My first pair of Converse weren’t even Converse. I bought my knockoffs at a small, dusty shoe shop in a suburb of Athens and they were the colour of Hubba Bubba. Pink has always been my favourite colour. After that, came red ones. Letterbox red. And they were the real thing. Then came the best ones. The classic canvas. I had at least three pairs of those. I kept them well passed their discard date until the canvas was torn in five places and the eyelets fell off. Come to think of it, I don’t see Converse all that often these days. Which in my book is a cue to buy a new pair.

Marc Jacobs returned to the runway yesterday after a two season hiatus with a collection that prioritized comfort and functionality while being bold and outlandish. I loved it. Oversized utilitarian knits, ridiculously chunky shoes, puffer ballgowns and a palette of high wattage hues. Even more, I loved the statement that accompanied his return: “On the journey back to doing what we love most, in the wake of immeasurable loss, loneliness, fear, anxiety and uncertainty, I am reminded of why creativity is so vital to our existence. To life. Our decision to pause allowed us to slow down, reflect, ruminate, reevaluate, grieve and take a thorough inventory of what works, what doesn’t work, what we love, what we are willing to let go of and what has value, importance and meaning. Creating a collection requires enormous effort over many months from our small group of extraordinarily talented and dedicated individuals. We find purpose in the work from and for periodic but powerful transcendent moments of joy. And while the world continues to change with unimaginable speed, my love for fashion, the desire to create and share collections through this delivery system – THE RUNWAY – endures. Through the physicality of this shared experience, I hope to offer a moment of inspiration, curiosity, wonder and possibility.”

As a teenager, I spent hours staring at slides of Elizabethan nobles bedecked in pearls, ruffled collars and elaborate corsetry. Many such portraits were in the form of miniatures, as was the custom of the time. Beyond a penchant for billowy sleeves, this portion of my education has had little influence on my style. I was whisked back though when I came across Lizzie Riches‘ exquisite Elizabethan inspired portraits today. I especially like the ones where people are portrayed in Elizabethan and Jacobean clothes with a contemporary feel. This one in particular is a favourite. The floral fabric is beautiful, and minus the collar, a dress I’d gladly wear to my next lawn party.