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'It’s always been more about the things than the money': The family crafting silk for Strictly, Highgrove, the House of Commons and Westminster AbbeyFor half a century, Beckford Silk has been supplying remarkable textiles since 1975. Ben Lerwill discovers what makes its wares materially different
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Manolo Blahnik on Margot Robbie, Marie Antoinette, fashion and footwearThe shoe might feel inconsequential as an item of fashion, but as Marie Antoinette, Andy Warhol, Margot Robbie and Manolo Blahnik demonstrate, it's anything but....
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‘The atomic bomb of jewellery’: Why the brooch is back in fashionOver the centuries, the brooch, invented to fasten garments, has become a glittering gem, a coded communication–an art mastered by Elizabeth II and a way to express personality.
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‘City gents in bowler hats beat on our shop windows shouting “immoral!” and “disgusting!”’: The rise (and rise) of the mini skirtWhat the mini skirt lacked in length it more than made up for in meaning.
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‘People would rather buy 20 synthetic jumpers than a woollen one that would last them a lifetime’: The British wool trade todaySheep shearing was king in the middle ages, writes Lotte Brundle, but the rise of synthetic fibres put the industry in a woolly position. How is it faring now?
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Marie Antoinette: How the most fashionable queen in history transformed French styleMarie Antoinette’s passion for furniture and genius for bagatelles, however evanescent their purpose, filled the French royal palaces with beauty and charm, as a new show at the V&A Museum shows.
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From fast cars to fashion, the horse is the ultimate luxury symbolKim Parker canters through the luxury world’s enduring love for all things equine.
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Time to join the fan club: the history of this summer's must-have accessoryAs summer temperatures continue to soar, fans — long considered a fashion anachronism — are back in the style spotlight.
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From James Bond to Centre Court, how terry towelling took the world by comfortTerry towelling — whether it be clothing babies, adorning a poolside Bond or mopping tennis players’ brows — altered domestic life forever.
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What everyone is talking about this week: This season's fashion is in an (Ivy) league of its own — just don't call it preppyWeek in, week out, Will Hosie rounds up the hottest topics on everyone's lips, in London and beyond.
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No strings attached: A brief history of swimwear, from heavy skirts of linen linked to women's drownings, to the skimpy two-piece named after a nuclear weapons siteFrom knee-length numbers to a scandalous suit denounced by the Pope, the colourful history of swimwear has been brought to life by a glamorous London exhibition.
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What do 19th century rowers, Queen Victoria and Giorgio Armani all have in common? They helped to popularise the world's most versatile jacket — the blazerEveryone from royalty to rappers seems to have one in their wardrobe. Harry Pearson lists the merits of the blazer, a true sartorial team player.
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‘I get all twitchy when I see people wearing something that really doesn’t belong’: A watch for every summer occasionThere’s a watch for every social summer occasion, from the Mediterranean to muddy festivals. Chris Hall selects some of his favourites.
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How to stand out from the crowd in the most British of outfits — morning dressMorning dress has remained largely unchanged since the 19th century, but breaking with convention can be chic.
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Couture’s best-kept secretSponsored by Stewart Parvin
Based in the heart of London’s Belgravia, Stewart Parvin’s timeless womenswear guarantees the wearer will make an impression, whatever the social occasion.
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Express yourself with colourSponsored by Code8
Code8, based in the heart of Mayfair, offers clients the chance to craft the perfect shade of lipstick. Hetty Lintell, Country Life's Luxury Editor, finds out more.
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Fields and fashion: Why luxury loves the British countrysideFrom Perthshire to Paris, 'Anglomania' is taking over high fashion. Amie Elizabeth White tells us why.
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'Daniel Day Lewis rang up one day... he wanted us to make him one in a Staithes pattern': Why the gansey jumper is still a compelling yarnDesigned to protect the wearer from wind, rain, salt spray and sun, chunky gansey jumpers retain a special place in fishermen’s hearts and modern fashion.
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Chanel takes a cruise around Lake ComoThe last Chanel collection designed entirely by the atelier has been unveiled on the shores of Lake Como, in Italy.
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'The watch is Head Boy of men’s accessorising': Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin's Summer Season style secretsWhen it comes to dressing for the Season, accessories will transform an outfit. Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey and Tom Chamberlin, both stylish summer-party veterans, offer some sage advice.
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The coveted Hermès Birkin bag is a safer investment than gold — and several rare editions are being auctioned off by Christie’sThere are only 200,000 Birkin bags in circulation which has helped push prices of second-hand ones up.
