bareMinerals` no-makeup makeup

It wasn`t the first time that I took a couple of my girlfriends to experience bareMinerals` make-under. We were spoiled by the brand`s make-up artists at the Selfridges counter, with a generous offer of colourful cupcakes, delectable bubbly, and the opportunity to gossip.

Here, we are sharing the spotlight with the master-make-up-artist, who was behind our transformation. I am wearing  a royal-blue dress by Michael Kors and a crocodile-skin bag from West Africa.

To start with, our makeup was taken off, and our skin analysed. We were then re-made with great attention to detail, using specialist products from the brand`s extensive range. bareMinerals offers both, makeup and skincare, which is free of preservatives, fillers, or binders, and aims to - as they say - `perfect and pamper`.

A dewy, youthful and dazzling skin has always been on my lust list.  

Cuckolded Husbands throughout the Centuries at the Wallace Collection

Laughter and gasps of surprise interrupted the dignified silence of the Wallace Collection when Gabrielle Verrall – one of its art experts - embarked on telling a story of cuckolded husbands through the centuries.  She showed us this paining, made by Boucher in the mid 18 century France; it depicts two lovers – Venus and Mars, and – on the right hand side – there is Venus` husband, Vulcan who entrapped the cheating pair in a golden net – visible above their heads. He hoped to humiliate them in the eyes of other gods. With a typical twist, aroused by the sight of her naked flesh, the gods - Neptune and Mercury - fell in love with Venus and become her lovers, which – of course - humiliated and enraged Vulcan. The glints of gold and sombre colours of Mars` armour are like opposing sides of human nature, where frivolity and jealousy can equally enrich and destroy our relationships.

With a promise of more delightful stories to come, we gathered around another Boucher`s masterpiece – The Swing.  Commissioned by Baron de St. Julien as a portrait of his mistress, the painting - as Gabrielle pointed out - alludes to the illicit affair between a jolly Madame, and her lover, who is hiding in the bushes, in the bottom left hand-side of this most iconic work of the French Rococo. He admires his mistress` legs….  and maybe more than just her legs….while her unsuspecting husband pushes the swing.

Gabrielle also took us to see a portrait of a well-known adulteress, and images of tragic lovers, and disgraced husbands, all portrayed by famous painters.

Her usual restrained elegance, exhaustive knowledge of art, and infectious sense of humour, made Gabrielle`s stories pulsate with life. Full of drama and examples of immorality, her tales left lasting impression. I, and I am almost certain the other members of her audience, realised that the human nature has not changed one bit through the centuries!

Singapore`s Robinsons versus London`s Selfridges

When Robinsons opened its flagship store on Orchard Road last year, Singaporean media compared it to London`s Selfridges. So what are the similarities, and what are the differences?

Both super-stores offer a heady mix of calm and adventure, and stock a variety of high fashion names, ensuring the looks make a journey from catwalk to counter – and to your wardrobe - in no time. They also proudly display some brands of which they are exclusive stockists. Both stores are prominently positioned in the capitals` prime locations but – surprise, surprise….- are also within walking distance from retailers who are on the opposite end of the fashion scale; in Singapore, if you go towards Scotts Road, you will find Lucky Plaza, with its stock-piles of cheap and cheerful goodies. In London, walk only a few minutes towards Marble Arch, and you will come to `the king of fast fashion` - Primark.

The cosmetic halls look spookily alike in Robinsons and in Selfridges – the same white surfaces, high ceilings, and identical brands on offer, including a niche makes like Illamasqua – above at Robinsons…….

…..and similarly glossy interiors at Selfridges

If you are thirsty, champagne bars in both stores will entice you with moneyed calm, and coffee/tea houses will breathe energy into your mid-shopping slump.  
So what are the differences? Even though Robinsons` patrons take part in some events, like a mass yoga, Selfridges pushes the notion of shopping to extreme with its constant, and I mean it – constant, entertainment. There are always special events and happenings in the store, often several at any given time, and many are worldwide exclusive. Selfridges` fans, like myself, treat the venue equally like a shopping mecca and also..… theatre.   

From installing a quiet room with comfy beds a while ago, and offering respite to those with even the busiest of schedules ( mobile phones had to be left with a concierge before entering the room), to setting up a booth that captured your image, in order to build your very own figurine in 3D (mine turned out to be a replica of me!). From hosting hat-making workshops, to rare exhibitions of world-renown diamonds, meetings with famous authors like Jackie Collins, or organising photo-shoots in an iconic black cab – Selfridges delight its customers by pushing the boundaries and breathing a new life into shopping experience.

Right now, it is all about skateboards at Selfridges, with a selling exhibition of over 50 limited-edition decks.  Kenzo, Stella McCartney, Dries Van Noten, Rick Owens and other top designers created one-off skateboards, which are displayed in so- called The Board Room, situated on a ground floor. But that is just one part of the skaters-extravaganza. After buying your chosen deck, you can go next door to unused Selfridge hotel, to a skate park, to try it for real!

 

 

 

Prokofiev`s Paintings Inspired by Father`s Music

It is not a well-known fact that Oleg Prokofiev, the second son of Sergei Prokofiev (the composer) was a talented painter and sculptor.

Sporting my new coloured hair, and wearing a leather dress from M&S, I went to the opening of the artist`s exhibition in London`s Hay Hill Gallery.

Above: Red Ancestor – oil on canvas. I wasn`t taken by his efforts from the 60`s and early 70`s; too much greys and whites and not enough definition for my liking.

Above: Garden Studio – acrylic on canvas. However, I found the pieces that were influenced by – amongst others – Rothko, more appealing. Prokofiev`s brightly coloured line paintings are more dynamic and therefore easier on the eye.

In the 80`s he also started creating organic constructivist sculptures.  

 

Kudos to Hay Hill Gallery for hosting the retrospective; it is open until 26 April.

 

 

 

 

More Michael Kors for Less at Cheshire Oaks

I buy across all Michael Kors collections, from catwalk to cruise. I like his use of colour, from desert-storm hues to vivid shades of jewels: emeralds and sapphires. And of course the detailing is great, from leather straps on chiffon tops to metal chains or plaques on elegant dresses. Tops, skirts, trousers, dresses, jackets, coats…..I have amassed a large assortment.  But it doesn`t stop me from going to Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, every time I visit Chester, to rummage through Michael Kors apparels for discounted pieces from past seasons.

On my last visit I discovered this silk dress, which was reduced from £285 to £179. I adore animal and reptile prints and Michael Kors is a master of using these patterns to great effect.

And how about this chic number, gathered at the waist to showcase my figure, down to £109 from its original price. I also snapped-up a pair of black, sequined trousers for £27 (!), reduced from £215 – louche glamour at its best – and a burnished rose-gold credit card holder, costing just shy of £20.

 

These bold, but beautifully executed designs will offer stylish solutions for spring and beyond.

Quirky Queen`s in Chester

My husband and I parked ourselves for the weekend in the Best Western Premier Queen Hotel in Chester. Due to its recent £20 million refurbishment, the hotel`s idiosyncratic style is as interesting as it is – on occasions – surprising.

We were greeted in the lobby by this massive chandelier, and equally `larger than life` concierge, who entertained us with tales of delightful debauchery, while taking us to our room.

We passed by this beautiful Indian door; I am wearing a dress by Michael Kors, fur jacket by Jitrois, snake-skin shoes which I bought in Singapore and a python-skin clutch, which I recently purchased in Indonesia.

 

I really like these paintings, which adorn the hotel`s walls. The man behind them, Palermo-born Giuseppe Tesoriere is known for his unique style of depicting the subjects not from the aesthetic point of view but by accentuating human vices and contradictions of their nature. He often portrays his modern-day subjects – abused women, corrupt businessmen – with the Pinocchio nose to suggest we all have sadness and uncertainly as part of our emotional DNA.

 

We stayed on the sixth floor, which is dedicated to several Russian kings, and our room`s interior was plush enough to be fit for a king.

This toilet bowl perched on a shelf, above the door to the lavatory, created a strong statement…..not certain if I like it, but – have to admit - this unusual detail added to the overall quirkiness of the hotel.

André Balazs` hotel in London

André Balazs, the illustrious hotelier has opened his first boutique hotel in London. The Chiltern Firehouse, beautifully positioned in one of the prettiest streets in central London – Chiltern Street - follows in the footsteps of his previous creations:  the iconic Chateau Marmont in Hollywood and the celebrated Mercer in New York. Like his precursors, the London`s hotel offers bespoke, modern experience, where politeness and focus on guests` comfort is paramount. While we are still waiting for bookings for the hotel rooms to commence, the bar and an open-plan kitchen-restaurant is heaving with people.

I am wearing a dress by James Lakeland, and silver heels by Furla. My glasses (fashion statement, darlings) are by D&G.

Chiltern Firehouse was built as the first purpose fire station in 1889 by Robert Pearsall. The renovation of this substantial landmark has been kind and executed well. The developer retained and reinstated many of the building’s original architectural features, and as a result, revealed interesting details such as the original brickwork.

Look at the gorgeous ceiling above the bar!

André Balazs` hotels have a reputation for attracting glamorous, unique, and creative clientele, and – judging by what I have seen last night - the London`s outpost will definitely enhance the hotels` standing. The only small negative of the night:  the chicken was far too salty!