1. I discovered it on a sublime holiday in St Barths where everything is magical and every time I see any VR piece it just screams 'holiday, party, holiday' at me.
2. I have watched the shop morph from a mainly second hand shop, with a few linen pieces, to complete collections, to international collections and expansion to Paris, New York and the Hamptons
3. It's all been done through hard work and family, first mum was the designer and model, now it is her daughters and one of the dads does the pics, I get the idea that it all started out of necessity rather than a conventional cosy family life.
4. Mum is beautiful and a poster girl for women over 50 'still having it' and enjoying life to full, whatever life throws at them.
5. The clothes come in one size, but magically fit everyone from superskinny to around a UK 16, and they make everyone feel amazing
6. The clothes have a look that screams VR, to anyone who knows it, from a mile away, think finest linen, lots of lace, (yes really white lace on the beach!), heavy silk tie dye, prices from £350 to £1000+ so everything has to be top notch.
7. They really are handmade in France with lace from Chantilly (the atelier is on the website) you NEVER see any items copies on Chinese websites.
8. It is pink and pretty (a little like Juicy) but without that fatigue that you feel when you face a sea of branded merchandise, the St Barths shop still stocks other vintage designer stuff, or well-edited interesting items which makes it a treasure trove.
9. The look isn't mutton dressed as lamb, it looks great on teenagers, but Jane Fonda practically lives in it. I see lots of mothers and daughters who obviously make the trip on the first day of the holiday and then coordinate their Hermes bags to match their lace trim.
10. There perhaps wasn't the funds for expensive shoots at the beginning and the brand relied on 'street models' (ie normal people St Barths style) to get its name out and they still feature on the website, so the brand developed for real people first and fashion second.
11. There is the coolest pink Moke parked outside of the shop
12. Somehow even the Winter cashmeres and lace, still give the impression that you could be heading straight to the beach.
My holiday outfits inspired by VR are at the end, if only I had the funds to buy more than a couple of pieces of the real thing!
This is really how everyone dressed for the beach from around 2008, boots, lace, jewellery and tassel bags...
More street models...
err and none of these are Vanita Rosa, who would have guessed it?!
Oh I don't know it at all, it's real haute hippie flying the world by private jet, as much as I love the beach, I don't suit glamourous beachwear, I've tried and tried but I just look silly in it.
ReplyDeleteIt's worth seeking out the store if you are in Paris, as I thought the same, but she definitely designs for boobs and butts, you don't need to be willow-y like most of that boho chic stuff. I don't think there is anywhere in the UK that stocks enough of it to have a good try on, which is what you need to do!
ReplyDeleteIt all looks amazing, can't beat a bit of poolside glam!
ReplyDeleteit would suit you brilliantly, she is great for blondes, it's just a shame that noone sells it here where it might go on sale! Are you off to Marbella this year?
ReplyDelete