Lost in Londres

Well that was one helluva party! 10 days Lost in Londres…..ha ha, only kidding! Nothing quite so decadent unfortunately. Instead, I find myself in the process of moving from a three-wardrobed semi to a one-clothes rail flat – ah the joys of separation – and have only just managed to fight my way out of all the boxes and bin bags. I’m internet-less until the end of the week so am currently ensconced in Folk on Burton Road, West Didsbury making good use of their wine and wifi…


Now where were we, before I was rudely interrupted by “the breakup”?? Ah yes, the Easter Vintage Threads Market. Here’s more photos of stalls and shoppers

Becca Budd from Manchester does "Double Denim" in charity shop shirt and Gap Jeans. Can you believe that Becca is Felicity's (from previous post) mum??

 Suzy from Manchester looks terribly chic in vintage kids tweed jacket, skinny jeans and amazing vintage bow flats that I so want!! Her quirky hat and scarf finish off the outfit perfectly.

A selection of Vintage jewelery and bags available from The General Store on Deansgate 

Homeware and jewellery from Gods and Other Animals, which has a concession in Ryan's Vintage on Oldham Street.

And the ring I got from Gods and Other Animals.

More Vintage Threads

Six hours to go until I catch the train darn sarf and still no party outfit. The Vintage Threads market was great, with a good turnout, but sadly, Halstonesque gowns were in short supply. So I'm off into town to the Vintage shops on Oldham Street and Rags to Bitches on Tib Street. In the meantime here's a couple of photos from the market with more to come, once I recover from all the disco dancing later......!!

This is Felicity Jackson from Manchester, who was trading at the event with her very cool mum! Her jacket is late seventies vintage Emma Somerset and belonged to her grandmother and her pants and boots are both All Saints, where she works.

Vintage Threads Easter Weekender

This Friday sees the return of Vintage Threads to Manchester’s Triangle Shopping Centre. Hosted by Manchester Fashion Network, it’s the UK’s biggest vintage market for men and women. With hundreds of clothing, accessories and homeware stalls; a cosmetics stand and workshop, haberdashery and alterations service, you can get a complete retro makeover under one roof. It’s on from 11-5 on Good Friday and 9-6 on Saturday. For more info go to the MFN Events page.

I’ll be on the hunt for something to wear to the Low Life 15th Birthday Party in London Village this Saturday. Think 70’s Halston, Gucci and Bianca Jagger arriving at Studio 54…..on a horse!! –  Everyone knows a prop is essential to any costume party outfit and think of the entrance it would make… a sure fire way to upstage those London hipsters!

I’m taking my inspiration from the Halston Heritage collection launched in 2009 by the legendary label and soon to be showcased in the new Sex and the City 2 movie.

And if that fails, I’ll be going as Bianca’s white horse by way of Alison Goldfrapp!

Off I go Klompen....

Clogs collected.....now off to try them out on the Northern Quarter cobbles!!

Clog Update.........Not only did The Clog incite envy among lesser shoe specimens, It also managed to transport me around town without so much as a stumble. Not famed for being steady of foot – or anything else for that matter – I suspect it might have been a whole different story without the assistance of ankle straps. The polished wood coupled with tights makes for a very slippy ride indeed, so if you do opt for the Chanelesque mule favoured by Alexa Chung, I suggest you go bare foot and start mastering your grip!

Girl from the North Country

Don’t you just love my blog title?? It’s me… well before I chopped off all my hair! It was created by Geo Law – an Illustrator and all round dude based in Sheffield – and inspired by Bob Dylan’s Girl from the North Country……

Well, if you're travelin' in the north country fair,
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline,
Remember me to one who lives there.
She once was a true love of mine.

Well, if you go when the snowflakes storm,
When the rivers freeze and summer ends,
Please see if she's wearing a coat so warm,
To keep her from the howlin' winds.

Please see for me if her hair hangs long,
If it rolls and flows all down her breast.
Please see for me if her hair hangs long,
That's the way I remember her best.
Copyright ©1963

Check out Geo’s website and blog.

Here's some of my favourite work of his.

                      

What I bought.....

So did I manage to stay true to my word and purchase prudently or did I have one too many vinos at lunch and become intoxicated by all the silk, lace and tulle lingerie inspired pieces that are around at the moment? I confess, tipsy shopping is a dirty little habit of mine – it takes the edge off changing room rage and spend guilt – but Sunday's trip was a lesson in shopping excellence! Don’t you agree?

H&M Olive Green Shirt - At just £29.99 this steal of a shirt may prove to be the most versatile garment in my wardrobe this year…with its excellent boxy shape and epaulettes it nails this season’s military trend.

Today I’m wearing it over drainpipe jeans and a white tee from Menswear label Obey, available from Thomas St Post Office, with a brown studded belt slung low across the hips for a bit of tomboy insouciance. Next time, it’ll be buttoned up and tucked into high-waist tapered pants or to toughen a silky slip or ruffled skirt. And come Summer, it’s light enough to wear as a cover up over a bikini on the beach.
       
Tell me about your favourite “throw on” piece.

Blank Front Fold Tapered Trouser at Urban Outfitters  £48 – A Slim leg tapered chino is THE trouser to wear this season. Laid back, comfy and cool. This style is also available in classic taupe, but I think navy is easier to wear. I'll add a vintage brown plaited belt, a breton top, some of my favourite bow shoes and I'm good to go...

 
 
 
Reiss Lace T-Shirt £59 - I'll add a coloured bra and shoulder pads to give it that extra bit of edginess.

Socks – It’s becoming a bit of a joke, but I’m developing a sock-buying addiction. I bought Topshop’s nude over the knee and a pair of pale grey ankle to add to my bourgeoning collection.

 
Topshop Ruffle Hem Skirt £35 – OK, so my one indiscretion!! But I will be wearing with opaques and a suitably modest top until at least May!!

Kurt Geiger Clogs £160 - I had to order these as the Kurt Geiger store on St. Anne’s Square had sold out. All three styles are extremely covetable but I plumped for the Jay in Tan – with its ankle strap, it will be far less tricky to walk in. I’ll be back to collect them later this week but in the meantime I’m stocking up on plasters!

Phew… the credit card’s taken a bit of a battering, but surely a girl deserves it after three months in Style Hibernation...

LFDN xxx

Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring!

During the deep freeze that was December to February, I barely ventured out of the house. And only when it was absolutely necessary – I wore that many items of clothing it was questionable whether I was la fille, le fils or infact la baleine du Nord!

All those months in Style Siberia have consequently given yours truly a serious fashion itch – or is that just the prickly wool and dried out skin? – And what better way to scratch it than to shop the new Season?!

Now, it may be officially Spring, and as I write, the sun is shining and the skies are clear, but as my beloved Grandmother used to say, ”Ne’r cast a clout until May is out.” We always used to think she meant the month of May and couldn’t believe we were expected to wait until practically Summer before we could start showing a bit of flesh. But the saying actually means the May or Hawthorn tree, which flowers in April, a lot more do-able in Spring fashion terms!

So, taking heed of Sylvia May’s wise words and considering the unpredictability of our region’s weather, I will cautiously dip my unpainted (Chanel Lotus Rouge nail polish at top of shopping list) and grey-socked (still tons of mileage in the ankle sock and heels combo) toe into the Spring trends by making a few choice “transitionary” purchases. Check back soon to see my shopping spoils...

LFDN xxx

A chick from Manchester who clearly has ideas above her station

Bienvenue to my blog!

I’m La Fille du Nord, devotee of.....black kohl, lace mini dresses, duffle coats, Bowie, Acne Jeans, hand-me-downs, pick n mix, Mad Men, aviator sunnies, Unabombers, plaid scarves, country beer gardens and city boozers, battered leather, shoes with bows, boys pullovers.....pulling boys, Jane Birkin and Lou Doillon, fake fur, pints of Guinness, ankle boots, denim cut offs, Ernest Hemingway, Caipirinhas, dancing in my kitchen, Chanel, and my ardent quest to own a piece of it, And, of course.....my rainy city, Manchester!!

Ma raison d’etre? I’m of the opinion that Northern fashion and style is both under and mis-represented in the British media and while the likes of Style Bubble et al have wrestled some of the power away from the industry heavyweights, UK Style blogs are still very much London biased. So in an (bold) attempt to redress the balance, I will be style hunting on the streets of Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle etc, and basically biggin’ up the No’ Vibe!!

And just because I now can, will also be doing some rather indulgent wittering about moi and how I get dressed.

Ta Ra for Now
LFDN x