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.

Sign up here to support the campaign and here to donate.

Debit Buy - Velvet on a Shoestring

I have always thought that the most decadent of purchases are those which are the most impractical with the shortest of life lines - yet desperately desired in spite of this... cashmere socks for instance. My pair lasted one glorious, indulgent day and after one wash they shrunk so small they would fit only a pixie (hand wash socks… seriously?) But now, as seen on the Paris catwalks earlier this year and now filtering down on to our hightstreet, there is a trend for an even more frivolous foot companion; velvet.

Luxurious, sumptuous, jewel toned velvet – stereotypically donning the slippered feet of bluebloods, this material is hardly the most sensible for us to strut our stuff in. They are ill-equipped for bad weather or the most minor of daily scuffs - therefore, wholly desirable...

Now all I need is my very own Sir Walter Raleigh (Jack) to chivalrously lay down his cloak (jacket) over any puddles in my track to prevent me from muddying these velveteen lovelies (this could take some convincing.)

Topshop, as always, have us totally covered with flats, boots and heels;

Topshop Valerian Velvet Ballet Pumps, £18.00 (in Oxblood, Teal, Green and Navy Blue)

Topshop Artwork Velvet Lace Up Shoes £75.00 (in Marl Red, Dark Green and Navy Blue)

Topshop Sacred Velvet Bow Court Shoes, £58.00 (in Black, Blue and Burgundy)

Livin La Vida Lanvin

The new A/W'11 ad campaign for Lanvin by Steven Meisel teaches us 3 things:

1. The elegant collection is goooorgeous (those capes... those wide-brimmed hats!)
2. Move over chaps: Alber Ebaz is a serious scene stealer of note.
3. Models can walk... but not dance...

Zumba Wii Moves: Karen Elson, Raquel Zimmermann

Vivienne Westwood in Kenya

From Kenya With Love...

Having been raised in Kenya this project is particularly exciting for me...

Vivienne Westwood’s ethical range of handbags, made from environmentally sustainable materials in her second collaboration with Nairobi-based social enterprise Ethical Fashion Africa were unveiled earlier this year and the pictures taken on her last visit to Kenya are featured in her new A/W’11 ad campaign. Taken by photographer Juergen Teller some of the photos feature Kenyan supermodel, Ajuma and also local discoveries, Elsie and Sonnietta.

The project is designed to support and empower disadvantaged female artisans living in two of Nairobi’s slum areas Kibera and Korogocho by utilizing their creative skills – London based Vivienne Westwood’s confirms, “this is not charity, this is work… What I do, making bags, can make a difference. This project gives people control over their lives—charity doesn’t give control, it does the opposite, it makes them dependant.”

Available to buy here on Vivienne Westwood's Website

A video explaining the project;

In Vogue: Kate Moss' Wedding

I do. I Vogue.

My sister just arrived from New York dragging her handbag behind her… In it, the whopper, super-sized September issue of American Vogue she bought for me containing the much anticipated beeeeyooootiful wedding pictures of Kate Moss’ wedding last month.

After various relationships, some good, some bad, some plain ugly, Kate agreed to marry Jamie Hince, guitarist of rock band the Kills whilst cuddled up on the sofa watching television. Were they watching some big ol’romantic classic when they decided to tie the knot? No… They were watching an episode of ‘My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding!’ Kate explained, “I was just watching Jamie, so cute, and I was like, these girls, they just spend their whole life waiting for that day—let’s do it!”

The pictures were taken by Mario Testino and were well worth the wait to ogle at... Wow! Beautiful, softly lit, bohemian and extremely romantic.

Determined to have a decadent, dreamy 1920’s wedding, Kate even gave her forthcoming Big Day the secret code of ‘GG’ - after F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.

Inspired by old Jazz Age pictures of Zelda Fitzgerald, John Galliano designed Kate’s delicately exquisite dress (which he subsequently called his ‘creative rehab’) and in custom made Manolo Blahnik shoes, Kate entered the church to the sound of applause, wolf whistles, and The Rolling Stone’s anthem ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want.’

The swagger of Jagger: A very Mick and Bianca shot of the couple.

A stolen moment.

Kate had a fairy-like cluster of 13 young bridesmaids all wearing dresses by BonPoint (designed by Christine Innamorato) and Pretty Ballerina ‘Hannah’ flats.

Vogue has also released a Kate Moss Wedding Video, featuring interviews with some of the biggest names in fashion and a look at Kate’s career...

Thank you Vogue - and Congratulations Mrs Hince!

X Factor Fashion

Its back! The 8th series of X Factor launched this weekend and 12.6 million of us tuned in to boo and to cheer this year’s hearty concoction of desperate, deluded bellowers and genuinely talented songbirds.

They have a brand new, super shiny line up of judges… and Louis (who I’m sure will still be telling contestants they “have the full package” on X Factor 2070, having outlived us all.)

But what of the newbie’s? Handsome, stubbly, no-nonsense Gary Barlow, will surely have become the nation’s biggest crush overnight, but as with every X-Factor series, it’s really all about the gals...

Kelly Rowland is awesome.

With 15 years experience in the industry, a flirtatious Southern drawl and a swaggersome, super slick style (outfits for the audition stages have included this figure hugging Versace dress and lots... and lots… of bare midriff (hey, if we could, we would!) She’s also promised to wear more Brit designers for the live shows – Top contenders include Stella McCartney, Victoria Beckham, McQueen and Bass & Brooks.

I also love that her responses always include the liberal scattering of words such as ‘boo,’ and ‘mama’ – terms of endearment I feel, having obviously tried them out immediately, only Kelly Rowland can pull off.

N-Dubz feisty singer Tulisa totally held her own on the panel and also won the audience’s sympathy when a gobby auditionee verbally attacked her.

After seeing the above promo shots of her looking all a bit too reminiscent of Our Cheryl (tight Hervé Leger and glossy biiiiiiiig hair) Tulisa’s outfits for the auditions have been a relief - I especially loved her DKNY jumpsuit covered in little lips (available at Selfridges) which along with red lips and a retro hairstyle, she is definitely set to make her own fashion stamp on the proceedings.

The best audition of the night? 16 year old Janet Deviln (watch audition here.) A little bit Ellie Goulding, a little bit cupcake – this shy, ethereal girl from Northern Ireland was adorable and definitely one to watch.

Repetto Toes

Madame Rose Repetto made her first ballet shoes in 1947 and prima ballerinas from all over the world were soon flocking to her shop. In 1956, inspired by these ballet shoes she created her famous ballet flats – hugely popular at the time with Bridgette Bardot, they continue to be just as popular today and regularly adorn the feet of Kate Moss, Sofia Coppola – and MEEEEE.

These are my favourite pair – how could you not smile with these precious sparkles on ya tootsies?

Repetto flats are now available from Selfridges.

www.repetto.com

Betty Draperlicious

At her recent birthday party, Petrina Khashoggi, writer, channeled Mad Men's Betty Draper, wearing this sensational 1950’s silk and satin, aqua couture dress by Harvey Berin, accessorised with pearls.

The exquisite vintage dress was a birthday gift to Petrina from her great friend William Banks-Blaney (right) who was once dubbed by Vogue as ‘The Vintage King.’ His shop, ‘William Vintage,' can be found at 2 Marylebone Street and is filled with stunning haute couture and vintage clothing.

Oh so charmingly, this dress has little folds around the bust line, which typically in the 1950’s were referred to as ‘crumb catchers!’

Betty Draperlicious.

Petrina is currently working on a ‘top-secret’ biography – Watch this space!

L.K.Bennett Campaign

L.K.Bennett’s new advertisement campaign features ‘real’ women – not some A List actor, size zero model or brooding teenage musician – but real life muggles (albeit smoking hot ones) of differing ages and professions.

Their new ‘Life Is The Occasion” campaign includes, amongst others, an obstetrician, a compliance analyst, a textile designer – AND an environmentalist. Yes, the ever so gorgeous Sophia Rogge (above, whose beautiful sarongs for Coral Conservation I have previously written about) is one of L.K.Bennett’s chosen ambassadors.

Escape to New York

Watching the news on television last Sunday night and witnessing from afar the worse riots Britain has seen in over thirty years, I was quite relieved I had chosen that particular weekend to escape to New York. Literally. I went to the Escape To New York festival on the Shinnecock Reservation on the east end of Long Island.

Organised by Freddie Fellowes (modeled on his Cambridgeshire Secret Garden Party) and entrepreneur Rocco Gardner, New Yorkers and British aliens alike, all travelled the ninety miles outside Manhattan for a weekend of frivolous festival fun.

When I think of festivals in the UK I envisage wellies, mud and fancy dress; It is practically a prerequisite of the Secret Garden Party to attend looking as weird and wonderful as possible and my disheveled friends returning from Glastonbury this year looked like they hadn’t slept or showered in 4 days (they hadn’t.)

E2NY was NOT this kind of festival.

Attracting a much more style savvy and well groomed crowd, with a chic ‘glamping’ area consisting of rows of crisp white teepees and safari style tents, hot showers in porter-bathrooms, and delicious catering by The Fat Radish, I stealthy buried my silver latex leggings and pink wig at the bottom of my bag – Thank God I had just had a pedicure…

Aside from the usual festival staples (multi-coloured wayfarers, floral hair accessories, denim shorts, pixi boots) there was a definite nod to our Native American hosts (feathers in girl’s hair, moccasins on their feet) and an elegant trend also appeared; short shorts with long sleeved tops and bikini tops with flowing maxi skirts – a more demure way of keeping/looking cool.

Various clothes and accessory stalls were scattered around the reservation but ultimately there were three that stood out as the most popular, unique and exciting;

1. The StyleLiner

The glamorous Joey Wolfer drives all over the world in her 20 foot refurbished potato-chip truck – a veritable treasure trove filled with limited edition clothing and extraordinary accessories available to the flocks of fashionistas at private parties, social events and festivals. Starting successful ventures is in her blood (her great-great grandfather started Marks and Spencer) and I foresee the StyleLiner becoming extremely successful... After all, this is not just any StyleLiner… This is Joey Wolfer’s StyleLiner… (Sorry, I couldn’t resist…)

2. The Monocle Order

A new online member’s club for sunglasses founded by Alex Van Klaveren and Zoe Nightingale. Once you buy a pair of full priced sunglasses you will become a life-time member to the club, receive a steel membership card and be entitled to buy all subsequent pairs for half price (up to twelve per year.) The stylish sunglasses are selected from all over the world and include ranges from Karen Walker, Lotho, Cassius, Waiting For The Sun and May Fourteenth. Join up now whilst membership is still free.

3. Roarke

Designer Mignonne Gavigan and former Bergdorf Goodman buyer, Laetitia Stanfield’s exquisite collection bib necklaces, headbands and bracelets are all stop and stare striking. Each piece created is hand beaded in India and crafted from sequins. beads and costume gems, with a chiffon backing. I adored the headbands, although their bib necklaces were sensational – serious statement pieces.

As for the festival’s music?

For me, the standout acts were Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros (I wanna be in their gang!!) who’s song ‘Home’ was a serious crowd pleaser, and exciting newcomer Gary Clark Jr. - a twenty-seven year old blues guitarist reminiscent of the late Jimi Hendrix, he had the crowd blown away, worshipping him.

I look forward to escaping back to New York again next year.