The essence of pure elegance

There are certain things which instantly and undeniably convey grace, charm, beauty and sophistication. Time honoured ingredients that entice, allure, soothe and inspire. An unfathomably well tailored evening dress, slickly crimson hued nails, the unmistakable glint of diamonds, a signature perfume weaving its dazzling scent across your skin, perfectly coiffed hair, a stemware glass of something wildly chic to sip slowly over the course of an evening, your date – looking strikingly like Dean Martin – in the background waiting to take your hand and twirl you across the dance floor.

In the photograph below of model Jean Patchett sporting a Jacques Fath frock, one finds each of these ravishingly lovely elements and is struck by the desire to embody elegance the way it used to be. It’s the sort of style that somehow, perhaps only in the land of daydreams and mile high wardrobe budgets, I strive to achieve on some level a little every day.


1. Jean Patchett, 2. A TOUCH OF SHALIMAR, 3. Nail polish / red, 4. The warming {Click on a link to see a larger version of a particular image and/or for photographer information}

Who are your muses of vintage grace and beauty? What components translate into unconditional elegance for you?