GILES SS12

Aside from the embarrassing situation where I was put in Jessie J’s seat and then moved to sit with Vogue instead (show off to a total bad start), as soon as the lights went down and the music begun all bad feelings were forgotten. At the start of the catwalk there was a scrunched up foil back drop, a perfect clue for what was to come. Inspired by Baba Beaton: ‘A Symphony in Silver’ and The Bowes Museum’s ‘Silver Swan’, a huge white swan in ostrich feathers led the way with a white silk trousers suit underneath for the first look, followed by outfits in reds, silvers and pinks with laser cut patterns of clouds and swans, finishing with elegant evening gowns in silks and ostrich plumes taking up the whole catwalk sweeping up forgotten feathers. My favourite without a doubt was all the silver pieces, matching the invitations of silver shredded paper masks, Giles definitely gave us the most dramatic show of LFW.

 This ticket was sponsored by Glaceau Vitamin Water

ROKSANDA ILINCIC SS12

I really loved all the small details that went along in Roksanda Ilicic’s SS12 collection; like the hard rope belts in orange and red with the box pleats flowing out over the top, darts on the outside of some of the dresses and the interestingly awkward sleeves. The whole collection was so feminine and classic but still had an edgyness to it. The soft feminine clothes played against the styling perfectly; neon heels on the Nicholas Kirkwood shoes were modern and cool whilst the beanie hats seemed to chill it all down a notch too. 

This ticket was sponsored by Glaceau Vitamin Water

MARK FAST 2212

Mark Fast’s SS12 collection was definitely more grown up than previous seasons, I was a little sad about this but the looks he delivered were chic and sophisticated. I think my favourite was the cream fringe jumpsuit and black and red evening dress pictured above. 

This ticket was sponsored by Glaceau Vitamin Water.

ROGUE REPORTING WITH ELIZA DOOLITTLE AND PALOMA FAITH

Last week Alexxsia and I got to go and see Eliza Doolittle and Paloma Faith on the final night of their tour at the Hammersmith Apollo. We jumped at the chance to do some rogue reporting for Glaceau Vitamin Water and even got to attend the after party afterwards!
I’m not particularly up to date with popular culture when it comes to music; I’d heard Paloma on the radio and recognised her at Lovebox, Eliza I had heard of partially and probably had one of her songs stuck in my head on more than one occasion. So, it was a great chance for me to learn what girls my age should know about music! 
Eliza was so sweet, she had an incredible voice and performed an amazing set, including Lloyd Wade joining her on stage for her ‘Pack Up’ track.

Then it was time for Paloma Faith to take to the stage for the main set; what a set it was too! There were three sets of stairs, a tree that I swear was real, and a grand piano.

Paloma made her entrance on top of the grand piano with wings outstretched, smoke machine on and lights beaming down. I have to say this woman is an ICON.

She had three costume changes all using the blue satin dress as a base with various head pieces and corsets assembled on top. My favourite song of the night had to be a cover she did of Nick Cave’s “Into my arms” which I must have had tears in my eyes at this point. She played some fresh tunes as well including a hilarious song about ‘Me and My Cellulite’; it was refreshing to watch a girl with so much style alongside a great sense of humour.

After the gig we joined the private party in the top of the Apollo; I immediately recognised the Noisettes who we had met at one of the Levi’s networking events. Jodie Harsh, Alan Carr, Rufus Hound and Gok Wan were among the guests also.

Paloma was wearing an incredible floor length sequined gown, I wasn’t able to get a picture but I was able to thank her for a wonderful evening, at which point she thanked me and scurried away seeming bashful; another adorable trait that makes you warm to her instantly. 

Vintage with East of Eden

Last Saturday I was invited on a little Vintage shopping excursion with Emma, star of the Summer Glaceau Vitamin Water campaign; “show your vits”. Blog crew and Paul Valentine from Exposure PR met with Emma for brunch at the Nude cafe just off Brick Lane.

After much fun drinking tea, hearing all about Emma’s new Vintage shop ‘East of Eden’ and gabbing all the latest blog gossip, we headed over to Brick Lane to start hunting for treasures.

Isn’t she a beauty? All the ads feature real people (you may have seen these ads as you descend into the depths of the tube) and have been picked based on the brand personality. Emma is Miss Revive – “a party girl with a twinkle in her eye, she is often hitting the tiles in her 1940s get up, painting the town red – specifically east london, where she runs a club night!”

She is also a university lecturer, vintage shop queen AND afro-cuban choir singer! Wowzaaa what a star! Her vintage shop ‘East of Eden’ will be opening on Balls Pond Rd in Hackney, Ldn. I can’t wait!

I’m afraid this isn’t the best picture, but it does show the whole crew, and Emma’s insanely awesome outfit.

From left to right we have Amy from Wolf Whistle, Leigh from Style Canteen, Cyrenea from Freak Delux, Emma ‘East of Eden’, Charlotte from Style Cartel and Paul from Exposure PR.

Alexxsia from My Labyrinth was with me too!

I must say that Paul told us that he would be wearing a purple jumper and would be easy to spot, so we went right up to a guy in purple at the nude cafe and introduced ourselves, turned out not to be Paul. Cringe!

In Hanbury Hall Vintage Market where I bought a few treasures.

So wanted this emerald green velvet dress! It wouldn’t even slip past my hips, boo!

Totally awesome bag in the Brick Lane indoor market, the bag flap was two uncut raw pieces of leather, very Ann D!

Incredibly beautiful 1940’s pink crepe maxi, I wanted to try it on but I got my hand slapped just for touching it. Woops!

Anything that delicate isn’t for wearing.

We finished off at a shop selling Vintage by the Kilo round by the bus stop (Really don’t know my way around London yet!), it was pretty manic in there but I managed to pick out a nude skirt (was totally on the hunt after seeing a girl in a floor length nude skirt), brown leather lazer cut belt and few silk tops. All for £6!

The lace silk shirt was my favourite buy of all, the lace goes up the sleeves and down the back, a really rare find. I’ve always wanted a cute russian fur hat too!

My Topshop bag came today! I’m definately happy with my decision. It’s beautiful and brown suits me down to the ground.

CAMP BESTIVAL 2010

Last Friday Lex and I were sat at home insanely bored when we got a magic call saying we were being sent to Camp Bestival by Glaceau Vitamin Water!!

How exciting is doing random spur of the moment things?

The atmosphere of the whole festival was so nice, it being a family affair there was none of this teen messiness, (sorry teens), and the toilets and showers were a dream, apart from being woken up in the morning by a chorus of babies I have nothing else to complain about.

The highlight of the weekend had to be seeing Madness and The Human League. They were better than I could have imagined, there was so much energy with Madness, the crowd were going crazy! We also randomly stumbled into a dancing competition in the Black Dahlia tent where we were awarded joint 2nd prize by ANNIE MAC for the Lindi Hop!

After quite the heavy Saturday night, we spent Sunday morning doing Yogo and Thai Chi and chilling in the literary tent (only Camp Bestival would have a literary tent – complete with armchairs!) and heard talks from Charlie Higson, writer of the The Fast Show and the Young Bond series, and music producer William Orbit who has worked with Madonna and U2.

The final blow out night was incredible, seeing bands Friendly Fires and The Human League.

The Human League were style ICONS! Completely obsessed with lead singer, Philip Oakley, who I swear must have been wearing Yohji Yamamoto to start and then changed into incredible olive jumpsuit. Susan Ann Sulley was a complete fox as well, LOVED her.

After that we watched fireworks exploding over Lulworth Castle and ate a much anticipated Byron Burger, it was amazing!

Thankyou so much Glaceau Vitamin Water for sending us to Camp Bestival!

Also I have to say all these photos were taken by Alexxsia, I had a disposable camera and will be getting the snaps processed soooooon.