Maison Lejaby's 130th Anniversary Show at The Lido, Paris

June 3, 2014

Last week I woke up at the crack of sparrows and jumped on the Eurostar headed for The Lido in Paris to celebrate French lingerie leader Maison Lejaby’s 130th anniversary.

The decadence of The Lido at the heart of the Champs Elysees was the perfect setting for the dazzling one-off, hour-long show the lucky audience was spoiled with. Over seventy of the Lido’s infamous resident dancers, alongside several prima ballerinas, burlesque dancers and opera singers, took their guests throught the decades of the brand’s history, performing various enchanting routines whilst showcasing some spectacular Maison Lejaby couture, ultra-feminine RTW lingerie sets and striking swimwear.

The highlights for me were the stunning Swarovski encrusted, boned ballet tutu (above, which took over 150 hours to create!) worn to open the show and an ethereal and mesmeric white silk gown worn during a solo performance to close (below).

I thought the extensive Art Deco and Art Nouveau (below) collections were particularly elegant, and the flowing silk gowns and full-length chiffon robes extremely glamorous.

Below: A little (albeit quite fuzzy!) sneak peak of the show I made on my phone...

Maison Lejaby’s CEO Alain Prost, appointed in 2012, spearheaded the event and was emotional about the brand’s return to the French couture spirit. Whilst on stage, Alain explained, “this event marks a new chapter for Maison Lejaby and gives us more strength and even more energy for our project Esprit Couture à la Française. This day will remain an unforgettable moment for our company and for the whole team for years to come.”

BELOW: Afterwards I went for the most delicious lunch off the Champs Elysees (wearing a skirt from H&M, heels from Zara, a vintage shirt from Budapest and a Mulberry Bryn handbag) where I had the most incredible fresh cream macaroons… Ooh La La all round!

Maison Lejaby now has a salon on the Rue Royale in Paris and offers the most beautifulHaute Couture, which of course represents the very essence of French luxury. Lucky Londoners can head over to Rigby and Peller for an underwear makeover and buy their pretty Maison Lejaby sets (which come in an impressively wide variety of sizes) HERE.

Rosewood London Launch

November 8, 2013

I was really happy to attend the launch of Rosewood London, to check out the capital’s latest luxury hotel. The 1914 Edwardian Belle Époque Grade II-listed building property in the heart of High Holborn has had an £85 million refurbishment and boasts 262 rooms and 44 suites which magnificently combines a traditional English heritage look with a contemporary London aesthetic. After arriving trough a massive courtyard and walking down a beautiful hall of mirrors (see below), I arrived at the hotel's opulent bar room, designed by Martin Brudnizki, where I enjoyed a pretty huge celebratory Scarfes Royal Punch cocktail whilst listening to an acoustic performance by the gorgeous Anglo-Italian singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti (above), who I am a big fan of. Later, DJ and The Saturdays’ Mollie King (above) took to the decks to entertain the Rosewood revellers.

Above L-R (Clockwise): Kelly Eastwood and Jack Freud, Lady Natasha Rufus Isaccs with Katy Wickremesinghe, Jack and Kate Freud, Steve Merchant.

Above: Wearing high waisted Topshop shorts and a navy silk Greta ruffled top, accessorised with my bright orange Zara heels and the Emerald Wilbur & Gussie Charlie Clutch with a jewel encrusted lion clasp (RRP. £150.00, available to purchase here).

The London Chatter's Winter Sun Essentials

January 24, 2013

If you are lucky enough to escape the f..f..f..freezing weather in London right now, and are getting ready to jet off to sunnier climes, then you may be wondering where to find stylish summery goodies whilst the high street is currently brim full of wooly jumpers and mittens. Fear not, as a seasoned Winter-skiver (I have myself just returned from FIVE weeks in Kenya, above) I have put together a selection of Winter Sun must-haves, so whether you are heading to a tropical jungle, a secluded white sandy beach or are just planning to relax pool-side somewhere glamorous, your sunshine needs will be totally catered for...

Above Clockwise (L-R): Globetrotter Safari Trolley Case in Ivory - £860.00, Topshop Sundress - £38.00, Miu Miu Cat Eye Sunglasses - £225.00, Daisy Jewelry's Solar Plexus Chakra Bracelet - £86.00 £34.40, Kenneth Jay Lane's Gold Coin Necklace - £70.83 £49.17, Accessorize Flower Fan - £6.00, Stella McCartney Lizzie Espadrilles - £146.00.

Above Clockwise (L-R): Melissa Odabash India Bikini - £139.00, Topshop Floral Bandeau Bikini - £30.00, Melissa Odabash Madrid Bikini - £137.00, Mara Hoffman Pow Wow Printed Bandeau Bikini - £205.00, Topshop Blue Tie Dye Crochet Bikini - £30.00.

Above Clockwise (L-R): Heidi Klein Wide Brim Buckle Hat - £135.00, Ondademar Tes Gauze Dress - £207.00, ASOS Floral Beaded Clutch Bag - £40.00, Pamela Love Cutout Turquoise and Bronze Cuff - £340.00, Stella McCartney Faux Patent-Leather and Cork Wedges - £385, Malin & Goetz Essential Travel Kit - £20.00.

Above Clockwise (L-R): Meli Melo Bon Bon Bag in Cipria - £320.00 £224.00, Topshop Hawaiian Print Sundress - £36.00, Tangle Teezer - £10.00, Nars Monoi Body Glow Ii - £44.00, Benefit CORALista Powder - £23.50, Benefit CORALista Lipgloss - £13.50, Dara Ettinger Lark Dyed Amethyst Cluster Ring - £69.17, ASOS Cat Eye Flying Birds Sunglasses - £20.00, DKNY Linda Patent Multi-Strap Cork Wedges - £120.83.

Left and Below: At The Tamarind in Mombasa, Kenya, wearing The Summer Dress - £150.00 - a British collaboration between designer Chessie Grievson (of the luxury bespoke label Tephi) and artist and conservationist Sophia Rogge. This silk dress features a sand dollar print, inspired by the sea urchins from the oceans of Fiji. 10% of profits from this purchase will go towards coral conservation. Fashionable and environmentally friendly... No excuse not to really!