fashion forestry

Edwardian lady and ladybugs

2012-05-30T17:36:00.001+01:00

Where: Alexandra park

Outfit:

Apron-esque top: Edwardian embroidered portrait of a lady with fabulous earrings singing to a bird with a frame and flowers everywhere. The sides tie into bows with dotted pink embroidery!
From one of my favorite stalls at Spitalfields market
Hat: Late 1930s from Blitz
Shirt bra: Old banana republic lingerie (when the designers at banana republic were inventive)
Shorts: Primark (they were JUST the right color, couldn't resist)
Shoes: Primark (I still have an unhealthy addiction to the shoes at Primark, these ones especially, they new had my size until one day.....)

Morgan Bajardi's op art dress

2012-05-28T20:29:00.002+01:00

I couldn't wait to share with you some work from my friend Morgan Bajardi

Morgan designed, hand made the textile print,

draped (for the first time..I think she did great!),

and hand sewed this dress.

The optical illusion plays with the shape of the female form on a flat surface.

She created other print with beautiful shapes and color ways.

There is one color/shape combination in particular that I am dieing to get my hands on!!!!!!

I was a little sick when we did this mini shoot, but deadlines are deadlines...

Qeue up and put your orders in ladies! ;)

Instagram polluter

2012-05-27T13:25:00.000+01:00

I just got a new iphone and have been polluting instagram

with non stop pictures of my adventures and Clementine!

I think I will continue to do so!

If you would like to follow my adventures visit and or add me here

Park and graveyard time

2012-05-23T21:46:00.005+01:00

Where:

Pierre and I decided to visit a museum

all about the history of the area we live in, in London

Bruce castle Park contains a lovely park, cemetery, church, and museum

Photos taken by:

Pierre and myself

Outfit:

Dress: 1950s paisley mint green square dance (patio dress) with gathered tiers

Hat: 1950s dangling magical flowers

Purse: Late 1950s early 1960s wicker figural horse purse with marble eyes

Shoes: Topshop

Belt: 1950s braided pale pinkish nude

Weekend Roses

2012-05-17T18:43:00.000+01:00

Where:

Harringay Ladder bridge

Picture taken by:

Pierre Eymard

Outfit:

Pants/trousers: Amazing foral print from topshop

Shoes: Early 1940s

Top/blouse: 1940s Hand painted rose

Hair bow: scrap of fabric

Purse: design and made by me Nicole Eymard

Violin purse and celluloid crown

2012-04-27T17:34:00.000+01:00

Photos take in: My living room and bedroom (in front of my 1960s vanity)

Photos taken by: Pierre Eymard

Outfit details:

Crown comb: 1920s-1930s (most likely 1920s)Art deco Celluloid wonder

(I still cant believe I own it..its just one of those magical items!!!)

Jacket and dress: Topshop (One of the outfits you wait an eternity to come into the store)

Purse: Violin from a Chinese manufacturer on ebay

Obsession with Indian culture

2012-04-26T14:21:00.002+01:00

I found a comment on My last post so interesting, and I havent done a research post in a long time since my ermine post here

I decided to make a post out of my response:

Comment:

I usually love the things you post, but this is just straight up appropriation. Saris mean something to people other than a "costume" to wear for a party. What was the purpose of wearing them? Why take someone's culture and use it as a dress up party?

Answer:

Firstly, I would like to thank you for following and enjoying my blog. I have to wonder though if you really truly have looked at my blog at all, or know what I am about? I never have and never will claim to be an expert in anything, or exploit cultures.

I do however, always show my love and devotion to what inspires me.

Appropriation: Appropriation of visual culture, in some form or another, has always been part of human history...Appropriation can be understood as a key component of the way in which humans learn, communicate and progress...Appropriation can be understood as the use of borrowed elements in the creation of a new work .

More here

In a way, this word is actually a complament to a designer, artist or stylist. To be completely honest, this party was about designers, stylists, and artists all coming together, some nostalgically(I will explain later). But to say that it is just a simple costume party and by asking the two questions you did, Im not so sure you meant to say "appropriation" or you may not understand the way

some artists expressing their inspiration

or how close a culture can be to someone even being an outsider.

Before you judge the motives of the party, I would like to point out a few personal things that you didnt know:

I have been obsessed with Indian culture since my dad went on bussiness trips to Asia. I was always the most excited when he went to India when I was about 10. He brought back the most glorious treasures. My dad lives and breathes other cultures, studied them, and works with them in a way I haven't experienced anyone do in the same way. In a way my dad is a genious when speaking or integrating with other cultures. So becasue of my Dad I know a lot more that I even am aware of about cultures because of how he raised me. I have always wanted to go to India myself, due to lack of funds it has never happened. That hasnt stoped me diving into the culture. Everytime I was invited to an Indian party or I went to an indian shop in London or even when eating Indian food or talking with my Indian friends, I was always and still feel emotionally overwhelmed and I gush at their effortlessness in beauty, grace, and human interaction.

My dad in Bejing

My dad in front of the Taj Mahal

From: Romatearne

One of the my main reasons for having this particular "themed" party was my best friend Morgan was away on her birthday. She lived in India, and loved it so much, she misses it dearly, especially the people. She was actually working as a textile weaver/designer in India, so she was able to see their design and textile culture first hand.

She and I live close to each other and our area is super mixed, with huge pockets of Indian shops restaurants and other culture. We both got the idea of the barbie cake from one of the children's cake shops with Indian barbies in sari frosting in a shop window in our area. Our jewelry was bought from an amazing shop 5 mins walk away. The Indian favors again were at a market place 5 mins away as well. The other decorations, my shoes an Sari are from the little India town far away, that we both trekked all the way to and made a full day out of it.

Morgan in Bangalore, India designing for Zenith Exports see the amazing textiles she created here

Kelly-Marie also has stayed in India, and she too shares a deep devotion to Indian culture. When we were about to have the party she posted this

Palace Kelly-Marie visited in Bouge (Gujarat region) more pictures here

I also want to remind you that everyone who went to this party is either British, or has lived in England for a long time. Indian culture is celebrated in today's society all over London! My neighbors are Indian and had a wedding the week before. We were talking about our parties etc, and they liked the idea of our party. Also the week before there was an Indian spice market I attended.

Maybe you meant something else, but, clothing always means something, no matter what culture. I am a fashion designer (I deeply specialize and pride myself in research, culture references and symbolism in all my work), and I would be an uneducated one, if I didn't know about the symbols and colors of dress, or when something is just beautiful to be beautiful, no matter what the culture is.

Saris can be everyday clothes, from different regions of India, certain religious celebrations, show how old you are, marital status, trendy or not trendy, Bollywood inspired, weddings, and Royal dress, just to name a few. (As in many cultures)

My Sari was from a bridal shop, it would be for a guest who would attend a wedding. My jewelry and heavy makeup (not my exact makeup of course, but "heavy" makeup) would be for a celebration, probably of a god. And since my hair is red and curly, I took those two elements and wore them as a preraphaelite would (art nouveau and arts & crafts movements took a lot from Indian culture and others...)

From fashion era, a little antidote on Indian dress in liberty clothing here

As you can see, its all about reference upon reference upon reference. Kelly-Marie and I have talked before about how people can view us: They see a silly white person with tones of offensive invalid ideas and references exploding all over at first, but in a couple of years people will see a relevant valid and non-ofencive fashion trend or design, that is relevant in societies all around the world.

We were reverently celebrating saris and indian culture by keeping it as something special in a special gathering. Others in the media are almost grotesquely trying to make Saris mainstream in the everyday woman's closet, which I find both oddly negative and positively interesting at the same time.

You can read about this here, here and here

Someone said to me that even though this party is themed, and it is about a culture that is not my own, it still was very me, especially aesthetically. They said that this party was similar to what I do with fashion or vintage in my outfits and collections. When they said this, I have to say it mean a lot, because if someone else sees what I do that way I have successfully integrated something otherwise outside of myself into my aesthetic.

You can get an accurate and immediate visual of my aesthetic here

I always say:
"Love something, but only share with others when you make is your own, share how it speaks to you, not just an exact replica."

I do not see anything wrong with celebrating a culture and making it your own, whether its just visually or any other way...

What does everyone think?

Indian Princess party

2012-04-24T23:50:00.002+01:00

London Bloggers:

All in their best Indian princess attire attended a party I had the honor of hosting at my flat...

We watched and listened to Bollywood circa 1960

Draped ourselves in vintage dead stock flower garlands

Guests chose various Indian beauty products

Drinks, cake, and incense were all rose flavored/scented

I found all my Indian goodies

(even my Sari and shoes)

in Southall

Which is a Party in itself

(Especially if you are as into Indian textiles and culture as I am BIG TIME!)

The two indian dollies are antique!

Indian barbie stuck in the gluten free cake made by Morgan

is dead stock from the 1960s

Parakeets are my ring tone

2012-04-17T18:32:00.000+01:00

Where:
In the Grand Salon of my flat (hahah)

Outfit details:

Hat: 1940s yellow flower and brown felt flowers

on brown raffia TopTottieVintage (love this "local shop")

Coat: 1960s heavenly green 1 peace out of a full two piece dress suit!!! Found with Jen last year at a secret "magic thrift store area"

Purse: Made and designed by me Nicole Eymard

Blouse: Found at a stall in Spitalfields Market
Shorts: Part of a two piece play suit
seen in this post and this post

Shoes and socks: Primark AGAIN! Hahahah

Brooch: A 1960s stieff budgie/parakeet coverted into a brooch/pin (I have another in powder blue/aqua!!!!!!!

I usually wear them together)
Belt: 1950s
Lipstick: purple color called intense lip gloss in fierce Illamasqua

Bohemian Bisoux in Bath

2012-04-12T11:35:00.003+01:00

Location:

Went to Bath and visited The roman baths and Fashion museum

and walked around the beautfiful Georgian era city. The rain turned my hair into LION HAIR haha

Outfit details:

Dress: 1930s feed sack floral print ~ From: Bohemian Bisoux

Hat: 1940s flocked flowers and leaves arranged in a crown shape on tucked, dusty rose, tulle with a green velvet bow in the back ~ From: Bad girl vintage

Belt: 1970's snake shaped metal engraved

Rain coat: 1950s floral print, came with a matching hat and belt! From: Bohemian Bisoux

A handful of chicks in the south bank

2012-04-10T19:01:00.000+01:00

About:

I have always been obsessed with these little chenille chicks!

I decided that I need to make them into a hat.

I think it turned out to be creepy funny and cute...just the way I like it!

On Easter Pierre and I decided to go and check out the south bank

because there was an explosion of Easter themed events happening all over.

We went to:

Real food market Really good food there!!!

OXO tower Art and boutiques, met a really nice lady working in one of the shops

Cross bones graveyard The lady above told us about this amazing historical location

Outfit:

Hat: Designed and made by me Nicole Eymard

Coat: Late 1950s floral rain coat bought in American rag that used to be open in San Francisco

Dress: 1950s square dance dress with ruffles on the sleeves and skirt tiers. The pastel blue, pink, and yellow fabrics all have mini dots all over! Detail of dress here

Socks: Best floral print ever! Some Chinese shop on ebay

Purse: Designed and made by me Nicole Eymard

Belt: 1960s bright yellow patent leather

Shoes: TopShop
Umbrella: Cheap store in Japan town San Francisco

Magical Giant swans and Giant flowering bushes

2012-04-02T15:02:00.000+01:00

Francesca, Ayesha and I spent the early morning and afternoon

playing around Alexandra Park on the Swan boats and Humongous!! flowering bush trees!

Im excited to see the final documentation pictures of the peter pan pieces I created for the Audrey Grace boutique! Hopefully you enjoy these behind the scene photos as much as we did taking them!

Photos taken by: Francesca, Ayesha, and myself

Outfits:

On me:

Dress: 1930s rayon pale lemon drop half circle waist dress from The Vntage Emporium

Purse: Made by me Nicole Eymard from my spring 2012 Flower collection

Daisy crown: 1960s

Brooch: Early 1930s celluloid shell with rhinestones and bow

Tights: Urban Outfitters

Shoes: TopShop

On Ayesha:

Dress: Pale purple cotton with lemon yellow velvet ribbon bows

Made and designed by me Nicole Eymard

Shorts: 1940s lemon yellow petishorts from This Shop Rocks

Bralette: Beaded stars and straps with purplish silk base

Made and designed by me Nicole Eymard

Cape: Lemon yellow cotton ruffles and Purplish vintage grosgrain ribbon

Made and designed by me Nicole Eymard

Cone hat: Wavy Crinoline spirled around in a shape around a form I created with bows made of velvet ribbon Made and designed by me Nicole Eymard

Shoes: TopShop

Cold beach Southend Victoria

2012-04-01T20:04:00.000+01:00

Francesca and I collaborated on a shoot for Ballad of Magazine!!

We had sooo much fun we didn't truly notice the cold until Lucy started shivering :(

Everyone was lovely and I cant stress enough, all the fun we had!

All clothing made by me, Nicole Eymard

Photographer: Francesca Allen

Model: Lucy

Makeup by: Christine Emura

Assisting/behind the scenes by: Ben Haywood

assisting/behind the scenes by ben haywood

My outfit:

Dress: 1950s beaded pink satin and black crepe dress

Hat: Late 1930s beret with velvet pansies all over and a velvet bow

Coat: 1960s bright shocking pink (my favorite pink not to purple not to orange)

Shoes: TopShop

Tights: TopShop

Sparkle and Fringe

2012-03-30T12:36:00.001+01:00

I couldn't help it!!!!!!! I had to wear the outfit again!

These were both amazing and super funny nights out
with my super talented friends: KengKeng and Morgan

My dress wouldn't have it any other way!

PS Im really into my newest interior organization! Stay tuned for more peeks...

Outfit details:

Dress: Top Shop
Headpiece: Handmade and designed by me Nicole Eymard haha
Shoes: Top Shop
Knee highs: Primark

2012-03-29T15:36:00.002+01:00

Outfit details:

Dress: 1960s with the best collar and sleeves!!!!!!!!

Shoes and Socks: Top Shop

Headpiece: 1960s white Jasmine flowers

Purse: Late 1950s early 1960s Wicker frog purse with marble eyes and plastic coated wicker worn previously here

Brooch: Late 1940s early 1950s clear guitar pin with actual strings previously worn Here

Indian Princess party:

I have been gone becasue I am lucky enough that london has kept me super busy with photoshoots and collections! To make up for time lost I come bearing the gift of a Indian Princess Party!!! I want to meet the bloggers of London!!! I'm sure the blog ladies I have already contacted would just as thrilled! Add me on Facebook with a little note and link to your blog, and if we are already friends write me a quick note to tell me how silly I am for not adding you to the invite list already! The spaces are filling up and we are deciding the date still towards the end of April it seems...

Here are the exciting details:

Please come in full on Indian Princess attire (I'm going to drape all kinds of fabric on myself

which I think is the easiest solution, we will be making accessories so dont worry about that!!!)

Everyone needs to bring some kind of bright (fake or real) flowers

so we can all take part in a color and flower explosion!!!!!!! Extra alcohol is always welcome ahahah

Indian dinner, Indian princess barbie cake, Indian princess alcohol, Indian princess craft, projects, Bollywood music, and more.....

Hahah my past parties: Valentines Day Halloween Blogger cuties

Behind the scenes Peter Pan collection I designed For Audrey Grace

2012-03-13T18:47:00.000Z

Hat and purse hand made by me Nicole Eymard

Dress by wayward daughter

Dress by Vivetta, headpiece hand made and designed by me Nicole Eymard

Dress hand made and designed by me Nicole Eymard

headpiece and purse hand made and designed by me

Dress by Vivetta

Hat hand made and designed by me Nicole Eymard

Bralette hand made (beaded) and designed by me Nicole Eymard

Cape hand made and designed by me Nicole Eymard Moon hat made by Katie Eleanor

Hat hand made and designed by me Nicole Eymard dress peaking out Lady pertrova

Up close of the accessories made by me:

Behind the scenes photo shoot with Katie Eleanor

For Audrey Grace Boutique

Hair and Makeup: Alice Moore

Styling Assistant:Kirsten Dalton

Model: Annie

Behind the scenes taken by: (Non photographer ) Me hahah

(Real photography coming soon by Katie Eleanor!)

Two more behind the scenes photoshoots coming soooon!

I Designed a mini collection again for Audrey Grace Boutique inspired by 1930s Peter pan watercolor illustrations. I will put inspiration and sketches up soon!

You can buy everything above at Audrey Grace Boutique which is opening a pop up soon see below:

Walking breathing garden

2012-03-12T23:02:00.002Z

Photos takes in:

Cecil Court in front of David Drummond

Photos taken by:

Pierre Eymard

Outfit Details (lots of stuff I have had forever apparently!!):

Coat: 1960s carpet coat ~ Random ebay purchase a million years ago

Hat: 1960s floral bow number ~ bought when I was like 19 in a weird shop

Purse: 1950s parasol / umbrella pink wicker hand bag (first wicker figural handbag I ever bought)

Belt: 1950s gold scales with metal flower in the center~ from goodwill 10 thousand years ago

Boots: Primark again ahahha

Tunic: 1959 curly pink wool tunic ~ one of my first ebay purchaces in my life

Umbrella: 1960s floral ~ Replacement umbrella to the one stolen in Stoke Newington

Creeping in Harringay Passage

2012-03-06T09:54:00.001Z

Photos takes in:

Harringay Passage

Photos taken by:
Pierre Eymard

Outfit Details:

Blouse: Haha Anthropologie !

Hat: 1940s emerald green fur felt with pheasant wings
Fish hanging from purse: 1930s bakelite fish button and chain snap closure

Purse: 1980s molded black leather shell

Booties: Rainboots by Vivienne Westwood for Mellissa
Pants/Trousers: American Apparel

Dog Cat Mouse

2012-03-05T10:29:00.002Z

Photos takes in:

An alley by Museum street in London. Look at the gorgeous, lightly painted mural in the background!

Photos taken by:
Pierre Eymard

Outfit Details:

Purse: 1950s Faux mice playing cards on a blanket with little tiny hats ~ From a random ebay purchase a million years ago.

Hat: 1940s felt flowers From ~ Bohemian Bisoux
Brooch: 70s lucite resin cat or dog ~ From: bakelite cache

Dress: 1960s cat poly knit with ruffle peter pan collar buttons and ruffle cuffs. The empire waits basically hits my natural waist hahah! ~ From: the vintage expo (I miss you boo hoo)

Shoes: 1940s the detailing kills me + I am a huuuuuge fan of white shoes ~ From: female hysteria
Coat: Late 1960s scallop faux fur, aqua color wool, golf-esque buttons! ~ From Ashley Miller

Hunting in the library

2012-02-23T00:01:00.000Z

Taken by: Pierre Eymard

Where: london library my front window, and the park in my neighborhood

Outfit details:

Coat: 1980s mimicking the 1940s princess coat and old red hunting coats!!!

Boots: 1980s hunting scene with men in red coats on horses hunting foxes

Purse: 1950s wicker horse

Sweater: 1950s fox

Last image:

Cute little illustration in a huge book about food, I love the little mini men climbing around a twig full of berries. I found this while browsing the Library's museum. There is also a small exhibition on Charles Dickens, if you like him or supernatural Victorian stories this exhibition is very entertaining and you must see it.

Everything to one side please

2012-02-21T23:27:00.000Z

I don't know why but I'm loving shawls on my left shoulder right now. And my hair flipped onto the opposite side Hahha!

First talking on the phone pictures on my blog haha

Dress: 1940s lace top pine green From: Female hysteria

Shawl: Victorian table runner with crochet grapes and leaves and net Bad Girl vintage 2

Boots: Bright Pink! Primark

Belt: 1980s metallic wavy snake!

Valentines at the Garden museum and The Tate

2012-02-15T18:10:00.001Z

for picking apples!!!

Pierre's Valentines gift to me!

The Paris countyside decked out in Bohemian Bisoux Vintage

2012-01-26T12:59:00.001Z

Where:

Pierre's family house in the Paris country side

Playing with the cute horses (the one on the far left is my soul mate)

and frolicking in the the forest making moss bracelets aha

Pictures taken by:

Pierre
Video by:
Pierre

Outfit Details:

Blouse: 1950s candy can striped sheer blouse from: Bohemian Bisoux

Brooch: 1930s rhinestone trembling flower brooch from: Bohemian Bisoux

Skirt: 1980's cream mohair knit skirt From: Blitz London

Shoes: Miu Miu copies from Primark

Green in Paris

2012-01-24T23:57:00.002Z

Where:

In Paris at the museum of Manufacture des Gobelins and Pied de Cochon

Taken By:

Pierre Eymard

Outfit details:

Coat: Hand printed butterflies on a thick felt coat (actual felt!)

Cape: 1960s-70s childrens cape with fur trimed hood!

Dress: 1940s with gold open studs

Hat: 1950s green flocked millinery flowers and rhinestones from: karen elmquist vintage
Scarf: 1940s floral heaven
Belt: Gold 1980s
Purse: 1920-30s Eskimo with baby on back

Brooch #1: Victorian 3 deep navy beaded bird heads on a cream beaded disk

Brooch#2: 1950s turban person with floating moving rhinestone eyes!! and glitter turban!

Shoes: 1980s fur goodness

Eye Shadow: Illamasqua

Winter in Dyrolle Paris

2012-01-23T18:00:00.002Z

Location:

Deyrolle in Paris

Photos taken by: Pierre Eymard

Outfit:

Blouse: Silk blouse with sea foam green background
and red giant ants!! By Charlotte Taylor

Skirt: 1980s from: 1980s mohair knit skirt From: Blitz London

Belt: 1930s

Brooch: 1930s Bird brooch pin with little springs on the wings that make them fly!
Coat: 1960's From: Bohemian Bisoux
Purse: 1980s castle purse (towers come out!!) Betty Dumoulin~From: sumthinclassy