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
Retail trend: Frocks and flowers
Flowers aren’t the easiest things to buy when you’re fashion shopping, but still, I like the idea. From COS’ pop-ups with Clifton Nurseries, to Chanel’s clever Mother’s Day flower stand (in situ at Chanel’s Covent Garden beauty boutique ’til tomororow – buy 100ml of fragrance and pick up a hand-tied posy), fashion retailers are embracing the senses with their floral tributes.
To add to the roll call, Oasis has teamed up with florists Rebel Rebel to open a pop-up shop in its Argyll Street store. Prices are pretty reasonable – from £5 for the small flower pots planted in retro tins – and the shop is in place until the end of the month.
Guest post: The newly-launched ‘& Other Stories’ celebrates individual (street) style
No-one does the high street better than the Brits, except possibly the Swedes! Well, H&M in particular. Launching today is H&M’s new brand, & Other Stories. Here’s the verdict from guest contributor, LSN Global retail editor, ALISON BISHOP
So, the new retail concept & Other Stories by H&M has finally launched (in London first, natch), and it seems there is room for another fashion retail concept on the high street. & Other Stories lives up to its premium product pitch in terms of ‘style over fast-fashion’. Continue reading
Buy it now: Mother’s Day beauty buys
What do you get your mum for Mother’s Day? I don’t always have to worry about this one as my mum lives abroad and is usually pretty happy with a card, flowers and a phone call. But I think you can’t go wrong with something pretty or pampery in lovely packaging. Here are a few beauty ideas that I like in case you’re still stuck… Continue reading
Beauty news: & Other Stories – the beauty booty
Everyone’s getting jolly excited about H&M’s new launch – & Other Stories. Pitched as a brand about ‘style’ rather than ‘fashion’, it’s been seeding videos for the last few weeks and launch day is almost upon us (8th March, Regent Street, London).
I’m interested to see what the beauty offer is like up close. Continue reading
Just dropped: Agyness Deyn for Dr Martens SS13
Just arrived at Dr Martens… this new collection by Agyness Deyn. This time, her inspiration was Harajuku, hence the chunky naive sandals, Minnie Mouse bows and loveheart motifs. I’m glad to see that Dr Martens has hit its stride in recent seasons, aligning itself with the modern heritage movement and successfully catering to old and new customers (the stores in Westfield Stratford and Carnaby Street are pitch perfect). 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
On Amex, Foursquare and consumer interaction at London Fashion Week
Like it or not, the biannual fashion weeks are becoming increasingly consumer-focused. From the sea of bloggers in the Somerset House forecourt (who can watch the shows on the giant screen outside the main tent), to those viewing and shopping via online live stream (pioneered by Burberry), the scope for interaction and calls to action is wider than ever before. The lines are blurring between brands, retailers and publishers, and all are bringing the buzz of LFW directly from the front row to their loyal customers. Continue reading
London Fashion Week AW13: Day one highlights
Bam! That’s the sound of London Fashion Week going off with a bang. Well it did for me, because my first show was London College of Fashion’s MA show – its first as part of LFW. The show was edited to the ten strongest collections, of which my favourite was from Na Di, a menswear graduate whose punchy printed tailoring mashed up traditional references with hiphop attitude. Continue reading
Introducing: Winser London
It might be Fashion Month but life isn’t all about Marni-esque print and wacko Celine ‘fur-kenstocks’. Sometimes you want a palate-cleanser, a just-so silk shirt with double cuffs for example, or a high quality trench that will travel with you from spring to winter without the Rue Saint-Honore price tag. Continue reading
