Making Life more Beautiful
Madame Gres (1903 – 1993) (pronounced Grey) was a Parisian couturier who created beautiful bias and pleated dresses, inspired by Grecian styles and lines. Her house, under the name of Gres, was opened in 1942 and she mainly used specially … Continued
Finally the Elizabeth Zimmermann seamless raglan jerseys are finished, sewn up and put on. Even if our models are sweltering (Michelle) or chilly (it’s winter in Perth), they look amazing and I think this has been a very successful project … Continued
I have been waiting patiently for one of my friends Giorgia to finish her sweater as she strongly encouraged me to do the Knit a long. And “Ta Da!” her jumper is finished. It is such a beautiful one, isn’t … Continued
There are some people who like feedback and information about their performance at work, or how they are doing as a parent. I am one of them – provided the feedback and critique is offered in a kind way. I feel … Continued
One of the great privileges of working in social (lower rent and supported) housing in London is that you meet some amazing people. In my early career I realised we were housing Stalin’s daughter. Olympian sprinter Linford Christie used to … Continued
Last month the world’s leading bank wrote to all its employees telling them that they no longer needed to wear a suit. The sort of “business casual” clothes they had been wearing on Fridays were now OK for every day … Continued
Thank you for all your kind remarks about my first off the shoulder summer dress. I was going to make it up in colour block silk and then I had another thought. I remembered I had an off the shoulder … Continued
Marianna of Sew2Pro has set a new challenge, which is to make up this dress, or perhaps a version inspired by it. It is by Six Napoleon, and involves 8m of silk organza for the skirt and a boned, corset … Continued
As a birthday treat we went to see the Botticelli exhibition at the Victoria and Albert museum. Botticelli’s (1445-1510) most famous work – the birth of Venus – is so well known that in the exhibition there are photographs of two young … Continued
I have been studying draping on the stand at Morley for nearly a year now. Each term we focused on a different area – tops, skirts and dresses. Although we have done a cowl top, the course expressly excluded both the … Continued