Flannels Renaissance Flagship Store

Photos: Kris Humpreys

Luxury retailer Flannels in London, Sheffield and Liverpool was recently home to the second edition of the beautiful RENAISSANCE Flagship Store. This time was in conjunction with 'Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce'.

I had a chance to visit the London edition. The stores were inspired by Beyonce's incredible Renaissance tour wardrobe extravaganza. The prevalence of chrome and glitter in the popup was in keeping with the Renaissance Tour approved dress code of silver. 

I have been obsessed with @beyonce 's Renaissance World Tour horse which was a part of the space! 

My takeaway from this? The bigger and the more silver the better.

I would not mind having this horse in my sitting room. Who wouldn't?

Delfina Delettrez Two In One Collection

I am excited by the ‘Two In One’ Delfina Delettrez diamond jewellery collection. The diamonds are drilled by precious miniature piercing.

I like the juxtaposition of luxury (the diamonds) and punk (the piercings).

Would you wear them? I certainly would. I like that is bringing something that feels fresh to the table.

Discover the collection here.

Vogue House

Photo: British Vogue, November 2023. Photography by Sean Thomas.

British Vogue had a star-studded house party as it bids Vogue House adieu. The November 2023 issue sees a line-up of designers, models and actors visit Vogue House one more time. Shakira, Gemma Chan, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Adwoa Aboah, Cara Delevingne and many others are were photographed for this last goodbye to the building that has housed British Vogue since 1958.

I love the pizzaz of this issue; it is big, bold and beautiful. Just when you think it is impossible to get any more glamorous then another superstar is unveiled on yet another page.

One of the covers for this issue has model duo Karen Elson and Mona Tougaard and it is my favourite Vogue cover for 2023.

Bravo to Edward Enninful, OBE.

BSME Awards 2023

Photos: Jason Purple

The British Society of Magazine Editors awards 2023 gala was such a wonderful night.

Known as the Oscars of the magazine world, it was held at five star hotel Rosewood London and the hosts this year were British Glamour Magazine's editor-in-chief Deborah Joseph and presenter/broadcaster and journalist Vick Hope. Presenters included Laura Whitmore, Caitlin Moran and Naomi Campbell . Supermodel Naomi Campbell presented the penultimate award of the night, The Mark Boxer award to friend of 30 years Edward Enninful OBE, editor-in-chief of British Vogue. Congrats to him because representation matters and that has been his life work. 

The gala involved a 3 course meal with entertainment from a live jazz band. Other highlights included live illustration sessions which saw award nominees receive illustrations as made on the night.

For the black tie and for this I was privileged to be dressed by Ana Sekularac in a black tulle gown seen in image one. I've worn Ana’s designs for some of my most special moments. Thanks to her for dressing me. Discover her work at @anasekularac.

Sally Hansen Festive Manicure

Celebrity nail artist Michelle Class has worked with some amazing celebrities like Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Margot Robbie and Bella Hadid to name a few.

So imagine my delight at having a Sally Hansen UK festive manicure with her today at 1 Hotel Mayfair courtesy of Coty Uk. She is ambassador of Sally Hansen and in response to my query about her thoughts on the brand and her favourites she shared the below -

"I love Sally's ethos behind the brand and I love how when she created the brand she was this most empowered woman and that to me is just iconic. I love how Sally has just carried on throughout the years and her brand has such a strong recognition. My go to pieces of the range are the vitamin e cuticle oil, I love the Sally Care range, the Hardest Nails then the base coats, the top coats and I am a huge fan of the Good, Kind Pure."

For my Sally Hansen UK festive manicure I chose the vegan Good, Kind, Pure lasting nail colour in Pomegranate Punch (310). Visit Sally Hansen UK here.

Thank you to Coty UK.

Gucci Guilty Elixir De Parfum

Today I am feeling youthful, confident, individual and charming courtesy of Gucci Guilty Elixir De Parfum for Women. Have you smelt it yet?

Let me start by saying they got the name right! It is truly called Elixir for a reason! The second time I tried this perfume was at the Paris Gucci flagship store during Paris Fashion Week. I was so enchanted by it I knew I had to find a time to review it properly.

The smell is a magnificent Alice in Wonderland experience that will leave you feeling as though you can take on the world.

Also isn't the violet glass flacon a beauty? Not only is it a reflection of the Violet Accord key ingredient but in my opinion the colour violet says 'sophistication' and 'confidence' which as I mentioned this fragrance exudes. Gucci is such a great colorist. 

Other key ingredients of note in my estimation are the Wisteria Accord, Vanilla Absolute and Tonka Beans. 

I will be replacing my signature scent which happens to be Gucci Bloom Intense with this Elixir because one's beauty experience should be as aspirational as one's fashion experience. 

Gucci Guilty Elixir De Parfum retails for £126 at Gucci here.

Perfume courtesy of Coty UK. Thank you Coty UK.

ASOS IN REAL LIFE

Photo: Me outside the ASOS In Real Life pop-up.

Last week I visited the ASOS In Real Life pop-up at London’s Rathbone Place. That is me outside the store with the ASOS crew who are wearing garments that have the same print as ASOS’s iconic order parcel ‘white-noise’ packaging.

ASOS launched their first bricks and mortar store in London. The pop-up as described as akin to walking through a fashion search engine or an online fashion catalog was a fun mix of fashion, beauty, social media, talksa and more.

The curated edited of Autumn/Winter 2023 collections included designs from ASOS Design, ASOS Edition, Collusion, Dr Martens, Nike, Topshop, Topman and more which were available to buy. In addition to the fashion there was a hair and beauty bar with free mini beauty treatments by Charlotte Tilbury and hair styling by Drybar (both pre-booked or walk-ins), freebies, hot beverages from an ASOS Cafe, panel talks with LuxeGen, New Balance and The Ordinary. There was also an Augmented Reality (AR) catwalk show via the Snapchat app as a result of an ASOS partnership with Snapchat.

‘ASOS In Real Life’, ASOS first shop in London was all I could have imagined a physical ASOS store to be. I look forward to the next one.

Portrait of Britain Award

Photo: Lauren by Zuzu Valla. Model: Lauren Hilaire

It is important that we see a representation of ourselves n our society and world at large. I have dedicated my work to the cause of improving representation, diversity and inclusion.

I am honoured to share that this photo that I worked on as part of a representation and inclusion Womanpowerfashioninclusion project by Eleonora Bernardi Zizola has been shortlisted for a British Journal of Photography Portrait of Britain volume 6 award.

It will be featured alongside 200 talented photographers Bluecoat Press book coming out next year by JCDecaux UK.

Thank you to the British Journal of Photography.

Photo team credits:
Photographer: @zuzu.valla
Photo assistant: @pip.director
Video: @danieladuhur
Model: @laurenhilaire_zebedee @zebedeetalent
Artistic direction and styling team: myself
Brand: @dolcegabbana
Makeup artist: @makeupbyanna_lumsden
Hairstylist: @michaelabodden_
Project: @womanpowerfashioninclusion by @eleonorabernardizizola .

London Fashion Week Day Three

I have a love of the beautiful.

Beauty in nature, design, fashion items and etc.

I wore this full @vidi.blak (minus ear cuffs, sunglasses and footwear) because I think its designer Aneta is able to create the most beautiful pieces. Hers is a knack of knowing exactly what to use each fabric from. She only uses deadstock bales of fabric and works each design around whatever fabric she has.

Here is to Aneta @vidi.blak and her beautiful designs that seek to push responsibility.

Here is to another day at fashion week @londonfashionweek .

Photography by the incredible @seleen.saleh who I owe a million thanks.

London Fashion Week Day One: Dreaming Wide Awake

I was asked what my inspiration for this look was. I said 'glamour'.

I believe fashion should make you dream.

Wearing @anyoldiron by Andrew Clancey suit and @mervebayindirofficial headpiece.

According to Andrew the incredible fabric is a one of a kind found in Japan and he only had enough room in his suitcase for 4 meters.

I love headpieces for as long as I remember and this one by Merve is sheer joy.

London Fashion Week Spring Summer 2023 day one.

Photo by @seleen.saleh

Inspiration / Zuzu Valla

 

Zuzu Valla as pictured in the first photo is an inspirational Slovakian UK based photographer. Her work inspires so I was honored to speak to her about her photography career and what she has achieved thus far. Particularly inspiring is her point of view, heart and eye.

Her start in photography began when she moved to London from Slovakia and had a desire to take  pictures to share with loved ones in Slovakia. At this point she was using a phone camera to take photos but found that she kept having to change the phones for better picture quality
She then bought a camera after her sister suggested that she should. This led to her waking up at 4am to take photos of the sunset. She started to figure out what niche of photography she preferred. She experimented with landscape and animal photography to see what she preferred.

Then she tried taking photos of her friend in the bath and liked it. She realised that she liked the female form though she had never felt womanly herself. She found out that she likes bodies that are unique and thinks that different body types are inspiring.

She has photographed those with disabilities for high fashion and this interest started as a result of her school teacher not liking her art. The affect it had on her was it gave her dissatisfaction about her work and this paired with her realisation that most celebrate the same ideal of body perfection (and beauty) made her realise that disabled models have been forgotten and overlooked because no one wants to see someone who is disabled as it raises certain feelings within. Zuzu has found that she wants to explore the feelings her work invokes in her. She doesn’t understand why we can’t show the young generation that disability is a part of life. She would like to wake up to a world where it is normal to see disability in magazines . She would like to see it being depicted as a normal part of life.

From the beginning of her 12 year career till now she has always chosen different types of models with reference to their body types and abilities. She dislikes that there are some who only shoot disabled models only when it is in trend.

Her greatest achievement is a piece of work for Vogue Portugal (which saw the editor give her free reign). Also she cites a mock Vogue cover (see image two above) by her as chosen by Edward Enninful in a Vogue cover challenge competition as one of her greatest achievements. The five winning proposed cover images as picked by the British Vogue editor-in-chief were shared by him on his personal Instagram page.

These wins taught her that her art teacher from school had been wrong. This boosted her confidence.

Her inspiration for her photography is people. She is inspired by hairstylists: big hair and different hairstyles. She has also found that she is continually inspired when in London.


With reference to her plans work wise for the near future she wants to work with more disabled people. In addition to this, she also wants to work more with more fashion designers and shoot things like lookbooks. If she could shoot any brand campaign it would be Moschino under the helm of Jeremy Scott was there. Despite his departure from the fashion house, she thinks it is the brand that she most identifies. Another brand she loves is Bora Aksu. She thinks his clothes are so romantic.

Her ultimate dreams are to change the world and to shoot a Vogue cover because Vogue is the leader that others follow.

Although she believes there are some social media accounts that have a bad influence, she likens her social media to a big portfolio that you can use to promote your work. With reference to fashion photography in magazines she likes the diversity and is hoping that it stays.

Her pictures are her therapy. She shares that there is a sadness about her work that she tries to cover. Her childhood wasn’t very easy and she tries to cover the sadness with reference to that with colours.

Zuzu Valla inspires and her work is worth keeping track of.

Follow her at @zuzu.valla.

Images courtesy of Zuzu Valla.

Inspiration / By Sara Christie

 

As a stylist it is always a joy to find a brand with a difference. One that has a unique point of view, one also offering premium product, one that is making a difference too.

By Sara Christie a British brand that offers fashionable bags (made per order) and jewellery is my find of the year. You can imagine my excitement to have the opportunity to speak to her about her eponymously named brand.

Sara who trained to be a fashion designer then got into the sector of being of designing the embellishment (embroidery and beading) on product in India. This led to the opportunity of become an assistant designer for bags and accessories. She then became a design manager. In 2017 due to manufacturers being driven by the high street to lower their prices and lessen their profit margins, Sara decided to leave the high street. The high street was incessantly demanding newness at rock bottom prices, the 6 season per year trend meant that the pace of fashion at this time was getting faster and faster.

Sara set up a consultancy and had the time to think of designing her own accessories and handbags. She thought that her designs would be seasonless designs that were marked by simplicity, style and versatility.

Over lockdown in 2020 a search for a chain necklace that was of good quality but below a certain price point led Sara to designing her own. She had designed the perfect chain necklace! The ‘Boss’ chain necklace (seen in image two). She made some for herself and friends and shared it on Instagram. Her followers started requesting them and when she had more made up for them, they sold out.

Sara wanted her designs to be of quality but at accessible prices. Her ‘Boss’ necklace for instance retails for £89 whereas many other brands might sell a similar piece for over £300.

As a person, Sara is special and inspiring. Her reasons for what she does stays with you and so does her work and her warm ethos. Her jewellery and bags have her personal story weaved into their collection names and design. Take her ‘Duchess’ (see image three) range for example. This jewellery collection is a play on a beloved family member’s pearls. The name of the ‘Boss’ chain necklace and bracelet  as conceived during lockdown connotes being self assured and seeks to boost self esteem. Sara shared how she very saw the need to design accessories to be worn above the waist during the Zoom necessitated lockdown. 

Sara’s brand encourages slow fashion. Her bags for example are made as per order. Also interesting to note is the fact that she welcomes custom orders. There is soul in her work with her wanting to keep her brand accessible (it is primarily sold on her site) with regards to who stocks it and her price points.

I love her work and ethos and thus invite you to experience By Sara Christie here.

Images courtesy of Sara Christie.

Signature Lip

My signature lip is a red one. I recently was looking for a red lipstick that was classic in hue that had staying power. I discovered Maybelline’s ‘Color Sensational Made For All’ in ‘382 Red For Me’. To my delight I can attest that this is a great vibrant but sophisticated red with staying power. The hue of this matte lipstick is great and the price tag at £7.99 (Superdrug) is affordable.

I have worn pinks, oranges, violet and even a black lip in one style blog post years ago.

Red is a classic mainstay that I think brings a sophistication to a look. My penchant for vintage and the 70’s means that I love the Studio 54 glamour of the time. Think Bianca Jagger in her white tailored wedding outfit or Jerry Hall circa the same era.

I love red lipstck because it adds polish and refinement to an outfit and personhood.

What is your go to shade of red lipstick?

If you are looking for to try a new one, try my favourite here.

Please note it is not the shade seen on me in the image above.

Lisa Folawiyo Style Icon

 

Creative Director & Fashion Designer Lisa Folawiyo knows style. Image after image on her Instagram feed speaks of a prowess with reference to putting garments and accessories together, an understanding of structure, colour and shape. Founder of the Lisa Folawiyo and Jewel by Lisa brands, Folawiyo crafts outfits like none other. Her ability to put looks together is clever. From Schiaparelli to Valentino, she wears it all and has a knack for mixing ‘it’ pieces with lesser known garments and accessories which are just as remarkable. She also might have the coolest collection of denim yet. Her outfits inspire. I think she might be her own best brand ambassador too, employing her own designs into memorable looks time after time. Lisa Folawiyo is a style icon. Follow her here.

Marian Wears The Japanese Shop

For the Steve Vyse & Gaia Wise Mad Love Pink Ribbon Foundation charity show I wore a vintage kimono and obi belt courtesy of The Japanese Shop with a headpiece, cuffs and vintage Bally heels.

I now have a soft spot for vintage kimonos. For as long as I have known I have loved Bally. These shoes were a bargain from Ebay. They look great with a black pair of tights, dressing everything up.

What are you wearing lately?

Photo by Matthew Hinchliffe.