Here’s Inspiration...
Published on Thursday 20th September 2007
As much as I’m sad to let the summer go, if there’s any consolation, it was last night, at the launch of the Ralph Lauren Fall collections. It just made you want to cosy up in front of the fire.
 The collections run under the titles St Germain, Noble Estate and Modern Chairman. St Germain  is a fairly rustic collection, with the main emphasis being on provincial furniture and weathered accessories. The textures work well, bringing together sheepskin, wool and leather by way of furnishings and cushions.
I particularly liked the use of silver mixed with horn for a champagne bowl. And the horn chairs and candle sticks against cream lattice china made a great combination.
 Noble Estate is exactly that; extremely sumptuous and grand and they illustrated it last night with a table laid with the most beautiful china and fine crystal, red roses and simply stunning chandelier. The fabrics are likewise: vibrant jewel colours, in mohair and silk velvets with some tartan thrown in.
If you look at the clothes - as we did last night - both collections are running on a similar parallel. It’s all about texture: the wools , cashmeres, leather and silks . Whilst you can keep your interior fairly monotone, the secret is to layer texture from the colour of your walls, furniture, flooring and of course your soft furnishings.
 Last but not least – in fact possibly my favourite - Modern Chairman . The room set was a bedroom with the New York skyline cleverly lit up behind silk sheer curtains; the bed was huge, upholstered in soft leather; the sheets were the finest white Egyptian cotton accessorised with a navy blue cashmere blanket, a paisley throw and cushions. Chrome lamps gave it the contemporary edge.
 And the ultimate in luxury were the walls… upholstered in navy satin , so very , very sexy. In fact I’ve just installed some satin sheets into my own boudoir...
So no huge surprise’s with the new collections but it’s a formula and it works: Ralph Lauren, the last word in luxury.
The new Ralph Lauren book, Fourty Years of Iconic Style is out in October . The ultimate coffee table fodder and a great Christmas pressent for anyone who appreciates true style.
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