Alexa Chung for Eyeko

Alexa Chung has joined up with British beauty brand Eyeko to create a capsule collection of eye make up.  Alexa has always felt naked without her 1960’s cat-eye liquid eyeliner flick, something she has become synonymous with, admitting ”it's my comfort blanket."  Having had an Eyeko eyeliner used on her by a make-up artist on a recent shoot she decided to meet with the brand’s directors, “I just felt the whole company seemed fun and it got my creative juices flowing… it became quite an organic collaboration.”  

Alexa’s Eyeko collection will sport her name, her own artwork and have kooky names (such as the ‘eye do’ liquid liner) that she has chosen.  The set will cost £35.00 and will be exclusively launched at Selfridges Oxford Street on November 14th where she will be meeting and greeting her fans eager to also have the most fash-lashes in town. 

Galvan Preview

Last week I attended a sneak preview of Galvan, at Kettners in Soho, a new London-based label established by Sola Harrison, Carolyn Hodler and Katherine Holmgren, three young and beautiful ladies with backgrounds in art and fashion.  Alongside designer Anna-Christin Hass this gorgeous team have created timeless designs; elegantly constructed, boldly cut, and achingly beautiful.  Galvan launches officially in 2014 but both Sola Harrison (with husband, Dhani) and Bond Girl Olga Kurylenko have been seen wearing the label’s stunning and sophisticated eveningwear earlier this year (below). 

Below:  With Creative Directors Sola Harrison (left) and Carolyn Hodler (right). 

Musical Moment: Katy Perry ('Roar')

I was lucky to attend Katy Perry's iTunes Festival performance, the last show in a star-studded month long festival. The excited crowd, myself included, were treated to 45 minutes of all the singer’s best hits as well as two newer tracks from her latest album Prism.

You sometimes forget just how many BRILLIANT and sassy pop gems Katy is responsible for, Wow... California Gurls, Teenage Dream, I Kissed A Girl, Firework (“dedicated to anyone who has ever felt less”) and my latest favourite pop-punch anthem, ‘Roar!’ (below) which even my father mentioned to me the other day was, "a jolly good tune." Praise indeed.  The all singing, all dancing and all rope-skipping (yes, yet another talent displayed during the performance) Katy Perry really is the perfect popstar.  Just awesome. 

Above (L-R):  In Katy's dressing room (I don't know how this happened either...) with Katy Perry, Anna Kendrick, Tamra Natisin, Ellie Goulding and Lauren Glucksman.

"I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire
Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar...!"

Katy Perry's album 'Prism' is now available to buy from iTunes Here

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

Halloween 2013

Celebrating Halloween in the UK has become increasingly popular in the last few years (thank you Heidi Klum!) and now there is no shortage of thrills and chills to enjoy come October 31st.  With this ghoulish night fast approaching us (like a serial killer in a dark alley) costumes are now firmly on my mind.  Usually the ladies of London use this annual opportunity to leave as little to the imagination as possible... something spooky + clevage = (Sexy) Vampire/(Sexy) Cat/(Sexy) Skeleton/(Sexy) Devil, etc.  I however, would love to see more effort on the whole and witness some really spooky, stomach-churningly dramatic outfits on the big night;  a tormented zombie, a rabid hybrid werewolf, a two-headed cannibal, a VMA’s Miley Cyrus… Now THAT would be terrifying! 

Above: (Clockwise) L-R: Moto Bat Print Leigh Jeans at Topshop - RRP. £40.00,  Topshop Sadie Lazer Cut Heels - RRP. £80.00, ASOS Full Midi Skirt in Mesh – RRP. £55.00, ASOS Halloween Bat Print Unitard – RRP. £38.00, H&M Super Stretch Treggings – RRP. £12.99,Skeleton Print Unitard – RRP. £32.00

Above:  No Tricks, Just Treats:  Loving these Limited Edition shoes by Charlotte Olympia!
L-R: Vampira - RRP. £975.00, Bite Me Kitty - RRP. £495.00, Nocturnal - RRP. £745.00

Above:  Hummingbird Bakery Limited Edition Cupcake Gift Boxes - From RRP. £19.50
HOW awesome did Emma Roberts look dressed as her Aunty Julia's character Vivienne Ward from Pretty Women at last year's Halloween?! Genius. 

Left:  If you are still in need of some more devilish sinspiration head to Austique where flamboyant fancy dress boutique Violet’s Box are holding a pop up shop for the next two weeks. Stylist Violet Day will be on hand to help you choose a perfectly show-stopping/heart-stopping outfit.

The International Elephant March 2013

I love Elephants, and being raised in Kenya I was beyond lucky to have grown up admiring these majestic animals in their natural habitat.  The recent escalating evidence of their demise, from terrifying poaching statistics to personally witnessing large rotting carcasses whilst on safari, has left me heartbroken.  At the current rate of poaching African Elephantscould face extinction in the wild by 2025!!  A future without these beautiful, intelligent animals is not one which we can sit idly by and allow to happen. 

Earlier this month 10,000 people spread over 14 different cities united for the International March for Elephants with one desperate message to their governments;  Stop the ivory trade!  I, along with hundreds of other Ele-lovers, demonstrated in London's Parliament Square urging the government to take action to end the illegal trade in ivory.

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT), a Kenyan conservation charity known for the rescue and hand-rearing of orphaned elephants before their rehabilition back into the wild, and its advocacy campaign iworry, have reported that an estimated 36,000elephants are slaughtered every year by the illegal ivory trade, amounting to one killedevery 15 minutes!  To date, the DSWT has arrested 1,400 poachers and in the past month alone, has been called to rescue 14 elephants in just 18 days bringing the total number cared for by the charity to 33, the highest number since 1977.  A letter signed by Dr Dame Daphne Sheldrick was delivered to 10 Downing Street after the rally at Parliament Square.

Below: Visiting the elephant orphans at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi, close to where I was brought up, when I was little (yes, in flannel shorts) and more recently.

Rob Brandford, director of the DSWT, said: “The time to act is now. The UK government and governments around the world cannot ignore this growing crisis. Recent responses by other world leaders are encouraging but if our children and grandchildren are to see elephants in their lifetime, the international community must act urgently and collaboratively to enact a global ban on the commercial sale of ivory and protect elephants before it’s too late.”

Founder of the DSWT, Dr Dame Daphne Sheldrick DBE, said: “Both elephants and their protectors are being killed by this illicit trade. Every life lost to the trade in ivory is a scandal. Their extinction would not only bring heartbreak, but it will have a devastating impact not only on the wider environment but also in millions of livelihoods dependent wildlife tourism. We urgently need to act now to protect the elephants and those that protect them to prevent a wider environmental and economic catastrophe.”

Please add your name to the list of people around the world saying NO to ivory HERE.
With your signatures, we can urge government leaders around the world to bring an end to all trade in ivory, permanently. 

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. 

Royal Academy: The Young Patrons Annual Drinks Party

Last week I attended the Royal Academy’s Young Patron’s Annual Drinks.  The Young Patrons is a group of like-minded 20-40 year old budding philanthropists who want a light introduction into the vibrant art world of the RA in a relaxed social atmosphere. 

Whilst enjoying specially formulated cocktails by Sipsmith (who make THE prettiest bottles) and delicious wobbly delights by jellymongers Bompas & Parr,  I tottered about on my towering paws (above) catching  up with friends and enjoying octogenarian pioneering architect Richard Rogers’ ‘Inside Out’ exhibition before it closed. 

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Henry Emson and artist Bella Malim, RA Patron's Manager Emily Koch and husband David Koch, Jamie Lauder with David Koch and David Grievson. 

Debit Buy: Gap's Leopard Print Slip On Sneakers

As perfect transition footwear, the ‘slip on sneaker’ had a BIG revival this Autumn, adorning the feet of many a hipster, fashion blogger and usually well-heeled fashionista.  I was naturally pining for Céline’s leopard print calf hair pair (right), but without wanting to beg, borrow or steal, I more than happily settled for GAP’s bargainous Céline’esq version for £39.99! The quality is great and I particularly love wearing them with my skinny black jeans and black cashmere jumper.  Several of my friends have also now run to buy them while they are still in stock – and whilst this weather remains ankle-friendly… #Hurry!

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.