French Sole x English National Ballet

French Sole founder and designer, Jane Winkworth, has designed a limited edition, sparkly pink pair of shoe in aid of English National Ballet, an arts charity she and her brand have supported in the last couple of years. The ‘Henrietta’ style, which has a silver leather insole stamped with the English National Ballet’s logo, are a gorgeous addition to any ballet lover’s wardrobe…. And any non-ballet lover for that matter!
 
Female dancers can go through up to THREE PAIRS of pointe shoes in just ONE performance of a full-length ballet (that’s A LORRA LORRA twirls) so it’s easy to see how the girl’s pennies for pointes mount up!  As a result, the English National Ballet, which spends around £145,000 on pointe shoes every year, has set up the Pointe Shoe Appeal.  This appeal is vital to keep English National Ballet’s dancers performing world-class ballet to audiences around the UK and beyond.

French Sole’s beyond pretty pink pumps are available to purchase HERE for £120.00 and 50% of each sale will be donated directly to the English National Ballet’s Pointe Shoe Appeal.

RIP Robin Williams (1951-2014)

Having studied acting at the Juilliard School in New York City, 63 year old Robin Williams shot to stardom in the 1978 TV sitcom, ‘Mork and Mindy.’  This mischievous, irresistible force of nature made us cry with laughter in his various comedies, and had us captivated during his more powerful, heartfelt performances.  Robin Williams, simply, made millions of lives brighter… mine being merely one of them.  This is just unacceptably sad.

I have just spent a (bittersweet) hour watching various scenes from the beloved Oscar winning actor’s much adored films, varying clips from hilarious interviews he gave and several teasers from his stand-up shows... Robin Williams was a true comic genius!

Below:  After the news broke, thousands of tributes began to pour in from heartbroken friends, colleagues and fans a like (and even from President Obama!)

Below:  The actor's 25 year old daughter, actress Zelda Williams, posted a beyond perfect quote from Antoine De Saint-Exupery’s beautiful 1943 classic, 'The Little Prince...'

Thank you Mr. Williams, the original Rockin'Robin, for bringing an extra dose of magic to my childhood, and leaving me inspired as a teenager. I hope your spirit has found peace… The world is an infintely less sparkly place without you. 

If you are dealing with depression, the charity MIND has many helpful resources. 
Alternatively, call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90.

Beulah and French Sole Collaboration

Forget wearing your heart on your sleeve and start wearing them on your toes!  Beulah and French Sole have collaborated to make the loveliest of heart-shaped limited-edition ballet flats to help raise money for the United Nations' Blue Heart Campaign which supports the plight against human trafficking, a cause of great importance to the beauteous Beulah co-founders, Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan (above).

The night before I flew home to Kenya for Christmas I went to George on Mount Street in Mayfair, for the launch of these adorable, must-have slippers.  The soft grey flats with navy velvet hearts on their toes have bright blue soles and Beulah print lining. 

Available at French Sole (HERE) - RRP. £185.00 (25% goes to the Blue Heart Campaign).