Tag Archives: Fashion

Concrete, Pure, Chelsea & Temperley

Posted in Fashion, Girl About Town, Pretty Things by

Ciao bellas. I thought I’d do a round up of the last week and what I’ve been up to….It’s been a busy and mostly London-based week, so I’ve been torn away from my beloved fields and mud and thrown back into the Metropolis.

Concrete

Last week I went for business drinks in London, and decided to check out the fairly new ‘Concrete‘ bar at the Hayward Gallery on the Southbank. Finally! A building on the Southbank that is delightfully self-referential…By day, a cafe, by night a bar. Despite it being a Thursday night, it wasn’t particularly busy, but had a nice enough atmosphere. The service was decent, not especially chatty or engaging, but the bar was rather cool inside, and had a very fetching cement mixer outside.

On the plus side, we got two for one on our wine, and the lychee martini was absolutely delish, but I found the place to be a little soulless; not what I was expecting from the usually buzzy and cheerful venues on the Southbank. Dishoom Chowpatty Beach Bar, you are sadly missed. I wandered the Southbank afterwards to soak up some atmosphere. Oh – the other plus point was seeing Philip Glenister, aka Gene Hunt, near Waterloo. I got a bit overexcited.

 

Pure Fashion Trade Show

I went to Pure for a bit of networking, both for Lady M Presents and for my new fashion project, Jean et Jupe. I’d been there once before, when I was working in fashion buying, and found the whole thing quite an ordeal. As it’s a trade show aimed at buyers, it’s really hard to push past the initial ‘are you in buying?’ ‘no…but I do work in fashion!’ conversation. One guy literally just went back to taking a phone call the second I said ‘no, I’m not a buyer’. Rude!

I actually found it more judgemental and closed off than London Fashion Week. At Fashion Week, everyone’s actually pretty friendly, and it feels like no one has a point to prove. It’s more easy going, in my opinion! Anyway, I did speak to a few friendly people – shouldn’t give the impression it was all ghastly, but it certainly isn’t for me. The best bit by far was hearing talks on social media by Liberty London Girl and Warren Knight of Gloople. I found the tips really interesting, and the speakers were really insightful and knew their fields inside out. You can read the tips in full on our company blog for Jean et Jupe here.

Chelsea

After Pure on Monday, I went along to the Chelsea Day Spa to  a Hydropeptide Facial and New York Pedicure for Lady M Presents. Oh my goodness. I haven’t been so relaxed in…well, a very long time. Usually when I  have facials I just lie there thinking of everything I’ve got to do, and feeling even more stressed because I can’t actually get up and do them. But I’d strongly recommend the Spa, as I had a fantastic beauty therapist named Elize who really looked after me, and the whole experience was lovely. They also do heaps of really good deals, so the prices are surprisingly reasonable.

Alice Temperley for John Lewis Preview

I got to go to the preview for the very exciting new diffusion range from Alice Temperley for John Lewis, again to cover for Lady M last night. A small crowd of fashion bloggers and writers (I wonder what the collective noun for that is?!) descended on The Golden Bee in Shoreditch, really close to Old Street tube. It was a fab venue, and we quickly claimed a comfy sofa on the roof terrace, and started the cocktail drink in earnest. I know! On a school night as well…We had mojitos, Strawberry Collins, and Passionfruit Collins. I was also childishly delighted by the special goviral packs of Smarties on the tables.

I’ll be reporting on it in full for Lady M, but it was a really lovely night. The girls from the goviral team were lovely, and I also met people from Catwalk Queen and Styloko, as well as the founder of the Aussie equivalent of ASOS, Musstard. After the experience at Pure, I definitely got my networking mojo back. It’s going to be a beautiful collection, and will drop in stores from 4th September.

Haven’t really had too much time to write lately, life has got very hectic lately! Will check in again soon.

Glyndebourne: The Marriage of Figaro

Posted in Culture, Fashion, Festivals by

Last Friday, I was lucky enough to be invited to Glyndebourne by my friend Sophie and her parents. I was invited about a week before the event, which meant only one thing: FULL BLOWN DRESS PANIC. It was a long time since I’d been to Glyndebourne: so long in fact, that my mother had dressed me that last time. But this time, the responsibility was all my own. I did some frantic Google searching, checking the Glyndebourne website and various blogs about how to dress. Most advised that while evening dress was not compulsory, it was advised.

Now, I’m one of those girls who buys things on a whim and then finds the occasion for it later. ‘Dress for the life you want, not the life you have’, someone once told me. That never meant much to me purely because I tend to wear whatever I like, and to hell with the consequences, but for once it seemed to come true. Suddenly I knew what I had to wear. Last year, in a fit of Summer madness and fabric inspired lust, I’d picked up a charming lavender, Grecian style Alberta Ferretti evening gown from Love is Boutique in Tunbridge Wells. It had been obscenely expensive originally, but I got it at a much more reasonable price; although still enough to force me to eat noodles until my next paycheck came through. It didn’t matter though, because I fell truly in love with it. Despite working in the fashion industry, it’s very rate that I feel something for a garment like that, but this was different.

Enough about the dress though! We had the most glorious weather as we headed down towards Lewes; the sun beating down through the car windows. We were well equipped with a picnic, chairs and table, but intended to go for some afternoon tea first and foremost. Quite right, I say. We wove our way through verdant gardens and wildflowers taller than me, set up our table and popped off for an absolutely corking tea. I’m a huge advocate of afternoon tea, and this was a proper one: finger sandwiches, scones, tiny cakes. Perfect! After tea, we wandered around the lake and through the impossibly beautiful grounds before heading inside to our seats.

It’s strange – I’ll happily sit down and listen to hours of Bach or Vivaldi, but I’ve always avoided opera. I suspect this is because my parents used to drag me to the opera when I was very small, and frequently used to play it around the house. I needed to find my own way to it. From the start of ‘Figaro’ I was enchanted. This ‘Figaro’ was loosely set in the sixties (perfect!) and directed by Michael Grandage (even ‘perfecter’!) I’ve loved Grandage since seeing a production of Schiller’s Don Carlos he directed, and also Ivanov with Kenneth Branagh a couple of years ago. ‘Figaro’ was a wonderful production – slick and funny and fast-paced. It’s a well known fact that I have the most appalling attention span: too much time ‘triple-screening’ with TV, my Mac and my iPhone has meant I can’t concentrate on anything, and yet the opera whizzed by. I didn’t check the time once, and was devastated when it came to an end!

All in all, it was the most glorious day. I adore the fact that this bastion of Englishness still exists, and that here is a place I can go where people still dress smartly and take afternoon tea. Glyndebourne during the Festival is a truly perfect experience, and whether I have to beg, borrow or steal a ticket next year, I shall try my best to go again. In the meantime, I’m going  to put Bach on the backburner (Bach-burner?! Geddit?!) and guess what? I’m going to start listening to some opera.

Sensible Shoe Day

Posted in Fashion, Girl About Town by

I’d been plotting it for a while. I’d done my research, I’d made decisions, I knew what I was doing. It was finally the day to purchase my first pair of Hunter wellies. I’d been putting it off for ages, despite working my way through a few pairs of disastrously bad cheap wellies, and covetously eyeing up everyone else’s at Latitude last year. I think crisis point came when my friend India had dry and warm feet in her Hunters, while my cheap pair split in a few places on the second day, meaning I spent the majority of the time with miserable wet socks and wet feet. Splits aside, they were also heavy, bulky and uncomfortable.

Another big factor in my decision was my gradual turnaround of embracing living in the country. I grew up in Ascot in a house with a huge garden and an Anderson shelter that I used to explore. We also retained our house in Sussex, which is where I live now, and for years I was in denial. Despite a childhood of muddy walks on the downs, riding lessons, and holidays to Cornwall, I was resolutely NOT a country girl. I filled my wardrobe with ridiculous heels and silly dresses, turned up to country pubs in white jeans and silk peplum tops, and carved a reputation for always being overdressed and having no practical clothing whatsoever.

The thing is, I have loved growing up in the country. I’ve loved riding lessons, walks on the Ashdown forest, houses filled with dogs, cross country running, visiting National Trust properties. But during my teenager years I watched a bit too much Gossip Girl, and desperately wanted to be a city dweller. I spent heaps of time wandering along the South Bank, seeing French films at the BFI, buying art supplies in Soho. Then suddenly, something clicked. I wanted to walk through muddy fields, to sit in country pubs not wearing ludicrous clothes. I wanted wellies, I wanted a Barbour, I wanted to walk dogs. I renewed my National Trust membership.

So that’s the story of my love affair with the countryside. I may have left it alone for a few years, but I’ve come running back with my arms outstretched. My footwear had to follow suit, and I began to dream about the Hunters. I thought long and hard about colours, finishes, styles, and knew I wanted something subtle and classic. I knew the minute I stepped into Selfridges – matte black, stupidly comfortable, flattering, perfect for country walks. Sold. I’m madly in love with them, if a little worried about my new sensible shoe habit. And next, the Barbour.

My main purpose for being in London was to pop along to the Mizuno Performance Centre in the ginormous Centre Point building, for a seminar on their new ‘Be’ minimalist trainers. We were very kindly given free trainers; the Wave Rider 15 model. I’m currently training to run 10k, but have been doing it in the ratty old Nikes I’ve had since Year 10 at school. Yep, it’s a disgrace. The Wave Riders make it feel like I’m running on clouds. They’re wonderfully comfy, supportive, and also have these ace little breathable bits at the front, so when you run your feet feel really cool! I love them. My feet are bemused.

So that was my sensible shoe day! It feels a bit like going back to school and having to buy new kit for the term. Anyway, I’m off to try and find some puddles to jump in. Hooray!

Next Christmas Press Day 2012

Posted in Fashion, Girl About Town by

Cold and continual rain, flooding and slate skies, bitter winds and dark afternoons. When we had a few sunny days towards the end of May, I made the idiotic decision to swap in my Winter wardrobe for my Summer one, a choice I regretted hugely until the beginning of this week. I’ve spent most of July fishing at the back of my cupboard for jumpers, coats and scarves. So with that in mind, it wasn’t exactly a stretch to attend the Next Christmas 2012 press day one Wednesday morning to review for LadyMPresents.co.uk.

As I say in my article, I’ve always eschewed Next with a firm hand. I have no idea why, but I took against it in my callow youth, and didn’t revisit for many a year. And neither would I have done, had I not entered a world of adorable boucle jackets laced with silver, of heritage tweeds, flat riding style boots, Fair Isle knits, and military style coats.

The actual event was spectacular. We stepped off a plain grey Bloomsbury street into an underground…well, grotto, I’d have to call it. Except in a chic, rustic sense – not like a third rate garden centre grotto. Huge verdant Christmas trees stood proudly all around the room, fairy lights twinkled, and delicious canapés and drinks were perched on a long wooden table replete with pine cones.

The lucky attendees were given the chance to peek at the men’s, women’s, children’s, beauty and home collections for Christmas 2012, and I was delighted to spot so many beautiful items. The collection couldn’t have been more up my street, inspired by the idea of a ‘country house weekend’ and boasting various Russian (fake) fur hats, chunky knits, embellished dresses and coats with dramatically upturned collars. Some of my favourite pieces included silky smooth shirts with pearls or studs at the collar, and the 60s style miniskirt suits.

I’m annoyed that I missed out on Next and their amazing ranges for such a long time. That said, I’ve never felt that my local branch is particularly well merchandised, and I’ve been rather put off by it. That said, I’ll be making a pilgrimage to a much larger branch – either when the Christmas drop happens, or most likely…before!

Also, the goodie bags were AWESOME. I am now the delighted owner of a grey scarf-y wrap cape-y thing (technical term) with a fur trim, some black leather look gloves, a rather darling checked blanket, and an enchanting stuffed owl. I put them all on at once because I am achingly cool. Oh yes.

Pantiles Fashion Festival

Posted in Adventures, Fashion, Girl About Town by

First post in absolutely ages. I’m sure any bloggers will know the ghastly, niggling feeling when you suddenly lose your blogging impulse. I just lost the will to blog for ages, and when that happens I usually opt to leave it alone as opposed to cluttering up the site with half-hearted posts that I’ve dashed off in an afternoon. I’ve got ideas for a few posts yet to come, lying half written on my computer. By the way, I’m now the proud owner of a Mac, and I couldn’t be happier!

I’ve got some exciting ‘news’ to share hopefully in the next few weeks, but in the meantime this is a little post about what I got up to at the weekend. Rachel Montague-Ebbs, my editor over at Lady M Presents, has organised a weekend-long fashion festival on The Pantiles in Tunbridge Wells for the past two years now. I walked in it last year and had an absolute ball, so was delighted to get involved again.

One of the designers involved was Latvian-born Anita Anna Benko, who had created extraordinary dresses that felt incredible to wear. Some of the things we wore were high street clothes, but it was very exciting to wear something a little different, a little elevated, and very striking. The weather was a little dodge, but luckily Tunbridge Wells came out in force to support us (and lots of women came down to see the rugby boys modelling!) I had a quick browse of the stalls and spotted an amazing jewellery collection called Rosewreck. Great prices for beautiful pieces, definitely worth a check out.

Anyway, thought you’d like to know a little about what I’ve been up to, and I promise to write more! Usually once I break the freeze, I’m good at catching up. Lots of love!

Rococo Nails

Posted in Fashion, Health & Beauty, Positive Thinking, Pretty Things by

I swear, all my posts this week are just going to come under the broad category of ‘cheering myself up’. I’m still ill, I’m tired, I have a little bit of my voice back but not a lot, and I’ve graduated from Gossip Girl to America’s Next Top Model. I’m unbelievably bored. I was hoping to use today either to do some fun projects or to crack on with the mountain of work I have, and instead I’m just useless, utterly utterly useless.

What can you do when you barely have the energy to walk up the stairs? Well, I decided to paint my nails. I’ve had a bit of a bare nails moment going on for the last few weeks, because I wanted to give my nails a break from the endless parade of colours I’d been abusing them with since Fashion Week. I’d got really bored of uniform nails, and for one week I even had every nail a different colour. I liked the way it looked, but it wasn’t exactly ideal for when I needed to do a quick touch up of my nails on the train. But I fancied doing something a little different today.

Probably my favourite colour combination is blue and gold. If you haven’t picked up on my Marie Antoinette/Versailles obsession yet, I’ll just reiterate it for you once again. I think it’s such a beautiful combination, and I liked the idea of recreating this on my nails. It makes me think of pale Spring skies and shards of sunlight, or the way the Autumn sun shines through leaves, illuminating them. I purchased the Rococo gold leaf lacquer from Space NK in Tunbridge Wells a couple of years ago, and despite an initial phase of wearing it frequently, I’ve kind of left it alone. It’s got formaldehyde in, which smells quite a bit and makes me feel like Damien Hirst. But today I needed serious perking up, and so out it came. I hope you like the results. What’s your favourite nail varnish/colour combination?