Notebook on cities and clothes
This intimate portrait of Yohji Yamamoto was shot by Wim Wenders in 1989 under commission from the Pompidou Centre who sought a film about fashion and its place in contemporary society. 23 years later it still remains contemporary and relevant, which affirms the quality both of [more...]
Jo Poole is a renowned seamstress whose celebrated work includes making authentic Elizabethan accessories and costumes at Shakespeare’s Globe, alterations for the National Theatre and BBC, preparing costumes for Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake tour, producing prop costumes for the Disney Channel and the Big Breakfast, [more...]
Your wardrobe is your life story. It narrates and connects you to past events, ancestors, relationships, passing rebellions and flirtations with social tribes. Your visual identity is the evolution of these parts, coming from a lifetime of design and purchasing decisions. Your clothing should be [more...]
The Dress Doctor will come to you fully armed to revive your clothing and rejuvenate your look. Working together we’ll start by addressing where your clothes are at and where they need to be. We won’t just tailor your clothes to fit, we’ll create a [more...]
Jo Poole She’s fast, she’s got the eye and she’s got the bespoke skills. Within a day the Dress Doctor will transform your wardrobe into a properly tailored, re-vamped collection of outfits to be proud of. She’ll come to your house and makeover your wardrobe [more...]
This post details how I made bunting with reporter Sophie Sulehria yesterday, live on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. Sophie’s task was to learn to use a sewing machine whilst crafting in preparation for the jubilee. Why not listen again to the show* and make bunting with [more...]
Emmaus is fantastic. 20 years ago this community was established in Landbeach, just outside Cambridge, where it has provided both a vintage goldmine and a future for many companions, who were previously homeless. My mannequin, wig blocks, majority of kitchenware and now several garments [more...]
Check out my guest post for the Merry Bobbins telling you how to turn these worn vintage brogues into smart blue suede shoes. After
During my teenage years I adored shopping. On a Saturday morning I’d assemble a bonkers outfit, mount my boneshaker of a bicycle and ride 7 miles to spend hours milling around town. And an even bigger thrill was to be gained by repeating the experience [more...]
This gorgeous jacket was inherited from its owner’s Mother and has had a full life over several decades. Unsurprisingly, age has taken its toll. The lining had disintegrated around the armholes and at the hem and all but one button had vanished. As both the [more...]
The Merry Bobbins project sets its sights on bringing the different generations together to craft while enabling those with a lifetime’s worth of crafting knowledge to pass these skills on to a discerning audience of crafters via pop up workshops and through their blog. They [more...]
This lovely sundress was an eBay triumph. Made of bright, Marimekko style cotton, it was handmade by a teenager several decades ago, so there are no labels to refer to, but both the cloth and the style have certainly stood the test of time. Maybe [more...]
Listen again to my interview about dieting, clothes and incentives in the Sunday Supplement slot with Mark Rumble on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire this morning. The interview begins at 2 hours 19 mins and includes much of the information about myths of standard sizing from my [more...]
