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.

Brown brogues

Love this outfit paired with brown brogues...so relaxed and happy just before the Bank Holiday weekend. The pubs in London were absolutely heaving with people drinking on Friday after work but this outfit stood out amongst the crowded backdrop

Singapore-London Fashion Connection

Check out Alexa Chung who was rocking it at Mulberry's fashion installation at Tanjong Beach club in Singapore last night. Guests were treated to Alexa DJ-ing and among the prosecco and mini fish & chips served were miniature Alexa cakes..cute as!

Its all about the studs today...

Loving Charlie's studded leather jacket and diamond padded Chanel-esque boots (a lucky find from a New York boutique...don't you just love AND hate that?)

Dress: Primark
Flower ring: Topshop
Studded Jacket: Primark 

Studs and ballet

Soooo digging my new Topshop studded ballet flats at the moment!! Just hoping it won't rain today

Floral statement dresses

This vintage floral tea dress by Suzannah (and as seen recently on Denise Van Outen) is utterly beautiful. The designer was inspired by a vintage dress brought in Paris's Porte de Clignacourt flea market. Its bold print will ensure it carries you through from summer to winter. Wear with charcoal tights and patent mary-janes in the colder months or bare legs and killer heels for any remnants of sunny days we have left.

Alternatively, for anyone lucky enough to be heading off on their summer hols (you lucky bunch you) be inspired by Anthropologie's Grasslands dress...whicker basket in hand and floral alice band in your hair and you're all set to go!

Quirky London, Robin Kingly Court

Stumbled on a random party in a vintage shop in Kingly Court the other night when suddenly I meet Robin...a man who encapsulates all that is quirky, fun and lovely. He was just lovely!

When an Apple and a Mulberry Came together

...it produced a stroke of fashion genius. Available from August in selected Mulberry stores, Mulberry.com and Apple stores will be a new range produced especially for Apple products. The new line will retain the coveted exteriors of Mulberry icons such as the Bayswater and Brynmore. Inside they have been enhanced with features like padding, pockets and headphone access...almost too good to be true

Retro Super Cool Sunglasses

Despite the rain and general London dreariness I've found the cutest brand of sunglasses which I'm refusing to take off despite the lack of sunshine. Retrosuperfuture has brought out the 'Lucia' - 50's glam with all the modern trimmings. The Lucia has a petite frame yet boasts an extremely strong design and Giotto-esque round lens.Of the current range, this is by far the most experimental design coupled with a classic simplicity 

Hello sunshine

Having a bit of an obsession with light at the moment. I love the way it accentuates people's silhouettes

Ibiza calling

Well hello again...firstly I wanted to apologise for being quiet of late. I've been on the beautiful island of Ibiza having a fabulous time and spotting some fabulous people in the process. Regular style posts will resume as normal...promise!!

Sweet Knits

Anthropologie gets even sweeter. What better way to brighten this cold, grey and dreary London day than by donning Anthropologie's Chocolate Box Cardigan from its new collection? If  I could eat it, I seriously would

Summer in the City, Bikini and a Bike

On the way to Shoreditch House pool to cool off...

Milan comes to London

I bumped into this couple walking down Argyll Street - they seem to complement each other so well. Edgy, cool and ever so slightly aloof

New Mulberry Handbag Collection

Every season there are a few handbags that really seem to stand out beyond all others. Whilst I am a big believer in style and functionality, Mulberry seems to be a brand that comes up trumps time and time again primarily for its ability to create beautiful bags that are also easy to carry.

For my 'classic' and everyday bag of choice, Mulberry has produced its ever-popular Alexa in the most beautiful Grape colour, made with soft buffalo leather. Perfect for everyday teamed with a plain white T and skinny jeans or to accent a more colourful dress palette.

As a statement handbag this season, I will be mostly lusting after the Hayden Small Shoulder bag in the mouth-wateringly named Drizzle Shiny Leopard. Functional in its design and size, its statement print and colour is enough to accessorize the most simple of outfits. This is serious arm candy but well designed to last you beyond this season and the next!

Castle Lake Dress, South Kensignton, London

Louisa wears dress by Anthropologie, sandals by Rupert Sanderson

Candy Explosion, Lilac and yellow

There is something about sorbet yellow and lilac as a colour combination which reminds me of bon-bons and pick n mix...LOVE this laid-back breezy summer look!
Zoe wears:
Yellow vest: H&M, Skirt: Urban Outfitters, Shoes: Office, Bag: Mulberry

My Mulberry, Jo on Great Portland Street, London

I love the way that Jo wasn't afraid of clashing her animal print Mulberry Alexa bag with her heart printed Zara shorts and Ralph Lauren stripes. Cuteness personified