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Interview with Peony – Part Two

Hello hello! I hope you all enjoyed meeting Peony yesterday. Too gorgeous no? Her photos make me want to go buy a bunch of beautiful summer dresses (too bad they will probably fall closer to maxi length on me). Enjoy part two!

I know that you are started your own shop soon last year. Can you share some more about that? What have been the most difficult and awesome things about starting your own biz?

I am so excited about it! It launched in November 2011.  Which coincides with my one year Blogiversary.

At the moment we will only be stocking one item. It’s called the Peony Lim Smock.  Based on fishermen’s smocks worn in Cornwall, they are a oversized top that can be worn year round.  My family have been wearing them for 3 generations and they are very much a part of our aesthetic.  Mine are special because they are made of vintage recycled fabrics and cotton denim. There are two styles, the top and the dress. I wore the dress to SS12 NYFW and one of the tops to SS12 PFW.  Each smock is unique, hand cut and made in Cornwall, England and most are one of kind due to the rare nature of the fabrics.


It has definitely been a lot of work to get to this stage.  Sometimes it is a real challenge to have faith in yourself, but when you believe in your product that pulls you through.

I am just itching to get them out there now.  Come and have a look…here.

Where do you shop and what are some of your favorite designers? High street and luxury brands? 

Luxury brands: Alaia, Hermes, Prada, YSL, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin and Alexander McQueen.High street: Zara, Zara, Zara! Sometimes ASOS and H&M.

How about sharing some of your shopping/budgeting tips? How do you choose where to invest/pay full price/etc?

1. Invest in the pieces that will last your lifetime, that are classic and will never go out of style.

2. We dont all have the budget to buy high end trends every season, so be inspired by them and recreate them with some help from the high-street. eBay can also product some amazing deals.

3. If you find a vintage piece you love, buy it and recut it to fit you.  This is a great way to get unusual and really expensive fabrics and designs that fit you like a glove on a budget.

I know you love antique markets and fairs. What are some of the coolest items you’ve found?

Some 1970s French folding chairs that are chrome and clear perspex and a 1920s straw boater.

Can you share some of your other passions and hobbies?

I love to cook, travel, eat, read, be with family and friends, visit museums and galleries and I love watching classic golden age cinema.

And finally – please tell us something surprising about yourself!

I dont like having my photo taken! Crazy huh?!

 

Peony’s photos and stylings have been a breath fresh of air to me. As a lazy Californian whose closet contains copious amounts of fleece (and possibly even a pair of Tevas), I am constantly seeking inspiration that pushes me to be more stylish and find stock my closet with beautiful items. Peony is definitely someone that inspires in that way – thank you again to her for doing this interview, and for more of Peony, check out her blog here.

28 Comments

  • Reply
    homestilo
    January 19, 2012 at 2:43 pm

    Really a great interview. Off to check out those smocks!

  • Reply
    shoppingtosaving
    January 19, 2012 at 4:15 pm

    She is so awesome and her looks are perfect!

  • Reply
    Val - A Cleaner Closet
    January 19, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    Thank you for such a great interview. I too consider myself a lazy Californian and need a serious nudge in the direction of styling things a bit more thoughtfully! I'm really enjoying poring through your blog! x

    acleanercloset.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    rolala
    January 19, 2012 at 4:34 pm

    I've read Peony's blog before. So fabulous and inspirational!

  • Reply
    FairyFiligree
    January 19, 2012 at 4:40 pm

    lovely interview & such beautiful pix. thanks for sharing…

  • Reply
    Adele
    January 19, 2012 at 4:52 pm

    Another fab interview Katherine xoxo
    http://www.intotheblonde.com/

  • Reply
    JenlovesBal
    January 19, 2012 at 6:00 pm

    My gosh, she is a stunner! 🙂 Love her style.

  • Reply
    Kim (A Very Sweet Blog)
    January 19, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    Excellent interview Peony! Your style and taste is impeccable. I wish you luck with your new business venture. Thank you Katherine for showcasing her.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

  • Reply
    Chocolate, Cookies & Candies
    January 19, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    The words stunning and sophisticated come to mind when I look at photos of Peony.

  • Reply
    Champagne Cocktails, Cashmere Dreams
    January 19, 2012 at 6:48 pm

    great job with the interview! her advice about investing in great quality designer pieces and using high street and vintage pieces to create your look is so true! my favorites are the floral dress with the leopard heels and the black and white ensemble (love the bag)! thanks so much for the post I am so glad i stumbled upon your blog today! I am subscribing! off to check out Peony's blog!

    stop by if you have time-would love your input!
    http://champagnecocktailscashmeredreams.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    katattack2000
    January 19, 2012 at 7:57 pm

    Wow her style is amazing! And she doesn't like he photo taken? wow but shes so photogenic!! Thanks for the interview enjoyed it 🙂

    katattack2000.wordpress.com

  • Reply
    Girlie Blogger
    January 19, 2012 at 8:16 pm

    She's gorgeous. And such good fashion advice too.

    http://www.thegirlieblog.com

  • Reply
    Call me M
    January 19, 2012 at 9:27 pm

    You're right. She's true inspiration. I loved her style.

  • Reply
    Nee
    January 19, 2012 at 9:55 pm

    she's such an inspiration!

    Love,
    Nee
    ROSECANDLE11

  • Reply
    pink horrorshow
    January 19, 2012 at 10:13 pm

    Peony's quite a hit in the blogosphere! She's so chic for someone so young 🙂

  • Reply
    LV
    January 19, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    So Gorgeous! Great style and definitely a great style inspiration.

    http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    The Fashionable ESQ
    January 19, 2012 at 11:43 pm

    What gorgeous shots. Very inspiring.

    xo
    The Fashionable ESQ

    http://www.thefashionableesq.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    fabulouslyfrugirl
    January 20, 2012 at 1:15 am

    So gorgeous. I love Peony's chic and effortless style. She totally rocks the red lips!

  • Reply
    Latkes and Dim Sum
    January 20, 2012 at 3:44 am

    What a fun interview, Katherine!!! Thank you for posting it!

  • Reply
    Sabrina
    January 20, 2012 at 4:02 am

    I loved this 2-part interview! She really is too gorgeous! I think her style is fabulously chic. I adore that red epi speedy! Lovely photos!

  • Reply
    littlemissandrea
    January 20, 2012 at 6:55 am

    Awesome interview. Love her style & she's gorgeous!

  • Reply
    Cee Cee
    January 20, 2012 at 7:37 am

    Really love your interviews, you ask the most interesting questions. Thanks!! 🙂

  • Reply
    Tanya
    January 20, 2012 at 8:40 am

    I love discovering new bloggers through your interviews.

  • Reply
    Trips & Treasures
    January 20, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    Cool interview ! Will definately check out her blog

    http://www.tripsandtreasures.blogspot.com
    belgian fashion blog

  • Reply
    Samantha
    January 20, 2012 at 2:53 pm

    Peony is GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS!! Thanks so much for sharing this interview with us Katherine!!

    xo, sam

  • Reply
    Annabelle
    January 20, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    Wow, her wardrobe is fantastic! The white blazer and shorts might be something I'll have to try when the weather gets warm again.

  • Reply
    jin
    January 23, 2012 at 8:07 pm

    another great interview! peony's definitely a style icon in the fashion blogworld!

    xx jin @ her imajination

  • Reply
    Urban Jungle Fashion
    January 24, 2012 at 4:05 am

    I love that you interviewed Peony. She's beautiful and has A+ style.

    I'm glad I read your blog today. This weekend I officially started my photography business and have people who have seen my work and have booked me. Today I started having a mental panic attack because I finally admitted to myself I was scared of failure and disappointing my client. However, something Peony said about her business really resonated with me, "Sometimes it is a real challenge to have faith in yourself, but when you believe in your product that pulls you through."

    This has inspired me to calm down and have faith in what I want to do.

    Thank You.

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