Anya Hindmarch AW13

Oh how I adore Anya Hindmarch. As a handbag addict who takes her fashion with a side of fun it stands to reason that Anya’s playful yet undeniably luxe accessories collections captivate me. I’m pretty sure I said this last season, and possible the season before, but I really do think that the designer’s AW13 offerings are my absolute favourite yet. Remember my post on her “Cascade” show during London Fashion Week? If you fancy a reminder then click here or just trust me when I say it was A-MAZING. Given that the spectacle involved 50,000 dominoes, animatronics and large amounts of over excitement, I didn’t actually see much of the bags themselves that morning so couldn’t wait to have a proper look at Anya’s press day.

Anya certainly knows how to put on a show and unsurprisingly she and her lovely team are equally adept at holding press days. Upon arrival at the Bond Street showroom I was welcomed in from the rain with hugs, fresh coffee and a table laid with delicacies. As I was walked through to the first space I was thrilled to discover that it had been decked out with fabulous props from the show and a replica of Anya’s own studio complete with coffee mug, sketches and samples. Not that I looked at them for long as my attention was soon solely devoted to the handbags. Anya Hindmarch’s classic styles and last season’s sell out Maxi Zip Satchel had been re-worked in delectable autumnal shades of emerald, cobalt and burgundy. AW13 has also seen the introduction of a very sophisticated new bag called the Albion which looked particularly slick in super luxe python skin.

It seems to me that Anya Hindmarch has both a childlike and unlimited imagination. Couple that with technical talent, business savvy and a truly tireless work ethic and it’s no wonder the woman’s well on her way to owning a global accessories empire. The “Cascade” collection was a perfect example of why Anya’s designs are so successful. Besides elegant everyday bags and neat matching travel sets she also delivered a delectable array of fanciful fare inspired by retro board games.

Between the domino clutches and eye-boggling multi coloured totes, I couldn’t physically pick a favourite. I left the showroom with a spring in my still-rain-sodden step and the entire collection on my wish list.

Love Ella. X

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Fashion 2 Comments

Introducing: Yolke

More often than not the brands featured in my “Introducing” posts might be new to me but aren’t exactly under-the-radar. Much as I’d love to be so in the sartorial know that I could constantly bring you the freshest new talents, in many ways I’m learning as I go. On this occasion however, I think or at least hope that I might be able to actually introduce you to a label you haven’t already heard of. Launched barely a month ago by BFF’s Ella and Anna, YOLKE is currently under-the-radar but I have a sneaking suspicion that won’t be the case for long.

Just to give you a bit of background, Ella studied textile design at Central Saint Martins before landing a job at one of my favourite brands, Temperley London. Anna, a former PR at uber agency Purple made the transition into interiors working with Alidad and Hugh Leslie. Together they form something of a creative/business dream team so it was only a matter of time before the girls joined forces. The result? A fabulous fusion of fashion and homeware to create a lifestyle label that I’m sure you’ll agree is very elegant indeed. I adore a fresh-off-the-catwalk trend as much as the next girl but what’s great about YOLKE is the fact that they don’t go in for any of that. The debut capsule collection may be modern, covetable and include a fair bit of neon but ultimately their silk shirts, straight leg trousers and pulled-together pyjama sets are pretty much as timeless as it gets. For a garment to be truly timeless (i.e last more than 1 or 2 seasons) quality is key which is evidently something that Ella and Anna kept in mind when planning their business. All YOLKE designs are manufactured right here in England, supporting UK industries and enabling the girls to keep an eagle eye on everything from blanket weaving to button dyeing and textiles.

It may not exactly be conceptual or challenging but YOLKE’s tightly edited, beautifully made debut capsule collection is quite simply lovely. Ella and Anna have struck a perfect balance between contemporary cool and good quality classics. Anyone else suddenly overcome by the desire to match your shirt to your cushion covers?

Love Ella. X

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Fashion 1 Comment

Victoria, Victoria Beckham AW13

Anyone who follows me on twitter, Instagram or Urturn (new social media platform, it’s a goodie) will no doubt have realised by now that the AW13 press days are in full swing. Either that, or they’ll be very confused by the vast number of bags, shoes and other previously unseen sartorial goodies popping up on my social feeds. Like fashion month, press day season is a time that elicits a heady combination of excitement and dread among the fashion and beauty community. Don’t get me wrong, mincing around town looking at lovely things and catching up with your favourite industry faces is always an enjoyable was to spend an afternoon. However with up to 34 (yes really) collection previews held in various locations around London on any given day the whole thing can get slightly stressful, not to mention absolutely exhausting. As with fashion week, it’s impossible to go to everything. But one press day I’d be damned if I missed was that of Victoria Beckham.

I’ve said it more than once before so I apologise for repeating myself yet again, Victoria Beckham is fantastic. Like the rest of the fashion world, I’ve long since forgotten any initial reservations I had about her’s being another “meh” celeb fashion line but it wasn’t until seeing them up close that I realised the true excellence of Mrs Beckham’s designs. Impressed though I’ve always been by Victoria Beckham’s work, some of the price tags made my mind boggle. After spending the best part of an hour pouring over every immaculate cut, luxurious fabric and exquisite detail in her AW13 offerings those five figure frocks suddenly seem like a bargain. I was lucky enough to see Victoria’s presentation of her latest Victoria, Victoria Beckham collection during New York Fashion Week this season (click here to a reminder) and the perfect fusion of girlish insouciance and effortless androgyny took my breath away. In the flesh, or rather the finest quality felt, the super chic shift dresses and separates I ogled on the VVB catwalk were even more captivating. Meticulous in their simplicity with subtle pocket detailing and razor sharp hems in a palette of subtle greys, monochrome shades and rich autumnal hues, each garment was a feat of both sartorial and technical brilliance. Modern shapes and heritage fabrics can go one way or the other but in Victoria’s capable hands, they were a recipe for unbridled covetable-ness (word?). One luscious plum number pretty much had to be prized from my grasp and I could barely contain my excitement over those crisp collars!

As for the accessories, well, how can I describe them other than “perfection”? Elegant and fuss free in simple shapes and both understated and colour-popping hues, they are the epitome of modern classics. The denim and resort collections were also big hits with me (no doubt due to my obsession collars and prints) so I was very happy indeed to hear they would have a more accessible price point. Quite how “accessible” those prices will be remains to be seen but I suspect I’d better get saving.

Love Ella. X

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Fashion 2 Comments

Grooming at: Bliss Spa London

As far as I’m concerned, any girl (or boy for that matter) who claims not to love a bit of pampering is a big fat liar. I’m not embarrassed to admit that I take an inordinate amount of pleasure in personal primping. Whether it’s a haircut, a leg wax or just a good old exfoliation session in the shower, being groomed just makes you feel instantly slicker, chicer and better about life generally. Between press days, thesis research and trying to retain some semblance of a social life my grooming regime has kid of gone by the wayside recently and I fear I’ve started to look a bit raggedy. As I’m sure you’ll agree, that just won’t do so I resolved to get my polish back starting with a trip to Bliss Spa London on Monday.

Bliss Spa London, 60 Sloane Avenue, London, SW3 3DD

While I don’t spend nearly as much time as I’d like to getting my pamper on, I have visited a fair few spas over the years and Bliss is definitely a new favourite. Located in between South Kensington and Sloane Square – conveniently next door to a Starbucks – it’s close enough to the center of town not to be a total pain to get to but has the kind of leisurely vibe you just don’t find in Soho. Since September I’ve been living right in the heart of the city but while I adore being able to walk to Selfridges and multiple cocktail bars, whenever I return to my old stomping grounds I realise that I’m still a West London girl at heart. Not only is there something so comforting about it’s leafy gorgeousness, West London is also home to the best day spas.

If you’re not already feeling rather more relaxed after strolling down Sloane Avenue, entering Bliss Spa is guaranteed to make your worries instantly melt away. Simple furnished with a neat row of mani pedi stations and decorated in a colour palette dreamy sky blue and clean white, the very decor oozes calm. After taking a few truly terrible snaps (most of the ones here were sent to me by a kindly PR) I got comfy in a curved leather chair I’d be reclining in for the next two hours. I have neither the time nor the money to get my nails done regularly but oh, how I wish I did. You can kid yourself that a DIY mani pedi is just as effective but it reality, it’s SO not. My lovely grooming guru (who it turned out, did the nails for the Peter Pilotto AW13 show) put so much care and attention into every step of the procedure that by the end, I barely recognised my previously very nasty nails. When I say “every step”, I don’t just mean base and top coat. My digits were soaked, steamed, exfoliated, oiled, trimmed and wrapped up in special heated moisturising bags before we even thought about polish. Admittedly, I wouldn’t advocate popping to Bliss Spa London for a mani pedi during your lunch hour. But although you’ll be there for a while, the results are well worth waiting for.

Confession time, I’m an appalling nail biter and gnaw mine down to horrid, gnarled stubbs on at least a daily basis. I didn’t think it was actually possible to make my hands look elegant but the Bliss Spa team managed it. Colour wise, I opted for a delectable pastel blue hue by Essie in a desperate attempt to encourage the weather to stop being so unseasonable with my Spring ready pedi. Judging by this weekend’s 19 degree forecast I think, or at least hope, it might have got the hint.

Love Ella. X

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Beauty 2 Comments

Weekly Wish List: 12/04/2013

1) Topshop Aztec Jacquard Shirt, £45, click here to buy
2) Topshop Jacquard Tile Stripe Mini Skirt, £40, click here to buy
3) Acne Pistol Metallic Leather Ankle Boots, £350, click here to buy
4) Alexander Wang Tri Fold Croc Embossed Shoulder Bag, £795, click here to buy
5) ASOS Floral Bug Necklace, £40, click here to buy
6) ASOS Gem Drop Earrings, £8, click here to buy
7) French Connection Spring Bloom Flares Shirtdress, £89, click here to buy
8) Superga Navy Classic Pumps, £45, click here to buy
9) Marc by Marc Jacobs Stick Skinny Jeans, £160, click here to buy
10) Whistles Textured Zip Biker Jacket, £195, click here to buy

Love Ella. X

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Shopping 5 Comments

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ... 166 167 Next »