Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Emergency thread!!

[Papyrophile]

Bonjour Mariannes. Sans botemps, I've taken action; if I am one of many, I'll ask MNHQ to remove this.

I hope you can regain your equilibrium soon enough, Red

I think your experience is pretty universal atm, Flo. It sort of feels like a materialisation of that feeling that the future will be algorithmic slop for everyone except the happy few where a sense of human touch in anything is to be considered a luxury. The shops are just devoid of a soul right now, it's why the independents stand out so starkly, even a rundown secondhand shop with terrible stock has more appeal. I seem to be spending most of my time in bookshops atm, and I'm not the only one, I don't think I've ever seen them this busy, bar the run up to Christmas/Sinterklaas.

I will note one exception, walked by H&M (which I've ignored for years now) and they had the new Studio collection in and I wandered in. I was genuinely impressed in the choice of materials, not a bit of wool, just 100% wool items, etc. and they made an effort with the designs. I really liked the look of a cable knit jumper that's all twisty, but it was too warm too try on (the weather is still weird here). There's a lot of items that are basic in its initial form but they've changed them up just enough not to be boring. Lookbook here which is, well, a choice.

In extension of craft that can't be machined and becoming luxury, I recently watched a this Loic Prigent minidoc about Irish brand Standing Ground that's working at couture level. There's a lot of focus on the Irish lace makers, who look like such a lovely bunch. I think Elle highlighted this brand a while back, I remember the stunning photos in the Irish countryside of these gowns and it's interesting to see it become a couture house. (Though I do always wonder about these fashion houses/designers that just make gowns, I'd think these would be the least interesting things to design).

I have to laugh - I'm forever bemoaning the state of my high street but, when I go somewhere with big, busy, seemingly thriving shops, I can't hack it! But if they're even managing to put me off then they're doing something very badly. I think 'devoid of a soul' gets to the heart of it. Incidentally I've walked out of Waterstones a few times recently, unable to choose anything because all the covers looked the same, so I don't think bookshops are immune either. But I did get an email about the new H&M Studio collection and probably deleted it without even looking so I should dig that out of the bin.

There have been a few threads about Sharon Horgan's style so I must start paying more attention. I have to confess, I feel slightly guilty about not being a bigger fan of hers. She's clearly hugely talented but she always seems to be writing about a life stage I've already been through which, given our age difference, is quite understandable but it means her shows often make me feel a bit world weary. I've not seen Youth (no HBO) but I suspect that, when and if I do, I'll empathise the most with her parents. That said, I read a review of (I think) the first episode and the account of the scene where her son leaves home for university and she starts chasing after his car made me feel melancholy all over again.

I had to look up Sharon Horgan and her shows, I think I attempted Bad Sisters but clearly didn't watch beyond the first episode.

Don't get me started on the marketing of books these days, I tend to check if the author is American and do the first cull on those as they seem to be the worst with their identikit covers (and often stories as well). And if they use the blurb to explain the themes of the book as if it's a secondary school essay that gets no chance either. I'm probably missing out on some great books in the process but I need to cull somehow. I'm blaming Booktok, which probably isn't fair since this is probably the thing filling up my favourite independent bookshops and injecting them with much needed cash. But the mash up of social media and hyping of books, it's just, ugh.

Of books, I'm contemplating the new Paul Smith memoir. But it feels like such a gamble, memoirs can often reveal people in their most pompous annoying form, especially in the arts and it makes me think less of their work (though in PS' case, I've admired always his business acumen far more than his creative output). Now that I'm reminded of books on this thread, I need to check if the Dress Detective book you recommended, Flo, is out in the newer edition.

I think this week is the last of the too warm for the season weather. I'm determined to swap out my wardrobe this weekend regardless, I want to wear different things. I have this strong belief I need more long sleeved tops in lightweight materials, I probably have plenty hermetically sealed away at the moment, and if not, I have an excuse to put in an order at H&M.

A friend who used to work in high quality wool and cashmere manufacturing in Scotland and worked with Paul Smith, has just recommended his memoir, to me, as read by Bill Nighy.

I’m sorry to hear things are difficult blue: I hope they improve soon.

Off to H&M...!

I too need light, long sleeves @botemp

And @Floisme , you and I are in the same era, so I get your well made points about Horgan. Her humour is uncomfortable. She is dating after a divorce in the show, but the men are now older. She panics, there are double chins and worries about "dropped balls".
DH squirmed a bit. It is usually us women whose sex appeal is judged by our age. Horgan seems rebellious in that way. And she wears cool clothes.

Paul Smith memoir , that sounds promising.

and H&M also looks promising!

ok things are looking up on my side, not out of the woods but at least I seem to have regained sanity.

ok I scaped to a Spanish city the last couple of days and was the shortest of the visits and I managed half hour in El Corte Inglés and I enjoyed the Spanish brands , which have more of an edge and feel more playful. In a hurry I just got a beach cover up dress from this brand Stella Ritwagen

here