Jenny Schwarz

I went to the Felicities Showroom a couple of weeks ago to visit them for their Christmas Open Day.

Not only was it a great chance to speak to all the Flix Chix and eat Candy Canes, but I also got to take another look at their amazing designers.

One new brand that I hadn't come across before was Jenny Schwarz.

I particularly fell in love with the Mohair jumper in the image below.

I loved her modern take on traditional tailoring and was interested to learn that her tailoring runs in her family, right back to her Great Grandfather who was a successful menswear tailor.

The collection is very wearable, with beautiful fabrics and gorgeous detailing.

Jenny Schwarz is deffinetley a menswear designer that I will be keeping a look out for.

Boxpark Shoreditch

For those of you that don't know Boxpark is a pop up mall constructed entirely of shipping containers, based right next to Shoreditch High Street Station. After reading that they want to 'provide a challenging and exciting alternative to the stagnant 'High Street' concept' I was keen to check it out.

After taking a look around I felt let down that Boxpark hadn't achieved the 'creative village' feel that they originally sold the idea on.

Lots of the stores that were originally advertised as going to be in Boxpark didn't appear to be there and I was disappointed to discover that there were predominantly menswear street brands. I also found the aesthetic to be very industrial, uninspiring and unwelcoming.

I was happy to discover two stores, Cyber Candy and OnePiece, both of which I will be visiting again.

Although the original concept was fantastic, I don’t feel as though they have delivered and I think it needs a more creative input.

A Night Out at 123 Bethnal Green Road

Disappearing Dining Club’s latest private dining adventure is Too Much is Never Enough, a five-week residency at 123 Bethnal Green Road. Dinner is a four course exploration of a beautiful, Grade II listed, Victorian corner terrace, its rich and colourful history, and the beautiful gift and fashion concept store, championing young British designers, artists and makers of very nice things, now housed within this extensively restored, landmark East London building.

Each floor delivers a course of your dinner. First up it’s a Grey Goose Le Fizz, then it’s up to the 2nd floor for Menswear, a darkly lit East London boys club, with walls filled with photos and memorabilia of Moderne Buckles, Leading Makers of Air Rifles, Replicas, Buckles, Leather Goods & Accessories, the previous occupiers of 123 Bethnal Green Road and a front for the largest network of illegal gun suppliers ever uncovered by the Metropolitan Police. First course canapés will include miniature Hot Winter Vegetable Soups, Potted Meats on St John’s Sourdough, and Montgomery Cheese Pasties. To drink there’ll be gin & rum punches served in giant cut glass bowls and bone china cups.

The main course is served on the first floor. Simply and delicately dressed, Ladieswear is part dressing room and part boudoir, with linen curtains, antique nudes, vintage erotica, candlelight and the scent of powder and perfume. Dinner is big, warm and wintery with slow cooked classics like Coq au Vin with Braised Orpington Chicken, Red Wine, Smoked Pork Belly and Button Mushrooms, hearty vegetable stews like Roast Pumpkin, Puy Lentil & Chestnuts, all served in giant, cast iron, hot pots, and help-yourself winter salads.

Dessert is in the Bunker Café with Hot Doughnuts with Chocolate & Toffee Sauce, ice-cold shots of Spiced Rum & Warm Mince Pies, Rum Truffles and British Cheeses. After dinner everyone can stay until 12am for late night drinks and cocktails, with music and dancing from Ollie Russian (My Band’s Better Than Your Band), Dirty Omar (Latitude) and Dinner Dance resident, Chris Coco (Melodica).

Shopping is optional and can take place at any time during your visit and there are lots of amazing things to buy. Alongside the dining a London Feshion PR company Felicities is running a designer sample sale with bargains from cool London based labels such as Ada Zanditon, Alice Palmer and Dr Noki. New labels such as BasharatyanV, XO fashion Studio, Danny Tang and Funlayo Deri can also be found on the rails. All diners get 10% off all purchases on the night and a 10% discount card valid from December until the end of February. Staff are on hand throughout to serve, advise, assist and ensure pleasure is had by all and also offer a free gift wrapping service for any Christmas purchases. 123 Bethnal Green Road’s fantastic collections can be viewed at 123bethnalgreenroad.tumblr.com.

Forever 21 press evening

I love Forever 21, so I was really excited to go to their press evening on Kingly Street. It was a great opportunity to see the new pieces and I loved the layout.

They had designed four different booths with four different themes. The four themes were Japanese Garden, Retro Riviera, Pop & Block and 60's doll.

My favorite was Japanese Garden.

When leaving the event I was given a £30 Forever 21 gift card - I can't wait to go shopping!

Thinking about getting this lovely wool jumper...

SS12 press Drinks at Felicities

The London Fashion Intelligence team were lucky to be invited down to the Press Drinks Reception at Felicities in their stunning new showroom.

We arrived to find a packed venue which wasn't surprising when we saw how many stunning labels the agency represented. Are you ready for this - as they say "Felicities represents some of the hottest emerging designers in London" and they are right. The showroom had the SS12 collections on display from Ada Zanditon, Alexandra de Curtis, Alice Palmer, BasharatyanV, Beautiful Soul, CC Kuo, Danny Tang, Eki Orleans, Evmorfia, Francesca Marotta, Funalyo Deri, Heidi Mottram, Imogen Belfield, Jade Kang, Jenny Schwarz, Lako Bukia, Little Mistress, Mark Thomas Taylor, Orschel Read, Phannatiq, Rainbow Winters, Ryder and Rowe, Tramp in Disguise and XO fashion Studio - phew!!! I hope I didnt miss anyone!!

The labels all had the most stunning colour palettes for SS12 and the showroom was vibrant with colour and print. Felicities have a knack of discovering some wonderful brands and the strength of the design skills means all these labels should be a huge success in the future

We spent a delightfull couple of hours browsing the rails, chatting to the designers and drinking strawberry vodka.

The venue was a little too packed for us to take lots of pictures but the lovely felicities team gave us permission to use these images taken by Jay McClaughlin - who we spotted snapping away during the evening.

SuperDoll Collectables press launch

The lovely Forward PR invited us to a Press Event that really intrigued us called Social Monstrosities and we were very excited to attend to view a collection of fashion dolls that are the new collectable.

We were already in the East End so missed the opportunity to travel to the venue in the Route Master bus but luckily got there earlier so could get right up close to the most amazing collectable dolls we have ever seen.

The Sybarites are 17" tall, all resin, ball jointed fashion dolls bearing 19 points of articulation. They are inspired by modern day controversy that is human cloning and are all clones of the same genetics. We are not sure what this press statement really meant - but what we saw were the most divine dolls displayed on a raised table as though they were seated around a dining table. There faces were compelling and beautiful and they were dressed in the most exquisite couture clothing.

The creators of the collection are Desmond Lingard and Charles H Fegen.

Felicities Presents SS12

The team from London Fashion Intelligence were thrilled to be asked along to the Felicities Presents event during London Fashion Week where we discovered five super hot new designers whilst enjoying the yummiest brownies ever from teapod!

Keep an eye on these names as they all look like designers who will be going places in the next few seasons

Beautiful Soul

Beautiful Soul is a British, luxury womenswear label based in London’s Notting Hill. The label’s signature is a blend of timeless evolving style with true global consideration. Quintessentially English with a wholly international appeal, it is a fresh and innovative label that emits sophistication. Focused on two distinct collections which beautifully complement each other, Beautiful Soul offers both a Ready-to-Wear collection ‘Beautiful Soul London’ and a bespoke ‘Kimono Collection,’ this is available to buy all year round.

http://www.beautiful-soul.co.uk/

CC Kuo

CC Kuo, an edgy womenswear brand based in London, was established in 2009. The label is known for its bold use of colour and signature digital prints, which are used to create sumptuous and covetable collections. CC Kuo is the brand for strong, sexy women who appreciate luxury, sophistication and stylish design. Each season the collections include a range of quirky, strikingly modern dresses and on-trend separates which compliment the signature prints and are all produced in the most luxurious fabrics.

http://www.cckuo.com/

Funlayo Deri

The Funlayo Déri label signature is the celebration of the female form, emphasizing a woman’s curves while utilising the most lavish fabrics and the finest cuts and detailing. The label is for savvy fashionistas who value quality and craftsmanship and are seeking timeless investment pieces that will see them through several occasions and seasons.Funmilayo’s design aesthetic is influenced by her mixed cultural experiences and exposure and is a manifestation of her eclectic background.  She believes that clothes should be glamorous and elegant but not overly serious, so her designs exude glamour and elegance, but are yet modern and stylish in an unconventional, striking way.  She also believes that clothes should always be created with exquisite fabrics, fine craftsmanship and great attention to detail.

http://www.funlayoderi.com

Phannatiq

Designer Anna Skodbo’s unmistakable textiles are inspired by her love affair with forgotten London, urban industrial decay and street art and textures. The collections feature figure hugging shapes alongside sassy anti-fit cutting, rubbing delicate printed silks and chiffons shoulder to shoulder with jerseys, wools and leather. For Phannatiq details are pivotal to the excitement of the garments employing press studs, rivets and leather piping, leather and printed silk trims and unexpected reverse detailing. A modern sense of feminine beauty is discovered through the use of distressed fabrics and hoods, making the collections both challenging and edgy yet fully wearable.

http://www.phannatiq.com

Tramp in Disguise

Tramp in Disguise, is an emerging womenswear brand known for its colourful prints and contemporary knitwear pieces. The label offers dazzling collections that are fun, youthful, modern and edgy. Tramp in Disguise has presented collections in London and Paris during Fashion Weeks since launching its first collection at Vauxhall Fashion Scout. Collections feature unique dresses and separates in striking digital prints, digital knits and hand knits, in stunning colour palettes and luxurious fabrics. 

http://www.trampindisguise.com

Image courtesy of Jay Mclaughlin

London Fashion Week Sept 2011

If you haven't guessed it, I am SUPER excited for London Fashion Week. Designers will be presenting their Spring / Summer 2012 collections and I am really looking forward to seeing what they show the public. A lot of planning goes into the execution of the shows and it gets so hectic around this time.

Vauxhall Fashion Scout has released their schedule and it includes some of the best, young and talented designers out there today. I have already requested my tickets in advance and I suggest you all start doing the same. Of course, spaces will be limited because everyone wants to be a part of London Fashion Week so be a step ahead and start requesting your tickets this moment!

Changes can be made to the schedule at anytime so be sure to keep up to date and follow the Vauxhall Fashion Scout blog here

Little Mistress Bloggers Event

I was invited to the Little Mistress event at their showroom at Great Portland Street last Thursday. Although the weather was awful that day, I'm so glad I made it on time to the event. It was a fun filled night with drinks and surrounded by beautiful dresses- what more can one ask for?

For those of you who are not familiar with the brand, I'll give you a little insight on them. Little Mistress is a contemporary high street brand that delivers trends straight from the catwalk with fashion forward pieces that are still affordable. The brand has a strong signature style with pieces for all social occasions and looks that can be worn day and night. I also have a few highlights and images from the event to share!

I can't wait to get some Little Mistress pieces in my closet and the fact that it's affordable makes me love it even more! Check out www.little-mistress.co.uk for more from their collection

Pop-Up Store at LCF

I am sure by now most of you have heard about the London College of Style opening their pop up store, 'College Shop'. The retail space will launch on the 8th of September, in the lead up of London Fashion Week and will run for just three weeks. College Shop will be located in the heart of the West End in Kingly Court, off the famous Carnaby Street.

The store will stock items from some of its notable alumni, including William Tempest, Basharatyan V, Beatrice Boyle, Ada Zanditon, and Hasan Hejazi.You can be rest assured that the pieces in the pop up store will be fabulous- they've been selected by an impressive buying team including Angela Quaintrell, former buying director at Liberty. Most pieces will cost around £100-£250, while the general price range will start at £20 and go up to over £400

Beatrice Boyle

Ada Zanditon

The launch is set to coincide with Vogue's Fashion's Night Out and will be an exclusive event for London College of Fashion VIPs including fashion designers and notable industry supporters.In addition to all of this, the store will be giving out free canvas bags for purchases over £50 and items are individually signed by the designer.

For more information visit the LCF information page here

Markus Lupfer

Markus Lupfer is German-born, London-based designer who launched his first collection in 1998. Shortly after the successful launch of his collection, in 2001 he was awarded with the New Generation Award. In addition to presenting his collections at London Fashion Week, Lupfer was Creative Director of Spanish fashion house Armand Basi.

His designs are unique and quirky but still represent a sophisticated edge of simplicity. Earlier this year, the label launched at the renowned department store Selfridges as the brand continues to grown internationally and attract worldwide press. Markus Lupfer is stocked at exclusive boutiques including Net-a-Porter.com, Colette in Paris and Lane Crawford in Hong Kong.

Markus Lupfer has gained recognition for his innovative use of prints, embroidery and graphic embellishments in his knitwear pieces. His innovative approach to fashion has put him on the list of several fashion houses and has lead to acclaimed consultancy projects with Mulberry, Cacharel, and Armand Basi.

The Markus Lupfer fan base includes women of all ages and celebrities such as Gwen Stefani, Lindsay Lohan, Diasy Lowe,Roisin Murphy and Lily Allen.

www.markuslupfer.com

Beauty Review: Aussie Hair Serum

We haven't had a 'Beauty Review' in a while so I thought it was about time for a new one. Today's product is the Aussie Hair Protection Plus Shine Serum.

Are you familiar with Aussie products? If you're not I suggest you get acquianted with the amazing products this hair product brand has to offer. It's very popular here in the UK and is readily available in most drugstores and supermarkets, but unlike other products Aussie products live up to the hype! I've tried countless hair products but I became an Aussie convert after using their 3 Minute Miracle deep conditioner. My hair went from limp, dry and feeling weak to absolutely amazing- it's become my own version of a DIY alternative to the typical costly salon treatment. Today I'll be focusing on the Protection Plus Shine Serum.

Their Protection Plus range is available in a number of products but the serum is my favorite. Unlike most serums, this one does not leave your hands and hair feeling sticky or greasy. I typically use the serum after my hair has been washed and let it air dry for some time then use the serum on the ends of my hair. It comes off very easily and leaves your hair shiny and smelling nice- which is always a plus (all Aussie hair products smell amazing!) It's affordable and retails for about £5 or sometimes less in stores like Tesco.

Check out www.aussiehaircare.co.uk to view their entire product range

Beautiful Soul

You probably don't know this but I'm a huge fan of eco-friendly fashion, so of course when I heard of the label 'Beautiful Soul' I had to find out more about them.

Beautiful Soul is a British luxury womenswear label based in the heart of Notting Hill. The eco-friendly label has been featured in acclaimed publications Vogue, Tatler, The Sunday Times Style and VOGUE.COM to name a few; and have participated in exhibitions at London Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week.

With all their designs produced here in the UK, the label strictly abides by its policy of 'zero waste', while still producing immaculately designed pieces. Beautiful Soul is fast growing label gaining recognition for their creativity and "open-minded approach to fashion". They offer two collections, their Ready-to-Wear collection called 'Beautiful Soul London' and a bespoke 'Kimono Collection' which is available to buy all year round.

Their designs have already been seen on a number of celebrities and models including Kate Nash, Lily Cole and Laura Bailey, among many others. I definitely need one of the Beautiful Soul Kimono's in my closet, it's not super cheap but well worth the money. Keep an eye out for the label as I'm sure they are bound to explode any time soon.

For more information visit www.beautiful-soul.co.uk to view more of their designs

Charlotte Taylor

Charlotte Taylor is a talented designer who launched her eponymous label in 2009. Prior to launching her label, Charlotte graduated from the renowned Central Saint Martin's College of Art & Design and worked with various designers including Marcus Constable and Luella. With her Spring/Summer 2010 collection, she was named Vauxhall Fashion Scout's One to Watch.

Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection

The Charlotte Taylor signature is "bold, quirky and unexpected with a dose of old fashioned British elegance". Her designs typically incorporate unique prints and are suitable for all kinds of women, from edgy young fashionistas to mature elegant women and it is unusual in today's fashion world to find a designer who caters to a large range of consumers.

Charlotte will launch her Spring/Summer 2012 collection in September during London Fashion Week and I cannot wait to see what she has in stock for everyone. The collection draws inspiration from beekeeping, fishing, Japanese art and culture. With plans to expand across the pond and into the US market, Charlotte is a very busy woman and I look forward to seeing what her next move will be!

www.charlottetaylorltd.com

Jade Kang

Jade Kang is a Korean designer who moved to London in 2002 after studying Fine Arts and Fashion Design in his home city of  Seoul. While in Korea, Kang was the senior designer for the label Koogi from 1997-2000 and has gone on to hold other positions at different labels including Giles Deacon, Alexander McQueen and Jonathan Saunders.

In 2007, Jade Kang took the leap to start his label; drawing influence from his Korean heritage. By mixing classic tailoring with futuristic femininity and modern romanticism, Jade Kang has developed his signature style. For his SS11 collection, Kang was selected by John Galliano as a Fashion Fringe finalist and received notable acclaim from press and buyers.

Jade Kang's designs are beautiful, feminine pieces with a modern spin on them. In order to ensure that his pieces remain unique he uses rare materials mixed with creative patterns to create individual looks.

Visit www.jadekang.com to view more of his past collections.

Ryder & Rowe @ 123

I was able to attend the Ryder & Rowe launch I posted, at 123 Bethnal Green.

Ryder & Rowe is a new lingerie label by trio Naomi Ryder, Alison McCann and Dennis Nothdruft. The designers are all individually talented and presented beautiful pieces from their latest collection and I have a few pictures to share.

The launch was elegant and simple and allowed the true uniqueness of their designs to shine through. With their new collection, they have also added scarves and dresses. I loved the dresses because they are made with really delicate material and the prints are lovely as well. I would describe the collection as romantic and feminine; Ryder & Rowe is a label to be on the lookout for.

The event was held at 123 Bethnal Green, a store based in London's east end. If you haven't heard about 123 you should head down there now. The store based in London's east end. The store has 4 floors and the basement is dedicated to the Bunker Cafe, which is open during the weekends. They also had vinyl cut outs of some Ryder & Rowe's illustrations in front of the store.

Marios Schwab

Marios Schwab is a young talented designer who first gathered media attention in 2006 when he won the Best New Designer at the British Fashion Awards in 2006. In 2007, he also won the Swiss Textile Awards; these two awards made him one of the most anticipated young designers in the fashion industry. He is also a graduate of Esmod fashion school in Berlin and completed his Masters in Womenswear Fashion at the prestigious Central Saint Martins.

With only a few years in the fashion industry, Schwab has already become known for his trademark style of figure-flattering silhouettes and mixing classic style with modern sexy designs. In addition to owning his own label, Marios Schwab has also designed for Halston and his designs have been worn by celebrities like Kylie Minogue and Kate Moss.

His clothes are stocked in a range of shops all around the world; from luxury boutiques like Harvey Nichols, Browns and Barneys in New York to Dover Street Market. Marios Schwab is rapidly establishing his name in the fashion industry and I'm sure in a few years we will all be talking about him.

Orschel - Read

Hi guys!

Apologies for the lack of posts, we've been super busy so we are doing our best to keep our readers updated.

Last month I visited the Felicities showroom and discovered the menswear label, Orschel- Read. I was lucky to get a preview of his SS12 collection and some pieces from his AW11 collection and I was impressed; by just looking at the clothes you can tell that a lot of hard work goes into producing his designs. 

Orschel-Read graduated from the prestigious Central Saint Martin's college with a degree in Menswear Fashion before going on to pursue his Master's degree at the Royal College of Art. His first collection was launched during London Fashion Week in 2009 and immediately received strong press attention from publications like Vogue, AnOther, V, Dazed & Confused and The Sunday Times Style just to name a few.

The latest collection is a balance of classic style combined with on trend designs and includes wearable pieces as well as fashion forward designs. I have some pictures for you and I cannot wait for the launch of his new collection; let's all be on the watch for Orschel-Read.

For more information on Orschel-Read visit www.orschel-read.com/ and his online shop at NJAL.

FAB Magazine

Just bought the new issue of FAB Magazine, and there are some great editorials in it. I had not heard much about the magazine until I stumbled upon it and I am happy to say I was pleasantly surprised. The latest issue focuses on Escapism and each article and editorial takes you away on a different journey. They have some of the best spas from around the world, fitness tips, up and coming African talents globally, and even venture into the world of comic books and superheroes!

FAB is a relatively new magazine so it's great to see they can also provide readers with quality work. Of all the editorials, my favorite has to be 'Seventies Sister'. The styling is very modern but still holds on to that seventies glamour. This image is one of my favorites, I am in love with this dress! The dress is by Rainbow Winters, a new London based designer and the accessories are from Toshop.

FAB Magazine is available online and for more information visit their blog at www.blog.fabmagazineonline.com and website.

Ryder & Rowe Collection Preview

Hey guys! 

Today I have a fun event for you so get your RSVP sorted.

Be sure to attend the launch of new lingerie brand Ryder & Rowe's Spring/Summer 12 collection.
See you there!

Tze Goh

Tze Goh is fairly new to the fashion industry but with three collections already under his belt, the designer has mastered his signature style. Born and raised in Singapore, he went on to study in Paris and New York at the New School for Design and at the prestigious Central Saint Martins fashion program in London. 


His Autumn/Winter 11 collection presented during London Fashion Week at the Vauxhall Fashion Scout was inspired by the Japanese kimonos and the sleek designs of Porsche sports cars and these inspirations were reflected in his clothes. His clean designs remind of a classic Chloe and Victoria Beckham look, and this is very refreshing with the overwhelming number of trends available in fashion today. 

Goh uses luxurious fabrics like wool, cashmere and mohair in addition to 3D jersey to achieve the structure in  his pieces and primarily uses solid colors such as navy, black, white and grey. His designs are available online at the LN-CC store and visit his website for more of his past work.

www.tzegoh.com

Miu Miu

Miu Miu is the high fashion brand and sister label of designer brand Prada. It was launched in 1993 by Muiccia Prada and since then, the label has become a household name in the fashion industry. While Prada's style is more sophisticated, Miu Miu is considered the girlish version of Prada and caters to a wider range of consumers.
                 

Former Miu Miu brand ambassadors include actresses Chloe Sevingny, Katie Holmes, Kirsten Dunst, Lindsay Lohan, and Selma Blair among models like Lindsey Wixson. In true unconventional  Miu Miu fashion, for their A/W 11 campaign they chose 14 year old Oscar nominated actress Hailee Steinfeld. 
I love Miu Miu and every season they manage to produce amazing clothes and accessories that are guaranteed to sell out in weeks and be on every fashion blogger's 'want list'. I can't wait to see what they present for their S/S 12 collection.

 From their chic and ladylike designs to their wild prints, Miu Miu's motto is avant-garde, modern, sensual, provocative, yet sophisticated; and with every new collection the brand embodies this and has warmed the hearts of fashionistas everywhere. Miu Miu is available at a number or stores worldwide and can be purchased online via the Miu Miu website and boutiques like Net-a-Porter and My Theresa.

New Faces of Fashion at Sapphires Model Management

In the lead up to London Fashion Week, new faces are being discovered and for models Fashion Week is an opportunity to present yourself to the fashion industry as agents, photographers, and designers are constantly searching for a new breakout star. Fashion is constantly changing and models with different 'looks' are always sought after. From young and hip, to girl next door, to editorial and high fashion, photographers and designers demand versatility from their models.

An agency that I have recently discovered is Sapphires Model Management, an award winning boutique model agency that specializes in representing new, exclusive, and unseen models with a timeless and classic look. Unlike other modelling agencies around, Sapphires models and bookers are always cheerful and approachable. The agency aims to conduct business the ethical way by not pressuring models to lose weight but instead encouraging a healthy lifestyle and providing their models with access to necessary financial, beauty, and nutritional advice to further their careers.

Sapphires Model Management represents fresh new faces in the fashion industry and without a doubt the models they represent will quickly be climbing up the fashion ladder. Their clients include Harvey Nichols, Uniqlo, my-Wardrobe, Channel 4, and Nike amongst many national publications.

www.sapphiresmodel.com

Mulberry: 40 years of quintessential English style

Mulberry is best know for being fashion forward and representing classic English style. The 'Bayswater' bag was a huge hit for Mulberry and still remains a classic in fashion today, followed by the 'Roxanne'. But it was the creation of the 'Alexa' bag as part of their S/S 10 collection that caused a stir in the fashion industry and brought the brand to a new height of popularity.

Muse Alexa Chung carrying the 'Alexa' bag

Bayswater

A Mulberry bag has always been on my wishlist, but because there are so many beautiful designs I could never decide on one. I think I have finally found the dream Mulberry bag that I want to own- Polly Push Lock. Who would not want to own a bag called 'Polly Push Lock'?

Mulberry's 'Polly Push Lock' is very similar to the 'Neely' but they have added a new feature- the push lock. The push lock "gives a vintage touch to this bag and an air of 70s glamour". If you look closely at an image of this bag on the Mulberry website, I guarantee it will be love at first sight. It is well made and I really like that they've decided to use the shiny grain leather so your bag won't be completely destroyed if a little bit of rain gets on it. As part of their 40th celebration, Mulberry has put together some of their bags from past seasons and you check them out here.

Missoni

Missoni is not a new name in the fashion industry; the brand is renowned for its unique knitwear and colorful patterns that remain wearable and versatile. With every new collection they incorporate new styles but never lose the signature 'Missoni look'. For those fortunate to own a Missoni item, you are probably aware of how much craftsmanship goes into the clothes. The wool is soft, comfortable and unlike any other piece of knitwear. I  am constantly falling in love with their use of color each season and the pastel colours featured this Autumn/Winter season was simply amazing.

Missoni A/W 11

Missoni A/W 11

Missoni has influenced fashion not only in pattern and design but also have made knitwear more prominent among designers and consumers. Their clothes are typically created from as many types of fabric possible, such as wool, cotton, linen, rayon, and silk. The brand embodies today's modern culture, with 'it-girls' like Nicole Richie wearing Missoni  and even featuring Gossip Girl star Leighton Meester in their Spring 2011 campaign.

Leighton Meester Missoni campaign

Nicole Richie in Missoni

The luxury brand also has a chain of hotels- Hotel Missoni- in Kuwait and Edinburgh, with more to open in Brazil, Turkey, and Oman in the future. I can imagine the Hotel Missoni to be cool, modern with a classic approach, and of course luxurious. 

Heidi Mottram Makes Eel Skin Fashionable

Until recently, I was not familiar with Heidi Mottram until I stumbled upon one of her clutches on my hunt for an oversized clutch. Like many talented designers, Heidi graduated from London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martin's and worked with designers like Vivienne Westwood and Matthew Williamson before establishing her label in 2007.

Heidi Mottram uses eel skin exclusively for her products and design and is always looking for new areas to explore creatively. Her bags come in classic shapes and designs with a modern edge to it. When you hear the word 'Eel', handbags are not exactly the first thought that comes to mind but the use of eel skin is actually good since it is 150% stronger than cow hide. Eel skin is longer lasting, lighter, and becomes more supple with use. Eels are not killed primarily for their skin, so are a also better eco-friendly alternative to other luxury leather goods in the market today. 

My favorite piece by Heidi Mottram

This fuschia oversized clutch is my absolute favorite piece by Heidi Mottram. The color is very bold but the simple design tones it down which is what I love about it- and it's oversized too! I'm not really a fan of small clutches because I always tend to bring along more than I need with me. This clutch will also be a great accessory through  out the seasons, in winter to add a spot of color to an otherwise dull outfit and in the summer as well. 

Heidi Mottram's bag are available are stocked at several online boutiques, including her website. For an updated list of stockists visit www.heidimottram.co.uk