Archive By Alexa Chung

The klaxons for London’s SS’16 Fashion Week were sounded by Alexa Chung, kicking off proceedings at a party hosted by the British Fashion Council to celebrate her latest design collaboration with Marks & Spencer.  The 31-piece collection, inspired by the brand’s past designs from the 1940’s through to the 1980’s, features wide-leg trousers, mini dresses, a trench coat and THAT ruffle-necked shirt (seen in the promo shot above) that will more than likely cause in-store customer casualties upon it’s Spring release. 

With full access granted to the high street store’s vast 70,000 items deep archive, Alexa has reimagined previously popular classic designs with new colourways and modern fabrications. With a distinctive and internationally recognised style, Alexa, “pulled from stored garments, in-house magazines and TV adverts from various points in the history of Marks & Spencer to create the collection that I believe looks every bit as relevant today as it did then."

The range, launching in April, will cost between £19.50 - £89.00, with the most expensive item being the trench coat which Alexa herself wore to the event, and which I have my eye firmly on!

Below:  Featured in the Evening Standard, accessorising my off the shoulder Marks and Spencer shirt, with stacking rings from Gemporia and a yellow gold Boundary Necklace from Georgina Boyce Fine Jewellery.  My fish tail plait was created by the fabulous Tatiana Karelina (33 Holland Street, London, W8).

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#MySaboStyle at the AW'15 London Fashion Week

Knowing how much the jewellers Thomas Sabo love fashion, and so seamlessly always embrace the current and developing trends, it I was thrilled to wear my favourite pieces at the AW’15 London Fashion Week.  With so much variety, from the playful to the elegant, the rockstar to the romantic, there was a collection to suit everyone’s different tastes and express their personalities. 

I am particularly into stack rings at the moment and was in heaven trying on all the different combinations available.  Men’s watches are also something that I love to wear and their rose gold ‘Rebel At Heart’ time piece (RRP. £250.00) was my first, almost immediate, choice, which coupled with two, dark 'Glam & Soul' black eternity rings (£159.00 and £275.00) made the perfect statement.  The rose gold 'Glam & Soul' eternity ring (£89.00) was so delicate and perfect for my everyday wear.  Seldom understated, all the jewellery I tried was really striking and unique and so very, very Instagram worthy (which lets face it, is now of vast importance when picking fashion week attire!) Thank you Thomas Sabo for #MySaboStyle

Hello There: My Insiders

At the start of London Fashion Week a band of merry women, myself included, attended the London launch dinner of myinsiders.com, a new members-only website and app which promises to be the ultimate tool to curate our busy lifestyles.  Whichever city you may find yourself at a loss in, the 'Insiders' will provide you with a library of trusted lifestyle recommendations to help you discover the ideal place to shop, eat and dance! 

 

Membership is through nomination… Become a member by knowing an insider…!

Above:  At Skye Gyngell's 'Spring' restaurant at Somerset House with some fellow 'Insiders!' 

Below:  Teaming a pair of tan Felder Felder leather shorts with this Sister Jane (my new obsession) 'Pearls of Wisdom' blouse (RRP. £52.00) a man's Rebel at Heart Watch (RRP. £250.00) and two Glam and Soul Eternity Rings (RRP. £159.00) all by Thomas Sabo.

LFW SS'15: Jimmy Choo Townhouse Launch

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During London Fashion Week I went to Mayfair’s gorgeous new Jimmy Choo Townhouse on New Bond Street for an utterly spoiling, pre-launch party. 

The three-floor house, complete with chandeliers and marble staircase, was designed by David Collins Studio and contains a VIP room, a champagne bar (yes, really), personal shopping services and more gorgeous shoes than your inner Imelda Marcus could possibly imagine.

Gorgeous sunglasses, leather handbags and delicious smelling fragrances were also on display, nearby a table piled high with Jimmy Choo’s limited edition red acrylic Phone Box Candy Bags, a bold and patriotic nod to the brand’s British roots.

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HOW stunning is this Monica Vinader Lemon Quartz Riva Cuff I'm wearing? (RRP. £495.00)

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We were treated to NARS manicures, plenty of bubbles and almost too sweet to eat Prêt-à-Portea pastries, the fashionably edible result of the recent Jimmy Choo collaboration with The Berkeley in Knightsbridge. I reluctantly left the Townhouse, restraining myself from outright claiming Squatters Rights, with the most enviable, goodiest of goody bags (below).

TLC LOVES... JIMMY CHOO:

LFW SS'15: Felder Felder

Managing to just about not trip over on the cobble stones at Somerset House whilst shuffling (I dramatically failed on any sashaying!) my way, in an awesome Felder Felder knee-length, faux leather skirt, to see the much anticipated designer’s SS’15 collection.  

Twins Daniela and Annette took us back in time... mixing a particularly random combination of era's;  the 1960’s/1970’s boho chic and the Wild Wild West!  Honestly, boho beauties in cowboy booties were the order of the day, with the models wearing metallic mini skirts, sheer bellbottoms, fringed faux-leather jackets and flower power maxi’s. The aqua, metallic pieces really stood out for me.  Yeeeee-Hawwww!! 

"Our woman is distinctive," Daniela and Annette said ahead of the show, "she has a vintage treasure trove wardrobe and those effortless enviable beach pieces, that transit, through midnight, to dawn."

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LFW SS'15: Amanda Wakeley RTW

Straight off the red eye (thank tha'Looord for sunglasses!) and wearing the chicest Amanda Wakeley long wool gilet, I headed to the designer's Albermarle Street store for her RTW SS’15 presentation.    

With a glass of champagne, a cupcake and goody bag in hand (a tremendous start to the proceedings!) I took my seat on the FROW.  The entirely crisp white collection was fierce, strong and sexy.  With a slight nod to the current trend in sports luxe (there was frequent use of mesh detailing) the dresses, cut-out tops and loose fitting trousers were all powerfully striking, and modernly elegant. 

Below:  With Hedvig Opshaug (a.k.a 'The Northern Light') and stylist Martha Ward

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LFW Burberry Prorsum SS'14

Burberry Prorsum welcomed their beautiful FROW (Alexa ChungSienna MillerPoppy DelevigneSuki WaterhouseHARRY STYLES) and a host of lucky fashionistas to Kensington Gardens to enjoy their SS’14 pastel coloured collection.  Filled with heavily embellished and translucent lace pencil skirts, worn with delicate sheer shirts and delicious, oversized cashmere, it was clear to see that polka dots had replaced this season’s hearts. 

Striking white sunglasses and folded sheepskin clutches were the perfect accessories to the Ladurée coloured designs and the finale saw Cara Delevigne in a see-through trench (revealing her latest bicep tattoo honouring her mother Pandora) whilst rose petals fell onto the runway.  Burberry girls are so damn cool.  I wanna be in their gang. 

 Although the six new SS’14 shades will only be available to buy from January, you can purchase the entire set (featuring Rose Pink, Dusky Mauve, Pale Grape, Pale Yellow, Sage Green and Mink) for the next two weeks exclusively from Burberry.

LFW: Matthew Williamson SS'14

Just like his AW/13 collection, Matthew Williamson’s SS’14 collection showed his designs evolving steadily from the bohemian holiday wear he had long been associated with, to a more sleek, simple and mature aesthetic. “My girl is growing up, she is the same free spirit inside but, like the rest of us, maturing – and I have to respond to that,”  Matthew explained.  Hand-drawn and painted daisy and dragonfly prints were displayed on belted dresses, tailored silk trousers and feminine, yet sophisticated, dresses.  I particularly liked the yellow organza based shift dress with ornate white appliqué flowers.  

LFW: Mulberry SS'14

After having sent out THE most adorable London Fashion Week tea cup invitations made by WedgewoodClaridges was transformed into an English country garden, complete with fresh flowers, astro turf floors and a stuffed peacock, forEmma Hill to say “over and out” with her final collection as creative director for Mulberry.  Well known for bringin’ the brand’s sexy back, Hill emotionally commenced the show with an echoing voiceover from Sir Winston Churchill, ‘this House we have built together, brick by brick, stone by stone, this house we call home’ before blaring out ‘Our House’ by Madness as the models cue to strut.  Showcasing typically cheery designs inspired by the Sixties London, the models (including Cara Delevigne) wore wide-leg trousers, over-sized silhouettes and enlarged floral prints.  Turbo the British Bulldog wore a floral overcoat – expect one to adorn all the hottest dawgs next spring.

Above:  I am naturally always most interested in the new collection of bags swung on the catwalk, and alongside stripey Bayswaters and a midnight blue Willow, the Kensal, named after the brand’s London roots, was presented. The firey orange Kensal (below) instantly grabbed my attention (after my flame Bryn having being my constant companion for the last few months, I can’t recommend a mood lifting, bright bag for the summer more!) Emma Hill is leaving some very big shoes (and bags) to fill.

Below:  Alexa Chung with her pal Cara Delevigne at the Mulberry after-party.

LFW: Temperley London SS'14

Along with the Duchess of Cambridge, I have always been a big fan of Temperely London and am lucky enough to own a couple of their beautifully ethereal and embellished dresses. 
Inspired by a Sicillian holiday, the Temperley London SS’14 collection, shown at The Savoy, was irresistibly lovely.  Dresses with embroidered flowers, crystal detailing, cherry-blossom prints and flowing fuchsia (clearly THE colour next spring) had a tangible romance to them.  The big surprise for me were the soft floral patterns transcending into leopard print (much like a chocolate pretzel, you wrongly assume this shouldn’t work!)  An elegant collection fit for a modern-day glamourous Princess… Now, if only they knew one…!