May 05, 2020
Timeless summer style
My biggest source of inspiration still transcends from tropical style especially patterns found in nature. I find that by surrounding myself in the natural world you can feel its energy, it's a form of therapy that not only helps you to switch off but allows you to see things differently. It cuts out the day to day noise of the fast paced world that we surround ourselves in and allows you time to really think and reflect. I want to share a little glimpse into the magical Demeure Saint Antoine, where Mauritian tradition meets the authentic charm of the countryside and the elegance of everything you would expect from a colonial estate.
La Demeure Saint Antoine has belonged to the same Mauritian family since 1830. This beautiful house set amongst verdant tropical gardens feels other worldly. An iconic example of colonial style, a jewel of Mauritian architecture. With its numerous interconnecting rooms and huge sweeping veranda that wraps around the entire house, we felt so lucky to be able to spend the morning at this property and immerse ourselves in this perfectly preserved piece of history. For generations this property has seen very little change making it so intriguing, it’s a true glimpse into the past. Each of their guest rooms have their own personality and bear witness to the romantic art of living from the 19th century. You can almost see the ghosts in the hallways and hear the sounds from the past in the tranquil yet stirring atmosphere.
We joined friends for Breakfast served on the veranda in the fresh morning air, you could smell the freshly picked flowers in pretty vases and feel the delicacy of the fine bone china cups as you sip your coffee. Bird song fills the air as you relax and slip into a past era. You don’t have to stay at the property to visit, you will be welcomed as a visitor for Breakfast or a beautiful fine dining experience under the stars for dinner on the veranda where you will be able to select wonderful dishes that have been preserved and inspired by the past. We were lucky enough to have both breakfast and dinner here on separate occasions and if you are ever in Mauritius then it is a must to visit La Demure.
For a day of stylish exploration I felt my Innika choo ruffle dress was the perfect pick for such an occasion, crisp white cotton, in such a simple yet comfortable shape, perfect shade from the Mauritian sun.
We have put together an inspiring mood board using a few of my favourite clothing brands mixed with some of our classic pieces to show how to create simple and timeless looks that you can integrate into your wardrobe really easily and wear for years to come. You will also see some beautiful straw hats by lack of colour, so if anyone is looking for shade this summer then check these guys out.
We have heavily featured Posse, who I discovered a few years ago as I really love their pieces, one of my true favourites, they never fail to create classic and timeless shapes with a twist. Using fine cottons and soft linens that offer effortless dressing for the tropics, however you can also mix them into your wardrobe all year around. They re-define vintage for the modern day woman, creating beautiful feminine pieces that are totally effortless. Inspired by the past and re constructed for now with the intention that each piece is designed to hold a permanence in your wardrobe. Posse are passionate about the principle of slow fashion and encourage customers to invest in higher quality garments that have a better impact on our planet. They design to last and each piece embodies a timeless essence, so hope you love them as much as I do.
Wherever you are in the world, research places you could visit that have been preserved, capture our past and explore nature’s delights, like National Trust Estates that we have here in the UK. We might not be able to visit them right now but perhaps plan for the future. You can look forward enjoying their gardens and beautifully preserved features, take a picnic and allow yourself a few hours to slip back in time.....i'm sure you will be inspired.
