The British Fashion Awards 2012

Last weekend’s glamourous British Fashion Awards, at The Savoy Hotel, was a STELLAr evening all round… Stella McCartney (above) not only won Designer AND Brand of the Year, but a many of the most stylish guests (including Salma Hayek and Rita Ora) also wore her designs on the night.  My favourite fashionista Alexa Chung once again won the British Style Award (voted for by her adoring public for the third year running!) and Cara Delevigne (left, wearing a green metallic Burberry Prorsum SS’13 minidress), won Model of the Year – thoroughly deserved following her recent marathon Fashion Month.  Harold Tillman - who steps down from his role as British Fashion Council chairman in January – received the Special Recognition.

Below (L-R): Alexa Chung in Simone Rocha with Nicholas Kirkwood shoe-boots, Erdem Moralioglu and Samantha Cameron in Erdem, Jourdan Dunn in Topshop.

Designer of the Year: Stella McCartney
Designer Brand: Stella McCartney
New Establishment: Erdem
Menswear Designer: Kim Jones for Louis Vuitton
Emerging Talent Award (Ready-To-Wear): JW Anderson
Emerging Talent Award (Accessories): Sophie Hulme
Emerging Talent Award (Menswear): Jonathan Saunders
Accessory Designer: Nicholas Kirkwood
Red Carpet Award: Roksanda Ilincic
Model: Cara Delevingne
Outstanding Achievement in Fashion: Manolo Blahnik
Special Recognition: Harold Tillman
Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator: Louise Wilson
British Style brought to you by Vodafone: Alexa Chung

Above: Amber le Bon in Stella McCartney. Below: Dita Von Teese in Jenny Packham

Kate: The Kate Moss Book

Rizzoli have released a Kate Moss coffee table book featuring a collection of photographs, chosen by Kate Moss herself, spanning the supermodel’s lengthy 20 year career.  Edited by her ex-boyfriend Jefferson Hack and close friend Jess Hallett, contributing photographers include Hedi Slimane, Juergen Teller, Terry Richardson, Mario Testino, Corinne Day and Karl Lagerfeld, to name just a few!  The 488 page book, which will be on EVERY fashionista’s Christmas list this year, is a ‘highly personal and complete retrospective of Kate Moss’s career, illustrating her evolution from girl to supermodel to photographic icon,’ which is also reflected by using 8 different covers (below) depicting this transformation.  This book is the ultimate roundup of the ultimate British supermodel. Dear Santa…

Below (L-R): Kate Moss attending a book signing wearing SS'13 Marc Jacobs, attending her book launch at 50 St.James Street Mayfair. 

'Kate: The Kate Moss Book,' RRP.£50.00
(Currently available here from Waterstones for RRP.£39.50)

Joseph's Michael Roberts for One T'shirt Launch

Last week I was invited by Joseph to their launch of Michael Robert’s One T’shirts.  The Vanity Fair’s Style Director’s illustrations of the fashion industry’s most iconic faces have been printed onto a series of brightly coloured t’shirts which are now available from Joseph’s Westbourne Grove store. The T-shirts include the faces of Karl Lagerfeld, Tom Ford, Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington and Carine Roitfeld to name just a few.  How much more designer can a t’shirt possibly get? 

Above:  With Joseph's gorgeous PR Alex Eagle (and Grace Coddington!) 

Michael Robert's One T'shirts available from Joseph. RRP. £75.00

Happy 15th Anniversary Matthew Williamson

British designer Matthew Williamson’s two favourite blonde gal pals, actress Sienna Miller (above left) and model Poppy Delevigne (above right) recently got together, along with actress Andrea Riseborough and eight beautiful ballerinas from The Royal Ballet, to film ‘XV,’ a three minute short film celebrating Matthew Williamson’s 15 successful years in the fashion industry. Happy 15th Anniversary Matthew!    

My London Style: Savannah Miller

After earning a first class degree in Fashion and Knitwear at the prestigious Central St. Martins College and working for both Alexander McQueen and Matthew Williamson, Savannah Miller went on to become Co-Creative Director of the label Twenty8Twelve with her sister Sienna Miller. After twelve successful seasons the stylish sisters stepped down from their positions to pursue other projects, for Savannah this led to her starting her own label, Savannah. 

Launched last week (seen here) Savannah has once again created a very cool, easy-to-wear range of clothes, but this time at a far more accessible price, “This collection is for everyone!"  Savannah told me, "it's effortless, easy and affordable clothing to make you feel great without busting your bank account.”  

Despite being insanely busy with her new label (sold exclusively at nelly.com) and with being a dedicated mum to her three small (and perfect) children, Savannah found the time to share with The London Chatter some secrets about her enviable London style…

My Style In 3 Little Words – Classic, bohemian, easy.

This Season Every Gal Needs –  A great boyfriend coat. I have an ash grey woollen one in my collection called James which I will not be taking off this season.

My British Fashion Icon – Audrey Hepburn.  She was so delicate and chic.  Also Alexa Chung. Like Audrey before her, Alexa's style is so effortless, her clothes never wear her and she always looks like herself, even if she is wearing a Chanel gown. 

My Favourite Highstreet Store – Although not British, I love Zara. And Topshop. 

My Favourite Boutique – Liberty London. I know it's not strictly a boutique, but the buy there is as if it were.  It is the perfect edit of the best collections - and you know you are going to want all of it!  The same applies to Amie on Ledbury Road. They only stock APC, Isabel Marant and Vanessa Bruno... What more could anyone want?!  

My Favourite British Designer – To look at it would be Christopher Kane.  He is an artist and he never ceases to amaze me.  To wear, I would say Rag & Bone because they make the best knitwear around - it's cool and so comfortable - I live in it! 

At Gunpoint; Bags OR Shoes – Bags!

My First Fashionista Memory – Ushering for Alexander McQueen at one of his show which was in a glass box.  I was eighteen years old and that night totally changed my life.  

My Saturday Night Outfit – Errrm... My pyjamas!  I spend the weekends at home in the countryside with my family.

My Sunday Brunch Outfit – The same!

OMG I Can’t Believe I Wore – Such a short dress at mine and Sienna's first Twenty8Twelve show... When I lifted my arm to wave at the end I nearly flashed the entire audience. 

Forget My Last Meal, My Last Outfit Would Be – My wedding dress. It may sound a bit Miss Haversham of me but I must admit, it was gorgeous. 

My Style Tip – Iron or steam your clothes, it makes the most massive difference when you wear them.  Also, don't let your clothes wear you - only wear pieces that resonate with who you are otherwise you will feel and look uncomfortable. 

Above: Some of my favourite pieces from Savannah available from Nelly.com

www.savannahmiller.com

The Launch of Savannah by Savannah Miller

Last week I attended the intimate launch of designer Savannah Miller’s eponymous label ‘Savannah’ in London’s Fitzroy Square. The room was filled with crisp autumn leaves, sparkling champagne and a bevy of beautiful bright young things (including Irina Lazareanu and Clara Paget), all excited by Savannah’s first solo project since departing Twenty8Twelve, the label she co-created with her sister, Sienna.  The look book contains beyond gorgeous shots of the effortlessly cool Dree Hemmingway (above and below) wearing some of the 40-piece collection which is available exclusively here from Nelly.com.  The clothes are bohemian, edgy and surprisingly affordable – nothing is more expensive than £175 and I particularly like the Brinton Skirt, the Jerry Knit Jumper and I just adore the dark purple velvet Inamay Dress.  Make sure to check out all the heels and boots - they are reeeeeally rock'n'roll. 

Below:  Savannah’s sweet swallow logo was echoed in this giant bird installation, “Swallows only nest in a house of Love" explained Savannah, whilst wearing her favourite piece from the collection, the Michelle Dress, with Olivia Palermo and Matthew Williamson.

Below (Clockwise):  Kelly Eastwood with designer Savannah Miller, model Lady Mary Charteris, Savannah with actress Clara Paget and model Irina Lazareanu, bubbles with Savannah, on tip toes with model Irina Lazareanu, Savannah with Claire Eastwood.

The British Victoria's Secret 2012 Invasion

Last night Cara Delevigne (above) and Jourdan Dunn (below right) joined fellow Brit, and seasoned Angel, Lily Donaldson (below left) at the 17th Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, at the Lexington Avenue Armory, in New York.   Walking alongside international beauties Miranda Kerr and Adriana Lima, the gorgeous young trio did us all proud this side of the pond, strutting their hot stuff amongst the usual abundance of feathers, sparkles, wings and hairspray.  With performances by Rihanna, Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber (who seemed particularly enamoured by the stripy striking Cara!) this year’s extravaganza was divided into four sections: Circus, Dangerous Liaisons, Pink is Me and Calender Girls.   

Adding force to this year’s Victoria's Secret British invasion, for the first time all of the Angels wore high heels created by the same label - British designer Nicholas Kirkwood.

Below:  Brazilian Angel Alessandro Ambrosio wowed the audience whilst wearing pink orchid wings and the diamond encrusted ‘Fantasy Bra’ – a steal at a mere $2.5 million.

And just when I thought I couldn’t adore Cara Delevigne any more, she arrived at Heathrow to fly to New York for the VS show wearing… a tiger onesie. Running around the airport, Cara posed for Jourdan Dunn's iPhone underneath her polished Burberry campaign beauty shots in the Duty Free section. The models immediately instagrammed the shots. I love.

Alexa Chung: You Don't Own Me

The gorgeous NYC-based Brit Alexa Chung (left) has made no secret of her anti-Mitt Romney feelings in the run up to tomorrow's highly anticipated US Presidential election and she helped organise this impassioned, lip-synced recording of Lesley Gore’s 1964 feminist hit, ‘You Don’t Own Me.’  It was Republican Mitt Romney's damaging proposals that threatened women’s rights, including removing funding for the Planned Parenthood Fund, repealing the Affordable Care Act and the eradication of birth control cover, that prompted Alexa Chung and her super fashionable buddies (including Tavi Gevinson, Lena Dunham, Kate Nash, Tennessee Thomas, Rain Phoenix, Rachel Antonoff, Karen Elson and Zoë Kravitz) to make this effective pro-women and pro-choice statement: (G)Obama. 

Wahaca's Day of the Dead Festival at the Old Vic Tunnels

Last week the delicious ‘street food’ chain Wahaca brought Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations to London, holding a brilliant four day Dia de los Muertos festival in the depths of The Old Vic Tunnels. The extremely emotive and vibrantly visual festival is an annual holiday celebrated throughout Mexico to honour and remember loved ones who have died.

With a traditionally painted face (above, with Jessica Pownall) which left me resembling a little zombie-panda, I indulged in the tantalising Wahaca tacos and far too many jasmine margaritas which fuelled my exploration of the vaults where an array of spooky artwork, macabre films and a hypnotic puppet show by the Theatre of Dolls awaited me. FANTASTIC music was later provided by Rodrigo y Gabriela, a Mexican duo whose vibrant energy was completely contagious, followed by the Communion DJs who both guaranteed (perhaps alongside the copious amounts of tequila served) a dance floor filled with skeleton-faced revellers dancing with wild abandon. An unforgettable night. 

Above (L-R): Theatre of Dolls and photography by Graciela Iturbide.

Above:  With the Director of The Old Vic Tunnels, Hamish Jenkinson.

Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition 2012

This week I went to the Natural History Museum to see my favourite annual show: the Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Selected from 48,000 thousand international entries the 100 winning images of exotic, slippery, playful, dangerous and adorable wild creatures are displayed beautifully. 

The environmental section, focused on mankind's frequently callous attitude towards the wildlife around them, is particularly affecting.  ‘Primal Fear’ by Jabruson (left) which shows a Mozambiquan boy holding a completely terrified monkey captive is still haunting me - exactly it's intention. 

This exhibition serves as an important reminder of how spectacular the animals on our ever-changing planet really are, whilst also showing off the huge respect, concern and insane talent that these intrepid photographers that capture their images possess.  

The Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is on display at the Natural History Museum and runs until 3 March. Admission is £10.