Fake It Till You Make It with Weekday
With summer on its merry way (we hope), we are now slowly beginning to see more sunny digital and printed campaigns released, all enticing us to make our new season purchases, so we too can be as happy and tanned as the models and celebrities featured. The majority of these alluring Spring/Summer campaigns are obviously shot long ahead of time, during the British Winter, and shot at great expense in faraway, infinitely more exotic locations.
Founded in 2002, Weekday, a Swedish denim and fashion brand influenced by youth culture and street style, have decided to be humorously transparent when it comes to communicating their own sunglasses campaign this year. Instead of flying to the other side of the world to capture the essence of summer, the Weekday marketing team decided to shoot their models under some bright lights, in front of some beachy backdrops. Just as the viewer is lured into the inauthentic summer vibe, the camera is pulled back to reveal the ‘truth in advertising;’ our Expectation vs. Reality.
Aside from Brexit, another hot topic which has caused in-depth discussion over the last year, is centred around the authenticity of the advertising we consume on a daily basis, especially via social media. The actuality, and the ‘behind the scenes,’ of pretty much every heavily filtered, perfectly poised picture we absorb on Instagram in particular, are far removed from what we are presented with, and as such, I found creating my own Expectation vs. Reality imagery in support of this Weekday campaign, really refreshing and relevant.
Amidst great friends in Los Angeles, surrounded by palm trees and booming music, I enjoying cocktails in the hottest sunshine, wearing slim lilac Weekday Cateye Sunglasses and some complimentary lilac Weekday cords and blouse – Such a smiley, memorable day…
Whereas, actually, I was standing outside a London pub, on a typically chilly day, alone. At least I had my mixture of two fruit juices (Pina NOlada?!) and cheese and onion crisps… All the glamour, clearly, and not quite the summer-vibes I had led initially encouraged you to believe.
Similarly, here I am in Cuba, enjoying some much-needed shade at an exotic fruit-stall, wearing my favourite Weekday Sail Cateye Sunglasses and Weekday swimsuit…
Which of course, then reveals me actually standing by a Ladbroke Grove London market stall, feeling wildly underdressed, and beyond nippy on yet another grey day… Well, you gotta’fake it, till you make it!
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March Against Extinction 2019
A few years ago, whilst waiting for my cab at LAX, I witnessed a group of American men, pushing their suitcases and firearms, being welcomed home by their wives and children like heroes, as they excitedly regaled stories of how many lions they had each shot on their (canned) hunting trip to South Africa... My heart utterly broke.
How are conservationists to win the fight against illegal poaching, exhaustively educating the world with what little time we have left, that Africa’s most endangered animals, in their ever dwindling numbers, are #WorthMoreAlive, and that their mounted body parts are not symbols of wealth and prosperity - if on the other hand, the blood-thirsty elite are legally allowed to kill and display severed body parts of the exact same animals back in their homes, as a sign of their own ‘power’ and ‘prestige’ (or more likely, as I see it, as a sign of their small...)
In total, some 1.7 million wildlife trophies were legally traded between nations between 2004-2014, 200,000 of them from endangered species.
This was why, yesterday, I joined the Global #MarchAgainstExtinction to deliver an open letter signed by 175,000 people (including my faves, Jane Goodall and Born Free Foundation’s Virginia McKenna to Theresa May at 10 Downing Street, asking the British Government to take urgent action to ban the import of hunting trophies to the U.K, and to support efforts internationally to end this gruesome trade once and for all.
We also called upon the CoP delegates to: support the proposal to up-list elephants to Appendix I, reject the proposal from several southern African countries to re-open ivory trade, and reject the proposal to allow trade in the Southern White Rhino.
Without maximum protections by the global community and CITES, elephants, rhinos, lions, giraffes and all endangered megafauna face certain extinction in the wild.
Above: Outside 10 Downing Street with actor and animal rights activist Peter Egan, who I haven’t seen Peter since co-starrrrring in the 2007 British comedy, ‘Death at a Funeral.’
(*Kidding, I literally had one line in the entire film...)
It was an honour to stand and be counted alongside so many committed and passionate voices for endangered animals yesterday in London, whilst so many did the same thing back in my home town, Nairobi, Kenya.
A Spring in my Step with CHARLES & KEITH
Sponsored by CHARLES & KEITH and ShopStyle
I first discovered the Singapore-based accessories label CHARLES & KEITH earlier this year. Whilst scouring through street style pictures from NYFW in February, I noticed some of my favourite Scandi bloggers and other Insta-favourites swinging the same stylish pistachio-green tote around Manhattan, and I knew I had to move quick before it sold out (*it already was!) I was however, really happy to learn upon further investigation, that CHARLES & KEITH had not only just launched in the UK, but also, were brilliantly affordable… Can I get a ‘whoop, whoop?!’
CHARLES & KEITH launched in 1996, specialising in shoes, but has since expanded with a covetable collection of handbags, jewellery and sunglasses, with an abundance of ever-updating styles to suit one and all. Having had an in-depth perusal of their website (I call it ‘research…’) I found amongst the varying colours and patterns, some gorgeous new Spring styles I couldn’t resist.
I find getting a couple of new statement accessories to be the simplest and most purse-friendly way to refresh and brighten up my existing outfits, and with warmer weather on the horizon, I’m thrilled to have found these CHARLES & KEITH wardrobe additions giving me the literal Spring in my step I’ve been looking for…
I have always been a massive fan of wearing bulky sling-backs (otherwise known as ‘Man Repellers’) and these on-trend raffia versions from CHARLES & KEITH available in both Black and Blush were both added to basket at first sight. They are so comfortable and give a certain weight to my more feminine and quirkier Spring outfits.
These chic Dark Green and Blush Fringe Sliders (similar here) look far more expensive than they are, and will give me the exact day to night Spring in my step I will soon be needing. I also couldn’t resist the sling-back’s matching weave tote bag… Welllll, it would be rude not to (plus, it fits my laptop, which is a huge bonus!)
I love this Petal Fold Bucket Bag as there was something of the Safari Chic about it (which is obviously something that will always appeal to me… ‘You can take the girl out of Africa…’) and it was clearly calling out to be paired with some of my wild prints. For a more Spring/Summer vibe, the bag is also available in a lovely Buttercup Yellow.
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In collaboration with CHARLES & KEITH and SHOPSTYLE
Photography: Frances Davison
Hair: Taylor Taylor London
Nails: Sophie Gass
IWD 2019
On International Women’s Day we remind ourselves to show love, show support, but also to use our voices for those who still have theirs violently suppressed - Because none of us are equal until all of us are equal.
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World Wildlife Day 2019: #DoOneThingToday
Today is World Wildlife Day, time to reflect upon the amazing and beautiful creatures we share this planet with, and that we must unite together to protect. Global populations of mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians having fallen by 60% in the last 50 years! If there was a 60% decline in the human population, it would be the equivalent of emptying North America, South America, Africa, Europe, China and Oceana... That is what our species has done - and within one generation!!
The challenges that our wildlife is facing are often large and complex, and it’s normal to feel personally powerless. However, small actions add up to a much larger solution – making the difference between a species surviving or disappearing forever... With that in mind, whether it’s donating to conservation projects and supporting those on the front line (I recommend Local Ocean Conservation, For Rangers, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, WWF UK and Tusk), spending time learning more about how the everyday items you consume may be affecting the environment and it’s inhabitants, or be it volunteering or spreading awareness, try and #DoOneThingToday to make a difference and help wildlife conservation!
Wearing: Wyse London’s ‘Conservation Cashmere’ which saw 100% of its profits donated to The Aspinall Foundation’s #BackToTheWild conservation projects. Over the past few years the foundation has released 8 black rhino, 49 Javan langurs, 9 Javan gibbon, 11 European bison and over 60 western lowland gorillas back to their natural habitat, with many more releases to come this year.
TLC Staycation: Soho Farmhouse with The Outnet
I have just returned from a glamorous night away from London with The Outnet at Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire. I’ve wanted to stay there for ages - and WHAT an evening to have gone and seen it in all its sunset glory! WowWowWeeWow! After some afternoon yoga, and a spoiling Cowshed pedicure, we donned out finest frocks from The Outnet (I wore the Kelly green Moya Twill midi dress from Emilia Wickstead) and headed for a decadent dinner in one of the Farmhouse barns…
One of the best parts of my job, is the time I get to spend with such brilliantly unique and interesting women, many of whom have become wonderful and supportive friends who I can laugh till I cry with (or at times, vice versa!) This wonderfully fun, and Picante de la Casa fuelled, evening with these major bombshells (all also dressed head to toe by The Outnet, naturally!) was such a great start to my 2019.
I always loved me a blue eyed boy (and a scrunchie!) As well as making this necessary hair accessory purchase at Alex Eagle’s beautifully curated concept shop, The Store, I also spied these gorgeous china trinket pots by London-based artist Fee Greening… BUT WHICH ONE SHOULD I GET?!
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2019: Let's Do This...
A little late to the 2019 party, but wishing you all one healthy and happy New Year. In all honestly, behind all of the fun and the filters, this last year has been a bit of a whoop-ass struggle, and all things considered, I found it quite hard to pick an authentic array of annual ‘highlights’ to see out 2018...
Instead, as I sit reflecting on the last year, I see lots of faces. The faces of people who showed up, checked in, called and cared - my true, real highlights.
If I’ve learned anything recently, it’s that you are never too old to open yourself up and make new, brilliant friends. Some of the faces I’m the most grateful to over 2018 belong to people I might not have imagined being there a year or so ago, and that’s pretty wonderful in itself. I also learnt to not beat myself up too much for politely opting out of things when it all feels like too much, when you need to disconnect, and when you need to put yourself (and perhaps Netflix) first.
Lastly, I recently read that even if you feel like the least intelligent, beautiful or talented person in the room, you can always be brave and you can always be kind. And that’s how I’ll be walking into 2019; Brave and kind... Lets Do This 2019!
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Dress and Lipstick by Rouje
Net a Porter AW'18 Sale
If you (like me) have been unusually disorganised with your Christmas shopping this year, fear not! With the always epic Net a Porter sale starting this week, our disorganisation might just have have paid off!
To save you some time, I’ve scoured the entire site and created a small edit of my favourite pieces (some of which you may have already seen me wearing over 2018…)
#OOTD: 28.11.18
I fell for East London based brand Mother of Pearl hard over Fashion Week this season, not only because of their renown sustainable credentials, but also because this pyjama/jogger trouser/pearl lined shirt combo struck the perfect balance between casual and luxury – my sartorial happy place!
“I have a vision to make products that travel the minimum amount of miles, using the minimum amount of chemicals possible, and are socially responsible and organic,” says Amy Powney, Mother of Pearl’s creative director. Using only cotton and wool from ethical production methods (including minimised water consumption and zero toxins) Mother of Pearl’s feminine ruffles, use of faux pearl detailing and cooler than cool masculine silhouettes are well worth having on your radar (and in your wardrobe.)
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