Good & Co Ain’t Half Bad!

Tags

Australia, Camilla + Marc, Clothing, Fashion, Graphic Design, Karen Walker, New Zealand, Photographic Image, Scarf, Shopping, Sydney, Trelise Cooper

We are well overdue a scarf post, I reckon. Today, I’m very happy to bring you a wee exposé on Good & Co, which aims to intelligently amalgamate fashion and art with their yummy silk scarves. A lofty idea? Let’s see if you think they deliver… Apparently, each piece turns its wearer into a walking artwork – though only those in the know will be aware of the detail.

‘Union Lane’ Scarf by Good & Co
(Images from Good & Co)

Feminine and functional but never fussy, the Good & Co aesthetic claims to appeal to those who like their luxury to come with a playful twist. I think I fall into that category. Sometimes, anyway.

The best part, for me, is that New Zealand designer Lillie Toogood is the brains behind the brand – her love of photography, travel, textiles and design all come together with her Good & Co label. Having worked for labels including Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper and Camilla + Marc, Sydney-based Lillie started Good & Co last year.

Lillie’s background in graphic design is evident in her eye for colour and form – each piece is based on a photograph she’s taken in her travels, from the lush green leaves disguising a German post box to the display of bottles on a bar in Barcelona. Shapes, patterns and colours that are captured to create beautiful textiles.

See what you think…

‘Secret Sydney’ Scarf by Good & Co
This scarf is made from 100% flat silk chiffon with a rolled hem finish, 160 x 130cm
(Images from Good & Co)

Motherland Classic by Good & co
This scarf is made from 100% flat silk chiffon with a rolled hem finish, 160 x 130cm
(Images from Good & Co)

Hawaii Time by Good & Co
This scarf is made from 100% silk satin with a rolled hem, 90 x 90cm
(Image from Good & Co)

Leipzig Love by Good & Co
This scarf is made from 100% silk satin with a rolled hem, 90 x 90cm
(Image from Good & Co)

Do you know what else is great about a scarf from Good & Co? They offer free worldwide shipping from their online shop!

If you’d like to see more of the Good & Co range, you can check it out here. I feel a scarf purchase coming on…

Epice Spices Things Up…

Tags

Accessories, Art, Clothing, Design, Fashion, Fashion Design, Menswear, Paris, Printing, Scarf, Shopping

épice scarf
(Image from here)

épice scarf
(Image from here)

Well, it wouldn’t be a trip to Paris without one or two beautiful scarf acquisitions now, would it? And, one of my favourite scarf labels has got to be épice.

Launched by Bess Nielsen and Jan Machenhauer in 1999 with the goal of creating gorgeous textiles for pleasure – subtlety of colour, softness of touch and beautiful weaves and prints, an épice number guarantees you many admiring comments (I know because I always get them when I’m wearing my, to date, sole épice scarf).

épice scarf
(Image from here)

épice scarf
(Image from here)

And, for you fashion forward boys who like to accessorise… Don’t think you miss out. Epice has been creating their mens collection since 2006. With the same authenticity and style, and quite fabulous enough for us to ‘borrow’ when the urge strikes…

épice scarf for men (& sometimes women!)
(Image from here)

If you are lucky enough to be heading to Paris, the Epice showroom is at 79, rue des Archives, 75003 Paris. Otherwise, their website is charming. You can get to it here.

Scarf Alchemy at Liberty!

Tags

Accessories, Art, Best Of British, Clothing, Colour, Design, Fashion Design, Hermes, Illustration, Liberty, London, Pen and ink, Scarf, Scarves, Shopping, style, Surface Design, Textiles

Puppy Passions Silk Scarf by Silken Favours
100% Silk, 90cm x 90cm
My favourite!
(Image sourced from Liberty)

I know, I know… Not all of you are scarfaholics like me. Never the less, I just had to share these wee finds with you. The so-kitsch-they’re-cool Silken Favours hand drawn illustrative prints turn the cutesy into the oh-so-cool with their gorgeous range of scarves.

Discovered at the Liberty best of British open call in 2011, Victoria Murdoch is the creative talent and creator behind Silken Favours. Finding her inspiration in the natural world, Vicki uses traditional, intricate and very time-consuming pen and ink techniques, evoking imagery that is both otherworldly yet also strangely familiar. She takes a playful and warm-hearted approach to her subjects.

Have a look and see what you think…

Precious Pussies Silk Scarf by Silken Favours
100% Silk, 90cm x 90cm
(Image sourced from Liberty)

I love Everything Silk Scarf by Silken Favours
100% Silk, 90cm x 90cm
(Image sourced from Liberty)

Kaleidoscopic Crustacean Silk Scarf by Silken Favours
100% Silk, 90cm x 90cm
For the Cancerian in your life!
(Image sourced from Liberty)

But wait! – There’s more…

In the event you are not a scarfaholic, you can pick up one of Silken Favours gorgeous  illustrative numbers in a silk cushion. One such as this, no less:

Butterflies Beasticles Silk Cushion by Silken Favours
Silk cushion featuring butterflies in a heart-shaped design with a pale pink background on the front, black reverse cover and pink piped edging. 45cm x 45cm
(Image sourced from Liberty)

AND, if that wasn’t enough, I have still more!

Nope! It’s not a set of steak knives. It’s this wonderful discovery I made a while back where the gorgeous Liberty’s scarf alchemist, Lauranne Plat teaches you, me, and everybody, how to tie scarves like only the French, the Liberty style queens, and Hermes employees know how. Click through here to check out the You Tube vid’ if you don’t believe me… She’s gorgeous AND practical.

And, one last thing… While the Silken Favours collection is available exclusively through Liberty, Vicki Murdoch offers a bespoke service where she will design a personalised scarf for you or a loved one for £475.00. Bargain! You can see more here.

Oh – the Liberty sales started this week (online included!)!

Lily and Lionel and This Sydney Life?

Tags

Accessories, Clothing, Colour, culture, Design, Fashion Design, In Pursuit of More, Liberty, Lily and Lionel, London, London College of Fashion, Scarf, Scarves, Shopping, Sydney, Vancouver

‘Paris by Night’ cityscape scarf by Lily and Lionel
Shira – this one is for you!
(Image © Lily and Lionel)

The very lovely and energetic Shira is a blogging buddy of mine over at In Pursuit of More. I’ve never met Shira. She lives in Vancouver, I live in Sydney. Shira has just cleaned out her wardrobe. Good for her. I mean that. I always have the best of intentions when it comes to purging my closet/pantry/drawers (or whatever else requires a clean out), but then I get side-tracked. Mainly because I would rather do almost anything than that. Even iron.

Anyhoo, the lovely Shira and I have a mutual passion for scarves. (I feel I should mention here that Shira did not purge herself of any of her scarves – so, it seems she’s not that virtuous!) We got into a short discussion about this yesterday and I thought it was time for another post about my scarf du jour…

Let me introduce you to the wonderful, covetable* scarves of Lily and Lionel.

I just can’t decide whether I prefer the ‘Cityscape’ range…

‘New York Cityscape’ scarf by Lily and Lionel
(Image © Lily and Lionel)

‘City of London’ cityscape scarf by Lily and Lionel
(Image © Lily and Lionel)

Or, the slightly quirkier, more British, ‘Beside the Seaside’ range…

‘Gift Shop’ scarf by Lily and Lionel
(Image © Lily and Lionel)

‘Eastbourne Beach’ scarf by Lily and Lionel
(Image © Lily and Lionel)

‘Beach Huts’ scarf by Lily and Lionel
(Image © Lily and Lionel)

All the scarves shown are 50% cotton, 50% bamboo and 90 x 200cm.

The fabulous accessories boutique Lily and Lionel was founded by London College of Fashion graduate Alice Stone. According to her bio, “an on-going family heritage within the textile industry, combined with her love of fashion, has allowed Alice to create a gorgeous selection of scarves and leather accessories.” Alice’s grandparents – the original Lily and Lionel, established the family roots within fashion during their early years. Lily was a dressmaker who had a strong talent for design, creating and making all of her own clothes, whilst Lionel supplied apparel to some of London’s most glamorous boutiques and stores.

Oh, a couple of questions… Do you have a favourite? And, are there enough fellow scarf lovers out there for a regular fortnightly or monthly scarf-centric post?

Lily and Lionel sell online through here and at one of my favourite stores ever, Liberty in London.

*I think I’m leaning towards ‘New York Cityscape’. Are you reading, LM?

The Amazing Hand-Embroidered World of Paschbeck Fummel+Kram

Tags

Accessories, Caro & Co Concept Store, Clothing, Colour, craft, Design, Embroidery, Paschbeck Fummel + Kram, Scarf, Scarves, Shopping, Silk, Surface Design

If you had not already worked it out after reading a few of my posts (here and here), I love scarves. Maybe it’s because I really love colour but tend to wear a lot of monochromatic clothes? I don’t know. What I do know is that accessories are my friend.

I have just discovered the fabulously funky world of Paschbeck Fummel+Kram. Perhaps I have had my head in the sand and the rest of the world has already discovered the hand-stitched and appliquéd doodle-like designs that oh-so colourfully adorn scarves and bags and shirts and more; or perhaps I can introduce you to the super-stylish Paschbeck Fummel+Kram for the first time…?

Let’s begin with a couple of their wonderfully generous scarves. These are core pieces for the label and are made of quality cotton or silk, hand-woven and hand dyed. The colourful embroideries are elaborately manufactured by hand. “The production of a single piece takes about 6 weeks”, according to Angelika Paschbeck.

Paschbeck Fummel+Kram’s Scarf ‘My Dog’ in Petrol
Hand embroidered cotton scarf with silk appliques and lots of wee tassels
120cm x 120cm
(Image sourced from Fummel und Kram)

Paschbeck Fummel+Kram’s Scarf ‘City Map Hong kong’
Screenprinted scarf topped with hand embroidery
110cm x 110cm, hand wash
(Image sourced from Fummel und Kram)

And then there are the hand embroidered clothes. Yes, I said hand-embroidered!:

Paschbeck Fummel+Kram’s Simple Top in Grey
Light summer top with hand embroidery and lace appliques on both sides
30% silk, 70% cotton
(Image sourced from Fummel und Kram)

Paschbeck Fummel+Kram’s T-Shirt ‘Rich Summer’
Front and back are hand embroidered. Each t-shirt is unique.
100% cotton
(Image sourced from Fummel und Kram)

Paschbeck Fummel+Kram’s Knit Cap in Dark Grey
100% alpaca, hand-knitted in Peru with and finished with hand embroidered silk
(Image sourced from Fummel und Kram)

I’m seriously lusting after one of these beaded bags. (sigh)

Paschbeck Fummel+Kram’s Glitter Bag
Canvas covered in hundreds of beads, sequins and silk embroidery
24cm x 22cm
(Image sourced from Fummel und Kram)

And, if – like me – your budget doesn’t quite reach to one of the hand-crafted items shown, every time you purchase one of these notebooks, you sponsor a street child in India for a month. I think they’re just beautiful.

Paschbeck Fummel+Kram Notebook in Pink
Also available in purple, orange and grey
Hand-crafted notebook with 2 different papers. Both the cover and the back are hand embroidered.
(Image sourced from Fummel und Kram)

Angelika Paschbeck is the founder, owner and head of design at Paschbeck Fummel+Kram. She founded the label back in 2003 (where was I?). At the beginning, the label consisted of only a small line of hand-made pieces. Today there is a full-scale collection made up of selected vibrant scarves, bags, womenswear – all full of humorous designs, embroidered (and sometimes dyed) and made from high quality natural fabrics and inspired by influences such as childhood memories and current affairs.

You can purchase items from the Paschbeck Fummel+Kram range online here. I’m starting to save my pennies now…

In Sydney, there is a small selection of Paschbeck Fummel+Kram available at Caro & Co Concept Store in Westfield Mall, Pitt Street.

Richard Weston – an Unlikely Fashion Designer

Tags

Accessories, Art, Britain's Next Big Thing, Clothing, Colour, Design, Eveything Begins, Lake Como, Liberty, Richard Weston, Scarf, Shopping, Silk

Richard Weston
The man behind Weston Scarves

Last year we watched a fabulous series on the goggle-box – ‘Britain’s Next Big Thing’. If you didn’t see it, it featured three of Britain’s retail giants asking members of the public to supply them with the next bestselling product by allowing unknown designers and producers to pitch directly to the retail industry’s power-brokers and have the opportunity to get their product stocked in prestigious shops. One of the retail giants was Liberty of London – one of my all-time favourite places to shop. It was compelling viewing for a wee arts and crafts hunter-gatherer like me!

There were some amazing designers, but my favourite was the unexpected and delightfully quirky Professor Richard Weston, a Professor of Architecture who creates his stunning and unique scarves from high quality scans of precious stones and fossils. He was so passionate about his unusual product – it was a joy to watch.

I’m a wee bit of a scarf collector but I don’t (yet) have one of these beauties. The Weston Silk scarves are each unique pieces inspired by the forms, patterns and colours found in nature. Richard Weston’s collection of luscious silk scarves are handcrafted and then printed on the banks of Lake Como with his unique mineral, stone and fossil designs.

Have a look and see what you think…

Elestial Quartz Silk Scarf - 138cm x 138cm
(available from Everything Begins)

Mexican "Smoky" Fluorite Scarf - 138cm x 138cm
(available from Everything Begins)

Fluorite Silk Scarf - 138cm x 138cm
(available from Everything Begins)

Weston Scarves are available from Liberty (here) or Everything Begins has a selection (here).

The Very Graphic Style of Thomas Paul

Tags

Accessories, Animal print, Bill Blass, Calvin Klein, Colour, cotton voile, Design, DKNY, Fashion, fashion institute of technology, Homewares, Interior design, Neckwear, New York, New York City, Scarf, style, Textile Design, Thomas Paul

Have you met the oh-so-talented Thomas Paul yet?  If not, go pop your head in to his gorgeous emporium of pillows, bedding, kitchen & dining accessories, and – my favourite, which will come as no surprise to those who know me – scarves.

I’m seriously lusting after one of Mr Paul’s animal print numbers.  Which one would you choose…?

There are these divine cotton voile scarves (with dimensions of 20″ X 75″):

or, there are these more monochromatic numbers (with a more generous 40″ X 80″ size):

Thomas Paul is a born ‘n’ bred New Yorker. He kicked off his fashion career in the mid-nineties after graduating from New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in Textile Design. He started as an intern at DKNY. Then, while working as a colorist and designer for a silk mill specialising in neckwear and scarves, he worked on neckwear collections for designers like Bill Blass, Calvin Klein, and DKNY. This eventually led to the creation of his own neckwear collection, digities, in the late 90′s. All of this created the foundation for his current range of home accessories.

He continues to expand his ideas, so I can’t wait to see what he comes out with next…

You can check out more of Thomas Paul’s designs here.

(All images sourced from here).