Everyone’s talking about Rachel Tashjian’s Washington Post deep dive into the cult-like allure of Zara. From its 1975 Spanish origins to its current position as global gateway to high end aesthetics, it’s certainly the brand of the moment for those who aspire to The Row, Bottega, Loewe et al on a non-luxury budget. Tashjian spoke to a number of A-list fashion creatives who have worked with or are working with Zara. Think Fabien Baron, Narciso Rodriguez, photographer Craig McDean, hairstylist Guido and even Linda Evangelista, who modelled for Zara’s collaboration with Steven Meisel last autumn ..read more

If you enjoyed the interview with Shane Taylor last week, here’s a bonus post. I touched on this subject when Shane and I met, but we later realised there was more to say. Shane has been open about experiencing anxiety, so I asked him to email me his thoughts on how street photography had helped him to manage his social anxiety. As an introvert who frequently experiences social awkwardness, I found this very honest account somewhat relatable. Maybe you will too… DRG: Tell me about how you used street photography to help with your social anxiety? Shane Taylor: Everyone should try street photog ..read more

Continuing the Cartier love, another major reveal at this month’s Watches & Wonders was the magnificent Reflection de Cartier bangle watch (above). In sleek yellow gold with its sculptural cuff form, it’s giving 1970s Andrew Grima for Omega (below) and I’m not complaining. Launch date and price are TBC, but let’s just say it’s likely a look-but-don’t-touch affair for most of us. Something else to look forward to, Danish jewellery brand Kinraden is teaming up with fellow Danes, Skall Studio on these recycled sterling silver and 18K gold pieces. Previewed at Skall Studio’s Copenhagen Fashi ..read more

A few years ago, I started following Shane Taylor (aka @heroesforsale) on Instagram. His street photography focusing mostly on a pocket of Mayfair caught my attention; his captured gestures and poetic moments a nod to mid-century greats like Saul Leiter and Garry Winogrand. Originally from Tipperary, he arrived in London in 2019, immersing himself in the people-watching potential of its diverse inhabitants. Building an Instagram following, he branched out into Framelines, a YouTube channel, printed magazine and Patreon community with his co-pilot Josh Edgoose. And now he has co-curated the St ..read more

It feels like we’re officially in our ‘small watch era’. After what feels like decades – scratch that, it was decades – of ginormous, chestbeating steel watches, we’re seeing the return of dainty, Deco-era watch cases on chic leather straps. I’m attributing part of the shift to the affluent, small-wristed Asian customer, and possibly the wave of Chinese celebs being co-opted by luxury brands hoping to entice the next generation of watch enthusiasts. Also to note: the insatiable appetite for vintage watches. As with fashion generally, there’s a new young army of watch nerds who delight in flex ..read more

My favourite look from yesterday’s Dior pre-fall 24 show at the Brooklyn Museum is this leather all in one number (above). Maria GC gets a ton of stick for her collections (please – enough with the logos and book bags!), but this was one of the stronger ones. Themed with a NY-Paris bent, it used Marlene Dietrich’s personal style – and friendship with Monsieur Dior – as its running thread, with garconne tailoring, calf-length beaded flapper dresses and oversized coats slung over fluid slip dresses printed with the New York skyline the major highlights. P.S. Videos and backstage pictures ..read more

“For me, the question is: is fashion a way to be like your neighbour or is it a way of being yourself, different from your neighbour? Nothing is ugly nowadays. If you look at everyone’s Instagram accounts, there is beautiful food, beautiful flowers, beautiful muscles… everything is too beautiful. Bring back ugliness! Baudelaire said there is no beauty without something bizarre.” Christian Lacroix, System magazine issue 13 WORDS: Disneyrollergirl / Navaz Batliwalla IMAGE: Christian Lacroix, System magazine NOTE: Most images are digitally enhanced. Some posts use affiliate links and PR samples ..read more

Spring is properly here, so it’s off with the coats and on with the T-shirts. LOL April Fool! Alas no, it’s still pretty chilly in NW10, so my Spring trend report is leaning a little towards knits and waterproofs for another few weeks. But amongst the leather outerwear and aristo-inspired Barbours and barn jackets, there are skin-baring T-bar shoes, shiny, happy tinted lip oils and molto pops of primary colour (the Italians do it better). Walk this way… 1/ ENGLISH ECCENTRIC. Vintage 80s Vogues and Tatlers seem to have crowded designers’ mood boards for Spring. Well, that’s the vibe I’m gettin ..read more

I enjoyed this Guardian feature on Larry David’s costume design. It looks at how the Curb Your Enthusiasm character’s style has evolved over the years and how his post-normcore ‘look’ has infiltrated fashion – via TikTok of course. A key takeaway: real-life Larry takes the clothes home after a season’s filming and the costume designer, Leslie Schilling often spots him re-wearing certain pieces in TV interviews, mixed with his own clothes. That co-mingling of character and real-life persona through the medium of clothes is a genius storytelling tool. It blurs the line even more between Larry D ..read more

A sad week for Dries heads. It’s just been announced Dries Van Noten is stepping down from his namesake brand after 38 years and the fashion world is in mourning. A thoroughly nice (and normal!) guy who respects women, a brilliantly consistent designer who charms through clever juxtapositions, not to mention a fabulous colourist, champion of diverse beauty and gardener extraordinaire! My personal highlights – his 2014 exhibition at the Arts Decoratifs Museum, the beyond fantastic illustration collab with artist Gill Button, his always wonderful casting and my 5 inch snakeskin boots. Thanks Dr ..read more