Look Du Jour: Boy Girl Thing

What: Boyfriend jeans: Paige Denim (c/o), Shirt: Gap, Belt: Black & Brown London (c/o), Shoes & Bag: Vince Camuto (c/o)

Where: Vince Camuto Store Launch Party & J.Crew Cocktails & Cashmere Party

If ever there was an occasion where pulling out all the sartorial stops was necessary, meeting J.Crew’s Creative Director Jenna Lyons would be it. Given Jenna’s well known knack for androgyny with a playful, girlish twist, I decided to resist the urge to reach for my usual after dark failsafe, the cocktail dress. I wanted to look cool, chic and fashion forward but with just the right amount of prep. In other words, I wanted to look J.Crew. So I opted for boyfriend jeans which, having never EVER worn them before was something of a risky move for me but after last week’s punk (ish) experience I was feeling daring. Plus it was waaaay too cold for bare legs and I have an extreme aversion to black opaques in May. The evening was fabulous and I managed to chat with Jenna, causing my girl crush to reach stratospheric levels. More gossip from the party will be coming your way soon but for now, what do you think of my look?

Love Ella. X

Ps) Apologies for the lack of weekly wish list today, things are a bit mental at the moment and I still have my thesis proposal to write… HELP!

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Look Du Jour 2 Comments

Introducing: Dodo Souvenir Bracelets

It’s been a while since I last did an “Introducing” post so when I caught wind of the latest venture from Dodo – Italian jewellery giant Pomellato’s adorable little sister label – I thought it would be just the thing. As you no doubt gathered from my Monica Vinader project, I’m a sucker for accessories that say something. As you may remember from my post on the Dodo blogger breakfast back in December, the very point of this brand is meaningful (literally) jewellery. Having coveted their playful “talking charms” and mused on who I’d give each one to, I thought the idea of a bracelet that celebrates a stylish city was very sweet. A couple of summers ago I spent a wild week in Paris with my two best girlfriends. Had Dodo’s souvenir bracelets been around back then I’d have loved us to each get the Paris version and then add more charms from subsequent trips we took together. But sadly they weren’t so I feel we should probably take another trip… Seems like the only sensible option, right?

Love Ella. X

Ps) Dodo just launched an e-commerce site, click here to check it out.

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Fashion 2 Comments

Dining At: Buddha Bar London

After a few weeks hiatus I’m very happy to say that “Dining At” is BACK! And boy, is it back with a vengeance. As you might remember, the last restaurant I reviewed was a bit of a let down but my visit to Buddha Bar London more than made up for it. I’ve been to the Knightsbridge glamporium (AKA emporium of glamour, new word made up by my, whatcha think?) a couple of times for drinks and always had a good time. No matter how hard I try, I’m not and never will be one of those achingly hip people who enjoys drinking vodka cokes out of plastic cups in dive bars. Now and again I do end up getting dragged East of Hoxton, but given the choice anywhere with luxe ambiance, crisp Pinot Grigio and some form of lounge music is where I feel most in my element. Buddha Bar’s London outposts delivers all these things and then some. The wine is fine, the decor unashamedly opulent and, as I discovered last Friday, the food is to die for.

When my dining companion, Tayler and I arrived we were greeted like long lost family members and ushered to a table in prime people watching position where flutes of bubbly deliciousness were awaiting. You know the phrase “you had me at hello”? Well, Buddha Bar had me at “a glass of champagne to start, Miss”. In all honesty, even if the food was rubbish the whole experience still would have been fabulous. After our delectable apéritif the charming staff swooped over with an equally delectable white wine selection. Throughout the evening, they remained attentive and accommodating beyond belief, letting me swap bits of the menu around without the slightest flicker of an eye roll and not laughing when I tripped over my platform ankle boots on the way to the bathroom.

Eventually we did get around to ordering, once I’d finally managed to get my head around the concept of “Bento”. It’s not actually complicated in the slightest but believe it or not, I’d never Bento-ed before. Well, believe you me, I’ll be Bento-ing a lot more in future. I ordered the Green Papaya Salad and Spicy Tuna Sushi rolls which came with fresh Wakame Salad, seed sprinkled steamed rice and THE tastiest Miso Soup. Generally speaking, I’ve always thought that Miso Soup was murky, salty and pointless but evidently, I just haven’t been drinking the right kind. Tayler chose the Prawn Tempura and Salmon Miso, having swiped a bit of both off his plate (in the name of blogging of course) I can confirm that they were equally scrumptious.

As per usual, we went for a liquid dessert. Both of us opted for our “usuals” but these were Lychee Martinis and Old Fashioneds beyond our most decadent dreams, beautifully presented and dangerously drinkable.

I’m sure you’ve gathered how I feel about Buddha Bar London after 400 plus words of praise but just in case, I thought it was absolutely bloody brilliant! If you like Asian Fusian, Sushi, great wine and luxe ambiance then I advise you to book a table asap.

Love Ella. X

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Lifestyle 1 Comment

Stylenoir Magazine Launch

Having been styling, smiling and socialising in high heels for four hours straight at my Monica Vinader event, by the time 8 o’clock rolled around last Thursday I was just about ready for bed. But pyjamas and peppermint tea would have to wait as I had another party to attend. Before you start despairing that I’m a complete nutter, hell bent on exhausting myself and crippling my feet in the process, I’ll tell you why I wouldn’t of dreamt of skipping this particular soiree. You see, that day my good friend (and the man responsible for La Petite Anglaise’s makeover last summer) James Joseph unveiled the first ever PRINT issue of his very own Stylenoir Magazine!

Given that Stylenoir has been running as a hugely successful online mag since 2008, many Editors would be inclined to stick to the digital formula rather than venturing into the treacherous waters of print publication. It came as no surprise to anyone who knows him, that James isn’t one of them. With the help of Forward PR Founder (and former LPA interviewee) Courtney Blackman and a small team of talented creatives, Stylenoir’s debut print issue “Retribution” launched last week and I have to say, it’s magnificent.

As we all know, any fashion occasion must be celebrated with a party involving gorgeous guests and lethally strong cocktails. Stylenoir had taken over Mo*Vida for theirs. I don’t know whether you’ve been to the club but its lair-esque, underground setting provided a fittingly glam goth back drop for noir themed cocktails and dark-inspired make overs. Sadly I didn’t stay until the dancing got started (very out of character, I really was knackered!) but I managed to get in a good mingle with some of my favourite fashion friends, guzzle a few vodka confections and have a good read through the magazine.

Huge congratulations to James, Courtney and everyone at Stylenoir! If you want to get yourself a copy, click here.

Love Ella. X

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Parties Leave a comment

5 Minutes With: Sophie Anderson

If, like me, a day rarely goes by without you checking the Matches website then you’ll no doubt have spotted the work of Sophie Anderson. Given how bright her deliciously colourful, bold patterned, hand crafted handbags are, it’s pretty hard to miss them. Since launching her label in 2011 Sophie Anderson’s eclectic creations have been something of a sartorial sensation. Having lived everywhere from Kuwait to Columbia and worked as yoga teacher and interior stylist, Sophie’s own journey to accessory stardom is equally fascinating. I caught up with the globe trotting designer to talk inspirations, aspirations and of course, travel…

LPA: Born in Kuwait and raised in Oman, I think it’s fair to say you’ve had a fairly exotic upbringing. How do you feel this has influenced your creative process and design aesthetic?

SA: I think wherever we are we absorb the environment in a way that influences and inspires our creatively. My travels and up bringing, not only added more inspiration and ideas to my work but form an enormous part of my personality and also Sophie Anderson as a brand.

LPA: Having grown up in Oman, travelled extensively and launched your brand while living in South America, I can imagine adjusting to London life could have been quite a shock to the system. What prompted your decision to relocate here? How does it compare to the other places you’ve lived?

SA: We loved living in South America, but that’s life sadly, all great adventures come to an end. I cried and cried leaving Colombia. I just love the excitement and unfamiliarity of living abroad. It keeps everything real.

LPA: I was interested to learn that you first trained in Montessori Education then as a Yoga teacher and then also worked in interior design before turning your hand to fashion. What drove these changes of career direction? Do you think now you’ll stick with accessories or could something else be on the cards?

SA: None of it was planned it just happened like that. I loved all of them and still do, I think in this world it’s important to be able to be interested and capable in many skills…. with the Sophie Anderson brand who knows! Let’s see if all the Wayuu weavers continue their magic and don’t take too many ‘Sacred Ritual festivals’ throughout valuable production time again!

LPA: Since launching the Sophie Anderson brand in 2011, your designs have been picked up by numerous top stockist including Matches, Browns and Fenwicks. Did you have a clear cut business/PR strategy or was it a case of right time right place?

SA: I was a very lucky person in the right place at the right time …. I had no idea what I was doing! I had very few weavers when I first started. Since the launch in October 2011, I was lucky to meet people who share the same passion of fun, vibrant colours and designs as I do. Now it’s a matter of jumping on a plane and getting back to the desert searching for hundreds more to increase the demands.

LPA: How would you describe your personal style? Do you follow trends or read fashion magazines?

SA: Summer is my season; it really brings out the true me I could say I blossom during summer. As for trends I do not tend to follow them; It doesn’t really interest me. I much prefer individuality. I believe everyone has a unique colour and that’s how they should be.

LPA: Which other designers do you particularly rate and why?

SA: I like many of course so it’s difficult to pick, but I particularly like….Temperley, Dolce Gabbana as I find them romantic and flirtatious. I also love Vintage as they have so much character and history behind them.

LPA: Who, dead or alive, would you most like to see wearing your designs?

SA: Id love to do a photo shoot of the beautiful young Wayuu Girls in the desert wearing all their mothers woven work, wearing any designer outfits they wanted! That would be so fun …. My dear friend and Photographer Hannah Dakin – would come with me and we would have the most amazing time shooting it- I would then take her to go and party in Cartagena!

LPA: What’s next for Sophie Anderson? Could you ever see yourself expanding into ready-to-wear?

SA: I’d like to think so… but for now I am just going to focus on what I have and keep it tight. But who knows what will happen in the future, the possibilities are endless.

Love Ella. X

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Interviews Leave a comment

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