Abyssinia next year!

Am flying out in the blizzards to Ethiopia followed by the sunny sands of Zanzibar - tomorrow!  Crossing fingers the flights are working.  Will try and post blogs from both but, if not ...

Image compliments of David Zane, photographer

Man's Best Friend

If you don't know about Orlebar Brown and have a stylish man in your life, then check out the website and splash out on his behalf.  Fab surf shorts and trunks, much more stylish than Vilebrequin "the ultimate reference in swimwear" whose rich clientele is growing older with the label itself.  The newest Orlebar creation?  A man's best friend printed on the shorts themselves.  Love the label.  Love the site....

Preview Burberry Pre Fall 11

BURBERRY PRORSUM presented its Pre-Fall 2011-12 collection (already??) with each piece   filmed to allow fans to see how the clothes move and look  from all angles.

Whilst  signature trenches are reworked with thick leather belts and  embellishments we still opt for the 'less is more look' and have fallen head over heels for this forrest green tweed trouser suit with classic leather detailing.  Amazingly the collection is available from May 2011 so wealthy women will be bored with their Autumn 11 wardrobes before the Summer is even over!

Image courtesy of Vogue.com

Check out Fashion Champagne

We're delighted to be offering one of our favourite blogs, Fashion Champagne, a gorg party dress to give away over the 12 days of Christmas!  Check it out ...

http://www.fashionchampagne.com/2010/12/fashionbloggers-giveaway.html

Enemies of the People: The Killing Fields: January 18, 2010

The Lexi Cinema is generously offering it's fabulous boutique cinema in Kensal Rise, NW London,  to screen a fund-raising event for the Cambodian Children's Fund.  £4 from every ticket sold will go to CCF-UK which will  impact positively on the lives of 700 children and their families in Phnom Penh many of whom are living on, or close to, the world's most toxic rubbish dump.

The Killing Fields during the Khmer Rouge era under the leadership of Pol Pot, has had an enduring impact on the lives of Cambodians who have still not recovered from the devastion and mass murders wrought at the time.  Enemies of the People is an Award winning documentary which traces the perpetrators of these atrocities.  Director Rob Lemkin will be at the Lexi for a Directors Q&A.  Please make sure to put the 18th in your diaries and contact Trustee@CCF-UK.org for tickets or donations.  Book soon - there are only 70 seats in all.

Wham Bam thank you Sam

When it comes to London's fashion gliterrati there's no better place to view a 'coven' of fashionistas than at the British Fashion Awards (last week held at the Savoy).  With the exception of Erin, who shone like a star as is her wont, Sam Cam outshone all and sundry.  Think class, pared down and immaculately understated.  Osman is a winner whilst Victoria Beckham's spindly leg makes her  anything but Posh (more like a dressing gown) ...  Our vote goes to Sam anytime.

LESS IS MORE?????

Has the man gone mad?  With the fashion mood for luxurious classics and investment pieces, Karl Lagerfeld has introduced his Pre-Fall 2011 collection for Chanel which couldn't carry more embellishment if he tried.  These are not classics with a contemporary twist to update them (although one or two pieces in the collection do fall into this category thank goodness) but out and out OTT pieces.  Witness the image below.  I fear Coco will be turning in her grave ....although of course the fashion mafia may love this collection.  Who can tell!

And, incidentally, isn't Pre-Fall 2011 rather jumping the gun  - notwithstanding the trend for Holiday, Resort, and Mid Season collections riding high.

The Softest Sale of All

I was lucky enough to have a preview of the Oyuna Sale collection and picked up a fabulous shrunken cashmere asymetrically buttoned jacket and a simple Japanese style wool coat - for less than £220 for the two.  I have worn both almost every day since my purchase and have received admiring glances, stroked arms and frustrated compliments from jealous friends who thought they had lost out.  Well, they haven't!  The good news is that Oyuna is having a pre Christmas sale on Saturday 18th.  Be there to bag a great bargain and wear with pride!
Saturday 18th December

10am - 7pm
The Music Rooms,
VAAD Gallery, Basement
26 South Molton Lane
London W1K 5AB

Check out this great H&M Amsterdam Stunt!

Eat Your Heart Out!

Our favourite luxury retreat in South West France has just announced another reason to book a week away at this outstanding 'boutique hotel' and outpost for creatives. Diana and Lisel of The Jewels of New York (first call for all the social events in NYC and Martha Stewart favourites), visit France (cheeky!) for the first time to  guide participants over five days of culinary fun and learning, focussed on the Dordogne's historical produce with a twist of contemporary tweaking.  Expect seasonal recipes and specialty bakes with emphasis on Spring favourites to keep the menus fresh and exciting.  Combine this with luxury accommodation, great wines and good company and anywhere else this would cost the earth!  Check out Les Soeurs Anglaises for full details.






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Kane Gets Manly!

Just announced, Christopher Kane has designed a capsule menswear collection - cashmeres, hoodies, jackets and more - going on sale next week in Dover Street.  I think the Fashion Bloggers were amongst the first to predict the current zeitgeist is menswear ....

Delicious Lascivious!

When it comes to sexy lingerie (much of which can be worn as outerwear to those Christmas events where party goers want to create a stir) then check out Not Just a Label the stylish site representing young designers for anyone seeking fabulous and original pieces.  NJAL has today launched a section entirely devoted to designer lingerie from labels such as Lascivious - loved by Elle and Vogue - YYV:Bloom and Nichole de Carle amongst others.  Check out the site if you want to stand out from the crowd this festive season ....