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.

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!

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

Prada and Miu Miu heaven

I had the most fabulous afternoon on Monday… and no I didn’t bump into Brad Pitt or a George Clooney look-a-like… Thinking about it, things didn’t start out quite as fabulously, as upon leaving the house I went flying on black ice after about 10 yards and nearly went straight back in – but I decided that I wouldn’t be beaten by the weather!

Prada (www.prada.com) on Old Bond Street was my first stop followed by the newly opened Miu Miu store on New Bond Street (www.miumiu.com). BLISS! Ok, I’m easily pleased but I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for both the brands ever since I was a buyer. I remember my first trip to the Prada and Miu Miu showrooms in Milan – I was on “cloud 9”, just sitting in the reception I knew that I was somewhere very special! I can’t quite put it into words but it was a mixture of excitement to see the new collections for the season, exquisitely dressed people speaking Italian and very handsome men!!!

Now I know we’re only talking about clothes and accessories but even a simple black skirt seemed far more glamorous than normal. I remember one season that the female sales people wore knee-length shorts, knee-high socks and Prada loafers and they looked so incredibly chic (I’d have looked like a boy-scout)!! The fabrics and leathers used for the collections were second to none and the quality was exceptional.

Miu Miu, Prada’s little sister brand was somewhat more edgy – I remember being in an appointment with my boss (who was “Mrs. Prada Sport” and definitely not “Mrs. Miu Miu” – for those who aren’t in the know, there’s a BIG difference!) and being shown by a sales person what I can only describe as a long brown pillow-case with sleeves and a red bow at the neck… (this was quite normal at Miu Miu, one season it was beautifully girly and quirky – other times it was just odd) – we looked at her and used our favourite expression for this type of situation… “Erm, we couldn’t possibly buy something like that as we’re a bit backward in Chester,” and then they’d look at us as they always did, as though we had 2 heads! Basically our customer didn’t buy something necessarily because it said Miu Miu on the label – we were in footballer’s wives territory, they wanted to look good!!

Anyway, some of my fondest buying memories were in that showroom, even though I also remember after being in there from 9am-6pm (following a 5.30am flight) that I’d always end up suffering from really bad motion sickness because the rails were on wires hanging from the very high ceilings and they made me feel sick and dizzy whenever they moved from side to side!

Ever since then Prada handbags have been the ultimate luxury to me and a definite investment, whether in canvas or leather, they are built to last. Miu Miu also has incredible bags, which are often more “relaxed” than Prada (usually with a slightly lower price point) – and in my opinion they can be a more feminine alternative to Mulberry for everyday bags.

As you can imagine, I was so excited to see the new Miu Miu shop on New Bond Street and it was even better than I imagined. Everything is laid out almost as though you’re in a grown-up sweet shop – you just pick what you want from what is on display (I wish!) – everything was to die for… I especially loved the sequinned bag that was in the window, an instant outfit maker! So next time you’re in London, you must make a trip into Miu Miu’s world. Take a look…

Top of my Christmas wish list... the sequinned Miu Miu bag

Miu Miu mannequins sitting pretty

A selection of shoes in the window

 

The bag AGAIN.... it's following me...

P.S. INSIDER INFO ALERT: PRADA has just opened at Bicester Village in Oxfordshire and it is truly fabulous… get in there quick (www.bicestervillage.com)! Of course unfortunately, the Prada bag I want for Christmas is full price on Bond Street – will Father Christmas come through for me this year??

Fashion Press Week S/S 11

Last week I attended Fashion Press Week and it was fantastic (www.fashionpressweek.com). I was there for work but it didn’t really feel like it… there were cupcakes, mini make-up sessions and blow dries – and it was all located in the stunning Saatchi Gallery on the Kings Road. What more could one want on a dull November afternoon? The idea behind FPW is to give editors and industry people like me a relaxed setting to view brands such as Pandora, Mikey and Superdry under one roof, so as not to have to trail all over London to view individual collections (the collections were mostly for next S/S11). It’s such a brilliant idea…

Anyone for a cupcake??

I spotted so many things that I loved including this Elizabeth Lau knit, mainly because I adore giant bows! Elizabeth debued at London Fashion Week in 2007 and has never looked back – her collection epitomises the quirkiness and diversity of London, the city she was born in and is simply an extension of her personality and outlook on life and love. I’m looking forward to the opening of the Elizabeth Lau pop up shop on Carnby Street on the 26th November (for 4 weeks). Until then have a look at their website – it’s so cute (like their knitwear!!)… www.elizabethlau.com

My favourite Elizabeth Lau knit... don't you love the bow?

I came across a jewellery brand that I’d never heard of called Konplott, which was founded in 1986 by the award winning designer Miranda Konstantinidou. She was born in Thessaloniki and grew up in Germany – but she now spends most of her time between the Philippines and Luxembourg. Have a look at the company’s website for further information at www.konplott.de/english/.  I thought this bracelet from her newest collection was really eye-catching and chunky yet still very feminine. Many of my customers struggle with solid bracelets as sometimes they can’t get them on, but this was like a cuff so it would fit anyone.

Stunning KONPLOTT bracelet from designer Miranda Konstantinidou

I also met the absolutely lovely Monica and Joe Wahla who are launching a fantastic on-line boutique in the New year called Monica&Joe (www.monicaandjoe.co.uk). They have a huge amount of fashion industry experience between them and came up with the idea after a trip to Paris last year. The contemporary online boutique will be showcasing some of the hottest new brands and designer collections for S/S 11. The focus is on bridge collections and designer brands offering affordable luxury to 30 plus women who want to something very different to what the high street offers. They have handpicked some of the best established (by Marlene Birger, Cacharel) and less established  labels(By Zoe, Designers Remix) from Europe and have some that are completely new to the UK. Price points range from £100 upwards for a dress to about £400. I am very excited about the launch!!

www.monicaandjoe.co.uk

 

 

Save your sole

Save your sole at Fashion Press Week

 

On Wednesday I had one of those moments – when you think to yourself, “Why didn’t I come up with that!” after meeting the fabulous “Save your sole” founder Amanda Collins at Fashion Press Week (www.fashionpressweek.com). Save your sole is such a simple idea, but absolutely brilliant and Amanda came up with the concept after giving up her career in banking and going travelling for a year. On her return she decided to follow her passion and love of shoes to start her own business.

Her website sells rubber soles that match colours and shapes of pretty much every designer shoe around – so if your Louboutins or Jimmy Choo’s need a make-over then you’re in luck (of course they work on your High Street favourites too)!

Buy them on-line at www.saveyoursole.co.uk  and take them to your favourite cobbler to make your shoes look fabulous again. What an annoyingly ingenious idea – well done Amanda!

London Fashion Weekend… Sept 10

As I’d totally sacked off the whole of LFW for a week in Ibiza (I’ve been plenty of times before and it was the only gap in my diary before I got hectic again - I had the best time by the way!) when my friend Kate asked if I’d escort her to the Friday night antics of London Fashion Weekend I thought it was rude to say no!

For those of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, LFW’end is when the official London Fashion Week exhibition and shows are over and the general public can buy tickets to get in on the action for a couple of days. Held at Somerset House in London, there are fashion shows, champagne bars, places to have your make-up done… and the designers who attended the exhibition sell their samples and old seasons stock at fantastically knocked down prices – basically it’s a fabulous giant sale! Designers included Angel Jackson, By Malene Birger and Olivia Rubin to name but a few.  For more information visit www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk.

I hadn’t been before – the thought of hoards of people all fighting over the same size 8/10 dress had always filled me with dread, but as my friend asked so nicely I thought I’d give it a go… And it wasn’t bad at all. When we arrived, I thought how suitable it was, not too busy, but with loads of things to look at and buy. However within 20 minutes, all hell was let loose. Little did we know that there had been a fashion show on when we’d arrived which was now over… and people were chomping at the bit to get shopping! Then it wasn’t so suitable – there were people literally everywhere… fighting over anything decent looking in a size 8 or 10, just as I’d thought!!

Even so, I fell in LOVE… with a dark green and black corsetted fine net over-lay Dolce & Gabbana main-line dress (which was being sold in the Designer Studio section which featured designers that didn’t show at LFW), which had been reduced from £2000 to £450 (I didn’t get it I might add – I said to myself “Walk away from the dress Fiona, you need boots and proper A/W clothes, not evening dresses”)!! Kate however, was in the mood for shopping and got some fab Matthew Williamson sunglasses for £40, after trying on some hilarious ones, as below. She also got some amazing shoes… all the Kors by Michael Kors shoes were size 4 (her size) and £30, reduced from around £300! What a bargain… how stunning are the zebra print ones??

All in all, fun was definitely had, but next time I’ll be prepared with sharpened elbows and comfy shoes! See you next year Somerset House…

Maybe not for every day Katie??

The table of Michael Kors shoes... where are the size 8's??

Kate (posing ever so slightly for the camera) wearing her newly purchased Matthew Williamson sunnies and showing off her zebra print Michael Kors shoes (and her stunning Mulberry Alexia I might add!)...

Pure August 2010

I had a great afternoon at PURE at Olympia last Sunday… PURE is a London based trade fair which is held twice a year over three days, where fashion brands show their new season’s collections to buyers, press and trade people. This August there were buyers from Canada, Japan, USA and Russia. The venue, Olympia is HUGE, so to actually look at every brand would take some doing – but the hall is split into different areas such as Young Fashion and Pure Premium, so it’s easier to be a bit more targetted and to avoid wandering aimlessly around the place. There are seminars, fashion shows and talks to give buyers an insight into the season ahead, as in fashion of course, you’re always thinking 6 months in advance… the majority of the clothes were for next Spring/Summer 2011.

I saw some really fun shoes from Iron Fist (www.ironfistclothing.com) – the stand was amazing… if you like quirky styles, take a look! Though they’re possibly not for everyone…

Black suede shoe-boots from Iron Fist

More shoes from Iron First

 The Traffic People stand was really eye-catching with a fantastic vintage Mercedes soft-top at the centre of it… The Desigual stand was amazing too with giant flowers all over it and really loud music blaring out… there was no mistaking you were definitely in the Young Fashion area!

The Traffic People stand

Flowers on the Desigual stand

 Yumi was also looking great in the Young Fashion area (www.yumidirect.co.uk) and so too was Sugarhill Boutique (www.sugarhillboutique.com) – I’m looking forward to browsing through their rails in Topshop Oxford Circus this season, as both brands have large areas on their -2 floor….

Images from the Yumi stand

More Yumi images...

And some more...

Last ones...

The Sugarhill Boutique stand

One brand that really caught my eye at PURE this season was Olivia Rubin (www.oliviarubinlondon.com), she does amazing prints and Fern Cotton is a huge fan. In fact if you look at the website loads of celebs love it… I was drawn to the fantastic colours and easy lines of her clothes, plus the prices are extremely purse-friendly. If I had a shop I’d have definitely bought it (they will be releasing their press images shortly so I’ll try and get hold of some). Olivia Rubin has also been featured in the Grazia Fashion Charts - I have a feeling that she’s got a very bright future ahead of her!

Some of the prints from the Olivia Rubin stand

Baby it’s cold outside

  

I was shopping with a customer on Monday for her S/S 10 wardrobe and we had a really fun day – she was trying on peg-leg rolled up crops, linen military inspired jackets and kaki sleeveless tees with ribbon necklines, all of which were lovely – but something seemed wrong. It felt weird because… yet again… it was snowing outside!! The day started off ok – one flake here… another there. But by the time we were power walking from Bond Street to meet her husband at Oxford Circus late afternoon laden with bags, the snow was so bad it was settling on my eyelashes and I could barely prize my hands off her purchases to hand them over because my hands were so cold!  

© Sibear | Dreamstime.com

I thought how on earth are potential shoppers supposed to feel inspired to shop for pastels and florals when it’s sub zero outside? Personally, I can see past the weather – I’m just gagging for something new at the moment as I’m oh so tired of my winter clothes… and if I can wear said item with a pair of black tights or skinny jeans now, then fantastic! But if not – my wardrobe will look more interesting and help me remember that Spring will come again… even if it doesn’t appear to be any time soon!  

However, apparently I’m not the only one thinking S/S – we went into Karen Millen and found a really lovely item called the “Crinkle Cloth Coat” which was belted with a full skirt in tones of grey (it made my client’s waist look tiny!). On the website this is the description: “Italian cotton and metal trench coat with subtle light to dark effect and crinkle texture” (£250 at www.karenmillen.com). Cutting a long story short when we asked for my client’s size they’d almost sold out of all size 10s and 12s already in London and it’s only early February and snowing! They printed out a list of stores where sizes were available – there were a few stores in the UK; but most were in far off places such as Moscow and Dubai (I never knew Karen Millen had so many stores in Russia and the Middle East!)!! So girls, the message is if you’re looking for that special S/S outfit you’d better put on your Uggs and get out and brave those sub-zero temperatures… You won’t regret it! I often find these early “drops” in store to be best as you get longevity out of an item – as stock delivered later in the season is often more “high-summer”. (Actually, my client was in luck – after leaving empty-handed we spotted the “crinkle coat” in the window and it was a size 12 and it fitted like a glove!).      

But what else is out there to buy from S/S that’s appropriate for this time of year? Well there are military-influenced pieces everywhere – kakis, beige, mocha, cappuccino etc and lots of nude. All of which are great with black and layered up with other items to avoid an overly Summery look (also, after a trying on session, the nude colours are actually more flattering than I thought, especially with darker colours – so don’t be afraid to experiment).  

I’ve also noticed that there are loads of distressed boots in the shops at the moment – many of them resembling something out of Oliver Twist (they’re great to make more Spring like pieces look acceptable when it’s snowing outside as they’re a heavier look)! I actually quite like them but as I’ve got size 8 feet I have to be careful with the “Dr. Marten” style – I may look more Bill Sykes than Nancy! I’ll never forget being in Dolcis aged about 12 and desperately wanting some of the above DM’s – in a beautiful shade of yellow. I can’t believe they were in fashion! Anyway, the sales assistant handed me the size 8s and actually laughed in my face when I laced them up – I’m sure the sight of 12 year old pipe-cleaner legs sticking out of giant banana boots was hilarious… but steady on, he could have scarred me for life!!). However, I’ve moved on a little since then and last week found myself some slightly more lady-like “Nancy” boots from Office for £80 called “Office Middle Drimmie Black leather” (www.office.co.uk), which make my feet look quite small actually (this is obviously relatively speaking!).  

Chanel Particulière

 

By the way do you remember I bought the new Chanel Particulière nail varnish last week and after initially saying I wasn’t sure about it, I now really love it (www.chanel.com)! It looks especially sophisticated with all the army shades that are in stores at the moment… so if you can get your hands on a bottle, give it a go – but don’t panic if you can’t get hold of it, the Sunday Times Style magazine is suggesting “Mink Muss” by Essie (www.essie.com) as an alternative… Phew!!!

Fur coats and fireworks

I returned from my fun-filled New Year’s trip to Munich on Saturday feeling somewhat jaded (those Germans really know how to “party” and if you’ve never been I thoroughly recommend it!). As the majority of my 4 days away were spent in a bit of a hung-over daze, our activities during daylight hours were fairly low-key (Munich comes awake at about 1am!) but I did partake in one of my favourite “sports” – people watching!

The residents of Munich are a pretty chic breed on the whole and due to the cold weather the winter “fashion parade” was in full flow. There was an abundance of fur coats, hats and boots – in fact they looked like they’d raided the set of “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” (another thing I noticed was that “Moncler” puffer jackets were everywhere www.moncler.it/)… It’s funny that when my sister and I wore our (faux) fur coats on NYE we looked more like we were working the streets! Why is that?? I find it so annoying that we just don’t seem to be able to dress for the cold like our foreign cousins! Maybe it’s because we don’t have as much call for “full on” winter ensembles as they do (salopettes don’t count!) – even though this winter the snow and ice does seem to be hanging around in the UK more than usual so that if it becomes an annual occurrence maybe we’ll need to “up the winter fashion ante” in the future.

© Mshake | Dreamstime.com

Something else our Continental friends do better than we do is D.I.Y. fireworks! At midnight, as 2009 turned into 2010, we spilled out onto the Munich streets with our German friends, clutching champagne glasses to view the amazing firework displays that were lighting up the sky (it was so cold that I had to prize my hand off the glass when we got back inside!). At one point my sister was handed a sparkler and piped up “Aren’t we supposed to wear gloves?” She’d obviously watched too many of those government-sponsored adverts on UK tv warning us to avoid having our hands burned off by holding sparklers gloveless!! Our German counterparts were so much more relaxed about fireworks in general. They were going off at both ends of the street where we were standing, shooting into the sky at all angles. Compared to what we’re used to these days in the UK the sky was like some kind of war zone (all I was thinking was “where the heck are all those rocket sticks going to come down??”). The last fireworks I watched were at the Clapham Common Bonfire Night display in London and they didn’t let us within about 500m of the action – just in case!….. (I must add that on NYE I actually was hit on the head by what appeared to be a used firework wrapper but I’ve lived to tell the tale and everyone around me found it completely hilarious at the time!)… 

Anyway, one thing I was very happy to have with me in Munich was my new Ugg boots (www.uggaustralia.com). I had managed to last without a pair up until the Monday before Christmas when I was in London and it really snowed. The weather forecast had said there might be a light sprinkling so I carried my “faux” Uggs with me just case (I actually bought them in Munich a couple of years ago, from a hilariously cheap shoe shop appropriately called “Tack” – even though that’s very unfair to be honest because they’d lasted pretty well considering they’d only cost 6 Euros). Anyway, in London, I got off the tube where I was meeting a friend and when I emerged from the station I couldn’t believe my eyes – I might as well have been stepping off a plane in Lapland, such was the snowy scene in front of me. It was so lovely and Christmassy… however, walking in it was another matter. I put on my “Tack” boots and began trudging through the snow. Instantly I remembered something…the memory of “a horrible wet feeling”. It had happened last March when I’d worn the same boots to Sainsbury’s in the snow – after putting my foot in what I thought was black snow – but was actually a deep black slushy puddle!! My boots were SO soaking when I arrived in Sainsbury’s that I had to insert plastic bags into the boots (classy!) to put my feet into as they were completely soaked and I was squelching down the aisles! Afterwards I’d sworn to at least buy some Wellington boots for future snowy expeditions… However obviously I’d forgotten as here I was again, last week, squelching down the road – my boots so heavy with water this time that my feet turned completely inwards as I walked! 

So after this experience I’d decided that I would get some water-proof boots to take with me to Munich. I knew the obvious choice was a pair of Uggs – and to be honest I don’t know why I’d never invested in a pair before. Well actually I do – it’s due to the fact that everyone has them, which kind of put me off!! And also people wear them in the summer with denim mini skirts to go to Blockbuster for example, as though they’re slippers (I know this kind of outing feels like a “slipper” type shoe is appropriate but Uggs… in July!!). Please!

"Bind" Ugg boots

Anyway, I decided I’d be sensible and go to Ellis Brigham (the outdoorsy shop www.ellis-brigham.com) and get some practical black après-ski-type boots…. However en-route I slipped into Kate Kuba (www.katekuba.co.uk) “just to have a look” and spotted some rather lovely black Uggs (that were different to the “slipper” variety and more substantial and “booty”). In Ellis Brigham I found a perfect pair that didn’t make my size 8 feet look too horrendously huge. However, when I walked in them they squeaked a bit… the guy selling them to me said “Well as long as you don’t work in a library…?” What? Forget a library – I didn’t want to sound like a giant mouse when walking in them down the street! But really I was thinking how nice the Uggs were – so yes, off I went back to Kate Kuba to get them and I SO made the right decision!

They are possibly the most comfortable boots I’ve ever had. They’re the “Bind” type that are laced up the back, with molded rubber soles (I cut off the dangling beads that hung off the laces – they were very annoying and reminded me of dreads!). Lots of places appear to have sold out of the black ones and only have the tan ones left, but I found some on the Office website: (www.office.co.uk). At £200 they’re not cheap but as I kept telling myself they’re an investment. And at least I won’t have to resort to plastic bags in the future!

 P.S.

 An Ugg store has just opened at Bicester Village so you can get fabulous boots at even better prices – plus there’s a Moncler store too (www.bicestervillage.com)! That’s your wintry wardrobe sorted…