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Haute Houghton // A Visual Diary

You guys, I go to events now. Proper ones. Tell your friends.

Seriously though, I don’t know what took me so long to drink the 3-day koolaid. I blame Canada maybe (get it? GET IT?) for not having what one might describe as a ton of eventing, not in my areas anyway, or perhaps I wasn’t looking hard enough/always at Spruce Meadows. At any rate, I attended my first, count it, numero uno, event this past weekend, at the Houghton International Horse Trials. Houghton is part of The Shearwater Insurance Tri Star Grand Slam, hosts the Askham Bryan U21 National Championships, as well as claims the the only British leg of the FEI Nations Cup. This seemed an appropriate starting point in my event experiences, as I fully believe one should, at all times, go big or go home, and Houghton certainly

does not go home.

I loved a lot of aspects of Houghton; there’s a ton of classes to watch, a vintage fair, tons of shopping, and everyone brings their doggos. I brought mine so I could blend in, and I auto-love anywhere I get to pet doggos at, so I was already fully sold before I set off on to watch the cross country phase of the CCI*, CCI** and CCIYR** on Saturday, but once I did, I was converted fully. Like, I now think that leg grease has a noble sort of Braveheart vibe to it, and that body protectors look sporty. I’m a changed woman.

I gotta say to anyone who has not gone to watch a cross country phase: go. Go now. It’s so so lovely. It was my favourite. It’s the best country stroll of your life. You will be so close to the track you feel involved in riding it. You will cheer. You will be in awe. You can bring the pup. You can wear Dubarrys with white jeans and not feel weird. You can bring a picnic. You can lay under a big oak and take a 2 pm siesta. It’s absolutely the best weekend activity. Go now, and pick me up on the way. We can coordinate our outfits.

No truer love: an Ode to Greige

You guys. I am the most amped to inform y’all that I’m working on the coolest projects of all time right now. Bomb ass projects, if you will, of the currently-secret-but-soon-to-be-substantially-less-so variety. Hint: they require swatches and mood boards, and I ain’t getting married (been there, done that, no t-shirt to show for it but I did get a hangover). More to come on this, but meanwhiles- me have an obsession.

I have developed some strong, strong feels about the new neutral, greige, and here is the fudge why: IT’S THE GREATEST STABLE-FRIENDLY COLOR OF ALL TIME. Seriously. Think on this. Black or navy shows dust. White and beige show everything (including the cellulite we totally don’t have). But GREIGE… greige is the money shot of equestrian dressing, and it’s trendy as what right now. Naturally I processed this revelation in the healthiest way possible, and immediately updated my wardrobe with some Horse Pilot X-Balance breeches in light grey, a dolphin grey washable suede bomber (let’s get serial I need washable everything for civilian life, don’t even get me started on barn life, also bombers are everything right now), and a handful of grey and taupe t’s to cycle through. Is my life better for it? Yes. Absolutely. Yours can be, too. And it’s super simple bc there’s literally an unending variety of shades to choose from and mix into a little capsule wardrobe. It can also be adapted to suit everyone’s coloring, unlike some color specific trends that just don’t jive with everyone.

The key is picking the right shades- not only to go together, but to complement your coloring. I can already hear someone going off in their indoor voice about how petty that sounds, and Imma let you finish, but it’s a real thing that actually helps, and it’s not my opinion or invention or anything, k? IT’S A REAL THING, like picking foundation with the right undertones. After fit, color is the most important factor in how flattering a garment will be on you. Write that down. Remember it always. Clothing foundation. Don’t be that girl with the jawline stripe. Be the girl with the seamless af dewy model thing going on. Sermon over.

There are literally hundreds of articles online on how to determine your coloring, but here is the most basic of summed-up explanations:

There are three undertones: warm, cool, and neutral.
If you have warm undertones, your skin will have a peachy, yellow, or golden hue, and look best in earthy neutrals (brown-cream spectrum) and warm, muted colors, and wear yellow gold well. If you’re cool, your skin will lean towards pink, red, or blue, and you tend to look best in bright jewel tones, or cool neutrals (white, black, grey), and wear silver or white gold well. If you’re neutral, you have a mixture, and can play for both teams. Get your mind out of the gutter.
If you have blue, grey, or green eyes with platinum blonde, brown, or black hair- you’re probably cool toned. Warm toners tend to have brown or hazel eyes with strawberry blonde or auburn hair. Samesies if you dye your hair- if you always go towards colors that say ‘ash’ or ‘platinum’, you’re cool. Colors that feature ‘golden’ or ‘mahogany’ are warm.

BONUS POINTS: you can work this with black OR brown boots/helmet, depending on your undertones, which anyone who knows me will understand how deeply this resonates with me. #Icantpick #Ihaveboth #sosueme

I’m setting you up with a little inspo sesh below, including a little helper chart on similar greige’s in different tones. Get amongst it!

xx // Stefania

Thunderbird Show Park // Visual Diary

This past August, we were lucky enough to visit the wildly popular Thunderbird Show Park in British Columbia for just one of their six major Hunter and Jumper tournaments held annually. The popularity of “Tbird” borders on cult following; known for their combination of a friendly, relaxed atmosphere, a gorgeous venue, and quality classes, Tbird’s show rings routinely draw everyone from the local weekend warrior to the seasoned Olympian.

Who: Thunderbird Show Park

What: CSI 3* & WCHR Summer Fort Festival, Aug 24-28, 2015

Where: Langley, British Columbia, Canada.

Claim(s) to fame: Voted 2nd best venue in North America by NARG (North American Rider’s Group), which is a big deal on it’s own, but pretty extra-impressive considering 1st place is held down by Spruce Meadows. Also, they do a pretty killer pancake breakfast. Tell your friends.

Vibe: Chill, yet outgoing. Friendly, but also ambitious. Plenty chic, but west-coasty. Sportsluxe reigns supreme. You can mix your Arcteryx and your Hermes here, and you will have to. It rains. Like woah.

Liveable Luxuries // Cocoon Luxe

Somewhere between timeless British chic and modern liveable luxury nestles up-and-coming label, Cocoon. The masses are flocking and the brand’s recently gotten press at Belfast Fashion Week. We linked up with designer Sara Hall to learn more about what the hype is all about, her grassroots social media start, and just what kind of butterfly this Cocoon is going to become.

Basic Stats

Label: Cocoon Luxury Wear

Age: Fledgling; Cocoon Baby launched February of 2015

Based: Newry, Ireland

Vibe: A modern Brit classic. Fresh, but feels vintage in all the right ways. Lifestyle meets luxury. Authentic Harris tweed throws a proper nod to everything Isles.

The hustle behind the bustle: Sara Hall, PR guru turned fashion designer. 33. Wife. Mum. Inspiration.

Work it: The ideal UK outer layer. The Cocoon cape is built for versatility; mix it into your everyday and worry never. Over a skirt to the office or with denim on the school run; disheveled or done. Nude lip. Bold lip. Louboutins or Blundstones. Seriously. It’s the perfect addition to your F/W capsule.

+ Tell us a little about Cocoon.
Cocoon was founded in February 2015. My daughter had outgrown her baby cape and I couldn’t find anything similar in shops or online, so decided to make my own range of children’s capes, using ex-designer tweed cloth from fashion houses in Paris and Milan. Soon I was inundated with orders through Facebook, sold out on pre-orders within a matter of weeks, and had many requests for a range of women’s capes, too. Fast-forward six months and we’ve launched the Cocoon Luxe Autumn/Winter 15 range of women’s capes, in six fabulous Harris Tweed designs.

+ You started out building your customer base exclusively on Facebook, and have experienced a really organic growth in brand awareness. Any thoughts on social media as a community for fledgling designers?

Most fashion companies apparently don’t have a whole lot of success with Facebook advertising, but we have found this to be our key social market. My advice would be to know your customer, have a product you are extremely proud of, and don’t be afraid to take risks.　It’s really only been a few months since I made the firm decision that this would be my career moving forward.　It has always been a serious endeavour for me, but there’s definitely been a lot of feeling out and learning and sheer determination along the way.　　　

+ How would you describe your personal style?

I like to mix various styles up – teaming a vintage piece with something from the high street and something high-end.　I have always had a love of vintage and bohemian fashion, you will always see me in one version of those styles for sure.

+ Fashion is a new enterprise for you, correct?

Yes, a very new industry for me. Both my husband and I have a background in Advertising/Marketing, which is the field I have been working in since graduating from University. I have always had an interest in fashion but never dreamed I would be working in the industry. We do our own promotion and branding, so my background is definitely coming in handy!

+ There are now several options available for both babies and women at Cocoon. What’s next? Where do you envision Cocoon in 5 years?

Yes, coming into this A/W 15/16 we will have a hooded and a collared cape for women; available in 3 sizes, and a loose one-size-fits-all for toddlers (age 1-4/5). All are available in 5 distinct patterns of Harris Tweed.

As for what’s next; well, the ball is rolling in the background and we have some big ideas! We first need to get through the impending madness of the Autumn and our ‘official launch’. We are expecting things to really escalate as our next batch of stock arrives in October and we switch the focus from production side of things to the various marketing and PR that will really start to kick in to coincide with the arrival of cooler weather.　　

For the future, well this may be a bit ambitious but we’ve set it as a goal anyway: to be known as THE Iconic luxury cape brand; as trench coats are to Burberry, bags are for Louis Vuitton, Hunter are for Wellies. Our primary focus will be on capes, as we’d like to continue to refine and perfect our core designs.

The feedback from customers so far on our customer service, packaging and the quality of our capes has been exceptional. This is an area we would like to stay on top of as we believe our customers really are our business.
+ 5 things you need daily or you just can’t deal:

1. Water and lots of it – with liquid chlorophol (grass product) to my husbands dismay as every time he goes to drink water it is green!! My body craves it and I drink around 3 litres a day.

2. Family time – we have a very active and hilarous 2.5 year old, so spending time with her together is a must.

3. Sleep – without my 8 hours of sleep I spend a lot of the day complaining how tired I am….it is not pretty.

4. Internet – for Cocoon most of my working day is spent online. Unfortunately I also have a little bit of a Facebook addiction – thankfully it is starting to die down due to Cocoon time spent on there.

5.　A to-do list – I have been writing these since I can remember and these days the list is getting pretty long!

+ What’s your favourite Harris Tweed? (ours is Hepburn Earth, hands down!). What do you pair yours with?

This is like being asked to pick a favourite child! But I would say I am very partial to the Sienna Mix. I have probably worn this daily since I got in the first sample. It really goes with my blonde hair and pale colouring. I team the Sienna with white jeans, loafers and a simple top for a day look, or dress it up with heels and a nice top for evening wear.　The Navy Grace is also great for being so versatile – it can be worn with any day look and I have worn it to a few weddings as well.

We know, you suddenly need a cape. Us too.

Available only at Cocoon Luxe.

(free shipping on UK orders!)

The Eq List // Pre-Fall 2015 // 2015-07-29

What’s we’re stuck on, Pre-Fall Edition.

With more designers than ever before showing Pre-Fall, we’re awash with update options before the Summer is even out. Perfect, we are in such a mood for a small style [r]evolution. Here’s whats moving us this week, and which direction we’re walking it. Pitter patter.

Current location: London, UK.

Soundscape: Like, so much Dylan. Throw Blood on the Tracks on repeat and be done with it. It’s nearly August, for christsakes.

Obsessions du jour: Capes. Fringe. Mustard, the color. Equal parts plimsole and wedge, but less sold on hybrids between. Velvet, tailored. A good pair of flares, for serious, hemmed properly.

Vibe: Well-to-do boho. 1970’s, in a very shaggable, Robert Redford’s take no shit girlfriend sort of way. Hippy wavelengths, but so very clean. Suede and burnt yellow and denim and ponyskin and sex hair and a short, square mani. A little bit rough and tumble, but thoughtfully constructed. You are of the earth, for sure, but you are also a boss bitch and what Eq girl worth her salt doesn’t understand the value of crisp turnout? None, that’s what. You take your free love with a healthy side of hygiene and a fantastic haircut, and let’s not mince, you know it ain’t free, anyways. What a wise woman you are. Maybe you even write poetry. Look like you do, at any rate.

Mood board:

Ralph Lauren Pre-Fall 2015 // via style.com

All hail O. Palermo, for she can do no wrong.

Altuzarra Pre-Fall 2015 // via style.com

Hickstead Derby Meet // Visual Diary

We spent some quality time bonding with a venue from our childhood dreams, the legendary Hickstead, for their iconic Derby meet. The rest, as they say, is history. Scroll on for our takeaway points for next year, and browse our visual diary of our visit below.

What: Hickstead Derby Meet 2015

Key knowledge points: Get conversational in your knowledge of Eddie Macken’s Boomerang. The pair won four consecutive Hickstead Derbies (1976 to 1979), an accomplishment yet to be matched. They also won like, everything. Anyway, Boomerang. Big deal. They’ve named everything after him. Quote to drop into casual conversation:

“…take my speed horse Boomerang for the time being until you get something better.”

Paul Schockemöhle, after Macken’s top horse, Easter Parade, suffered a

freak fatal accident in 1975. Boomerang and Eddie went on to top

the world rankings for 1976-1979, winning over £911,000 in 2007 money

Do: Bring a picnic. Put it in an adorable wicker box. Pop out some tables and plop your children on the top of the Land Rover. Pimms. Champagne. Cheese. Comfortable shoes; it’s all grass. We suggest a nice pair of Sperrys. The vibe is chill; do not look like you are trying too hard. Natural waves ladies, save the irons for Ladies Day at Longines. Extra points awarded to rainwear that is chic and un-fussed, because obviously it will rain.

Don’t: Skip the Speed Derby. The 1.60m gets all the attention, but the British Speed Derby on the Saturday is big enough at 1.45m, and with time penalties awarded for rails in lieu of faults, things get hectic real quick. You might casually mention at the 2016 meeting that Guy Williams set the speed record this year. Oh, and under no circumstances are you to fail to book your taxi prior to the presentation on the Sunday. Getting out of that place is a terror and cabs are hot currency. Better yet, drive. In fact, just rock up VIP and get ideal parking. You have a year to set that up, start soon, probably.

Winner of the 1.60m Trevor Breen makes a young fans day with an autograph.

Mark Dorgan and Centamiro hop off the bank.

Billy Twomey and Diaghliev.

Clark Glasgow pumps the brakes.

A swing and a miss for Shane Breen into the grob.

Jade Hooke and A New Era.

Support personelle on point.

Joao Charlesworth and Harleymanor Venus getting out of the liverpools.

Steven Franks and Carlow Cruiser.

Starting them young.

Billy Twomey and Diaghliev

Joao Charlesworth and Hartleymanor Venus.

Napping = encouraged.

Officially chic course management.

Joao Charlesworth and Hartleymanor Venus.

Ellen Whitaker and Locarno 62.

Photo op, anyone?

Billy Twomey.

David Simpson’s Gotti Van Paemel

Harriet Nuttal gives some neon- nailed love to A Touch Imperious.

David Simpson and Gotti Van Paemel

Dermott Lennon and Vampire atop the bank.

Shit un-happening.

A thumbs up from Billy Twomey in the parade.

Trevor Breen parading.

Jump crew looking fresh on Sunday.

Because everyone likes a marching band.

Pony power.

Picnic win.

Someone take us foxhunting like yesterday.

Seriously.

Just so classic. All the hounds pls.

Eager ponyclubbers watch the hunting demo.

Ribbon parades.

In-gate hangs.

Leather and ombre.

Ribbon parades.

Gypsy fever.

Devil’s in the details.

Keen.

At the gate.

Champagne always.

At the gate.

Shades of grey.

Muse Moment : Bliss Heers

Bliss[ed] Out : A Master Class in Californian Cool

This week, we caught up with the definition of charm, show-jumping darling Bliss Heers, to grill her on some pressing issues: namely, how did she get so chill, and why do we suddenly want to be her bff?

Athletic, determined, and enviably chic, this girl has got her sport- and style- ducks in a row. Game like this is made to inspire. Behold, your how-to on California cool, via it-girl, Bliss Heers.

Basic Stats

Name: Bliss Heers

Age: 27

Vibe: American, but abroad. Blonde bombshell with a side of girl-next door. The ultimate argument for being able to remove the girl from California, but not California from the girl.

Quotable: “Style is wearing your own personality.”

Sport: International Show-Jumper

Passport: USA (Olivenhain, California)

Currently mapped at: Riesenbeck, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.

Mounts: Contendra (12), Prado K (12), Cortina (10). All German bred, all jumping the Grand Prix.

Strip[ped] Down // Seasonal Studies ft. Altuzarra S/S 2015 RTW

Behold: your wardrobe template for the summer horse show season.

What: Altuzarra, Spring/Summer 2015 Collection

your new uniform // Altuzarra Spring/Summer 2015

Tell me more, tell me more: Luxury ready-to-wear brand launched in New York by Joseph Altuzarra in 2008, who previously worked freelance with Proenza Schouler and as first assistant to Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci. Massively modern, with a nod to the classics. The perfect marriage of Paris and NY.

Why you care: Gingham, hello. This is obviously your summer workbook. Aren’t you a country girl at heart? Yes. Yes you are. Get your pearls, baby. Classic layering with a sensual, modern vibe; tailored blazers with feminine belting suede as a layering piece. This vibe is screaming for a pair of crisp whites, a sun hat, and a plane ticket to Spruce Meadows Summer Series.

Altuzarra Spring/Summer 2015 // via British Vogue

Get amongst it: Channel your inner Audrey, and then give her a dapple bay 1.30 Jr/Am saintly kick-and-go, a sassy twitter handle, and a pocketful of sugar cubes. Focus on timeless, classic pieces that can be layered (and un-layered) as your day moves through the temperamental YYC seasons.

suede forever // Altuzarra Spring/Summer 2015

Think outside the box, inside the ring. Have you shown in dark breeches yet? Get brave. Get brave now. Sunday wants to feel special, it told us in a dream. Save your whites and go all black errthang on a Thursday, because James Dean would have and maybe you date him, and also because nothing is gonna make your gingham pop more. The Meadows on the Green ain’t even gonna know what hit it. Seriously, where has this summer been your whole life?

schooling life // outfit details 1

Live the dream: You will need a pair of dark breeches (no, not dove grey, put down your comfort zone right now, we can see you). Dark. Navy, Smoke, Emerald, Black. We suggest Cavalleria Toscana. We suggest it in a big way.

Steal absolutely anything of your mothers that is made of yellow gold and crafted circa 1960, but only wear one jewelry item at a time. Huge preference given to earrings.

maybe my mother was a ballerina, so what // Altuzarra Spring/Summer 2015

When it comes to apparel, layer it up, but keep it ladylike and fitted. Knit layers are given extra sass points if kept sheer enough for a second look, but not so sheer that George M. would give it a third. Fit is the difference between forward and unkempt, so keep it tidy.

Altuzarra Spring/Summer 2015 // via British Vogue

Remember where your natural waist it, and belt absolutely everything there. Seriously, belt everything, but under no circumstances are you to fuss with matching said belts to your footwear. Who are you, your grandmother?

Always remember, the more structured the garment, the more feminine the belting [see, blazer + girlish ribbon]. Keep your skirt game tight, (literally: tailor it if you must) on a Sunday night, but long as long, past those knees. You’re the lady of the house, even if you’re renting it for the circuit.

You will need to sort out your ideal classic red (blue undertones, not orange) lipstick shade, if you have not done so already. Matte is preferred for the PM, but a gloss or balm is good for around the grounds.

Stripes are to be embraced, even mixed.Buy one suede shirt in caramel or cream and practice in a mirror until you can layer it at least four different ways. Receive bonus points and unlimited sartorial blessings if you can tie it up whimsically without exposing navel (naughty).

Fetch yourself a few good gingham button downs, one in black and white, and on in either crisp blue or blush pink and wear them till friday. When the weekend hits, introduce a striped belt and buffalo-check-lined show shirt to your whites, and take them on a date with a charcoal grey hunt coat. Top it off with a modern take on the velvet helmet, because you ‘get it’. Smile smugly as you all live happily ever after.

outfit details //

1 // breeches Cavalleria Toscana, tee Celine, blazer Altuzarra, sunnies Oliver Peoples, beanie We Are Pop Culture, scarf Dennis Columb, belt Saint Laurent, earrings Tiffany & Co, short boots Parlanti, cell case Ted Baker

2 // breeches Cavalleria Toscana, shirt + crewneck H&M, boots Parlanti, bag Asmar Equestrian, lipcolor NARS, belt Anne Taylor, hat Flora Bella

3 // breeches Pikeur, jacket Cavalleria Toscana, shirt Asmar Equestrian, boots Parlanti, earrings Kate Spade, bet Tome, helmet KEPItalia, phone case Isaac Mizrahi, sunnies Ray Ban

additional stalking //

Altuzarra

Spruce Meadows

equestrienne.co on instagram

British Vogue

Royal Windsor: The Takeaway

What: The Royal Windsor Horse Show, from the flip side.

Highlights: Strawberries and cream in adorably tiny cups. Carl Hester ribbing Charlotte Dujardin during her exhibition ride (watch it here). Champagne. Holland Cooper, generally. Frighteningly athletic children riding in the Gymkhana. Land Rover trials over a terrifyingly impressive mechanized obstacle course. Hermes.

Vibe: Country fair, heavily Londonized. White denim. All the champagne. Men in brogues.

Have: A driver, or appropriate footwear (there is a healthy foot-jaunt from the parking). One fantastic, well-fitting tweed item. Cheeky caps and floppy sunhats ok; baseball hats not ok. Access to chic layers should it rain, which it will. Oversize sunnies recommended, aviators at a minimum. A vigorous credit card for falling down the retail rabbit hole.

Never ever ever: Unfitted outerwear. E-cigarettes. Backpacks not containing a helmet. Sport sunglasses. Fussy hair. Apparel emblazoned with competitions you have participated in or won (exceptions: The Olympics; WEG; GCT). The sales rack vendors; this will only dishearten you, or lead you astray. Do not wear your actual riding boots, this reads dreadfully Pony Club (exception: short boots, but only if Italian). If you absolutely must wear your breeches, at least wear your most pristine whites (sock-bottomed), and have the remainder of your look purely civilian. For the love of god, do not wear your cotton jods. Actually, why do you own cotton jods? Toss those yesterday and never speak of it again.

Visual diary:

// more on instagram

Dilemma Fix: Hideous Gifting

Problem: Horses are your favourite animal, and everyone knows it. You think most things are vaguely pony; you automatically translate civilian in your head. Hunting? Foxes. Weekend? Horse shows. J Crew? Appropriate layering staples. Wellies? Hunters, stop. Victorian? Probably means gold spurs, or something carriage-related, you know who Jane Austen is, ok?

Where things get weird: People (great-aunts) will try to buy you interest-specific apparel.

Example:

Solution: Pony chic. Behold, gifting options that won’t make you question every life choice that made someone want to buy you a hooded sweatshirt (!) that said “Born to Ride”.

Appropriate course of action going forward: Print this. Label with applicable size. Send. Pray. Reward positive changes in gifting behaviour. Withhold Christmas cards until a new pattern has been established.