3 February 2016

My Tipsy Encounter with Manolo Blahnik: Burlington Arcade Opening night!



Tonight is, again, one of the decidedly more extravagant and exciting nights of my life.
The event tonight was a celebration to welcome Manolo's new Burlington Arcade store.
It was held by Vogue, and Mr. Blahnik was interviewed by Vogue's Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey (who I met already at the Vogue Night Out event at Westfield end of 2015).

The event was; as illustrated by my photo's, a classy sophisticated evening with canope's, champagne, and hot chocolate vodkas.
The event, as my photo's also illustrate, was ever-so-slightly blurry. Considering the wonderful array of cocktails my mother and I had just before the event.. ..

So my mother and I arrived; teetering over across the street from Peyote where we had what turned out to be 'pre-drinks'.
Despite our slightly giddiness: we managed to keep our cool.
Until my name wasn't on the guestlist [when it should have been] and I had to do step away.
Compose myself, and do little of what us PR's do best. ;)

A few seconds into round two; my booze-fuelled apparent charisma and charm, managed to get me and my mother into the event.
Emphasising, as well, for the third time: this was a classy event; which didn't help with the suitcase size noisy paper ZARA HOME bag we lugged into the event.
Teetering on it's own is a challenge. With a shopping bag the weight of a toddler leads into a little bit more of a kind of game of bumper cars with waiters, guests and such.

But alas: I shall let the [hopefully not too blurry] images do the talking!


Lovely designed backdrop and my number one +1





Some of the more extravagant designs displayed in the windows.





I loved the incorporation of the accompanying sketches into the event.



Mens shoes too!!




Got to pet baby Manolo!! "She likes to be carried" A c'est la vie for some pooches!!!

Some extraordinary designs. Remind you of Belle's rose in beauty in the beast anyone?




Strike a pose.



So glamourous- really!


Poor Mr. Blahnik had a cold and kept sneezing! Hence the scarf and gloves (See below) !!



Ginnie going by! Loved her outfit tonight!


Drool drool.





So light, elegant and summer-y!






Men, men, men, men, menly, men men.



Playlist for the evening.



Snuck up to fr-ow!


Basking in frow!!


Manolo's Niece introducing them!


Hello!


Ginnie: Do you have any other shoe designers you like? 
MB: ah yes, that little girl, Charlotte Olympia!


He was so sweet and quirky!



Ginnie: What's next for Manolo?
MB: More shoes.

Q&A at the end:
ME: Hi, uhm, I was just wondering considering your long career, 
you know [note: jesus, josephine of course he does] 
how do you keep your ideas fresh?

MB: Life, the world, ideas can come from anything, and everything. And there is no lack of that.

ME: um, uh, THANK YOU.

[See below for a clip of the talk, as well as a recording of the sounds of a frate train crashing]











*Warning cringworthy moment*

At this point, Manolo made his way through the crowd towards the store.
As he passed me, I put my hand on his shoulder and thanked him for answering my question and for his talk. 

However, for some reason; in french.

[Manolo is Spanish]

BUT ALAS; his elegance knows no boundries.

and ever so swiftly responded with a warm 'Merci beaucoup ma fille' and a shake of my hand.

Followed by a swift blush; either for my blunder or the vodka hot chocolate too many...


Mum literally brushing elbows with Manolo! 
(I generally do not believe in stopping celebrities for selfies so sorry-not-sorry!)


Just some extravagantly dressed guests at the event!



Rainbow colours!!


Manolo in his new store!



yes please.


Admiring his work! Or criticising it... an artist would never tell!


See: this is an okay selfie. Un-invasive!


Various Cinderella Moments!





I had to film just to show you the pure sparkle!!!!


That's all folks!


But wait!! 


3 sweet little notepads as a keepsake. Merci!

12 January 2016

The Swimsuit Edition


January. That time of year, when Facebook and Instagram is flooded with beautiful photographs of friends and relatives taking advantage of cheap off-peak flights to exotic and hot places.
Nothing wrong with it!
But the usual small peppering of these photos, switching to a sheer influx, can quickly become rather unwelcome when the rest of us are having to deal with chill, overcast, and chapped ... everything.

In rebellion/surrender, I present to you my totally-not-on-a-beach Winter Swimsuit Edition!
This is a celebration of the one piece swimsuit: winter's bikini.

A glorious, but seemingly forgotten invention, the swimsuit has always chimed the idea of beautiful strength (see Baywatch below), a striking silhouette (See Kate Upton) and utmost class (from Audrey to Karlie).





This swimsuit edition aims to reinstate that less is not necessarily always more...

Let me introduce you to my 5 favourite swimsuits. Explain to you why I love them, 
where to buy them, and my top tips for wear and care.


QUEEN OF THE GALAXY


Black Milk Galaxy Swimsuit

HAPPY HIPPY



Moschino (of Course) Smiley One Piece Swimsuit

BLAST FROM THE PAST


High Rise 'Baywatch' One Piece Bikini, Nasty Gal

GLAMAZON OLIVE DREAM


ERES One-Piece Carlingue Swimsuit Olive

ROMAN VISION




HAPPY HIPPY


This is such a young, fun, bright look (that would look nothing but vulgar if on a bikini)
Swimsuits - 1, Bikinis - 0


Who doesn't like a swimsuit that is bright yellow and smiles back? 
What Moschino is all about, and why I love them so much!!


I don't advise you take pink wellies to the pool. But if they match your inflatable pink doughnut... ...crime not to.


TIP: Hippy sunnies, hoop earrings, and a choker... do accessorise!


Smiles and rainbows, what more could you want.


How lovely is it to show off your back? All year around elegant.

 QUEEN OF THE GALAXY
(My other preoccupation... Jokes! I like to think)


This swimsuit was my prom dress... which probably makes it my favourite. (see last photo below)
Blackmilk is a great Australian company that specialises in printing on Lycra.



The swimsuit is comfortable, secure, and so rich in colour; you wouldn't believe it.
I've had it 4 years and it hasn't lost colour yet.
TIP: Always rinse your swimsuit after ocean or pool. 
Do not sit in the sand with this kind of swimsuit unless you want it to grate or pearl.


This swimsuit looks great with a skirt, jeans (my favourite), or as a prom dress!


Vulgar as ever. (Circa 2012)


Flashy (literally) as ever! British Boarding School was the best.


BLAST FROM THE PAST



I bought this swimsuit off Nastygal. 
Little risky because I didn't know how it would look on me, but it is now my current favourite. 


I paired it with my cowgirl-esque bolo, giving it a fun edge and a bit of colour.

TIP: Definitely pair jewelry with swimwear. 



This swimsuit is just so flattering and elegant.



TIP: Body chains aren't just for bikinis!
Remove tarnishable bling (not pure gold or silver) before going for a dip!
Just like your swimsuit, rinse and dry after!


TIP: On the topic of body chains (A never ending love affair with me), I promise you it is only worth buying ones that are pure gold or silver through and through.
I have bought many-a body chain and have been thoroughly disappointed as they tarnish quick.
Save yourself the trouble and money and buy a proper one, for the long haul!
Where do I get mine? Lili Claspe. Buy one here.


Wear it as a swimsuit, or wear it under a full skirt like I did to the British Fashion Awards!


Plus, hadn't you heard? Side-boob is the new cleavage. ;)

GLAMAZON OLIVE DREAM


Eres is a really good brand. I know their swimwear and lingerie well.
I worked with them when I interned at The Communications Store.
The USP (unique selling point) of Eres is the quality.


Elegance is assured with it's ever-minimalistic and always monochrome designs.
It's complex and effective body shaping technology
results in flattery being guaranteed.



Olive is such a warm colour. Then again it sure does look it when I have this crazy red hair!


TIP: OTT (Over the Top) earrings ALWAYS win when it comes to swimwear.
Gives you such a kick of elegance/class/fun.
and they can stay on! As long as you don't dunk you head in...



A very feminine swimsuit. 10/10 for body shaping too.


 ROMAN VISION


This Moschino Swimsuit is not Cheap-and-Chique (a lower-market 
capsule brand of Moschino) like the Smiley Face one. Still, a good investment.
As the price goes up, so does the quality. 


The hardware is so unique. As well as the flattering silhouette of the one shoulder strap.
The quality of the lyrca is more silken and thicker. (Long-lasting).


TIP: What did I say about over the top earrings? DO!! 
I have cheap extravagant pairs JUST for the poolside/beach!

That's a wrap! I hope this post has inspired you to jump on the bandwagon of 
Summer 2016's biggest trend! 
Or even inspired you to get an old retro one on now and wear it on a night out!
Bodysuits are a fast and upcoming 2016 trend... but why buy them if you can't swim in them?

Multi-purpose garments are the backbone of innovative looks and a healthy wardrobe.
Doctors Orders!!

Comments!