Beulah London's 'Bag For Love'

Lavina Brennan and Natasha Rufus Isaacs (left), the beautiful designers of the London-based ethical fashion label Beulah London, asked if I (amongst several other London ladies including, Millie Mackintosh, Donna Air, Cressida Bonas, Livia Firth, Princess Eugenie and Katherine Jenkins) to wear their ‘Bag For Love’ totes on Anti-Slavery Day this year.  

Available HERE (RRP. £30.00)

As well as being extremely useful, the canvas bags are made by Freeset, a charity in Kolkata, India, dedicated to helping trafficked women by providing them with a steady income, a bank account and a chance to build a new life free from abuse. With approximately 27 million people in slavery today (of which 80% are female and 50% are children) this was a fantastic way to help raise awareness and I was really happy to have taken part in the campaign. 

Salt Resort Wear's City Wear

Stylish globetrotter Stephanie Alameida’s Walton Street one-stop luxury shop, well known for it’s gorgeous swimwear, sandals and glamorous cover-ups, has introduced some more city-friendly pieces this autumn.  I recently shared with you my Salt Resort Wear Summer edit (HERE) but with all the latest designs, from both well established designers to young newbies, having recently hit their rails, today I hope to inspire you with some of my favourite, more cosy pieces…  

And don’t worry if you simply MUST head off for some winter sun (grrrrrr…) many of these pieces would scrunch up suitably well, and be happy on the beach with you too!

Above: Issa’s Robin Coat in Cloud – (RRP. £595.00) and Alexis’ Grasse V Neck Top (RRP. £250.00) 

Above:  Allude’s Cashmere Sweater with Hood in Black (RRP. £302.00), Mara Hoffman’s Combo Pants in Bazar Blue (RRP. £235.00)

Above:  Cutler & Gross Intercast with Brown Lense (RRP. £310.00) and Lizzie Fortunato’s Inca Cuffs (RRP. £140.00 each)

Above:  Zero & Maria Cornejo’s Ayah Peacoat (RRP. £816.00) and Zimmerman’s Tiger Tamer T’shirt (RRP. £176.00)

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

LFW SS'15: Jimmy Choo Townhouse Launch

During London Fashion Week I went to Mayfair’s gorgeous new Jimmy Choo Townhouse on New Bond Street for an utterly spoiling, pre-launch party. 

The three-floor house, complete with chandeliers and marble staircase, was designed by David Collins Studio and contains a VIP room, a champagne bar (yes, really), personal shopping services and more gorgeous shoes than your inner Imelda Marcus could possibly imagine.

Gorgeous sunglasses, leather handbags and delicious smelling fragrances were also on display, nearby a table piled high with Jimmy Choo’s limited edition red acrylic Phone Box Candy Bags, a bold and patriotic nod to the brand’s British roots.

HOW stunning is this Monica Vinader Lemon Quartz Riva Cuff I'm wearing? (RRP. £495.00)

SHOP TLC's LOOK:

We were treated to NARS manicures, plenty of bubbles and almost too sweet to eat Prêt-à-Portea pastries, the fashionably edible result of the recent Jimmy Choo collaboration with The Berkeley in Knightsbridge. I reluctantly left the Townhouse, restraining myself from outright claiming Squatters Rights, with the most enviable, goodiest of goody bags (below).

TLC LOVES... JIMMY CHOO:

LFW SS'15: Mulberry

After receiving what must go down in the history of London Fashion Week, the prettiest of invitations (above), I found the Mulberry’s SS’15 collection a breath of fresh air… literally!

Taking inspiration from an English country garden, the Mulberry showroom on Kensington Church Street had been transformed into a sweet–smelling, country oasis, filled with the most vivid blue delphinium flowers and hyacinths.  The gorgeous SS'15 collection, which includes laser-cut leather and hand-sketched floral prints, is totally chic and perfect for the ‘come rain or shine’ weather we are so used to experiencing in our finer months! 

Below:  I was sent home with one of these adorable Mulberry Cornflower Seedbombs! 

Having previously been sold on the latest Mulberry Kensington Bag range, I actually found it was actually this particular SS’15 Mulberry Delevingne Bag (below, that can also be used as a backpack) that caught my eye most… Pennies are already being saved! #MulberryFund 

Shop TLC's Look:

LFW SS'15: Felder Felder

Managing to just about not trip over on the cobble stones at Somerset House whilst shuffling (I dramatically failed on any sashaying!) my way, in an awesome Felder Felder knee-length, faux leather skirt, to see the much anticipated designer’s SS’15 collection.  

Twins Daniela and Annette took us back in time... mixing a particularly random combination of era's;  the 1960’s/1970’s boho chic and the Wild Wild West!  Honestly, boho beauties in cowboy booties were the order of the day, with the models wearing metallic mini skirts, sheer bellbottoms, fringed faux-leather jackets and flower power maxi’s. The aqua, metallic pieces really stood out for me.  Yeeeee-Hawwww!! 

"Our woman is distinctive," Daniela and Annette said ahead of the show, "she has a vintage treasure trove wardrobe and those effortless enviable beach pieces, that transit, through midnight, to dawn."

SHOP TLC's LOOK:

LFW SS'15: Amanda Wakeley RTW

Straight off the red eye (thank tha'Looord for sunglasses!) and wearing the chicest Amanda Wakeley long wool gilet, I headed to the designer's Albermarle Street store for her RTW SS’15 presentation.    

With a glass of champagne, a cupcake and goody bag in hand (a tremendous start to the proceedings!) I took my seat on the FROW.  The entirely crisp white collection was fierce, strong and sexy.  With a slight nod to the current trend in sports luxe (there was frequent use of mesh detailing) the dresses, cut-out tops and loose fitting trousers were all powerfully striking, and modernly elegant. 

Below:  With Hedvig Opshaug (a.k.a 'The Northern Light') and stylist Martha Ward

SHOP TLC's LOOK:

NYFW SS'15: Cara Delevingne's Mulberry Party

Always fun, always quirky and always so awfully British, Mulberry parties are always THE parties you want to get invited to during Fashion Month.  

I was thrilled therefore, to be invited see Cara Delevingne unveil her second collection for Mulberry during NYFW, at their gorgeous Spring Street flagship store.  

Fashion’s belle du jour, dressed top-to-toe in Mulberry, mingled (and pulled several of her signature funny faces) amongst hundreds of gold balloons with her sister Poppy Delevingne (above, also in Mulberry), DJ Atlanta de Cadenet Taylor (below) and Georgia May Jagger.

Vodka cocktails were served by exceptionally dreamy waiters in superbly tight ‘CARA’ t’shirts, making refusing their wares increasingly impossible (another one?!  Oh go on then…!!) and the miniature English canapés, including cute ‘ickle mini Sunday Roasts and ‘eeny weeny mini Fish’n’Chips, were delicious. 

The latest collection of handbags, which can be worn as backpacks, also includes a limited edition creation that has gold lion studs, inspired by the famous lion tattoo that Cara has tattooed on her finger.  

Similarily, each bag has a lion rivet and a heart shaped patch based on another of Cara’s tattoos, which she explained “I want there to be hidden gems inside, based on the things that are personal to me, which my tattoos definitely are.”

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Leandra Medine (a.k.a The Man Repeller), InStyle's Amy Bannerman, Glamour Magazine's Natalie Hartley, Marie Claire's Tanya Philipson, TLC with Mulberry's small Willow tote in wheat, DJ's Henrietta Tiefenthaler and Izzy Lawrence, Irina Lazareanu

 

SHOP TLC'S LOOK:

Above:  With Poppy Delevingne (and her perfect Disney Princess hair!)

 

TLC LOVES... THE MULBERRY DELEVINGNE COLLECTION:

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.