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:

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...

Spring and Liberté

Thunderstorms, sudden hail showers and bursts of brilliant sunshine.  It's spring as usual, in Melbourne town.  And a young filly's thoughts turn to fields, frolics, flowers and... frocks!  And there's nothing like a new frock to make a girl feel light on her toes, a spring song trilling in her heart, even as it's pouring outside.

It will be a Liberty print frock for me this year.  Liberty prints are always perfect for spring - pretty but not country kitsch and evokes childhood memories of Ladybird books, school fêtes, tea parties, cupcakes and all things crafty.

APC came out with a few stunning creations earlier this year, for the Northern Hemisphere Spring/Summer 2009.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Tatum Liberty Print Summer Dress, A.P.C."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Poppy and Daisy Print Summer Smock Dress, A.P.C."][/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Bourton Liberty Print Crochet Dress, A.P.C."][/caption]

Cacharel also celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in April 2009 with a re-edited collection of its original Liberty print collaboration of the 1960s.

[caption id="attachment_373" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Green Liberty Print Apron Dress, Cacharel."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_375" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Halterneck Summer Dress, Cacharel."][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_377" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Green Floral Button Through 70s Dress, Cacharel."][/caption]

But I've found a couple of other lovely Liberty print dresses at Nadinoo, a British designer based in Germany.





Or, maybe a frock won't do.  Perhaps a scarf.  Hermés has jumped into the Liberty love-in with a range of Liberty print scarves which will be available soon.

[caption id="attachment_331" align="aligncenter" width="371" caption="(Image taken from the Guardian)"][/caption]

Honestly! What's a girl to do?

Old Skool

One of the great things about coming back to Melbourne is the incredible amount of stuff out there; plenty of Australian and, in particular, Melbourne designers, painters, artists, artisans, craftspeople bringing their incredibly stylish, creative imaginings into being.

This bag below caught my eye.  It's from the Spring/Summer 09 range of Melbourne outfit, Nancybird.  Teal - check.  Old-style vintage print - check.  Retro bicycle - check. Vintage-looking camisole - check. Fresh-faced model with a high swinging ponytail - check. Summery vibes galore - check.

Hmm.

Perhaps it's not just the bag but the whole image which I find so appealing.

[caption id="attachment_57" align="aligncenter" width="223" caption="Image from Nancybird.com"][/caption]