Sophia Webster for J.Crew

British shoe designer Sophia Webster’s hugely anticipated SS’14 capsule footwear collection for J.Crew is just as playful as you would imagine, yet happily more affordable than the designer’s own branded styles.  

Comprising thirteen bright and kooky pairs of heels priced between £240.00 to £525.00, this magical collection oozes personality.  Jenna Lyons, J.Crew's creative director said of the collaboration, "Sophia's shoes are like miniature sets - a beautiful world for your feet to spend the day in." 

"I was delighted when Jenna [Lyons] approached me to design a collection for J.Crew,"said Sophia. "The brand has a real sense of fun and colour that I love and I think that my designs compliment their clothes well."

See HERE to shop the collection. 

Valentines Gift Guide 2014 - For Him

While I do believe (quite stongly!) Valentine’s Day should be aaaaall about us Ladies, I suppose the dear men in our lives deserve a little love-recognition also.  Below are some sliiightly more tasteful ideas that thankfully stretch far beyond the ghastly teddy bears holding ‘I Wuv You’ hearts, pink fluffy handcuffs or cheap chocolate body paint that are currently smothering our high streets.  We do still wuuuv you though…

Above (Clockwise L-R):   Herschel Grey Heritage Suede Detail Backpack (RRP. £80.00),Cevice Peruvian Kitchen Cookbook (RRP. £25.00), Garman SatNav Projector (RRP. £129.99),Poker Case of 350 Chips (RRP. £745.00), Kiehl’s Facial Fuel (RRP. £21.00) 

Above (Clockwise L-R):  Hawksmoor at Home (RRP. £25.00), Godminster Cheese Lovers Gift Box (RRP. £50.00), Prestat Banoffe Truffles (RRP. £11.50), Topshop Tan Leather Document Holder (RRP. £60.00), Nick Bronson Knitted Silk Tie (RRP. £40.00), ‘Remember That I Love You’ Shaving Mirror (RRP. £30.00)

Above:  The 'Jaipur Stripe' shirt collection by Tobias Clothing (L-R:  Jaipur Light Blue Stripe, Jaipur Blue Stripe, Jaipur Pink Stripe - all RRP.65.00) with 10% of their profit go directly to the Akanksha Foundation in India.  

Above (Clockwise L-R):  Aesop Moroccan Neroli Shaving Duet (RRP. £53.00), Wallace & Barnes Weekender at J Crew (RRP. £450.00), Zara Cermamic Jars (RRP. From £19.99), Zara’s Grey Stripes Gift Set (RRP. £84.94), Fornasetti Civette Candle (RRP. £99.00), Apple TV (RRP. £72.99), REN Multi-Tasking After Shave Balm (RRP. £20.00) 

All She Wants for Christmas 2013

We all know that most men fear, dread and loathe shopping so rather than ‘accidentally’ flambéing him instead of the Christmas Pudding as thanks for that last minute, delightfully flammable red underwear he left for you under the tree (“but it’s festive!”) may I suggest you help the poor fella out this year by kindly leaving this page open on his desktop…!  

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  REN Moroccan Rose Otto Ultra-Moisture Body Oil at Space.NK -RRP. £34.00, Finn Lambswool Throw - RRP. £95.00, Frends Layla Headphones at Matches -RRP. £109.00, Hush Vintage Rose Pyjamas - RRP. £49.50, Charlotte Olympia's Cat Nap Set -RRP. £395.00,  Kalita bespoke embroidered knickers at Austique - RRP. £55.00

Above (Clockwise) L-R: Kate: The Kate Moss Book – RRP. £50.00, Jonathan Adler’s Mr and Mrs Muse Mug at Amara – RRP. £24.30, Topshop Rasberry Bow Heels – RRP. £55.00, Anya Hindmarch Girlie Stuff Wash Bag – RRP. £95.00, Princess Tam Tam’s Folie Bra – RRP. £58.00

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Noble Macmillan Tangerine 2014 Mezzo Diary – RRP. £49.00, J Crew Jewelled Drop Pearl Necklace – RRP. £135.00 £98.00, Lulu Guiness Glitter Lip Coin Purse –RRP. £75.00, Alexa Chung’s ‘It’ Biography at Waterstones - £16.99,  Anthropologie’s Limited Edition Golden Monogram Mug – RRP. £8.00 

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Dannijo Joanie Stud Earrings at Matches – RRP. £125.00, Topshop Collar Jacquard Dress – RRP. £75.00, Monica Vinader’s Gold Vermeil Stacking Rings - RRP. £50.00 - £100.00, Anthropologie Lady Bugs Dinner Plate – RRP. £24.00, Anthropologie Multitude Hairbands – RRP. £14.00 

Above (Clockwise) L-R: Charlotte Tilbury Full Fat Lashes 5 Star Mascara in Glossy Black –RRP. £22.00, Chinti and Parker’s Grey Elbow Sweater with Heart Elbow Patch – RRP. £295.00,  Austique’s ‘The World Is Your Oyster’ Card Holder – RRP. £15.00, L’Agent by Agent Provocateur Marisela Lace-Trimmed Knickers – RRP. £28.00, Graham and Green Metal Letter Lights – RRP. £330.00 each

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Smythson 'Shoe Queen' Leather Notebook at Matches - RRP. £38.00, Topshop Velvet Sequin Pencil Skirt – RRP. £42.00, ‘Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore!’ at Amazon – RRP. £37.50 £23.25, Limited Edition Diptyque Candles at Space.NK– RRP. £25.00 -£45.00. Graham and Green Ceramic Animal Boxes – RRP. £15.00 - £18.00 

Above (Clockwise) L-R: Pitch Perfect DVD at Amazon – RRP. £6.99, Hope & Greenwood Flying Saucers Jar at The Conran Shop – RRP. £12.99,  Moschino’s Gennarino Bear Earphones – RRP. £28.00, Eau D’Italie Tea & Rose Liquid Soap – RRP. £20.00, Chloé Bridget Mini Textured-Leather Shoulder Bag – RRP. £885.00

Above (Clockwise) L-R: DVF Diane Von Furstenberg Lips-Print Iphone Cover - RRP. £30.00£21.00, Wilbur & Gussie’s Penny Clutch - £295.00, Soru’s Double Green Opal Ring in Gold –RRP. £120.00, Beulah’s Shibani Shawl – RRP. £120.00 (10% from each Shabani shawl purchase goes to the UN’s Blue Heart Campaign against human trafficking), Biscuiteers Nativity Biscuit Set – RRP. £35.00, Just Ballerinas’ Leopard Print Slippers – RRP. £139.00

Thank you to actresses Anna Kendrick, Sienna Miller, Tara Summers and Ella Smith,  presenter Louise Roe and fashionistas Savannah Miller, Tanya Semikoz and Natasha Rufus Isaacs, for sharing with The London Chatter their 2013 Christmas wishes. xxxx

All He Wants for Christmas 2013

The Christmas count down has officially begun and with the chaos and mad panic on every twinkly-lit highstreet, finding a present for the lucky menfolk in your life can prove both tricky and stressful.  Rather than resorting to making an IOU voucher booklet (that ol'chestnut!) here is some TLC giftspiration which may make life a liiiittle easier...

I also asked LA-based Brit musician and all round dude Dhani Harrison and the evvver hilarious Irish actor and comedian Chris O'Dowd to share with us their Christmas wishes. 

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Reclaimed Vintage ‘Happy Birthday Jesus’ Jumper - RRP. £38.00,Falcon Pie Set – RRP. £44.99-£54.99, Living Architecture: Greatest American Houses of the 20th Century - RRP. £50.00, Tom Dixon Candle Set – RRP. £75.00, Reclaimed Vintage Shoe Bookends - RRP. £80.00, Aesop Dapper Gentleman Grooming Kit exclusive to MrPorter.com - RRP. £110.00

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Drakes Knited Wool Tie – RRP. £95.00,  Ray-Ban Mirrored Aviators –RRP.135.00, Anthropologie Moscow Mule Mug – RRP.£16.00, Spotty Happy Socks at ASOS –RRP. £13.00, Cox & Cox Wooden Letter Rack – RRP. £65.00,  J Crew Flecked Wool-Blend Sweater – RRP. £90.00

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Nike Air Max Trainers – RRP. £94.99, Suits (Season 1 and 2) – RRP.£34.99 £20.00, Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energising Face Wash – RRP. £25.00, Leica D-Lux 5 Camera– RRP. £644.00, Laguiole Carving Set – RRP. £31.00, Graham and Green Winston Antique Globes – RRP. £79.00 - £89.00, The Kooples Straight Cut Wool and Cashmere Coat with Leather Details – RRP. £420.00 £336.00

J. Crew Pop-Up

I recently attended the J. Crew pop up, a two-day sneak peak of the autumn/winter ’13 collection ahead of their launch in the UK on Regent Street this November.  I was met by a rainbow of delicious Italian cashmere (which you could charmingly have monogrammed), a plethora of gorgeous, wearable printed silk and a selection of sparkling, custom-made jewel collars which would make any outfit delightfully unique.

Below (L-R): Henry Conway and Annabel Simpson, Astrid Harbord and Kelly Eastwood

I love J. Crew’s easy and accessible approach to dressed up daywear, and I was specifically enamored with their statement necklaces. some of which were created by New York based jeweller Lulu Frost.  Although vintage in style, these necklaces are thoroughly modern and awoke my inner-magpie… I want them ALL!

Above (L-R):  Astrid Harbord, William Woodhams and Annabel Simpson with Coco Bear

The all-American retailer also announced they are teaming up with Central St Martin’s fashion school on a series of design projects as well as offering a new scholarship.

 My top J. Crew picks for the summer...
Above (L-R): Bijoux Bow Ballet Flats - RRP. £207.26, Crystal Compilation Necklace - RRP. £143.69, Vacationland Blouse - RRP. £108.85, Collection Cashmere Sweater in Punk Floral -RRP. £224.68, Mini-Pineapple Bikini Set - RRP. £85.07

Valentines Day Gift Guide 2013 - For Him

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.”  Dr. Seuss

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Underwater Dogs at Waterstones – RRP. £14.99 £11.24, Persol Black Steve McQueen Sunglasses - RRP. £191.67,  Wildlife Photographer of the Year Portfolio 22 at Waterstones – RRP. £25.00 £18.75,  Biscuiteers L.O.V.E Biscuit Tin – RRP. £38.50, Chocolat Factory Ballotin of Chocolate Kisses and Bites - RRP. £8.99,  Classic Pink Burtonwode Boxers – RRP. £26.00, 'Irresistibly Kissable' Card - RRP. £2.75, Izola Botanist Beard Oil - RRP. £25.00

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Condé Nast Travler Photographs 25th Anniversary Collection - RRP. £60.00,  Eclectic by Tom Dixon: Orientalist Scented Candle - RRP. £55.00,  Taylor of Old Bond Street Pure Badger Luxury Brush and Cream Gift Set - RRP. £29.95,  J.CREW Leather-Covered iPhone 5 Case - RRP. £40.00 £23.66, Prestat Zingy English Mint Dark Chocolate Wafers - RRP. £9.99,  ASOS Trainers With Banana Print - RRP. £18.00, Chilli with Cool Lime Dark Chocolate Wafers - RRP. £10.25

Above (Clockwise) L-R: South Devon Chilli Farm Three Chilli Bottle Gift Pack - RRP. £13.50,  Smythson, 'Note To Self' Manuscript Leather Notebook - RRP. £135.00, Tom Ford for Men eau de toilette - RRP. £45.00, ASOS Brogues With Leather Sole - RRP. £55.00, Cookery Lesson at Jamie Oliver's Recipease - From £15.00-£75.00,  J.CREW Tasselled Cashmere Scarf - £95.00,  Happy Socks - RRP. £8.00, Magimix Nespresso Citiz Coffee Machine - RRP. £199.00

Movie Moment: 'My Week with Marilyn'

In the early summer of 1956, 23 year-old Colin Clark, a movie enthusiast worked as an assistant on the set of 'The Prince and the Showgirl', the film that famously, and turbulently, united Sir Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe. Olivier had hoped this collaboration would help him become a Hollywood movie star, and Marilyn hoped to become taken seriously as an actress.

An insight into a vanished era of filmmaking and the clash that ensued between the two actors was well documented nearly 40 years later in Colin’s diary account, ‘The Prince, the Showgirl and Me,’ but its author purposefully omitted one week’s production... This missing chapter was eventually published some years later as ‘My Week with Marilyn,’ and this film chronicles Colin's life changing week and near affair with the star.

Released on November 25th, the film stars Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Julia Ormond and Emma Watson - but its main attraction is undeniably Michelle Williams, who according to Vogue ‘brings Monroe to life with heartbreaking delicacy and precision without resorting to impersonation or cliché.’

Below: The trailer for 'My Week with Marilyn'

Michelle spent six months immersing herself in all things Marilyn Monroe; reading biographies, diaries, letters, poems, and notes, studying photographs, listening to recordings and watching her movies. Michelle also trained hard to transform her usually gamine body to achieve that infamous Marilyn wiggle...

Below: The original trailer for 'The Prince and The Showgirl'

Annie Leibovitz shot a stunning set of Marilyn Monroe inspired photographs of Oscar-nominee Michelle Williams for the October issue of US Vogue.

Styled by Tonne Goodman, Michelle wore a retro wardrobe from Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren and J. Crew.

The actress revealed, “as soon as I finished the script, I knew that I wanted to do it, and then I spent six months trying to talk myself out of it... But I always knew that I never really had a choice... I’ve started to believe that you get the piece of material that you were ready for.”

“I wish that I could play her for the rest of my life...”