HAWT: Natalie Portman in Rodarte

Hawt = A late 1940's and early 1950's acronym for "Having A Wonderful Time."
Now the word is used on the internet as slang for something reeeeally hot.

Natalie Portman made a serious fashuuuun statement whilst promoting her feature directorial debut, ‘A Tale of Love and Darkness,’ in Cannes last week. Wearing a dare-to-bare Rodarte dress from their Fall 2015 to her photo call, no one’s eyes could be diverted. With intricate beading, floral sequins, a feather trimmed bodice and a see-through skirt, this was certainly a cheekier and more risqué look than we are used to seeing the actress wear.  HAWT!!

Cannes 2015

I always look forward to the glamour and sparkle on the endless red carpets at the Cannes Film Festival. Below are some of the most breathtaking looks that caught my eye from the week long film and fashion fest.  Seriously, I just cannes handle how gorgeous some of these dresses were from the varying photocalls, premieres and afterparties… Big Red Carpet High Fives Ladies.

Above:  Emily Blunt wearing Peter Pilotto A/W’15 at the ‘Sicario’ photocall.

Above:  Diane Kruger wearing Prada with Harry Winston jewellery at the ‘Maryland’ premiere.

Above:  Sienna Miller wearing Valentino Couture S/S’15 at ‘The Sea of Trees’ premiere.

Above:  Cate Blanchett wearing Alexander McQueen A/W’15 at the ‘Carol’ photocall.

Above:  Poppy Delevingne wearing Burberry with Chopard jewels at the ‘Carol’ premiere.

Tom's #WithoutShoes Campaign

If you post a photo on Instagram of your bare feet by the end of today using the hashtag #WithoutShoes, and TOMS, the company known for starting a global movement through its One for One business model, will donate a pair of shoes to a child in need in your honour!  So start throwing off your socks with wild abandon and get snapping those tootsies people!! Take a pic = Give some shoes!!

Below are my feet next to a photo I took several years ago of a little girl in her dusty tutu in Tsavo, Kenya.

L.K. Bennett's SS'15 'Inspiring Women' Campaign

When I previously imagined British high L.K. Bennett, I had images of the Duchess of Cambridge in her tan wedges and various shift dresses, in sorbet hues, worn by women (in my opinion) who look far too young to be in them.  HOWEVER, when I recently appeared in L.K. Bennett’s digital ‘Inspiring Women’ campaign (such an honour, although not necessarily deserved!) styled by L.K. Bennett ambassador, and general cool cat,  Alex Meyers,  I realised just how much more there was to this veritable treasure trove of fabulous, bright and accessible pieces I immediately felt I could incorporate into my often quite quirky wardrobe.  Their collection of feminine ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags and accessories really do have something for everyone; from the demure to the stand out, but all equally elegant. I’m thrilled to have taken part in this campaign and really excited to have some gorgeous new L.K. Bennett pieces to wear this summer.  I recommend you also take a look ladies (especially at the Giselle heels - swoooooon!)

Following on from the success of last year’s collaboration with Caroline Issa, L.K. Bennett has teamed up with the effortlessly and eclectically stylish Laura Bailey.  I went to the launch of the model’s Capri-insired, 11 piece, vibrant collection wearing, and in an attempt to Bring Sexy Flat, I wore the pair of Anna flats I had worn in my photo shoot earlier that week –  I totally love them and they have become a real SS'15 staple of mine! Below are my favourite pieces from the collection…

Hair by Neville Hair and Beauty (5 Pont Street, Belgravia, SW1) 

The Met Ball 2015

This week saw the annual star-studded Met Ball once again mark the grand opening of the Costume Institute’s fashion exhibition at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.  This hugely anticipated, glamourous frock frenzy, seen by many as the fashion industry’s Oscars, saw many of the most famous faces (and bottoms, as the case seemed to be!) appear on the red carpet attempting to bring this year’s exhibition theme to life, ‘China: Through the Looking Glass.’  

Sarah-Jessica Parker (in H&M) and Rihanna (in Guo Pei) attacked the theme with predictable aplomb, both wearing outfits celebrating all things Chinese.  Despite SJP’s stand-out, bejewelled Philip Treacy headpiece being likened to a firey emoji and Rihanna’s sweeping canary yellow train being likened to an omelette, these ladies cannot be faulted for their bold and creative looks. 

Below:  Supermodel Karen Elson’s elaborate Dolce & Gabanna gown was phenomenal and definitely one of my personal ‘WOW’ looks of the night.

Below:  Our gorgeous Brit Chicks were out in force and representing on the red carpet, with Sienna Miller (in Thakoon), Georgia May Jagger (in, albeit more Japanese-inspired, Gucci) and Alexa Chung (in Erdem) all looking low key, comfortable and very, very cool. 

‘Who Runs The World?... Girls…’ Well, naked girls apparently. Beyonce (in custom Givenchy Haute Couture), Jennifer Lopez (in Versace) and Kim Kardashian West (in Peter Dundas for Roberto Cavalli) decided that less was to be more on the night.  Leaving very little to the imagination, these three curvaceous beauties made a strong case for replacing the side-boob with the side-bum, a trend I believe (and desperately hope…) will not catch on. These looks, in my opinion, were not high fashion, not reflective of the Chinese culture, and actually, not particularly classy.  I could really have done without seeing 8000 pictures of Kim’s belly-button and Beyonce’s butt-crack over my breakfast. Too much ladies… Toooo much. 

Below:  Several ladies (perhaps anxious about the controversial implications of the theme?) dressed down to avoid any risk.  And by down, I mean drearily.  Spending £16,500 on a ticket to the gala and then wearing a sensible dress, however elegant, feels just plain wrong.  I want me some drama!  I want me some tulle!  Despite there being plenty of extraordinary Chinese designers who I’m sure would have been more than happy to design stunning creations for these gorgeous 'schlebs, Clare Danes, Reese Witherspoon, Rachel Weiss, Carey Mulligan and Dakota Johnson* were among many who disappointingly seemed to have missed the ‘Go Big or Go Home’ memo.  (*FYI Dakota, wearing heavy winged eye-liner and holding a clutch in the shape of a chubby Chinese woman is a little on-the-nose dude...!)

SHOP THE LOOK...

Who was YOUR best dressed on the night? 

HRH Princess Charlotte of Cambridge

The newest member of the royal family has arrived!  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge welcomed a little baby girl on Saturday the 2nd, and the 'Sleeping Cutie' has since been named Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, a touching nod to her grandfather, her grandmother and her great-grandmother.  The adorable new princess is fourth in line to the throne. Congratulations Will'n'Kate!

Above:  The BT Tower and the Tower of London both lit up in celebratory pink.

Above:  Jamie Oliver's Royal Charlotte Lemon Drizzle Cake (Recipe HERE).

Above:  Nothing like a little royal tribute!  I will definitely be getting one of Emma Bridgewater's 1/2 pint mugs to commemorate the happy day (RRP. £19.99 HERE). 

TLC Vacation: The Peninsula Paris

When I was young, growing up in Africa, I dreamed of Paris.  Nothing much has changed, as my ever-increasing collection of Breton striped tee’s, daily use of red lipstick and a flat peppered with French objet d’art will attest to (I have an actual Eiffel Tower shaped lamp made from an old olive oil bottle I’m particularly proud of!)  In short, I regularly imagine that I actually am un petit French fille and subsequently have supremely high expectations of Paris and visit there with extreme caution to avoid any disappointment.  You can therefore only imagine how quickly I said OUI when I was asked to travel first class on the Eurostar and stay at the Peninsula Paris for two nights. 

Above:  Distracting myself from my overwhelmingly naked passport with a handful of magazines (does EVERY blogger apart from me have a monogrammed Louis Vuitton passport cover?!)

After a 4 year, £341 MILLION makeover, the five-star Peninsula Paris, the first Peninsula in Europe, swung its gloriously immaculate doors open at the end of last year.  The original building, which dates back to 1908, is steeped in artistic and political history, with George Gershwin penning ‘An American in Paris’ within its walls in 1928 to housing the Nazi military command whilst Paris was occupied during WW2.  Located across an entire block near to the Arc de Triomph and Champs Elysees, the hotel now boasts 200 suites (starting at £800 a night), 34 suites, a penthouse suite with its own lavish rooftop garden (a mere £20,000 a night), an underground spa and 20m swimming pool, 600 incredible staff and a fleet of BMWs, Mini Coopers and two Rolls-Royces.  Yes. I was also wondering how I managed to bluff my way past their uniformed bell boys and polished, marbled lobby (Shhhhhhsh... I won’t tell if you don't!) 

After a delicious lunch (above) at the aviation-themed L’Oiseau Bleu, one of the hotel’s six bars and restaurants, named after an early French biplane and with 360˚ views of Paris, I made my way to my room.  And by room, I mean basic apartment.  Just as immaculate and glossy as the rest of the hotel, my suite had everything I could possibly need, dream of and even more.  From a Nespresso machine, to a hidden printer, a nail-varnish dryer in my dressing room (I’m not even kidding), a television in the bath tub (I had four square-eyed baths during my short stay), Oscar de la Renta amenities, and a state-of-the-art, touchscreen tablet which controlled the lighting, heating, curtains, TV and room service (dangerous!) There were complimentary international calls, a complimentary mini-bar (helllooooo!) and after an immensely busy few weeks collapsing into my giant, sumptuous bed for an afternoon disco-nap was totally dreamy.  

That evening, after cocktails in Bar ‘s randomly brilliant outdoor cabin, I dined at their increasingly famous Cantonese restaurant, LiLi.  The rich interior was inspired by the drama of Chinese and French opera and the food, although not the place I would advise a strict vegetarian to go, is prepared by the fantastic, award-winning Hong Kong chefs in their own impressive Chinese kitchen within the hotel. 

Above:  By the striking ‘Dancing Leaves’ installation consisting of 800 hand-blown twinkling crystals leaves in the hotel’s main lobby.  It really is a truly beautiful sight, especially at night. 

After yet another bath and another (far longer) sleep, the next morning entailed breakfast in the stunning, Belle Epoque’esq Lobby Kléber, where we also later sampled a traditional and spoiling Japanese tea to coincide with Japanese Spring.  After one (ok, two) sugary ‘mini’ kouglofs by the hotel’s award winning pastry chef, I went to a chocolate workshop in the impressive kitchens.  My diet when left unsupervised… WOW.  There was a real moment I actually anticipated rolling back to London…     

So frequently on work trips you are so busy running around the city, you are almost unable to enjoy the amazing room you are staying in.  After a couple of super brief spells into town (I say 'super brief' as the weather was super chilly and super wet!) I luckily, after the most relaxing and revitalising hour long, hot–stone ESPA massage in the hotel’s enormous, 1800 sq m spa, and a short spell in the relaxation room, I was able to retire to my suite for an evening of room service, movies and sleeeeeeeep.  After an incredible lie-in, followed by EVEN MORE room-service the next morning (this couldn’t have been more heavenly!) I enjoyed one last delicious lunch with the team.  I felt truly refreshed by the time I headed back to London.  

Thank you to The Peninsula Paris Hotel and Eurostar.

TLC ON TOUR... PARIS SUITCASE:

(Click on the items below for their direct links)

Coach: 'What's Your Swagger?'

Coach’s latest handbag, The Swagger, is clearly going to be a big hitter this Spring, especially as you can accessorise it in so many different ways.  I was trilled to receive one of the spacious, matte black carryalls and given the opportunity to show a little of my personal ‘swagger’ off by customising the bag in my own, individual style.  

After removing the bag’s detachable strap, I made my new bag feel unique and more by wrapping a vibrantly colourful scarf around one of the leather handles, and adding a Masai beaded bracelet with a bronze charm of Africa around the other, instantly transforming the bag ready for me to take out and about.  Strolling around Ladbroke Grove, in between the early April showers, I bought some gorgeous yellow spring tulips from a market stall and headed for a relaxing coffee at Pizza East (with Cara, Suki and Georgia!) feeling like a true Portobello Warrior; totally my swagger!  #WhatsYourSwagger?!

TLC LOVES... THE SWAGGER

Hello There: Bionda Castana

Last week I attended a Bionda Castana trunk show, organised by Alex Meyers, and held at The Arts Club on Dover Street, Mayfair - sipping healthy green juices made a delightful difference to the usual, less healthy, cocktails I usually enjoy at this particular venue in the wee hours!  Bionda Castana, although only established in 2007, has fast become a regular heel spied on the red carpet and I regularly see their beautiful designs featured in magazines.  the founders, Natalia Barbieri and Jennifer Portman, manage to effortlessly blend a London cool aesthetic with beautiful Italian craftsmanship and expertise. I particularly loved the rose gold Lana’s (below), the ultimate femme fatale evening court! 

TLC LOVES... BIONDA CASTANA

Matthew Williamson for Red Nose Day 2015: 'Do My Feathers Look Big In This...?'

Red Nose Day 2015 is TOMORROW!  Once again, the nation is gearing up to adorn their noses and get SILLY, all united in the same mission; to transform the lives of millions of people across the UK and across Africa.  Go HERE to donate to this annual fundraiser, remembering that £30.00 could vaccinate 6 children again deadly diseases like meningitis, tetanus and pneumonia, £50.00 could pay for 20 people with dementia to take part in a group session to enhance their self-confidence and communication skills, and £150.00 could buy a wheelchair for a child with a disability in Zambia so they can get to and from school…

Taking the emblem of the peacock feather, Matthew Williamson has designed a t’shirt, available at TK Maxx, brilliantly asking ‘Do my feathers look big in this?!’  As worn by Daisy Lowe on the front cover of this month’s Elle magazine (below) 100% of the net profits from sales go to Comic Relief, supporting projects to end extreme poverty worldwide.  Show you give a shirt, and buy one HERE (RRP £14.99) now! 

Photographs:  David Nyanzi