Keira Knightley was the epitome of a bridechiller this weekend, wearing a dress she last wore in 2008 (above right) when she married Klaxon’s keyboard player James Righton in an intimate, low-key ceremony in the South of France last weekend. To be fair, Keira's ‘something old’ was a Chanel Couture blush pink bustier tulle gown which I’m sure most brides would also choose to re-wear if one were just idly hanging about in their wardrobes! Accessorised with wayfarer sunglasses, Chanel pumps and jacket, Keira looked amazingly relaxed, down to earth and ultimately, very cool. Congratulations!
Lola and Grace: #MakeTheMoment
Last week I literally stopped (smiled) and smelt the roses at the gorgeous McQueen florists off Old Street for an afternoon of bubbles, cupcakes and a photo shoot with Lola and Grace, the jewellery label from the creators of Swarovski. Amidst the beautiful blooms I was styled by InStyle Magazine's Robyn Kotze, where she accessorized my look with several pieces of jewellery from the Lola and Grace 2014 collection.
My favourite item I wore was the magnetic necklace that I conjoined with another just like it to make the longer version. I decided, inspired by my purrfect new leopard print Senso Riley Heels and the surrounding graffitied streets of Shoreditch, that my look was to be entitled as ‘Urban Jungle’ (you can take the girl away from Africa...!)
Instagram your own favourite look and describe how it makes with the hashtag ‘#MakeTheMoment’ to be in with a chance of winning a trip to Berlin during fashion week with Lola and Grace. The jewellery company will also draw random winners each day, with prizes of online vouchers to be won. For more information see HERE.
Above: My 'Make The Moment' currently featuring on the Lola and Grace homepage.
Kate Moss for Alexander McQueen SS'14
In her first campaign since turning 40, Kate Moss is the (bare)face of Alexander McQueen SS’14. Surprisingly, given her close friendship with the label’s founder, this is the supermodel’s first campaign for the brand. Make up free with a Tilda Swinton-esq acid orange pixie cut, Steven Klein both photographed and filmed Kate wearing Sarah Burton's black gladiator leather in an eerie and haunting, yet darkly romantic, futuristic short film inspired by the voyeuristic 1960s British thriller, ‘Peeping Tom.’ Kate’s only co-star is a freaky little Barbie doll version of herself. Otherworldly, as only to be expected.
Cara Delevingne for Mulberry SS'14
Looking uncharacteristically innocent and candy cute, Cara Delevingne hosts an animal tea party for Mulberry’s sweet-as-pie SS’14 campaign.
Cara and her fluffy menagerie were shot by legendary photographer Tim Walker at an 18th Century country mansion in Oxfordshire. This is the seventh time Mulberry and Walker have collaborated and the current campaign is just as whimsical, magical and quintessentially English as we have come to expect. Del(evingne)icious.
All He Wants for Christmas 2013
The Christmas count down has officially begun and with the chaos and mad panic on every twinkly-lit highstreet, finding a present for the lucky menfolk in your life can prove both tricky and stressful. Rather than resorting to making an IOU voucher booklet (that ol'chestnut!) here is some TLC giftspiration which may make life a liiiittle easier...
I also asked LA-based Brit musician and all round dude Dhani Harrison and the evvver hilarious Irish actor and comedian Chris O'Dowd to share with us their Christmas wishes.
Above (Clockwise) L-R: Reclaimed Vintage ‘Happy Birthday Jesus’ Jumper - RRP. £38.00,Falcon Pie Set – RRP. £44.99-£54.99, Living Architecture: Greatest American Houses of the 20th Century - RRP. £50.00, Tom Dixon Candle Set – RRP. £75.00, Reclaimed Vintage Shoe Bookends - RRP. £80.00, Aesop Dapper Gentleman Grooming Kit exclusive to MrPorter.com - RRP. £110.00
Above (Clockwise) L-R: Drakes Knited Wool Tie – RRP. £95.00, Ray-Ban Mirrored Aviators –RRP.135.00, Anthropologie Moscow Mule Mug – RRP.£16.00, Spotty Happy Socks at ASOS –RRP. £13.00, Cox & Cox Wooden Letter Rack – RRP. £65.00, J Crew Flecked Wool-Blend Sweater – RRP. £90.00
Above (Clockwise) L-R: Nike Air Max Trainers – RRP. £94.99, Suits (Season 1 and 2) – RRP.£34.99 £20.00, Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energising Face Wash – RRP. £25.00, Leica D-Lux 5 Camera– RRP. £644.00, Laguiole Carving Set – RRP. £31.00, Graham and Green Winston Antique Globes – RRP. £79.00 - £89.00, The Kooples Straight Cut Wool and Cashmere Coat with Leather Details – RRP. £420.00 £336.00
British Fashion Awards 2013
Celebrating their quarter century, a whole bevy of British beauties descended upon theLondon Colliseum on Monday night for the much-anticipated 2013 British Fashion Awards. What I love about the British fash pack, is that they never arrive at awards show looking too over done. This year (with the exception of Rita Ora and Rosie Hunting-Whitely who perhaps tried a bit harder) the fashionistas arrived ready to let their dishevelled bed head hair down (rose-gold ombre hair in Sienna Miller’s case!) and wearing couture and designer gowns with the perfect nonchalance. These are some cool cats.
Above: (Clockwise) L-R: Kate Moss (in Alexander McQueen) and Rita Ora (in Vivienne Westwood), Alexa Chung in Stella McCartney, Laura Bailey (in Roksanda Ilincic) and Rosie Huntington-Whitely (in Antonio Beradi).
Above: My favourite look of the night was 21 year old Suki Waterhouse who wore a plunging lilac lace Burberry dress, accessorized with a Smythson clutch and a Noor Fares dangling necklace. The model wore her ash blonde hair in a scruffy up-do.
Amusingly, having scooped the last three British Style Awards herself, Alexa Chung passed the style baton on to none other than Harry Styles! I wasn't entirely aware that it was fashion that ol'Harry was known best for... Perhaps that's what the kids are calling it these days. In any event, the award obviously must now be retitled the British Styles Award?!
Above (Clockwise L-R): Lily Donaldson (in Marc Jacobs), Harry Styles (in Saint Laurent byHedi Slimane), Sienna Miller (in Burberry), Model of the Year Edie Campbell (in Louis Vuitton) and Poppy Delevingne (in Emilia Wickstead).
Above: Kate Moss, synonymous with British style, received a special recognition award celebrating her success in the fashion industry. Discovered at 14 years old and turning 40 next month, this does beg the question, why did this take so long?! Congrats KM!
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Womenswear Designer of the Year - Christopher Kane
Menswear Designer of the Year - Burberry
International Designer of the Year - Miuccia Prada for Prada
Designer Brand of the Year - Burberry
Accessory Designer of the Year - Nicholas Kirkwood
Emerging Womenswear Designer - Simone Rocha
Emerging Menswear Designer - Agi & Sam
New Establishment Designer - JW Anderson
Model of the Year - Edie Campbell
Red Carpet Award - Erdem
Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator - Lady Amanda Harlech
British Style Award brought to you by Vodafone (voted by the public) - Harry Styles
Special Recognition Award - Kate Moss
Special Recognition Award - Suzy Menkes
Outstanding Achievement in Fashion - Terry and Tricia Jones, founders of i-D
Above (R-L): Agi Mdumulla and Sam Cotton, Suzy Menkes OBE, Lady Amanda Harlech,J.W. Anderson with model & Arizona Muse, Simone Rocha and Tim Walker.
HAWT: Daisy Lowe in Miu Miu
Hawt = A late 1940's and early 1950's acronym for "Having A Wonderful Time."
Now the word is used on the internet as slang for something reeeeally hot.
The second I saw Daisy Lowe dressed as Jessica Rabbit (think long red latex!) at a mutual friend’s ‘OTT’ party on Osea Island, she became an instant girl crush.
This was once more confirmed when I saw pictures of the twenty-four year old English model attending theBritish Heart Foundation’s ‘Tunnel of Love’ themed fundraiser in London (left)wearing this diiiivine Miu Miu A/W’13 party dress.
The shocking pink and red strapless bustier frock with a foldover sweetheart neckline was accessorized demurely with black peep-toe heels, a black satin Pradaenvelope clutch with red lipstick and a retro up-do, allowing this showstopper dress do the talking.
HAWT!
Alexander McQueen and Damien Hirst Collaboration
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the iconic skull scarf, Alexander McQueen has collaborated with artist Damien Hirst (not adverse to skulls himself!) and launched a 20-piece limited edition collection. The line is inspired by Hirst’s Entomology series and the designs feature butterflies and spiders in kaleidoscopic shapes, in addition to the signature skull imagery.
The unique designs, available in Chiffon, Pongé, Twill and Cashmere with prices ranging from £315.00 to £715.00, are exclusively available from Alexander McQueen boutiques and online HERE.
Below: Photographer Sølve Sundsbø's short video celebrating the collaboration.
J Crew London Launch
You would have had to of been living under a rock to have not heard the preppy clad tremors of the J Crew brigade landing in London last week and I was thrilled to be invited (by balloon, no less) to their glitzy pre-opening party. With 227 stores across the United States, J Crew’s gargantuan 17,000 sq ft of flagship store fun at 165 Regent Street was buzzing with excitement; finally the Brits can have easy access to the label’s rainbow of cashmere, bejeweled accessories and clashing jacquard prints without having to fork out for the plane ticket alongside them!
The shop is divided into three interlinking sections, for men, women and children and is a visual feast. The evening's (J) crew comprised some of the biggest names in British fashion celebrating the launch by enjoying great music, a flip book booth, an enormous table of retro sweets (obviously I spent much of my evening hanging out here) and, of course, exploring the extensive preview of colourful designs which were immaculately displayed.
Below: I was lucky enough to have a chat with the unbelievably charming and awesomeJenna Lyons, creative director of J Crew and all round style icon (not to mention also the owner of the most perfectly long ‘selfie’ arms, as put to the test below!)
Below (Clockwise) L-R: William Woodhams and Annabel Simpson, Julia Neel and Kelly Eastwood, David Grievson, Amy Williams, Lauren Scott and Kelly Eastwood.
Below (L-R): With fellow bloggers Ella Catliff, Laura Fantacci and stylist Martha Ward.
Below: Wearing a polka dot Topshop playsuit with black lace back (available HERE - RRP. £48.00), a Zara perspex statement necklace, a Wilbur & Gussie Coco Clutch (similar available HERE - RRP. £265.00) and a massive bag of J Crew retro sweeties.
After a couple of glasses of champagne I left clutching an embarrassingly large bag of sweeties, a London-friendly J Crew Umbrella and one seriously extensive shopping list!
Below are some of the current items in stock that I now have my eye on…
Above: Colourblock Funnelneck Coat - £RRP. £398.00, Etta Sequin Pumps - RRP. £350.00
Above (Clockwise) L-R: Chevron Fingerless Gloves in Citron Grey - RRP. £35.00, Statement Flower Necklace – RRP. £198.00, Double-Zip Sweater in Colourblock – RRP.£89.50, Hughes Satchel in Pale Graphite – RRP. £298.00, Jewelled Cuff - £125.00, Jewelled Donegal Sweater in Slate – RRP. £98.00
Above: (Top) Collection Café Capri in Tie Silk – RRP. £198.00, (Below) Toothpick Jean in Velvet Pack Green – RRP. £110.00
Galvan Preview
Last week I attended a sneak preview of Galvan, at Kettners in Soho, a new London-based label established by Sola Harrison, Carolyn Hodler and Katherine Holmgren, three young and beautiful ladies with backgrounds in art and fashion. Alongside designer Anna-Christin Hass this gorgeous team have created timeless designs; elegantly constructed, boldly cut, and achingly beautiful. Galvan launches officially in 2014 but both Sola Harrison (with husband, Dhani) and Bond Girl Olga Kurylenko have been seen wearing the label’s stunning and sophisticated eveningwear earlier this year (below).
Below: With Creative Directors Sola Harrison (left) and Carolyn Hodler (right).