Two!

The Row F/W 2013 Presentation Courtesy of Bureau Betak (the best example of style informing every aspect of life in a long time)

I don’t know what fashion writing needs, frankly. It’s not one of my main concerns. I think writing just needs better writers, period. - Guy Trebay from Fashion Projects #4

The last few months have been frenetic, however it was not lost on me that this little space recently turned two years old. Two years may not seem like a long time, but it amazes me to see how far this blog has come. When I first started Un Petit Bijou, I couldn’t have imagined that I would love it so much. As I plan for a new season, it’s clear that carving out some time for writing and my thoughts is essential. I feel better when I have time to indulge in something creative for myself. 

Ever the perfectionist, when I started Un Petit Bijou my goal was to challenge myself. Beautifully crafted and succinct sentences excite me just as much as gorgeous clothing. At times, it feels like the well-crafted sentence is a lost art. Gloriously crafted prose may not be what the majority of readers look to in blogs, but it’s what I do. I write about what I know, which in my mind is where good writing comes from. 

Sharing stories on design and craft inspires me. It means so much to me when readers graciously mention that they learned something from my little space. At their best, this is what blogs should be. I feel privileged to be a part of a community of inspiring, talented, women (and a few enlightened men too) who enjoy engaging in thoughtful commentary and reading about fashion. 

I’m very fortunate to have an outlet to share my passion. I have an unabashed reverence for cut, proportion, precise tailoring, textiles, and drape. Writing about style has further heightened my awareness of my aesthetic. There’s something about putting all of the nuances of my style down on paper that brings clarity of vision. 

In short, thank you for the continual support. 

Here’s to many more years of blogging! 

PS- A few smart pieces on fashion criticism from the always reliable Fashion Projects. The interview with Judith Thurman is pure brilliance.

A World In Season

Hope you all had a glorious weekend. Every so often, the gentleman and I like to surprise each other with little things we know the other will love. Quite often, it’s a good book or a hard to find magazine. Books are such beloved treasures. A couple of months ago, the gentleman stealthily ordered a copy of Mono.Kultur #20- the Dries Van Noten issue from Berlin. An interview magazine, Mono.Kultur defines itself as a series of “conversations with the interesting few.” I love the idea of devoting an entire issue to one thorough conversation. 

Throughout New York Fashion Week I couldn’t stop thinking about this interview. As the seasons change and autumn begins to take hold, this excerpt seems so appropriate.

Dries Van Noten- “That fashion loses value after one season is not completely true for me. You show fashion every season but this doesn’t mean that what you did before has lost its value. It is still alive and ideally developing its own life. For me, every season is more about refreshing than killing what I created before.”

Mono.Kultur- “With every collection, you add value to your whole body of work? We buy Dries Van Noten and can accumulate value on it by letting it age, like in art sometimes….”

Dries Van Noten- “Yes, if you are lucky… All my collections are a continuation of what I did before. I never do the opposite. There is no revolution in my work… I think when people invest in a summer outfit of mine, it would be a little strange to let them say the following summer, ‘Oh, that’s so last season. I can’t wear it anymore.’”

Mono.Kultur- “So, nothing is last season. Is this another principle of Dries Van Noten?” 

Dries Van Noten- “I just want to make very nice clothes, which for me, anyway, reflect the times and what’s happening right now.” 

Mono.Kultur- “So your collections are never finished?”

Dries Van Noten- “No, never. But that’s what’s nice about fashion: Even when not finished yet, you start the next collection and bring to perfection what was missing in your last show.” 

Is that not perfection? 

Throughout fashion week, I kept this in mind. The collections that resonated with me spoke to this notion of continuity. Not completely starting over, but building upon the ideas of previous seasons. When everything about the week began to feel like too much (on the runway and off), this served as an anchor.  

When it comes to building a wardrobe, my logic is the same. The weather is on the cusp of changing and I can’t wait to be reunited with my autumn things. The textures, tailoring and fabrics- sigh. My first autumn purchase of the season- a navy, gorgeously tailored blazer (the seams I tell you, the seams) from The Row is the very definition of the continuation of the ideas that I find myself returning to season after season. 

Are there elements you return to each season?

*All photos are from Mono.Kultur and scanned by me.

Summer Thoughts

My Personal Photo

“In summer, the song sings itself.” – William Carlos Williams 

A few months ago, I picked up another pair of K. Jacques. When I find something that speaks to me aesthetically and fits- I keep going back to it. I smile every time I steal a glimpse of these sandals in my closet. 

We all know how much I love a well-made and gorgeous pair of shoes, but it’s not the sandals themselves that make me smile. It’s the idea of throwing caution to the wind and enjoying life’s beautiful little moments. Perhaps, I long to be a bit more carefree- to be; instead of constantly doing.

Sandals that are waiting to be worn to perfection are a reminder to leave the office before sunset (it never happens, but I can dream) or to linger over dinner alfresco on a terrace or rooftop. They’re the subtle nudge to head out to the Hamptons for the change of pace at the end of a long week.

Currently, I’m pairing my sandals with dresses in breathable fabrics- my version of casual perfection on days away from the office. The beautiful navy color (I can’t get enough of all things navy) compliments my wardrobe and is a nice alternative to the tan leather and gold handmade sandals that I’ve been living in. 

One thing that I cannot say enough, is to fill your wardrobe with things that you love and enjoy wearing. Pieces that you feel good spending your money on... Whether it’s a piece of jewelry that has been passed along to me, or a newer treasure- I genuinely enjoy the wardrobe I'm building.

Thoughts On This Little Thing Called Style...

My Personal Photo

One of the things I treasure most about blogging; is the friendships I’ve made with readers and fellow bloggers. I never cease to be amazed by the depth, intelligence and inspiration that blogs provide.  

When Lin, from Out of the Bag, asked me to participate in her Question Time interview series, I couldn’t have been more humbled. I always look forward to spending time on Lin’s blog; it’s truly a thought-provoking read. You can read my thoughts on this little thing called style here. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed answering the questions. 

Lin, thank you once again for taking the time to interview me. To Pret a Porter P, Miss Sophie, Amanda, Aissa and Hannah-Rose – I’m honored to be in such wonderful company. 

Have a lovely weekend.

From Me to You--- A Giveaway As We Turn One!

© Patrick Demarchelier; DIOR COUTURE, Rizzoli New York, 2011

In the midst of a very busy week, which included a spring breakfast in honor of Aesop’s Sage & Zinc Facial Hydrating Cream with Sunscreen (the brands first facial moisturizer with SPF), heart palpitations from an intense project and a few wonderful invitations to Paris Fashion Week shows, it escaped me that my blog turned one. Seeing the honor of your presence requested, at Paris Fashion Week would make any girl ecstatic. At the urging of a handful of people who knew I was writing; I began blogging publicly on March 1, 2011, a challenge for someone who is fiercely private. I never dreamt that this blog would become what it has and I cannot thank you enough.

Thank you for the continued support. I’m so fortunate to have a place to share my passions. When I started blogging, I never thought I would be turning down advertisers (I like my independence), entertaining collaboration ideas, giving designers feedback or most importantly, that there would be this- intimate place to share ideas. I’m grateful for every reader, comment, email, and tweet of encouragement. I look forward to another year of inspiring conversations.

Since this blog is about the subtleties and little things that I love, it’s only fitting that we celebrate tuning one with a giveaway. As a small token of my appreciation, I’m giving away a copy of Dior Couture to one lucky reader. As you all know, I enjoy peeking into designers’ ateliers and working out how things are constructed. I consider a studio visit the utmost luxury. I’m very inspired by silhouettes and who does silhouettes or femininity in a more compelling way than Dior? I hope that Patrick Demarchelier’s gorgeous photographs sweep someone away…

To enter for a chance to win, leave a comment below. For those of you that like to comment anonymously, you'll have to include your email address as well. If you're inclined you can follow me on Bloglovin' and Twitter.

The giveaway is open to readers WORLDWIDE and the winner will be drawn at random. All entries must be posted by 11:59 EST on March 15, 2012.

Style + Identity

Courtesy of Nothing Less Than Perfect Tumblr and Residence Magazine 

“It’s easy to feel like you’ve got nothing to wear, but it’s also a signal of identity problems. If you’ve got a well-developed sense of identity, you tend to know what’s you no matter what the trends. Nothing I buy ever looks new, because I have my look down, and it’s classic.” Anjelica Huston (Harper’s Bazaar, September 2006)

One of the most rewarding aspects of blogging is being reunited with a quote or photograph that you’ve long forgotten. Truthfully, I haven’t picked up an issue of Harper’s Bazaar in years, but the lovely Catssaymeow reminded me of the aforementioned quote. I rarely identify with celebrity style; (I simply don’t need to see something worn convincingly to be inspired), but this quote is dead on; with how I approach style.

It’s refreshing to be able to pull items blindly from my closet (in the wee hours of the morning no less), knowing that everything works seamlessly with one another and is intrinsically me. In my mind there’s no greater simplicity.  It’s interesting to see my choices become more resolute and precise with time. Even when I add new items to my wardrobe, they look like they’ve always belonged.

Hope you are all having a productive week. Tomorrow kicks off New York Fashion Week and I’m headed to the shows. No, “I have nothing to wear” moments here, I’m just going as myself.