Here’s the latest weekly DRG STYLE INDEX ranking, a round-up of the brands and industry stories currently buzzing on my radar…

1. CALVIN KLEIN HOMES

It’s all eyes on Raf Simons as the new-look Calvin Klein finally materialises. For starters, there’s lots of news about Raf Simons’ reimagining of the Madison Avenue flagship store. The industrial yellow interior (by collaborator Sterling Ruby) is temporary while the store awaits a full renovation. But I’m more interested in the renewed homes offer with its mix of ‘found’ and designed objects including Homer Laughlin coffee mugs, Rose Cabat ceramics and Italian vintage glassware. Sounds good to me.

2. VICTORIA BECKHAM X ESTEE LAUDER ROUND TWO

Not gonna lie, I really like the Victoria Beckham X Estee Lauder makeup. There’s a new drop about to land and the Skin Perfecting Powder is talking to me. £62 though – ouch. Read more here.

3. HELLO HERMÈSMATIC

It’s not my taste, but I love the concept of the Hermès ‘Hermèsmatic’ customisation ‘laundromat’. Revamp your tired old Hermès scarves (you know, all those tatty scarves you have lying around) with a dip-dye treatment by Hermès’ skilled colourists. After the dye process, watch your scarf being tumbled to deliver a soft ‘vintage-scarf’ feel. The concept is coming to Manchester’s King Street from 5th October along with scarf styling workshops that you’d be mad to miss.

4. GRAILED FOR WOMEN

Coming in September, a sister site to designer resale site Grailed. W magazine reports that “Heroine is based (like Grailed) on peer-to-peer buying and selling that feels like being part of a club of like-minded enthusiasts.” I’d be interested in a study that shows how men and women approach this sort of shopping differently. I love Vestiaire Collective but I don’t feel the community element is that strong. Is this sort of thing more of a competitive sport with guys? Do they relish the geek factor of tracking hard-to-get stuff down more than women? If women’s shopping were more like men’s, would the peer pressure encourage me to shop more? On balance, maybe I’m better off without…

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES:  Calvin Klein, Estee Lauder, Hermes, Jake Hateley/Louis Vuitton
NOTE: Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Fenwick has just started stocking LEBON toothpaste in the UK. This vegan brand is sexing up two categories. Vegan beauty (which, like eco-beauty before it, had an unsexy, hippyish image) and oral care. I’m obsessed with my teeth but I definitely need encouragement to do the nightly brush sometimes. LEBON’s brand of naturally-derived flavours (think orange blossom, rose and mint) and beautiful packaging does what cleansing balms did before it – turn a chore into a chic, Instagrammable experience. (Call me shallow but that’s my observation!)

The LEBON website proudly proclaims the whitening toothpaste as organic, vegan and eco-friendly with no parabens, no colorings, no sulphates, no fluoride and lots of other ‘nos’. And it’s not because it’s trendy. “LEBON is vegan because this is our choice, whatever the trends,” insists co-founder Richard Pallacci in an email. Prices are high at £17.99 (nope, not a typo), but it’s a price that customers are willing to pay for a product that offers choice to those who want more control over their dental hygiene.

“The LEBON products are small batches with the highest quality level on each ingredient, each part of the products is made without compromise,” says Pallacci. “That’s why it is more expensive than most of the mass market toothpastes.” If you’re the kind of person who buys into the efficacy and ethics of luxury beauty brands like Tata Harper and Suzanne Kauffman, then this will appeal.

While we’re talking fancy toootpaste, another brand riding the posh oral care wave is Aesop. Accompanying its cult £15 mouthwash is a cardamom and wasabia Japonica-spiked toothpaste made with essential oils. At £9, it’s in line with its other utility-luxe products and will look lovely next to your wabi-sabi reclaimed bathroom tiles and rose gold taps.

But do these products work? While they don’t contain the usual toothpaste ingredients, like fluoride, they use natural substitutes (e.g. cardamom, anise and clove) that claim to keep your teeth and gums just as healthy. The bonus is that you’ll likely want to reach for these a whole lot more than generic Colgate.

UPDATE! You can down buy Lebon toothpaste at Anthropologie. Click below to shop the post…

WORDS AND IMAGES: Disneyrollergirl. Clock, Asprey; watch, Hermes; toothpaste, LEBON; trinket tray, Anthropologie; jewellery, Couverture; lip serum, Verso.
NOTE: Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

Save

Two stories caught my attention in the new Hermès magazine, Le Monde d’Hermes. The first is an amazing sounding exhibition celebrating Leïla Menchari, Hermès‘ extraordinary secret weapon, whose legendary window displays brought a playful spirit to the brand for 35 years. The exhibition, ‘Hermès à tire-d’aile — Les mondes de Leïla Menchari‘ will run from 9th Nov to 3rd Dec 2017 at the Grand Palais, Paris.

I also discovered the work of Karel Martens, an artist and typographer who prints graphic shapes onto cards, tickets and other discarded paper matter. I love these geometric patterns and hot and cool colour combos…

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES:Portrait of Leïla Menchari by Edouard Boubat; 3 x Hermes; 3 x Karel Martens
NOTE: Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

I bet you didn’t have me down as a Judith Leiber kind of girl. But I have a secret thing for these teeny tiny kitsch crystal-covered minaudieres. They’re like pieces of jewellery really, there’s no way you’re getting more than a lipstick and a pound coin in there.

Judith Leiber started her company in New York in 1963, an émigré from Budapest who designed handbags in her head to get her through the misery of living in one room with 26 others during WW2. She steadily built up her business of unique decorative bags shaped like fruit, animals and flowers, eventually selling the business in 1993.

Original Judith Leiber bags from before that time have her signature inside, something I learnt at the London preview of Christie’s’ next handbags & accessories sale, which takes place in Paris on 12th December. There will be 250 lots of luxury bags, including a yellow courchevelle leather Hermes Mini Kelly 20, which once belonging to Elizabeth Taylor, and some fine novelty Chanels (Matryoshka minaudiere anyone?).

The estimate prices are pretty good for many of the Hermes bags which are in impeccable condition and are estimated around £1000-£1500. These are a guide though so prices could go way higher. (Tip: the hot colour to invest in is pink.) It’s an interesting time for buying and selling luxury on the secondary market, especially handbags. Apparently, Christie’s is seeing lots more crossover of collectors from other categories – wine, art – which suggests they’re taken rather more seriously as investment purchases.

The good thing about a Leiber is it really does double as a work of art. It would be a shame to stuff this crystal Humpty Dumpty in a dust bag when he would be much happier out on display…

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGE: Judith Leiber 1990s Humpty Dumpty crystal minaudiere in green and red. Lot 184. l. 9 x h. 12 x p. 9 cm, includes mirror, comb and pouch. Estimate: EUR 1,500 – EUR 2,500

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

I’m finally starting to feel myself emerge from the hellhole of winter (I felt the blues so badly this year!) into the first flush of spring. Last week I stopped wearing thermals under my jeans, I’ve been spritzing on the colognes (I’m back on the Hermes Eau de Pamplemousse Rose) and the stripy tees have come out of storage. And this week I’ve noticed so many good, energising things on the new-in pages.

& Other Stories is brilliant at the moment – I tried on these red cat-eye sunglasses in store at the weekend and I didn’t want to take them off. Cat-eyes can be difficult to wear but these aren’t too retro and the pop of red is perfect if your default setting is black-navy-grey. (Yellow is also a surprisingly wearable colour for sunnies.)

& Other Stories is embracing the trend for Frenchy-phrased tees in a big way. These are quite fun and I also love this mock turtle tee. I find high turtle necks are too unkind to double chins, but a slightly high mock turtle is quite beatnik-y and sweet.

If you like print, & Other Stories has lots of colourful, whimsical print blouses and dresses, including retro cherries and florals. I like the cut of the silk shirts but I’m leaning more towards these graphic spots. The mac is a similar shape to an old COS one I have that always gets compliments and these sculptural earrings are lovely for a finishing touch if you’re still tentatively clinging to your all-black shrouds.

Finally, I’m loving this warm ochre yellow I keep seeing everywhere. I’m not sure if it goes with my skintone but if not, the trainers will work a treat.

NOW CLICK BELOW TO SHOP THE POST…

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
MAIN IMAGE: & Other Stories SS18
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

This summer’s twin fragrance obsessions are citrus and musk. I can’t get enough of either. My big citrus passion at the moment is Hermès Eau de Citron Noir (from £48 for 50ml), the latest addition to the Hermès colognes by in-house nose Christine Nagel. From the same family of cool citruses as Eau D’Orange Vert, it’s so juicy and delicious, I want to stick a straw in it and drink it. (Side note: related obsession – San Pellegrino Limonata. What the hell is in this? It’s officially more addictive than Coke.)

My other big scent infatuation right now is musk. It seems to be in everything from the light salty-woody musk of Gosha Rubchinskiy eau de toilette (£65 for 100ml), to the two new pure perfume oils by Hermès (£275 for 20ml at Hermès stores and Harrods). These are uber-sophisticated perfume oils so you only use a drop. Cardamusc opens with an ancient spicy cardamom note and then develops into something creamy and a bit soapy with a hint of animalic musk. Musc Pallida is softer and iris-scented with a subtle musk dry down.

These are very elegant worn as is, but are also designed to wear under one of the other Hermessence fragrances (aka the line that prides itself in pairing unexpected olfactory notes) to intensify and personalise its sillage. Remember, Christine Nagel previously created fragrances for Jo Malone London, the house that actively encourages fragrance combining, so it’s nice to see this spirit of experimentalism encouraged at Hermès to add an individual edge to your perfume.

Craving a combination of citrus and musk, I’ve recently re-fallen in love with the classic Jour d’Hermes – a delicious contrast of clean grapefruit with an earthy musky trail – amazing for summer. Or if you want something super-light and fresh with a hint of musk then the new Eau de Givenchy eau de toilette is a good bet (£60 for 100ml). It’s a cool, effervescent citrus but dries down to a gentle musk.

NOW CLICK BELOW TO SHOP THE POST…

WORDS AND IMAGES: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
NOTE: Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

What do we think about no-fragrance fragrance? I’m really conscious when I wear full-bodied scents like Pomegranate Noir or Pardon that I don’t want to overpower people and at this time of year, I’m more drawn towards subtle woods and naturals. I think that might be where my musk obsession came from as well. I love smells that are like ‘skin’ scents, that you smell when you’re close to someone but it’s not trailing in their wake.

This sounds silly but I almost prefer the way my perfume smells at the end of the day, when it’s dried down to practically nothing. I think that’s where I’m coming from with the no-fragrance fragrance thing. Or when you put on a sweater from the day before and it’s still got the faintest suggestion of scent on it. Apparently that’s the vibe of Glossier You (which I haven’t tried); it’s a contradiction of clean, warm, musky and animalic and smells different on everyone.

This is also the vibe I get from Hermès Terre d’Hermès Eau Intense Vetiver Eau de Parfum, the latest iteration from the Hermès classic. This is marketed to men but I’d easily class it as unisex, from the chunky square bottle, to the amber nectar, to the nutty-woody-with-a-hint-of-citrus smell. It’s a perfect autumn weekend jeans-and-jumper scent. It doesn’t shout but it elevates your mood just when you need it (hello 5pm energy slump).

Also in this family: Chanel Sycomore – the most elegant wood ever, and Jo Malone English Oak and Hazelnut, with its slightly tart edge. Actually, I think Sycomore and Terre d’Hermès Eau Intense Vetiver are great paired together. For that subtle no-fragrance fragrance effect, diffuse the scent by spraying it into the air – or just a little on your sweater…

NOW CLICK BELOW TO SHOP THE POST…

WORDS AND IMAGES: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
NOTE: Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

Ten years ago I would have been all over the Sacai x Nike trainer collab (a kind of double-everything monster trainer with a retro vibe). Today? Not so much. I’m well over super-statement trainers and prefer a Nike Air Max shape or a utilitarian gym shoe like a Converse Jack Purcell. (Currently seeking a JP in white – why so elusive, Converse?)

However, I’m feeling the return of the luxe tan trainer, an understated gender-neutral number that kicks the post-ironic, hypebeast trainer roundly in the butt. Do you remember when Hermès did its first trainer? It was in 1998 and part of Martin Margiela’s first collection for the house. A rich conker brown affair, Hermès was the first luxury brand to design a trainer made entirely of leather and thus the ‘Quick’ caused quite the stir. Considered the kind of stealth wealth trainer an off-duty art dealer might wear, stylistically it contrasted with the Maharishi combats and Nike Air Rift fashion of the time.

Next, followed a slew of lookalikes. This all came back to me when I clocked the new Hermès ss19 men’s trainers at one of their press days (below – why do men get all the best trainers?) The old school running shoe shape has been updated with a chunky white sole, a nod to the millennial ugly trainer obsession without fully indulging it. I’m definitely getting Lucy Williams street style vibes from these; I’m thinking they could be the perfect summer trainer worn with cropped denim Re/Dones and a tan…

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Vogue Runway, unknown, Vogue Runway, Disneyrollergirl
NOTE: Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

Quite often the menswear shows give a peek into what the womenswear shows will look like. Even more so if you like your womenswear on the non froufrou side. So here’s a primer to myself on the menswear AW19 highlights so far. Valentino, Prada, and Jil Sander had the best knits, Vetements, the most interesting concept, and Dior and Raf Simons the best accessories.

Vetements was really interesting to me. A commentary on the dark web, the hoodie-balaclava hybrids were creepy but also symbolic of people wanting to withdraw into themselves. The slogan tees and sweats (‘I survived swine flu – so now I’m vegan’) and accessories like a sticker-covered phone case are the kind of entry-point statement pieces a young fan will buy into. I still remember my fashion student years clearly and these are the pieces you wear to mark yourself out to other members of your style tribe. I like that Vetements has a clear idea of its customer.

At Louis Vuitton I must admit I couldn’t find much to love from Virgil Abloh’s overwrought layers and awkward silhouettes. I would love him to edit more! The notable element for me was seeing that he’d got Futura 2000 to graffiti the street set. Futura is an iconic name in early hip-hop and graffiti culture and I can very easily imagine a bag collaboration with Vuitton and Futura, a la the Sprouse or Jeff Koons ones. Mr DRG suggested that Futura could do a great job reinventing the Louis Vuitton logo – I’d definitely be interested in that collab.

On the other hand, I loved Raf Simon’s super-tight edit of refined outerwear and utilitarian details. There was a David Lynch thread running throughout, most desirable in the photo-print placements of Laura Dern and Kyle MacLachlan on slouchy knitwear. But possibly my favourite element was the headwear; oversized helmets that were strangely elegant with their trailing buckled straps.

Such is the speed of revolving doors at fashion houses, I had to Google to remind myself who the latest artistic director of Berluti is. It’s Kris Van Assche, who did a great job with his structured tailoring and a heavenly colour palette. If last season (i.e. this season, i.e. ss19) was all about the soft pale pink suit, next season is about a macho magenta. I love it and the good news is it was served up on some excellent suiting for women as well.

I’m really into anything tenty or hoody at the moment; must be the current arctic spell that’s making me feel like hunkering down in a giant sleeping bag for the foreseeable future. Plus my obsession with the @saunders_militaria Instagram account… Craig Green is one of the few designers who has a clear signature rooted in utility silhouettes yet always with an unpredictable experimental spin. I can live without the psychedelic bubble wrap stuff, but the jewel colours and scenery-print pieces were great. (Right now I’m also loving his Moncler collab.)

As we reach peak street wear, there’s been a lot of chatter around the return of the suit. Jil Sander had a go at rethinking the suit with relaxed proportions and zipped utility trouser bottoms. I’m all for it, along with the patchwork panelled knits. It’s also good to see the bucket hat sticking around for another season…

Never one to let us down on the textile innovation front, Dries van Noten gave us grown-up tie-dye on knitwear and outerwear. A big standout: psychedelic bursts of tie-dye on silky reversible raincoats. Just lovely.

Valentino’s Pierpaulo Piccioli can do no wrong at the moment. His collaboration with Undercover’s Jun Takahashi got rave reviews for its surreal space-themed prints and knits. And his menswear shapes are always on point, including his cropped tailored pants teamed with techy trainers and overcoats that were worn “with the ease of a hoodie.”

Hermes rarely strays far from its slim Parisian silhouette and thankfully hasn’t chased the hypebeast customer. Some things are sacred! I especially loved the graphic placements on classic I-presume-cashmere knits and the faultless leather outerwear.

Kim Jones is always up for an artist collab and some of the standouts from his AW19 show for Dior were the couture-level pieces crafted in collaboration with Raymond Pettibon (the artist famous for his work with Sonic Youth and Black Flag). I love these delicious illustrative embroideries on sweaters and shirts The sari-like swathes of silk were a nod to Dior’s 1955 ‘Soirée de Lahore’ dress, adding a ‘feminine’ twist to tailored tuxedos. Accessory-wise, I’m seriously over the trend for puppy-shaped leather-goods but I’m all for the phone cases (apparently designed to carry two phones, not just one) and next-level Air Pod holders.

There’s a reason stylists love Prada; there are always several great styling details to steal from her shows. For menswear it was all about the wrap-belted suit with chunky-soled shoes, a look even better executed on a girl with a bustier added to the mix. And the handknit sweaters (top) were full of nostalgic 80s psychobilly charm for me – complete with pinned-on knitted heart brooch.

Hedi Slimane gets a lot of hate but even if he lacks originality, you can’t fault his cuts. At his first menswear show for Celine, he riffed off mod and beatnik culture with precision-cut cropped pants, biker jackets and signature Kensington Market eyewear. His menswear at Saint Laurent was incredible for guys who want cool wardrobe building blocks and I imagine he’ll bring that customer here. (In fact, the menswear is designed to be unisex so that’s a win for garconnes like me too!) Yes, Zara may have similar silhouettes but it won’t have the longevity of quality fabrics and construction.

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Credits to come
NOTE: Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

The Hermes-ification of Lacoste starts here.

Louise Trotter thwacked the ball clean out of the court (or whatever the correct tennis terminology is – frankly I haven’t a clue) in her Lacoste creative director debut at Paris Fashion Week.

Having come from Joseph, there were shades of her relaxed, gentlewomanly aesethetic, with a sporty twist. My standouts were the superb outerwear, all the leathers, plus the camel and oxblood drawstring bags. Not to mention the chunky sweaters. She didn’t spend nine years at Joseph to not learn how to fashion a good jumper…

There’s an interesting piece by Vanessa Friedman in the NYT, analysing the relevance of the ‘halo effect’ designer line at the top of a brand’s collections pyramid. (It’s a response to the news that Calvin Klein owner PVH is scrapping its ‘Collection’ line after Raf Simons’ departure.)

When I look at this Lacoste collection, it makes me feel there’s still milage in the ‘collections’ model in terms of creating desire and brand awareness for its lower ranking products – polos, tees, trainers and  fragrance. What say you?

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Lacoste AW19 /Vogue Runway
NOTE: Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

Not sure why I never saw this coming. Hermès is building out its beauty offer with skincare and make-up due to launch in 2020. It already has a great line of ancillary scented bath products – soaps, shower gels, body balms – which are so beautifully giftable and serve as perfect entry portals to one of the last true luxury fashion brands.

‘Obviously, we hope to have the biggest scope possible. We are trying to do it humbly and cautiously, because it’s a big market that’s already full of strong players, and therefore we have to find our place in it,” said Hermès chief executive officer, Axel Dumas. It’s certainly a crowded place but Hermès is planning a slowly-slowly strategy with limited availability to start with, mostly in its own stores.

I would love to know who it’s considering as its creative director for make-up. Hermès already has its own celebrated in-house colourist, the inimitable Bali Barret, who is the Artistic Director of the Women’s Universe. It also has an official ‘colour committee’ that creates a palette two years in advance to run across the brand’s entire product output.

Some might baulk at this new beauty expansion. Hermès has a thriving fragrance business so it’s not *that* surprising that it would want to upscale its beauty offer. And yet, the reason many are loyal to the brand is they it doesn’t make obvious ‘follow the crowd’ moves. Which makes me hope that this expansion will be done in an entirely new Hermès way that’s not what we all expect.

With its fragrance line, the perfumes are considered as a ‘library’ with ranges described as novels, haikus and novellas. Then there are the ‘garden’ scents, which are tied to the brand’s yearly themes and tend to be location-based. The latest is Un Jardin sur la Lagune (below, gifted*), an airy floral with a hint of salty-woodiness inspired by a secret Venetian ‘garden of Eden’, discovered by perfumier Christine Nagel. It joins five other existing Un Jardins that are united in a gentle lightness with wide appeal. It’s a poetic, very Hermès way of selling fragrance that obviously does well for them. Recent figures show that fragrance accounted for 5% of the company’s overall sales in 2018, a growth of 9% according to Business of Fashion.

This year’s brand-wide theme is ‘in the pursuit of dreams’. With the business of beauty generally on the ascendant, Hermès can afford to dream big and bold.

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Hermès
NOTE: Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples*. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

We’re in the throes of a proper 30-degree sunny and muggy city summer. I’m not complaining one bit though, because I’m not a commuter and frankly I’ll take whatever I can get. But I believe in the power of smell to help temper the heat.

I’m back on the Hermès Eau de Gentiane Blanche this summer, a really great cooling smell (earthy and green with a trail of musk) that’s like an olfactory glass of iced cordial. I think it’s one of Jean-Claude Ellena’s best, but actually all the Hermès colognes are excellent and I love the 15ml spray bottles for when I’m flanneuring about town.

I also love my Perfumer H Petit Grain, elegant and casual if you like plucked-from-the-garden-of-my-French-holiday-cottage type smells as opposed to beach babe effervescence. Its subtle orange blossom notes work well after sundown, even if you’re just going to the pub at the end of your road. In the daytime, I like combining it with Orange Leaf, an old citrus cologne from Perfumer H.

That said, I do also like a bit of original Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraîche SkinScent when it’s properly hot. This first came out thirteen years ago and surprisingly it’s just as wearable as when I first tried it. Utter beachy heaven! There’s an entire line-up of add-ons for this product, including a new eye palette of deep desert shades, a matte bronzer, and the shimmering hair & body oil, infused with the signature blend of amber, sandalwood and vanilla. These tend to sell fast but there’s definitely availability online and I know that it’s being sold in airports worldwide.

Another great summer ‘wake up’ fragrance is Lalique’s new Soleil Lalique eau de parfum, a gourmand concoction of juicy mandarin and bitter pear granita, offset with sandalwood, almond and caramelised sugar (the gourmand bit). I don’t know why pear isn’t more widely used in perfume, but I like it as a non-obvious fruity note.

Finally, if you want something unisex, I really like Gucci’s Ode on Melancholy, which is an oil that comes in those super-cute new apothecary-style bottles, applied with a dropper. The dominant notes are cedar wood and sandalwood (I’m definitely detecting a sandalwood theme here); it has a touch of the nose-clearing menthol coolness of Aesop’s Marrakech Intense – another cool-in-the-heat staple.

NOW CLICK BELOW TO SHOP THE POST (I MAY EARN A COMMISSION ON THE BASKET VALUE OF ITEMS BOUGHT*)…

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGE: Vanessa Jackman
NOTE: Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

I don’t think I’ve ever been able to get a gift guide up in time so maybe don’t consider this a gift guide. Maybe it’s more of a self-gifting guide. Or a ‘what to spend your Christmas money on in January’ guide.

Anyhoo, here’s a collection of things that have caught my eye that are useful, beautiful, or somewhere in between. I like supporting new and indie businesses, traditional heritage companies and projects by friends. And obviously I can never resist a book or two… (To shop the post, scroll to the end. Disclaimer: There are lots of affiliate links in this post.)

It’s interesting to witness this new rise of responsible retail, where buyers look for brands with an ethical stance. I just discovered Centre Commercial (above), a French site dedicated to brands that respect transparent sourcing, such as Veja, Laperruque, Homecore and Zespa (makers of these snug shearling-lined shoes).

Laperruque has lots of great small leather goods on its own site too, made with leathers than get better with age. I particularly like the neck pouch and grained leather card holder. Although – killjoy alert – I guess that as with diet drinks, the caveat with responsibly made items is it doesn’t give you a free pass to buy more…

What could be more practical than knitwear? Chinti & Parker’s knits make great gifts because while the shapes are classic (but generous), they’re also colourful and graphic. A lot of the fun stuff is in the sale (like my favourite alpaca and merino check sweater), but for clean-lined basics, take a look at the cashmere essentials.

Tiina The Store is another good bet for classic cashmere knits – I’m getting Miuccia Prada vibes from these Scottish-made V-neck cardigans (above). I also love the look of the unisex repurposed cashmere knits from COS. They’re all made from upcycled yarn, hence the non-colour shade of ‘buff’.

Onto socks, I don’t know a single guy who doesn’t love Anonymous Ism socks. Made in Japan on vintage weaving machines, the output is limited to fifty pairs a day. You can get them everywhere, but I especially like these colour block offerings exclusive to The Conran Shop and these melange numbers from Mr Porter. For women, COS has these padded (padded!) socks that are pretty perfect – just add sheepskin-lined Birkenstocks. (UPDATE: *huff* sold out now! These ribbed cashmere socks look equally cosy though.) And to maintain the fluffy knits, a gentle beech wood cashmere comb is a must, and less terrifying than those electric ‘shaver’ devices.

If you’re thinking of a beauty buy, think cult, classic, gift set or super-indulgent. Susanne Kaufmann skincare and Westman Atelier make-up are expensive, clean beauty brands that have unwavering cult followings. They both have gift sets, which allow the giftee to try them out before splashing out on the whole shebang. Also on the cult front, you can’t fail with Chanel’s Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Makeup, a classic that’s been around forever but was seemingly rediscovered by everyone (including me) this year.

Omorovicza’s Miracle Facial Oil ticks the indulgent box (for the mimosa smell alone), with maybe a jade roller to match. And for the dental hygiene freak in your circle, this Buly 1803 beeswax-coated floss (above) will elevate the nightly routine from the mundane to the sublime.

Fragrance can be a bit of a tricksy gift; everyone’s olfactory taste is different. But if you’re buying for someone arty and adventurous, Ormaie fragrances are a risk worth taking. On the classic side, 19-69 is a fairly safe bet – a line of gender-free culture- and place-oriented fragrances. Or for the heritage-lover, the brand spanking new Sunspel Oak Wood eau de parfum (above, created by friend-of-DRG, Lyn Harris) is a unisex blend of citrus, cedarwood, frankincense and amber.

Books are a no-brainer but to make them more ‘gifty’, I like Ruth Crilly’s book-and-choc idea. Partner your book with an aesthetically matched chocolate (or alternative snack) for a touch of bespoke flair. Fortnums’ chocolate bars are fab. 

Some books I recommend: Garcon Style for the street style lover, Ametora for the preppie obsessive, Fashion Wankers for the insufferable fashionista in your life and Digital Minimalism for the Instagram-addict-on-the-verge-of-a-nervous-breakdown. For any foodie travelista, the Dishoom book is pure joy. Oh, and for the discerning gentlewoman, my book is rather good…

If we’re talking beautiful and useful, the only thing I really want for Crimbo is a carafe to help me up my water intake. Yes, I’m lame enough to believe that having a chic carafe on my desk will incentivise me to sip more. SAD! La Gent has a great selection of these Maison Balzac carafe and glass sets in the best range of colours – I fancy the pink.

Other homesy things on my radar: anything Diptyque, including these ceramic candle stand tiles, Best Made desk tidies, and Snow Peak’s portable light. For Jo Malone London lovers, the Orange Bitters home candle is sheer bliss. And finally, for the person who has everything… the ultimate boombox-record-player in Hermes calf leather (top). Thanks Santa…

NOW CLICK BELOW TO SHOP THE POST. (I MAY EARN A COMMISSION ON THE BASKET VALUE OF ITEMS BOUGHT*)…

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Hermes; Centre Commercial; Tiina the Store; Buly 1803/Andy Barter for How to Spend It; Sunspel; Laurence King Publishing; Maison Balzac/How to Spend It
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

First look at Hermès make-up – and it’s very covetable.

Back in March 2019, Hermès announced it would be launching beauty this year. By some sort of spooky telepathy, I happened to email the PR yesterday to check in on the launch date. It’s launching in March, she said. And that was it. Today, WSJ has a bit more news. Hermès is launching Rouge Hermès, a line of 24 refillable lipsticks, in two finishes, a satin and a matte. They will be lightly fragranced with a custom blended scent created by Hermès perfumer, Christine Nagel.

I’m loving the traditional-meets-modern vibe. On the one hand it’s a classic bullet lipstick, not an ‘ink’, oil, or liquid. On the other, it’s an eco-conscious refillable concept in the vein of La Bouche Rouge and Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain.

And the design of said bullets – courtesy of the fabulous Pierre Hardy – is as graphic and uber-chic as I’d hoped. Because at this level (the lipsticks are $67, with refills at $42), these are not just cosmetics, they’re lifestyle objets! And as such, they’re accompanied by sibling accessories – a lip brush, a lip pencil, a leather case and a mirror-slash-necklace-pendant.

WSJ reports that there will be a new Hermès make-up category launched every six months (what a tease), with foundation, eye and cheek colours to be followed by skincare. As Hermès chief executive officer Axel Dumas said in March, “we are trying to do it humbly and cautiously, because it’s a big market that’s already full of strong players, and therefore we have to find our place in it.”

Thus, in line with this slowly-slowly approach, the products will launch with limited availability. Mostly in Hermès’ own boutiques, on hermes​.com and at third-party retailers, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman.

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Hermès make-up by David Abrahams/WSJ
NOTE: Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples*. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

“Working on the same parts of the body all the time is not frustrating. It’s like metonymy. In fashion, shoes have a very particular status. The foot is at once the most scorned part of the body – people don’t like to show their feet – and the one it’s tempting to use the most flamboyantly, and sometimes, too, in the most artificial way. There aren’t many things more remote from anatomy than a court shoe. It’s an absolute anatomical aberration.”

Former dancer and Hermès shoe designer Pierre Hardy in conversation with choreographer, Boris Charmatz, Le Monde d’Hermès magazine

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGE: Pierre Hardy
NOTE: Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

While many say that commercial ‘seasons’ are redundant, I still get new season vibes just before Fashion Week. I think it makes me focused on the newness out there, plus the days are getting longer and I just want to let the light in my life, dammit!

However, new season to me rarely means a total ‘in then out’ about turn from the previous season. That kind of thinking has become outmoded lately anyway, as desirability has become “decoupled from consumption and coupled with knowledge, a story, belonging, and transformative potential to make us better humans.” Instead, this new season edit is an excuse to fill any gaps with updates rather than total novelty. Here’s what’s on my radar for SS20…

1/ UNDONE TRENCH. Trench coats for spring? Clearly not ground-breaking, but I like the new relaxed, slouchy macs and trenches, designed less for harsh weather and more for wearing undone whilst sipping a matcha latte al fresco. The Row’s microfibre trench* has a soft, washed effect, while Arket’s candy pink trench (below) is like wearing an uplifting Instagram filter. I’m also digging the easy-breezy cuts of these coats (below) by Paul Smith and Auralee.

2/ ANTI-LEATHER BAGS. In the world of luxury, there’s been an eco and ethical backlash to leather, fur and exotic skins. PETA has completed its anti-fur campaign, considering its work there ‘done’ and is now doubling down on leather and wool. In response, Selfridges has banned exotic skins from its buy and there’s been a huge rise of people buying their classic leather bags on the resale market (e.g. Farfetch’s new pre-owned bag edit*). While luxury brands navigate this shift, I’ve noticed an uptick in canvas bags (albeit with leather trims). Not as hard-wearing as leather, obviously, and better suited to light summer use, I like these from Hunting Season* and Loewe*. This pre-loved Hermès Passe Passe 35 tote* is also great, as well as likely to hold its value if you decide to flip it for something else later. Or for the much more affordable option, I’ve just discovered these gems from Rue de Verneuil*.

3/ FEATHER CUTS. I’m thinking how to evolve my short hair and I’m liking some of the feathery cuts around. Ana Gimeno Brugada always nails this look, plus the Dries van Noten models are looking great as well. Screenshotted!!

4/ DB BLAZERS. Double-breasted blazers have been kicking around for a good while. Seen at Dior men for a few seasons, we’re getting our own scaled-down versions from Celine, Givenchy and Proenza Schouler (scaled up in their case). Or for the no-frills workaday option, check out Whistles*.

5/ XXXL HOODIE. If you’re planning to park the puffer for spring, but feel like you still need some sort of armour to battle the slings and arrows, then an oversized hoodie serves as a fitting piece of combat-wear. I like these graphic Burberry striped hoodies (below) and I’ve been living in my navy men’s Agnes b hoodie this winter (half price here). Personally I’m big a fan of the hoodie under blazer look, a la Linda V Wright. Italic, the factory-to-consumer brand that specialises in classics (I mentioned them in last spring’s trend round-up) have a classic black ‘Weekend Hoodie’ for $50 – remember to size up.

6/ LOWRIDER HEELS. Shoe-wise, I’ve been looking at mid-heels. I feel like we’ve reached peak trainer but I don’t relish the return of Tribute heels. So I quite like these walkable Almond pumps from Bottega Veneta* and the chunky-heeled sling backs from Gianvito Rossi* – a good match with an ankle-swinging straight leg jean*.

7/ GEL-TO-OIL CLEANSER. New beauty texture alert! I think this has come from Japan (please correct me if I’m wrong); it’s an unctuous, super-thick jelly texture cleanser that’s very satisfying for an end-of-day makeup remover cleanse. Glossier’s Milky Jelly cleanser is my current rave, and I’ve heard good things about Beauty Pie’s Japanfusion* gel-to-oil-to-milk cleanser. New to market is Ren’s Perfect Canvas Jelly cleanser, while Chanel’s Sublimage gel-to-oil cleanser* (£85, below) is on the fantasy cleanser list for when I win the lottery.

8/ UNADULTERATED SHIRT. A no-frills shirt is never a bad move. I like the starched look at the moment, especially a bit on the big side. Unbuttoned over a roll neck is another good look, nailed by The Row (below). Arket’s pink twill overshirt* and combats combo (below) is a good alternative to white. And I’d love to see a minimalist version of this Caroline Herrera stick-of-rock stripe (below).

9/ JUMBO CHAINS. To accompany the unadulterated shirt, I’m into the idea of a chunky chain or two. Sophie Buhai (below) remains the queen of minimalist chain-wear, while Bottega Veneta*, Stvdio* and Versace* (bottom) are also on my radar. Amp up your white pocket shirt with a Pomellato gold bracelet* and a maximalist Panthère de Cartier* cuff watch if you think you’re hard enough…

10/ LE BEAUTY OBJET. The Hermès lipstick line drops on March 4th and I’m as excited about the accompanying accessories as I am about the Pierre Hardy-designed clunk-click casing. To elevate the Hermès lipstick experience just that bit more, there are two leather lipstick cases, including this calf skin pop-up lipstick case in vibrant vermillion (below) and a sibling case with an integrated mirror. I think we’re going to see more of this upscale lipstick-as-luxury-beauty-accessory trend, now that no-one seems to balk at £40+ lipsticks. (Note: the Hermès lipsticks are refillable, so in theory you only pay the ‘full’ price once.) (Full disclosure: I’m still not over the Valentino lipstick minaudiere from 2017.)


NOW CLICK BELOW TO SHOP THE POST. (I MAY EARN A COMMISSION ON THE BASKET VALUE OF ITEMS BOUGHT*)…

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Arket x 2; Paul Smith; Auralee; Ana Gimeno Brugada; Dries van Noten; Celine, Givenchy, Proenza Schouler, Burberry; Chanel, The Row; Arket; Caroline Herrera; Sophie Buhai; Versace; Hermès beauty x 2
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

It feels like every show season I’ve covered for the last God knows how many years has referenced some sort of uncertain dystopian future. Economic, political, ecological and now major health pandemic. I’m bored of writing about protective armour-like layers and ominous colour palettes. Bring me the light! The joy! A glimmer of hope! Or maybe just these primary coloured pops of minimalism by Hermès.

For Hermès AW20, Nadège Vanhee-Cybulski took unexpected inspiration from her design hero, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. “He was such a big designer to me – a modernist in the ’80s. His work was very optimistic; there was something casual but sensual about it – very up,”  she told Vogue. While the second half of the show had plenty of black, it was the first half of bright white and tan equestrian leatherwear, energised with primary-coloured silks (and some clever knits) that grabbed me.

The Bauhaus-style set design added to the playful mood, and the models boasted the vibrant reds and oranges of the new Rouge Hermès lipstick line, which launches tomorrow. Whose cases incidentally also resemble the Bauhaus-pop set design. What a happy coincidence!

NOW CLICK BELOW TO SHOP THE POST. (I MAY EARN A COMMISSION ON THE BASKET VALUE OF ITEMS BOUGHT*…)

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Hermès AW20 / Vogue Runway
NOTE: Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

Spring has sprung! We had our first ‘heat wave’ this weekend (17 degrees), which got me thinking about my chore jacket. In a normal spring week, maybe I’d think about wearing this with white Levi’s, polished Derby’s and a thin merino knit for weekend brunch, but I’ll have to park that thought for now. But I can still consider it for the daily walk, maybe with a matching bandana-fashioned-as-a-Corona-mask. I knew those Hermès scarves would come in handy…

Toogood, purveyors of superior ’work wear’ garms have fully embraced ’bleu de travail’ aka ‘workers blue’, saturating their Metalworker jacket, Photographer Jacket and Bricklayer trousers in deepest cobalt blue. This lived-in ‘gets better with age’ look is perfect for summer garden pottering while on lockdown, especially teamed with white drill pants or wide leg khakis (these get my vote). Shop the post here or get more inspo here.

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGE: Toogood at Tiina the Store
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

The mask or no mask debate rages on.

The global consensus now seems to be that masks are a good idea to avoid passing on C-19 droplets should one be an asymptomatic spreader. But while the UK is still suffering a shortage of adequate PPA for its health workers and there’s no official word in favour of masks, we’re kind of left to our own devices.

An interesting development has emerged from the fashion ranks. Even though I joked about it in my recent post, GQ reports that Hermès silk squares are enjoying an unexpected uptick on The RealReal.The designer resale site revealed an increase of 400% on scarf searches, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its mask guidance, with searches for Hermès scarves in particular doubling on the previous week. (The CDC’s make your own mask how-to is here.)

Of course, luxury silk scarves are far from practical. The best face coverings are tightly woven cotton ones and they should be washed and tumble-dried regularly. Hermès silks, not so much. That said, I do think the Hermès-esque scarves have their place. It seems horribly shallow but we’ve become accustomed to expressing ourselves through style and wearing a mask is no different. At the end of the day, a scarf-mask that looks nice is an incentive to put the thing on! And you can always wear a scarf over your bog standard mask (if you can find one) if you’d rather. This Hermès ‘A La Plume’ scarf by Florence Manlik for AW15 is a longstanding favourite.

Bonus tip, those jazzy printed scarves also serve a non-mask need. I’m predicting a rise in above-the-neck Zoom-friendly accessories, and silk scarves accompany statement earrings and neckwear in that regard. Plus they’re also super-handy for disguising grown-out hair-dos, adorning uncoifed ponytails and covering desperate-for-a-touch-up roots…

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Unknown; Hermès scarf by Florence Manlik
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman

What a weird year! It feels odd talking about new-season trends, all things considered, but there is going to be a new season and even if you’re not buying, there are other ways to be inspired by newness. Let’s say it’s also a way of looking forward, so a sort of exercise in cautious optimism. Here’s what’s in the air for AW20…

1/ COSY CORE. Everyone I know has suddenly moved to the country so my social feeds are stuffed with lakes, logs and dogs. Aka cottage core, the online subculture that’s taken this summer by storm. For AW20 we’ll see the cosy version – embroidered blankets, itchy sweaters and damask rose-scented candles* in flower-adorned porcelain jars.

2/ POP ART CLASS. A counter trend to all the austerity greys and taupes, a pop of primary colour feels much needed. I’m a big fan of neutrals and red anyway, so of course I loved the Hermès AW20 collection, inspired by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, no less. Not on an Hermès budget? Try the colour block separates at Lacoste*. And for added inspiration, watch the Keith Haring documentary on Iplayer.

3/ MANI FOCUS. Hands have come back into focus, with so much attention on hand washing and sanitising. Classic manis are back on my radar, with a hi-shine toffee apple red always in vogue. How about Gucci’s new lacquers* with their equally delicious retro bottles? Meanwhile, Brown Girl Hands is the IG account to follow, demonstrating the best products for dark skin tones.

4/ PATCH AND REPAIR. This has been bubbling for a while. Initiated by Bode’s applique shirts* and Kapital’s patchwork jackets, and accelerated by Covid, the repair-it-yourself-but-make-it-pretty movement is going mainstream.This Ssone Katha jacket* is lush. If you’re a newbie, Toast’s virtual workshops are a good place to start.

5/ LOOK UP. Alongside hands (see above), eyes are the major beauty focus for now. The most expressive part of the face, I’m wondering if we’ll see a downturn in Botox as we realise just how essential brow movement is for non-verbal communications! Spate has noticed a spike in searches for ‘how to apply clear mascara for brows’, with Maybelline Great Lash – the clear variety – apparently owning this space. (Buy it here*.) Or to get fuller brows, try a regular comb-through with castor oil. Lashes are another focus – I’m into ‘winged mascara’ at the moment. I made that up, but it basically involves extending the wand outwards along the top lashes as you apply (instead of straight upwards) to get a feline effect. I use Dolce & Gabbana Passion Eyes*.

6/ BIG BOYS BLOUSE. The oversized printed silk blouse for men and women is gaining traction. Casablanca, famous for its vibrant, print-heavy menswear is now doing its big boys’ blouses for women, with a capsule Net-a-Porter collection (below). Buy it here*. For men, check out Givenchy, Marni and Dior.

7/ ZERO WASTE FRAGRANCE. Sustainable beauty is nothing new, but we’re seeing progress on the packaging front. Loop, the resuable packaging concept backed by Unilever and Procter & Gamble (who own a major chunk of the beauty market) just hit UK shores, and mass perfume companies are now making a concerted effort to give us recyclable options. Giorgio Armani’s My Era fragrance has just launched, with a refillable mechanism that allows for 55% reduction in glass use, 64% reduction in plastic use and 32% reduction in cardboard use (based on buying a 50ml bottle and 150ml refill). The glass in both the spray and refill bottle is recyclable, while each part of the spray bottles can be recycled (but you still have to separate them out). Meanwhile, Acqua de Parma’s new Colonia Futura cologne is the first Acqua di Parma cologne to be made from 99% natural ingredients. The uplifting citrus with a herbal lavender and sage heart comes in a sustainably designed bottle, with elements such as a recycled and recyclable plastic cap to replace the classic Bakelite one. Buy it here*.

8/ GAME ON. Is gaming the future of digital customer engagement? Burberry hopes so. It has just opened its new retail concept in Shenzhen (pay wall), a partnership with WeChat owner Tencent, inspired by gaming. Shoppers download and create a profile on a WeChat ‘mini programme’ (an app-in-app) which they can use to unlock special content and rewards in store. The plan is to test out these social currency initiatives in Shenzhen before rolling out in other Chinese cities. While not everyone is venturing into stores just yet, there are ways to engage shoppers online beyond scrolling the ‘new in’ page. Former Net-a-Porter global content director Lucy Yeomans recently launched the Drest app, which lets users dress up their avatar in the latest designer clothes and then shop the look. And Nintendo Switch’s Animal Crossing game has been getting attention for attracting the likes of Ganni and Marc Jacobs to customise its characters’ wardrobes. Finally, Gucci has tapped into the gaming trend via its players. It recruited pro gamers from Fnatic’s League of Legends team to collaborate on and model the new Gucci Dive watch in a bid to attract a new audience. To accompany the watch, a Gucci Dive game will launch in the gaming section of Gucci’s app.

9/ WALKABLE HEELS. Can you even remember walking in heels? It’s strictly flats and mids for me but I need a change from gym shoes. I love Mari Giudicelli’s autumn pumps and ankle boots. The woven Loren Ballerina has a walkable two-inch heel and the Classic Boot will be good for when we can enjoy lunch meetings again. For those converted to flats, the lambskin Mona Loafer is the structured alternative to a ballet pump.

10/ ELEVATED ATHLEISURE. Am I the only person not to succumb to sweats and Adidas slides this summer? Judging by the people of Kensal Rise, it’s a possible yes. I’m slowly coming round to the elevated version though, after clocking Les Tien’s slimline grey marl track pants* at Matches. It’s rare to see an old-school gathered hem these days. Even better, Lacoste’s streamlined retro-style tracksuit inspired by René Lacoste’s wife Simone de la Chaume, a champion golfer. (The runway show was styled by sweats queen herself, Suzanne Koller.) For further inspo, immerse yourself in Alex Eagle Sporting Club’s Instagram feed and feel virtuous from the comfort of your own bed sofa.

11/ BOOKS ETC. On the culture front, I’m mostly looking forward to Steve McQueen’s BBC mini-series, Small Axe, airing in September and covering key historical moments of the Black British experience. Read more here. Art-wise, some brilliant new painters to know: Amoako Boafo (from Ghana, who just collaborated with Dior men for SS21), Cassi Namoda (a Zimbabwe-East Hampton powerhouse in the making) and Aysem Kandrali (an illustrator I recently discovered on Instagram). Colour, identity and style feature prominently in their work. And if you only buy one book this season, make it The Monocle Book of Gentle Living. Perfectly timed to soothe our topsy-turvy lifestyles, pre-order it here.

NOW CLICK BELOW TO SHOP THE POST. (I MAY EARN A COMMISSION ON THE BASKET VALUE OF ITEMS BOUGHT*)…

WORDS: Disneyrollergirl/Navaz Batliwalla
IMAGES: Hermès by Jamie Stoker, Gucci, Hermès, Lacoste, Gucci, Ssone, JW Anderson, Casablanca, Acqua di Parma, Burberry, Mari Giudicelli, Lacoste, Les Tien, Cassi Namoda, Aysem Kandrali
NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links* and PR samples. Please read my privacy and cookies policy here

CLICK HERE to get Disneyrollergirl blog posts straight to your inbox once a week
CLICK HERE to buy my book The New Garconne: How to be a Modern Gentlewoman