Cara Delevingne for Mulberry SS'14

Looking uncharacteristically innocent and candy cute, Cara Delevingne hosts an animal tea party for Mulberry’s sweet-as-pie SS’14 campaign.   

Cara and her fluffy menagerie were shot by legendary photographer Tim Walker at an 18th Century country mansion in Oxfordshire.  This is the seventh time Mulberry and Walker have collaborated and the current campaign is just as whimsical, magical and quintessentially English as we have come to expect.  Del(evingne)icious. 

Beulah and French Sole Collaboration

Forget wearing your heart on your sleeve and start wearing them on your toes!  Beulah and French Sole have collaborated to make the loveliest of heart-shaped limited-edition ballet flats to help raise money for the United Nations' Blue Heart Campaign which supports the plight against human trafficking, a cause of great importance to the beauteous Beulah co-founders, Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan (above).

The night before I flew home to Kenya for Christmas I went to George on Mount Street in Mayfair, for the launch of these adorable, must-have slippers.  The soft grey flats with navy velvet hearts on their toes have bright blue soles and Beulah print lining. 

Available at French Sole (HERE) - RRP. £185.00 (25% goes to the Blue Heart Campaign).

 

Hello There: Malaika Firth

I was thrilled to see model Malaika Firth starring in the SS’14 Burberry Campaign (above) alongside a bevy of other pastel adorned Bright Young (British) Things.  

Yes, I admit, am biased in my support of this 19 year old upcoming model (I was raised on the Kenyan coast, near when Malika’s mother and her family are from) but mark my words, this model is set for BIIIG things. 

Malaika burst onto the fashion scene last July when she bagged a Prada Campaign (left) making her the first black model to represent the brand since Naomi Campbell in 1994 (the year Malaika was born!)  Since then, the Kenyan and Essex raised model has graced the cover of a Vogue supplement (above) walked a gazillion fashion week shows and even strutted down the Victoria Secret catwalk (below right, a role she was clearly destined for given that her name is Swahili for ‘Angel!’)

I first noticed Malaika when I was reviewing the Valentino SS’14 show.  I was utterly struck by her ethereal poise in what was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and exotic looks from the entire SS’14 Fashion Month (above left).

Trust me people, watch this space face.

Culture Vulture: London 2014

London in 2014 looks set to be brim-full of excellent restaurant openings, exhibitions, theatre, and of course, fashion, making this a VERY Happy New Year indeed!  

RESTAURANTS

A big year lies ahead for restaurateurs Russell Norman and Richard Beatty as firstly, they re-open Polpetto after their 2-year residency above the legendary French House ended.  We can now once more enjoy the romantic, characterful restaurant from January when Chef Florence Knight and her team move to their new home at 11 Berwick Street.  The restaurant will seat a hungry 70 (opposed to only 23 like before!) and it will feature an aperitivo bar and open kitchen serving Venetian tapas.  The group will also be opening a second Polpo restaurant in Notting Hill early in the year, with the 100-cover restaurant set to be the largest of their portfolio.  All Norman and Beaty’s restaurants operate a strict no-booking policy but they are certainly worth the wait!  

After her shock departure from Michelin starred Petersham Nursaries Café last year, chef Skye Gyngell is set to open her own London restaurant early in 2014, in partnership withHeckfield Place in Hampshire.   Excitingly for South Londoners, Gordon Ramsey’s London House opens in a former coal warehouse in Battersea Square this February.
 
With Head Chef Anna Kelly promising a modern European menu using local British and artisan ingredients, there will be separate bar serving bespoke cocktails, London brewed beers and a lengthy wine list.  No Kitchen Nightmares expected here!

If this all sounds a little too fancy pants, and you’re looking for more of a quick fix, the first UK branch of the American shrimp chain Bubba Gump opens in Piccadilly Circus this year.  The restaurant is based on the characters in the epic film Forrest Gump and you can expect (in the words of Bubba…) “pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. with garlic… shrimps with mayonnaise… shrimps with…” 

EXHIBITIONS

There are two particular exhibitions I am looking forward to in 2014 and they couldn’t be more different. The history geek in me is so excited to visit the British Museum in March to explore the ‘Vikings: Life and Legend’ exhibition (BOOK HERE), the first of its kind in London for more than 30 years.  Expect artifacts dating between the late 8th Century - early 11th Century, including a life-size replica of a Viking Ship, using some original timbers. Alternatively, the V&A will be hosting ‘The Glamour of Italian Fashion 1945-2014’ (BOOK HERE) sponsored by Bulgari.  A beautifully detailed insight into the history of Italian fashion will have every London fashionista rushing to buy tickets, desperate to see the stupendo contributions from Georgio Armani, Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, Missoni, Prada, Valentino and Versace…. Swoon! 

THEATRE

There will be a series of exciting theatrical offerings in London this year, with Fame and Miss Saigon both returning to the West End.  Simon Callow and Felicity Kendal (LOVE them!) will star in Michael Morpurgo’s ‘The Butterfly Lion’ and the wonderful Stephen Fry is to play Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ (one of my all time favourite plays!)  I hear (stage) whispers that 2014 will also see Will Young starring in 'Cabaret' with musical adaptations of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, ‘Bridget Jones’, and ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ soon to be announced... My jazz hands can barely contain their excitement (*sits on hands).  

The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse will also open in early January at the Shakespeares Globe after much anticipation.  The totally unique, Jacobean theatre will provide both indoor and outdoor playing space and as such will host a wide variety of events throughout the year.  With a handmade oak structure, pit seating and performances lit by hundreds of candles, this venue is going to be magical.

FASHION

Get ready to feel utterly spoilt with some WOW new store openings in the capital in 2014.
Karl Lagerfeld is to open a flagship store on Regent Street this March for his self-titled Karl Lagerfeld label.  The shop will be his largest European to date (2700 sq ft!!) filled with (probably all monochrome) ready-to-wear collections and accessories.  iPads will be integrated into the display racks so you can watch digital footage showcasing the collections, and the fitting rooms will come equipped with photo booths… Just YES.  
Mayfair’s Mount Street will also be welcoming two new shops this January; Scottish designer Christopher Kane, adored by Alexa Chung and her merry band of cool cats, will be opening a flagship store as will dreamy dress creator Roksanda Ilincic.

Helloooo 2014

Having just spent a fortnight (at best) eating too much, drinking too much and spending too much, you probably have some pretty holy resolutions set in place.  Once these impossible rules and regulations fall by the wayside (I give them a week…), the diet and the early nights go out the window, and the snow is embraced for the sake of the January Sales (remember, it’s not what you’re spending , its what you’re saving!) you can start as you really mean to go on this year… Happy 2014 everyone! xx

Thank you 2013...

I am currently back home on the beach in Kenya and made the below video whilst taking my Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies, Atlas and Albas, for their last 'walkies' of 2013... 

With the sun setting on 2013 I wanted to thank you all for your support.  It's been a phenomenal year for The London Chatter and I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store.  

2013 Flipagram

If you are enjoying a digital detox this holiday the latest, greatest app to take the (social media) world by storm may have, thus far, eluded you.  Flipagram lets you choose photos from your camera roll, select a song from your music library, and then allows you to share the constructed montage.   Along with pretty much everyone else on Instagram, I created my own 15 second flashback of 2013 filled with some of my year's highlights;  new puppies (Atlas and Albas), new kittens (Harry and Lloyd), protests (against the ivory trade and the annual dolphin slaughter in Taji, Japan) and playing the Bongos with Cara Delevingne are featured admist my amazing trips to Los Angeles, Kenya, Berlin and Mallorca (below).  Try it yourself - it's flippin' fantastic! 

All She Wants for Christmas 2013

We all know that most men fear, dread and loathe shopping so rather than ‘accidentally’ flambéing him instead of the Christmas Pudding as thanks for that last minute, delightfully flammable red underwear he left for you under the tree (“but it’s festive!”) may I suggest you help the poor fella out this year by kindly leaving this page open on his desktop…!  

Above (Clockwise) L-R: Kate: The Kate Moss Book – RRP. £50.00, Jonathan Adler’s Mr and Mrs Muse Mug at Amara – RRP. £24.30, Topshop Rasberry Bow Heels – RRP. £55.00, Anya Hindmarch Girlie Stuff Wash Bag – RRP. £95.00, Princess Tam Tam’s Folie Bra – RRP. £58.00

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Dannijo Joanie Stud Earrings at Matches – RRP. £125.00, Topshop Collar Jacquard Dress – RRP. £75.00, Monica Vinader’s Gold Vermeil Stacking Rings - RRP. £50.00 - £100.00, Anthropologie Lady Bugs Dinner Plate – RRP. £24.00, Anthropologie Multitude Hairbands – RRP. £14.00 

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Smythson 'Shoe Queen' Leather Notebook at Matches - RRP. £38.00, Topshop Velvet Sequin Pencil Skirt – RRP. £42.00, ‘Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore!’ at Amazon – RRP. £37.50 £23.25, Limited Edition Diptyque Candles at Space.NK– RRP. £25.00 -£45.00. Graham and Green Ceramic Animal Boxes – RRP. £15.00 - £18.00 

Above (Clockwise) L-R: DVF Diane Von Furstenberg Lips-Print Iphone Cover - RRP. £30.00£21.00, Wilbur & Gussie’s Penny Clutch - £295.00, Soru’s Double Green Opal Ring in Gold –RRP. £120.00, Beulah’s Shibani Shawl – RRP. £120.00 (10% from each Shabani shawl purchase goes to the UN’s Blue Heart Campaign against human trafficking), Biscuiteers Nativity Biscuit Set – RRP. £35.00, Just Ballerinas’ Leopard Print Slippers – RRP. £139.00

Thank you to actresses Anna Kendrick, Sienna Miller, Tara Summers and Ella Smith,  presenter Louise Roe and fashionistas Savannah Miller, Tanya Semikoz and Natasha Rufus Isaacs, for sharing with The London Chatter their 2013 Christmas wishes. xxxx