When you have Retro in your blog name & you were actually born in 1967 it kinda says everything about the design you favour right?
Yep that’s me in a nutshell, adore genuine vintage & retro furniture, lighting & architecture in fact all mid century modern design. Naturally this style features heavily in my wardrobe too although with a more refined edge, less Hippy more chic if you know what I mean? Usually I struggle to find a single piece that will work for me without adding my particular style touch. Certainly long-sleeved dresses, a personal favourite, are rare yet the epitome of this era. I would go as far to say that a long-sleeved maxi dress is my sartorial Mecca. So when I first clapped eyes on Rixo London it was as if all my dress dreams had magically come true! In addition to long sleeves & trademark multi layered mixed prints they have created the most seductive cut, every style a unique bohemian treasure. This one in today’s post you may have seen on my Instagram when I wore it to the UK Blog Awards.
Young British Brand Rixo London
Recently I had the enormous pleasure of meeting co-founder Henrietta Rix at the Blogger Brunch hosted by The Dressing Room.
I asked her how they come up with the unusual images of their silk prints. Henrietta said she & her partner Orlagh MacCloskey spend hours pouring over vintage botanical books & flea market finds for inspiration. When you look closely at their dresses it’s easy to recognise the type of sketches she’s referring to. I mean just look at this stunning deep purple palm print & swoon with me… Henrietta & Orlagh are literally hands on throughout the entire process not least of which is actually hand painting their designs onto the silk template. Interestingly Henrietta explained that they have their silks printed up in double width which is unusual in the trade. The large swathes of material are then cut into perfectly proportioned panels & expertly constructed here in the UK making every single dress slightly unique. This means part of the print that shows up on one dress may not on another. I hope you can see the intricate detail in my photographs because the cut really is superb.
Their next line is inspired by traditional Chinese paintings & heavily features an embroidered dragon throughout. Fortunately for me I had a sneak peek at the samples & let me tell you they are genuinely exquisite ladies, you will die. The new contrasting colours are delectable along with their usual clever clash of prints making this range even more breathtaking than the last.
On the lady herself I have to say she’s as vivacious as her silk prints. I couldn’t help getting caught up in her enthusiasm for the brand & of course her talent is glaringly obvious. There’s no doubt she & Orlagh have moved mountains in the short time since Rixo began a mere two years ago. Nor do I doubt this astute pair will take over the world with their distinctive designers eye & attention to quality. This is a label that appeals as much to 20 somethings as 50 somethings at a price point any fashion forward woman could afford. After all these are collectable pieces as covetable as any high-end vintage gem, worthy to pass down to our daughters & made to last. My only request to Henrietta & Orlagh is that they consider minibeasts for the next silk print design, Oh imagine how wonderful that would bee…
How to get a straight eyeliner flick over 40
Getting a straight eyeliner flick over 40 is bloody difficult for two reasons. One I can’t actually see anything close up any more and two my eyelid is now hooded Ugh…
So what I’ve found the easiest course of action is to use an eyeliner pen on its edge & keep the line thin. If you go too thick on the flick it’ll distort at the outer edge which makes the whole thing look wonky & actually accentuates the hood, not the look we’re going for right? I have previously posted a tutorial about this technique here if you’d like more detail.
As for the perfect eyebrow, I go to Beautiful Brows stencil brow kit every single time. My tutorial on that is here if you haven’t seen it yet.
Going full on with citrus accessories
These Whistles tangerine pumps are a second-hand buy that I’ve styled on RCM here & here. I actually wear them a lot because not only is the colour a showstopper but believe it or not they’re also super comfy! My bright lemon suede clutch is from Jaeger – Also styled here
Now I know you’re wondering about the stunning Swarovski earrings. My sparkly girlfriend Lisa of The Sequinist kindly loaned them to me for the awards & then again to re-shoot the outfit. Sadly a one-off collaboration between Peter Pilotto & Swarovski, however if you like these you will love Lisa’s own jewellery designs for sale now over on her blog shop.
Exclusive Winser London Competition
Speaking of The Sequinist – I’m thrilled to announce she & I together with Nikki of Midlife Chic in collaboration with Winser London are holding an amazing competition beginning Tuesday 23rd. The girls & I have each chosen our favourite wardrobe staple from the Winser London collection that the winner will receive on Wednesday 31st May. Yes that’s correct all three pieces! I chose the Tilda silk shirt, Lisa chose Milano cotton hooded coat & Nikki has chosen the Single breasted blazer. You get to choose the colour & size but of course if you need help deciding please do ask one of us, we know the range very well & would be delighted to help. The competition is open worldwide, all you have to do on Tuesday is pop over to my Facebook page to enter.
WooHoo I’m so excited about this awesome prize!
See you Tuesday gorgeous ones, Mx
Comments ( 20 )
Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb
You look (looked, having seen you of course at UKBA17!) nothing short of the BOMB in this dress… Rixo London have a lot to thank you for because wowser MT – you’re an absolute stunner!!!!!!!!!!! I hope to see you a lot more in this brand – retro prints and midi lengths are my idea of heaven too, let’s hope they snap you up as a brand ambassador ASAP!!
Catherine x
MT
OMG Catherine that would be amazing! And thank you for your generous compliment dear heart xxx
Abby@Midlifecrisisnut
Look at You, Beautiful Retro Girl! Absolutely love the deep, deep v-neck and the sky-high pumps! And the seductive look in your eyes. Lots of love! xx Abby
MT
Funny you should mention that deep V Abby, I was a little nervous that it’d be too low. And actually another Rixo dress I tried on was waaaay too low, I mean braless low – no go. Luckily this one just came in right at the lowest point of my nude coloured bra so I was perfectly fine although if I had to invest in a new bra, I probably would have just to be able to wear this dress. You know? xx
sequinist
This dress is absolutely made for you. The cut, the print, the whole vibe of it. It is my favourite dress on you, for sure. I can’t wait to see the new Rixo pieces coming out. You make a good point about them being collector’s items… I say this because I missed out on a dress they had with animals all over it that I loved and I’d kill to get my hands on now!
Beautiful photos, beautiful dress, and beautiful you. xx
MT
Oh I know the one you mean Lisa, it was an amazing print. Especially for such an animal lover as yourself! I don’t suppose you’ve tried Ebay? I mean it’s a long shot but you never know. Thank you again for loaning me those fabulous earrings. Lulu had her beady eyes on them & said “Mummy you know I actually don’t have any dangly sparkly earrings?”
Hahaha I told her not to get any ideas about this pair 😉
xxx
Catherine
The dress. I can’t. I just can’t. I want to steal it from you. It reminds me so much of a favorite dress that I had back in the early 1970’s. I love the cut. I love the high waist and (don’t think I’m vulgar but..) your titties look so great!! I’ve always loved me a dress that made my tits look spectacular!! My favorite years were the breastfeeding ones–now I need heavy padding!
Back to the dress! The print. The length. I dunno–it’s all so ravishing. And the shoes and heels. OMG. You look absolutely beautiful!! Great post!!!
MT
Hahaha Catherine of course I don’t think you’re vulgar! You should buy this dress, with your figure it’d be amazing on you woman xx
Simplement Lui
Fantastic outfit! The dress is amazing and you combined it perfectly with the bag and those orange heels 😉
https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/platinium-blogs/
MT
Thanks! Actually I was originally going to wear my black shoes & clutch with it but then I thought, nope I’m gonna go for colour! So glad I did because the dress can really take it & that’s rare. xM
Nancy Baten
I was immediatly in love with your dress when I saw it on IG! Fantastic design and I always love a high low hem line. The print is so different and fun but the fabric and design makes it a very stylish and elegant dress!
MT
Oh yes Nancy that dipped hem is divine isn’t it? A really clever design touch that just adds something very simple to make it extra special & it feel so amazing on! xx
Alberto Hugo Rojas
Wonderful work, admirable. You are the essence of elegance and perfection, Taking care of everything with great detail and delicacy. You are a model dream and a model of woman, For everything you do and you are. But you already know. 😉
MT
Thank you Alberto that’s very kind of you…
No Fear of Fashion
You know how much I like this dress. I would buy it in a heartbeat. However I decided not to copy. But I am swooning over it. Fortunately I have my own Rixo dress thanks to you raving on about The Dressing Room. And me looking on their IG account and that was that. Saw the Rixo dress and bought it. This week it is finally warm enough to wear it. Yippee.
The orange pumps and yellow bag…..I would never have come up with that but it works sooo well. Never wear it any other way.
Give me a shout when the winter collection of Rixo is out. I want some of the gorgeous things you mentioned.
Greetje
MT
I also love the one you bought Greetje! Shall we take turns, playing swapsy’s?
I’m looking forward to the new collection so don’t worry you will see it first here on RCM 😉
Michelle
Girl you look AMAZING! Having seen you wear this in person I can vouch for the fact that it looks even better in the flesh, so to speak. I agree with Catherine, Rixo London would be mad not to snap you up – you were made to wear their designs!
xxx
MT
Yeah baby keep it coming! I’d be in heaven as the Rixo chick wouldn’t I heehee. Thanks for your vote of confidence my sweet, everything is crossed for my dream job xx
samantha
I loved this dress so much, that I’ve been keeping an eye on Rixo London. Just nabbed myself two (couldn’t choose!) Rixo shirts! Thanks for the introduction! Samantha
MT
Oh you lucky duck! Two very different prints though, you’ll wear them loads. I’m well jell 😉 xxx