Sparkling flowers on bridal heels from Freya Rose.

Freya Rose interprets to great effect the on-trend floral theme on her 'Darling' shoe to elevate any potential bride to a whole new level.

The classic and stylish almond toe court shoes are handmade with Ivory Duchess’ silk satin upper, soft gold kid leather lining and leather sole.

The unique hand embroidered heel detail is the work of fine craftsmen synonymous to the Freya Rose brand. The exquisite embellishment uses crystals, beads and chiffon to create a beautiful and luxurious detail.  

Superbly elegant also are the matching bridal belts (which come in two different lengths) adding lovely finishing touches to bridal gowns.  All from the award-winning London-based Freya Rose.

Elegant African Print Dresses launched by Sasaako

A new limited edition Spring/Summer 2015 collection of African print dresses is elegant yet captures the spirit and colour of the African continent.  Having been to Kenya and South Africa myself, the prints pleasantly conjure up images of the sights and sounds of the colourful cultures I had encountered there.

 

Under the brand Sasaako, the collection is designed by British-Ghanaian Designer, Aba Sasaako, and made in London with materials sourced via sustainable and responsible methods, according to the designer.  The range features a contrasting mix of prints from strong geometrics to florals. 

 

The collection features two key dress shapes – a midi shift dress and a gathered v-necked dress. These simple feminine shapes give a distinctly grown-up feel to the playful ethnic prints.

 

Aba says “Having worked on a bespoke basis for the last 10 years with my clients, I know there’s a discerning customer out there who really appreciates wearing something flattering and elegant but also playful and bold. And with African prints really making a splash in the mainstream I strive to create something a little different and exclusive to meet that need for uniqueness.”

Sasaako was founded in 2004 by Aba whose vision for her label was simple: to create a distinctive range of fashion and interior products that represent a fusion of contemporary design and African textiles with a strong ethical ethos at the heart of the business.  Aba explained that the label has a real bespoke, tailor-made feel to it, with each dress being made in quantities of six pieces or fewer, and featuring hand-finished detailing.

Aba Sasaako says:
“The limited availability is as much a part of the brand as the beautiful prints themselves. My dresses are for women who want to stand apart from the crowd and enjoy their individuality. I work with fabrics from my own collection, prints that I’ve acquired on my travels and have been given. Each print is special and my customers tend to be women that are looking for something unique and eye catching.”

Hermès launches' "Wanderland" exhibition in London

The name Hermès needs no introduction thus the usual marketing strategy to increase awareness of the brand is not necessary and it is much preferred to go down the route of connecting with the world of arts to further establish the luxury brand's genre.

Saatchi Gallery, London

Thus “Wanderland” - the name of a new exhibition by the luxury French fashion house - has just been launched at London’s Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, a most fitting venue.  

The exhibition will run until May 2 and be then travel to Paris, Italy and China in the autumn.

Dedicated to flânerie, the art of "urban wandering", the exhibition is spread over 11 rooms and features objects from Hermès´ archives, including a series of installations in various media, created by a number of artists and set against a backdrop of a Paris-inspired landscape.

The exhibition was created by Bruno Gaudichon, curator of La Piscine-Musée d'Art et d'Industrie in Roubaix, and includes objects from the Hermès archive, the museum collection of Emile Hermès at 24 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris, and Hermès’ contemporary collections.

A touch of luxury - Italian Leather Cosmetic Purses

Just love these Italian leather cosmetic bags from online luxury gift shop Plum & Ivory.

Available in 5 desirable on-trend colours: cobalt blue, freesia yellow, lilac pink, hemlock green and classic navy, it is hard to decide which one to own. They are certainly perfect as gifts.

Embossed on the side with Plum & Ivory, each bag is made in genuine grainy leather and lined in black cotton lining.  The dimensions are approx 21 x 15 x 7cm,   

Sneakers: The Complete App launched today

Sneakers: The Complete App, reportedly the latest and most comprehensive app to take the sneaker world by storm, is launched today

The Sneakers app was designed and developed by creative agency U-Dox and built upon a compilation of two very successful Thames & Hudson** publications (Sneakers: The Complete Collectors’ Guide and Sneakers: The Complete Limited Editions Guide ) plus never-before-published material. 

For the launch of the app, U-Dox are hosting an event at the Apple Store in London’s Regent Street on 8^th April at 6 pm. It will be a panel discussion hosted by Kish Kash with Dj Nihal (BBC Radio 1), DJ Semtex (BBC Radio 1 Extra), Wesley Tyerman (sneaker and concepts designer) and Kitty Cowell (The Unisex Mode). To attend please click HERE. 

This Sneakers app features over 500 sneakers, high resolution display images, 18 leading sportswear brands such as Adidas, Nike and New Balance and collaborations with mega pop stars Kanye West and Pharrell.

The wealth of content makes this app an indispensable reference for those obsessed by urban style, sport and design. Its dynamic content and versatile display provides a totally immersive experience that will have sneaker fanatics hooked for hours.

Sneakers: The Complete App is an encyclopaedic guide to sneaker culture, and includes:

•           Over 500 sneakers

•           360°rotations of ever sneaker                                                            

•           High resolution display images                                                          

•           18 leading sportswear brands including adidas, Nike and New Balance

•           References sneaker collaborators such as Kanye West and Pharrell 

•           100% filterable content

•           Timeline view             

•           An interactive view of an artist’s studio

•           An informative, interactive look at the anatomy of a sneaker

Sneakers: The Complete App is available for £4.99 (£2.99 for the first two weeks) on the App Store. #completesneakers
**U-Dox is a multidisciplinary design and brand communications agency based in London. U-Dox is the creative force behind Sneakers: The Complete Collectors’ Guide and Sneakers: The Complete Limited Editions Guide, both published by Thames & Hudson. 

Thomas Sabo does charming Lindt Gold Bunny for Easter

The filigree 3D Lindt Chocolate Gold Bunny is a popular Easter staple and has now been carefully crafted as a piece of jewellery in collaboration with designer brand, Thomas Sabo.  

The lovely charm is partnered with the much adored, delicious 500g milk chocolate Lindt Gold Bunny (a popular Easter treat in my household), and encased in a sumptuous, chocolate brown gift box. 

Intricately crafted with great attention to detail, the 18 karat yellow gold-plated Sterling Silver charm captures the joie de vivre of the iconic Lindt Gold Bunny to a tee and has a delicate clasp to attach to a charm bracelet or necklace.  

The charm is the perfect gift for jewellery lovers.

This charmingly cute Limited Edition LINDT GOLD BUNNY is available now in time for Easter exclusively at Selfridges Oxford Street in London. Sold at £100 each, there are just 40 of these bespoke charm on sale.

All things Nautical and Chic. Thames & Hudson collaborates with Beyond Retro.

There is something uniquely appealing about wearing blue and white, sometimes added with a dash of colour, a unique combination inspired by hardworking sailors or fishermen and by life on harbour front, by the coast or on a ship.  Think sailor-collar blouses, brocade-trimmed naval jackets, anchor motif embroidery and the eternally-popular Breton stripe.

The je-ne-sais-quoi appeal of nautical-inspired fashion have for two centuries captured the imagination of designers - from the modernist elegance of Coco Chanel to Malcolm McLaren and  Vivienne Westwood’s punk-fuelled pirates.

Now a new book called Nautical Chic will look at the history of high fashion on the high seas.  Author Amber Jane Butchart, a fashion historian and vintage aficionado, traces the relationship between maritime dress and the fashionable wardrobe, uncovering stories, tracking the trends, and tracing the evolution of the style back to its roots in our seafaring past.   Illustrated with archive imagery as well as contemporary fashion photography, Nautical Chic charts the history of coastal couture.

Nautical Chic, published by Thames & Hudson will be out on March 30^th.

Coinciding with the book, the publisher Thames & Hudson is also partnering with Beyond Retro, the UK’s largest vintage retailer which is launching a Nautical Chic Collection. 

Author Amber Jane Butchart has taken inspiration from the stories of maritime naval officers, sailor-style and designers from John Galliano through to Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood, to create an extensive edit of authentic trend-led vintage pieces from Beyond Retro for the Nautical Chic Collection which will be available in Beyond Retro’s four UK stores in Brighton, Soho, Dalston and Brick Lane in London from March 30th, and online.   Prices range from £12 - £58.

If you want to dive deep into the history of nautical fashion, Amber Butchart will be giving an illustrated talk on the subject at Beyond Retro’s store in Dalston on the evening of Wednesday April 22nd.  Guests will be able to shop the Nautical Chic Collection in store and will also receive a complimentary Sailor Jerry’s rum cocktail on arrival. Signed copies of the book will also be available for purchase at an exclusive discounted price. The event is free and begins at 7pm.

Amber Butchart began her career with the vintage brand in 2002, starting on the shop-floor and quickly progressing to becoming the company’s first buyer before setting up Beyond Retro’s archive. She cites Beyond Retro as the catalyst for her foray into fashion history and the Beyond Retro Design Archive also provided a source of inspiration whilst researching Nautical Chic.

Nautical Chic images courtesy of Thames & Hudson.