Saturday 23 February 2013

Retrospective at Bloomsbury Ballroom


Fashion is almost always about ‘innovation’ and ‘pushing the boundaries. Once in a while, however, it’s nice to look back. Considering so many of the designers who showed at London Fashion Week are inspired by vintage, it was only a matter of time until the archives of sartorial geniuses gone by had their own special day. The Retrospective show was held at Bloomsbury Ballroom, a suitably glam location for the stunning pieces on show. I was only going to photograph my absolute favourites, but there were so many! I said it once and I’ll say it again; I love vintage!




































Tuesday 19 February 2013

Toni and Guy at London Fashion Week


I paid my biannual visit to the Toni and Guy tent at Somerset House, venue for all things London Fashion Week.  I love the hustle and bustle of the first day of Fashion Week and, true to form, the seats at the cut and blow bar were full of the crème de la crème of fashion week; buyers and journalists galore. The first lady of hair, Sacha Mascolo, was there, supporting her team and looking very like the models stalking the catwalks across the cobbles.

Jen took care of my hair this time, shampooing it with Label M Organic Orange Blossom shampoo and giving it a good trim. I felt in need of a change, so she cut in a long fringe too. She then used a new ‘twist dry’ technique which she said was very popular at New York Fashion Week.

Here’s how she did it:

-Volume mousse into the roots of damp hair
-Lots of seasalt spray
-Rough dry
-Twist random inches of hair while drying them with the hairdryer (this gives a more natural effect than tongs)
-Grab a few twist together and secure them into little buns on your head (four at the back, four on each size)
-Blast your head with a hairdryer and allow to cool
-Unwind and add some glossing serum and a bit of hairspray

I loved my new hair! I walked into the salon a hungover, tired mess and left like a bouncier, better version of a non-hungover me. Definitely a good look to try in front of the telly on a Sunday when you've got a bit of time. Warning: do not be tempted to leave it at the hair bun stage – there are some things which should remain in the 90’s. 


BEFORE





AFTER





Monday 18 February 2013

Store launch: Cambridge Satchel Company


Last week, I was invited to the exciting launch event of the new Cambridge Satchel Company store in Covent Garden.

It began life as a pop-up but proved so popular, it is now continuing as a regular store. The design is based around founder Julie Deane’s home, where she grew the business from her kitchen table.

Lots of celebrities attended, with guests including Frankie Sandford, Louise Redknapp, Marina Diamandis and Sophie Ellis-Bextor (who DJ-ed).

Watch the video here:

The new store includes a ‘Bloggers Lounge’, offering a space where bloggers can write in a quiet, comfortable environment, and even borrow bags! This is a clever and kind gesture from Julie, who credits bloggers with her brand’s initial success. There will also be an in-store embossing service available to allow customers to personalise their satchels on the spot.

There were some beautiful new satchel designs, I photographed my favourites and have my eye on a lovely lilac one.

The Cambridge Satchel Company was founded in 2008 by Julie Deane and her mother Freda Thomas at Julie’s kitchen table just outside Cambridge. Having invested just £600 to get the idea off the ground, the company is now a pioneering enterprise employing more than 50 people and experiencing phenomenally fast growth around the world. Their colourful bags and inspiring business story recently resulted in them starring in an advert for Google Chrome: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0qDrRJT4zE&feature=youtu.be 

15 Shorts Gardens, Seven Dials, WC2H 9AT