Alexander McQueen — All Posts — Parry Ray in Harmony

Gorgeous look by Haider Ackermann...which I would love...

As I was getting ready this morning, it occurred to me that whilst I adore fashion, I have stayed quite true to certain foundations of my personal style over the years.

There are four things I haven’t deviated from since I was about 15. My style mantra can be encapsulated by these words - hemlines, heels, hair…and leather!

Heels

I have touched on my love for heels here before.

I rarely wear flats, unless they are trainers or flip-flops, and a 3 inch heel is sensible to me. But hands down, my ideal heel height is 4 or 4.5 inches. Posturally, I hold my body better and walk straighter.

I know heels are not for everyone and I am a great believer that if something isn’t comfortable you shouldn’t wear it…but I love them! These are my latest lust, by

Alexander McQueen

Hemlines

This season is awash with really full midi skirts, in quite weighty materials, which don’t work for me at all. I’m not sure if it is my height, or my shape or both (!) but I tend to be swamped when I try these on.

Here’s a lovely example by Erdem

, which I am sure will suit someone long, lean and athletic. Often, I am drawn to things that I know look better on someone taller or leaner, but it is nice to explore out of your fashion comfort zone sometimes. And if you don't try it, you'll never know...And whilst I love to wear floor length skirts, dresses and even the occasional sari, I favour mini skirts or shorts (as I am wearing today).

Obviously appropriateness and decency come into play. My shorts are never bottom skimming and the days of bare legs are saved for a hot summer’s day. But if I were to pick any sort of daily uniform it would probably consist of boots (high), tights (spotty) and shorts.

Hair:

don’t worry I’m not going to post another picture of my hair here, as there are more than enough on my

Instagram

and

Facebook

!! But long hair is my thing.

My mum actually didn’t let me have long hair for ages, but as soon as I was allowed I have never looked back. Hair can be the ultimate style statement in my opinion and I am quite in awe of people with short sharp edgy haircuts.

Personally the thought of having half an inch cut of mine leads to palpations!

Leather

Shame, this doesn't start with an “h” as I love a bit of alliteration… but anyway… I have been a leather jacket girl for about 20 years. Here's one of my most coveted jackets by

Rick Owens

, it is the most gorgeous unusual green:

I love the elegance and warmth of being wrapped up in a proper coat…but when I am in a rush and undecided as to what to wear I always grab my trusty leather jacket, or one of them, as maybe unpredictably I have a few!

So, having said all this, I do love to know what is going on in fashion – this season, the coming seasons – though I tend not to be ruled by it.

I feel as you get older you definitely have a better sense of your own style. I still like to experiment and try new things and sometimes something unexpected can become a firm favourite. There are other looks however, I have tried past and present which should be labelled, “What was I thinking?! For me this is anything too floaty or "boho" - just doesn't work on me.

So what about you? Where do you stand?

Are you fashion forward or do you prefer to stick to what you know?I would say I have my feet in the “stay true to your own style” camp, whilst keeping an eye on new and upcoming trends…. and with this in mind, I seem to have my eye on a cape this winter…thoughts?

This one by Alexander McQueen might be a little high fashion!!

(Photo taken from a postcard bought at V&A, Look 91, Alexander McQueen - Bugle beads and net)

It was mesmerising and captivating. The music and lighting beautifully balanced to create a slightly hypnotic effect, showcasing the dramatic spectacle that encapsulated the vision of Alexander McQueen.

I don’t how the organisers at the Victoria and Albert museum did it, but somehow they had managed to distil McQueen’s essence into the atmosphere. Or at least that’s how it felt for me.

Sometimes in life when your expectations are high, they are rarely met, or maybe this is the cynic in me. This was not the case yesterday. I was instantly drawn in, marvelling at the collections displayed at the Alexander McQueen - Savage Beauty exhibition.

The exhibition is first and largest retrospective of the late designer’s work to be presented in Europe. It showcases McQueen’s designs from his 1992 MA graduate collection to his unfinished A/W 2010 collection.

One of my favourite collections was VOSS, Spring/Summer 2001, also known as the ‘Asylum’ show. I understand that on the catwalk, it was staged inside a vast two-way mirrored box, which the models couldn’t see out of to start with. Of the show, McQueen said, ‘It was about trying to trap something that wasn’t conventionally beautiful to show that beauty comes from within.’

(photo taken from Alexander McQueen book, bought at V&A - Look from the VOSS collection)

So, the exhibition satisfied my appetite for fashion, but as I lingered at each mannequin and video screen, I flipped between wonder and sadness. Wonder because, to me his blend of drama, theatrics, emotion and couture were perfectly balanced in each piece. Each design showcases his attention to detail, and the mastery with which he created such beauty from the dark, mysterious, unexpected and sometimes the ugly and grotesque. But sadness because a talent like his, is no longer with us.

And whilst the brand, Alexander McQueen is still such a successful powerhouse reaching the masses, I can’t help feeling that the magic has been diluted with his passing, something intangible and really rather special has been lost. What a true artist Alexander McQueen was and his artistry continues to be inspirational.PS: this has been one of the hardest posts to write, to date, I really felt that “wow” and “OMG” weren’t going to cut it. I have been thinking about what to write since yesterday and have been completely waylaid this afternoon by the beautiful Alexander McQueen book I bought in the shop, edited by Claire Wilcox. I’m not sure if I have done the exhibition justice, but I hope so, and if you want to go, let me know, I’m pretty sure I can free up my diary…

(Photo taken from a postcard bought at V&A, Look 45, Alexander McQueen - Silk faille and tuille with boning, with fresh and silk flowers)