iona kleinen

I'm a London-based consultant who has worked as a fashion buyer and image stylist for some of the best-known brands on the high street for the past ten years. Travel is probably my greatest influence and source of inspiration. Those who know me, know that I am always on the move, be it discovering somewhere new, or going back to visit much-loved places. I have an enduring love for nature, for natural landscapes, but also for beautiful architecture and urban design. Fashion has always been a big influence in my day-to-day life, but as I grow older I find it is more 'style' that moves me and inspires me. Style holistically viewed through art, design, fashion, architecture. My own style has evolved over the years: now I find I gravitate to more classic pieces, which will stand the test of time; pieces beautifully made and carefully designed. Faced with a changing natural world, my vision is also influenced by a need for more sustainability, more longevity and more consideration for our planet. My blog is a reflection of what I love while I am out exploring the World.

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Winter colours- charcoal, tan and gold

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Layering up for the mountains in my favourite Nike Pro top

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The look of 2020 #masks #maskwearing

#pandemicdressing

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Drawing a posie of wild flowers and grasses which my daughter gave me while on a walk- allowing me time to appreciate the beauty of nature and observe its intricacies

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Central Park tulips in full bloom

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All the cool kids are in yellow jackets

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Bold dressing in Paris

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Beautiful interior at the Sonia Rykiel flagship store in Pairs. This store didn’t feel very much like a ‘shop’ - I wandered through rooms filled with books from floor to ceiling, and mirrors above. In between the books there were small rails of carefully curated clothes, and a few accessories. I was interested to find out why this interior was chosen and The meaning is interesting. I have long had a love of Sonia Rykiel: her label was founded in the midst of the women’s liberation movement, and her clothes always offered an alternative look and an alternative viewpoint to fashion. Sonia Rykiel was the originator of slogans on fashion, and Sonia Rykiel was passionate about books, literature and she herself wrote several books. SR is a true representation of female empowerment and her love to education, literature and the power of the written word lives on in her stores today

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Vintage silhouettes on offer in this stylish window in the Marais district of Paris 💕#paris

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Christmas in Le Bon Marche

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A visit to a small butterfly farm in Mexico was fascinating- seeing all the different types of caterpillars turning into the most gorgeous butterflies was amazing. Even after death these butterflies are amazingly beautiful

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London is just so full of incredible architecture and design....I’ve been to the London Coliseum many times, this time to see Swan Lake, and it was such a treat to sit and admire the building itself while waiting for the ballet to start. Such opulence is just such a lovely antidote to so much minimalism in modern architecture and design (although I am a fan of minimalist design, too)....

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More impressions of St Petersburg, Russia- the pouring rain didn’t dampen the spirits and we just headed into the famous Hermitage museum to shelter from the downpour

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This was the original Faberge egg which started off the tradition of ever more elaborate designs. This was a simple white egg, which opened to reveal the little gold ball inside....that was then opened to reveal the golden chicken, which in turn held a pendant...

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Before this trip to Russia I don’t think I had ever seen a real Faberge egg in real life, so it was actually really interesting to visit the newly opened Faberge museum in St Petersburg….it holds 14 Faberge eggs- including the first ever egg that started off the tradition of creation ever more intricate and beautiful designs each Easter. This was one of the first, and still quite simple- elegant and delicate it was one of my favourites

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My return to the Church of Spilled Blood, St Petersburg did not disappoint. Inspired Church interior- too much to take in- every inch of this church is filled with intricate mosaic that is awe inspiring

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This detailing is so delicate- hand embellishment finishes off the machine-made lace design