Bespoke Silk Ikat Jacket is a Treat

Long time, no see. Almost a year since I last posted.

There have been many news and adventures, and I would not know where to start, but today I just want to share photos of a new silk ikat jacket that my mother made for a customer. All our clothing is made fully bespoke and so it fits perfectly.

It is a fully lined jacket, boxy cut, with a polo collar. We love how it turned out and so does the customer.

If you like it, you can order a similar one in our Etsy shop.

Blue Like a Dream - Vintage Russian Scarf

There's not much to say about this cobalt blue Russian scarf. It is just beautiful with the lace-like pattern and clusters of roses and bluebells. Even though it is not large - about 34 inches - it is very visible. I think it can look amazing with denim of a proper shade. It is available in our Etsy shop here.

A Stunning Russian Shawl with Roses and Hydrangea

Some Russian shawls just have to be shown to the world. This one, for instance - full of fiery roses and lace - like hydrangea - is one of the most beautiful shawls I have ever seen. These richly coloured flowers really stand out against jet black background. I do not think the shawl has a name - could not find anything in the archive - but it does not really matter, for "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet", and this beauty is sold, anyway. I just wanted to keep the photos here.

We have many more beautiful Russian shawls in our shop here.

Russian Scarf Seen Anew: A Puffer Scarf in Russian Patterns

I have been thinking much about scarves recently. We love making scarves from Uzbek silk or Russian shawls, but we were mostly making infinity or circle type. We love infinity - we adore infinity - but certainly there should be other options?

I was thinking of a practical scarf, easy to wear, not prone to wrinkling, sturdy and long lasting and warm. I hate scarves that can be ruined easily; graze them with your nail and there is a snug, touch them with your ring and there is a hole. Oh, no. I am for spending money in a reasonable way, at least this is what I try to do with mine. I also needed to take the latest fashion trends into consideration. Iceberg, Balenciaga and Chanel displayed puffer scarves in their Fall/Winter 2016-2017 collections.

(source: Pinterest) 

All these arguments combined, I came to a perfect decision (we'll see!) - a puffer scarf! These have been seen on runways lately, and they are just the perfect combination of practicality and beauty.

So... we came up with these!

Frankly, I think it is insanely beautiful.

This is a fantastic patchwork scarf made from various vintage shawls. My mother did her best to arrange a striking array of colors and patterns. I cannot even decide which side I prefer.



These flowers are so lovely.

The opening for the tail of the scarf is large and sturdy.

And this is the general view. I can tell my mother enjoyed making this scarf!

I think it is a unisex scarf; I can easily see it worn by a man or woman.

The scarf can be bought in our Etsy shop. I will list more scarves very soon. In the meantime, the sneak preview!

Vintage Russian Shawl with Wild Flowers and Grasses

Just found this amazing shawl full of wild flowers and grasses and thought I would share. This is a beautiful vintage piece made at the Pavlovo Posad Manufacture, probably in the 1980s. It is exquisite and so unusual - it does not even feature the classic Russian roses.

This beautiful vintage Russian shawl is available in our Etsy shop here, and if you like it, do not hesitate to buy.

Million of Roses on a Russian Shawl

The name says it all: this is a gorgeous vintage Russian shawl dubbed "Million of Roses" by collectors.There is famous Russian song with that name, and it evokes pleasant memories in most Russian speaking people. 

The shawl is indeed stunning; the lace-like pattern is airy and elegant, and the thick border of roses makes the piece look complete. I love the rich colours. They do not make shawls like this anymore, honest. 

So far, this beauty is available in our Etsy shop here, but I know that it will not last. It is collectable and highly sought after. And it is just breathtaking. 

A Hand Block Printed Vintage Russian Shawl with Mirabilis

 ...Long time, no see. I know I am supposed to write more often, but my real life has been too busy lately. I will write an update later - it will also help me to take stock of my news - and in the meantime I just want to share this fantastic vintage hand block printed shawl that I have in stock currently.

The shawl is brilliantly bright, even for a vintage piece (modern ones are mostly muted, but vintage were bold and rich). This one is especially vibrant. I love those huge flowers - they certainly make a statement - and the relaxed ease of the drawing, where flowers seem to be moving under the wind. Their playful disarray lends a lot of life to the print. I think that the lily-like flowers are actually Mirabilis jalapa, the marvel of Peru or four o'clock flower, that blooms at night - they are very popular in Russia.

This is a fantastic Russian shawl; they do not print them by hand anymore, which is a good thing, since this was a very hard and harmful work to do. However, these shawls are amazing, and I love them much more than modern mass produced specimens. For now, it is available in my Etsy shop, MulberryWhisper.

A Cat as a Natural Sleep Aid

The kitten we have found in the end of summer proved to be a fantastic asset. She is fearless, tireless, playful and cuddly. She purrs like a big caterpillar tractor despite her tiny size. She steals food and gets into every box and cabinet. We fight for the right to sleep with her as she is the most fantastic sleep aid, warm and purring. You hold her and feel the tension leave you... 

She might not be the most beautiful cat I have seen, but she has the most amazing personality and a very strong character. 

And she is the funniest cat ever, too. See her sleeping in a flower pot? She just loves it. I wanted to plant a new flower but maybe I should just keep it for Wing Chun as she likes it so much.

Ivan Argunov. Portrait of an Unknown Woman in Peasant Dress

Just something I stumbled upon today and decided to share: a portrait that I love from the first sight, when I was a child. This is a "Portrait of an Unknown Woman in Peasant Dress" by Ivan Argunov dating back to 1784. It belongs to the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.

I never thought her to be very beautiful, but always liked her mild Slavic features and open and friendly gaze. Her costume is very correct, fully in accordance with that time: a sarafan dress and a fine shirt, fit for a special occasion. Her headpiece is a beautiful kokoshnik with gold embroidery, and her necklace is made from large coral beads. I guess she was from a rich family.

There is not much else to say about the portrait, save for the fact that I find it lovely and the woman feels almost like an elder relative to me. I hope that you like the portrait as well. 

A Good Cat Grows Where Planted

You can take a cat our of a village, but you cannot take a village out of a cat.

Remember the kitten that we found in the end of the summer, far from the city? She probably misses the rustic life, because she consistently sleeps in the pot with the ficus Alii (Ficus maclellandii). This habit of hers is so sweet and funny, it does not even require commenting. I look at the photos and I feel like falling asleep together with the little Wing Chun... She is extremely good for my nerves, so soothing.