Camille Charriere from Camille Over the Rainbow blog, Somerset House, London, September 2012.
One of the nice things about travelling for the fashion weeks is coming home to a stack of magazine subscriptions (the new issues always seem to arrive when I am away): I love nothing better than curling up in a comfy chair with a cup of coffee and reading through each magazine, page by page. For me, nothing will ever replace holding a print magazine in my hand (feeling the weight of the pages, the smell of new fragrances on the little test strips, the colours of the editorials as they should be — not dependant on whether your computer is calibrated correctly or not...).
One of the articles that caught my eye in the November issue of British Vogue was a piece on the white stiletto written by Fashion Features Editor Sarah Harris (she of the wonderful silver-grey hair) and I remembered that I had photographed Camille wearing a pair of white stilettos during London Fashion Week. I am not sure that there is any other colour shoe, particularly in the stiletto shape, which causes such angst/consternation/association (weddings/1980's anyone?)/love hate reaction. But for this autumn/winter, they are a must. Sarah writes (page 67) "It doesn't happen often, but occasionally — very occasionally — I have faltered on sartorial choices and allowed one or two to pass me by. The last time it happened was circa July 2011, and the product in question was a pair of white stilettos by Celine. The naive shape of them — hard lines and stiff leather, gently lifted up on a slender heel — and the way they fitted my feet reminded me of Barbie shoes. Ok, hers were plastic, but these had that look and, oddly, I rather liked that about them. But still, the voice in my head asked: Really? Really? In hindsight, I should have yelled "Yes, really!" But I must have been caught on a (rare) day of reason and restraint: not buying those shoes was a moment of madness". Sarah goes on to explain: "White stilettos are not for summer. Most people think they are, because they're white, but the chicest way to approach them is post-August, against a backdrop of winter wools and darks, and with suntanned feet: white leather set against bronzed feet — I'm not sure a better combination has ever existed".  And et voilà we have Camille doing just that: teaming tanned, long limbs with white pumps and two other must-have pieces for this winter, an oversized wool boyfriend coat and leather dress.
Recreate Camille's look (kind of):
Leather dress: Rebecca Minkoff leather shift dress, Diane von Furstenberg Yvanna leather dress, Jenni Kayne Cut Edge leather dress, Michael Kors leather and knit dress, Michael Kors leather shift dress, or See U Soon leather dress
Oversized coat: Etoile Isabel Marant Diego boucle wool coat, Boy.by Band of Outsiders oversized camel coat, Topshop boyfriend coat in double-breasted or single-breasted, Vince men's-style coat, Helene Burman charcoal wool coat, or Boy. by Band of Outsiders coat
White heels: Nicholas Carrie Snake d'Orsay pumps, Nicholas Amore cap toe pumps, 3.1 Phillip Lim Ava leather pumps, ASOS white court shoes, or Tibi Abbie booties
Round sunglasses: ASOS metal top keyhole sunglasses, Stella McCartney round sunglasses, Lanvin round sunglasses