Stella...

Sometimes (often), I like to find out about the person behind the brand, behind the luxe, behind the ad campaigns and the sparkles... 

I just watched this Pardon My French episode where Garance meets Stella McCartney for the first time right before the Stella McCartney Pre Fall 2013 showing.  Situated in Uptown Manhattan, the meeting is a casual interview with Stella talking about her life, her business and her ethics.  Surprisingly, it's a lovely sit down between two working women, talking about the juggle of life (Stella has 4 kids remember!).

She says that she ..."just wants to make women feel better about themselves"... and she knows what's it like to fit a changing body shape into different clothes (specifically 'boobs'); she talks about growing up in the country and going to school and aspiring to live in London and be a fashion designer; she mentions how she felt when she first came onto the scene and feeling not cool enough? (what hope have the rest of us got!???); she talks about her ethical stand on not using fur and leather for a garment in the brand and how difficult that is, but also how interesting it is to confront that challenge within this luxury, fashion industry; and my favourite, she mentions how there are several ladies in her company that are pregnant and if anything was happening at home that needed their attention, then by all means, drop the work and go home because nothing is more important than your health and family (I love that!).

Creative, Intelligent, Beautiful, Mother & Business Woman and such a beautiful spirit that comes across the screen (for me); I thoroughly enjoyed this interview - I think you might too.

Oh, and by the way, the setting for the Pre Fall showing (a relaxed party scene) saw models dressed in the Stella McCartney range sitting on the lounge and playing scrabble, or sipping champers from vintage champagne bowls, or being drawn by an illustrator, all whilst mingling with party goers, invited guests and celebrities - low key and cool all the way Stella!

(Notice the low-key jeans, black cami, and tailored blazer that she wears throughout the interview with the simple accessory of her wedding band.)

Can I have a job at Stella McCartney too?

View the interview here.

All images from Garance Dore, 'Pardon My French'

In The Schedule...

Let's catch up on some reading and tips over this long weekend... make a cuppa, put your feet up, and find some quiet time (if you can).

Here are some links I loved this week -

+ A gorgeous few pics from Australian designer Dion Lee's LookBook A/W 12  which demand your attention, and also take a look at his short film 'Sequence-Breathing' (just beautiful), via Russh.  Isn't the colour of this blouse just beautiful..;

+  Great interview with Chick Chic Stella McCartney via Interview magazine (she works hard for the money);

+  Perhaps you'll have some free time after eating all those chocolate eggs... why not keep little fingers busy with this amazing origami bunny (so cute!) via HowAboutOrange - go on I dare ya...;

+  Interiors vs Catwalk... which came first?  I love how colour trends play out across both fields over at LifeStyleEtc;

+  This beautiful Victorian home has been transformed by its owner and one of England's best stylists Marianne Cotterill.   The home was open for viewing as part of LivingEtc house tours as visited by Marina of Iced Vo-vos.  Check out Marina's blog because there are a few more tours she's included also.  More of Marianne's home here and her stylist portfolio here (so gorgeous!).

Luxe and chic

Image from Marianne's portfolio- awww

+ And finally, if you're in the mood for updating your home this weekend (yep that's me) and the blank canvas thing is just too daunting or you want to zhush up a room for a change, here are simple tips of how to do just that by Erin at Apartment 34 (looks easy enough??).

Enjoy your relaxing long weekend people - I've just baked a fresh batch of Hot Cross Buns (the first batch last week were a hit!) and somone's gotta do the tasting ... again!