To Glove or not to Glove
KINGS AND QUEENS may come and go, but great style, according to Yves, is eternal.
It was, for me, a real thrill to see gloves, my favourite accessory, play such a significant part within the recent Coronation regalia. The Coronation gauntlet was presented to His Majesty King Charles, while he wore a single white cotton glove. VIP guests, like Queen Letizia, Dr Jill Biden, Crown Princess Mary (nee Macdonald), and Katie Perry in all their splendour, wore matching gloves. Think again, if you haven’t paid too much attention to this very important accessory, which can and does, dot the i, on your special day or night ensemble.
The current tartan exhibition at V&A Dundee, hugely tapped into my memory bank, after forty plus years of apparel making and accessory styling. First cabinet, displayed a ruched tulle and tartan skirt by Belgian Designer Jurgi Persoons, identical to the skirt worn by the late Hilary Alexander, at my catwalk show at Skibo Castle. A clumpy tartan boot, reminded me of the more exquisite high heeled, Skibo tartan toeless boots, made by the late Terry de Haviland, for the same show. A Black Watch carpet exhibit, reminded me of why our Highland home, hall and stair carpet was made bespoke, by former carpet manufacturer, Hugh Mackay. Over 30years ago, I had seen Christian Lacroix’s home feature the same, in his hallway, in an Interior Magazine, inspiring the choice. High maintenance but beautiful.
Bespoke tartans reminded me of when in 2013, I created pieces for Julie Fowlis for her Hollywood Premier, in the Brave tartan…each dress included fingerless gloves. Then, there were the tartan cars! At dress to Kilt NYC 2007, I remembered Sean Connery arrived in his Connery tartan Jaguar and I spent the afternoon, making him a tartan tam-o-shanter!
My kilt-dress, could have sat very comfortably among the 100 Tartan story exhibits. On press day, I arrived to review it for BBC Radio Scotland in Gaelic, and realised the entire exhibition, was inspired by a Tartan book by Jonathan Faiers, leaving little room for deviation from the brief. He is Professor of Fashion Thinking at Winchester University. I can’t help wondering, what his personal take on the glove subject is? One thing for sure, II need to think of my own independent exhibition.
My new website will include a blog to describe my extraordinary textile palette. Living remotely, in the Highlands of Scotland, doesn’t allow the world to adequately appreciate the full extent of its hand-sourced curiosities. Until now, me-thinks! In the past, I brought stories personally to each client, if a visit wasn’t possible. Perhaps the blog will satisfy what Diana Vreeland described as desire, and bring you something you didn’t know you wanted.
I’m always bemused at how event dressing for most, especially weddings, after a round the block of trials, the final choice becomes a safe choice of plain or plain. Be that in colour or cloth. Yet there is a wealth of the most wonderfully flattering fabrics out there, in oblivious territory. They don’t know what they are missing! If you have spent any time observing Paris Haute Couture shows, you will hardly ever see a plain surface. It may be monochrome, but texture will be present. This is usually created by embroiderers of Lesage, or Vermont in Paris, or skilled Indian artisans, giving depth and richness to every surface. Hours of labour comes at great cost, and I recognise this is way beyond the means of most.
My texture is created with luxurious combinations, chosen by eye, but to divine effect.
During Lockdown, I began some oil paintings, that are works in progress. Suffice to say, my next subject is gloves. Just watch this space!