DISCO London

The opening of Disco (owned by nightclub entrepreneurs Duncan Stirling, above right with wife Zoe Stirling, and Charlie Gilkes, above left with finance Anneke Von Trotha Taylor) has certainly been one of my (Donna) Summer highlights. 

Expect glamorous Pan Am-esque stewardesses, choreographed dance routines and DJs spinning classic vinyl disco tracks from inside an oversized glittery disco ball...  And if that isn’t kitschy cool enough, cocktails will be served in miniature Michael Jackson heads by waitresses and waiters in Kylie-stylie gold hot pants!  

Since the doors closed on Manhattan's Studio 54, there has never been a more opportune excuse to invest in a white flared suit... You can Blame it on the Boogie. 


Left:  Last night's Disco Summer Drinks (L-R: Olga Nicolae Ciobanu, Kelly Eastwood, Anna Collins, Nicholas Bayliss).

Disco is open Thursday - Saturday, 11PM-3AM, 13 Kingly Court, Soho.

Now everyone...

"She is D, desirable
She is I, irresistible
She is S, super sexy
She is C, such a cutie
She is O, oh, oh, ohhhhh"

The 'Leading Ladies' of Marks and Spencer

This is not just any Autumn/Winter’13 campaign... This is an M&S Autumn/Winter’13 campaign.  Goodbye lovely Twiggy and sweet Myleene, step forward Marks and Sparks’s latest line up of successful, creative and independent ladies (*insert preferred Beyonce song whilst reading); Helen Mirren, Grace Coddington, Ellie Goulding, Karen Elson, Darcey Bussell, Katie Piper, Helen Allen, Nicola Adams, Laura Myula, Monica Ali and a very miserable, almost pained, looking Tracey Emin (well, she is more used to mostly wearing Vivienne Westwood after all!)  Shot by photographer Annie Leibovitz in various dramatic locations, including on a boat at Tower Bridge (above), this ‘womanist’ (ew!) campaign must have cost a fortune to put together.  I can’t help but wonder if something a bit simpler (and maybe a bit smilier?!) may have been more cost effective. 

HAWT: Olivia Palermo in 7 For All Mankind

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.

Even when hitting the streets of NYC, smoothie in hand, Olivia Palermo’s off duty, casual double denim outfit still managed to look as beautifully polished and glossy as the lady herself.  Wearing a vintage look, loose fitting 7 For All Mankind denim shirt, skinny jeans, neon camouflage flats by Pretty Loafers and so ‘of-the-moment’ festival friendly reflective-lens sunglasses, Olivia (and her permanently perfect red nails) looked HAWT!

Charlotte Olympia's Incy Collection

Charlotte Olympia, my FAVOURITE shoe designer of all time, has shrunk her favourite six pretty and playful flats, (including the Kitty Flats, left, loved by Alexa Chung) to fit the luckiest of little girls... I've never wanted smaller feet more.  The collection, called Incy, takes inspiration from the 'Incy Wincy Spider' nursery rhyme.

"I always thought I'd design little shoes for little people as soon as I had a girl" said designer Charlotte Dellal,"however, with two boys now and a third child on the way - I decided to finally launch 'Incy' regardless. Maybe I'll have a girl this time!"

 Start saving your pocket money kiddos. 

www.charlotteolympia.com

Streck

I am constantly on the hunt for the latest, innovative and unique personalized gifts – nothing is more special or thoughtful.  One of the most bespoke and exceptionally cool companies I have recently come across is Streck, founded by Caroline Strecker in 2012, and loved by model Poppy Delevigne (left) a.k.a POPDOG.  

Distinctive, super-soft Streck t’shirts and Streck hoodies are created using sheets of vinyl and sealed with heat, ensuring their vibrant designs never fade.  With a variety over 30 different designs, shapes, logos and colours (including bright neons and glow in the dark) to choose from, as well as an exclusive collection of limited-edition pieces, creating the perfect individualized style for you or a friend has never been easier. 

Above:  I was thrilled to receive my own personalized olive-grey Streck hoodie, emblazoned with my hood(ie) name ‘K-Dawg,' which I’ve found to be a brilliant casual throw on/off during this unpredictable summer, and an ace festival accompaniment.

Above Left:  Request a totally individual design by choosing a particular image or logo and Streck Bespoke will create a completely unique item exactly to your specification. 


Daytona Press Night at the Park Theatre

I was recently attended the press night of Oliver Cotton's ‘Daytona’ at the Park Theatre, London’s newest, and coolest, theatrical venue. 

Artistic Director Jez Bond took three years to transform the formerly disused office building near Finsbury Park tube, into the sparkling creative space I visited which now houses a 200-seat auditorium, a 90-seat space, rehearsal studio, café and bar.  The impressive project cost £2.5 million, raised from private donations (generous support from Sir Ian McKellenand Celia Imrie amongst them) and the sale of 3 flats on the building’s upper floors, and is staffed mainly by local volunteers.  With all the passion and hard work that has gone into accomplishing this dream, you can honestly feel the whole building and all it’s inhabitants buzzing with excitement – no more so than Hazel, the ever present and utterly adorable theatre dog (below left with Jez). 

‘Daytona’ is the third production to have shown at Park Theatre since its opening and it is fantastic!  Set in 1980’s New York the play tells the story of a pair of married Jewish immigrants who receive an alarming visit one quiet evening from an old friend.  StarringHarry Shearer (of ‘The Simpsons’ fame) John Bowe and the ever FABULOUS Maureen Lipman (her performance floored me), this extraordinary story, especially in its second half, totally consumed me.  I highly recommend going to see it. 

Above Left:  With John Bowe after his brilliant perfomance.
Above Right:  With Artistic Director Jez Bond and actor Jonathan Pryce.

'Daytona' runs until August 18th (£22.50/£19.00 conc.) Buy tickets Here. 

Cos Serpentine Summer Party

I attended the COS Summer cocktail party recently to celebrate their partnership with theSerpentine Gallery.  The Swedish high street brand are sponsoring the Park Nights series, which will see the Serpentine Summer Pavilion hosting performances, film screenings and talks on Friday evenings over the next few months.  

Cos have also created two limited-edition shirts (left, available here, RRP. £59.00) which were inspired by this year’s Serpentine Summer Pavillion installation designed by the Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto.  The Pavillion (below) is ahhhmaaaahzing, a real must see/climb!

Prince George of Cambridge

The Regal Has Landed:  Congratulations William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, on the birth of their son, Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge! 

The Royal Baby's christian name has provided some of the most memorable monarchs and the little Prince will be the third George from the House of Windsor to take the throne when he eventually takes the crown.

Once the new family had left the Lindo wing of St Mary's Hospital to meet the press and well wishers, William held the future king and joked, “he's got a good pair of lungs on him, that's for sure!"  Sweetly William added, "he's got her looks, thankfully." 

Twitter immediately exploded into a frenzy as soon as #RoyalBaby George entered the world, with 18,000 tweets a minute being posted.... I maaay have contributed to this.

Above:  Was Kate’s custom-made cornflower polka dot sundress by Jenny Packham a nod to her late mother-in-law Diana?  Diana also wore a polka dot smock leaving St. Marys hospital with William 31 years ago.

Above:  The Royal Wave!  Weighing in at a hefty 8lb 6oz, baby George is the heaviest future king to be born for 100 years.  Fact.  William weighed 7lb 1.5oz when he was born in 1982, whilst the Prince of Wales weighed 7lb 6oz upon his birth.

Kate and William have already been inundated with a deluge of gifts from friends, foreign dignitaries and public well-wishers for Prince George… but what do you buy the baby who has… well, everything?!  Here are some of TLC suggestions... 

Above (Clockwise L-R):  Lait Maman & Bebe, RRP.£22.00 - L'Occitaine, Keep Calm Onesie by Jack Spratt Baby, RRP. £21.00, - Notonthehighstreet.com, Knitted Baby Crown by The Miniature Knit Shop, RRP. £45.00 - Notonthehighstreet.com,  Smart Baby Monitor (its camera sends images of your sleeping baby to your iPhone!) RRP. £134.99 - Medisana, Velour Bear Suit RRP. £65.00 - Marie Chantal,  Baby Cakes Gift Set, RRP. £29.00 - Babes With Babies, Baby Britannia, RRP. £19.95 - Babes With Babies.