Fashion

Lucy ColemanJanuary 13, 2014

A fashion initiative launches next month at Embargo 59 on the Kings Road to encourage body confidence among young disabled adults.The stylish Kings Road bar is celebrating Fashion Week (14th-18th February 2014) with a special cocktail collection that will be available for seven days only.

Each drink sold will raise £1 for the Find My Style project run by charity Flamingo Foundation (www.flamingofoundation.org,) funding personal styling sessions for young disabled adults.The sessions are led by personal stylist and master image consultant Hannah Jean, who will be working with participants to explore fashion, style and body confidence and adapting items of clothing.

At just 26, Hannah became the youngest director to be voted on to the board of the Federation of Image Professionals International which accredits the image industry internationally. She says, “Image and confidence in what we wear can make a huge difference, but young disabled people can feel removed from the fashion scene and find it difficult to find on-trend clothes that suit their style and their body.

“This project is a fantastic way to open up the world of fashion and demonstrate that everyone can find or adapt clothes to show off their individuality and tastes.”

The cocktails are:

Shake Your Tail Feather – A romantic, decadent and dreamy drink that positively encourages a wiggle of those tail feathers. Taking inspiration from flamingo feathers seen on the catwalks, this is a fruity, punchy cocktail that is perfect for those who want to dance the night away. With Havana Club Especial or Bacardi Superior rum, fresh lime, mint, sugar, peach liqueur and fresh peach are muddled over crushed ice and topped with soda.

Moody Blooms – Florals are everywhere for spring/summer 2014 but they have had a serious makeover. Gone are the days or pretty posies – for next season think tattoo art and 3D blossoms. Garnished with edible petals, this is a summer garden in a glass. Crème de pêche and Stolichnaya vodka are mixed with apple juice and grenadine. Topped with champagne and finished with an edible flower.

Fancy Fondants – Pastel shades are all the rage, especially when worn head-to-toe for a big hit of girly style. This cocktail embraces that ultimate in pastel confection and recreates the sweet taste in a pumped-up drink. Kwai Feh lychee liqueur and Stolichnaya Vanil vodka are shaken with fresh lychees, passion fruit syrup, apple and lemon juices.

All That Glistens – Shiny fabrics are expected to be everywhere, and this cocktail maintains the look with a cool shimmer that looks as good as it tastes. Bacardi Superior rum is blended with crushed ice and lime juice and you can choose from a selection of fruits to enhance the taste.

Sheerly Temple – Transparent and flimsy fabrics are key next season so be prepared to flash the flesh. Everything should be see-through, so this clever cocktail keeps things simple with first-class ingredients. Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey and Luxardo amaretto liqueur are shaken with hazelnut syrup and apple and cranberry juices.

The Square Root – Checks, tartans and squares are definitely the must-have print for spring/summer 2014. Get the look in your glass too with a layered cocktail that combines a whole host of flavours. Makers Mark whisky, fresh lemon juice, Angostura Bitters and sugar syrup are shaken hard and served over ice.

English Rose – Pink, in all its shades, is the key colour for the season. From palest salmon to dusky damask, flirty fuschia to bright bubblegum, every outfit should have at least one bit of pink. Hendrick’s gin and Bottle Green elderflower cordial are shaken with apple juice and crushed raspberries.

“Bringing together fashion and cocktails to support this wonderful project is a real privilege for us,” says Simon Downwood, General Manager at Embargo 59.

“The new drinks taste and look amazing and we’re excited that young disabled people will be able to explore and enjoy fashion trends with the help of Hannah and Find My Style.”

Embargo 59 has become an institution among Chelsea’s elite clubbers and is one of the hottest nightclubs for spotting the latest fashions. With its unique and heady combination of glamour, serious partying and must-have style, it is the place to be seen.

Ann FooDecember 13, 2013

This week we caught up with London fashionista and TV presenter Kiri Bloore, founder of new site Fashion Forensics. We wanted to check in with this chick, so had ten minutes and a cuppa..

Leila: The new site looks fantastic. Tell us a little more about Fashion Forensics?

Kiri: Fashion Forensics is a blog and TV channel created out of a love of all things fashion, basically I am your girl on the ground getting all the latest Fashion news and gossip as well as letting you know all our cheeky secrets. Were at fashion week, were with the designers and we have all you need to know.

Leila: What made you come up with the concept?

Kiri: I have spent so many years finding products that I love and researching the best products clothing brands and everything else fashion, and I finally thought my finds are to good to keep a secret and they need to be shared.

Leila: What have been your highlights for 2013?

Kiri: Taking on the new role of Celebrity correspondent for Fashion One TV and discovering new designers for Fashion Forensics like Eugene Lin.

Leila: You were lucky enough to cover one of the world’s largest events in 2011, the Royal wedding, reporting from a coveted position at Westminster Abbey. How was that experience?

Kiri: It was as you can imagine an amazing experience that I will never forget, I love being part of a live broadcast of such magnitude, the atmosphere and the passion made the day feel truly magical. I felt like I was getting married with them as I had been so immersed in Royal wedding fever.

Leila: You’ve also conducted exclusive red carpet interviews. Tell us who’s been the best celeb to meet?

Kiri: I have been very lucky to meet some of the Hollywood’s greats, but I would have to say Robert Pattinson was the most down to earth and kind person I have interviewed he was almost overwhelmed by the crowds and very humble.

Kiri: A little birdie also told me you are on the radio too. Tell us more?

Hahah yes I am on Silverstone Radio. Someone said to me recently life is a game of two halves and that could not be more true for me. Fashion is my life for the most part but I am also lucky enough to live out my other passion which is motor sport, it’s a world I have grown up in and spent much of my life working in and this year I was offered the role of ‘Something For The Weekend’ host for Silverstone radio- So I had an amazing summer spent track side at Silverstone.

Leila: What does 2014 hold for Fashion Forensics and Kiri Bloore?

Kiri: 2014 is an exciting year for Fashion Forensics as the brand is constantly growing and we will be expanding the TV side and having daily fashion updates, and we are looking into a ‘Work Your Wardrobe’ project where we will help the readers create the perfect wardrobe and give to charity the items that they no longer need. And for me well it will fashion and motor sport filled continuing the game of two halves.

Ann FooSeptember 24, 2013

For this autumn momondo’s Elnaz picks out what’s hot to wear, where…

It’s day two of New York Fashion week, and London designer and Momondo Local Fighter ELNAZ NIKNANI, has been busy preparing her fashion line, in the run-up to the four upcoming major fashion weeks – New York, London, Milan, and Paris.

Elnaz here unveils the key fashion trends for each city this season, and essential items to pack when visiting this autumn, to be in vogue…

What to wear in New York

“In the big apple, a splash of yellow will go a long way. From a full on trench, to a tailored blazer, or simple clutch, if travelling to New York this autumn, make sure you pack at least one yellow item”, says Niknani.

Return flights to New York from London, start from around £416 this September, searching on Momondo.

What to wear in Milan

“Milan is always about the hottest fashions, but this autumn it’s firmly in the shade. Black will be everywhere. Black jackets and waistcoats are therefore wardrobe staples, for a city break in Milan this fall,” says Niknani.

Return flights to Milan from London, start from around £98 this September, searching on Momondo.

What to wear in London

“London fashion so often verges on the quirky, and this autumn is no exception, with colour clash bang on trend. So, my advice is to worry less about co-ordinating your separates when packing, and more about mixing things up, when planning a London break this autumn,” says Niknani.

What to wear in Paris

“Paris is all about pattern this autumn, but on your legs, is where it counts. Team a pair of patterned trousers with a plain top, for instant fashion kudos when staying in France’s capital,” says Niknani.

Return flights to Paris from London, start from around £76 this September, searching on Momondo.

And for everywhere else…

“If you want to be in-style, but don’t want to spend too much cash, accessorise with creative socks, tights and leggings. The right embellishments add a sense of savvy and cool, to any outfit,” says Niknani.

momondo recently ran a competition to win a pair of embellished leggings and socks, designed by Elnaz Niknani. Watch out for more competitions to win items from her new collection, on the momondo blog.

Jeff ArmstrongApril 26, 2013

A small country town in England’s West Country is set to become a leading fashion centre.

When designers Anna Perra and Robin Chater decided to launch their fashion design partnership their first thoughts were to locate it in Robin’s adopted country of France or Anna’s home city of Rome. But Anna already had a fashion outlet in Somerset and that convinced her that the West of England was the place to start a fashion revolution for men and women. And thus was born The Fashion Design Studio Limited.

“ Curiously” remarks Anna “the location for our initial studio became all too obvious. If the aim of a fashion designer is to encapsulate all that is beautiful in the world then the natural place to design is where the location is also as beautiful as it gets – and in England there are few more beautiful little towns than Castle Cary in Somerset. The town also has the advantage of having a main line station with direct trains to London and that has attracted a lot of sophisticated, creative and successful people to come and live in and around the town”.

Robin has for some time combined the design of shirts and jackets with his “day job” as one of Europe’s top business leaders. “ I have been Secretary-General of the Federation of European Employers (FedEE) since the Federation was founded 24 years ago , but that has not stopped me from my creative passion for poetry and design. Robin was formerly head of practice at one of Britain’s leading product and industrial design companies Cambridge Consultants where he worked with a number of clothing manufacturers. He has long been an an advocate for regenerating the clothing industry in Europe.

“As the recent disasters in Bangladesh have illustrated only too well we in the west must stop relying on low cost labour to cloth us. We must all get used to paying more for what we wear and start demanding better quality products that are produced by local workers. During the last 20-30 years we have offshored clothing production so much that tailoring skills are now in short supply. Only in Italy and Spain are there sufficient numbers of highly skilled people who can cut and hem to high professional standards.”

The Fashion Design Studio is committed to supporting European production and will be calling on the best available skills to produce its unique garments. The company is even bringing in top designers from Italy to help develop its revolutionary designs for men.

“ Most of our projects are still under wraps” admits Robin “ but we hope to have at least one of our shirts on display this Saturday when our studio opens for business“ .

As well as being a design and sales base for Anna and Robin’s creations the studio will also be retailing a wide range of women’s clothing from top fashion houses in Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark.

More Information:

The Fashion Design Studio is located at 13 Fore Street, Castle Cary, Somerset and shall open from 9.30 am on Saturday, April 27^th 2013. Anna and Robin will be available for interview all day, although an appointment is recommended

Niki ArestiNovember 4, 2011

Kokku is a new venture for husband and wife, Andrea and Ansula Usai, who have
worked together to produce a delicate jewellery range, that showcases the work
of Sardinian artists. The name Kokku is taken from a Sardinian amulet, an object
that protects newborn babies. Andrea explains “the brand is a baby and we want
it to grow” without harm.
Before Kokku Andrea would select jewellery for his wife to celebrate milestones
in their lives; he would search a range of countries for something special but
would always return to Sardinia, where he felt the design of the jewellery was
the most beautiful. Friends were frequently interested in the unique pieces, so
Andrea and Ansula have decided to share this secret treasure through the launch
of KOKKU.
On meeting Andrea he exudes passion for his culture. Kokku is not just about
beautiful jewellery it is also about community. Andrea believes through
promotion and recognition traditional craft can be kept alive and carried on to future
generations. With their collection they aim to celebrate delicate, handmade
pieces by “local artists to the big world”.

The story of Kokku’s creation is one that is romantic and personable. It is clear Kokku have a dream and I can’t wait for them to share their next hand-crafted designs with us.

For more information on stockists in the London area visit:

www.kokku.co.uk/

PaddyAugust 22, 2011

From Petticoat Lane to Kings Road, Harvest is one of London’s most successful independent boutiques. The business, now 20 years old, is safely in the hands of Sara Ereson daughter of its founder Al Eresen.

Named after the famous Neil Young album of 1972, Harvest is an independent store that provides service that is hard to find in major retailers these days, specialising in contemporary womenswear for every occasion and every size. Yes that’s right; you don’t need to be a size zero to shop on Kings Road.

The Butter By Nadia signature dress is the original wrap dress from the U.S and the collection is readily available at Harvest. The new innovative style has endless possibilities and the signature fabric comes in a multitude of colours and lengths. With the likes of Naomi Watts, SJP and Salma Hayek all huge fans it’s no surprise that Harvest has grabbed the exclusive stock.

It doesn’t end there though; from cocktails dress to full length floor sweepers Harvest carries a wide range of designers such as Cavalli Class, Ruth Tarvydas, Jovani, Pinko and Scala. For more information on Harvest visit www.harvestlondon.co.uk and for a 10% discount on sales quote Chelsea Monthly upon payment!

Opening times:
Monday – Saturday 10.00am to 7.00pm
Sunday – 12.00pm to 6.00pm

HARVEST
136 Kings Road
London
SW3 4XB
020 7581 9245