Focus Fashion Notes

Knit one pearl one - Get knitting. Looks like the good old days are coming back. Art, crafting and crafts, knitting and crochet are amongst the popular things to do these days. Craft Markets, Arts and Craft Fairs & Exhibitions show casing all manner of clever ideas and home-made designs have been drawing the crowds at local markets & events. We recently saw champion diver Tom Daley knitting for Great Britain at the Olympics. Tis now the "season of mists and mellow fruitfulness" so maybe time to hunker down and learn a new hobby. I have spent many hours in the past just hanging around waiting so knitting was a favourite thing to pass away the time and create something special.  I watched my mother knitting for us when we were kids, we used to hold the skein of wool out on our hands which she then wound into a ball/ (traditionally t he yarn used to come off the loom in strands in days gone by) S he then got a knitting machine, not quite as relaxing as the thread always

Great to see the old crafts are returning and better still being used in designer and high street fashion. Ecru tops and skirts, shoulder bags and totes seem to be trending. Years ago I used to crochet too at home or while travelling. I think I initially took it up when I stopped smoking, many many years ago. My first attempt was a green crochet bikini, and yes I did wear it but it did droop a bit when wet. Back then I was also an avid knitter and got pretty good with the Arran intricate style, crocheting was more relaxing as you did'nt have to look down at what you were doing all the time once you were in the zone. Crochet is the French word for hook and all types and thickness of yarn can be used. I found the patterns below in my old sewing basket, the cot blanket I made in white for my baby son, the pillow cases are still going strong. I used basic natural string and no doubt the ecru colour would still look ok in a modern setting. I did'nt attempt the beautiful bed cover bu

Well what a Summer, hats off to the fashionistas for dressing up for 'Ladies Day' days at The Grand National and Royal Ascot, a right Royal occasion attended by King Charles, Queen Camilla and members of the family. Hats off not quite the right wording as the race-goers donned the most flamboyant headgear and frocks with carefully chosen handbags and footwear to complete the outfits. Last week the ladies had another opportunity to shine at the New Market July Festival. The ladies and celebrities toned down their outfits for Wimbledon, going for traditional white with no over-the-top hats - I mean you can't watch the tennis with someone in the row in front of you in a big hat blocking your vision. The highlight of the event was a radiant Princess Katherine wearing a vibrant purple dress to present the cup to the Men's finalist winner,  Carlos Alcaraz , a perfect match. RACING CALENDAR The Grand National, Aintree - April Royal Ascot - June The July Festival, New. Market -

Waistcoats and wide leg trousers seem to be the celebrity style at the moment. Waistcoats worn without tops with matching wide-leg trousers in pastel earthy subtle shades beige, pink and green. Option to wear with matching jacket, a very femanine look as opposed to the Boyfriend 90s trend which included mens tweed jackets worn over skinny jeans or velvet and hand knitted waistcoats with shirt and tie worn over midi denim skirts. 90s Throwbacks 👀Hand Knitted waistcoats 👀 Denim midi skirts (with thigh slit) 👀 Denim jackets 👀 Mens original Levi 501 (original boyfriend jeans) 👀 Denim Dungarees & Pinafore skirts 👀 Capri pants - Combat trousers 👀 Platform shoes - Cowboy boots - Doc Martins -- Ugg Boots   Girl power set the alternative style in music were the1990s wave of British girl groups including the Spice Girls and All Saints, across the pond Madonna was also very much in ‘vogue’. Battle of Brit Pop Take That versus Oasis, Blur and Pulp On the catwalk . The 'Big Six'

Good news for race goers that, unike Royal Ascot, there is no official dress code at Antree so gals can go for high fashion and furlong winning style, the more colourful dresses and flamboyant hats the better which is why its known as 'Fabulous Friday'. Looks like lots of high thigh slit sleek body hugging dresses and huge flower petal design hats are winning the day. The Iris inspired dark blue and yellow outfit was stunning. Also noticed the cute Black and white spot mini dress worn with a huge brim matching hat and a flora and fauna pink blossom print trouser suit teamed with a simple fascinator and butterfly design leather bag. . Meanwhile the guys can tone it down with suits or smart, trousers, shirt, waistcoat and tie ...or traditional equestrian style tweed jacket and (Peaky Blinders style) flat cap......or not. Ladies Day is held on a Friday, the second day of the Grand National. An exciting day, attended by the 'hoi palloi', celebrities, fashionistas and sporti

The dreary conditions are keeping me in, although I will be heading out over Exmoor at the weekend looking for some atmospheric shots. Fashion goes out the window (but not colour co-ordination) as I don Bobble Hat, Hiking Boots, waterproof trousers, Thermal Vest, Fleece and Paramo Jacket. I am walking to keep warm and the moor looks dark and brooding with a glimmer of white above the snowline at this time of year. Amazingly between showers the sun comes out and a rainbow lights the way. I love the coast and countryside, its changing light when the moorland colour returns fleetingly.  Earlier in the month, I braved the outdoors (well out the front door) to shoot the Full Snow Moon. The moon,    a wonderful golden glowing star lighting up the sky. Three other starry events took place in February over the pond  January The 81st Golden Globe Awards was an awards ceremony for film and American television productions of 2023. It was broadcast live on 7th January 2024, from The Beverly Hilton

" Watch live as stars arrive at the Oscars red carpet. The 96th Academy Awards are being hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and will feature stars including Emma Stone, Lily Gladstone, Colman Domingo, Cillian Murphy and more." ------  Oscars Red Carpet Best Dressed https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13180123/Oscars-red-carpet-2024-Stars-like-Nikki-Bella-Laverne-Cox-Zuri-Hall.html