Friday Feathers with Matthew Williamson

There is nothing, nooothing, that can put you in more of a party mood than one of Matthew Williamson’s signature cocktail dresses.  From the intricate, sparkling embellishment, to their ostrich-feather trimmed skirt, these show stopping, conversation starting, razamatazz inducing, form-fitting dresses are unashamedly feminine and oodles fun.  Some of my most frivolous and fanciful nights in London have been spent shimmying around in one of these fancies.  Ohhhh, the stories they could (but thankfully won’t) tell…!

I recently enjoyed the most unashamedly girly morning with the ‘Gown Gang’ playing dress up in Matthew Williamson’s new Belvoir Collection (see more here).  With Brown’s Hotel acting as our lavish host, Charlotte Tilbury’s team on hand to make us look our best, and an army of Jimmy Choo beauties standing to attention, I couldn’t help but try the Matthew’s latest, one-of-a-kind, Rose Lace Feather delight on to share with you.  Friday - Watch out, buddy!

Above:  Wearing the 9ct Gold Satao (RRP. £140.00) and the Silver Shina (RRP. £50.00) bracelets from my Tembo Collection with Auree Jewellery (100% profits of entire collection go to For Rangers and wildlife conservation across Africa - See More Here) and an Assya London Oriental Cross Ring (RRP. £195.00)

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TLC LOVES... Matthew Williamson Feathers

Photographer:  Moeez Ali

Hair:  Secret Spa

Nails:  Sophie Gass

Matthew Williamson's Belvoir Collection

In a wonderful attempt to coax the Spring sunshine out of hiding, Matthew Williamson’s ‘Gown Gang’ congregated at the palatial Kiping Sweet in Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair to play dress up in our favourite designer’s new Belvoir Collection. 

Matthew's opulent collection is inspired by Belvoir Castle and its beautiful interiors, with beautifully flowing countryside florals and eccentric patterns featuring monkeys and peacocks. 

After a breakfast feast comprising of acai bowls and chocolate dipped bananas (and apple pastries, which I admit, I ate four of – but they were REALLY REALLY TINY, people!) Charlotte Tilbury’s amazing team were on hand to give us all gorgeous make-overs. 

After each choosing one of the show stopping dresses to wear, and grabbing a pair of Cinderella worthy Jimmy Choo's, we braced the chilly streets of London for our multi-coloured Sun Dance (a little like a Rain Dance but with less stomping, and a lot more of our signature swooshing!)

Now, we don’t want to compleeeeetely take credit for the recent heavenly rays shining through the grey… But I don’t want to fully discount this theory either.  Jus’sayin.

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Photography:  Moeez Ali

Hair:  Secret Spa

Nails:  Sophie Gass

Yin Yoga with Nike Women

After weeks of hanging out sofa-side with my horribly sprained wrist (having two hands is now something I count among the highest of blessings) I have been feeling in desperate need of stretch! Not being able to function at my usual fast paced rate, where I usually dash all over London at all hours, has made me go out of my mind, and feel unusually frustrated.  I’ve felt soft in body predictably, but also in mind.  When Nike Women approached me and asked me to attend a private yoga class with Jessica Skye, kitted out in all their newest active wear, this wee marshmallow jumped at the chance! Now that my wrist is feeling stronger, this was exactly the push I needed to start my road back to feeling tough and sprightly again.

Nike currently have a relaxing pop-up yoga studio in the basement of FaceGym UK, on the King’s Road in Chelsea. I arrived with all the gear - and absolutely no idea!  There had been so many great Nike yoga options to choose from, but I had decided on some Nike Zonal Strength High-Rise Training Tights (I love their ombre’esq black to grey colour and the v-shaped waist band is ultra flattering), a supportive Nike Indy Cooling Sports Bra, and a super soft and loose fitting Nike Dry Training Top. 

I was soon in the softly lit studio with the wonderful Jessica Skye (Yoga Guru, SLASH DJ, SLASH Nike trainer, SLASH major babe) who instantly came up with a gentle Yin Yoga routine for me to follow, which would make sure my objectives were reached; to feel a little more mentally relaxed and suitably stretched - all while keeping my wrist free from any pressure or weight.

Yin Yoga, Jessica explained, comes from the Taoist tradition and is all about finding stillness, and cooling the body.  This practice is great for those who are already active but who suffer from mental overload and “mind chatter’ (errrrrrm, hello?! Yes! Hand raised!) With one eye constantly on my phone, replying to emails and updating my social media, these slow-paced poses and bends can prove to be the perfect antidote.  

After the class I felt so relaxed, and a lot more awake and alert than I had in weeks. I was given my own monogrammed Nike sports bra and a delicious cold pressed juice before heading upstairs to try the signature FaceGym facial.  I definitely feel ready, now I have my bounce back and my wrist is feeling stronger by the day, to start getting fitter – and with all the best kit to wear, I now have no excuse!

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Some other TLC Nike Yoga faves...

In collaboration with Nike Women
Nails:  Sophie Gass.  Photography:  Maria Bazhanova

TLCxAuree: The Tembo Collection

After one crazy week I FINALLY have time to share on TLC what I’ve been up to for the last few months… I have collaborated with Auree Jewellery to design The Tembo Collection.  Influenced by my Kenyan roots, the seven Masai bead inspired bracelets (£50.00-£140.00) will hopefully raise both awareness and funds for the rangers on the front line of the battle to save Africa's elephants, a cause very close to my heart.

I'm hugely proud to say that 100% of all the profits from this collection will be donated to For Rangers, a campaign in conjunction with Tusk.  By buying and wearing the Satao, Pembe and Shina bracelets, you will directly be helping the fight against elephant poaching, and the extinction of this iconic animal. 

Above:  With Amelia Carmichael, Founder of Auree Jewellery

Elephants are so special.  Having been raised in Kenya (where my grandparents moved to in the 1920’s) I’ve been beyond lucky to have spent so much time amongst them, witnessing their beauty in the wild from an early age (when I insisted it was Kelly the Elephant, not Nellie…) Elephants share the same emotions and cognitive behaviour as humans and are capable of deep grief for their lost ones - you can see this most heart-breakingly in the trauma a baby experiences after losing its mother. They feel joy, empathy and are widely praised for their intelligence and memory.

Not only do communities around Africa depend on elephants for an income through sustainable tourism, as keystone species, the whole African ecosystem depends on their survival.  From uprooting trees to feed (clearing canopies in their wake and leaving grass to thrive for plain game - zebra, wildebeest, etc - to feed on, which in turn attracts predators), from their footprints providing water bowls for smaller animals and dispersing plant seeds far and wide through their dung, Africa and all it’s inhabitants, NEED their elephants.

When I was born in the 1980’s there was around one million elephant across Africa… Now there are only 350,000. This estimate, one far less than expected is from the Great Elephant Census completed a few months ago, showed that poachers are killing elephants at a far quicker pace than they are able to reproduce - and they're not just killing them by the way, they're brutally bloody butchering them. That’s 30,000 elephant slaughtered a year... That’s 90 a day… That’s 1 every 15 minutes.  At this rate, there will be no elephants left in the African wild by 2025.

This is a war.  There are many ways it is currently being fought, and one of them, and arguably the most important yet thankless one, is by the men on the ground, risking their lives every day to protect Africa’s most endangered wildlife. 

It takes a unique type of individual to perform the tasks expected of a ranger in what are often extreme conditions and over 1000 rangers have been killed in the line of duty since 2003.  

For Rangers aim to raise funds to ensure they are highly trained, fully equipped, well paid, incentivized and utterly respected. 

For Rangers was started by friends of mine in Kenya, a campaign in conjunction with Tusk. They are a dedicated group of individuals, with no overheads or running costs, who raise money for the welfare of rangers on the frontline of this battle to save elephants by undertaking insane feats to help raise money to support them; Last year, a group completed The Marathon de Sables across the Sahara Desert and this year, some took on ‘The Beyond The Ultimate’ Jungle Run in Peru.  Amidst other challenges, over $120,000 has been raised to date. Being more one for accessorising than exercising, I’ve made bracelets...!

I really wanted to create unfussy yet elegant, wear all day and through the night, stackable, bracelets, and in the tradition of Auree Jewellery, ones you can wear at the fanciest of parties, but also on the dustiest of travels. Both Amelia and I agreed to donate 100% of all profits from this collaboration to the campaign, which is unusual, but given the cause, we felt it was pretty damn vital.

By buying and wearing a Tembo bracelet you don’t only get to own a beautiful, tactile piece of jewellery, you are helping the fight against Elephant poaching. Guilt-free shopping!

Above:  The beautiful Satao (£140.00) is a solid 9ct three Gold bracelet named after one of Kenya’s largest and most famous elephants, killed by poachers in 2014. The polished reverse of the textured disc can be engraved with an initial, name or date to make it unique to you. 

Above:  The Shina, Swahili for Trunk, features an 18ct rose gold (£60.00), an 18ct gold (£55.00) or sterling silver (£50.00) vermeil textured polo-shaped disc, inspired by traditional Maasai bead jewellery, in addition to a little charm tusk at the clasp as a reminder of the important cause.

Above:  The Pembe, Swahili for Tusk, features an 18ct rose gold (£60.00), an 18ct gold (£55.00) or sterling silver (£50.00) vermeil textured solid disc, which is able to be engraved on the reverse polished side. 

#TLCxAuree

Photography: Eva K. Salvi 

Hair:  Clo and Flo

Make Up: Charlotte Cowen

R.E.V by Rêve En Vert's #SustainableStylist Campaign

The United Nations Climate Change Conference is taking place in Paris next month, and intense discussions about cutting global CO2 emissions will be at the forefront of proceedings.  With many figures from all professions, including fashion, lending their voices to the cause in the lead up to the summit, my friends at Rêve En Vert asked me to help raise awareness with them in their #SustainableStylist campaign for #COP21.  Given that the effects of climate change do and will affect us all, and that preserving our planet is of course all our responsibility, I was thrilled to become involved.

Founded in 2013, Rêve En Vert focusses on sustainable luxury; fashion made from a place of consciousness, stocking designers who not only create stylish, long-lasting clothes and accessories, but who also respect our planet and their customer.  What's not to LOVE?! 

Founders Cora and Natasha, who I met earlier this summer in Utah, recently developed their own collection of entirely organic prima cotton basic tees, R.E.V by Rêve En Vert, made at an environmentally sound Peruvian factory just outside Lima. Every part of this range has been created with great care and respect for both planet and consumer (even the labels are printed on environmentally low impact fabric from natural dyes!) and I absolutely love my super soft Linda Tee (RRP. £48.00), the perfect accompaniment to my oh-so-predictable but oh-so-loved jeans evvvvveryday look!  A donation from the sales of any of these basics will go to support the work of Fashion Revolution in spreading awareness of the true cost of fashion. 

Photography:  Ella Sadika

TLC Vacation: Giraffe Manor, Nairobi, Kenya

There are many reasons as to why growing up in Kenya lead to a rather magical, privileged and enviable childhood, but one of them was almost certainly my close proximity to Giraffe Manor.  I grew up visiting it’s neighbouring Giraffe Centre, a breeding programme for the endangered Rothschild giraffe, most days after school (frequently feeding the giraffe from my mouth, driving the tourists wild, and driving my poor mother to absolute distraction!)  I would often gaze onto the Manor ahead, dreaming one day I would live there, alongside my wondrously leggy and lashy friends.

Giraffe Manor was built in 1932 by Sir David Duncan, half an hour outside Nairobi, on 12 acres of picturesque private land, next to 140 acres of forest with stunning views of the Ngong Hills.  In 1974 Jock Leslie-Melville and his American wife Betty, who founded the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW), bought the Manor, bringing with them two baby Rothschild giraffe, the first of many generations to inhabit the estate.  After Jock passed away, Betty opened the house up to visitors, and to this day staying at this colonial residence, and having giraffe poking their heads into the dining room looking to share your breakfast, is one of THE most unforgettable experiences you can have in Kenya, if not Africa. 

Well, my dream of owning Giraffe Manor sadly did not come true, but I did have two wonderful recent opportunities to visit the Manor.  Before Christmas I was invited for breakfast with my sister and my niece Willow. Willow, a New York resident, was six months old and on her first trip visiting her mother and aunt’s beloved Kenya.  Sharing darling Willow’s first meeting and greeting with my giraffe pals was so unbelievably special.  Not an ounce of fear in her little body, my niece launched forward to touch Helen’s face, who seemed far more interested in the grain pellets I had in my hand than the tiny baby poking at her eye (a relief to us all as as these gentle giants have been known to give a ferocious head butt if irritated… I unfortunately, albiet amusingly, have a couple of experiences of this!... OUCH!) 

Steering clear of the warthog, hilariously funny to watch following the giraffe around in the hope of finding discarded food, but obviously less baby friendly, we ate delicious pancakes and enjoyed fresh juice and coffee to the accompanied sounds of Willow’s excited shrieks. 

Then earlier this year, I was asked, alongside some other bloggers and journalists, to stay at Giraffe Manor for the night by The Safari Collection, the latest owners of the residence and several other luxury holiday hot spots around Kenya. I know… I say it time and time again, but my job does NOT suck.  Reminiscent of the homes existing in Kenya’s colonial heyday, a time when my grandparents were living in the country, the hotel is cosy and romantic, and a little insight into a bygone era.

After a wonderful morning visiting the elephant orphans at David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, we returned for a lovely lunch (munch, drool and slurp!) on the Manor's sunny verandah.  We were then left to enjoy the Manor in it’s entirety for the afternoon. There are spa services available, a gift shop and copious wildlife photography books, and famous colonial Kenyan’s autobiographies scattered around the sitting room and library for your perusal; an entirely relaxing environment.  That is, until 4pm, when non-residents can now venture in for their afternoon tea. This is a brilliant time to explore the nearby boutiques or historical attractions (feeding giraffe, as experienced with Willow, can cause extreme excitement and squeeeeals!) 

After a delicious red wine fuelled evening dinner in the candle-lit dining room we all sat by a roaring fire (Langata, and Karen where I was raised, can be notoriously chilly at night due to their high altitude) drinking our choice of tea and sharing stories. Old-school elegance at it’s best.

Sadly, no giraffe came to my window the next morning but boy, did Ed over-compensate for that at breakfast!  One of the larger males, Ed showed no desire in waiting his turn in line, as he repeatedly lunged through the dining room windows towards our plates of pancakes and fruit – totally hilarious, and yes, like I said, an unforgettable experience that only this unique property afford you.

Yes, some of the bedrooms in the main house are a little basic and could use a minor lift… Yes, the wifi frustratingly only works in the Manor’s extension, and not in the main house… BUT, lest we forget, YOU GET TO EAT BREAKFAST WITH GIRAFFE!!  And for that amazing reason, these small details are easily forgiven.  A brilliant, and beyond special, start or end to your holiday in Kenya. 

Below:  Could my giraffe-tastic SENSO IDA XI mandals beeee anymore perfectly placed?! 

TLC ON TOUR... GIRAFFE MANOR SUITCASE:

(Click on the items below for their direct links)

Below:  Willow's experience at Giraffe Manor clearly stayed with her.  When back in New York she immediately went to kiss her giant toy giraffe, a trick her naughty Aunty maaay have taught her!  See below (and hover for links) on some of Willow's favourite 'Sophie La Girafe' toys and products.

FACT: One of the Manor's giraffe is called Kelly. A coincidence? I think not.

Thank you to Giraffe Manor and The Safari Collection.

To make a donation to the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife please go HERE.

The Coronation Cup with Piaget

There is nothing nicer at this time of year than a day spent with some fun fashunnnn friends, all dressed up in our finest, watching some polo in the sunshine.  I was both flattered and excited to be invited to the annual Coronation Cup by Piaget, the Swiss luxury fashion, watch and jewellery brand, which happily coincided with a visit from NYC by my sister, Claire Eastwood, which made the whole occasion even more fun, as we were driven through Windsor Great Park, with it's astounding hydrangea (my favourite!) towards Guard's Polo Club to spend a rare day, just the two of us. 

Following a delicious three course lunch where my sister and I both wore stunning Piaget Possession rings and chatted with the wonderful(s) Camila Carill and Victoria Ceridono, we briefly (thank goodness, baring in mind the height of our heels!) all stood on our chairs and saw off silver tumblers of Royal Salute, the title partner of the prestigious Coronation Cup!  Giddly, we all then headed off to watch two of the strongest international teams in polo – England vs. South America, competing for the Golden Jubilee trophy.

Now, I’m not sure why I was seated in the Royal Box alongside Prince Charles either people, but I certainly wasn’t going to ask any questions!  After some fast galloping and delicate champagne quaffing, the crowd all accessed their inner Vivian’s and Edward’s to stomp on some divots at half time (“beware the steaming divots?”) whist being entertained by a fabulously British marching band. 

England soon triumphed, and were awarded their trophy, and we soon were awarded with a delicious afternoon tea, and later, some Pimms - my first (and not the last...) of the Summer! 

Below:  With the lovely Camila (in Dior) after the match, wearing Isolda, Miu Miu and Pringle.

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L.K. Bennett's SS'15 'Inspiring Women' Campaign

When I previously imagined British high L.K. Bennett, I had images of the Duchess of Cambridge in her tan wedges and various shift dresses, in sorbet hues, worn by women (in my opinion) who look far too young to be in them.  HOWEVER, when I recently appeared in L.K. Bennett’s digital ‘Inspiring Women’ campaign (such an honour, although not necessarily deserved!) styled by L.K. Bennett ambassador, and general cool cat,  Alex Meyers,  I realised just how much more there was to this veritable treasure trove of fabulous, bright and accessible pieces I immediately felt I could incorporate into my often quite quirky wardrobe.  Their collection of feminine ready-to-wear, shoes, handbags and accessories really do have something for everyone; from the demure to the stand out, but all equally elegant. I’m thrilled to have taken part in this campaign and really excited to have some gorgeous new L.K. Bennett pieces to wear this summer.  I recommend you also take a look ladies (especially at the Giselle heels - swoooooon!)

Following on from the success of last year’s collaboration with Caroline Issa, L.K. Bennett has teamed up with the effortlessly and eclectically stylish Laura Bailey.  I went to the launch of the model’s Capri-insired, 11 piece, vibrant collection wearing, and in an attempt to Bring Sexy Flat, I wore the pair of Anna flats I had worn in my photo shoot earlier that week –  I totally love them and they have become a real SS'15 staple of mine! Below are my favourite pieces from the collection…

Hair by Neville Hair and Beauty (5 Pont Street, Belgravia, SW1) 

TLC Vacation: The Peninsula Paris

When I was young, growing up in Africa, I dreamed of Paris.  Nothing much has changed, as my ever-increasing collection of Breton striped tee’s, daily use of red lipstick and a flat peppered with French objet d’art will attest to (I have an actual Eiffel Tower shaped lamp made from an old olive oil bottle I’m particularly proud of!)  In short, I regularly imagine that I actually am un petit French fille and subsequently have supremely high expectations of Paris and visit there with extreme caution to avoid any disappointment.  You can therefore only imagine how quickly I said OUI when I was asked to travel first class on the Eurostar and stay at the Peninsula Paris for two nights. 

Above:  Distracting myself from my overwhelmingly naked passport with a handful of magazines (does EVERY blogger apart from me have a monogrammed Louis Vuitton passport cover?!)

After a 4 year, £341 MILLION makeover, the five-star Peninsula Paris, the first Peninsula in Europe, swung its gloriously immaculate doors open at the end of last year.  The original building, which dates back to 1908, is steeped in artistic and political history, with George Gershwin penning ‘An American in Paris’ within its walls in 1928 to housing the Nazi military command whilst Paris was occupied during WW2.  Located across an entire block near to the Arc de Triomph and Champs Elysees, the hotel now boasts 200 suites (starting at £800 a night), 34 suites, a penthouse suite with its own lavish rooftop garden (a mere £20,000 a night), an underground spa and 20m swimming pool, 600 incredible staff and a fleet of BMWs, Mini Coopers and two Rolls-Royces.  Yes. I was also wondering how I managed to bluff my way past their uniformed bell boys and polished, marbled lobby (Shhhhhhsh... I won’t tell if you don't!) 

After a delicious lunch (above) at the aviation-themed L’Oiseau Bleu, one of the hotel’s six bars and restaurants, named after an early French biplane and with 360˚ views of Paris, I made my way to my room.  And by room, I mean basic apartment.  Just as immaculate and glossy as the rest of the hotel, my suite had everything I could possibly need, dream of and even more.  From a Nespresso machine, to a hidden printer, a nail-varnish dryer in my dressing room (I’m not even kidding), a television in the bath tub (I had four square-eyed baths during my short stay), Oscar de la Renta amenities, and a state-of-the-art, touchscreen tablet which controlled the lighting, heating, curtains, TV and room service (dangerous!) There were complimentary international calls, a complimentary mini-bar (helllooooo!) and after an immensely busy few weeks collapsing into my giant, sumptuous bed for an afternoon disco-nap was totally dreamy.  

That evening, after cocktails in Bar ‘s randomly brilliant outdoor cabin, I dined at their increasingly famous Cantonese restaurant, LiLi.  The rich interior was inspired by the drama of Chinese and French opera and the food, although not the place I would advise a strict vegetarian to go, is prepared by the fantastic, award-winning Hong Kong chefs in their own impressive Chinese kitchen within the hotel. 

Above:  By the striking ‘Dancing Leaves’ installation consisting of 800 hand-blown twinkling crystals leaves in the hotel’s main lobby.  It really is a truly beautiful sight, especially at night. 

After yet another bath and another (far longer) sleep, the next morning entailed breakfast in the stunning, Belle Epoque’esq Lobby Kléber, where we also later sampled a traditional and spoiling Japanese tea to coincide with Japanese Spring.  After one (ok, two) sugary ‘mini’ kouglofs by the hotel’s award winning pastry chef, I went to a chocolate workshop in the impressive kitchens.  My diet when left unsupervised… WOW.  There was a real moment I actually anticipated rolling back to London…     

So frequently on work trips you are so busy running around the city, you are almost unable to enjoy the amazing room you are staying in.  After a couple of super brief spells into town (I say 'super brief' as the weather was super chilly and super wet!) I luckily, after the most relaxing and revitalising hour long, hot–stone ESPA massage in the hotel’s enormous, 1800 sq m spa, and a short spell in the relaxation room, I was able to retire to my suite for an evening of room service, movies and sleeeeeeeep.  After an incredible lie-in, followed by EVEN MORE room-service the next morning (this couldn’t have been more heavenly!) I enjoyed one last delicious lunch with the team.  I felt truly refreshed by the time I headed back to London.  

Thank you to The Peninsula Paris Hotel and Eurostar.

TLC ON TOUR... PARIS SUITCASE:

(Click on the items below for their direct links)

'Inside Rolls Royce' - A trip to the Goodwood Factory

I cannot tell you just how excited I was (and just HOW jealous my poor father was!) to be invited to explore the Rolls-Royce factory in Goodwood, ahead of their exciting exhibition, ‘Inside Rolls-Royce,’ that opens to the public at the Saatchi Gallery tomorrow.  

An epically sprawling, yet peaceful structure designed in 2003 by Nicholas Grimshaw (who also designed the Eden Project), the factory is a brilliant, natural extension of it’s environment, invisible from the road and air, with a roof made of living plants and plenty of natural light pouring into each and every room.  

Upon entering the building, you are immediately met with co-founder Henry Royce’s moto displayed across the entrance; 'Take the best that exists and make it better: when it does not exist, design it,' - advice still very much adhered by the current designers and engineers at Goodwood. 

After a quick lunch and presentation from Marc Mielau (right), the Head of Marketing at Rolls-Royce, where we heard lots more about the upcoming exhibition but also about the luxury car company’s history, we set off in our beige Rolls-Royce attire (less Burberry, more biology GCSE lab coat!) to commence le grand tour.  

With 1500 employees, 20 Rolls-Royce cars are made each day in what I saw to be the most immaculate of factories.  On utterly pristine white floors (no grease or oil in sight!) each Ghost and Wraith (the more girl friendly of all the designs) go through 16 stations for 45 minutes a time, and the Phantoms (enormous!!) have 11 stations, each lasting for 2 hours a time.   It seemed an almost surgical process, as I witnessed incredible amounts of precision and care taken at each stop along the long assembly line.

Below (L-R):  What goes on (factory) tour... With Kit Lee, Ella Catliff and Charlie May.

With so much to see, and such little time, our more than wonderful guide June thankfully knew her audience, so we spent less time having the inner workings of all the car engines explained to us, and FAR more time spent in the design arena...

With cars well known for their heritage, as well as their sleek and ever-evolving design, detail is everything at Rolls-Royce.  Forever pushing boundaries, there is no challenge too small for this company to tackle for their clients and it was fascinating hearing some of the more particular bespoke requests!  

From hand painted stripes on cars (performed in the factory using squirrel haired brushes by a single artisan and his steady hand – WOW! Imagine THAT pressure?!) and customized, non traditional paint jobs (once to match a lady’s much-loved red setter dog, another her pink Chanel lipstick - above!) to hand stitched embroidery, in-built microwaves (for hand towels, duh!), champagne chillers (naturally!), detailed wood, diamond (yup!) and mother of pearl door (below left) designs and twinkly lit, fibre-optic star light head liners (below right). This factory really can, rather effortlessly, make your every fantasy car wish come true!

Above:  Large, super soft and colourful leather hides hang, ready to be stretched, then traced and eventually lazer cut in particular patterns for various car seats.  

I did not find it particularly surprising, given the absolute treasures inside, to find that as our tour finished there was a giant rainbow outside, its end landing at the exact foot of the factory...

After the tour I was allowed to take a Rolls-Royce out for a wee test drive… It's a tough job buuuut...

Below (L-R):  My (brave) passengers/Charlie's Angels for the afternoon; Camila Carril and Sarah Mikaela.

Driving through the beautiful countryside roads of Sussex in quite possibly the PIMPEST car possible was pretty extraordinary!  I was a little nervous at first, although smaller and sportier than the Ghost and the Phantom, the Wraith is still considerably bigger (and just a taaaad more expensive) than the lil’bumper car I roll around town in!  Soon, I was completely in the swing of things and only wished the drive had lasted longer (or my family, who were terribly worried for the CAR’s safety) had seen me! 

After such an amazing afternoon, I am really looking forward to attending the ‘Inside Rolls-Royce’ exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery later this week, ahead of its world tour.  With complimentary entry, the public can expect a multi-sensory journey, spread across nine rooms, giving an amazing insight into the world-renowned engineering, design, craftsmanship and remarkable lengths required to create the world’s pinnacle super-luxury car.  I am particularly excited to visit the room where you can, for a brief time, transform into the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy (the ethereal statuette that adorns the front of every Rolls-Royce) on a video wall in a beautiful light particle animation.

‘Inside Rolls Royce’ at the Saatchi Gallery: 13 November until 16 November.