Designers Guild - Madhuri Fabrics - Exotic colours and patterns of India

Sungadi - Indigo, a traditional Uzbek ikat by Designers Guild

Designers Guild fabrics have always been a personal favourite of mine, their vibrant colours and detailed designs set them apart from other fabric houses. Whether beautiful drapes, a stunning one-off chair or some accent cushions, their fabrics are stunningly beautiful. Their latest collection is inspired by the exotic colours and patterns of India and appropriately named, 'Madhuri Fabrics'.

Spring/Summer Fashion and Net-a-porter

Spring is finally here in "The Land of the Long White Cloud, (NZ) for my International viewers. Our clocks have moved forward, its 6.15pm and the sun is still shining through my living room windows. I finally feel like my tired, winter batteries are beginning to recharge. Isn't it amazing how longer, lighter days, immediately have a revitalising effect upon us.

I've been browsing both the Internet and high street fashion this week and "brights", as my son in the fashion industry calls them, are certainly the go. Blue, green, yellow even purple is screaming out from the shelves with pastels quietly retreating in the background. 

Spring/Summer 2011 colours

I have decided to choose my own Spring/Summer look sourced  from Net-a-porter.  Net-a-porter are a well known and highly reputable on line fashion company based in the UK. Their fashion starts from around UK Sterling 40.00 and goes to an incredible 10,000 for their top of range designer clothes.

Day Birger et Mikkelsen Gazely ruffled cotton dress from Net-a-porter

UK Sterling 89.60

Day Birger et Mikkelsen Gazely striped jersey maxi dress from Net-a-porter

British Pounds 100.15

T by Alex Wang at Net-a-porter, a classic black jersey maxi dress British Pounds 115.97 

also available in pale taupe.

 

I love this cotton blend lace and chiffon dress with its simple contrast black straps - J Crew from 

Net-a-porter British Pounds 110.69, also available in black

This classic soft jersey maxi by Juicy Couture at Net-a-porter  is British Pounds 137.03, if you do your sums and convert to NZ dollars you will be surprised that you can buy a designer label for around NZ$272.63.

Antik Batik floral motif dress from Net-a-porter British Pounds 210.84

This Malene Birger poppy red satin and crepe gown at Net-a-porter is British Pounds 363.69

Stunning! Julian Macdonald Sweet Heather silk-chiffon dress is British Pounds 2,587.97 unfortunately SOLD OUT but I wanted to show you this dress to illustrate how popular and trustworthy Net-a-porter are. Net-a-porter Group Ltd is known as the world's premier online luxury fashion retailer.  Their award-winning website presents fashion in the style of a fashion magazine.  They offer unprecedented access to the hottest looks of the season from international cutting-edge labels via worldwide express delivery. Fashion is updated weekly and their website is viewed by 2.5 million women each month. They have impeccable packaging and unrivalled customer care. If you have actually got to this point of my post, and not already lost in Net-a-porters store, I guess there is nothing more to do but click "here" to shop...but before you do I have four rules:1.  Lock your credit card away2.  If you don't lock it away, please don't mention my name or blog address in front of your husband or partner.3.  Let me know what wonderful item you buy and send a photo to me as your unwrapping it from its "impeccable" packaging ! 4.  I will not be held responsible for any addiction to Net-a-porter that might occur from this post :)

                                                    Happy shopping

                                                            Lee x

Bolt of Cloth's New Products & Inspirational Quote for the Week.

Bolt of Cloth are based in Christchurch, New Zealand. They have some absolutely beautiful and unique fabrics both in their new Madras Street store and on line store. I hope I am tempting you with some of their latest Spring fabrics and new products.

Fabric, curtains, blinds, cushions, lampshades, bedding, living, kitchen and lifestyle are amongst products on sale. Please go direct to their store to view more details.  Shipping within New Zealand and Australia is free on orders over NZ$100. Marimekko (Finland),  Alexander Henry (USA) and Echino (Japan) are amongst the International fabric Designers.   Bolt of Cloth also have a gallery where you can see inspiring ideas from their customers, current trends, promotions and weekly specials.

Bright new Marimekko cups

Gorgeous fabrics, more can be seen in their on line store.

                                                       

Inspirational Quote of the Week

"The best day of your life is the one on which

you decide your life is your own.

No apologies or excuses.

No one to lean on, rely on, or blame.

The gift is yours - 

it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible

for the quality of it.

This is the day your life really begins."

Bob Mowawad