Peony

Miss Peony Lim.

These are some photographs I took of Peony for a feature for Grazia.IT which you can find here. Head on over for a wee interview with Peony (although you will need to use a little google translate action if you can't read Italian like me!). Find out why she started her blog, what she never leaves home without, Peony's must-wear accessory and the inspiration behind her style.

Those of you who have been following my blog for awhile (thank you!) will recognise Peony from previous fashion week posts. I realised, however, that I haven't ever really done a proper style profile on Peony- we have just kind of never got around to doing it. So Grazia was the perfect excuse for me to head on over to Peony's house with camera in hand to pull apart her wardrobe and take some portraits. And eat cupcakes. And chat ;)

I first met Peony at LFW in February last year when she was still studying History of Art at the Courtauld Institute in London (which coincidentally has its campus right on the doorstep of Somerset House- very handy for fashion week). But walking into Peony's bedroom it is clear that a career as a stylist was almost a certainty. A beautiful mood board that covers almost her entire door, stacks of neatly folded jeans (not cast aside on a chair like I am want to do!) next to a vintage Louis Vuitton case, long, floaty dresses hanging prettily near a window, a little area is set aside for hair products, make-up and a little DIY*, costume jewellery and belts are tucked away in vintage leather hat boxes.....and I am not even going to mention the gorgeous shoes and handbags. They have their own space in another room :)

Her wardrobe is basically a glorious kaleidoscope of vintage her mama has passed on to her, high street buys, eBay bargains and designer items (Bicester Village and TK Maxx are favourite places for picking up designer pieces on a budget. A recent purchase from Bicester was an Alexander McQueen dress from his SS 2010 collection).

Whenever I visit Peony's home I am like a kid in a candy store- it smells so delicious (she burns Diptyque and Penhaligon's candles), there are always bunches of fresh flowers everywhere and some form of naughty treat she has whipped up (see the bottom collage for the tiny pink cupcakes she baked on the day of our shoot). I also make her show me any new purchases...I obviously live vicariously through my friends!


Now, because I am terribly remiss at getting details of what people are wearing during fashion weeks (which I know is so frustrating for many of you ;), I am going to be giving you details of what each girl I photograph is wearing.

So, top photos: vintage military shirt, shorts (Patricia Field), hat (vintage from Antwerp), studded boots (Russell&Bromley), cross necklace (gift from Peony's boyfriend from Camden market), belt (from India).

Black dress (above) Patricia Field, heels (Christian Louboutin).

Leopard print dress (H&M). I loved that dress....it would be perfect for a holiday cocktail hour.

Grey t-shirt (H&M), denim shorts (vintage levi's), Hello Kitty headphones (I made her put them on!) were a gift from her boyfriend.

White shirt (Thomas Pink), jeans (J Brand), turquoise ring (bought in Morocco while on a job), large link bracelet (gift from Peony's mama). The beautiful teapot in the background is a Hermès limited edition with peony flowers on the side. It was a special present from Peony's parents. I stayed WELL away from said teapot for obvious reasons!

*Check the shoes she customised with spikes (inspired by a Christian Louboutin pair) with a little help from her boyfriend!

p.s. think you can click on the collages to make them bigger. I know they are a bit small...