A new home for Anastase

I’m not sure how it escaped me but after perusing over the latest ever-bulging London Fashion Week schedule, eye-spy with my little eye, Charles Anastase is now going to be showing in London this season. Anastase seems to set the perfect example of Channel hopping as a designer.  He was born in London but educated in Paris.  His contributions to magazines seem equally weighted between Paris and London (Purple Fashion, Jalouse, Dazed & Confused, Doingbird).  His collaborations are also likewise split (windows for Dover Street Market in London, illustrations for APC and shoes for Repetto – which I’m still trying to track down but to no avail…).  As a designer, he is based in London but has shown in Paris. He’s most definitely flying the flag for Eurostar-to-and-fro-ing.  His work as a designer seems to also demonstrate the mix up, Franco-Anglo style.  A playful take on elegance?  A chic interpretation of the childhood?

I’m quite intrigued by Anastase as a designer as there is a subverseness about his seemingly sweet and pretty frocks.  A peter pan collar dress like this one, in the context of the whole collection, it doesn’t seem like it’s trying to be Lolita-esque (let’s not talk about the Erin Featherston for Target collab again…).  His last a/w06-7 collection was a heightened fantasy of old fashioned froth (the really good kind of froth).  Edwardian play aprons, wallpaper prints fit for Victorian drawing rooms and plenty of hooped skirts.  Even though it all resembles a little girl’s dressing up box, I somehow don’t think that’s what Anastase’s intentions were.

(Photos by Sonny Vandevelde taken from Diane Pernet)

Fingers double/triple crossed that I’m able to go to the show in London but my only question is what will be the show venue.  Anastase has always chosen very intimate/personal settings for his shows like the Hotel Crillon and Hotel Bristol in Paris.  Assuming that he hasn’t opted for the tents, I’ll just throw out some suggestions on a whimsy. I’m pretty much down for any show at any of these given places.  Looking at the images, I think it’s safe to say that London is pretty much runneth over with the rich, sumptuous and sometimes a litte OTT.  These venue suggestions also professes my love for stately homes, having afternoon tea wearing dainty lace gloves at all the old establishment hotels and just the general feeling of ‘ickle girl looking up at super high ceilings’.

Apsley House, Hyde Park Corner – Once home of the Duke of Wellington, this is pretty much illustrative of sturdy English 18th century masculine design. Elegant but not fanciful.

The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Marylebone – The townhouse home of the Marquesses of Hertford, it houses a really stunning collection of 18th-19th century art and for some reason is a bit of an undiscovered gem, tourist wise. The drawing and dining rooms are pretty spectacular.

Given Anastase’s preference for grand hotels, I think the Ritz, Claridges and Park Lane all fit the bill. I’m a sucker for all that overtly extravaggant, steeped in tradition type of hotels, that don’t overstep the boundaries of tack.  The Park Lane in particular has a wonderful art deco ballroom that people might remember from the TV series Brideshead Revisited.

The Ritz

Claridges

Sheraton Park Lane

The Criterion Grill, Piccadilly – Food is only so-so but the interior is awesome. Palms in the foyer and you get the feeling the dining room has seen a lot, seeing as it was established in 1870.

Eltham Palace, Greenwich – This is probably the most impractical choice of venue, given that it’s outside of zone 1, but Eltham Palace is THE best homage to art deco in the country I think.  Built by Stephen and Virginia Courtauld in the 30’s, I can just about picture a circular runway in the entrance hall with show-goers marvelling at both Anastase’s clothes and the light filtering down from the skylight.  Perhaps The English Heritage might even permit guests, the use of the vaulted bathroom with onyx and gold mosaic tiles.  Fantasy show scenario over.  In any case, I highly recommend a visit to this slightly out-of-town sight.  Don your 1930’s best whilst you’re at it.