The Grand National, Aintree - April
Royal Ascot - June
The July Festival, New. Market - July
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What do The King and Queen do at Ascot?
"Each day of the week begins with the Royal Procession, when The King, The Queen and accompanying Members of the Royal Family arrive along the track in horse-drawn landaus. They then spend the day watching the races from the Royal Enclosure."
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Wimbledon - 1 July to 14 July 2024
https://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/scores/results/day21.html
No.3 seed Carlos Alcaraz secures his fourth Grand Slam with straight sets win over Novak Djokovic
Since 2017, the mother-of-three has donned the elegant brooch - which features the tournament's iconic colours - every time she has visited Wimbledon."
Waistcoats worn without tops with matching wide-leg trousers in pastel earthy subtle shades beige, pink and green. Option to wear with matching jacket, a very femanine look as opposed to the Boyfriend 90s trend which included mens tweed jackets worn over skinny jeans or velvet and hand knitted waistcoats with shirt and tie worn over midi denim skirts.
👀Denim jackets
👀Mens original Levi 501 (original boyfriend jeans)
👀Denim Dungarees & Pinafore skirts
👀Capri pants - Combat trousers
👀Platform shoes - Cowboy boots - Doc Martins -- Ugg Boots
Battle of Brit Pop Take That versus Oasis, Blur and Pulp
On the catwalk. The 'Big Six' supermodels, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford) strutted their stuff around the world on Fashion Week.
On stage. 'Riverdance' a highlight in the intermission at the Eurovision Song Contest hosted by Ireland in 1994. Michael Flatley and the dancers wowed audiences around the world. 'Riverdance', a fusion of Irish and international dance went on to become a stage show and will celebrate its 30th Anniversary in 2025.
The 90s also brought us Grunge all the way from Seattle, a fusion of post Punk fashion and music. The most notable exponent of this laid-back slouchy style was, of course, the late Kurt Cobain, Nirvana's iconic front man. The secret of “Grunge” style apparently is to not try too hard, be a little bit messy, be a little bit I don’t care what I look like. Laid-back layering, denim jacket over an over-sized flannel shirt worn over a long sleeve thermal or t-shirt and well-worn jeans. Stomping around in an old pair of combat boots, Doc Martens or beaten up hi-tops and a plain leather bracelet, the only jewellery allowed. Long messy hair flying free or hidden beneath a beanie or restrained with a cotton scarf - that just the blokes. One brand that also encapsulated the ‘90s was New York’s Calvin Klein Jeans, whose iconic adverts with Mark Wahlberg and Kate Moss became a symbol of the decade
Good news for race goers that, unike Royal Ascot, there is no official dress code at Antree so gals can go for high fashion and furlong winning style, the more colourful dresses and flamboyant hats the better which is why its known as 'Fabulous Friday'. Looks like lots of high thigh slit sleek body hugging dresses and huge flower petal design hats are winning the day. The Iris inspired dark blue and yellow outfit was stunning. Also noticed the cute Black and white spot mini dress worn with a huge brim matching hat and a flora and fauna pink blossom print trouser suit teamed with a simple fascinator and butterfly design leather bag. . Meanwhile the guys can tone it down with suits or smart, trousers, shirt, waistcoat and tie ...or traditional equestrian style tweed jacket and (Peaky Blinders style) flat cap......or not.
Ladies Day is held on a Friday, the second day of the Grand National. An exciting day, attended by the 'hoi palloi', celebrities, fashionistas and sporting icons. Watch out for famous faces amongst the 45,000 crowd. I'll be watching the drama unfold on TV. Hold on to your hats looks like a breezy day ahead. Good luck to all the runners and riders, stay safe.
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"Grand National Ladies Day 2024 is expected to see both attendance and anticipation levels ramping up from the opening day, with high calibre races to bet on in a party atmosphere. The top-class racing starts at 1.40pm, and includes seven races, as attention is shared with off the track activities like the ‘Style Award’. Style Ambassadors mingle with the crowds in the Red Rum Garden to find the winner, with big prizes like cars, holidays and cash up for grabs. It’s clear that Grand National Ladies Day is a hugely popular day on the UK jumps racing calendar." Aintree Grand National Ladies Day - https://www.grandnational.org.uk/grand-national-ladies-day.php
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USEFUL LINKS
Fascinating history of fascinators> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascinator
Grand National runners and riders: Pinstickers' guide to 2024 Aintree race https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/horse-racing/68757196
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The Jockey Club https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/the-grand-national/
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Grand National 2024 Live: Ladies Day pictures and race results https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/uk-sport-news/grand-national-2024-live-ladies-28982110
The dreary conditions are keeping me in, although I will be heading out over Exmoor at the weekend looking for some atmospheric shots. Fashion goes out the window (but not colour co-ordination) as I don Bobble Hat, Hiking Boots, waterproof trousers, Thermal Vest, Fleece and Paramo Jacket. I am walking to keep warm and the moor looks dark and brooding with a glimmer of white above the snowline at this time of year. Amazingly between showers the sun comes out and a rainbow lights the way. I love the coast and countryside, its changing light when the moorland colour returns fleetingly.
Earlier in the month, I braved the outdoors (well out the front door) to shoot the Full Snow Moon. The moon, a wonderful golden glowing star lighting up the sky. Three other starry events took place in February over the pond
January The 81st Golden Globe Awards was an awards ceremony for film and American television productions of 2023. It was broadcast live on 7th January 2024, from The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, Winners & Nominees - Golden Globes. OPPENHEIMER, starring Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Junior came out on top
18th February 77th British Academy Film Awards BAFTAS
WINNER: OPPENHEIMER Christopher Nolan, Charles Roven, Emma Thomas. Tap here for BAFTA nominations & winners
This side of the pond 'The BRIT Awards' took place at London's O2, on a Saturday for the second year running. Singer-songwriter Raye received seven Brit Award nominations, a new record for one artist in a single year.
If that wasn't enough, Fashion Week fall/winter juggernaut has been rolling in February from New York, London, Milan rounding up with Paris at the beginning of March.
This year's Oscars is the 96th Academy Awards and took place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on the 10th March. You can catch up on Youtube etc. Interesting to watch the movie stars and celebrities as they arrived on the Red Carpet adorned in all their finery. Sadly it wasn't a perfect world for Barbie after another winning night for Oppenheimer.
Running now is Cheltenham Festival and the big news is that 'Ladies Day' is being changed to a more gender-inclusive 'Style Wednesday'
....I'm sure all the fashionistas will love it- let's hope the sun comes out and the rain holds off.
Another day cloaked in mist and rain but there is a bright light on the horizon. Red tights and red socks are trending for 2024.
Add a little colour pop to your outfit, looks particularly good with mannish boy tweed or herringbone tailoring paired with midi-skirts or if you prefer just a hint of red choose red socks and wear with trainers or brogues under suit trousers.
By the way the 40th Anniversary of London Fashion Week starts today
The following note from the British Fashion Council
"Discover the provisional schedule for London Fashion Week February 2024 as it celebrates the event's 40th anniversary, taking place from Friday 16th - Tuesday 20th February 2024. The schedule features both menswear and womenswear designers, with highlights including BFC NEWGEN recipients, iconic British luxury brand Burberry, as well as 16Arlington, Ahluwalia, David Koma, Dilara Findikoglu, dunhill, Emilia Wickstead, ERDEM, Eudon Choi, Fashion East, JW Anderson, KNWLS, Marques'Almeida, Molly Goddard, Richard Quinn, Roksanda, Simone Rocha and many more.
The LFW digital platform, londonfashionweek.co.uk is the Official Digital Hub and is freely accessible to everyone, industry professionals and global fashion consumers alike, showcasing digital content from the designers, enabling collaboration and bringing together fashion, culture and technology."
You can catchup with all the shows at the 'Fashion Channel', a great channel which has been "showcasing the best videos and the most exclusive moments of the international runway since 1982".
Here is a link the BURBERRY Best Looks Fall 2024 London Fashion Channel (Don't forget to subscrbe so you can keep up with all the shows.