NYFW SS'15: Reward Style Party

I was very excited to be invited to the annual Reward Style Party, one of the most talked about parties each year during New York Fashion Week.  Sponsored by InStyle and Topshop, I joined hundreds of the world’s most popular bloggers on the rooftop of The Empire Hotel (where is Chuck Bass when you need him?!) for many a cocktail in the sunshine.

Below:  I chatted with fellow crazy cat lady, DJ Harley Viera-Newton, during her set.   If you haven’t already, you must check out the videos of her cat showering (yes, really!) on Instagram. 

Obvvvviously the best part of attending a party like this, and being surrounded by so many fashionistas, is the immense style stalking opportunities (but first, let me take a selfie...)

Above:  Roughly translated. "P*** Off!' Love the versatility of this H&M polka-dot skirt.

Above:  These Red/Bronze Nike trainers are amazing! #NEEDWANTMUSTHAVE!

Above:  Model Coco Rocha in Christian Siriano

Hello There: Florian London

With visions of my summery straw clutches dissolving in the onslaught of rain fast approaching, my eyes have been on the lookout for a sturdier handbag to accompany me into Autumn. It is however, becoming harder and harder these days to find an affordable, yet elegant, British-made handbag label.  Enter: Florian London, the latest arm-candy I’ve recently discovered. 

Launching in 2011, and by British architecture, the brand recently celebrated international recognition, winning two design prizes at the prestigious Independent Handbag Awards ceremony in New York, and is now set to be stocked in Bloomingdales. 

SO… with handbags to fit both my lifestyle and wardrobe, ranging from roomy doctor’s bags, to brightly coloured totes and sleek clutches, picking just one to swing about town was a toughy!  I was however, particularly drawn to the Florian London City Shopper in sky grey (how apt!)  The structured leather shopper has gold hardware (always my preference), plenty of practical compartments (including one which fits my always on-the-move laptop!) and has THE most ridiculously sweet ‘Alice in Wonderland’ printed cotton interior (below).  The gorrrgeous people at Florian London even monogrammed my new bag for me... And we all know just HOW much I LOVE a monogram!  ​We’re now the best of pals and together, all set for what the heavens have to offer us in the coming months! 
Florian London City Shopper in Sky Grey RRP. £295.00

Credit Buy: Wilbur & Gussie Edith Clutch Bags

I have long been a fan of Wilbur & Gussie’s eye-catching clutch bags.  Using modern prints and vintage jewelled brooches, on a range of textiles designed in-house, Wilbur & Gussie’s designs have become synonymous with British wit and elegance, and a firm fixture in my wardrobe.  To celebrate the company’s new flagship store in London’s Marylebone earlier this year, I was spoilingly asked to pick a new clutch bag… The choice was overwhelming!  Entering the new shop is like diving into a large box of Quality Streets; so bright... so colourful... which one to pick... WHICH ONE TO PICKKK??!!

I eventually decided to go for the Edith Orange Bee Clutch, one I have had my be(e)ady eye on for a while!  I get so many compliments whenever I take her on the town and it is now, amongst some of it’s other pretty pals, in the sale! Hurry…  

RRP. £90.00 (in sale)

#HenryFest: Wireless Festival 2014

I was suuuper thrilled to be asked to accompany Henry Holland and the team from Gather.ly to Wireless Festival.  Not only was I dressed entirely in ‘H! by Henry Holland’ (Henry’s festi-friendly diffusion line available from Debenhams) but I was also to given a VIP pass, allowing me the best possible view of  the main stage… and free drinks and ice-cream all day…  The DREAM!  After a delicious triple-stacked pancake, champagne breakfast at the Ace Hotel’s ‘Hoi Polloi’ (best name ever?!) we were off to Finsbury Park.

I had earlier in the week visited Debenhams on Oxford Street to choose my ‘H! by Henry Holland’ outfit, opting for a navy Toucan Jumpsuit (RRP. £40.00 £32.00), Silver Embellished Strap Sandals (RRP. £35.00 £17.50), and the Grey Grained Satchel Bag (RRP.£40.00 £32.00).  Without any tent or welly cares in the world, we all enjoyed lunch and cabaret entertainment in the VIP area, occasionally venturing out, in between large jugs of Pimms, to watch one of the truly phenomenal acts from the all star line up...  

The day started off with Iggy Azalea, whose song ‘Fancy’ has been a firm 2014 favourite of mine.  I didn’t know many of her other songs, and honestly still don’t, but she and her back up strippers dancers were mesmerizingly entertaining...  I don’t think I blinked once throughout their entire performance.  

Pharrell gave the audience hit after hit after hit...  The smokin’hot, pocket rocket sung a mixture of NERD classics, solo hits, and several renditions of songs he has produced over the years, all sung in his signature falsetto voice.  Pharell also gave a feminist interlude, speaking about equality in the workplace and respecting women... before beginning a gyrating performance of ‘Blurred Lines.’  Literally. Hitting. My. Head. Against. My. Desk.  The audience went predictably, nuts for Pharrell’s neo-soul hit ‘Happy,’ and all we all returned for more ice-cream beaming.

To close the evening was Kanye West… Despite Kim not being there swaying in the crowds with a bejewelled Swarovski clipper lighter (I'm sure she has one?!) as I had hoped, I still felt I was about to see something truly epic.  Epic it was.  Epically weird and epically arrogant.  After resounding loud and aggressive dog barking, Kanye appeared wearing a bejewelled Maison Marin Margiela mask, the first of three he was to adorn throughout his time on the stage.  Excellent songs were interrupted, mid-flow, by the singer himself, either to direct the cameras to his better angles or just merely to complain to the audience about his varying First (Class) World Problems.  During one particular rant (which lasted 20 minutes) and saw the singer booed by the impatient crowd, Kanye attacked Louis Vuitton for not allowing him to design for them.  According to Kanye, this is because he is black and a celebrity... and nothing to do with not being a celebrated fashion designer. Yeeeeeeezus Kanye. Thankfully, post-rant, impassioned perfomances of ‘Diamonds,’ ‘All Falls Down’ and‘All of the Lights’ followed.  

Above:  Snippets of Friday's acts recorded on my iPhone...

I returned to Wireless Festival on the Sunday.  DG is a huge OutKast fan and had booked tickets months ago to see their much anticipated summer reunion.  Wearing some ‘H! by Henry Holland’ Skinny Sydney Jeans (RRP. £30.00 £15.00) and my Ganni Palm Print Shirt, we watched the darling Ellie Goulding perform, drank cider and shared a classic  99 Flake (which actually now cost £2.45… who knew?!) whilst waiting for OutKast. 

The show, and the rain, soon begun and MAN, Andre 3000 (in his platinum wig) and Big Boidid not disappoint!  They were AHHH-MAAAY-ZING.  Playing their first UK show in over a decade, these suuuuper slick and eccentric hip-hop innovators are born performers; totally at ease, totally hilarious, totally professional and totally talented.  Basically, just totally COOL -  in a league of their own.  We left on a major high missing headliner Bruno Mars… to be fair, nothing could top what we’d just seen, and it was bucketing down.  Soz Bruno, I’m sure you were amazing… “just the way you arrrre.” 

Thank tha Lord – and obviously the lovely Seasalt Cornwall  – for my waterproof Seafolly Jacket (RRP. £79.95) which made watching OutKast and my ‘shakin like a Polaroid picture’ during the rain storm all the more enjoyable!  Also BIG thanks to Mophie for sending me one of their GEEEENIUS mobile phone Juice Pack Air chargers, doubling my mobile's battery life, so I could keep instagramming and tweetin’ all the live long day.  

Astley Clarke's Summer Party at the Serpentine

Bec Astley Clarke recently hosted a very sleek, ‘Thomas Crown Affair’ inspired summer party in the newly built Serpentine Sackler Gallery’s Magazine Restaurant.  Whilst sipping on Marmalade Martinis and (very) Tipsy Tea Cocktails, six suited and booted men in bowler hats stole (albeit only momentarily) the cases of Astley Clarke’s fine jewellery we had all previously been oogling.

I wore the Janson Dress by Zoë Jordan (now on sale! RRP. £595.00 £298.00) for the evening’s festivities. I was thrilled to be one of ‘Zoë’s Girls’ for the evening, alongside some of my most beautiful friends; actresses Sienna Miller and Jemma Powell and Fashion PR * Beatrice Savoretti. After the ‘heist,’ and several more drinks, guest DJ *Laura Whitmore took to the decks and we all begun, candy-floss covered chocolate ice-cream sticks in hand, to enthusiastically dance the rest of the night away. Thank you Bec xx

Above L-R (Clockwise):  Sienna Miller and Savannah Miller with their mother Jo,  Martha Ward with India Langdon, designer Matthew Williamson with our host Bec Astley Clarke,Kelly Eastwood also with Bec.  Below L-R:  With Sienna Miller,  Jemma Powell, Kelly Eastwood, Zoë Jordan and Beatrice Savoretti. 

The below video shows off the really fun evening perfectly... I think I woke up in that hat! 

Below:  The London Chatter appearing on Harpers Bazaar and Tatler online...

Debit Buy: Chinti and Parker Heart Pocket T-Shirt at Iris Fashion

I am totally in LOVE this Heart Pocket Striped T'Shirt from Chinti and Parker... Why exactly?  Errrrrm, did I not mention the awesome combination of two of my favourite things? Breton style nautical stripes (a la Audrey) and hearts.  This soft, 100% cotton, 3/4 length sleeve top is now on SALE (*wahoooo!) HERE at Iris Fashion.  
it would be rude not to really...

RRP. £85.00 £60.00

Photography:  Ross Ferguson.  Make Up:  Charlotte Cowen.  Jewellery:  Monica Vinader

Zoë Jordan's 'Pretty Vandals' Fundraiser for The Amber Foundation

I was recently invited by Zoë Jordan (left), the designer worn and loved by all the coolest of cats, to Chelsea’s Rossetti Studiosfor a shopping evening in support of The Amber Foundation, a residential centre aiming to reduce the level of unemployment amongst the 17-30 year old age group.  

Whilst chatting with friends and enjoying DJ Miss G’s set, I virtually drooled over the SS’14 'Pretty Vandals' collection.  Inspired by the 90’s, Zoë beautifully balances graffiti prints and perforated leather alongside a palette of elegant water colour pastels. I was particularly drawn the citron neon garments, which set against Miranda Donovan’s graffiti themed art installations, looked amazing.

US Vogue contributor Sarah Mower interviewed both a past and a present resident of Amber.  Amber’s residential centres offer disadvantaged young people a fresh start and a chance to build their confidence and gain practical skills and qualifications which can lead to full time employment and more secure futures.  Kara and Natalie were both extremely honest about their experiences and were a real testament to Amber’s success. 

Above L-R (Clockwise): Beatrice Savoretti (wearing Zoë Jordan), Margot Molinari andJemma Powell, artist Miranda Donovan, Katy ickremesinghe with Kelly Eastwood.

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Above:  With designer Zoë Jordan, wearing a vintage silk shirt from Budapest with my Mulberry Bryn handbag in Flame.  Below:  With musician Jack Savoretti.

To help transform young lives please donate to The Amber Foundation HERE. 

#SummerSalt Competition at Salt Resort Wear

Launching in 2012, Salt Resort Wear was the UK’s first resort wear boutique and is consistently home to every girl’s dream summer wardrobe… mine included! Brim full, all year round, with the ultimate in luxury ready-to-wear summer clothes and accessories, Salt Resort Wear is the one-stop destination for any glamorous vacation or staycation shopping.  Based on Walton Street, one of West London’s more exclusive streets, this beautiful boutique stocks a strict edit of covetable labels (including TLC faves, Mara Hoffman and Matthew Williamson) all of which will have you eagerly saving up this summer, to pack/squish into your suitcase alongside your SPF. 

As a professional sun-seeker (growing up in Africa, it will come as no surprise that during the grizzly winter months I take any opportunity to travel in search of sunnier climes!) I am excited to announce that I will be doing some work with Salt Resort Wear this year.  I will be sharing with you TLC’s shopping edits from the boutique and several beautiful, summery fashion stories I hope will inspire your own upcoming tropical fun in the sun.

My first Salt Resort Wear ‘challenge,’ so to speak, was to put together my two favourite#SaltSummer outfits from in store to coincide with the boutique’s current competion...

 Follow @SaltOfficial on instagram and tag your favourite summer look with #SaltSummer to be entered into winning £1000 to spend in store or online. This amazing competition, whose winner will be the talk of the beach, is running until the end of July so quick, get ‘grammin! 

Above Left:  Admist all the tribal prints and sparkles I was particularly taken with these Cutler and Gross Intercast Multilayer White Mirror Lens (RRP. £340.00) sunnies.

Above:  I loved the K Jacques sandals available in Turqouise with Zebra Print (RRP. £215.00) and Neon Pink with Snake Print (RRP. £195.00).

Above:  The London Chatter's #SALTSUMMER Look One...
Basta Surf 's White Martinique Dress (RRP. £250.00 £125.00), Matthew Williamson for Linda Farrow's Neon Yellow Acetate Sunglasses (RRP. £238.00 £119.00), K Jaques' Turquoise Sandals with Zebra Print (RRP. £215.00), Venessa Arizaga's 'Lady Aloha Bracelet'(RRP. £55.00), Marie Sole Amore's Neon Pink Stone Sintch Bracelet(RRP. £18.00), Koku's Alexia Beauty Bag With White Palm (RRP. £86.00) and Eugenia Kim's Gabriella Hat with Bird Motif (RRP. £265.00).

Above:  The London Chatter's #SALTSUMMER Look Two...
Mara Hoffman's Embroidered Maxi Dress in Cosmic Fountain (RRP. £476.00), Eugenia Kim Lillian Hat with Black Band (RRP. £250.00), Salt Resort Wear Pink/Yellow/Blue Beach Bag currently available in store (RRP. £40.00), bracelets both as before. 

Which is your favouite look out of the two? 

Salt Resort Wear 
69 Walton Street, SW3 2HT
www.saltresortwear.com

Ralph Lauren at Abbey Road Studios

I can’t tell you how excited I was to be invited BY RECORD no less (above) to the infamous Abbey Road Studios for the launch of Ralph Lauren’s Spring’14 collection.  

Right:  Wearing a mixture of Kate Moss for Topshop and H&M with my Astley Clarke locket (similar HERE) Riley leopard print shoes by Senso (HERE, RRP. £143.00) and my charcoal Codrington clutch by Beauchamps of London (HERE, RRP. £250.00). 

Inspired by ‘the bold spirit and playfulness of swinging London in the late Sixties,’ the usually all-American Ralph could not have picked a more iconic venue; the unpretentious, yet insanely cool, Studio 2 where artists such as the legendary Beatles, Pink Floyd and Oasis all recorded albums. 

Whilst I, alongside Tallulah Harlech and Amber LeBon, sipped our aptly and adorably named ‘Penny Lane Plum’ cocktails and ‘McCartney Mules,’ there was live music from Zeno to be enjoyed.

Models were soon gliding down the staircase, parading confidently through the crowd wearing a spectacular mix of monochrome mini’s and bright, citric shifts.   The collection included striped page boy hats, patent heels and polo-neck shifts (I particularly loved the dress above) which contrasted starkly with the eye-catching lime greens, tangerines and canary yellows which followed.  All the sunglasses were utterly fabu(g)lass. 

Below:  A little sneak peak of the night's show I recorded...

Ralph Lauren said, when recently discussing his latest collection and its influences, “I've always loved Britain - the character and charm of Fair Isle sweaters and beautiful tweeds. But most of all, I am drawn to the people.” Oh stop Ralph, we’re blushing! 

Right:  Everyone's favourite Beatle, the amazing George Harrison. 

Below:  When at Abbey Road... I couldn't resist! 

Ralph Lauren., Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Spring 2014, Ralph Lauren Abbey Road Studios, Abbey Road Studios, The Beatles, Tallulah Harlech, Amber LeBon, Kelly Eastwood, Lucy Myners, The London Chatter, Zeno, Topshop,H&M, Beauchamps of London, Codrington Clutch, Senso, Senso Riley, Astley Clarke Locket,Astley Clarke

HAWT: Cate Blanchett in Valentino

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.

There surely needs to be a new word created in honour of Cate Blanchett.  An aspirational word named after this consummate red-carpet professional, who manages without fail, to nail EVERY event she attends EVERY time!!  Cate Blanchett, looked stellar (or some might say, "looked so Blanchett!") in Pre Fall 2014 Valentino, at the Chopard event she attended at Cannes last week.  The statuesque actress’ dramatic gown, in fifty shades of grey, had cap sleeves and beautifully intricate silver leaf details. The result was nothing short of regal...  Nothing short of Blanchett.