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
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 British Victoria's Secret 2012 Invasion
Last night Cara Delevigne (above) and Jourdan Dunn (below right) joined fellow Brit, and seasoned Angel, Lily Donaldson (below left) at the 17th Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, at the Lexington Avenue Armory, in New York. Walking alongside international beauties Miranda Kerr and Adriana Lima, the gorgeous young trio did us all proud this side of the pond, strutting their hot stuff amongst the usual abundance of feathers, sparkles, wings and hairspray. With performances by Rihanna, Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber (who seemed particularly enamoured by the stripy striking Cara!) this year’s extravaganza was divided into four sections: Circus, Dangerous Liaisons, Pink is Me and Calender Girls.
Adding force to this year’s Victoria's Secret British invasion, for the first time all of the Angels wore high heels created by the same label - British designer Nicholas Kirkwood.
Below: Brazilian Angel Alessandro Ambrosio wowed the audience whilst wearing pink orchid wings and the diamond encrusted ‘Fantasy Bra’ – a steal at a mere $2.5 million.
And just when I thought I couldn’t adore Cara Delevigne any more, she arrived at Heathrow to fly to New York for the VS show wearing… a tiger onesie. Running around the airport, Cara posed for Jourdan Dunn's iPhone underneath her polished Burberry campaign beauty shots in the Duty Free section. The models immediately instagrammed the shots. I love.
Alexa Chung: You Don't Own Me
The gorgeous NYC-based Brit Alexa Chung (left) has made no secret of her anti-Mitt Romney feelings in the run up to tomorrow's highly anticipated US Presidential election and she helped organise this impassioned, lip-synced recording of Lesley Gore’s 1964 feminist hit, ‘You Don’t Own Me.’ It was Republican Mitt Romney's damaging proposals that threatened women’s rights, including removing funding for the Planned Parenthood Fund, repealing the Affordable Care Act and the eradication of birth control cover, that prompted Alexa Chung and her super fashionable buddies (including Tavi Gevinson, Lena Dunham, Kate Nash, Tennessee Thomas, Rain Phoenix, Rachel Antonoff, Karen Elson and Zoë Kravitz) to make this effective pro-women and pro-choice statement: (G)Obama.
Wahaca's Day of the Dead Festival at the Old Vic Tunnels
Last week the delicious ‘street food’ chain Wahaca brought Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations to London, holding a brilliant four day Dia de los Muertos festival in the depths of The Old Vic Tunnels. The extremely emotive and vibrantly visual festival is an annual holiday celebrated throughout Mexico to honour and remember loved ones who have died.
With a traditionally painted face (above, with Jessica Pownall) which left me resembling a little zombie-panda, I indulged in the tantalising Wahaca tacos and far too many jasmine margaritas which fuelled my exploration of the vaults where an array of spooky artwork, macabre films and a hypnotic puppet show by the Theatre of Dolls awaited me. FANTASTIC music was later provided by Rodrigo y Gabriela, a Mexican duo whose vibrant energy was completely contagious, followed by the Communion DJs who both guaranteed (perhaps alongside the copious amounts of tequila served) a dance floor filled with skeleton-faced revellers dancing with wild abandon. An unforgettable night.
Above (L-R): Theatre of Dolls and photography by Graciela Iturbide.
Above: With the Director of The Old Vic Tunnels, Hamish Jenkinson.
Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition 2012
This week I went to the Natural History Museum to see my favourite annual show: the Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Selected from 48,000 thousand international entries the 100 winning images of exotic, slippery, playful, dangerous and adorable wild creatures are displayed beautifully.
The environmental section, focused on mankind's frequently callous attitude towards the wildlife around them, is particularly affecting. ‘Primal Fear’ by Jabruson (left) which shows a Mozambiquan boy holding a completely terrified monkey captive is still haunting me - exactly it's intention.
This exhibition serves as an important reminder of how spectacular the animals on our ever-changing planet really are, whilst also showing off the huge respect, concern and insane talent that these intrepid photographers that capture their images possess.
The Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is on display at the Natural History Museum and runs until 3 March. Admission is £10.
Happy Heidi Halloween
Heidi Klum has become synonymous with Halloween after years of wearing THE best costumes found outside of a film set each year at her star-studded party every October. However, the supermodel has cancelled this year’s 14th annual celebrations after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. Heidi posted this photograph of herself (below) in New York, all wrapped up and wearing wellies, on Twitter saying, "Hope you and your loved ones are safe after the storm. Cancelling my Halloween party... postponing to a haunted Christmas."
With Heidi already having excitedly tweeted pictures this week from her Cleopatra costume fittings (left), impressively designed by Martin Izquierdo, I have decided to celebrate Heidi’s dedication to Halloween by posting some of her other amazing costumes… Happy Halloween Everyone!
The Name's Bond Street
The Name's Bond Street. James Bond Street.
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?...
