Mackintosh

The appearance of the Mackintosh, is a subtle reminder that Autumn is upon us. This legendary item of clothing, encompasses the genius of British design. It stands as a brand of modern heritage built on true craftsmanship and a two hundred year history.

In 1823, Charles Macintosh, developed the process of spreading rubber onto cotton to create the world's first formal waterproof fabric, signaling the arrival of the first original Mackintosh coat.

Today, Mackintosh is a firmly established global brand that combines updated technology with traditional techniques. Based in Cumbernauld, Scotland, they continue to craft the vintage design that sets a Mackintosh apart from other coats.

Mackintosh's flagship store is located on the fashionable Mount Street in Mayfair, London, and offers the full Mackintosh collections in a understatedly elegant space set over two floors.

The Mackintosh continues to set the standards of elegant rain wear, and still no brand can parallel its excellence. The Mackintosh is a definite must have for any fashionable wardrobe.

High Heels

The high heel was supposedly invented by Leonardo Da Vinci, so according to Marilyn Monroe, "...all women owe him a lot". This is true, the high heel has been enjoyed my men and women, for its croquettish charm, as well as it's heighenting abilites. "High heels put your ass on a pedestal, where it belongs", says supermodel Veronica Webb.

A good heel is like a flash car, or and incrediable work of art. You don't need it, you admire it, savour it, worship it, and have to have it. An ideal heel is constructed to tilt you at the most flattering angle possible. Why have surgical enhancements, when you have a stiletto?

Admittedly there is a certain level of discomfort to be endured, but they do hurt less the more you wear them. The only thing worse then seeing girl in cheap, chunky heels is a girl who can't walk in them. 'You have to spend money to make money', invest in a good pair of 10cm heeled Manolo Blahniks, and watch the cocktails and dinner invitations come flooding in.

It is worth bearing in mind that you assume different characters in different heights. Heights can range from 5cm: practically flat; 7cm: day heel; 9cm: foxy heel; 10.5cm: the true pro aesthetic.

Walking in heels is like riding a bike - once you know, you'll never forget.

The Corset

The corset came about in the 18th Century, and was thought of a as a medical necessity. It was believed that a woman was very fragile, and needed assistance from some form to hold her up. Girls as young as three or four were laced up into bodices.

Gradually these garments were lengthened and tightened, as the girls grew. And by the time they were teenagers, the girls were unable to sit or stand for any length of time without the aid of a heavy canvas corset, reinforced with whale bone or steel. The corset deformed the internal organs making it impossible to draw deep breaths. This led to women in the Victorian era fainting often.

Most working class women wore looser and lighter corsets that were not laced so tight. The higher up in class a lady was, the more confining her clothes were. This was becuase they didn't need the freedom to do household chores, as women in other classes.

The corsets were so tightly laced, that there have been reports of waists between 18 and 14 inches and sometimes even 12. Severe tight-lacing was practiced, and some corsetieres specialised in cultivating very small waists. Men's preferences alterted during this time and it was acceptable for womwn to have very small waits. The corset was then, what the wonder bra is now!