{happy weekend + a little romance}

Suddenly have a strong desire to tie yards and yards of billowy fabric above the bed . . . and happily looking forward to the weekend -- it's been an exciting and hectic few weeks . . .

I never tire of this room -- it's so fresh and bright and Spring-like and I'm still feeling a little nautical . . .

{photography by Paul Costello, both for Domino}

{indelible images of elegance}

{1968 -- Actress Tina Aumont (daughter of Jean-Pierre Aumont and Maria Montez)}

. . . recently discovered the terribly sophisiticated and stunningly beautiful work of Henry Clarke (1918-1996), an haute couture photographer whose work reached its height in the 1950's and 60's.

{1959 -- Simone Dayancourt, above & below}

Born in Los Angeles, Clarke's family moved to San Francisco in 1932, where he got a job as a window dresser for the I. Magnin department store. In 1946, he went to New York and became a background and accessorizing assistant at the Vogue studio, where, while watching Cecil Beaton photograph model Dorian Leigh, he decided on becoming a fashion photographer.

He worked under contract to the American, French and British Vogues from 1950 to the late 70's. During the editorial reign of Diana Vreeland, when jet travel made exotic locations more accessible, he traveled to India, Sicily, Mexico, Iran, Jordan and Syria for features that often took up to 20 incredible pages.

{1967 -- Princess Ira von Furstenberg reclining on pillows in Ungaro outfit of striped jacket, matching pullover, and dark pants}

He died of leukemia on April 26, 1996 in the south of France at the age of 77. His photographs of haute couture and of the stylish and oftentimes royal women who wore it, were published in a book titled, L'Elegance des Annees Cinquante.

{1965 -- Baroness Fiona Thyssen-Bornemisza on carved rosewood settee}

{1966 -- model wearing asymmetrical chartreuse chiffon dress by Malcolm Starr}

{1952 -- Comtesse Consuelo Crespi}

{1954}

{1957 -- Margaret Philips}

{1953}

{1951}

{images: © Condé Nast Archive; agentlee; CORBIS; nytimes.com }

{two sides to every story}

Completely drawn to the moody lighting and the feel that a story is unfolding before our eyes, in this fascinating photograph, titled, two sides to every story, by flickr darling vaneska~tHOmz.

3.9.08 // BOSTON // Newbury Street

{jewel-encrusted}

Most of you know by now that I have a little thing for shoes, and Miu Miu keeps me on my design toes with their little works of art. Last time, it was the Floral Carved Sandals, this time, it is the undeniably glamorous Strappy Bejeweled Sandals . . .

{black lingerie}

{Living etc. February 2008; photography by Earl Carter}

I've been transfixed by this black lingerie painting by Brian Ayling, and even moreso since I haven't been able to find much information on the artist or his work . . .

{update: the lovely and resourceful Joanna managed to find an article from the Telegraph}

FASHIONABLE people with money to burn don't think twice about furnishing their homes with Ralph Lauren four-posters, piles of Donna Karan cushions and Gucci ashtrays. Now, in their quest to discover new methods of interior design one-upmanship, they are falling at the paint-splattered shoes of Brian Ayling, who paints pictures of clothes.

For those who love dressing well, it's not just the pleasure of making a purchase or how it feels when worn but the way the creation looks that sends a shiver down the spine. Commissioning a picture of your favourite dress, skirt or bag immortalises it.
"I think that having a picture painted of clothes is an extension of a worthwhile shopping trip," says Ayling. One couple even commissioned him to paint the Prada, Gucci, Chanel and Harvey Nichols bags they amassed after a shopping spree.

Ayling's clients include Sir Terence Conran, who asked him to paint the coats, scarves and umbrellas hanging in the cloakroom of his Mezzo restaurant. He was also asked to paint a Fashion Targets Breast Cancer T-shirt for the London boutique Helsinki.

Maria Abraham, manager of Helsinki, is so taken by Ayling's work that she commissions a new painting for the shop every season. "People always stop and react to the pictures. Often they ask what the point of them is. But there isn't a point - they just look nice."

Ayling began painting clothes by accident. With a degree in fine art from Birmingham College of Art, he started work as a freelance textile designer. Surrounded by glossy magazines, he decided to paint some of the featured clothes. "I then painted one of my old suits, and I also did a couple of second-hand leather jackets which belonged to a friend."

His most recent project was a Christmas present: "A husband sneakily 'borrowed' his wife's favourite Fendi baguette bag so that I could paint it in time for Christmas." Clever man: he must have realised that the way to a woman's heart is through her clothes and accessories.

{Thanks, Joanna!}