The British Fashion Awards 2012

Last weekend’s glamourous British Fashion Awards, at The Savoy Hotel, was a STELLAr evening all round… Stella McCartney (above) not only won Designer AND Brand of the Year, but a many of the most stylish guests (including Salma Hayek and Rita Ora) also wore her designs on the night.  My favourite fashionista Alexa Chung once again won the British Style Award (voted for by her adoring public for the third year running!) and Cara Delevigne (left, wearing a green metallic Burberry Prorsum SS’13 minidress), won Model of the Year – thoroughly deserved following her recent marathon Fashion Month.  Harold Tillman - who steps down from his role as British Fashion Council chairman in January – received the Special Recognition.

Below (L-R): Alexa Chung in Simone Rocha with Nicholas Kirkwood shoe-boots, Erdem Moralioglu and Samantha Cameron in Erdem, Jourdan Dunn in Topshop.

Designer of the Year: Stella McCartney
Designer Brand: Stella McCartney
New Establishment: Erdem
Menswear Designer: Kim Jones for Louis Vuitton
Emerging Talent Award (Ready-To-Wear): JW Anderson
Emerging Talent Award (Accessories): Sophie Hulme
Emerging Talent Award (Menswear): Jonathan Saunders
Accessory Designer: Nicholas Kirkwood
Red Carpet Award: Roksanda Ilincic
Model: Cara Delevingne
Outstanding Achievement in Fashion: Manolo Blahnik
Special Recognition: Harold Tillman
Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator: Louise Wilson
British Style brought to you by Vodafone: Alexa Chung

Above: Amber le Bon in Stella McCartney. Below: Dita Von Teese in Jenny Packham

Kate: The Kate Moss Book

Rizzoli have released a Kate Moss coffee table book featuring a collection of photographs, chosen by Kate Moss herself, spanning the supermodel’s lengthy 20 year career.  Edited by her ex-boyfriend Jefferson Hack and close friend Jess Hallett, contributing photographers include Hedi Slimane, Juergen Teller, Terry Richardson, Mario Testino, Corinne Day and Karl Lagerfeld, to name just a few!  The 488 page book, which will be on EVERY fashionista’s Christmas list this year, is a ‘highly personal and complete retrospective of Kate Moss’s career, illustrating her evolution from girl to supermodel to photographic icon,’ which is also reflected by using 8 different covers (below) depicting this transformation.  This book is the ultimate roundup of the ultimate British supermodel. Dear Santa…

Below (L-R): Kate Moss attending a book signing wearing SS'13 Marc Jacobs, attending her book launch at 50 St.James Street Mayfair. 

'Kate: The Kate Moss Book,' RRP.£50.00
(Currently available here from Waterstones for RRP.£39.50)

Joseph's Michael Roberts for One T'shirt Launch

Last week I was invited by Joseph to their launch of Michael Robert’s One T’shirts.  The Vanity Fair’s Style Director’s illustrations of the fashion industry’s most iconic faces have been printed onto a series of brightly coloured t’shirts which are now available from Joseph’s Westbourne Grove store. The T-shirts include the faces of Karl Lagerfeld, Tom Ford, Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington and Carine Roitfeld to name just a few.  How much more designer can a t’shirt possibly get? 

Above:  With Joseph's gorgeous PR Alex Eagle (and Grace Coddington!) 

Michael Robert's One T'shirts available from Joseph. RRP. £75.00

Happy 15th Anniversary Matthew Williamson

British designer Matthew Williamson’s two favourite blonde gal pals, actress Sienna Miller (above left) and model Poppy Delevigne (above right) recently got together, along with actress Andrea Riseborough and eight beautiful ballerinas from The Royal Ballet, to film ‘XV,’ a three minute short film celebrating Matthew Williamson’s 15 successful years in the fashion industry. Happy 15th Anniversary Matthew!    

My London Style: Savannah Miller

After earning a first class degree in Fashion and Knitwear at the prestigious Central St. Martins College and working for both Alexander McQueen and Matthew Williamson, Savannah Miller went on to become Co-Creative Director of the label Twenty8Twelve with her sister Sienna Miller. After twelve successful seasons the stylish sisters stepped down from their positions to pursue other projects, for Savannah this led to her starting her own label, Savannah. 

Launched last week (seen here) Savannah has once again created a very cool, easy-to-wear range of clothes, but this time at a far more accessible price, “This collection is for everyone!"  Savannah told me, "it's effortless, easy and affordable clothing to make you feel great without busting your bank account.”  

Despite being insanely busy with her new label (sold exclusively at nelly.com) and with being a dedicated mum to her three small (and perfect) children, Savannah found the time to share with The London Chatter some secrets about her enviable London style…

My Style In 3 Little Words – Classic, bohemian, easy.

This Season Every Gal Needs –  A great boyfriend coat. I have an ash grey woollen one in my collection called James which I will not be taking off this season.

My British Fashion Icon – Audrey Hepburn.  She was so delicate and chic.  Also Alexa Chung. Like Audrey before her, Alexa's style is so effortless, her clothes never wear her and she always looks like herself, even if she is wearing a Chanel gown. 

My Favourite Highstreet Store – Although not British, I love Zara. And Topshop. 

My Favourite Boutique – Liberty London. I know it's not strictly a boutique, but the buy there is as if it were.  It is the perfect edit of the best collections - and you know you are going to want all of it!  The same applies to Amie on Ledbury Road. They only stock APC, Isabel Marant and Vanessa Bruno... What more could anyone want?!  

My Favourite British Designer – To look at it would be Christopher Kane.  He is an artist and he never ceases to amaze me.  To wear, I would say Rag & Bone because they make the best knitwear around - it's cool and so comfortable - I live in it! 

At Gunpoint; Bags OR Shoes – Bags!

My First Fashionista Memory – Ushering for Alexander McQueen at one of his show which was in a glass box.  I was eighteen years old and that night totally changed my life.  

My Saturday Night Outfit – Errrm... My pyjamas!  I spend the weekends at home in the countryside with my family.

My Sunday Brunch Outfit – The same!

OMG I Can’t Believe I Wore – Such a short dress at mine and Sienna's first Twenty8Twelve show... When I lifted my arm to wave at the end I nearly flashed the entire audience. 

Forget My Last Meal, My Last Outfit Would Be – My wedding dress. It may sound a bit Miss Haversham of me but I must admit, it was gorgeous. 

My Style Tip – Iron or steam your clothes, it makes the most massive difference when you wear them.  Also, don't let your clothes wear you - only wear pieces that resonate with who you are otherwise you will feel and look uncomfortable. 

Above: Some of my favourite pieces from Savannah available from Nelly.com

www.savannahmiller.com

The Launch of Savannah by Savannah Miller

Last week I attended the intimate launch of designer Savannah Miller’s eponymous label ‘Savannah’ in London’s Fitzroy Square. The room was filled with crisp autumn leaves, sparkling champagne and a bevy of beautiful bright young things (including Irina Lazareanu and Clara Paget), all excited by Savannah’s first solo project since departing Twenty8Twelve, the label she co-created with her sister, Sienna.  The look book contains beyond gorgeous shots of the effortlessly cool Dree Hemmingway (above and below) wearing some of the 40-piece collection which is available exclusively here from Nelly.com.  The clothes are bohemian, edgy and surprisingly affordable – nothing is more expensive than £175 and I particularly like the Brinton Skirt, the Jerry Knit Jumper and I just adore the dark purple velvet Inamay Dress.  Make sure to check out all the heels and boots - they are reeeeeally rock'n'roll. 

Below:  Savannah’s sweet swallow logo was echoed in this giant bird installation, “Swallows only nest in a house of Love" explained Savannah, whilst wearing her favourite piece from the collection, the Michelle Dress, with Olivia Palermo and Matthew Williamson.

Below (Clockwise):  Kelly Eastwood with designer Savannah Miller, model Lady Mary Charteris, Savannah with actress Clara Paget and model Irina Lazareanu, bubbles with Savannah, on tip toes with model Irina Lazareanu, Savannah with Claire Eastwood.

The New Bond Girls

Forget the guns, the gadgets, the martinis and the villains; the most exiting part of any Bond film is undoubtedly always the girls.  In ‘Skyfall’ Berenice Marlohe and Naomie Harris join the super beautiful, iconic ranks of becoming ‘Bond Girls.’  At last night’s glamourous world premiere of the latest Bond, held in London's Leicester Square, the two looked absolutely stunning.  Berenice opted for a sizzlingly glamourous red corseted Vivienne Westwood dress (above) and Naomie glittered in a Marios Schwab mesh dress complete with iridescent sequin bodysuit (below).  Mario Schwab commented this morning, "it is amazing to have Marios Schwab pieces worn to such an iconic Premiere in London."

How do you think these two beauties will match up to their predecessors?...

Joseph Launches Online Store TODAY

To coincide with Joseph’s 40th anniversary this year, the brand is launching it’s highly anticipated multi-brand online store allowing their customers to order their chic ready-to-wear clothing, bags, shoes and accessories directly from the new sleek website.  Joseph is one of the most respected and influential brands within British fashion and I have always relied on their impeccably stylish essentials which always seem to magically work with the rest of my haphazard, ecletcic wardrobe. This will ostensibly be Joseph’s largest store to date; a huge, sparkly, digital flagship allowing us all to access the season’s hottest trends at the mere click of a mouse... Uh oh, now this could be seeeeeeeeriously dangerous!

Debit Buy: H&M Floral Trousers

The first day you are forced to wear you A/W coat is always a sorry one.  I was so glad that on this particular dreaded day I had my new pair of H&M floral trousers to help with this seasonal transition (my glittery shoes may also have helped too!)  I adore this print - the same one that Lana Del Rey models in the latest H&M campaign (below).  The high street is still currently blooming with many fabulous floral pieces after having a summer inspired by designers such as Erdem and Celine. So hurry and pick your favourite bunch...

H&M Floral Trousers  RRP. £24.99

PFW - Alexander McQueen

'Bees' was the buzz word at the Alexander McQueen SS’13 show in Paris.  Luckily without a stripe in sight (could there have been a more prevalling trend for next Spring?!) this collection honed in on the female form, going 'back to womanhood' and merely using bees, which designer Sarah Burton explained are “a matriarchal society where the females rule,” as inspiration to portray this.  

There were clinched waists, caged peplums and figure-hugging cigarette pants in honeycomb prints, jacquard fabric and golden hues.  Flowers and bees were seen decorating dresses, and models even wore bee-keeper style hats and glittering, golden platforms as they strutted to the tune of ‘Sugar Sugar.’  The McQueen Bee.