MANILA, Philippines - For our look of the week, run-of-the-mill Plain Janes need not apply. The look is textured luxury and pattern explosion, not too far off from the latest Jonathan Saunders spring/summer 2016 collection.
The Scottish designer is known for his skill with prints and his mastery of color. He presents a transcontinental collection that takes inspiration from Africa, Persia, India and Japan. Saunders attributes his seasonal collections to experiments or “happy accidents.” For spring, a definitive bias cut made for a natural flow has seeped into most of the looks.
Our YStyle woman shares a deep sense of tactile infatuation. Stick around to learn her perfume of the season and her must-have coffee table book — it’ll be worth your while as this look of the week is all about pattern play.
BAG: Marni Pochette Box Clutch
Not your typical clutch bag, this Marni number is meant to dangle flirtatiously on your hand, not to collect dust. The off-white leather semi-box-shaped clutch has polished gold hardware and is accented with a chestnut brown strap, making it a truly covetable piece.
HAIR: Altuzarra s/s 2016
Get that southwest chic-inspired look straight off the runway.
Half ‘dos can sometimes look a bit boring — add a cool twist by twirling two sections towards the back and tying low. Pull out a few wispy pieces and baby hairs out at the front for that folky, romantic look. An easy, organic and low-maintenance look for the everyday YStyle woman.
JEWELRY: Jill Stuart s/s 2016
It’s all about the details and the same can be said for this choker necklace by Janis Savitt for Jill Stuart. Stand out in this subtle yet striking piece by pairing it with this week’s look — Jill Stuart makes the grade.
DESTINATION: Jim Thompson House Museum
Nestled in the bustling city of Bangkok, the Jim Thompson House Museum takes you back in time with its traditional Thai architecture and its westerner’s interpretation of Thai culture.
Jim Thompson was an American businessman who saw the remarkable beauty and extraordinary qualities of Thai silk. He revived the silk industry in Thailand throughout the 1950s and ‘60s. Once only reserved for special occasions, Thompson’s silk was introduced to the international market and became a high-demand fabric almost instantly. His silks made up the principle costumes in the musical The King and I and the film Ben Hur. He also refurbished the Canaletto Room in Windsor Castle, and the Savoy Hotel London and the Hong Kong Hilton are adorned in Thai silk.
Within his teak wood home you’ll find an overflowing collection of antiques that Thompson amassed during his many travels around Asia. Through his love for and appreciation of Asian art, Thompson often sought inspiration and this is seen in his silk designs. His home served as a celebrated social center and he practically hosted dinners every night. To be on his guest list would be a great honor as Jim had a flair for entertaining.
If you find yourself wanting to escape the heat and noise of Bangkok then be sure to drop by Thompson’s house. You’ll most likely leave with a silk scarf or two.
SHOES: Eudon Choi s/s 2016
Although mismatched boots were the topic of conversation, it was the understated block heel that caught our attention.
Designed by Joanne Stoker for Choi, the strappy heels have weighty baubles attached to the ties, which were wrapped around the models’ ankles.
MUSE: Lucienne Day
An iconic British textile designer, Day was a notable creator of her time.
She is credited with bringing color back to Britain fashion after World War II through her modern and uplifting textile designs. As an abstract pattern designer, she believed in making art and design accessible to everyone and she was influenced by artists such as Klee, Miró and Kandinsky. She took inspiration from flowers, grass and even the intricate patterns of landscape. It was to her delight that people who could not afford to buy an expensive piece of art could own a pair of her abstract patterned linens. It was her contemporary pattern Calyx that was exhibited at the Festival of Britain in 1951 and which shot her to fame, marking the start of a long-standing relationship with Heal’s Fabrics.
It was Day who saw the link between mass production and fine art — even before Warhol. A pioneer of women in the creative arts, she is our YStyle woman’s ultimate muse.
CLEANSER: Honest Beauty Refreshingly Clean Powder Cleanser
With the recent launch of Jessica Alba’s natural beauty line, Honest Beauty is an 83-piece collection that includes 17 skin care products and a 66-piece makeup range. Alba’s line doesn’t contain harmful ingredients such as parabens, petrolatum, phthalates, sulfates and chemical sunscreens and instead uses naturally derived botanicals.
The powder cleanser contains chamomile, calendula and aloe to calm and soothe the skin. Zea mays, oat and rice powder help to absorb excess oil while aspen bark gently exfoliates, leaving skin smoother and brighter. Packaged like sugar and excellent for traveling, the cleanser lathers into a gentle foam that removes all the dirt and makeup off the skin.
BEAUTY: Mary Katrantzou s/s 2016
Doll-eyed lashes are for basics and this runway look from Kratrantzou’s proves to be more than that.
Called the “odd doll eyes,” Lucia Pieroni puts a modern twist on the charming look by using bright pops of color. The celebrity makeup artist and fashion week favorite applies false lashes along the middle of the lash line. She then coats the top and bottom lashes with clumpy blue mascara for that ultra contemporary look. Everything else was kept simple with the skin looking fresh and a light-pink blush applied just below the cheekbones.
BOOK: 20th Century Pattern Design: Textile and Wallpaper Pioneers
An encyclopedia about patterns, this book is organized by decade with the designs presented in context with the times. The styles are vibrant, bold, colorful, muted and delicate and it shows how each morphs with the world around it. Featuring stunning color palettes and lively text, this book takes readers on a tour of different textiles from around the globe.
PERFUME: Vilhelm Parfumerie Dear Polly
Made by founder Jan Ahlgren, Dear Polly is a love letter in scent to his wife. The unisex fragrance has top notes of bergamot and apple; the middle note is black tea and base notes are musk, oakmoss and black amber. Invigorating and comfortable, it is a fragrant brew for two.
The inspiration for Ahlgren’s scents always starts with a memory, emotion and a special place in time. While designing handbags in New York, Jan ventured into making perfume and sought the help of master perfumer Jerome Epinette. Vilhelm is a nod to the past that’s expressed in a contemporary aesthetic that’s personally crafted for you. This exclusive scent is only available at Barneys in the US, Colette in Paris and Liberty in London.