Anja Niemi`s Amazing Exhibition `Darlene and Me`

Today, The Little Black Gallery in London hosted a book signing by one of the most iconic photographers of our times, Norwegian artist Anja Niemi. Her unique concept is based on playing the part of a subject, photographer, stylist and director in all of the images. Above is my favourite, entitled The Backyard, from the current exhibition, Darlene and Me.

The women portrayed by Anja are glamorous, and have coiffed hair and amazing dresses. But looking closer it is clear they display all sort of human traits, often not very desirable like jealousy, or murderous inclinations, like these two, caught up in a heated argument in The Terrace.

The artist explained it takes a combination of several shots to arrive at the final image. And sometimes, her original vision takes an unexpected turn when she discovers an unintentional but particularly effective idea. This photograph was originally planned to include one of the characters floating on the water but took a different turn when Anja realised that the character coming out of the swimming pool (on the right) was more dynamic, and suited the story better.  

We had a chance to see images from three series: Darlene and Me (current) and previously exhibited Starlets (from 2013) and Do Not Disturb. The Secretary – seen above – belongs to a sequence entitled Starlets.

Anja Niemi elegantly captures a woman`s complex relationship with herself, and tells visually inspiring and sometimes somewhat disturbing, but always memorable stories. Today, she signed a limited edition softcover book published by The Little Black Gallery. It features images from her three collections.

Darlene and Me is showing at The Little Black Gallery until 10 March 2015.

 

Alexa Chung for AG Jeans launch at Selfridges

Tonight people came amass to witness the launch of Alexa Chung`s fashion line for AG Jeans at Selfridges` third floor Denim Studio in London. I am wearing a cashmere sweater from Crumpet.

Fresh-faced and relaxed Alexa played a mini-basketball game with fans and answered questions on her favourite S/S15 trend – denim (of course); and her fash haunts – vintage stores in her New York neighbourhood, and – of course – Selfridges.

I didn`t know what to expect from her first British fashion line, which contains 20 pieces, but have to say, was pleasantly surprised. Well-made, sophisticated in their simplicity designs set the tone for the collection. I like this A-line skirt, yours for £180.

And how about a laid-back grey sweatshirt with a slogan? It retails for £150.

My favourite – however – is this soft and fluid dress – yes, denim can be flexible. Love the detailing around the neck – a great juxtaposition of tough-by-nature cloth made into ruffles. Cost - £195. Easy glamour at its best.

Sale Bargains at Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols

We are coming to the end of the winter sale, and – at the same time – the new season`s collections are being dropped into shops across the country. So I went to Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols – the top designer stores in London - to find out if I can assemble a capsule wardrobe from the sales that would still be in vogue in Spring/Summer 2015.

Selfridges offered a beautiful dress on sale by Diane Von Furstenberg, reduced to £108. It plays nicely into a new trend of chintzes and florals as seen on many catwalks, including Saint Laurent, House of Holland and Celine.  Yes, these blooms will take you easily into the new season.

With the 70`s revival, we will see many vertiginous platforms, but equally, flats will also play part in the new silhouette, so these Prada beauties, reduced in Selfridges by 50% to £180 would be ideal for running to the tube or going on exciting shopping sprees in warmer weather.

And how about classic courts in an exciting animal pattern? I found these Louboutin shoes at Harvey Nichols, reduced to £390.

Animal design on a fabric is a sure way to add drama to any outfit and I discovered this Michael Kors` dress in Selfridges sale for £50 – how fabulous.

Another big trend for spring and summer is a light coat, promoted heavily by many designers, including Dior, DKNY and Miu Miu. I was delighted to find a neutral-coloured Armani coat – reduced from £875 to£259 – that could be thrown over the shoulders on cool mornings.

You might have noticed a new trend for bare-faced look, seen from Proenza Schouler to Marc Jacobs, which calls for minimal use of makeup. Surely, this mascara set from Lancôme down to £15 at Harrods, would help achieve the desired effect without making the wearer look washed-out.

Lunch at Langan`s – an Iconic London`s Legend

Langan's Brasserie is a restaurant that had defined fine British dining since its opening by the Irish entrepreneur Peter Langan in 1976 in partnership with the actor Michael Caine. I am wearing a dress by Ralph Lauren, during today`s lunch with one of my girlfriends.

The restaurant quickly become popular and started attracted celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, Mick Jagger, Mohammed Ali and Jack Nicholson.

The menu includes yummy salmon & haddock fish cakes with parsley sauce; oriental duck salad; steak & kidney pie and many other treats, which are worth exploring.

The ambience is relaxed and one thing for sure - you won`t be rushed here. After all, long lunches at Langan`s are London`s best-kept secret!

The décor is very much `old school glamour` - elegant and front-row-worthy. And one can appreciate the fact Langan's has been authentically restored and refurbished to a high standard.

I am so pleased, after so many years, Langan's is still considered to be an honest, unpretentious and iconic British institution. Kudos to the team that keeps the tradition alive. Standing in front of the restaurant, I am wearing a coat by Michael Kors, and my python handbag is from Bali.

 

Selfridges 'Bright Old Things' Selling Exhibition

Since 2011, Selfridges had championed young designers at its annual `Bright Young Things` selling exhibition. This year however, it turned its attention to stylish seniors who decided to change direction and become entrepreneurs in later life. 14 of them provided exclusive art, home accessories and fashion pieces for a selling exhibition entitled `Bright Old Things`, which opened in Selfridges earlier this week. The youngest designer featured here is in his late 40s and the oldest in mid-80s.

You can see and buy a wide range of artefacts, priced from £10 for an unframed print to custom-made walnut chair for £3,600. Bright Old Things merchandise is also available online.

I adore these sculptures (sadly it is a decoration, not for sale) made by Sue Kreitzman who has been a successful food writer for many years, but later in life started drawing, painting and making fabulous art pieces.

There are a few necklaces available, which she made for Tatty Devine, and my favourite is this one - yours for £85.

And how about this illustration from Nick Wooster - framed print cost £40, but there are also notebooks with the same illustration on the cover. He started his working life as a menswear retailer but recently launched his first collection as a designer.

Robert Roope is another example of how one could potentially take a life-long trade to another level by going into fashion accessories. Having spent 50 years working as an optician, he moved into designing eyewear and now has over 100 designs of glasses and sunglasses in his Black Eyewear brand.

I really like the concept of showcasing that one can change profession and deploy their talent to a new, chosen craft later in life. The initiative celebrates renewal, and proves 'it's never too late to try something new' – what a great motto to start the New Year with!

 

 

 

 

 

Review of Perricone MD Anti-Aging Treatments

Perricone MD cosmeceuticals have been designed by U.S. board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a well-known healthy-ageing expert. The brand has many products that aid plumpness, hydration, improve luminosity and offer better skin definition. Here are my top favourites. I have not been paid for these reviews but believe I benefitted greatly by using the below mentioned products:

Neuropeptide Nécolletage  - I am applying it on my neck and décolletage.  I can see lines diminishing greatly. It clearly helps to restore youthful elasticity and firmness. It goes on smoothly and leaves my skin feeling soft and hydrated.

Blue Plasma -  I am certain my skin improved from using this non-acidic peel on a daily basis. In fact, I could see a more luminous skin just a few days after I started using it. The peeling is very gentle and only affects dead skin cells. It is perfect for my sensitive skin as it doesn`t irritate at all. This blue liquid lifts surface debris, revealing a glowing complexion. Beware of a faint smell that you would detect, but don`t be alarmed as it disappears quickly, and the smoothness, and plumpness of the skin far outweighs the inconvenience of having to deal with a muffled odour, for a few seconds.

Cold Plasma Sub-D has been specifically designed to provide firmer appearance to the chin, jawline and neck areas, and it works! No sagging, and no loose skin for me. There is a great definition to my face that lacks the square-shaped contour of many faces I see on women my age. Instead, I have well defined jaw and smooth neckline. The texture of this product is lightweight but it has a specific scent that may not be to your liking. Again, it disappears straight away after the application, and – to me – is not offensive at all.

Vitamin C Ester 15 – is more easily absorbed by the skin than conventional Vitamin C, and this product has a high - 15% maximum - concentration of Vitamin C Ester. It supposed to offset the damaging effect of sun and boost collagen. I believe my skin looks brighter and firmer, and I am very happy with its performance.

All and all, my skin feels tighter, and looks more toned than before. The lines are hardly visible and I have a glowing complexion. I also noticed any dullness of a wintry skin has been replaced with brightness. I now have visibly firmer skin with well-defined features.

How to Keep New Year`s Resolutions

New Year`s resolutions are about self-improvement and desire to have a better lifestyle. Whatever that `better` means to each individual, millions of us make plans, at the start of the year, in the hope that this time we will stick to our promises. I am wearing a dress by Chloé, my jewellery is from Missoma and a scarf is from Missoni.

Here are my 10 tried and tested tips on boosting the chances of holding on to our New Year`s resolutions:

1.       Less is more – make either one or a small number of resolutions, to increase the chances of keeping them alive when you return to your – usually – hectic routine

2.       Be specific – no point saying, you would be kinder to yourself. What does it mean? How will you translate this wish into action? Would that mean allowing 20 min every day for doing whatever makes you happy, for example reading a book, going for a walk?

3.       If you decide to repeat last year`s failed resolution, go for a different technique when implementing it. Repeating the same actions would inevitably lead to failure

4.       Write it down – committing it to paper will make it `official`; aid clarity and help you to revisit your promises often

5.       Give yourself permission to amend your promises throughout the year. Your circumstances may change; you needs may alter so no point sticking rigidly to something that is no longer relevant

6.       Involve others in your journey. If your resolution is health-related, talk to your GP or visit a relevant NHS website. There may be help at hand to inspire you, or services you could access that you don`t know about. If you want to write a book, join a local book club for support and for generating ideas

7.       Break your resolution into manageable chunks; decide what you want to achieve each month or each quarter

8.       Celebrate your achievements and reward yourself; it can be a new handbag as recognition of a specific milestone related to spending less and saving more. But don`t blow out your entire savings on a handbag!

9.       Make simple, life-enhancing promises like smiling when you wake up, even if you have nothing to smile about

10.   Organise yourself – if your resolution is to cut on sugary drinks, don`t keep any in the fridge. Or place a bottle of still water on your desk to drink throughout the day, if you decide to drink more water. If your resolution is to save more, don`t go into shops during your lunch hour. Spend it in a park, read a book, start a blog and blog regularly, but stay away from shops to avoid temptation.

Happy New Year!