Hello There: My Insiders

At the start of London Fashion Week a band of merry women, myself included, attended the London launch dinner of myinsiders.com, a new members-only website and app which promises to be the ultimate tool to curate our busy lifestyles.  Whichever city you may find yourself at a loss in, the 'Insiders' will provide you with a library of trusted lifestyle recommendations to help you discover the ideal place to shop, eat and dance! 

Membership is through nomination… Become a member by knowing an insider…!

Above:  At Skye Gyngell's 'Spring' restaurant at Somerset House with some fellow 'Insiders!' 

Below:  Teaming a pair of tan Felder Felder leather shorts with this Sister Jane (my new obsession) 'Pearls of Wisdom' blouse (RRP. £52.00) a man's Rebel at Heart Watch (RRP. £250.00) and two Glam and Soul Eternity Rings (RRP. £159.00) all by Thomas Sabo.

Skate at Somerset House Sponsored by Coach

The (albeit slightly wonky?!) ‪Christmas tree is up and the water is freezing over which can only mean one thing... Skate at Somerset House, sponsored by the American luxury design house Coach, is one of London’s most glamourous and fashionable ice skating experiences, opens this Thursday 14th and I cannot wait to go!  Nothing can beat an evening skating alongside a live soundtrack spun by top DJs, whilst enjoying rink-side yuletide treats (welcome back mince pies and mulled wine, my old friends!) followed by dinner at Tom’s Kitchen and a wander around the luxury pop-up Christmas market.  
Tickets start from £7.50 and are available until January online HERE

LFW - Huishan Zhang SS'13

I was lucky enough to be invited to Huishan Zhang’s SS’13 presentation in the Portico Rooms at Somerset House this London Fashion Week.  This was the Chinese, Central St. Martin educated designer’s highly anticipated debut at Fashion Week and I was holding one hot ticket.  There were three presentations held throughout the morning and each one was as jam packed as the next. 

The collection was a contemporary take on a more traditional Chinese style, taking inspiration from Chinese dresses (silk fabrics with high necks and leg slits), Huishan Zhang has created beautifully feminine, delicately detailed dresses all with an edge of strength and power to them.

Stunning Chinese imagery (including miniature pagodas, mahjong tiles and Swarovski crystal embellished ancient birds) is printed on to beautiful ruffled backless dresses with ethereal, patterned lace detailing on striking midnight blues, pretty blushes, exquisite aquamarine and minty green coloured silks.  The entire collection had a distinctly youthful, modern and exciting feel to it, encouraged by the models’ colourfully painted, shimmering cheekbones and double plaited ponytails. Huishan Zhang is not just a designer, he is an artist and I am really excited to see what he will come up with next.

Vodafone UK Announces Partnership With Mary Katrantzou

Yesterday morning, over cappuccinos and mini granola berry pots at Soho House, I heard how this Autumn Vodafone UK and acclaimed fashion designer Mary Katrantzou, famous for her graphic print dresses, will enter into an exclusive two-season partnership.  This collaboration will see Vodafone UK supporting Mary’s shows in London Fashion Week and the designer devising a fashionable and innovative way to use Vodafone technology.

Vodafone UK have long championed British fashion, teaming up in the past with other well renowned designers, Christopher Kane and Richard Nicoll (the results of which saw a fleet of London cabs decorated in Kane’s Galaxy print, with mobile phone charging capabilities for it’s passengers, and Nicholl’s unforgettable white leather handbag with in-built phone charger!) 

Danielle Crook, Vodafone’s UK Director of Brand Marketing, also assured me that they will once again at this year’s LFW be providing the life saving mobile phone re-charging units on the front row at the BFC space and pop-up re-charging points at Somerset House – Phew!

(Above L-R: Mary Katrantzou, Danielle Crook and Chairman of the BFC, Caroline Rush)

The lovely Mary Katrantzou, who I had the real pleasure of meeting (left), spoke enthusiastically about the upcoming collaboration, “I am excited to be working with Vodafone, as a brand they have really cemented their credibility and support within the fashion industry over the past few seasons. Their innovation elements really appeal to me and it felt a natural fit to join forces. I'm really looking forward to be able to widen the fashion net to their customers and bring them to the front line of fashion week.”

Danielle Crook, whilst wearing a head turning Mary Katrantzou dress, said, “Mary's bold graphics and iconic designs have attracted a cult following from every part of the fashion world and we are thrilled to be working with her.”  The partnership launches next month and will run across the spring/summer 2013 and autumn/winter 2013-14 shows.  

If you are a Vodafone UK customer you can register for Vodafone VIP online here for the opportunity to meet Mary Katrantzou and watch her catwalk show during LFW.  If you are NOT a Vodafone UK customer... There's never been a better reason to become one!

The Fashion Mile

Yesterday saw some of Britain’s top designers (including Christopher Kane, Sarah Burton, Katie Hillier, Erdem Moralioglu and Peter Pilotto) donning trainers (albeit it fabulous leopard print ones Charlotte Olympia!) to join in on the ‘Born To Walk Tall’ campaign where they walked alongside Sam Cam, the Save the Children and British Fashion Council Ambassador, on the first ever ‘Fashion Mile.’ Walking from Downing Street to Somerset House this fashionable herd showed their support for the vital, life-saving work of doctors, nurses and midwives worldwide in helping make sure that children live to take their first steps.

"It's heartbreaking that 8 million children under five die every year, simply because there is no doctor or nurse nearby to give them treatment. The mile we're walking today is dedicated to the inspirational health professionals who tirelessly make that journey - often covering substantial distances - to save the lives of children." Samantha Cameron.

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