I don't just put things in my sidebar for fun, so if I put a notice up about the Feathers Easter Sale, of course I'm toodling off to it. A shop, right bang, opposite Harrods in Knightsbridge may not sound like my cup of tea (me and Knightsbridge aren't best buddies...) but who could resist 80-90% off Givenchy, Ann Demeulemeester, Anne Valerie Hash, Alexander McQueen and many other small Italian labels whose names, that I scroll through Yoox wondering what they are and not bothering to research further.
On a day that hailed and sleeted, I stepped into Feathers not feeling light or elegant at all and quite literally the WHOLE store was on sale. Rails stuffed with stock going back two years and some SERIOUSLY hefty discounts. I was fighting with a lot of French ladies who happened to be in the area and everywhere I heard 'C'est tres jolie, c'est beau...', so Feathers was ticking a lot of their pre-requisite boxes and it did feel like a very much un-Londonium boutique, not that that was a deterrent when I bagged the following...
An Ann Demeulemeester beige biker jacket with a loose-ish shape for £100 and a very old Collection Privee (probably more known for their bags/shoes than their clothes...) cream leather skirt with a side ruffle that can be concealed with a zip for £70...
Not sure if I aimed to put together an outfit with the two pieces...
Or whether I knew the skirt could be worn as a top either (what is up with my incessant skirt hoisting...?)...
Shiny black leggings and clumpy boots isn't all that can be done with these two pieces, though the obvious routes are often the most effective, with some other cheaper, vintage purchases, these new coups can also be worn. Like this satin blue-purple marbled blouse that was Manchester vintage score...
Or this red vintage Valentino dress that was nabbed from the local charity shop (sadly they're closed for refurbishment... I'm hoping it doesn't become too shiny, thus getting raided by other eagle eyed charity shoppers...)...oh and the black crow...which isn't at all unnatural...!
I shall be returning when the store is more Feather-like to discover a boutique that isn't on the 'obvious' hit list of London shopping spots, nor does it feel like a little bit of London but hey 'grass is greener on the other side' and all that, I don't mind escaping for a bit in this rather odd/hilarious part of London.
The skirt as top is excellent. Really good score. K
Posted by: K-Line | 22 March 2008 at 21:04
the valentino dres is hot! and the ruffled skirt, yum, you can never have enough ruffles, there should be competition to see how many tiers one could fit in an outift!
Posted by: selina | 22 March 2008 at 21:28
that skirt is the best I've seen. The ruffles look so organic.
Posted by: bigglassesgirl | 22 March 2008 at 21:39
oh my, i think my favourite is the red valentino but the demeulemeester is tres jolie too! Right now my own personal 'secret charity shop' has become a saturday honeypot- thats London for you
Posted by: deexdeexdreamer | 22 March 2008 at 21:52
I tried on that skirt too. Great minds... :)
Posted by: sprigged | 22 March 2008 at 22:11
Hi Susie,
Where did you get those boots?
What brand are they?
Thanks!
Posted by: Jackie | 23 March 2008 at 00:04
what exciting finds! love the beige jacket and tiered skirt!
Posted by: raq | 23 March 2008 at 01:15
outfit number three with the purple tights = love.
& we mentioned in a comment before that we added you to our links list on our blog;
we were wondering if you could check our blog out when you have the time! please & thanks a lot!
-SOS
Posted by: SOS | 23 March 2008 at 01:42
That's a great skirt! And the headban look works really well for you too.
Posted by: Shelley | 23 March 2008 at 02:07
Aack! I'm having ruffly skirt/top whatever it is envy! Luvs it!
Posted by: The Glossy Ed. | 23 March 2008 at 03:56
that valentino is a find of a lifetime! good luck with this years sale, you'll have to let us know what you bring home
Posted by: erin@flashyshades | 23 March 2008 at 03:56
ooooh you lucky lucky! 80-90% off would be a dream!!!!
how much did you pay for the red valentino? that is such a nice dress!
Posted by: Fashion Tidbits | 23 March 2008 at 04:36
That ruffle/zipper skirt is amazing. So genius.
Posted by: The Clothes Horse | 23 March 2008 at 04:55
Incredible skirt, possible very tricky diy in the future project...
Posted by: Liberty | 23 March 2008 at 06:00
im trying to decide which combo i like better: skirt as top or skirt as skirt and i cant choose! its amazing!!
Posted by: Addison | 23 March 2008 at 07:30
Awesome purchases, Susie. The skirt and jacket are in my favorite color, the former worn as a shirt/dress it looks just as great!
I cannot imagine fighting off those French ladies were much too fun, no?
Posted by: Tram | 23 March 2008 at 08:06
How come the US dosnt have sales like that? Except for the occasional pay half...but you can practically see the clothes falling apart on the hangers there.
Posted by: Giselle | 23 March 2008 at 08:12
oh my gosh, i love your bird headband. ive been trying to buy one like that since i saw something similar online a while ago but i cant quite afford them at this point. sigh. u look fantastic in it though, and your red dress is great too
Posted by: Lola | 23 March 2008 at 08:48
Thanks everyone and if you are in London, do head down to feathers...
SOS: Will link to you...
Jackie: The boots were from Victoria's Secret by Sam Edelman....
The Valentino dress was a score at £7 from my local charity shop...
Posted by: susie_bubble | 23 March 2008 at 09:03
I love the ruffle skirt as a top!
Posted by: Natty | 23 March 2008 at 11:43
I love the skirt!
Posted by: Style Eyes | 23 March 2008 at 13:26
great style.great blog.i'm linking u :)
Posted by: helvetica | 23 March 2008 at 17:59
tiers + ruffles!!! needless to say i love that skirt!
Posted by: evie | 24 March 2008 at 07:16
Wow, I love that skirt! It looks amazing as a dress. I'm completely in love with it...hehe. Such great finds, bargains! :)
Posted by: mica | 24 March 2008 at 12:34
Hi Suzie,
I"m Brasil, I love her, i love your style, I love your blog!
The skirt is show!
bjus (kisses in portuguese )
Posted by: Lizzie | 24 March 2008 at 17:23
ohla la it's a lovley find! i have to go to london soon...
Posted by: lady coveted | 24 March 2008 at 19:30
That leather skirt with side ruffles, was so worth it, its gorgeous!! I prefer it as a mini-dress.
Posted by: The Devil Wears Marc Jacobs | 26 March 2008 at 04:14
i like best the skirt worn as a top
Posted by: superficialdiva | 31 March 2008 at 11:50