If you (like me) have been unusually disorganised with your Christmas shopping this year, fear not! With the always epic Net a Porter sale starting this week, our disorganisation might just have have paid off!
To save you some time, I’ve scoured the entire site and created a small edit of my favourite pieces (some of which you may have already seen me wearing over 2018…)
I fell for East London based brand Mother of Pearl hard over Fashion Week this season, not only because of their renown sustainable credentials, but also because this pyjama/jogger trouser/pearl lined shirt combo struck the perfect balance between casual and luxury – my sartorial happy place!
“I have a vision to make products that travel the minimum amount of miles, using the minimum amount of chemicals possible, and are socially responsible and organic,” says Amy Powney, Mother of Pearl’s creative director. Using only cotton and wool from ethical production methods (including minimised water consumption and zero toxins) Mother of Pearl’s feminine ruffles, use of faux pearl detailing and cooler than cool masculine silhouettes are well worth having on your radar (and in your wardrobe.)
Wave ya hands in the air like ya… KNOW BLACK FRIDAY IS COMING…!
As your email inbox miiiiight be alerting you, Black Friday is heading straight towards us, with discounts too good to ignore. Whilst this bargain-heavy day can be enjoyed online, your digital elbows need to be just as ready, so preparation is KEY, people!
On Friday morning I intend to be hopping straight on the Farfetch website, as not only do they sell all the top designer pieces each season, they also sell gorgeous clothing and accessories from an unparalleled number of emerging designers. On a day I can feel a little less guilty for treating myself, I plan on investing in a little summin’ summin’ from one of these new designers that you’ve probably seen all over your favourite Instagram accounts this year.
I’ve had my eye on this cherry’licious and watermelon bag for the last few months. Each one of Susan Alexandra’s whimsical bags take six weeks for designer Susan Korn and her team to make in New York’s Chinatown, with each one consisting of between 300 - 1500 beads each. I feel they would be tantamount to carrying around pieces of pure sunshine. Shop Cherry Bag Here / Shop Watermelon Bag Here.
Despite only being founded in 2016, By Far already boasts a huge celebrity following. The brand’s contemporary and hard-wearing designs are handmade in a family-run factory in Bulgaria, and these winter white and lizard brick red ankle boots, made with sustainable Italian leather, will go with evvvverything, all year round. Shop White Boots Here / Shop Brick Red Boots Here.
Miaou, pronounced ‘Meow,’ create the most distinctive denim, and for a loud and proud, crazy cat lady like myself, these cropped leopard print jeans would be purrrrfect for any season. If you feel you need to roar a little louder, pair your jeans with the matching jacket. Shop Jeans Here / Shop Jacket Here.
I already own one Vampire’s Wife dress, and nothing makes me feel more regal, feminine or glamorous. The label is the brainchild of English model Susie Bick, taking its name from her husband’s abandoned book project. Taking this season’s trend for corduroy to the next level, these dresses with their ruffle trimmings are total classic, day to night investments. Shop Navy Dress Here / Shop Brown Dress Here.
I fell hook, line and sinker for London-based, Korean-born designer Rejina Pyo at her first ever London Fashion Week show, and each season her unique silhouettes are always at the top of my wish list. I can’t decide what I love more, this brown, grey and orange print wool duffle coat with its oversized collar and adorable toggle fastenings, or her blue Olivia leather box bag?! Mind you, the two would go terribly well together... And remember, when it comes to Black Friday, it’s not what you spend, it’s what you saaaave ;) Shop Coat Here / Shop Bag Here.
Photography: Joseph Galvin, Dress: Karen Millen, Hair: Taylor Taylor London
Who doesn’t have a lil’soft spot for Marks & Spencer? Traditionally my go-to, one-stop-shop for underwear, roses, smoked salmon, commemorative tins of biscuits (don’t judge me) and Percy Pigs, it is now also the location I’ve found some of my favourite staple Autumn/Winter’18 wardrobe additions.
Over the years I’ve found some real little winners to wear from M&S (I think I bought the entire Alexa Chung collection, and the washable cashmere is always an ‘Add To Basket’ investment) but I’ve never seen the amount of wearable, on-trend (and affordable) fashion as I have found online and in-store this season.
As we’ve now officially come to the end of the longest summer EVER (the heating is on as I write…) I decided to style together some of my favourite new-season M&S separates, which each also tick many of the Fall’18 trends; Animal print, corduroy, berry tones and winter whites.
What I love most about this outfit (aside from the clear 1960’s Mary Quant, Chelsea vibes!) is that each one of my chosen pieces can be so easily integrated into my existing wardrobe, giving the items I already own the perfect refresh they need.
In collaboration with Marks and Spencer
Photography: Frances Davison
Hair: Taylor Taylor London
Nails: Sophie Gass
Moon Hair Clip: Estee Rose
With thanks to Enrique the pug.
Today I will be mainly transporting myself back to Bank Holiday Monday morning, lying peacefully on an Isle of Wight cliff top covered in heather... Opposed to dealing with having just found my home completely splattered in Carnival paint. All together now; "Ommmmmmmmm...!!"
In celebration of Dolly Alderton’s witty memoir, ‘Everything I Know About Love,’ British knitwear brand Hades has created a lambswool ‘Dolly Knit’ inspired by the brainy Bardot’esq babe herself (RRP. 160.00).
Available in Powder Pink and Blood Red, these sweaters both have ‘Know Thyself’ embroidered onto the inner sleeve of the left arm, which is perhaps wiser than the usual heart we’ve been known to leave there...!
After the most SCORCHIO of British Summers that I can remember, I can’t say I’m not a little relieved to hanging up my slightly weathered rosé hat. During this sweet spot between balmy and baltic, it was with total Autumnal anticipation I reached for my favourite trench.
I think we all can agree that the timeless trench coat is one of those key inter-seasonal layers that everyone needs. Possessing all the Audrey vibes one could hope for in a trench, this wee Marks and Spencer's number I got last season is set to work just as hard this year, as it did the last… And that’s the thing with trenches, they just never go out of style.
Although this balloon-sleeved beauty is sadly no longer in stock, Marks and Spencer have just launched their new style, an affordable Trench Coat made from sustainably sourced materials, which uses clever clogs Stormwear™ technology, increasing your protection against wind and rain (remember those ol'things?!) Chic AND practical - WE LIKE!
Another goodie I've spotted which won't be hanging around on their digital shelves for long is Rejina Pyo's love-and-wear-forever Double Breasted Belted Trench Coat from her second collaboration with Label/Mix. Rising fashion-star Rejina Pyo's show during London Fashion Week has become one I really look forward to, and being able to purchase some of her striking designs with their signature sculptural buttons, more affordably than her mainline layers, gives me such a sweet fashwunnnn high.
Lastly, the other trench that understandably caught my eye was Gabriella Hearst's statement Armonia Coat that debuted on her Fall '18 runway. With its wool and cashmere-blend, this style is considerably more expensive, but as they say, a trench is for life, not just this Autumn. Ok, 'they' don't say this - but I just did, and I feel it works, so let's go with it...
Photography: Joseph Galvin
Last week, on World Elephant Day, Auree Jewellery and I celebrated reaching quite an exciting and wonderfully unexpected milestone...
Influenced by my Kenyan roots, the seven Masai bead inspired Tembo Charity Bracelets from my collaboration with Auree Jewellery have collectively raised £25,000 (!!!) which has been donated to For Rangers, with a giant bow on it.
I’m so proud that 100% of the profits from our collection went towards supporting the brave heroes across Africa risking their lives every day to protect our endangered wildlife, and so grateful to have this platform (my own ‘digital soapbox!’) to share the causes I feel so passionately about.
Thank you to everyone who bought one (or two, or three...) of the Satao, Pembe or Shina bracelets… You will have directly contributed towards the fight against elephant poaching, and the extinction of this iconic, important animal.
Buy To Give: Head to Auree Jewellery to secure one of the last few bracelets...
Photography: Frances Davison
Hair: Taylor Taylor London
Nails: Secret Spa
So, today ASOS is very kindly offering us all 20% off EVERYTHING (yes… EVERYTHING) on their entire site, using the code 'GOFORIT'… Ummmm, we LOVE those guys!
To save you the inevitable hours of trawling their site (it is a Monday after all) and from making any impulse/instant-regret/immediate-return decisions, I took one for the team and put together this edit… Just hover and click on the items you like for their direct links.
Spanish fashion house Loewe has teamed up with Knot On My Planet's global ambassador Doutzen Kroes and Save The Elephants in the fight against the ivory trade, a cause very close to my heart.
100% of the profits from the Loewe's limited-edition Mini Elephant Bag (above), adorned with handcrafted beadwork by the fabulously skilled mamas from the Samburu Warrior Trust based at Kenya’s Ol Malo (one of my favourite places to stay on earth), will be donated to the Elephant Crises Fund and the conservation initiatives they support.
Left: During one of my beautiful stays at Ol Malo, a family ranch and game sanctuary in Laikipia, the heartland of the Samburu tribe. Whilst there the mamas colourfully beaded my ankles. This specialised craft has given the female elders a viable workflow to help sustain their families.
Did you know that elephants are deeply emotional and intelligent animals with strong family bonds that last their 70-year lifespans? Or that without elephants, natural ecosystems can quickly fall into disrepair, creating further food insecurity for local human communities? Trust me, with a wild elephant killed every 15 minutes across Africa, a designer handbag has never felt like more of a crucial investment. Shop HERE.
I’m not sure if there was something in the water last year, but I’ve had a recent rush of the most gorgeous god-children and other miniature cuties appear in my life! Deciding what to buy them to celebrate their arrivals has been so much fun, and alongside an obligatory Sophie la Girafe, I decided to give them all some of their very own engraved treasure to welcome them into the world.
I headed straight to Links of London, knowing they not only have a renowned selection of covetable, yet affordable, jewellery, but they also generously offer complimentary engraving. From pens to pendants, watches and tie bars, Links of London is filled with copious amounts of personalised giftspiration and I was spoilt for choice.
For the boys, I decided to get sterling silver cufflinks with their initials (can we take a moment to appreciate that I have a god-son called Lukas Axel… #FutureRockstar #JusSayin…) and for the girls I got gorgeous sterling silver and 18kt gold heart-shaped disc charms engraved with their names. These hearts can be added to charm bracelets or worn alone on a necklace, and although these gifts might not be ones the children can immediately enjoy, they will feel all the more special and sentimental once they can.
The pieces of jewellery I hold most dear are always completely unique to me, engraved with my name, or of those closest to me, personalised with meaningful dates, lyrics or sweet, ‘in joke’ phrases. These pieces instantly become heirlooms, and the reason why I tend to veer towards this idea for presents for others, and ermmm, myself. What?! You didn’t think I was going to leave myself out of this equation, did you?! Do you not know me at all by now?!
With my sister living in New York, my mother living in Kenya, and with me living in London, I thought I would engrave us some matching Links of London friendship bracelets with each of our initials engraved on the cord's toggle. How sweet?!
Now, purely for safety (slash, fashion) purposes, I decided I obviously needed to road test all three bracelets together... Which annoyingly, has now made me want more, as they are the perfect stacking bracelet...
Fear not, friends, I managed to behave. Both my mother’s engraved 18kt Rose Gold Vermeil & Taupe Cord Mini Friendship Bracelet, and my sister's engraved 18kt Yellow Gold Vermeil & Ruby Red Mini Friendship Bracelet, were both dutifully wrapped up and sent to each of their far-flung destinations! Severe brownie points all round.
In collaboration with Links of London
Photography: Joseph Galvin
Hair: Taylor Taylor London
Nails: Sophie Gass