Ahhhh, springtime in Paris...Tiny little green buds on the trees, bright jonquils and saffron dotting the meadows, blue skies, fresh strawberries with creme fraiche, bustling mornings with happy enfants walking to school in packs past a fast moving river Seine, jewel like Ile Saint-Louis and Ile de la Cite winking out of the water, Eiffel tower doing it's romantic Christmas tree nighttime routine and warm croissants straight out of the oven (damn freaking delicious croissants totally ruining my record 3 month gluten free run! ). I hate to be so lyrical, so positively full of sparkling, wholesome adjectives but unfortunately it is all true - it is so disgustingly beautiful and horribly nice this Paris in springtime business that every time I wish I was staying, perhaps in a little attic apartment somewhere up high, on the end of a 5th floor walk up, where I could eat all the croissants and drink all the wine I want because, let's face it , when you live up a 5th floor walk up, you are the epitome of that book "French Women Don't Get Fat".

Look, I could talk about food all day, but in Paris, fashion is equally as important, in fact, this is the epicenter, the Vatican of fashion. Other cities might try to deny this but they are the spurned ugly stepsisters just being jealous. So for my newest Coach edit, I wanted to take on the patchwork trend that is currently sweeping the world. A bit 70s and all art class, patchwork is not so much a trend as a way of incorporating different ideas, textures and colors into a unified new entity. For late Spring 2015's collection Stuart Vevers has remixed the classic turn-of-the-century bandana prints and combined them with denim and florals, for an uncontrived femininity inspired by the wilderness of the American Prairie Badlands. Prints such as Badlands Flora, Bramble Rose and Bandit patterns, either printed or appliquéd on bags and accessories or introduced on rugged blue “demin washed” burnished leathers create a modern iteration of one of America’s most loved style propositions. I mixed this gorgeous bag with some great new season patchwork pieces and took it all out on a spin in the iconic Luxembourg gardens ...

(Above and here: Coach Americana bag, Karen Walker top, Topshop skirt, Proenza Schouler booties, Olivier Peoples X Isabel Marant sunglasses)

( Coach Americana bag, Lover trench coat, Tigerlilly top,Citizens of Humanity jeans, vintage Marc Jacobs sandals )

( Coach bag and sweater, jeans and shoes as before)

2015 is definitely all about a 70s revival. Maxi dresses, flares, blousons and velvet on carefree, rock n'roll girls that look like they are a lovechild of Janis Joplin and Michelle Phillips. But if the thought of incorporating flares into your life is giving you the style equivalent of a Nag Champa incense headache, fear not. There are ways to wear your flares that are appropriate for work or the weekend.
This story also heralds my first collaboration with Coach, the iconic New York based accessories and ready to wear company that has recently been helmed by Stuart Vevers; the man who has in the past brought magic to labels such as Mulberry, Bottega Veneta and Loewe. Under Stuart's direction, Coach has grown into a super cool, youthful and playful brand with a kaleidoscopic use of color, print, cute cartoon characters as well as polished, lust worthy pieces. I am proud to announce I will be collaborating with Coach all this season - there are so many beautiful accessories I get to play with - I hope you fall in love with them as much as I have.
First up is the Swagger collection where Mr Vevers explores modern elegance and streetwise sophistication. It's all about delicate, jewelry like chains, hantags and amped up turnlocks. I wanted to pair my picks of the collection with the best of new season clothes and to show you just how easy it is to turn into Stevie Nicks without losing your 2015 modernity. All hail the flare!

So you think flares are best kept for the weekend? You haven't seen the Ellery version yet. With their swishing, multi layered bottom, these pants are not just elegant but super fun to walk, dance or run after a cab in. An all black palette means business and gold hardware details add luxe bling - I paired this outfit with a Swagger bag in black crock because, well, crock print is everything

( Ellery pants, Christopher Esber top, Max Mara jacket, Coach bag, Hermes cuff, Cartier bracelet, Tom Ford sunglasses, Aquazurra shoes )

Karen Walker has done some amazing flares this season and this pair is printastic as well as a great 70s shade of orange. Tan and brown accessories are de rigoeur this season to elevate any 70s look. Pair with a floaty white blouse for effortless cool ( Karen Walker pants, Isabel Marant top from Parlour X, vintage Gucci belt, Sunday Somewhere sunglasses, Kirsten Ash necklace, Prada shoes )

Photographed by Nicole Cooper