Kelly Hoppen's 'Design Masterclass' Book Launch

Last week I went to the Perrier-Jouët and chocolate macaroon filled launch of Kelly Hoppen’s latest interiors book, ‘Design Masterclass: How to Achieve the Home of Your Dreams,’ at  Belgraves Hotel.  As one of the world’s leading contemporary interior designers, a talent for which she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), Kelly Hoppen is world-renowned for her minimalist yet luxuriously elegant interiors. The latest member of BBC2’s ‘Dragon’s Den’ panel, Kelly is responsible for designing some of the world’s most lavish houses, apartments and yachts; she operates the celebrated Kelly Hoppen Design School; and she has created a successful range of furniture and home accessories.  ‘Design Masterclass’ is a professional guide to home decorating, beautifully peppered with inspiring images of some of her latest projects.  

Above (L-R): Kelly Hoppen with Sienna Miller (in Burberry), Victoria Beckham (in Celine).
Below (L-R):  Kelly Squared with Kelly Hoppen and with my old school pal Sienna Miller.

Below:  Wearing a Kate Spade New York Pink Cape, Leather-Look River Island Skinny Trousers (available HERE - RRP. £35.00), Rag & Bone Harrow Boots in Clay (RRP. £395.00) with a Soru Jewellery Double Green Opal Ring (available HERE - RRP. £120.00) and a Torula BagsBond Street Black Canvas and Leather Clutch (available HERE - RRP. £145.00).

Kelly Hoppen will be signing copies of her latest book and discussing her incredible career at Waterstones on the King’s Road this Thursday, 28th November 2013, from 7.00pm.
'Design Masterclass' is available at Waterstones HERE, RRP. £40.00 £30.10

HAWT: Daisy Lowe in Miu Miu

Hawt = A late 1940's and early 1950's acronym for "Having A Wonderful Time."
Now the word is used on the internet as slang for something reeeeally hot.

The second I saw Daisy Lowe dressed as Jessica Rabbit (think long red latex!) at a mutual friend’s ‘OTT’ party on Osea Island, she became an instant girl crush.
This was once more confirmed when I saw pictures of the twenty-four year old English model attending theBritish Heart Foundation’s ‘Tunnel of Love’ themed fundraiser in London (left)wearing this diiiivine Miu Miu A/W’13 party dress.  
The shocking pink and red strapless bustier frock with a foldover sweetheart neckline was accessorized demurely with black peep-toe heels, a black satin Pradaenvelope clutch with red lipstick and a retro up-do, allowing this showstopper dress do the talking. 
HAWT!

Alexander McQueen and Damien Hirst Collaboration

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the iconic skull scarf, Alexander McQueen has collaborated with artist Damien Hirst (not adverse to skulls himself!) and launched a 20-piece limited edition collection. The line is inspired by Hirst’s Entomology series and the designs feature butterflies and spiders in kaleidoscopic shapes, in addition to the signature skull imagery.

The unique designs, available in Chiffon, Pongé, Twill and Cashmere with prices ranging from £315.00 to £715.00, are exclusively available from Alexander McQueen boutiques and online HERE. 

Below:  Photographer Sølve Sundsbø's short video celebrating the collaboration.

J Crew London Launch

You would have had to of been living under a rock to have not heard the preppy clad tremors of the J Crew brigade landing in London last week and I was thrilled to be invited (by balloon, no less) to their glitzy pre-opening party.  With 227 stores across the United States, J Crew’s gargantuan 17,000 sq ft of flagship store fun at 165 Regent Street was buzzing with excitement; finally the Brits can have easy access to the label’s rainbow of cashmere, bejeweled accessories and clashing jacquard prints without having to fork out for the plane ticket alongside them! 

The shop is divided into three interlinking sections, for men, women and children and is a visual feast.  The evening's (J) crew comprised some of the biggest names in British fashion celebrating the launch by enjoying great music, a flip book booth, an enormous table of retro sweets (obviously I spent much of my evening hanging out here) and, of course, exploring the extensive preview of colourful designs which were immaculately displayed. 

Below:  I was lucky enough to have a chat with the unbelievably charming and awesomeJenna Lyons, creative director of J Crew and all round style icon (not to mention also the owner of the most perfectly long ‘selfie’ arms, as put to the test below!)

Below (Clockwise) L-R:  William Woodhams and Annabel Simpson, Julia Neel and Kelly Eastwood, David Grievson, Amy Williams, Lauren Scott and Kelly Eastwood. 

Below (L-R):  With fellow bloggers Ella Catliff, Laura Fantacci and stylist Martha Ward. 

Below:  Wearing a polka dot Topshop playsuit with black lace back (available HERE - RRP. £48.00), a Zara perspex statement necklace, a Wilbur & Gussie Coco Clutch (similar available HERE - RRP. £265.00) and a massive bag of J Crew retro sweeties.

After a couple of glasses of champagne I left clutching an embarrassingly large bag of sweeties, a London-friendly J Crew Umbrella and one seriously extensive shopping list!
Below are some of the current items in stock that I now have my eye on…

Above:  Colourblock Funnelneck Coat - £RRP. £398.00,  Etta Sequin Pumps - RRP. £350.00

Above (Clockwise) L-R:  Chevron Fingerless Gloves in Citron Grey - RRP. £35.00,  Statement Flower Necklace – RRP. £198.00,  Double-Zip Sweater in Colourblock – RRP.£89.50, Hughes Satchel in Pale Graphite – RRP. £298.00, Jewelled Cuff - £125.00, Jewelled Donegal Sweater in Slate – RRP. £98.00

Above: (Top)  Collection Café Capri in Tie Silk – RRP. £198.00, (Below)  Toothpick Jean in Velvet Pack Green – RRP. £110.00

Hello There: Kirsten Goss

Since launching her first jewellery collection in London in 2002, South African designer and gemologist Kirsten Goss’ unique designs continue to go from strength to strength.  Despite being an internationally enjoyed brand, with celebrity fans including Sarah Jessica Parker and Rosamund Pike, and a shop in Kensington, Kirsten likes to keep her brand South African at heart with all her designs being created in in her design studio in Durban, saying “I love that we’re on the international stage but keep what we do South African.”

Kirsten Goss’ most recent collection is entitled ‘Arcade,’ (below) and was inspired by the flamboyance of 'The Great Gatsby’ and the opulence of the art deco era. This beautiful range includes elegant earrings, striking cuffs and cut-out necklaces made with semi-precious stones with delicate silver and gold vermeil.

 Below (Clockwise) L-R:  Dandy Earrings - RRP. £335.00, Wilde Earrings - RRP. £135.00, Queenie Bracelet - RRP. £325.00, Sweetpea Ring - RRP. £295.00

Above:  I was very sweetly given an early birthday present by Kirsten Goss;  a Lifesaver Necklace with my gold initial and green agate pendant (below at the Chelsea Farmer's Market).  I adore it and have barely taken this beauty off since I received it.  Versatile and fun, I am excited to add more of the affordable and interchangeable semi-precious pendants to my collection, allowing me to alternate its look depending on my outfit.

The 'Arcade' collection and Lifesaver Necklace are available online (www.kirstengoss.com) and from Kirsten Goss' London shop (29 Holland Street, W8 4NA).

Rosewood London Launch

I was really happy to attend the launch of Rosewood London, to check out the capital’s latest luxury hotel.  The 1914 Edwardian Belle Époque Grade II-listed building property in the heart of High Holborn has had an £85 million refurbishment and boasts 262 rooms and 44 suites which magnificently combines a traditional English heritage look with a contemporary London aesthetic.  After arriving trough a massive courtyard and walking down a beautiful hall of mirrors (see below), I arrived at the hotel's opulent bar room, designed by Martin Brudnizki, where I enjoyed a pretty huge celebratory Scarfes Royal Punch cocktail whilst listening to an acoustic performance by the gorgeous Anglo-Italian singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti (above), who I am a big fan of.  Later, DJ and The Saturdays’ Mollie King (above) took to the decks to entertain the Rosewood revellers.  

Above L-R (Clockwise):  Kelly Eastwood and Jack Freud, Lady Natasha Rufus Isaccs with Katy Wickremesinghe, Jack and Kate Freud, Steve Merchant.

Above:  Wearing high waisted Topshop shorts and a navy silk Greta ruffled top, accessorised with my bright orange Zara heels and the Emerald Wilbur & Gussie Charlie Clutch with a jewel encrusted lion clasp (RRP. £150.00, available to purchase here).

Galvan Preview

Last week I attended a sneak preview of Galvan, at Kettners in Soho, a new London-based label established by Sola Harrison, Carolyn Hodler and Katherine Holmgren, three young and beautiful ladies with backgrounds in art and fashion.  Alongside designer Anna-Christin Hass this gorgeous team have created timeless designs; elegantly constructed, boldly cut, and achingly beautiful.  Galvan launches officially in 2014 but both Sola Harrison (with husband, Dhani) and Bond Girl Olga Kurylenko have been seen wearing the label’s stunning and sophisticated eveningwear earlier this year (below). 

Below:  With Creative Directors Sola Harrison (left) and Carolyn Hodler (right). 

Hello There: Chinti and Parker

Cousins Anna Singh and Rachael Wood launched Chinti and Parker in October 2009 with one clear mission: to create beautiful, ethically made garments that value style on par with substance.  Loved by all the cool cats, including Alexa Chung, Kate Bosworthand Olivia Palermo, Chinti and Parker super-soft cashmere is available in an array of block colours and fun prints which provide the building blocks for the perfect capsule winter wardrobe.  Actress, lifestyle guru and all round TLC fave Gwyneth Paltrow also recently collaborated with the label after discovering the brand on a shoot, creating two exclusive jumpers for her Goop website.  I have picked out a few of my favourite items from the current collection – effortless, beautiful jumpers and a statement neon pink pom pom scarf and bobble hat that have my name ALL over them.  I do LOVE a pom pom. 

Above (Clockwise) L-R: Bobble Scarf (Grey Marl) - RRP. £125.00, Bobble Hat (Grey and Neon Pink Bobble) - RRP. £70.00, Contrast Cuff Sweater (Oatmeal) – RRP. £295.00, Heart Pocket Cardigan (Grey) – RRP. £295.00,  Contrast Cuff Sweater (Grey) - RRP. £295.00

Kate Moss Joins British Vogue as Contributing Editor

And just when I thought that NOTHING could possibly bring a smile to my face on this miserably rainy day, British Vogue Editor Alexandra Shulman announces that Kate Moss will join the magazine as a contributing editor from Spring 2014.  Ohhh, I’m smiling!!  Shulman revealed, "I am absolutely delighted that Kate is going to work with us in this new role. Her undoubtedly brilliant sense of style, depth of fashion knowledge, and understanding of what makes a wonderful image will be exciting to see used in the pages of British Vogue. I am really looking forward to working with her on ideas." 
With the supermodel having covered an amazing 33 issues of British Vogue since 1993 (most of which I have meticulously stockpiled on my bookshelf at home) I can’t imagine anyone more qualified for this coveted role. 

"We are absolutely thrilled at Kate's appointment," said Sarah Doukas, founder of Storm Models, who represent Moss. "This is a natural development in her remarkable career.  Bringing her unique  sense of style and  creative sensibility to Vogue is the perfect fit. She is the definitive Vogue cover girl." 
This announcement comes only a week after it was revealed that Kate would once again resume her design collaboration with Topshop, with her next collection to be launched in April 2014. 

Isabel Marant for H&M

These leaked images of the huuuugely anticipated Isabel Marant for H&M collection have got me, along with most other girls in London, very excited!  The campaign features Alex Wek, Milla Jovovich, Constance Jablonski and Lou Doillon (love her!) effortlessly modeling the womenswear, which include many signature Isabel Marant pieces; peasant tops, tassles and leather.  Parisian cool at a slice of the price? Sign moi up! 

The Isabel Marant for H&M collection will be available in stores on November 14th and is guaranteed to sell out within a few hours of opening.  One of my girlfriends (yes, you Lauren) suggested we buy a tent and camp outside the shop the night before… I thiiiinkshe may have been joking.  Either way, elbows at the ready Ladies.