Object of Desire: Monique Péan Holgate Ring

Holgate ring by CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist Monique Péan.
18 carat recycled yellow gold with a 4 carat aquamarine $2850

www.moniquepean.com

Previous Objects of Desire here

Object of Desire: Wolford Velvet de Luxe 66 opaque tights

Sure these tights are expensive and seemingly impossible to justify when so many places sell perfectly acceptable black opaque tights.

But here's the thing: these tights transcend 'acceptable'. Each Christmas my mother gives me one brown pair and one black pair and, even though I wore tights pretty much every day until the end of March this year, I still have 2008's Christmas pairs sealed in their packets. That's because the ones from the year before, and the year before that were still going strong. No ladders, no snags, no imperfections.

They are incredible soft & stretchy, warm, and a true unfading deep velvet-y black with not a hint of skin tone showing through as happens with cheaper opaques. I do also have the M&S version and they are very good but they just aren't in the same league.

I don't look after my Wolfords especially well: they are bunged in a 40 degree wash with all my other dark coloured stuff, rather than hand-washed as recommended. And, unless an infant attacks them with scissors, or I accidentally fall into a mowing machine, I guess I'll be wearing them until the waistband perishes.

Believe me, these tights are bulletproof.

UK: £18 from Wolford US: $42 from Bergdorf Goodman

See other Objects of Desire here

Object of desire: Limited edition Oliver Sweeney Chelsea Boot

Here's one for my male readers: An Italian made, hand finished Chelsea boot with anatomical last in a limited edition of 50 from Oliver Sweeney.

£260 from the flagship Bond Street store & online at www.oliversweeney.com

Other objects of desire here

Object of desire: Rebecca Koven earrings

18kt Yellow Gold Flower Earrings $2200
via 1stdibs.com
www.rkoven.com

See previous objects of desire here

Object of Desire: Maison Legeron Black Bouquet brooch

The last remaining Parisian haute couture flower maker, Maison Legeron, sells very few items to the public. This handmade velvet & pure silk floral brooch in black is £280/€300/$392 from Couture Lab

Previous objects of desire here

Object of desire: Topshop Boutique sequin dress

From the Topshop Boutique AW09 collection, via the Topshop blog

Object of desire: PLAY Comme des Garcons Sneakers

Loving these PLAY Comme des Garcons Sneakers, which will land at Dover Street Market from September 10th.

Price: *Slight intake of breath* £190 for the low top & £205 for the high-tops

(Click on image to enlarge)

Object of desire: Norman Norell Little Black Dresses

1960s Norman Norell LBD $1000 from Katy Kane (via 1stdibs.com)
Apart from its utter chic, and the fact that Normal Norell can be considered the American equivalent of the French Golden Age couturiers, the hidden detailing on this classic piece make it worth the investment. The belt, which appears to be a decorative element with two large black buttons, actually "disappears" inside the dress, where it closes with hooks and eyes at the center back, just under the zipper. This is not the only hidden design element in this dress, the low gathered skirt conceals a narrow fitted skirt underneath with a kick pleat at the center back.



1950s Norman Norell for LBD $950 from Katy Kane (via 1stdibs.com)
A narrow satin band at the hemline is used to create the pouf or bubble look of the skirt at its hem.The vendor describes it as a pouf dress, but it is more accurate to describe it as Watteau backed.

More on Norman Norell here

Object of desire: 1950s chair & stool

In my past life I took a brief hiatus from fashion to edit an interiors magazine. I got to attend Salone di Mobile in Milan, ICFF in New York & 100% Design in London. I hunted down new designers at the satellite fairs, writing them & the established names up & drooling over pieces I wanted.

The habit stayed with me, but now that I have no idea where I shall live from September, it's little use getting my getting over excited about fabrics or sofas when I have nowhere now or later to put them.

Which is very annoying when I see pieces like this:

British 1950s lounge chair and stool with ebonised frame & newly upholstered fabric.
Price: £690 from Circa 20th Century

Object of desire: vintage style necklace

The Garden Statement Necklace from Banana Republic $98

Object of desire

The Pashley Princess Sovereign $1195. Only to be ridden in Manhattan if you have an elevator or a garage to chain it up in. Waaay to heavy to carry upstairs, and a magnet for thievery. But, oh so beautiful.