SUMMER 22/23

As I write this: it's raining again. This set me dreaming about summer holiday resorts around the world. The warm azure sea, the clink of glasses, the white plates and deep red tomatoes, the sound of laughter and cicadas... Holidays past and hopefully, future.

After lunch, I'm off with my sketch-pad and watercolours to capture what I can't with the camera: the feeling of a place...

Our new colour this season, French Lavender, was inspired by the rows and rows of it at Senanque Abbey in Gordes, Provence. Fields of sunflowers all around the south of France became our yellow.

Summer sun takes me to a Venetian balcony, behind are the warm sumptuous interiors of Venetian reds and indigo and in front, the rhythmic yawing sound of striped wooden poles and gondolas in the lapping glistening water.

I am always inspired by art. This time I have designed two prints on silk myself. Velazquez's 1656 court paining "Las Meninas" of the Infanta Marguerita inspired both Picasso (58 versions!) and the wonderful sculptor and painter, Manolo Valdes. 

My line-drawing print from this is navy on lavender or lime. 

My calligraphic print in black and turquoise was inspired by the Arabic calligraphy paintings of Iraqi artist, Hassan al Said (1925-2004).

Yves St Laurent paid tribute to Piet Mondrian with his series of colour-blocked dresses (1965). I have done some colour-blocking of my own...

There is also lost of black and white, and graphic prints.

This collection is all about timeless, casual, comfortable, and relaxed clothing that is easy to wear, easy to travel with, and easy to throw on with sneakers for a walk and a coffee or with heels for drinks and dinner: instant and effortless elegance...