Pink Winter Cardi

Cardigan: Miss Selfridge
Trousers: Zara
Shoes: Topshop
Vest: Topshop
Necklace: Vintage

Spirit of the Forties, Waterloo Station

In and amongst all the suits and dark colours at Waterloo Station this morning, this young lady's forties spirit and style stood out from the crowd. Her red hair, bright lipstick and Breton vest gave me the sense that she wasn't heading to a 9-5 office job but rather, heading off somewhere nostalgic, just like her style...to listen to Glen Miller and dance the Lindy Hop.

Animal Instinct, Victoria Argyll Street

Bag: Balenciaga
Shoes: Repetto
Jacket: Vintage
Trousers: Les Chiffoniers
Top: American Vintage

Dear Santa....

....I've been good all year so I think I deserve what I think is one of the most delectable handbags I've ever seen...ever. I spotted it whilst walking past Mulberry's store in St. Christopher's Place. If it appears in my stocking this Christmas I'll be the happiest girl in the whole of London.

Vibrant London Style

Shady lady: Bianca, London

Bianca wears

Mac:Burberry
Bag: Anya Hindmarch

Great Style & A Smile: Kristina, London

This is Kristina channeling laid-black glam. I love how her fire engine red lipstick adds instant glamour to her outfit.

 

Jacket: Twenty8Twelve

Top: Zara

Skirt: Zara

Bag: Mulberry

Shoes: Carvela

Tights: Gap

High fashion and a burger fix

I couldn't help but snap this uber cool group of friends catching a quick fast food bite in between shows at London Fashion Week today...there's also something about the socks and hosiery that I found totally captivating.

Orange blouse at London Fashion Week

This is Natalie who I met at London Fashion Week the other day. Looking stunning in a brick coloured sheer blouse and 60's style floppy hat. She has hippie chic coupled with ladylike glamour down to a T

Blouse - Topshop
Shorts - Topshop
Hat - Topshop
Shoes - Primark

Familiar faces at Mulberry SS 2011 show

Alexa Chung looked lovely in a blue fitted dress accentuated with white ruffle by Orla Kiely.

Meanwhile Rachel Stevens looked divine in an animal print dress and Mulberry clutch

Mulberry SS 2011 Runway Collection

Mulberry is in bloom for Spring Summer 2011 at London Fashion Week. The show was filled with unexpected contrasts of maxi and mini proportions and oversized details.

There were two stand-out prints: Trippy Tiger and Neon Woodland which underpinned the collection. The range was both soft and romantic as well as bold, dramatic and sharp. High waisted skirts were accentuated with deep folds ensuring a post-modern ladylike sensibility.

 

Mulberry's animal instinct went beyond the prints that adorned the chiffon shirts and flowing dresses. It was handbags and pooches all the way with several guests packing their glamorous pets into their designer handbags.

Invitation to London Fashion Week

I love invitations...they're generally sent for something enjoyable: weddings, tea parties, baby showers...or in this case...London Fashion Week. This is one of my favourites that has been sent to me for Mulberry's show. If the invitation looks this good then I have high hopes for its new collection...excited? Moi?

Afternoon tea with Justine Picardie for Coco Chanel book launch

What a fab afternoon I must tell you all about - I was invited to afternoon tea at Claridges with the fabulous Justine Picardie who launches her new book Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life. I'd preempted a traditional book launch with a packed room, name badges and lectern. But we're talking about Justine Picardie and Coco Chanel here - the afternoon was in fact a really intimate chat with the author herself, filled with some great stories that made me laugh and more importantly which made me question everything I thought I knew about Coco Chanel herself.

 

Justine's research has evidently gone beyond pure diligence to archived information. Granted she has unearthed some absolutely fascinating facts and unseen images; Coco Chanel's close relationship with Winston Churchill or the nervous anxiety she suffered despite our preconceived notions of Wintour-esque stature and ultimate confidence. Justine has gone beyond straightforward research by literally stepping into Coco's shoes...and couture!

Justine recounts staying at Gabrielle's (Coco's great niece's) apartment where she was permitted to try the fashion icon's personal couture (which, she recalls still smelt like No. 5) to living in the convent where Coco was brought up by nuns.  Justine draws some amazing parallels that go a long way in unearthing the real life and inspirations of the legend that was Coco Chanel. Never before seen pictures highlight the convent's impact on Coco's design inspirations: from the double 'c' logo clearly evident in the convent's stained glass window, or the star designed mosaic floor that became so integral to Coco's designs.

The book is as compelling as the smell of No. 5 as I'm already on my fourth chapter and can't seem to put it down. I'd urge anyone who has an interest in Chanel to pick up a copy pronto as this book will challenge what you thought you already knew in a big way.

As interesting as the book itself are Justine's fantastic experiences and stories from when she was researching...I'm going to leave you with one.
Having stayed in the very room where Coco passed at the Ritz Hotel, Justine experienced flashing lights and an exploding lightbulb on her first night. The hotel's electricians checked the room the next day and everything appeared normal with the wiring. When the maid came to tidy her room Justine mentioned she'd had the strangest night but didn't explain what had happened. The maid turned to her and nonchalantly asked: "Has Mademoiselle been to visit?"... needless to say, everyone in the room felt a shiver run down their spine so heaven knows how Justine must have felt at the time.

As well as drawing upon her unprecedented access to the Chanel archive, Justine has gone beyond just that to unpick the seams between the truth and myth. The result is a book full of interesting facts about Le Grande Mademoiselle that have never been unearthed before to create what can only be described as the definitive biography of one of fashion's most revered icons.

Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life is published this Thursday. To hear Justine talk about the book visit Waterstones, High Street Kensington, 23rd September at 7pm. For more dates and locations visit Justine's blog

Buttery soft handbags to make you swoon

Every now and again a new handbag designer comes along that really makes me sit up and notice. I've been a fan of Tabitha's for some years now. Hardly new on the scene, she has been designing beautiful bags since 2003. What I love about them is that they're the antithesis of what is deemed an IT bag. They are wonderfully crafted, exceptional in their practicality and timeless. Add to that, the softest butteriest leather you can muster...and there you have it. I'll be donning my Stardust bag at London Fashion Week this year...if I can just get to the front of that waiting list that is!!

Lanvin Loves Hennes

Lanvin is the latest brand to collaborate with H&M, with previous collections designed by the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garçons and Sonia Rykiel. In a new twist, the Lanvin for H&M collection will be revealed to the world through a special film which will be launched on November 2. The film will be available for all to see online at www.hm.com. Following the film’s debut, it will be just three weeks before customers have the chance to get their hands on a covetable piece of Lanvin for H&M.