Last chance: So Dior at Harrods
Gosh isn’t there a lot going on with retail right now? Online may be the all-powerful monster threatening the high street, but bricks and mortar stores are fighting back by ramping up the drama and excitement on offer.
This weekend is your last chance to get involved in the multi-sensory experience that is Dior at Harrods. Continue reading
Glamour magazine: How Cara Reinvented Cool
Much as I love digital, there’s still a buzz to be had from seeing my byline in print. Glamour magazine commissioned me to write a few words on Cara Delevingne, in which I tried to pinpoint the essence of her success. Conclusion? It’s a combo of everygirl personality plus a super-social media presence that her fans love to engage with. And from a brand point of view, rather like some uber-bloggers, Cara has the cash factor – when she wears something, it sells. (As streetwear brand Hardware LDN told me, “when Cara was spotted wearing Hardwear LDN at London Fashion Week, we sold 200 units within the hour”.) No wonder she gets repeat-booked by brands like DKNY, Chanel and Burberry – it’s all about the ROI, baby!
You can read the four page feature in Glamour, out now…
Saint Laurent AW13: Courtney Love and Kim Gordon by Hedi Slimane
Complain all you like, I’m loving Courtney and Kim in Saint Laurent’s new ads. Even if Kim does look a little draggy. Also, I need to know who did her nails…
Beauty buy: Tom Ford Lip Color Shine
When it comes to Tom Ford, I find myself hopelessly conflicted. The Tom Ford Gucci years did nothing for me (I mean, those ridiculous feathered jeans!), ditto his recent women’s RTW. His menswear on the other hand is impeccable, and don’t get me started on the fragrances and make-up. Continue reading
Gentlewoman style: serious raincoats
High street raincoats and trench coats are all very well. They no doubt look the part and some can be nicely made, but for long lasting and properly weather proofed trench coats, I prefer to buy from the originators. Continue reading
In-flight shopping the Fabergé way
Oh boy, how the other one per cent lives! While I spend Easter gorging on Milk Tray Green & Blacks eggs in (highly likely) snowy showers, others are jetting to warmer climes – airport strikes notwithstanding. But for the super-luxe jet set, it gets even better. Forget the obligatory bottle of Chanel scent, passengers on a VistaJet flight can buy these oh-so-exclusive Fabergé eggs to satisfy their in-flight shopping urge.
Available as part of its spring ‘Egg Miles’ project, Fabergé‘s limited edition collection of fine jewellery egg pendants is available to buy in cabin for a period of three weeks (from $7,900). According to Fabergé, this is a reflection of a ‘trend for luxury retail at altitude’. Which naturally begs the question, what other frivolously expensive goodies are up for grabs?
Buy it now: Charlotte Olympia’s perfume bottle clutch
My beloved Charlotte Olympia perfume bottle clutches are now available to buy and they’re even more delightful than when I first saw them. Continue reading
Jo Malone London’s pop art Red Roses
What do we think of the new limited edition Jo Malone London Red Roses bottle? Created by new(ish) style editor, Charlotte Stockdale, it has a neon pink pop art-esque paint drip on the bottle which is certainly striking and a departure from your average Jo Malone London bottle design.
I’m a bit divided on this one. Much as I love Charlotte Stockdale, the classicist in me secretly prefers the traditional elegance of Jo Malone London. But I suspect the brand is keen to broaden its reach to younger (or ‘cooler’) customers and this is a good start. I will add that having seen the bottle in the flesh, it’s growing on me – the neon is a really bold contrast to the trademark JML cream and black.
What do you think?
The limited edition (only 300 bottles), hand numbered Jo Malone Red Roses cologne (£120) will be available from Selfridges from 1st April.
Catherine Baba for Nars
Like thousands of other, I love Lisa Eldridge and her excellent how-to ‘beaut-orial’ videos. But here’s something a bit different that I spotted on her Facebook page today. It’s a film for the new NARS Satin Lip Pencils featuring Canadian pop star Sarah Ruba (beauty-wise a cross between Angelina Jolie and Lana Del Rey) and the inimitable Catherine Baba. Quentin Jones directed the vid with Lisa Eldridge wielding the powder brush.
There really does seem to be an effort by brands to feature more diverse examples of style and beauty and it’s great that true originals like Baba are getting featured in beauty campaigns, just because they’re fabulous, not because they ‘look good for their age’ (a ghastly phrase if ever there was one). The video has also caused a bit of buzz due to its interactive technology that allows the viewer to dictate the storytelling. (You can see that version here.) Watch and enjoy Catherine Baba slinking across the screen in kimono-arm-party-gown-fest awesomeness as only she can…
Shop report: Toast Marylebone launch
On the chilliest spring day in recent memory (yep, it’s officially spring), Toast invited me to document the launch of its new Marylebone High Street store. In terms of creative direction, evocative imagery and on-point attention to detail, Toast gets it right every time, so it was to be expected that the shop opening would engage all the senses in typical house style. Continue reading
