Sunday 29 June 2014

Paul Smith Outlets in London

Paul Smith, a quintessential British designer, is still heavily involved in his business, and his personal style is evident not only in the collections but also the designs of his shops around the world. Each has a different look and vibe, but all form a perfect backdrop for showcasing his rainbow-hued outfits. Good news for bargain hunters – there are two Paul Smith permanent sale shops in London.
A small boutique tucked away in Avery Row, in London`s Mayfair sells past season menswear, from dull suits (no kaleidoscopic colours here!) to flamboyant socks (reduced to £8)……
……… slogan t-shirts, and accessories such as the iconic photo-bags, cufflinks and even brightly-coloured cameras.
For women`s clothing and accessories head to the City. Alight at Bank tube station and take exit number 3. A fabulously grand Royal Exchange hosts in its corner, a small but well stocked Paul Smith`s outlet.
It is easy to find a bargain here as new stock (all from past seasons) is delivered a few times a week.
I bought this typically colourful blouse for £42.
 
What makes Paul Smith`s designs stand out is his aesthetic:  a heady mix of elegance, respect for tradition, mixed with a genuine sense of humour, unexpected patterns, rich texture, and vivid colours.  
 
 

Wednesday 25 June 2014

5 Successful Summer Sale Strategies

Summer sales are in full swing.  Today I bought this dress and sandals at Michael Kors` Regent Street boutique in London  the dress was reduced to £138, and shoes to £90.

It is very satisfying to find something fabulous at sales, and here are my five tips for making the sale season a success:

1.       Be rational about your investments - some items are worth paying a higher amount for; I bet you will wear a classic Prada bag so often, in a year time  it will cost you almost next to nothing per wear. It can`t be however said about every designer find.  So called `It` bags usually lose their appeal the next season, apart from – of course - Fendi`s `baguette`, the very first iconic `It` item that the world fell in love with, which can still be carried around with pride. Be selective – cashmere, silk, and leather will wear well, but there is no mileage in buying a pair of designer 10 den tights.

2.       Know who is selling your favourites and when they start and end their sales - the first few hours and the last afternoon is when the real bargains can be found. I recall buying a chocolate-coloured, silk, wrap-around dress from Diane Von Furstenberg for £50 on a last evening of sale season in Harrods a few years ago.

3.       Plan your sale shopping in advance – even the same brand offers different items in different location, for example Michael Kors` concession in Selfridges carries different stock to its stand-alone stores, and that includes sale pieces.

4.       If your financial situation requires you to be restrained, don`t be tempted and stay away from the shops all together – you will save 100% - guaranteed!  Money in the bank is more useful than money on your back, even if it is in form of a fab Burberry`s coat. You can`t cash in your new coat quickly (unless you return it to the shop) but cash – as my friend Karen says – is king! Sales come regularly these days. Even if you miss it this summer, you can always go to designer outlets or TK Maxx, which carry regular discounts, when your finances are healthier. For now, occupy yourself - many art galleries are free…..or use your spare time to learn something new…..or start your very own blog – the possibilities are endless.

5.       Don`t go shopping when you are hungry or tired – you are bound to make irrational decisions and regret your choices. Have a rest, munch on something. Bargain-shopping is not a marathon. No-one pays you to do it, so pace yourself.

Happy shopping!


Saturday 21 June 2014

Affordable Art Show in Hampstead Didn`t Disappoint

Earlier in June I went to the Affordable Art Show, which was hosted in London`s Hampstead Heath. I am wearing a dress by Petit Bateau, and a poncho by Missoni. Shoes with rabbit fur – from Singapore. Handbag by Gucci. 
 
Over 110 galleries showcased thousands of artworks in air-conditioned marquee. All priced between £40 and £4,000. We`ve seen delightful paintings, photography, prints and sculpture, and here are my favourites.  
Iranian Red Onyx `torsos` - £3,995 each.
Chung Shek`s realistic oils on canvas, which beautifully depict female form.
Colourful, ceramic `eyes`  by Myung Nam An – prices started from £100.
Wire on board composition by Helaina Sharpley - yours for £975.
A cute `Doggerfly` made from mixed media by Robert Bradford - £2,500.
 
I was also able to get my hands dirty and create two designs, which were printed for me, using a traditional printing press.

These may not be seen as `amazing art` by others but I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

 

Tuesday 17 June 2014

Nicolas Ghesquière`s Fall /Winter 2014 at Louis Vuitton

Today, I went to Louis Vuitton`s Bond Street boutique in London to see a trunk show of Nicolas Ghesquière`s fall/winter 2014 collection. I am wearing a Michael Kors dress, a fur gillet by Ducie, and a bag by MCM. The models are in Louis Vuitton` s key looks.
 
Nicolas Ghesquière , the new artistic director of women`s collections, who recently succeeded Marc Jacobs, showcased several bold and confident statement pieces.
 
From glitter-tastic dresses and slim trousers……
……to fail-safe coats…..
…..and lust-for accessories that included low-heeled but sexy boots and tan and black-coloured ankle booties, which could easily elevate any designer classic into haute look.
From A-line skirts……
....to textural pieces......
…..and single-handle bags, made of soft lambskin…...
  …..the theme, which run through his collection was mixture of modern fabrics with `60s silhouettes.  Only time will tell if it was a winning combination.
 
 
 

Sunday 15 June 2014

Marvel of Marylebone Summer Fayre

A giant giraffe greeted me at the Marylebone Summer Fayre earlier today. I am wearing a dress from Oasis; coat bought in Singapore; shoes by Zara; and handbag from Gucci.
Locals and people from further afield came to Marylebone area to enjoy live music, dancing, performers, craft stalls, sporting challenges, fresh food, drinks, and activities for children and those who are kids at heart.
Many retailers at Marylebone High Street and the adjacent roads offered glasses of refreshing bubbly and tantalising discounts. I like these ceramic light holders from Brissi – a good deal at £7.00 each.
The streets were closed to traffic to allow alfresco dining, dancing, and free roaming, which only added to a festive atmosphere.  Unfortunately the weather wasn`t very summery; grey-ish sky and cool wind meant a jacket or a light coat was needed, but it did not spoil our fun. Let`s welcome the summer!
 
 

Friday 13 June 2014

Chanel Butterfly Garden`s Miss Vogue Party

I went to check out a new pop-up Butterfly Garden, which CHANEL created at Selfridges, as part of the Beauty Project. Pastel-coloured paper butterfly-leaf trees, white garden fences and swings made a dreamy backdrop for checking out the newest beauty products. The décor put me in a mood for a spectacular summer party. I am wearing a Michael Kors dress, and shoes by Grips, which I bought in Singapore. Bag – another Singaporean staple – from MCM.
I returned to the Butterfly Garden last night to buy luminous eye shadows (I purchased Utopia and Epatant)  and was caught up in melee of leggy, pouty, gawky and gaudy teenagers, who descended for Miss Vogue party, sponsored by Chanel Chance.  So this dinosaur (I am 51, my darlings) grabbed not one but two bottles of the fragrance – they were heavy! - and started posing for a photoshoot. I am wearing a Missoni poncho.
I hear that the Butterfly Garden will only stay till 18 June, so head to Selfridges if you want to celebrate summer CHANEL-way.

 

Wednesday 11 June 2014

Could Kiko Make Up Milano Challenge MAC?

While I was living in Singapore, London had been busy acquiring new brands, which I just started discovering. Opened in November 2013, and located on Regent Street, near Oxford Circus, Kiko Make Up Milano is one of my latest finds.
It offers professional make up and skin care treatments, such as primers, foundations, lip glosses, eye shadows, blushes, powders…..the list goes on.
Boldly coloured, beautifully displayed in their slick, dark boutique, and packaged in simple, slick pots and bottles, the items are sympathetically priced.  
I started by purchasing these two nail polishes for….£2.50 each. I plan to add some of their other goodies to my established collection of Clinique, Estée Lauder, Dior, Chanel and Lancôme beauty products.
This Italian brand was launched in the 1990s. They claim to be offering professional range of make up products and it will be interesting to start using them and judge the quality. Can Kiko Make Up Milano rival MAC?
 

Thursday 5 June 2014

Q - Secret Restaurant on the Roof

A new pop-up summer restaurant called Q has opened on the roof of Selfridges.  
I am wearing a Michael Kors dress, and a Missoni scarf; glasses by Marc Jacobs

Designed to look like a Victorian conservatory hidden in a secret garden, it resembled a barn to me rather than an elegant greenhouse.  I visited yesterday when the rain-soaked, steel- coloured  sky seemed to be hanging low, just above our heads. The retractable roof was firmly in place, making the space look rather restricted and a bit claustrophobic. The interior is narrow, as a vast space is taken by a long bar, and counter dining area.
A pet project of Des McDonald who previously ran Caring’s Caprice Holdings — owner of The Ivy, J Sheekey and Scott’s — Q`s menu looks promising, especially light breakfasts, and summer-deserts packed with the latest It ingredients.
There is also a small-ish terrace open to the weather elements - I took the photo when it was raining. Views are only restricted to the rooftops of Mayfair, and the most `exciting` landmark is a flag on top of the American embassy. They assured me however that in a good weather you can see the Shard, to the East.
There is a dedicated lift - operated by a fabulous-looking PR girl - that will take you from the ground floor (it stops by Chanel fragrances` counter) to the rooftop.
The Q is part of the annual project called `On The Roof with….` and I will need to come back when it is sunny to see the venue in its full glory.  

 

Sunday 1 June 2014

Stars of Makegood Come out to Play

Makegood festival, hosted this weekend at the old Selfridge hotel in London, brought together over 200 young entrepreneurs, and marked the culmination of their year of training at the School for Creative Startups. A few fashion labels and creative businesses launched their brands at the event and others traded tips, shared experiences and had a chance to learn from the established doyennes of business  at a series of 30-minute business lectures.
This was a selling exhibition and I took the opportunity to order two gorgeous dresses (the gold one on the right, and the colourful one at the top left-hand side) from Miss Goodweather; I will wear them in Monte Carlo – the gold one will look amazing with the backdrop of blush palace walls! The dresses are made of cotton but there is this glitzy sheen applied on top, making the fabric look and feel a bit stiff, but in a good way. I appreciated I could have them made to measure, as I needed them slightly longer than the original short version. I will have my goodies delivered in early August – what a treat, I can`t wait.
I liked these `living image` designs applied to cushions, made by For All We Know.
And I was spellbound when I came across this animal print fur felt hat, with pheasant feathers, called the African Queen. It was made by La dame au beret, a specialist in bespoke and one-off, ready-to-wear millinery.
Another millinery creation that caught my eye was this ice-cream number from Awon Golding – so lovely and so on trend with pastel hues.
I am glad Makegood created a platform that supports young talent, and allows fashionistas to source eclectic pieces that are not mass-produced.