Couture et Cachemire

Haute couture and cashmere, had they been around centuries ago, may very well have made the short list for the Seven Deadly Sins.

Luckily for us, they didn't -- and we can still indulge in a little bit of both without jeopardizing entry through the pearly gates. On the bright side, if anything, we'd probably be better dressed for the occasion.

The fashionistagenda for this weekend was to kick-start my RLBF's wedding dress (and bridesmaid's gown) shopping. And what better place to start than the local couture capital, Madison Avenue. After a fabulously decadent brunch at La Goulue (a foolproof strategy to ensure the dresses will still fit even after consuming course after gourmet course -- of course!)...



we wandered around the block and whizzed past the likes of Jimmy Choo, Emilio Pucci, Missoni, Chanel and Chloe, all with the dizzyingly tempting word "SALE!" in the window and ended up at Carolina Herrera where the forerunners in the wedding gown race were found. And it was there that I fell in love.

With this dress:




There are simply no words to describe my love for this dress. Just lots of alternately ecstatic and contented burblings.

And it had a price to match.

Consequently, it will not be the bridesmaid's dress.

*weeps*

I take solace, however, in one luxury at hand that does not unduly raise my caloric intake: Cashmere.

I've updated the Cashmere Gallery to include photographs of two new FOs in my sportweight and aran weight cashmere. First, here is an original pattern: a simple scoopneck tee in Briar Rose and Cotton Candy in a flatteringly fitted shape.



The second is the Annie Hall scarf in aran weight cashmere (colourway: Cirque):



More photos at the gallery here.

I'm happy to say that we ended the weekend with an amazing Mexican brunch at a bright and buzzing upper floor establishment with a view of Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. The brunch itself, while lovely, wouldn't even make a mention in this blog except for the two women at the next table who were talking cheerfully and excitedly over some things they seemed to be doing with short sticks. On closer inspection, I realised that they were knitting socks! Actually, one was knitting the most adorable pair of blue and green fine gauge self-striping socks and the other was knitting what looked like a fair isle pattern. And of course being nosy -- not to mention staring unabashedly and grinning like a fellow fiber addict -- I found out that the colourful pattern was actually for high sock-slippers with shearling and leather soles (to be attached during finishing). This was when we discovered that there was a LYS artfully camouflaged JUST AROUND THE CORNER. It was, unfortunately, closed on Sunday. But there will most definitely be a next time. :)

What really struck me was how these young women were so open and friendly in their knitting natter with us, two complete strangers! The sense of knitting as a community-forming activity is such a wonderful thing to behold, not to mention be a part of -- I certainly hope the wave hits more destinations across European and other shores. Fun like this is just too good not to share!

And on that note, happy knitting to all, and to all a good night! :)