I need to start this post by saying 'thank you' to Silje of everything and nothingness...had she had not written about the black leather pouch she purchased from VDC I would not have clicked through to their site and discovered their collection of linen clothing (the fabric for which comes from a Belgian company which has been specializing in the production of linen since 1858).

Browsing VDC's site was one of those rare instances where I could have ordered enough pieces to send myself to the poor house...and probably would have done had it not been for the fact that this was my first time buying anything from them and I was wary as I knew nothing about a) their sizing, and b) their quality, "what you see" being in so many cases disturbingly different from "what you get"...add in c) that any returns would need to be sent across the Atlantic...and you get the end result (a+b-c). I ordered one dress...sleeveless...in dark grey linen...whose fitted top and full skirt was like a clothing cocktail...three parts Azzedine Alaia...one part Degas' ballerinas...with a shot of punk, courtesy of the industrial strength zip down the back.

Now the dress has arrived (in record time, I might add...faster than some items have made it across the US) and I am a happy little camper. The fabric is...heavy...almost too much so for those who dislike such things...but the weight allows the fabric to hold it's shape...and creates an almost structural delicacy...the shape is feminine, the material is a little more rugged.

All in all, a perfect way to welcome in a new year...