from jemma: dear diary…the V&A

I headed to the V&A today (Victoria and Albert museum), but before I arrived there I stopped off in Angel. Angel is a great place to go for breakfast and quiet stroll in the mornings. It’s not too crazy, but the right amount of busy-ness to keep you stimulated. They have cute, old world charm restaurants and great vintage stores. The vintage stores are a little more on the pricey side here, the selection is unique and a bit more carefully curated. I adore Annie’s for its reference to the Victorian era. I can’t get enough of the delicate Victorian lace.

The V&A fascinates me every time. I love the location. Situated in the more upper class area of London – South Kensington – you can expect to see a vast majority of pleasant “sloanes” walking about, well dressed and full of charm.

As you walk into the grand entrance of the museum you instantly feel ready to get soaked in culture. I headed straight to the Asia and India section. I was drawn there due to the familiarity of the Free People aesthetic.

Seeing the chintz costumes of the 1600 was mind blowing. A fashion made from Indian painted cotton. In the 1600s, Chintz fabric was a huge fashion statement amongst women  — dresses constructed in England made from beautiful hand painted fabric in south east India was the main “fashion” of this era.

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I was in awe of the fine Bengali muslin praised as “woven air”, painted so beautifully, they looked so delicate and light. I stood for hours admiring the beautiful aesthetics from Asia and India. Every time I leave the V&A I always feel like I’ve travelled a little around the world and that enlightens me.

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around the South Kensington/Chelsea area you get some pretty well dressed people. One of the best Art collages around is situated here “the royal academy of Art”, so you get the incredibly unique art students strolling around. You have a lot of celebrities and models living here. Here are some details that I enjoyed while walking around Kensington. ( above)

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After the day was over I met up with my two BFF’s for a drink at Jaguar Shoes Old city. This area is far too cool for school it often hurts my head thinking where all the absurdly “cool” people came from. It’s pretty entertaining. We had a glass of wine and a great catch up then headed home. The day was perfect!

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Anonymous
12 years ago

thanks so much for showing us a little of london! when does the april catalog drop? cant wait…:)

Laura
12 years ago

I want to be in London!

paige
12 years ago

love the pictures from the v&a, we always talked about it in my history of fashion class, and I’ve wanted to go ever since! Love the very bottom right hand picture, and the sheer, all white-ness thats happening, as well!

http://www.paigesofnothing.blogspot.com

Liv
12 years ago

Does anyone know what kind of car that is (the one with the Jack Daniel’s logo)? It’s so cute!

Marisa
12 years ago

Liv: The car is a standard black cab/taxi here!

http://lalakamasimba.blogspot.com/

dolltearsheet
12 years ago

does anyone know where to buy the Indian fabric used in the FP stores? where in India would one source these wonderful textiles? thanks!