Becoming British
British
Yesterday I obtained British nationality. I thought it would never happen, everything seemed to conspire against me: I always travelled too much, and didn’t count my days. It’s a complicated maths problem to solve, where you can only have a certain number of absences from the country during the period of 5 years before you apply.
I decided to try. It took a hell of a lot of fumbling through paperwork (all of my bank statements, addresses and contracts, for the period I’ve lived here, which is 16 years). Like doing your taxes, but for a lifetime. I wanted to prove that I had been here the entire time, which I have. I counted and counted and subtracted the day you leave and the day you return from a trip (those don’t count). I found all of my plane tickets, across emails, airline websites, and ultimately searching in my iphone photo archives. I didn’t have any help and I didn’t want to make any mistakes that would make the process take longer.
I thought I had it and then I had to find two references; it sounded easy enough. They had to be British, and professional, and they had to share with me their Date of birth, passport number and agree to sign a document. Well, nobody would. Turns out even men are pretty vain these days about how old they are, and also terrified of the government.
I got one signature and she spelt my name wrong. Back to the drawing board. Took me two months to find a second person willing and who fit the requirements.
I sent it off, and we’re finally here.
I spent all the journey to the Town hall with my eyes wet, listening to God save the King, which we would be singing. The morning had been a scramble. True to the programme, something had managed to sabotage me and we had all been evacuated from the building due to a faulty fire alarm. I had spent two hours downstairs in the street with fire brigades, trucks, with wet hair fresh out of the shower, unable to get ready.
But I made it. I opted to get a photo even though I did not want it because, well, I guess it’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing and I might regret it if I don’t.
It’s both unbelievable and extremely natural for me to have dual nationality, since I was raised by Spanish parents but went to an English school, where I got all my education from 4 - 18, and learnt to speak and write. Of course my accent never was British. But to be honest, it isn’t Spanish either. I’ve never felt particularly so. It happens when you’re born with white hair, that you kind of stand out in mediterranean countries.
Don’t get me wrong, I love being blonde and blue eyed. I just don’t love having to justify it to every stranger I run into, and in England I don’t have to.
I’ve spent all of last week announcing “my coronation on Tuesday”. My aunt said I’d get arrested for attempting to dethrone and take over. No no, “my naturalisation”, is the correct term, Diana. Let’s not get excited. I am not being knighted and there are no swords.
What a shame, it’s just a group meeting, really.
But I did get very emotional, which I’ve learnt that I am, very patriotic, in both England and Spain! And now that I’ve sworn allegiance, I guess our Kingdoms are once again united.
DAYTONA 200
My leggings are Port de Bras, they’re one of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe, I wear them constantly. Mostly for going out actually because they’re slimming, comfy, great for dancing, I love the flare and the split….
Let’s go through our options shall we
Option from Tala
Option from Nike (if you are short like me)
Boots are Golden Goose and I never thought they’d be worth the price but they’re some of the only shoes I wear because they’re actually comfortable so, worth it. Mine are the low wish star boot, but I actually love this crossover urban number too.
The jacket was a creation of my subconscious, it was a one-off. From shops, I recommend one of these places. The Dainese leather motocycle jackets are awesome, I got my gloves and accessories from them when I got my motorcycle license. I like the idea of an authentic, functional biker jacket so those have always been my top picks.
Also I highly recommend red leather gloves.
Wrapped up for urban walks
Something cozy that works every day (but preferably if it’s not raining. See floor-length cargos)
I was probably on my way to yoga, or to the market, seems to happen every other day. I prefer a puffer when it’s cold and I’m going to be walking. This one is by SAM and they have several I really like, but the shiny finish is still making me very happy,
For my European peeps, I found it on Ebay UK here and a similar version by Karen Miller at an amazing price here
The blue catsuit moment
The genesis of this outfit was of course, the blue lace catsuit. My current favourite toy. But one that, surprisingly, I haven’t found a chance to wear. So I created an opportunity. Catch a glimpse if you can.
Photos: Lizzy Nicholson
Every see-through catsuit must be partnered with a belted coat, it is the law. Hence the black leather trench.
Speaking of the black leather trench. I have some flashy options, and low key options. Let’s start with the floor-length monument that is this Saint Laurent and go from there. It’s called plunge for a reason. Chances are you’re gonna plunge it into a puddle, and you’re gonna plunge head-on onto the ground when you try to go down the steps of the metro steps. Doubtlessly a coat that requires its own supervisor.
Can I make a confession- These boots, they don’t fit me and I’ve never actually worn them except for pictures…But my God, they are life-changing. I had forgotten why I bought them. The swishing of the tassels was giving me life. If this doesn’t make you happy to get up in the morning I don’t know what can save you.
Last year in Vicenza
I’ve been spending the morning organising my files, specifically my jewellery folders: References, design assets, separating the designs in development and archives…One of the things I go through is all of the reference footage that I’ve taken during jewellery fairs. And the last one I attended was Vicenza Winter of 2023, this time last year. As I went through the folders, I ran across this photo.
I haven’t summoned up the courage to return to Vicenza after my last experience. It was disturbing. I recorded a voice note at the time, that’s both funny and tragic. I’ll share it at the end.
These photos make me happy though, I have a good memory. And it’s not a mental memory, of a situation. This is a physical memory, an instant of comprehension, of receiving that sunlight, and of walking that street.
I’m wearing my pink Max Mara Teddy coat, my Ciel blue Kelly (28 in clemence), Fendi sunglasses bought on my previous trip to Milan. I make a point to buy sunglasses when I go to Italy because somehow they choose better styles (must be that italian flare) and of course the italian brands are much cheaper there.
I actually thought it started quite beautiful, like a sample. I could do something with it, adding a few synths and a hard groove.
Then I decided it was also a good exercise to explain and analyse the suffering of the human condition. It was all the shock of different expectations, as well as the failure of coping mechanisms.
So this is the voice note that I recorded, for myself, upon my return from Italy. And my current (27 Feb 2024, one year after) commentary. I hope you find it sad and amusing. I thought it would be so shameful to share it, but shame is long gone.
We went for a little showcase at the studio yesterday
I’ve been taking great pleasure in stepping out of the house in what feels like joggers. Bodysuit + big cargos. Since I was wearing these bone coloured ones I paired them with my white Panama Jacks. I don’t think you have these in the States, they’re a very good standard of classic combat boot, and very well priced. Like the Timberland but better. These are waterproof/goretex liked which I definitely needed- it’s been that kind of drizzly weather pavement that never gets dry.
Some alternatives: These Dr. Martens, these Rombaut which are extremely hot, these Adidas more into sporty territory, and these Y-3 which are giving me life.
I wore my red negative-space bodysuit- this top is similar but I’d probably go for a black one in retrospect, or even better a sexy tee like this.
The zipped blouse on top is Massimo Dutti and I love it. Any big blouse would do. To be honest, I only took it off for the picture. I liked the black and white combo.
I’m wearing my red Nikki YSL bag, which is my go-to when I’m going out and I want something cool but not fussy, and I love this bag. But if it were me now, I’d get it in pink, or I’d get the Jamie or the Manhattan. Maybe even in this colorway.
Makeup..it’s giving 90s.
I wanted something very non-descript, this is my working-girl, vibe, not my performer persona. I’m serious today and I want to disappear in the crowd. I wore a bit of foundation all over, merely because I wanted to wear a nude lip and they look atrocious without evening out the redness around the mouth. Bit of eyeliner/eyeshadow, very minimal, not “pretty”.
Lisa Eldridge foundation #5
Lisa Eldridge Eye Kohl in Coffee on the inside rim only
Hourglass Black Gel Eyeliner to tightline and smudged at the top
Suuqu grey eyeshadow and MAC white eyeshadow in eyes. This grey eyeshadow has barely any payoff (see my TikTok demo) I wish it was a little bit more obvious)
Maybelline Sky High mascara in Brown
Guerlain nude lipstick #306 Very Nude (see in the Guerlain website) with some lipliner (you could swap it for Honeylove)
No blush, no powder. Lisa’s foundation is truly flawless, it’s exactly like naturally peachy-soft skin
Also- off topic, but have you guys seen this bomber jacket?? OMG.
If anyone is looking for a nice leather bomber…
x
Diana
Mandarin Oriental at 6
This was my getup for a party at the Mandarin Oriental on Friday. We stopped by the Yamaha x Banksy event at Yamaha Soho first, where I asked Philip to take these.
I still can’t get over the good photos that a non-phone camera takes! I even keep the bad ones, they’re actually great, there’s nothing I like more than a half-closed-eye resting bitch face.
Coat is Derek Lam (got it on Vestiaire and I’ve only worn it in Venice). Cheaper version here, leather option here
Tights are Wolford (but I actually love these Calzedonia), and shoes Yves Saint Laurent (lifehack: get the 75cm heel version, they’re the comfiest shoes in the world) (USA, UK)
Makeup breakdown:
Lisa Eldridge Foundation #5 (US link)
Hourglass Obsidian eyeliner smudged (US link)
Surratt mix of brown eyeshadows (US link) all over lid
NARS Orgasm liquid blush (and here)
Maybelline Sky High mascara in brown (US link, UK)
Pat McGrath lip pencil Nude Venus
MAC Honeylove
Philip is wearing a Versace tie (all the options here) and t shirt (also here and here)
Return of the fox
I’ll be honest, I didn’t think I’d see the day where fur would make a comeback, let alone real one. This one really took me by surprise.
I have this coat on sale (literally have not worn it since 2015) but while it’s not selling, I thought I’d take it for a spin!
Fur is flattering, cosy, and works really well on cold Winter nights.
I’ve been eyeing a few pieces from Yves Salomon that I’ve included below.
Bag is this one.
Ode to my cargo pants
I’d like to debut my new blog today, 14th of February, to mark a new era. This is sincerely what I wore when I dusted off my real camera and decided it was time to come back with a What I Wore blog. I miss it and I’m punishing myself for deleting all my back catalogue in those moments of fury “I can do better” artistic violence. In retrospect, I did pretty well and I wish I had saved it! I love to revisit old photos, old writing, old me.
As you know, I like to catch onto trends when they’re on their way out. It’s been over a decade since I owned really baggy cargo pants and I thought it was about time. These are a men’s size and I cannot recommend them for women (I really love the similar Agolde, wish I’d seen them sooner)
Nevertheless, I purchased them in both black and bone and took them to the tailor, and I have been wearing them over all my leggings. I like this silhouette so much- it’s just tricky in cold weather. Because no matter what, you have to wear something bulky on top and that kind of ruins it. But it’s okay, you do take that off eventually and then you have this ball-gown contour around the line of your body that couldn’t be farthest from what you’re wearing.
Intimissimi top of course, we are all familiar with my addiction, and Grensons.
I’m sipping on a Rose Pouchong black tea from Fortnum & Mason in an effort to divert my attention into something sensible. I’ve been spending way too much on rose matchas from my local cafe downstairs whos rental must be exorbitant to be charging 5.20£ a piece for an oat tea latte. I do like them very much but I need to seek out alternatives.
I’ve never been a fan of Instagram. Something about the way it encourages stalking and rubs in everybody’s faces your friend’s posts in particular that gives me the ick. I still use it to post content, for the mere fact that I actually use it as a consumer to stay in touch with my friends, so I recognise myself as one of those people who will enjoy a good “blog post” if it appears while I’m scrolling. However, I’m also the kind of person who remembers other bloggers even without being prompted, and wants to read their blog, separate from the world of Facebook.
Welcome, it’s lovely to have you here. Dressing up has always been for me one of the most entertaining aspects of life: The art of disguise.
