Monday 17 September 2012

A week of firsts, the first of many (here's hoping!)

Where do I even begin. I have barely been in London a week and things have escalated quicker than a nudie monarch press scandal (yes, that quickly).

The 'What I Wores' - Week 1 (alliteration, yay!)
Monday was my first day interning at Burberry in their PR & Marketing Emerging Markets department. Once I came to from the overwhelming and monumental beauty that is Horseferry House (I'd quite happily sleep under a desk to be able to call that place home) it was down to business. Everything is frantic due to the much anticipated Burberry SS13 show for LFW which is also being streamed live to their brand new Regent Street flagship store that is revolutionary in terms of its digitally integrated shopping experience. I've been supporting the team while they've been organising their part of the show, co-ordinating other events in the emerging markets, pulling looks for international shoots and generally looking like supermodels (what's the word for intimidating times a bagillion?). HFH is a power house and Burberry's employees are living embodiments.

Horseferry House
Though Burberry has already been an incredible experience, some of the most interesting events of the week have come from a new adventure into blogging. After a great Skype with Victoria from Chartwell Magazine on Monday evening she hooked me up with invitations to a couple of uhmazing events, both of which were gin-orientated (Joy Levels: through the roof).

Wednesday was the Gordon's Gin Ten Green Bottles launch party at One Marylebone, showcasing ten bottles of Gordon's designed by Sir Terence Conran. First London event and I'm thrown in at the deep end, riding solo. The venue was completely bathed in green light and personalised for the iconic dry London gin. Upon arrival: trays of classic gin & tonics and a gin & elderflower concoction, both of which went down a treat (several times over I might add). There was a massive mix of people there, from Made in Chelseans to design groupies to those just looking for a grand old time, including Richard from i-likeitalot.com who I ventured with round the ten themed alcoves that displayed Conran's designer vessels (all hidden when we arrived - countdown started, big bang, coverings dropped, buzz ensued). The alcoves were all themed by Conran around his designs including a lush flower market, a vegetable patch and a giant canvas replica of one design allowing guests to paint their own contribution. The refreshing designs were a fantastic complement to the brand and the tempo of the night increased to a lively and excitable pace.


Several gin and mixers later and aware that I had to be up for more Burberry graft the next morning, I headed out, briefly meeting comedienne Olivia Lee on my way (she did like the walls in One Marylebone). Just when I thought the night had given me all it had to give, a Gordon's x Conran goodie bag was thrust into my hands as I left including a full bottle of the fruity, dry stuff. Great news of the highest order.


And so began LFW. Mania in HFH as everything is prepared for the SS13 show, but my Friday night was mainly concerned with the PPQ after show party. Not just an after show party, but one at Kensington Roof Garden and sponsored by Tanqueray gin, inevitably meaning a few more free gin cocktails. Fashion, party, rooftop venue and free gin. Please excuse me while my head explodes. Stepping out of the lift and into KRG it's clear where the PPQ devotees are: the large VIP area towards the back of the contemporary-luxe club is rammed with fash-packers and an incredible creature draped in chain mail (didn't remember to get a photo... N.B. self: work on my triple threat). I survived the throng at the bar and emerged with a champagne-gin concoction ready to explore the Tudor-garden-style outside venue with Aziz and Carlos, two rascals I met in the queue who were there through a friend to just enjoy the party and throw a little cynicism the way of the try-hards.


Live music, shisha and a bottle of the smoothest white rum I have ever had the pleasure to get acquainted with made for an awesome rest of the night before the last tube home. Apparently I missed Pixie Lott and VV Brown tearing up the dance floor in the early hours but I'll try not to shed too many tears....

And that's it. So completes my first week at Burberry! I thought this next week might let up on a poor, overwhelmed town girl but I'm being thrown in at the deep end and having my head held under (though in the most enjoyable way possible) with two more events for Chartwell, one with Grey Goose and one with cocktails and pizza in Soho... dear liver: sorry in advance.

Tuesday 11 September 2012

All that glitters...

Everyone has their kryptonite: I may be able to refuse that gorgeous geometric-patterned blouse or pair of heart-attack inducing platform heels (though this isn't willpower that I often find myself in the possession of) my one enormous weakness is accessories: bags, necklaces, bracelets, earrings - rack 'em up and pile 'em high is the mantra I find myself living by when it comes to the finishing touches of an outfit. Imagine my excitement then when I flick through the trend forecasts for AW'12 and see page upon page of glorious garments adorned with massive jewels, killer studs and Fifty Shades of chains.

Left to right: Anna Sui AW'12; Jean-Paul Gaultier AW'12
The bigger the better is always a sweet phrase to hear, and even better to see in action in the fashion world. Here comes the tricky part though: a stylista on a budget can find herself at quite a disadvantage when the mind-bogglingly intricate and eccentric jewellery of her dreams is accompanied by a huge (though often justified) price tag. Enter: the high street. For a fraction of the cost you can buy yourself a chestful of style swag to layer up and make look super expensive thanks to those notoriously fabulous designers at H&M, Zara, ASOS, Topshop and a host of other helpful high street brands. Here's a selection of what you can find in the shops this Autumn/Winter to update your look.

Clockwise from left to right: ASOS Double Ring Spike Doorknocker Earrings £15; ASOS Spiked Headband £10; ASOS Jewelled Moon Doorknocker Earrings with Detachable Stud £20; ASOS Shard Necklace £10; ASOS Hair Spikes with Hanging Chains £12

Left to right: H&M Necklace £12.99; H&M Bracelet £7.99; H&M Necklace £7.99; H&M Earrings £5.99; H&M Earrings £6.99

Left to right: Zara Women's Golden Mesh Bib Necklace with Black Stones £19.99;  Zara Jewel Necklace with Stones and Glass Tear £19.99
Left to right: Topshop Deco Chandelier Earrings £15; Topshop Curve Hollow Bar Necklace £15; Topshop Wild Thing Shard Ear Cuff £8.50; Topshop Perspex Peter Pan Necklace £25
Pssssst... you know those super cute detachable Peter Pan collars that are all over the shop right now? If  you want something a little more unique without paying custom/couture price tags then head over to Etsy for some handmade bargains! Here's a few I think are worth checking out...

I haven't listed the sellers or prices of these Etsy delights as these pieces are one offs (yay!) which does mean they go quickly (boo!) BUT there's pages and pages more of them (YAY!).