I utterly adored Michael Kors’ SS’15 collection (and having had a quick peek at Pinterest I’m certainly not alone!)
The blooming, beautiful florals and 1950’s inspired embellished skirts, were paired with masculine, tailored shirts, crisp white boyfriend tee's or light weight cashmere sweaters, resulting in an effortless, ladylike chic.
I mean, this could be the most perfect summer wardrobes of all time... Michael, I’ll take the lot. Please?!
British designer Zoë Jordan presented an edit of nine RTW looks this New York Fashion Week, and I was so glad to be in town so as not to miss it. I have always been a big fan of Zoë’s urban, tomboy-chic designs and this collection certainly did not disappoint.
Inspired by cracked granite and atomised metal, this clean collection, with its relaxing blue marble hues and silver strobes, neat dresses and must-have stylish city shorts, was shown at the über cool Milk Studios alongside a fantastic sound mix by DJ Miss G.
Above Left: My favourite look from the collection. I just LOVE these silver leather shorts paired with Zoë's signature Dias Jumper in cream and silver. Already firmly on my wish list.
Above: A smooch from model Poppy Delevingne, and The London Chatter with designer Zoë Jordan
Above (Clockwise) L-R: Tank Magazine's executive fashion director Caroline Issa with Beatrice Savoretti, Motilo.com's founder Sofia Barattieri (hover over the below picture to see details of Sofia's amazing look), Poppy Delevingne and Susie Bubble.
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
To celebrate Carine Roitfeld’s ‘Icons’ portfolio, which appears in every international September issue of Harper’s Bazaar, the magazine’s global fashion director held a black tie party in the ballroom of the glamourous Plaza Hotel during New York Fashion Week.
Accompanying Louise Roe as her date, and subsequent body guard, in my navy Global Babe jumpsuit (for similar, see below) I found myself in a room filled with some of the most powerful people in fashion... and bottles… and bottles… and bottles of Champagne and Belvedere vodka.
Lady Gaga, US Bazaar’s September cover star, took to the stage and performed some sultry jazz for an audience that included Linda Evangelista, Lauren Hutton, Karolina Kurkova and Brooke Shields (oh, and Brooke Shield’s amazing arms, which deserve a special mention!)
The night was, I have to admit, supremely overwhelming, from sharing a lift with Alexa Chung and Karlie Kloss, catching Lady Gaga by the bottom during a paparazzi scrum (I’m not even kidding!) to generally navigating myself around a room full of people more than twice my height... However, in spite of all this fashionable drama, I did manage to secure a good ol’catch up with my pal Lou and one helluva fabulous hangover… Nice to meet you NYFW SS'15! It's gonna be emotional...!
Above: Everybody needs good Neiiiiiiighbours... Louise Roe made a new friend in Central Park
My friend, photographer/videographer/conservationist/dude, Jimmy Greenwood (Feral Film Productions) recently nominated me for the Ice Bucket Challenge. Rather than chucking a bucket of water over my head (adding to the already over flowing Facebook walls of my friends), and inspired by Jimmy’s unconventional, and eco friendly, take on the challenge, I decided to rally the troops and make a SPLASH in London’s Serpentine for the love of dolphins, in support of Sea Shepherd’s Cove Guardians.
As you may know from my Instagram, I have attended several protests outside London’s Japanese Embassy in the last year (above), alarmed and disgusted by the brutal annual six month ‘cull’ of dolphins off the coast of the small fishing village of Taiji.
Annually, after a small selection of herded dolphins, porpoises and small whales are chosen for marine parks, thousands of others are brutally slaughtered and sold off for their meat. Most citizens in Japan are unaware of these horrendous dolphin hunts, or the serious toxicity of dolphin meat, which contains extremely high levels of mercury and PCBs.
Now, more than ever, it is important to add your voice to the growing global outrage and international protest against the drive hunt, as well as the captivity and slaughter these innocent creatures. The strongest weapon we have is our voice. Please write to your local Japanese Embassy or consulate and use your social media platforms to let it be known you oppose the slaughter in Taiji.
Thank you to my girls for agreeing, without hesitation, to one of my more crazy requests, to the Masketeers and the Artful Badger, to Summer Watson and to Jimmy, a man as passionate about this cause as me, for his excellent camera skills, encouragement and enthusiasm.
Donate to Sea Shepherd's Cove Guardians HERE.
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
Only a few days after Robin William’s sudden death, I attended a sell-out Secret Cinema screening of the 1989 coming-of-age film, ‘Dead Poet’s Society,’ at the Troxy in London.
Suited and booted, my friends and I dressed in our very best (rather last minute, in my case!) Welton Academy uniforms, and watched live poetry recitals, lit candles in memory of the much-loved actor, swapped well-thumbed, old books and nostalgically tucked in to some ‘school dinner’ (alas, the crumble was juuuust as I remembered it…!)
The Secret Cinema actors really enriched the film’s atmosphere, at times even running around in the dark with torches at the same time as the actors on screen. The Secret Cinema actors also stood on desks underneath the screen (whist we in the audience stood on our chairs) during the film’s (especially) emotional and poignant last scene, where the students stand on their desks in solidarity for their incredible, unorthodox teacher, John Keating (below). My spine tingled from hearing the copious bellows of, ‘O Captain, my Captain,’ from within the weepy crowd. This was the perfect tribute.
Several other screenings of the film were organised elsewhere in the UK, as well as in New York and Prague, and in Robin Williams’ memory, the £24,000 raised from these screening's profits and text donations, is going to mental health awareness charities. Contributions can still easily be made by texting CINEMA to 70660 to give £3.00 to Mind.
The long established Knightsbridge restaurant, ‘Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley Hotel’ underwent a massive, shiny new renovation and reopened earlier this year as ‘Marcus.’ I was generously invited to the two Michelin starred restaurant for lunch, and of course asked DG to accompany me (this would make a well received, swanky change from the usual Pret à Manger lunch I have been known to regularly treat him to...!)
The staff at Marcus could not have been more welcoming or helpful, in fact, the whole restaurant, despite being very elegant, with crisp white table clothes and chic place settings, is particularly unfussy, relaxed and comfortable. After a welcome glass of champagne we were presented with the most delicious and beautifully presented food (decorated with tiny, bright flowers) and all accompanied with various delicous wines recommended by the most charming of sommeliers (left).
I wish I hadn’t eaten in a week (or had any afternoon plans!) as I could have happily camped out there all afternoon! DG was in heaven, tucking into courses of frogs and snails (sans puppy dog’s tails) whereas the puddings (all three of them, due to my indecisiveness!) were obviously this sweet toothed gal’s highlight! A real treat of a lunch and I really recommend you making a booking for an upcoming special occasion… Even if that special occasion is that you just sooo happened to have cancelled all your meetings and work for the rest of this afternoon and are feeling purposefully peckish!
Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley
The Berkeley, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge, London. SW1X 7RL
Having studied acting at the Juilliard School in New York City, 63 year old Robin Williams shot to stardom in the 1978 TV sitcom, ‘Mork and Mindy.’ This mischievous, irresistible force of nature made us cry with laughter in his various comedies, and had us captivated during his more powerful, heartfelt performances. Robin Williams, simply, made millions of lives brighter… mine being merely one of them. This is just unacceptably sad.
I have just spent a (bittersweet) hour watching various scenes from the beloved Oscar winning actor’s much adored films, varying clips from hilarious interviews he gave and several teasers from his stand-up shows... Robin Williams was a true comic genius!
Below: After the news broke, thousands of tributes began to pour in from heartbroken friends, colleagues and fans a like (and even from President Obama!)
Below: The actor's 25 year old daughter, actress Zelda Williams, posted a beyond perfect quote from Antoine De Saint-Exupery’s beautiful 1943 classic, 'The Little Prince...'
Thank you Mr. Williams, the original Rockin'Robin, for bringing an extra dose of magic to my childhood, and leaving me inspired as a teenager. I hope your spirit has found peace… The world is an infintely less sparkly place without you.
If you are dealing with depression, the charity MIND has many helpful resources.
Alternatively, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.
