That’s Not My Age

The long weekend is here and I’m ready for it. Time to kick-back, watch some of my favourite TV shows and keep an eye on the Peak Goose situation in the park ( three couples on a relatively small pond and a lot of honking!). When I’m venturing further afield, I’ll be sure to grab a neat cardigan, a tote bag for all my bits and pieces and my oh-so precious travel card.

At a recent design fair, I bumped into Anna Kreeger the founder of M Hulot an independent, sustainable accessories company. She introduced me to Hilda (above), a lovely Italian leather shopper bag that can be transformed into an A-shaped silhouette (with hidden clips that pull the sides of the bag in to reduce the size of the opening. Scroll down to see) to add extra security. ‘I wanted to create a semi-structured shape and so I worked with an unlined, medium weight, natural leather, which moves and slouches,’ Anna explained. ‘ I like carrying a bag by the grab handles and giving it a little swing as I walk. Of course, I’ve included a crossbody strap for versatility!’ Nice one.

The red wool cardigan above is from Elwin Studio. Photo courtesy of M Hulot.

New style icon on the block… The Residence (on Netflix) is a murder-mystery set in the White House (I’ll say no more). The latest series from producer, screenwriter and creator of Grey’s Anatomy, Bridgerton and Queen Charlotte, Shonda Rhimes. Detective and star of the show, Cordelia Cupp, played brilliantly by Emmy-winning Uzo Aduba, has ‘a reputation for solving unsolvable crimes’ and is called upon to investigate the death of the White House’s chief usher. Detective Cupp is big into bird-watching, carries binoculars wherever she goes and wears a tweed hacking jacket, fair isle tank top and wide-leg trousers. I like her style. This whodunnit comedy is my new comfort-watch and it is really good fun.

We’re still working our way through the second series of Severance (Apple TV+) and Bridget Christie’s meno-comedy The Change ( Channel 4); both are getting trippier and trippier. Next on my list, Seth Rogan’s The Studio (Apple TV+) has received excellent reviews –  the big draw for me is Catherine O’Hara, who I have missed since Schitt’s Creek!

If you haven’t seen it, The Outrun is now on Netflix. This was my favourite film last year and it is not a comfort-watch. Featuring an outstanding performance from Saoirse Ronan ( she will win an Oscar one day, soon); and the brilliant Saskia Reeves plays her mum. The Salt Path is due to be released in cinemas at the end of the month. If the movie trailer is anything to go by, Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs both give excellent performances and are perfectly cast as married couple Raynor and Moth Winn. The pair lose their home, days after discovering Moth (the husband) has been diagnosed with a terminal, neurological illness and impulsively decide to walk the 630-mile South West Coast Path. Based on the best-selling memoir by Raynor Winn (as recommended by TNMA) the story charts the couple’s remarkable journey along the coast, across difficult terrain and through stormy weather conditions. (Please leave your thoughts in the comments box, if you’ve seen it already).

There are still a few days left to catch the superb Noah Davis retrospective at the Barbican (ends 11 May 2025). The late American artist  (1983 – 2015) died of a rare form of cancer, at 32. Beautiful, figurative paintings explore Black life in his local community, from scenes at the swimming pool to social commentary. Believing that art was for everyone, Davis together with his wife, the sculptor Karon Davis, co-founded the Underground Museum an arts and cultural centre, to give free access to all in the Arlington Heights neighbourhood of Los Angeles. It’s a powerful, incredibly poignant retrospective. Highly recommended.

Noah Davis at work, Los Angeles, 2009 Courtesy Patrick O’Brien-Smith

I’m looking forward to the opening of the V&A East Storehouse in Stratford on 31 May 2025. The ginormous warehouse-style, purpose-built public space spans four levels and is designed to give access to the V&A’s vast archives. Exploring why items are collected, how they are cared for, conserved and displayed – it’s going to be like a live version of Secrets of the Museum.  The V&A is also launching the Order an Object experience, where visitors can book in advance to view any object (at the V&A East Storehouse) with a member of staff, for free. I wonder how long it will take for another look at David Bowie’s jumpsuit…

And finally, a HUGE thank you to everyone who attended TNMA: LIVE! I still can’t quite believe we did it. What a pleasure to meet so many of you in person, especially those who have followed That’s Not My Age for years. I owe a huge amount of gratitude to our excellent hosts, the Fashion and Textile Museum, the brilliant panellists, my colleague Helen and good friends Ruth and Hat who helped out on the day. Thank you so much for your support. I’ll be sharing more pictures and highlights soon, so stay tuned.

SPECIAL OFFER

Anna from M Hulot has kindly offered That’s Not My Age readers 15% off the larger Hill and Hilda tote bags in any colours that are currently in stock. Simply use code ‘TNMA15percent’ at the checkout to redeem your discount. The will run for a week until Saturday 10 may 2025.  Midnight GMT.

More stylish spring buys over in the That’s Not My Age SHOP.