Prep school

'Preppy' (short for 'preparatory') style originated during the 1960s from those elite New England schools of America and it's never really gone away since. Countless fashion tribes, labels and socio-economic demographic groups the world over have adopted and created their own versions, or simply subverted preppy.

When I first visited Paris almost a decade ago, I was surprised that preppy (from casual to luxe and any other degree in between) was the style of choice for most of the city's dwellers. Why was the flamboyance of the haute couture shows not reflected on the streets? When I got to know some Parisians, I began to understand that the city, where France's political and economic power lie, was, for the most part, quite conservative. But the French, even while garbed simply, express their individuality, their taste, with little flourishes - an unexpected scarf fabric, a surprisingly heeled boot, a contrasting jacket detail. Minimalism is king in Paris, but minimalism with a subtle twist.

Shortly after, I discovered Parisian brand APC and its simple, beautifully constructed pieces.

It was love at first sight.

From Autumn/Winter 2009/10:

Evolution 2

It's been a long, tiring week. I've been learning new things, thinking in new ways, and rediscovering pastimes which I enjoyed a long, long time ago.

Like drawing. It was with shock, and a surprising sense of relief, that I picked up a pencil and began to sketch. I used to spend hours at school drawing trees, horses, women in fancy clothing I wished I owned... the things which little girls love to draw. Sure, my current level of drawing skills are nothing to write home about. But I'm not sure why I ever stopped.

Playing with paper is another activity. Just the simple act of cutting, shaping and arranging paper gave me a wonderful, unexpected sense of coming home.

Here's another recently constructed 3D paper sculpture.

I'm an Amish kindergarten lumberjack and I'm okay...

APC Madras Autumn/Winter 2009/10. Part Scandinavian lumberjack. Part 1970's kindergarten mum. A little bit Amish. And French insouciance all through and through. So much more lovely than Madras Spring/Summer 2009/10 which was all primary colours, monkey prints and romper suits. This season is truer to the main APC line.

Excitingly, I've discovered a lovely Melbourne store which stocks Madras. Now all I have to do is work out my budget...