#TLCComp: Jess Collett Milliner Summer Illustrations

Everyone must know by now that I loves me a Jess Collett felt trilby, rendering me virtually unrecognisable in the Winter months without one firmly affixed to my head. With the London sunshine fiiiinally playing ball and putting its very own hat on, Jess’ summer styles, from her neon, pom pom adorned straw trilbies to her beyond creative, dramatic headpieces, are ready to take centre stage. Whether you have upcoming weddings, races, regattas or are simply heading to the beach, this Notting Hill Mad Hatter has got your back… or, you know, head!

 

As you may remember I organised a competition to find an illustrator to create some backgrounds for some of Jess’ most event-worthy pieces.  Thank you to every one for your wonderful submissions, I’m thrilled to announce Parisian illustrator Habile Buston has won a Jess Collett made-to-measure summer trilby worth £220.00 after designing these fabulous and vibrant interpretations of my impending summer fun! 

Make Up: Charlotte Cowen
Dresses: Matthew Williamson Archive. 
Photographer: Janie Airey

Musical Moment: Zayn Malik ('PILLOWTALK')

‘PILLOWTALK,’ Zayn Malik’s raunch fest of a debut solo single shot to number one in the charts in 60 countries the day it was released, racked up over 24 million YouTube views, and became number one on the iTunes chart.  After watching the provocative and moody video (around 42 times...) I can see why.  With artistic graphics, holy-moly-me-oh-my lyrics and a steamy make out sesh between the former One Direction singer and his new, mega-hot girlfriend, model of the moment, Gigi Hadid, there’s quite a lot to like.

Gigi obviously looks incredible in the video, and she is seen throughtout it wearing a super sexy Bordelle silk and satin Bondage Wrap Bra with 18k gold plated hardwear (RRP. £225.00).  Bordelle has become the go-to for lots of celebs and fashionistas wishing to wear their underwear as outtawear and  I can imagine this bra might be a sell out come this Valentine’s Day…

"It's our paradise and it's our war zone..".

Musical Moment: Jamie Lawson ('Wasn't Expecting That')

Earlier this year, British singer-songwriter Jamie Lawson was the first artist asked to sign to Ed Sheeran’s aptly named label, Gingerbread Man Records.  Equally talented and heart-meltingly soulful, it was a match made in singer-songwriter heaven.  Jamie’s first single, ‘Wasn’t Expecting That,’ which has skyrocketed to number one on U.K iTunes, tells the story of a couple, going back through their lives together.  It will LITERALLY have you all kinds of choked up.  Honestly, I’ve just watched it three times and I need a hug.  Perhaps I’m overtired, possibly hungover (don’t judge) or maybe, just maybe, I’m a sentimental ol’marshmallow, but weeping at my desk?... I wasn’t expecting THAT! Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

"Oh and isn't it strange
How a life can be changed
In the flicker of the sweetest smile..."

Musical Moment: Walk The Moon ('Shut Up And Dance')

I still cannot help but jump for 1980’s joy when I hear this crazily catchy song by Walk The Moon.  It has definitely been one of my most played tracks of this summer.  

Inspired by when the band’s frontman, Nicholas Petricca, feeling creatively frustrated and having waited faaaar too long standing in a Los Angeles bar queue, was asked to ‘shut up and dance’ by a girl in a backless dress and beaten up red sneakers.  In an interview the singer has summarised the song's theme as "encouraging people to let go of whatever it is that’s bothering you and get into your body and out of your head."  Mission accomplished! Now, shut up and... 

"This woman is my destiny
She said, "Ooh-ooh-hoo,
Shut up and dance with me..."

Musical Moment: Ellie Goulding ('Love Me Like You Do')

Despite probably being the only woman on earth to have not read or seen 'Fifty Shades of Grey,' I am currently totally obsessed with Ellie Goulding’s latest song, written for the film's soundtrack.  ‘Love Me Like You Do,’ has been the fastest selling single of the year so far, knocking Mark Ronson off the top of the charts.  Clearly a catchy song, I do wonder however, if this musical furore maaaay also have a little something to do with the sporadic images of Jamie Dornan’s ripped torso flashing up in the music video?!... 

"You're the light, you're the night
You're the color of my blood
You're the cure, you're the pain
You're the only thing I wanna touch
Never knew that it could mean so much, so much..."

Musical Moment: #BandAid30's 'Feed The World'

Last weekend Sir Bob Geldolf once again rallied the pop and rock troops and re-recorded the charity single, ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas,’ thirty years after it was first released.  This time the musical stars, including Bono, Chris Martin, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding and (*scream) One Direction, hope to raise enough money to tackle the horrendous Ebola crises currently ravaging West Africa and which has already claimed over 5000 lives.  The heart-breaking footage shown at the beginning of the music video is certainly enough to get us all donating... 

Buy the song. Stop the virus. #BandAid30 

And please text 'AID' to 70060 to give £5.00 towards the cause. 


Musical Moment: George Ezra ('Budapest' and 'Blame It On Me')

I have recently become a huge fan of George Ezra, the 21-year-old British troubadour who burst onto the music scene earlier this year.   With a number one album, and a recent tour that sold out within a mere 10 minutes (!!!) you will also, no doubt, fall for his soulful, bluesy voice.

Here are my two current favourites from George; ‘Budapest’ and ‘Blame It On Me.’

"Ooh, for you... Ooh, you... Ooh, I'd lose it all..."

"We counted all our reasons, excuses that we made,
We found ourselves some treasure, and threw it all away...
What you're waiting for?"

 


Musical Moment: Florrie ('Begging Me')

Florrie (Florence Arnold) is a 22 year old singer/songwriter/drummer originally from Bristol, who despite her increasing popularity and offers from major music labels, continues to release music under her own label, making sure she maintains complete creative control.

Florrie describes her music as “a big mixture: kind of a sixties, organic feel merged with modern pop beats and electronics.” Indeed, contemporary French disco legend Fred Falke has been an instrumental force in defining Florrie’s sound.

I love her – and her song ‘Begging Me’ is my favourite so far (available on iTunes.)

Also a firm fashion favourite, Florrie recently became the face of Nina Ricci’s L’Elixir perfume and her version of Blondie’s Sunday Girl accompanies the TV commercial…

Best Of London - Amelia Warner (Slow Moving Millie)

This year’s Christmas John Lewis advert (below) is a real tear-jerker - guaranteed to tug at even the toughest of heartstrings. The commercial shows an impatient little boy anxiously waiting for Christmas Day to arrive - but not, as you first assume, in eager anticipation to open his own presents, but because he is desperate to give his parents a gift.

The track which accompanies this advert is a cover of The Smith’s ‘Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want,’ sung by emerging artist Slow Moving Millie (left) who I previously wrote about here.

Slow Moving Millie, the beeeeautiful actress and songstress Amelia Warner, has recently finished recording ‘Renditions,’ an album of songs from the 1980’s, including covers of hits by Tears for Fears, Thompson Twins, Bananarama, Yazoo and Frankie Goes to Hollywood. By stripping these songs from their manic 1980's rifts and crazy hair, what remains are "really poignant songs, and they're all about having your heart broken."

Amelia, currently living in West London with her boyfriend, took some time to share with us her London favourites;

Cocktail – I’m not a huge fan of the cocktail, so it would have to be a pint of Guinness at The Coach And Horses in Soho with some lovely friends.

Date night - Spaghetti pomodoro, red wine and candlelight at The Ripe Tomato on All Saints Road with my love.

Brunch - At home with the papers, Bloody Mary's and my friend Markus' home fries!

Boutique - Labour Of Love on Upper Street – I always find something one off and odd.

High St – It would have to be Topshop, although I am also loving COS.

Secret Place - Cork and Bottle, a very old fashioned wine bar hidden and tucked away under the craziness of Leicester Sq - Perfect for a late dinner.

London Icon - Tracey Emin for her humour, honesty, style and complete Britishness!

The single 'Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want’ is available as a single now on iTunes and Amazon.

The album 'Rendtions' is released on December 12th.

Slow Moving Millie's MySpace.