Girl Meets Dress

Honestly, when you hear the idea, it’s the kind of thing you can’t believe you didn’t come up with yourself… it’s so simple. In the fashion world, Stylists and PRs borrow samples from collections all the time – so why not have the same concept where “normal” people have access to designer dresses without having to spend a fortune buying them?? “Girl Meets Dress” does exactly that – as all the fabulous dresses on their website are for hire!! What’s not to love… you can get the look, without the price tag – it’s like wearing something once and returning it with the tags on (by the way, this is definitely not ok – back in the days when I worked in retail, someone tried to return a Paul Smith pale blue baby-cord strapless dress to me so covered in fake tan and strain/wear lines across the skirt, I basically laughed in her face but because she spent a fortune in the store, she got away with it!! V. annoying now I look back!).

Alice and Olivia Goddess Draped dress from £79

Anyway, with “Girl Meets Dress” you don’t need to worry about the whole “buying an outfit for an event” and only feeling like you can wear it once because all your friends have seen it… as you can borrow another one the next time. Plus, you have access to dresses you may never have been able to afford if you’d been paying for them in the shops – suddenly you can afford Marc Jacobs, Alice Temperley and Chloe!

So how does it work I hear you ask… here are the steps from their press release (for further info go direct to the website):

1. Place up to 3 of your favourite dresses into your “shopping bag” to try on
2. Select the number of nights you want them for (either 2 or 7 nights) – you can add insurance at this stage for a little peace of mind for £7
3. Choose a delivery date – it can be the next day or you can pre-order your frock so you definitely get the one you want
4. Once you received them – you let them know the one you have chosen so they can refund the difference
5. Once you’ve worn it you don’t even need to dry-clean it – just put it back in the pre-paid packaging and send it back to them!!

Marchesa Notte Bow Cocktail dress from £89

The website was launched by co-founders Anna Bance and Xavier de Lecaros-Aquise. After Anna left her PR job at Hermes she was inspired by the constant lending and borrowing which goes on in the fashion industry and she wanted to open up the fashion “closets” to all girls “to give them the freedom to borrow any dress they wish for every event throughout the year… giving them the luxury of an endless closet”.

I really do think this is such a fabulous idea and there are so many dresses to choose from… Click on the below link and they’ll all be at your finger tips!

Dina Bar-El Penelope Gown... from £109

Visit Girl Meets Dress….

 

Tags: Alice and Olivia, Alice Temperley, Bow Cocktail dress, Chloe, Dina Bar-El Penelope gown, Dress hire, Fashion blog, Fiona Huntingford, Girl Meets Dress, Marc Jacobs, Marchesa Notte, Occassion dresses, Party dresses, Paul Smith, Personal Shopping, Shopping ideas, Style Struck, Styling blog, Styling in the City

Bring on the BRIGHTS!

Honestly, I have to stop going to the shops at the moment, which is quite difficult considering I shop for a living – but there are so many fabulous things to buy I could spend a fortune! Every time I’m in a store and “clock” something that I just “have to have” I think, “now Fiona, you’ve bought enough this season, you can make do with what you’ve got” – but no, I spot another hot pink or neon number and think, “ok I’ll just get this and then that’s it”!!

There’s lots of white, denim, stripes and florals out there but my favourite trend to embrace for the season has to be “brights”! Actually bright stripes would probably be my ideal!! Keep me away from Prada’s stripey bags “du jour” – they’re stunning!!

Honestly.... I'm in LOVE with this stripey bag!!

Thankfully, I’m happy to get my “fixes” from the High Street as it has embraced the “brights” trend full on. I seem to be especially taken with Zara this season. In the past it’s often been a store I venture into but come out empty handed because of the fit. However, for S/S11 the majority of their sizing is spot on and as the prices are very reasonable there’s no reason to say no! The most important thing I need to stress here is that bright colours may appear to be scary at first glance, but actually they are hugely flattering against the skin. Whilst baby pinks and blues may be very “pretty” against most English complexions, they are also hugely draining and must be worn with caution.

Brights on the other hand have a way of reflecting their colour onto skin and thus giving it a glow. Most people are terrified of orange and yellow (on the questionnaire I send to my clients before we go shopping about 95% say they can’t wear either of these colours) but it’s down to the exact shade and tone of colour as to whether you can wear it or not. I look fairly ghoul-like in certain yellows and one of my worst fashion disasters was for a photo taken after I’d had my wisdom teeth removed aged 13…

I was hideously bruised and swollen around the face anyway, but to add insult to injury I happened to be sporting the worst yellow over-sized Mickey-Mouse t-shirt you’ve ever seen! When I showed someone the picture a couple of years ago, they genuinely looked shocked and said “Wowzers – you really can’t wear yellow can you!” It wasn’t because I can’t wear yellow as a rule, it was because the specific shade (and lack of facial definition due to swelling!) was completely wrong for me. One of my favourite colours is actually bright neon-ish lemon/yellow! Bright orange, hot pinks, lime greens… I love them all! They look especially great with a tan – but don’t shy away from them if you’re on the paler side as I am… Just add a bit more eye-liner and bronzer and away you go!

Here are some of my favourite “brights” this season:

A Zara butterfly print scarf that I’ve worn to death over the last couple of weeks (£25)!

An amazing printed dress and bag from Mulberry (www.mulberry.com)

Me sporting a rather bright Minkie dress (www.minkie.info) from Topshop Oxford Street and bejewelled Zara necklace (and my Prada handbag that I can’t put down! www.prada.com) with my good friend Sally Heath, Head Buyer for brands at New Look…

This top from River lsland (£21.99) is an easy way to introduce brights into your wardrobe without going too full on! The scarf is from Accessorize and the leather bag is from Zara (www.zara.com) – great with a black blazer and jeans/skirt/trousers for work

This dress is from River Island (£29.99 from www.riverisland.com) and the scarf is again from Accessorize (www.accessorize.com) – orange looks especially good with indigo blue denim, think a denim jacket and tan accessories

 In summary to wear this trend: think BRIGHT and BOLD…. so be brave and give brights a try!

Tags: bright clothes, Bright colours, Bright yellow, Fiona Huntingford, lime green, Minkie, Muberry London, neon pink, New Look, Personal Shopping, Personal Shopping blog, Personal Shopping London, Prada, Prada bags, River Island, Sally Heath, Striped prada handbags, Style Struck, Styling in the City, Topshop, Zara

Iconic Alexander McQueen at Harvey Nichols

I was at an event on Thursday night hosted by the Harvey Nichols Personal Shopping team – I met some very interesting people and saw some lovely clothes on my journey through the store, however I was most impressed by the fabulous homage to my favourite designer, the late Alexander McQeen in the window displays… The windows are to celebrate the exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, organized by The Costume Institute, which is paying tribute the late Alexander McQueen’s extraordinary contributions to fashion. For further information visit the Met’s website: http://blog.metmuseum.org/alexandermcqueen/about/

A unique show piece from the A/W 2009 “The Horn of Plenty” collection

Wooden fan dress from the S/S 1999 “No. 13 collection”

A unique show piece from the S/S 2005 “It’s Only A Game” collection

Another unique show piece from the S/S 2005 “It’s only a game” collection

This was also a unique show piece from the A/W 2009 “The Horn of Plenty” collection

And last but by no means least, my favourite unique show piece from the A/W 2008 “The Girl Who Lived In A Tree” collection - I can definitely see SJP or Carrie Bradshaw in this one!

Tags: A/W 2008 "The Girl Who Lived In A Tree" collection, Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueen exhibition at the Met, Fashion blog, Fashionista blog, Fiona Huntingford, Harvey Nichols London, Harvey Nichols Personal Shopping, Personal Shopping, Personal Shopping blog, Personal Shopping London, Personal Styling London, S/S 2005 "It's Only A Game" collection, Show pieces from Alexander McQueens collections, Style Struck, Styling in the City, The Metropolitan Museum New York, Wooden fan dress from the S/S 1999 No. 13 collection

The British Designers Collective at Bicester Village

Some days, because of what I do for a living I can easily forget that I’m working… and Wednesday was one of those days. I was at Bicester Village for the press launch of their 2^nd pop-up boutique called the British Designers Collective, in association with the British Fashion Council (the doors opened to the general public yesterday)… I was there to chat to the designers, magazine editors, fashion bloggers… et al and it was fabulous! The store was officially opened by British actress Thandie Newton, who is a key supporter of UK designers and a known ambassador of British fashion – she looked so fab in her Marios Schwab dress and was incredibly down to earth and lovely.

So what is the British Designers Collective (BDC)? Well, it’s a unique collaboration between Value Retail (who own Bicester Village) and the British Fashion Council (www.britishfashioncouncil.com) – the idea is to showcase emerging designers all under one roof, introducing them to a wider audience in a fabulous environment, with fantastic reductions (up to 60% off!). What more could you want??

This year the BDC is boasting some of the most exciting names in British fashion, including Jonathan Saunders, Holly Fulton, Felder Felder, Preen and Marios Schwab. There is something for everyone… from everyday knitwear by Goat to show-stopping dresses from Felicity Brown. For a full list of brands see below… or have a look at Bicester Village’s website www.bicestervillage.com.

Now this is the important bit… in order to see this wonderful store for yourselves you need to get down to the village quickly, as the British Designers Collective only runs for six weeks until mid-May. Clothing aside, you’re in for a visual spectacular as the store has been specifically designed for the occasion and this year, colour is key! There’s a neon-pink telephone box outside and the interior decor has to be seen to be believed… it just adds to the whole shopping experience – with neon of course being hugely on trend for S/S 11!

Here are some of my favourite items in-store and photos from the event… maybe some of these hugely sought-after names/pieces will end up in your own wardrobe??

Thandie Newton outside the neon telephone box and BDC

Identical twin sisters Annette and Daniela Felder

Holly Fulton outside the BDC

Everyone listening to Thandie Newton speak at the launch

Inside the store

Amazing dress from Preen, was £715 now £429

Killer heels from Lara Bohinc

Can I have all 4?? Holly Fulton clutch bags from £225. I love them!

Holly Fulton printed dress was £595 now £397 (Holly is clearly a new fave of mine...)

The piece that stole the show - every blogger and editor tried it on or photographed it - A bright orange sheep-skin by Osman, was £1900 now £1095

 

The brand list: Georgina Goodman, Preen Line by Thornton Bregazzi, Goat, Felder Felder, Emma Cook, Felicity Brown, Holly Fulton, Fiona Paxton, Marios Schwab, Lara Bohinc, Mawi, Osman, Jean-Pierre Braganza, Lilly and Lionel, Jane Carr, Jonathan Saunders, Markus Lupfer, From Somewhere, Todd Lynn, Richard Nicholl and Elvis & Kresse!

Visit www.bicestervillage.com for more info on all the designers.

Tags: Bicester Village, British Designers Collective, British Fashion Council, Elvis and Kresse, Emma Cook, Fashion, Fashion blog, Felder Felder, Felicity Brown, Fiona Huntingford, Fiona Paxton, From Somewhere, Georgina Goodman, Goat, Holly Fulton, Jane Carr, Jean-Pierre Braganza, Jonathon Saunders, Lara Bohinc, Lilly and Lionel, Marios Schwab, Markus Lupfer, Mawi, Osman, Preen, Preen Line by Thornton Bregazzi, Richard Nicholl, Style, Style Struck, Styling blog, Styling in the City, Thandie Newton, Todd Lynn

Clutch bags and Bottletops

I was at a fabulous event recently, hosted by my wonderful friend Frances Card on behalf of “The Sorority”, which was founded by the incredible Lisa Tse (have a look at their website www.thesorority.org). The evening was a huge success and I met some fascinating people… including Caroline Hopkins who told me about an amazing charity she supports called Bottletop (see her in the below photo modelling her wonderful “Ring Pull” clutch bag!).

Bottletop (www.bottletop.org) supports young people trying to obtain a better future for themselves, facilitating education projects and funding healthcare initiatives. Their company Bottletop Trading Ltd “is dedicated to designing and producing ethically sourced and environmentally friendly products, especially from countries where they support education programmes.” By using local craftsmanship, Bottletop generate employment in very poor parts of the world.

The Bottletop story dates back to 2001 when Cameron Saul (his father founded Mulberry) worked as a teacher for 9 months in Uganda. Whilst learning about the difficulties the children faced, he came across a wire-frame handbag made from local bottletops! With the help of his father, Roger and the “It” handbag designers at Mulberry back in the UK, the “Mulberry Bottletop Campaign” was born. The bag was of course a huge success which in turn helped the people back in Uganda, as it generated local employment and hugely needed funds for education projects. And the Bottletop charity was born.

2007 was the turn of the “Ring Pull” project – a collaboration between Bottletop’s, Oliver Wayman and Luciano Dos Santos from Brazil. A training programme was devised to help people living in a very deprived area on the outskirts of Salvador to use materials available to them to make products which the Bottletop charity would buy from them to sell to people like you and me… The programme currently supports 46 people within the community and, to date, has produced over 5000 products which have been sold internationally… Including the amazing handbag that Caroline is clutching in the photograph below.

Visit www.bottletop.org to find out more about this hugely worthwhile charity and to learn more about the tremendously inspirational people they support…

Caroline looking fab with her ring-pull clutch at The Sorority event

Tags: Bottletop org, Cameron Saul, Caroline Hopkins, Charities, Fashion blog, Fiona Huntingford, Frances Card, Lisa Tse, Mulberry, Mulberry bottletop campaign, Personal Shopping blog, Ring-pull project, Style Struck, Styling blog, Styling in the City, The Sorority, Wire frame handbag

Ideal Home Show and S/S 11 Q&A session

I had a really great afternoon yesterday (and last Tuesday) at the Ideal Home Show. I was speaking on a panel of “experts” about fashion and style – what we should be wearing for the new season and essential items for every woman’s wardrobe etc (http://www.idealhomeshow.co.uk/cws-fashion-style/). I had some initial pre-session nerves but as soon as I got the microphone in my hand you couldn’t shut me up and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Also on the panel with me yesterday were Clare Watson from “Miss-Dress” and her colleague Bianca Smit from “Who is the Fairest” – I hope we gave some good advice!

After the show... Bianca from Who is the Fairest, myself and Clare from Miss-Dress!

Here are some of my answers to the questions we were asked…

Q: What should we be wearing for S/S 11?

A: Bright colours are key! The easiest way to introduce them is by adding a really colourful scarf or handbag to your outfit. Bright shoes are another easy way to bring some life to an otherwise simple look. But you must wear them with confidence! (Something to note – people often think they can’t wear brights and suit paler, softer colours instead… Now obviously it depends on the shade, but as an example I look far better in hot pink than I do in baby pink, which seriously washes me out! Before perchasing just try a colour against your skin, hold it by your face and see if you look healthy or drained!)

Me sporting my new bright pink patent Ted Baker shoes from Bicester Village (£40) and River Island Scarf (£14.99)

Q: What items should every woman have in her wardrobe?

A: A great fitting pair of jeans (easier said than done I hear you say! On a budget try TopShop, French Connection or GAP; for the new “It” jeans buy Adriano Goldschmied and for a more classic/higher-rise pair invest in some ”Not Your Daughters Jeans”), a decent leather handbag (that doesn’t look like you’ve had it for 10 years and isn’t too small, like something a child could use! The likes of Oasis, Warehouse and Topshop have great leather handbags these days, for the next level up try Russel&Bromley or go for broke and head to Mulberry, Miu Miu or Prada!! Why not – it’s an investment piece!!), a simply cut day dress that can be dressed up for evening (try COS, Zara, Reiss or DVF) and a tailored jacket to sharpen up dresses, jeans etc (my favourite at the moment is from Topshop for £55).

Q: What are some of the easiest trends to wear this season?

A: Apart from Brights, I would say that florals are an easy way to update for S/S. There are floral print tops, dresses and skirts everywhere but if you’re feeling cautious start out with a floral bag like the one below. Again, a quick word of warning about florals: unless you’re über trendy and an Alexa Chung look-a-like don’t think you can raid the loft and pull out a Laura Ashley “special” that you’ve been saving for the past 20years. The floral look this time around is quite, quite different!).

Easy floral update... Bag from Accessorize £30

P.S. I came across a fantastic company at the Ideal Home Show called www.littlelou.com… they make the most incredible “Jewelabra’s”… when they send me some images I’ll put them up!

P.P.S. Website info for all of the above…  Accessorize (www.accessorize.com), Adriano Goldschmied (www.agjeans.com), Bicester Village (www.bicestervillage.com) COS (www.cosstores.com),  DVF (www.dvf.com), Miu Miu (www.miumiu.com), Mulberry (www.mulberry.com), Not Your Daughters Jeans (www.nydj.eu/en/home), Oasis (www.oasis-stores.com) Prada (www.prada.com), Reiss (www.reissonline.com), River Island (www.riverisland.com), Topshop (www.topshop.com), Warehouse (www.warehouse.co.uk) and ZARA (www.zara.com).  

The Ideal Home Show at Earls Court, London

 

Tags: Accessorize, Adriano Goldschmied, AG Jeans, Alexa Chung, Bianca Smit, Bicester Village, Clare Watson, Fashion advice, Fashion blog, Fiona Huntingford, French Connection, GAP, Ideal Home Show, Little Lou, Miss-Dress, Miu Miu, Mulberry, Not Your Daughters Jeans, Oasis, Prada, River Island scarf, Style advice for S/S11, Style Blog, Styling blog, Styling in the City, Ted Baker, Topshop, Warehouse, Who is the Fairest

Going for the chop!

OMG! I’ve had my hair cut… And it’s quite short… For those of you who know me you’ll know it’s quite a big deal because I’ve had long hair for about a gazillion years. And apart from having a fringe cut several years ago, in reaction to splitting up with my ex, I have had the same swinging locks for nearly two decades.

It almost happened 3 months ago when I last went to the hairdressers and I mentioned that I’d been thinking about going for the “chop”. I told him that I didn’t want it “lurking around no-mans-land” looking like I was growing out a bob or something – and basically I chickened out. I had my usual “take off as little as possible trim” and didn’t give it another thought. Until last Tuesday…

As usual my copy of Grazia was on the doormat and there on the front cover was the head-line “Jen’s crisis make-over… Sleepless night before that crop”!!! Slightly dramatic you might think but apparently not. Seemingly, Jen’s hair is not only a barometer to how she feels, but also it affects us too! We’ve been obsessing with her barnet ever since she became famous for the “Rachel” hair-do in Friends, back in 1994. Since, then apart from going up and down a couple of inches and various shades of blonde high-lights, it’s remained the same. Which has been rather comforting and familiar; she looks approachable and friendly with her “wash-and-go” glam but girl-next-door locks. This is probably why we all like her so much and can’t stand her “husband thief”, Angelina Jolie.

© Turkbug | Dreamstime.com

Now I don’t know why Jen decided to go for the plunge – to be honest I’m not even sure why I did. But after having a flick through Grazia and spotting not only Jen, but Olivia Palermo and Scarlet Johansson sporting substantially shorter locks – and after Ian my hairdresser and I having the same boring “Should I, shouldn’t I?”, conversation as 3 months ago… I simply said, “Just do it“.

So he did it. But he didn’t do it whole-heartedly at first, initially it was definitely lurking in “no-mans land” (my feared length) – so I told him to keep going as it was all or nothing and had to be done properly. Bless him he kept saying “I’m waiting for you to burst into tears!” But actually, it felt quite liberating – it was only when washing my hair for the first time the next day that I felt bizarre – there was just nothing there… And tying hair back? Well, I’ve never seen such a poor attempt at a pony tail in my life… And don’t believe anyone who says short hair is easy – it’s a lie. I spent longer straightening my hair this morning than yesterday when I had over double the amount. And now you have to have a good hair day every day as there’s sure as heck no option to simply “tie it back”!! OMG – what have I done?? 

On a plus point however, people keep telling me how much they like it (even though what else are they going to say!!) and how young I look… Which is quite worrying as how old did I look before?? But seriously, I do like it. I’m sure I’ll end up growing it again before long – but for now I’m happy with my “hairline bob“… Jen had better not turn up on this week’s cover sporting a full-head of hair extensions!!

Take a look at Jen for yourself….

http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/beauty/archive/2011/02/22/breaking-hair-news-jennifer-aniston-gets-a-bob.htm

P.S. My hairdresser Ian is based at Willie Smarts in Clapham Common – www.williesmarts.co.uk

Tags: Angelina Jolie, Fashion blog, Fashion Blogs, Fiona Huntingford, Grazia, Grazia magazine, hair cuts, Hairline bob, Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Aniston having hair cut short, Olivia Palermo, Scarlet Johannson, short hair, Style Struck, Styling blog, Styling in the City, Willie Smarts

Pure and Scoop International A/W11

This Friday may have been the first day of London Fashion Week but last weekend was the real start of London’s fashion whirl, beginning with PURE and a new exhibition Scoop International. PURE, located at Olympia, is a well-established trade fair for brands to show their collections to department store and independent fashion buyers, bloggers, stylists etc. For the first time the show was split between Olympia and Earls Court, the latter being where PURE Spirit was being held, which had younger brands and menswear. PURE is a very commercial show with brands such as Inwear, Jackpot and Sticky Fingers. I really loved the Darling stand and especially liked the below cream dress (www.darlingclothes.com).

I love the 3/4 sleeves and jewelled neckline

These fabulous plates were on the outside of the stand... so pretty!

Do I spy a fondant fancy??

Also, I was introduced to a feminine and very well priced brand called Valour & Valkyrie (www.valourandvalkyrie.com) by Gemma Wiseman, owner of this years Drapers Independent Store of the Year (they have 2 stunning stores, one in Stowe-on-the-Wold and the other in Cheltenham, www.shopfoundation.com). Described as ”stylish, easy to wear pieces with distinct detailing and a dash of ready to wear glamour, the range is inspired by ethereal illustrations from the turn of the century, classic black and white films and the craft in creating a garment”. The collection isn’t very big but there were some very lovely pieces with equally lovely price points. And with blouses retailing at £55 and dresses from £60, what’s not to love?

My favourite pieces were the Marje Blouse (£54.99) and Valenti dress (£69.99)…

Marje Blouse from Valour & Valkyrie

Valenti dress by Valour & Valkyrie

After dashing around the rest of PURE and bumping into my friend Katie from Threadmaker (www.threadmaker.co.uk) and more buyers than usual (a sign that people are keeping their eyes open more than ever for “something new” even though times are tough in the retail trade) I had to rush off to a new exhibition for A/W 11 Scoop International which was being held at the fabulous Saatchi Gallery on The Kings Road in Chelsea. It was raining which meant that getting there was a nightmare as there wasn’t a taxi to be seen anywhere. I did manage to locate one after a mile walk in the drizzle which meant I arrived at Scoop looking somewhat less than polished, hair slightly frizzy and pretty much make-up-less!

Scoop is “where fashion meets art, showing fashion and lifestyle brands in a cutting edge and contemporary space…focusing on premium designer and contemporary collections, accessories, emerging designer brands.” There were well known collections such as Sara Berman, Ella Luna and Margit Brandt and many others I’d never heard of. I’m very interested to see what brands come on board for next season because there is definitely a gap in the market for a more contemporary and designer exhibition in the UK… so watch this space.

One brand that really caught my eye was a Paris-based jewellery collection called GiRandOleS (www.girandoles.com). Created by friends Isabelle and Louise, these hand-made pieces are works of art. The pair pick up bric-a-brac from local flea markets, mixing these items with real pearls and charms – the result being incredibly personalized and unusual pieces. The ladies were so nice and even though their English wasn’t great, you could tell that they loved what they did and that every bracelet and necklace told a story…

Probably one of my favourites... a plastic gnome, an Eiffel Tower, buttons and a brooch - what more could you want on a necklace??

P.S. I bought the new “It” nail varnish from Chanel called Black Pearl this week… if I’m being honest it’s not quite the colour I thought it was going to be (ok… so I didn’t try it before I bought it – but it’s Chanel, it has to be fabulous!!). But I assumed from the name it was going to be Blacky-grey ish, but it’s got a definte greeny almost mouldy hue to it (have I put you off yet – someone did compliment me on it yesterday so it can’t be that bad!). If you ask me if should be called gun metal or graphite or something… Anyway, I’m sure I’ll love it when I find out it’s sold out all over the country like the last must-have colour did!!

Tags: Chanel Black Pearl nail varnish, Chanel nail varnish, Darling, Darling Clothes, Ella Luna, Fashion blog, Fiona Huntingford, Flea markets in Paris, Foundation Cheltenham, GiRandOleS, Girandoles Paris, Inwear, Jackpot, Margit Brandt, Pure Olympia, Sara Berman, Scoop International, Shopfoundation, Sticky Fingers, Style Struck, Styling blog, Styling in the City, The Saatchi Gallery, Threadmaker, Threadmaker.co.uk, Valour & Valkyrie

Battersea Designer Wedding Show

I’ve been assisting my good friend Katie in the hunt for the perfect wedding dress… and as of last Friday the search is over – we found it and it’s fabulous! We’d penciled in the diary, a trip to the Battersea Designer wedding show, to get a good over-view of frocks. However, instead of having to pour over every single gown we were able to relax and just enjoy the show (www.designerweddingshow.co.uk)!

I’ve not yet planned a wedding, so haven’t had to experience the “joy” of picking the exact shade of ivory napkins or deciding whether to spend £5 per head for a bag containing 5 silver sugared almonds…what a bargain?? But something hit me whilst walking around the show – I pity whoever gets to marry me, because at my wedding I’m going to want everything! The flowers were stunning; the cakes were works of art… It’s quite a terrifyingly over-whelming experience. Not only does a bride have to worry about the dress, the venue, the food etc. But important issues such as, what will the invitations say about me as a person? Does one go “classic” or “contemporary” bride? Hair up or hair down?? So many decisions… If I ever meet someone I want to marry – I think I might be a demented bride!

Also, I know why so many people hire personal shoppers to help them when wedding dress shopping, it’s very little to do with locating the perfect dress, it’s more to assist them with overly-pushy wedding dress sales assistants. Now I understand some people need help narrowing down a gazillion off-white strapless dresses to find the perfect one  – but the use of the “elimination” technique that I witnessed was really annoying. So what if my friend had ”eliminated” a particular style dress during their last appointment, if she wants to try it on again then she blinking well can!!

Anyway, rant over… if you want to get some really good ideas in a laid back and glam setting and be serenaded whilst sipping your champagne, then head to BWS. Even though as a “non-bride” I’ve never felt so invisible in my life… as soon as approaching a stand the exhibitor would say “Are you the bride??” “Er no, my friend…” That was it, you no longer existed!  

Here are some things that caught my eye at the show…

By Appointment Only Design (www.byappointmentonlydesign.com) – honestly, I’ve never seen floral displays like them… they were amazing! They help you “create the wedding of your dreams”, assisting from wedding planning to event styling, no two weddings are the same.

By Appointment Only Design

 

Linda Fripp Design (www.lindafrippcakes.com) make bespoke wedding cakes “individually created using sensational hand-baked recipes and inspirational techniques”. The cakes at the show really blew me away they were so stunning…

An amazing cake by Linda Fripp Design

 

Emmy Custom Made Wedding Shoes (www.emmyshoes.co.uk)  - I had seen them before at Fashion Press Week and I loved the twinkly toed shoes then… They offer custom made wedding shoes “offering a choice of toe shape, heel height, material, colour and detail”. Vintage-y and fabulous if you ask me!

Emmy Custom Made Wedding Shoes

 

Matthew Williamson needs little introduction (www.matthewwilliamson) but people may not instantly think bridal when they hear his name, but I was seriously impressed with what they had to offer…

Matthew Williamson

 

The cafe at the entrance to the show…

 

 The bride and bridesmaid Rachel enjoying a well deserved glass of bubbly in the champagne bar… how civilized (notice I have a peppermint tea with my champers – I’m such a lightweight!!)!

Katie and Rachel “resting” in the champagne bar!

 

P.S. A couple of other exhibitors worth noting:

David Fielden (www.davidfielden.co.uk) – his dresses have been worn by Liz Taylor, Julia Roberts and Kate Moss… a fairly impressive line up!

Emma Hunt (www.emmahunt.co.uk)  makes made-to-measure and bespoke dresses which are timeless and elegant.

The Magpie Vintage  stand (www.magpievintage.co.uk) was mobbed after the catwalk show and we could barely get a look in but the bespoke jewellery we could near looked fab!

Rosalind Miller Cakes (www.rosalindmillercakes.com)… these were so stunning I couldn’t believe it. They are renowned for their “delcious exquisite couture cupcakes, described as edible works of art”.

Temperley London (www.temperleylondon.com) offers some of the most elegant, romantic dresses around. For the best selection go to their bridal suite in Notting Hill, I’ve only had good experiences with clients in there…

And last but by no means least, The Utterly Sexy Cafe (www.utterlysexycafe.co.uk) are a “highly original catering company offering delicious food creatively served using an extensive range of fabulous vintage china for hire, as well as amazing wedding cakes”. This stand was probably my favourite!

Tags: Battersea Designer Wedding Show, By Appointment Only Design, Classic or contemporary bride, David Fielden, Emma Hunt, Emmy Wedding Shoes, Fashion blog, Fiona Huntingford, Katie Macfarlane, Linda Fripp Design, Magpie Vintage, Matthew Williamson Bridal, Personal shoppers, Style Struck, Styling blog, Styling in the City, Temperley London, Utterly Sex Cafe, Wedding blog, Wedding Cakes, Wedding dresses, Wedding shows, Weddings

Killer heels

My “stand-off” with high-heel shoe shopping finally came to an end the other day. For the past couple of seasons, if you’re 5″7 or over and you venture into any shoe store such as Kurt Geiger, Topshop or Aldo, there are only about 3 pairs of high heeled shoes to choose from that don’t make you look like a “man-in-drag” – as practically every pair of  dressy-ish shoes or ankle boots have a built in platform and 10 inch heels with the only other choice being some lame-o pair of kitten heels that make you look like Kate Middleton, pre-engagement announcement!

Why is it that there are no in-between height shoes that you actually want to wear i.e. that don’t make you look like a bridesmaid? It’s not that I don’t like high-heels it’s just that I want a choice… Firstly these giant shoes make me really, really tall and secondly, I have very narrow feet, so I often struggle to keep these skyscrapers on. I have to spread my toes out in the vain attempt to stop them slipping off or I have to wear heel grips which make them a size smaller and therefore very uncomfortable. All in all I’ve seriously been struggling to buy shoes for ages now. I feel rather bad saying that as I’m a personal shopper but I’ve had exactly the same issues with my customers too – of the trendier styles, it’s drag-queen/lady of the night or nothing!

Anyway, last week I was going to a “black-tie do” and I had to buy some new shoes… so Monday PM therefore found me heading to Selfridges shoe heaven, sorry, I mean shoe galleries, to begin my search (www.selfridges.com). I tried on several styles but there were very few I could actually keep on, as they were all crazily high and they were pretty “blah” looking to be honest. I then came across a pair of STUNNING Corso Como Kurt Geiger Fashionistas that I’d seen in all the magazines for the last couple of months and here they were in my size, half price in the sale (www.kurtgeiger.com)!

When I put the right shoe on it fitted like a glove – unbelievably high but it looked amazing. I asked the shop assistant to get me the other shoe… and of course I loved them! I felt so tall and fabulous – and of course like a “fashionista”. I knew instantly that I had to have them. I asked the guy helping me to stand next to me to see how tall they made me. We worked out I was about 6”1 – I was clearly never going to find a man in these heels!! But what the hell, who needs a boyfriend when you’ve got shoes to die for!! Carrie Bradshaw eat your heart out…

I was SO excited with my purchase, I skipped home and couldn’t wait to wear them the following evening… The night of the event I decided not to put them on until I was just about to step out of the taxi – I slipped them on and looked down – oooh, the excitement… First step, second step… “Stone the crows” I thought to myself, “these bad boys are pretty tough to actually WALK IN”, of course I’d only tip-toed about 3 steps in them on the carpet when I’d tried them on. I had to concentrate so hard to walk it was ridiculous. They threw me forward so much I felt like I was being launched off running blocks with every step! It was a nightmare… I started to panic. I realized with horror… the shoes were wearing me!! My mind was so fixated on my feet I could barely think of anything else. As soon as we sat down to eat I took them off under the table – the relief! But when I had to put them back on I felt like one of the ugly step sisters, I could barely get my feet into them – and when I stood up I was in agony. I spent the rest of the evening walking and dancing like an imbecile. My toes were so cramped, it felt as though they were constantly trying to escape from the torture/hell I was putting them through and my every step was agony…

When I got home in the small hours I kicked the shoes off and swore I’d only ever wear flat shoes again for the rest of my life. The next day my tendons had stretched so much that I could barely even walk down the stairs and as I walked past my beautiful “Fashionistas” lying abandoned in the hall I pulled a face at them. “What’s wrong with bridesmaid shoes anyway,” I thought angrily? They literally were “killer” heels…

EBAY anyone??

P.S. I annoyingly saw a picture of Olivia Palermo sporting the exact same pair in yellow a couple of weeks ago in Grazia and she was wearing them as though they were ballet flats! Grrr… belated New Years Resolution – must learn to walk in skyscraper heels!!!

P.P.S. The yellow ones are even more fabulous than the black ones I bought, have a peek:

http://www.look.co.uk/fashion/celebs-love-kurt-geiger%E2%80%99s-fashionistas-court-shoes

Tags: Aldo, Belated New Years Resolution, Carrie Bradshaw, Corso Como, Fashion blog, Fashionista, Fiona Huntingford, Grazia magazine, High Heeled shoes, High Heels, Kurt Geiger, Kurt Geiger Fashionista shoes, Look magazine, Olivia Palermo, Personal Shopper, Personal Stylist, Shoes, Style Struck, Styling blog, Styling in the City, Topshop, Ugly Step sisters