Pampering suites: adding some TLC to LFW
Forget the press office, there’s a far more relaxing way to fill the gaps between shows at LFW. I’ve been working with Amex to experience all they have to offer at Fashion Week, and away from Somerset House, their Fashion Insider fixers have also set up base at the Fashion Monitor Style Lounge. What’s the Style Lounge? It’s one of a number of pampering suites that seem to have popped up over the last two seasons, designed to add some much-needed TLC to ease the hectic LFW whirl. Continue reading
London Fashion Week AW13: Day three highlights
Today I truly experienced the luxury and convenience of a concierge service. I’ve been working with Amex to experience all they have to offer this Fashion Week, which in reality means I’ve had cars booked to ferry me from show to show, my on-the-go catering needs seen to, plus all manner of other requests – small and large – dealt with. Amex asked me what my ‘pain points’ were during Fashion Week and I said transport issues, wi-fi issues and just general juggling of everything. Continue reading
Video: Into The Gloss
Wow, Emily Weiss’s INTO THE GLOSS gets 6 million page views a month. Here’s why…
Buy it now: Valentine’s self gifting
As you know, I’m a massive fan of self gifting. It doesn’t take a special occasion but hey, it’s Valentine’s week so that’s a good enough excuse. Of this little lot, my favourite piece is the Sarah Chloe bangle, which can be engraved to personalise (although I think it’s fair to say this wouldn’t be ready by the 14th). At £100 it’s a fairly affordable gift for someone super-special. The Fornasetti candle is divine and has the added bonus of doubling as a beautiful storage vessel after the wax has burnt down. And I’ve always wanted an apple bag. Impractical as hell but what a joy to behold!
ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT:
TOP: Each X Other jacket (available at Selfridges); Fornasetti candle; Lena Erziak apple bag
MIDDLE: Chanel blush; Chloe clutch bag; Marni print blouse
BOTTOM: Super Chic book; Hermes key holder; Sarah Chloe engraved bangle
Beauty buy: Dries van Noten X Frederic Malle
Twitter has been all aflutter this morning at the announcement by WWD of a Dries van Noten fragrance coming this month. Digging further, the fragrance is an ‘olfactory portrait’ of Dries van Noten, as opposed to a brand fragrance and is created by Frédéric Malle’s Editions de Parfums. The notes are a concoction of citron, sandalwood, guaiac wood, saffron, Spanish jasmine, tonka beans, Cashmeran/blonde woods, vanilla and musk. Something tells me it will be a bit of a unisex scent.
This is what the bottle looks like…
I think this is going to be another addition to my ‘fragrance library’, alongside the Marni, Tom Ford Noir, Chanel Jersey and Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir currently on rotation. It will be available on February 15th.
UPDATE 27th Feb: It’s been spotted in Liberty so I’ll be heading down there for a sniff. In the meantime, here’s a video of Frederic Malle and Dries van Noten talking about the collaboration…
Dries Van Noten by Frédéric Malle from EDP FM on Vimeo.
Beauty buy: Olympia le Tan for Lancome
Oh I do love a logical brand tie-up. For Valentine’s Day, Lancome has worked with Olympia le Tan to create 100 felt appliquéd ‘book clutch’ minaudiers, stuffed full of Lancome product. Le Tan chose six Lancome Rouge In Love lipsticks and Vernis In Love nail polishes – in pinks and reds obvs – to package inside the handmade clutch bags.
They go on sale exclusively at Harvey Nichols (in store, £995) from Monday.
If you’re a fan of Le Tan’s work, check out her Tumblr, which often shows the vintage books she uses as inspiration…
Buy it now: new spring things
This winter I did really well on the jumper front so for now I can ease off on the knitwear buying. That said, I’m very drawn to Stella’s fruit salad chevron stripes and these Maria La Rosa socks. For tapping into the big 60s monochrome story, Motel’s block-striped top will come in very useful, both with tailored skirts (like Carven’s lush poppy red one) and boy fit jeans. Its loosely cut proportions are very flattering and the zip at the back makes it slightly more dressy. While the skinny cigarette heel is making a huge comeback, chunky heels and flatforms are still best for everyday city living – preferably dipped in silver or gold…
ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT:
TOP: Stella McCartney top; Giorgio Armani Cheek Fabric; Marni shoes
MIDDLE: Olympia Le Tan book clutch; Motel top; Nina Peter gloves
BOTTOM: Maria La Rosa socks; Carven skirt; ASOS flatforms
Nail news: Spring nudes and the perfect pedi pink
On the nail front, the general consensus is that nude nails are in, and that includes the so-out-it’s-now-in French mani. I haven’t had a French manicure for years but I did go through a phase of having an American (the more subtle version) at Topshop every week. For doing it yourself though, it’s all a bit of a faff. The lazy-girl option could be Dior’s new, one-step clear Nail Glow. According to Vogue, it enhances white tips with one sweep of the brush. Continue reading
Beauty buy: Elemental Herbology Purify & Soothe Cleansing Balm
Joining the family of posh cleansing balms on the side of my bath tub is Elemental Herbology’s Purify & Soothe Cleansing Balm. The best way to use this, I have discovered, is to rub a small blob between dry palms and as you massage into your skin, stop to cup your hands over your face so you can inhale the heady essential oil scent of chamomile and frankincense. Continue reading
Mmmm is for MARNI’s first fragrance
Please take a look at Marni ‘s first fragrance, complete with its USB stick-holding mascot doll, ‘Bambolina’. isn’t is the funnest thing ever? I love everything about this, from the design of the bottle (incorporating playful Marni signatures like curved edges, polka dots and the red bottle cap that closes with a lovely, audible click), to the scent itself which is a delicious, fresh-but-spicy blend of ginger, cardamom, cedarwood and black rose.
I think I’ll be alternating it with Jo Malone London’s Blackberry & Bay – it has a similar grown up ‘juiciness’. It comes out next month (exclusively at Harrods) along with a shower gel, body lotion and body creme.
