{fashion inspiration: antonio berardi, london}

. . . after the beautiful nostalgia of revisiting the photographs of our countryside picnic once again, was happily reminded that there are still many perfect summer days left and still time to wear sexy summer whites, and what could be better than the elegantly cuffed trousers and tailored jackets, little white dresses with flouncy skirts and delicately sheer and lacy blouses paired with city shorts and strappy sandals of antonio berardi's resort collection?

{images: style.com}

{runway inspiration: marc jacobs, new york}

. . . had mentioned earlier that have been positively living in light and floaty dresses all summer long and have absolutely fallen for the polka dots, pretty pastels, iridescent paillettes, shiny lamé, and embroidered lace flowers of marc jacobs' resort 2011 collection, undeniably stylish and perfectly pretty, and as perfect for a trip to the shops as for stargazing on a midsummer's night . . .

{p.s.} a few things:
* more fashion inspiration: how to wear sequins
* three more days: for the eames chair give-away

{images: style.com}

{runway inspiration: preen, new york}

. . . could hardly tear myself away from the preen resort 2011 collection -- it is just so, so good - perhaps it's that designers justin thornton and thea bregazzi took inspiration from brigitte bardot, or they easily and perfectly combined prim and sexy, with buttoned-up dresses and sheer, shimmery tops, pretty pleats and bits of lace -- or perhaps it is the slight nod to the wild wild west that is just too impossibly cool . . .

{images: style.com}

{runway inspiration: stella mccartney, new york}

. . . thursday, thursday and literally dashing out the door for a late lunch, a light trench and sophisticated ponytail kind of day, but a quick hello and leaving you with yet another perfect collection by stella mccartney . . .

à bientôt / see you soon,
xo

{p.s.} previous resort collections:
* christian dior
* erin fetherston
* burberry prorsum
* nina ricci

{stella mccartney resort 2011 via style.com, seen on julia, also posted by kate}

{runway inspiration: nina ricci, new york}

. . . and while we're on the topic of sexy summer dresses, peter copping's resort 2011 collection for nina ricci, inspired by jackie onassis and 1960's greece, is pure ultra-feminine gorgeousness, awash in pale and pretty neutrals -- shades of buttercream and blush intermingling with flourishes of ruffles and lace, perfect for early mornings in sunny cafés and late, starlit ferry rides . . .

{p.s.} favourite is the sweet sheerest lacy little white dress with a hint of august sunrise beneath -- so lovely!

{images: style.com, more of this collection at the side project}

{runway inspiration: erin fetherston, new york}

. . . utterly smitten with erin fetherston's resort 2011 collection, a whirl of blush silk crepe and perfectly draped knits, pretty silhouettes and a relaxed elegance made for a sunlit parks and rooftop lunches, afternoon shopping trips and dusky discothèques . . .

{images: style.com via studded hearts, more of this collection at the side project}

{runway inspiration: burberry prorsum, london}

. . . have begun the momentous task of spring cleaning the closet {a little late, it's true, but where has the time gone?}, in hopes of finding a mysteriously missing pair of favourite summer wedges, but hopelessly sidetracked by christopher bailey's resort 2011 collection, with its trademark ruching and always elegant details, beautifully paired with clean lines and cinched waists and a perfect mix of rock and refined . . .

{images: style.com; via [design] relevant, more of this collection at the side project}

{runway inspiration: john galliano, shanghai}

*** more of this collection here ***

. . . always look forward to the dior shows, but with all this talk about diamonds, nearly forgot the resort collection {thanks, felicity!} and, as always, it was one not to be missed -- part imagination, part fantasy, and always a work of art, the resort part of the collection was le savoir faire français, with bardot-inspired hair, red lipstick and floaty fabrics, but by far the favourites were the couture pieces -- pure romance in the form of corseted lace dresses and grand ball gowns showered in embroidery, and dégradé silk organza that made everything feel as if it were a fairytale . . .

. . . and of course, wouldn't dream of leaving without a few . . .








{p.s.} a few things:
* more of this collection: at the side project
* more dior: here & here
* more backstage photos: here

{images: style.com & the love magazine}