Let's face it. The blogosphere is a very crowded corner with everybody and his mother fighting for a shred of space to spill their guts. Too often there's little worth listening to and even less worth looking at. So imagine my surprise when I came upon a fantastic new addition to the fashion blogging world (for lack of a better description) with
Style Illustrated. Jolain Bowen is that rare creature who is a world class designer having had her own eponymous collection for several years before working alongside Calvin Klein, Carolyne Roehm, Joseph Abboud and Oscar de La Renta.The evocative illustration she creates to head her stories just begins to give you an idea of her talent. Her eye for the telling detail, gesture and subtlety of nuance is such a pleasure to behold. I, for one, will anxiously await her stories. There's something great to be learned in the art of connecting dots in this confusing game. Below, you'll see the second of her posts with one of my favorite subjects in fashion and social history who has shaped so much of what we see today. Wallis, Duchess of Windsor was one hell of a gal with whom the world never tires. Bravo Jolain!!!
Illustration by Jolain
Couture fittings, daily manicures and appointments with Alexandre, her coiffeur for twenty years, filled the Duchess of Windsor’s days. High style was her lifestyle. Though rigid by today’s standard, her aesthetic was apparent in the fall collections, most notably when imbued with a subversive edge hinting at a dark side.
Here’s what I deem Dark Duchess worthy.
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| Bottega Veneta |
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| Bottega Veneta |
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| Bottega Veneta |
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| Aquilano Rimondi |
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| Aquilano Rimondi |
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Nina Ricci
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| Nina Ricci Pre-fall |
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| Nina Ricci Pre-fall |
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| Nina Ricci Pre-fall |
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Stella McCartney
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Valentino
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Alberta Ferretti
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Chado Ralph Rucci
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Carolina Herrera
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Above images from Style.com
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Michael Volbracht (1989) Acrylic painting
Available now at www.onekingslane.com
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