Hello There: Chinti and Parker

Cousins Anna Singh and Rachael Wood launched Chinti and Parker in October 2009 with one clear mission: to create beautiful, ethically made garments that value style on par with substance.  Loved by all the cool cats, including Alexa Chung, Kate Bosworthand Olivia Palermo, Chinti and Parker super-soft cashmere is available in an array of block colours and fun prints which provide the building blocks for the perfect capsule winter wardrobe.  Actress, lifestyle guru and all round TLC fave Gwyneth Paltrow also recently collaborated with the label after discovering the brand on a shoot, creating two exclusive jumpers for her Goop website.  I have picked out a few of my favourite items from the current collection – effortless, beautiful jumpers and a statement neon pink pom pom scarf and bobble hat that have my name ALL over them.  I do LOVE a pom pom. 

Above (Clockwise) L-R: Bobble Scarf (Grey Marl) - RRP. £125.00, Bobble Hat (Grey and Neon Pink Bobble) - RRP. £70.00, Contrast Cuff Sweater (Oatmeal) – RRP. £295.00, Heart Pocket Cardigan (Grey) – RRP. £295.00,  Contrast Cuff Sweater (Grey) - RRP. £295.00

Kate Moss Joins British Vogue as Contributing Editor

And just when I thought that NOTHING could possibly bring a smile to my face on this miserably rainy day, British Vogue Editor Alexandra Shulman announces that Kate Moss will join the magazine as a contributing editor from Spring 2014.  Ohhh, I’m smiling!!  Shulman revealed, "I am absolutely delighted that Kate is going to work with us in this new role. Her undoubtedly brilliant sense of style, depth of fashion knowledge, and understanding of what makes a wonderful image will be exciting to see used in the pages of British Vogue. I am really looking forward to working with her on ideas." 
With the supermodel having covered an amazing 33 issues of British Vogue since 1993 (most of which I have meticulously stockpiled on my bookshelf at home) I can’t imagine anyone more qualified for this coveted role. 

"We are absolutely thrilled at Kate's appointment," said Sarah Doukas, founder of Storm Models, who represent Moss. "This is a natural development in her remarkable career.  Bringing her unique  sense of style and  creative sensibility to Vogue is the perfect fit. She is the definitive Vogue cover girl." 
This announcement comes only a week after it was revealed that Kate would once again resume her design collaboration with Topshop, with her next collection to be launched in April 2014. 

Isabel Marant for H&M

These leaked images of the huuuugely anticipated Isabel Marant for H&M collection have got me, along with most other girls in London, very excited!  The campaign features Alex Wek, Milla Jovovich, Constance Jablonski and Lou Doillon (love her!) effortlessly modeling the womenswear, which include many signature Isabel Marant pieces; peasant tops, tassles and leather.  Parisian cool at a slice of the price? Sign moi up! 

The Isabel Marant for H&M collection will be available in stores on November 14th and is guaranteed to sell out within a few hours of opening.  One of my girlfriends (yes, you Lauren) suggested we buy a tent and camp outside the shop the night before… I thiiiinkshe may have been joking.  Either way, elbows at the ready Ladies.  

PFW: Valentino SS'14

After spending four weeks in an utter fashion frenzy, either rushing from country to country then from show to show or spending the month pouring over a multitude of images back home, it really does take something really special to re-energise, awaken and lift the spirits of the weary fash-pack...  Valentino.

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli presented the most exceptional ready to wear collection for Valentino at the end of Paris Fashion Week.  I literally stopped in my tracks when I saw the images pop up on my iPhone whilst running to a meeting.   Each of the 73 ethnic, opulent, folksy, medieval, exotic and regal looks were more majestic and striking than the last.  The severely WOW-beautiful micro-minidresses (below) would be much appreciated in my wardrobe.

PFW: Chanel SS'14

Karl Lagerfeld’s transformed the stark, white-walled Grand Palais into an art gallery setting for his SS’14 Chanel collection during Paris Fashion Week.  As well as exhibiting several installations and sculptures, such as an awesome Chanel No 5 robot, artists including Kandinsky, Pollock, Oldenberg and Duchamp also heavily influenced the ninety-odd designs that still managed to remain identifiably Chanel.  

The headphone’esq pearl bauble necklaces really caught my attention, as did the model’s themed, artistic eye make up.  The  monochrome socked patent court shoes(below) were almost certainly chic on the day, but the practicality of this footwear is clearly questionable!  Right... I'm off to buy a peroxide wig. 

Below (L-R) Clockwise:  I do sooo love a Chanel FROW!!  Lou Dillon, Vanessa Paradis, Poppy Delevigne, Leigh Lezark, Laura Bailey and Caroline Sieber. 

Tommy Ton's PFW Street Style Snaps

We all know that the fashion seen off the runway during fashion weeks can frequently be just as exciting and eccentric as that seen on the runway and Canadian photographerTommy Ton’s coverage for Style.com is unrivaled.   Giving us all a glimpse into what some of the most glamourous fashionistas wore to and around the most talked about fashion events of the year, I always spend FAR too much time pouring over Tommy's brilliant street style snaps from Paris.  There are also always plenty of pics of  Anna Dello Russo (above), Tommy's fashion editor muse, in many of her striking ensembles.  
Here is a small, delicious, taster...

Photographs courtesy of Style.com

PFW: Balenciaga SS'14

Alexander Wang’s second collection as the creative director for Baleciaga was stunning. Lantern and peplum silhouettes, handwoven fabrics in curved proportions and innovative perforated leather in light grey, whites and soft pinks were shown alongside the brand’s signature voluminous tops worn with smaller bottoms.  These looks were all cleverly mirrored for the audience on the SS’14 runway at the Observatoire de Paris.

Architectural works of art.

PFW: Stella McCartney SS'14

Amidst the modern tomboy aesthetic Stella McCartney has long been associated with, some lighter, more romantic designs were also displayed on the catwalk during this Paris Fashion Week.  J'adorrre these two delicate lingerie-laced SS’14 dresses (above) worn by supermodels Miranda Kerr and Cara Delevigne.

PFW: Isabel Marant SS'14

I love how Isabel Marant designs such feminine and elegant pieces yet manages to creates such boyishly cool, rock and roll looks. “It's the contrast of two ideas that I’m always trying to work with,” the designer said after previewing her ‘Tough Romance’ SS’14 collection filled with floral dresses worn with strong-shouldered tuxedo blazers, ruffle-tiered tops worn with hotpants, and frilly lace skirts slit to the thigh and worn with studded ankle boots.  So very cool. 

Gap's Rock Royalty #BacktoBlue Campaign

Amy Winehouse advised us to go ‘Back to Black,’ but in their first television advert in four years GAP are urging us to go ‘Back to Blue.'  This autumn campaign celebrates the brand’s heritage by redesigning and updating its 1969 denim collection and featuring sons and daughters of rock’n’roll royalty covering their parent’s well loved hits. 

Musician Dhani Harrison (above), a great buddy of mine,  sings a stripped down version of his guitar legend father George Harrison’s ‘For You Blue,’ from The Beatles album, 'Let It Be,’ whilst wearing a GAP trucker jacket.  LA-based Dhani is the frontman for band Thenewno2, and is also a member of band Fistful of Mercy alongside Ben Harper and Joseph Arthur.  I am a BIG (super)fan of both groups. #Groupie. 

All the proceeds for the entire  ‘For You Blue’ track (already available to download from iTunes here) by Dhani Harrison will go to the George Harrison Material World Foundation, in support of their current goal of raising funds for the amazing  Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, dedicated to curing spinal cord injuries. 

27 year old classically trained musician Alexa Ray Joel (above), wearing a GAP chambray shirt, wistfully sings her father Billy Joel’s multiple-Grammy-winning 1977 song ‘Just The Way You Are’ seated at her keyboard in the new campaign.  

Apples do not, it seems, fall far from their trees.  The campaign will include new digital content every day across its social media platforms (#backtoblue) and the adverts will be accompanied by in-depth films, interviews, quotes, images and facts about Dhani and Alexa that will be available across the brands digital platforms.  Very cool Gap.