Vogue Street Lights

Last week I was invited to Vogue's Street Lights event held at some of the most prestigious jewellery stores on Bond Street. As part of a collaboration with Vogue and Central Saint Martins College, the display windows of Chanel, Harry Winston, Cartier and more were given a fresh and modern make-over with the help of 50 students specially selected for the project.

This idea of re-representating classic designers was cooked-up by Vogue's jewellery editor Carol Woolton who wanted to do away with traditional aesthetics and adopt the originality and creativeness of london's art students. Jewellery designer and Saint Martins student Sam Sheard was given the task of re-designing the window display for Chanel. His finished look was sleek and modern presenting the brand in a new light, whilst staying true to Chanel's time-honored style.

Mulberry: The Book

Who would ever have thought that Mulberry were only a wee forty years old? The label has successfully positioned itself as one of the most sought after names around, whilst maintaining that respectable heritage feel that we've all come to know and love; such a status often takes much longer than a mere four decades to achieve.

To celebrate the big 4-0, the British fashion house and luxury handbag designers have released this beautifully presented book drawing together everything you've ever wanted to know about the brand alongside behind-the-scenes images taken from shows, collections, campaigns and exclusive parties. Sure to be jam packed with a whole load of Chungs, Palermos and Bosworths, but I need this sitting pretty on my coffee table all the same.

(Now all I need is a coffee table.)

The must-have 480-page book

The book launch, held at the New Bond Street store

Images via: Fashion Foie Gras

Urban Outfitters A/W'11 Press Day

Urban Outfitters gave us a little next season preview last week with their A/W '11 press day held on the top floor of their Oxford Street store. As an event that I attend each season (it would be rude not to seeing as I'm only upstairs), I repeatedly find myself composing a mental checklist of all the items I just HAVE to have in my life come autumn. Carin Wester's pom-pom shoes, Henry Holland's bright crochet scarf and rib knit heart trim boots are all right up there alongside oversized jewel rings and a rather racy underwear set by luxury lingerie brand Mimi Holliday.

Prints and pom-poms

Henry Holland crochet scarf

Heart trim boots

Mimi Holliday Lingerie

If you're a big fan of summer's tribal inspired Aztec prints and beaded feather headdresses, then fear not as they'll be sticking around next season with a few fluoro pieces thrown in for good measure. I myself was particularly drawn to the preppy detailing found on cute printed blouses and cable knit jumpers, whilst Bitching & Junkfood terrified me once again with their spike detail shorts and nutty pom-pom headgear.

Preppy layering

Bug print blouse

Bitching & Junkfood's bizarre pom-pom headband

Keeping the cold at bay come winter, I'm probably going to find myself snuggled up in Evil Twin's pink-wash fur coat and a chunky rib knit turban - the next best thing to a full face balaclava when it's freezing cold outside. Also on display was beautifully crafted jewellery by high end brands such as Made Her Think and Bjorg, showcasing giant crystal rings and complicated looking hand chains. As tempting as these trinkets may be, I was definitely more drawn towards UO's humble owl necklace.

Pink fur coat by Evil Twin

Rib knit turban

Enamel owl locket

A Day of Sketching

Enjoy Your Trip!

A recent hen party saw me and a group of my nearest and dearest jetting off to Amsterdam for a weekend of fun and frolics in the city that quite literally knows no limits. I fell in love with Amsterdam from the word go, taken in by the winding canals and the laid-back vibe resonating through the city's cobbled streets.

First night, ready to go and my love affair is cut short as I find myself flying head first down a flight of ridiculously steep stairs. Somehow I managed to avoid any broken bones or chipped teeth, escaping with just a few minor cuts and few major bruises. I didn't know who to point the finger at first - the badly designed narrow steps or my stupidly high platforms, it was a recipe for disaster either way. So my night was spent indoors, terrified to fall asleep in case I didn't wake up in the morning after my big bump to the head.

The culprit

The following day I got over my close shave with death and decided to forgive Amsterdam as we spent the day strolling along the sunny streets of Jordaan followed by a pleasant boat trip through the city. Later that night we went for quite possibly the tastiest meal I've ever eaten at a restaurant called The Café George, and then on to take in the delights of the red-light district. A couple of us decided, in true Amsertdam-style, that it would be a good idea to check out a sex show. What was advertised as a 'sex show' turned out to be a not so attractive woman sat on a rotating bed waving her legs around. I still feel conned today.

                                

Bumped heads and false advertising aside, Amsterdam is a beautiful city and I can't wait to go back again; though next time I'll probably be leaving the platforms at home.