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Fashion Friday

Fashion Friday: General Knot & Co.

“Knot” Your Typical Tie

With the month of October almost over (where did the time go?!), it’s not too early to think about the holidays and what the men in your life should wear to all those family gatherings and office parties. We know we have a hard enough time getting our teenage boys out of their sweats and into something somewhat presentable… let alone get them to wear a jacket and tie. That’s why we’re investing in these limited edition designs from General Knot & Co.

Japanese Indigo Mums

Vintage Florentine Leaf and Heather Plaid

Made from vintage fabrics sourced the world over by collectors, these products are created in New England and even better, designed in Bedford, NY, just up the road from where we live. In fact, founders Ann and Andrew Payne – both of whom cut their teeth in fashion at Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Levi’s – are the parents of one of our sons’ best buddies, a funny and adorable kid named Oliver.

Vintage Delft Botanical Diamond Point Bow

Butter Rose Pocket Square

What we love most about these designs, besides the American craftsmanship, is that each collection is made in very limited quantities, uniquely finite and never to be repeated – sounds a bit like what we do. When you order something from General Knot & Co., you know you’re getting exquisite accessories that stand the test of time. Not to mention that they make great holiday gifts if you’re already making a list and checking it twice!

1970’s Trompe L’Oeuil Print Belt

Check out the website and let us know what you would choose for the man in your life… and have a fashionable Friday.

Photos: 1 – 6

October 24, 2014

Fashion Friday

Friday Favorite: Mood Boards

Mood Board Galore

Mood boards are the best! We create one for each seasonal collection we design and begin gathering our inspirations months in advance. Now that we’ve put our Spring/Summer 2015 collection to bed, it’s time to think about next year’s Fall/Winter designs – who knows what will capture our imagination and fuel our creative fire? Mood boards are great for any type of project – whether you’re tackling a home renovation, planning a big event or designing a brand. As a vehicle to get your creative juices flowing, mood boards can’t be beat.

Rose & Indigo – Camille Styes

So we were excited to discover Fiona Humberstone’s blog, The Brand Stylist, and read this recent post. According to Fiona, “Creating a mood board for your business is both inspiring and massively empowering” and needless to say, essential if you’re launching a new venture or want to rebrand an existing one.

Feminine Edge – Breanna Rose

Sorbet Hues – Two Ellie

This month, our e-commerce site, Diane James Home, turns six and we’re working on version 2.0. It’s a little daunting (that’s an understatement!) and we really do want to change things up a bit, yet keep the online identity our customers have come to love. Perhaps this is a good time to follow Fiona’s advice and create a mood board for our brand, one that will give us direction and perhaps have us thinking outside the box… or at least the monitor!

Pastel Prettiness – Breanna Rose

Earthy Feminine – Observant Nomad

Are mood boards a favorite of yours? Do you use them for your projects, too? Happy, creative Friday!

Photos: office, monochromatic, feminine, sorbet, pastels and earthy

October 3, 2014

Fashion Friday

Thom Browne in Wonderland

Look #1

Thom Browne’s fashion show are always over the top spectacles and the Spring 2015 collection did not disappoint. Not only was the audience treated to models posing in tableaux vivants showcasing the leisurely pursuits of summer – sunbathing, sailing, butterfly collecting – but also to the heady scent of a verdant green lawn being mowed by a male model wearing a mint bowler and suit and fishnet stockings. Then came the clothes… a fabulous mix of tailored restraint (Browne is known for his slim suits and “mankles”) and eccentric excess (feathers hovering over a jacket like butterflies and a dress made of woven fishing line trimmed with mink.)

Look #2

Look #3

We love the sunglasses fashioned out of leaves and flowers and the hats, oh the hats! Thirty different styles created by the genius milliner Stephen Jones in all shapes and sizes. Rumor has it that it took Jones and his staff all summer to make the amazing headgear… We think the Mad Hatter would be in awe of the workmanship and creativity.

Look #4

Look #5

While most of the outfits seem a little out of this world, there are a couple of individual pieces that caught our eye like a little boy jacket in garden tweed and a pleat front skirt with 3D floral jacquard. We’d be placing our pre-order on M’oda ‘Operandi which is featuring the collection through next Tuesday if only our budget would allow. Oh well, at least we can spend time admiring these beautifully made fashions instead of our money!

Look #6

Do you have a favorite look? Wishing you all a colorful, fashionable Friday and wonderful weekend.

Photos: 1 – 6

September 26, 2014

Fashion Friday

Fashion Friday: Fall Florals

Dolce & Gabbana

If you read last Friday’s post, you know we’re looking forward to some fall layering (in time!) so why not continue the trend and look at some fashionable frocks that made a big impression on the runway this spring. Pretty floral prints aren’t just for summer – these beautiful designs are a great way to make a botanical statement as the weather cools. The dress and coat above would put a smile on our faces even in the dead of winter and the printed shearling below looks so cozy, doesn’t it?

Burberry Prorsum

Geometric floral shapes gives this pastel coat a modern feel…

Matthew Williamson

while an embroidered muff is a must for an opulent outfit.

Tory Burch

Even darker shades get a lift from floral patterns…

Christian Dior

so why not go floral from head to toe!

Valentino

Photos: D & G, Burberry, Matthew Williamson, Tory, Dior and Valentino

August 29, 2014

Fashion Friday

Friday Fashion: Julien Vallée for Hermès

Spring/Summer 2014 Campaign

We’ve been toying with the idea of creating a video for Diane James Home (nowadays who doesn’t have a Vimeo video!) and we know exactly who we’d hire if we could ever afford him: Julien Vallée from the Canadian studio of Vallée Duhamel. His latest creation for Hermès is not to be missed – a video in which everything transforms itself into something new and where key products are featured in unusual ways.

Bangle Eyes

Sandal Bird

Pillow Toss

Leaf Purse

Capturing the jungle theme of Hermès’ Spring/Summer 2014 campaign, “Metamorphosis” has bangles starting out as fruit and turning into the eyes of an herbaceous creature while a lace up sandal becomes a bird. Even a clutch gets a makeover as a fresh, green leaf from which a popsicle (which is actually a tie!) appears. What a fun and innovative way to showcase fashionable products and entertain an audience!

Clutch Popsicle

It must have taken days to get this video right with lots of steady hands, wire, tape and patience on set. See how it was made in this behind-the-scenes piece!

Enjoy (and happy Friday!)

Photos: 1, 2 – 6

March 28, 2014

Fashion Friday

Fashion Friday: Posy Prints and Paintings

Red Valentino – Spring 2014

Nothing says spring like floral fashions and two artful campaigns have recently caught our eye – Red Valentino with its whimsical pixie dresses and fairy-tale backdrops and Christian Louboutin with its masterpiece inspired vignettes by artist and photographer Peter Lippmann which pair shoes and bags with beautiful bouquets.

Red Valentino – Spring 2014

After a bit of sleuthing we discovered that the illustrations of the Alice in Wonderland-like flowers in the Red campaign were drawn in-house at Valentino but they reminded us of Flower Fairies of the Garden, a picture book we had as little girls by Cicely Mary Barker (our grandmother had a copy from the 1930’s we cherished.)

Christian Louboutin – Spring 2014

For Spring 2014, Lippmann continued to be inspired by masterpieces and floral settings painted by Monet, Pissarro, van Gogh and Cezanne act as perfect canvases for Louboutin’s colorful pumps and gilded sandals.

Christian Louboutin – Spring 2014

These campaigns really highlight fashion as works of art and needless to say, we’re enchanted by all the pretty posy prints. Now, if only the weather would cooperate so we can see some real spring blooms start to blossom… Is spring really on its way?

Photo: 1 – 3, 4 – 6

February 28, 2014

Fashion Friday

Wear This…

Pucci – Printed Silk Top

with this!

Tory Burch – Jameson Thong

And this…

Racquel – Crochet Cover Up

with this!

Tory Burch – Madura One Piece

And this…

Gucci – Raffia Sun Hat

with this!

Sugar – Lip Treatment SPF 15

We’re packing our bags and heading south right after Christmas to warm our toes on a Mexican beach (even though we’re suppose to get temps in the high 50’s this weekend.) Saying goodbye to cold days and gray slush won’t be too hard and we’re looking forward to wearing something lighter and brighter than long underwear and ski parkas. Beach cover-ups are a must (these bodies aren’t getting any younger!) as are the sun hat and SPF. Come to think of it, perhaps it’s not too late to wrap these up and put them under the tree!

Are you off to exotic places next week or staying close to home with family and friends? We’d love to hear about your holiday plans!

P.S. Speaking of exotic locales, it’s not too late to enter our giveaway of a signed copy of Tom Scheerer Decorates… Click here for details!

Photo: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

December 20, 2013

Fashion Friday

Fashion Friday: Black With Bling

Ek Thongprasert – Dagger Necklace

As much as we would love to add more color to our winter wardrobes, we keep coming back to basic black. And why not? It goes with everything, makes us look slimmer than we actually are and while it doesn’t hide dog hair (a good roller will get rid of that!) it does hide a multitude of sins.

Stella McCartney – Olga Lace Dress

Alice + Olivia – Embellished Top

Yes, basic black can be boring but how about embellished black? Black with a bit of bling is just the thing to jazz up an outfit and we think these fashionable finds could do the trick.

Miu Miu – Embellised Wool Crepe Skirt

And why wait til evening to shine? We think a little daytime sparkle, especially around the holidays, is the perfect way to keep the festive mood going.

Dolce & Gabbana – Miss Soft Sicily Bag

Are you into black with bling or is basic best?

Jimmy Choo – Tallula Suede Sandal

Hope your weekend is bright and beautiful! And don’t forget to enter our giveaway of a signed copy of The Well-Traveled Home. Click here for details!

Photo: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6

November 15, 2013

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