Lu West Blog

Over here at Mengsel, I'm always inspired by colour trends. With Spring coming up, I've been looking at some sugary hues. One of my favourite films (stylistically), is Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola. The decadence of the era with a bit of an edge is so beautiful.

A colour palette...

On our weekend away, I read my first book on my brand new Amazon Kindle. It really is a joy to read. I read the legendary Patti Smith's memoir, Just Kids. Such a great story of an artist finding herself in 1970s New York. The book focuses on her relationship with the photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and how they ended up from being practically homeless to successful artists, each in their own right. I love her boyish, bohemian style and she is still making music today.

Horses album cover (image: Electric Ladyland)

Photo: Last FM

Photo: Last FM

Photo: Last FM

With all the pretty new capes and coat styles for Winter, the trend for staying warm and toastie this Winter really made me think about the mustard yellow coloured hooded capes that the characters wore in the creepy M. Night Shyamalan movie, The Village. Bryce Dallas Howard and Joaquin Phoenix went berry picking in the woods, trying to avoid "those we do not speak of". Those villagers were way ahead of the trend back in 2004!

Joaquin Phoenix in "The Village" - photo from The Editing Room

Bryce Dallas Howard in "The Village" - photo from uk.movies.ign.com

Ash Grey Woollen Studio Cape from Zara

Vintage 1960s PLAY CHARADE Wool Cape in Celery and white Tweed Cape by Fabgabs at Etsy

Cape in Mustard Yellow, with Neck Tie by Margerydaw0 at Etsy

After I posted my Anthropologie picks yesterday, the green epadrilles kept reminding me of Gwyneth Paltrow's character Marge Sherwood in the brilliant film with Jude Law and Matt Damon, "The Talented Mr Ripley". Marge's effortlessly classic style against the backdrop of Italy's Amalfi Coast contributes a lot to this film's cinematic beauty.


(1) Ray-Ban Wayfarers from asos.com (2) Champion Canvas Originals from keds.com (3) Broderie Print Corset Dress from Topshop (4) Cooperative Plaid full Picnic skirt from Urban Outfitters (5) Leather vintage style wallet from Urban Outfitters (6) Rouge Allure lipstick from Chanel (7) Broderie Anglaise cropped shirt form Shadowplayvintage at Etsy (8) Nautical stripe tie bandau top from Accessorize