Opera di Peroni

Last Wednesday I got my morning off to a great start by spending a very leisurely couple of hours brunching with the lovely ladies from London Boutiques at Dover Street fash pack haunt, Automat. Having ignored my iPhone for longer than 5 minutes (shock, horror!) by the time I forced myself to take a peek, the number of unread emails bleeping at me was mildly terrifying. Just as I was considering throwing the bloody thing down the nearest drain I spied a message inviting me to the Opera di Peroni that evening, naturally my love of technology was restored pretty quickly as I hastily replied saying YES!

Any why was I suddenly being whisked off for an evening of opera? Well, Italian beer giant, Peroni Nastro Azzuro had decided to re-magine Puccini’s La Rondine, staging it in a vast warehouse space in Shoredicth and promising an immersive performance we wouldn’t forget. The idea of spending an evening doing something non fashion related was fairly exciting, plus it was the Opera di Peroni VIP opening night show and I was playing “date” to the wonderful Nik Thakkar. As this was a modern reinterpretation of classic opera and held in an East London warehouse, I had been instructed to “dress normal” and leave my cocktail attire at home. Initially I was disappointed to hear this I do so love to get glammed up but let’s be honest, there’s never a lack of opportunities to wear frocks and, as expected, the venue was freezing. After a quick glass of wine and gossip session at a nearby bar Nik and I made our way down an illuminated blue carpet (totes the new red) into an expanse of exposed brick and general coolness that we hastily decided needed hiring for a joint party. The crowd was a mix of hip media, PR and music types with the odd fashion face thrown in. While making my second trip to the cloakroom in five minutes (way to chilly to brave just a jumper, albeit a exceedinly chunky knitted one) I spotted Brit actor, model and rumoured squeeze of Rhianna, Dudley O’Shaughnessy as well as Mr Hudson wandering around sipping Peronis and waiting for the show to begin. Eventually, it did and do you know what? I really, really enjoyed the whole experience.

Opera di Peroni was unlike anything I’d ever seen as the singers wore entirely contemporary clothing and moved around the venue with the audience following them. Admittedly Nik and I did spend some of the performance giggling like teenagers for no particular reason but we were constantly brought back from these blips of random hilarity by the sheer beauty of the music and talent of the singers. Watching a woman clad in thigh skimming, red lace bodycon belt out the most exquisite rendition of a Puccini classic in between swigs of beer is a slightly surreal experience but definitely one I won’t forget in a hurry!

When the show drew to a close, or rather reached a suitable dramatic, operatic finale we headed to Pizza East for a late night snack and a cocktail or two before heading home to hit the hay. Opera di Peroni’s next destination is the Paintworks venue in Bristol (Bath Road, BS4 3EH) on the 27th and 28th of March. Tickets are £10 each and can be booked online at www.operadiperoni.com… Any Bristol bound readers, I urge you to check it out!

Love Ella. X

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Parties Leave a comment

Diet Coke x Marc Jacobs Launch Extravaganza!

The fash pack’s favourite sparkling beverage (aside from Champagne OBV) and the visionary designer adored by magazine editors and rap stars alike… Could Diet Coke have chosen a more perfect Creative Director for their 30th Anniversary year than Marc Jacobs? I think not. When I heard the news of this ingenius collaboration I have to say it brought a smile to my face. As you’re no doubt well aware, Marc Jacobs is one of my absolute, all time, favourite designers both in his role at Louis Vuitton and at his two own namesake brands. Diet Coke has also perhaps played a larger role in my life than is strictly healthy. As a teenager I was so obsessed with the stuff I often knocked back 13 cans a day! This was no doubt due in part to my parents disapproval and the fact we weren’t allowed fizzy drinks at school but whatever the reason for my over indulgence, those shiny silver cans have always been a constant presence in my life. Since then I’ve curtailed my Diet Coke habits considerably but as someone with an inexplicable aversion to water (so tasteless!) it remains my refreshment of choice. Suffice to say that two of my greatest life-long obsessions coming together got me more than a little excited.

On Monday I was treated to a Marc Jacobs x Diet Coke double whammy (not a bad start to the week, eh?) as I got to attend both the afternoon press conference and the lavish bash in the evening. The phrase “press conference” doesn’t exactly conjur up images of glamour or excitement but on this occasion those two words describe it to a tee. Initially I was dubious about the decision to hold both events in King’s Cross rather than a swanky Central London venue but when I arrived at the German Gymnasium I quickly took it all back. The entire space had been transformed into a playful, pink lit paradise complete with hair & make up stations, photo booths, lounging areas adorned with Marc Jacobs cushions and several elegant bars laden where ridiculously good looking waiters were serving champagne and afternoon tea. Given what was being laid on for the press conference, I couldn’t wait to see what the party would bring!

After a good old snoop around the venue and a cappuccino or three we were summoned upstairs and seated by nationality so that the presentation could begin. All Walks Beyond the Catwalk Co-Founder and former i-D Magazine Editor, Caryn Franklin (who just so happened to recieve an MBE this week) took to the stage and said a few choice words we were treated to a screening of the three Diet Coke “Sparkling Together” campaign films directed by and starring Marc Jacobs. I’ve seen a fair few fashion films and flashy ads in my time but have to say, these were easily some of the most brilliant. To summarise, Marc climbs into a photo booth with a bevvy of beauties, dresses up and messes around recreating a few of the most iconic styles from the 80′s, 90′s and 00′s. The result is a witty, irreverent, tongue-in-cheek treat which I’ve done the most awful job of describing. I’d advise watching it yourself over listening to me!

As the films drew to a close the screen drew back to reveal three Marc Jacobs clad models posing next to larger-than-life versions of the Diet Coke bottles designed by the new Creative Director. Luckily I was already brandishing my iPhone because two minutes later Marc himself appeared causing certain attendees (i.e me) to genuinely squeal with glee. After grabbing one of the new and improved bottles from one of the gorgeous waiters I forced myself back out into the cold in an attempt to go home and get some work done before the evening’s festivities. With a press conference like that, I suspected that Marc Jacobs for Diet Coke launch bash was going to be truly awesome. Within two minutes of returning to the venue in my gladrags it became clear that I wasn’t going to be disappointed.

Generally speaking, I don’t like to arrive solo at parties. 9 times out of 10 you’ll know half the room but whenever you turn up sans guest that’s inevitably the occasion when there’s no one there you’ve ever met. Any event involving Monsier Marc Jacobs is going to be seriously in demand so despite my best efforts, I hadn’t managed to wangle a plus 1 and had been feeling a bit nervous as I made my way there. After dumping my many, many layers in the cloakroom and grabbing a glass of champagne I spied the lovely Nik Thakkar (who’s company, Nephew London, had been heavily involved in organising the whole thing) and distracted him from his official duties until a few more of my usual party pals showed up. After an hour or so’s gossiping with young-designer-of-the-moment, Charlie May, Forward PR Founder Courtney Blackman and Fashion Monitor Publisher, Hannah White it was time for the evening’s unveiling. While I’d seen the films and bottles just hours before, I was more than happy to see them again!

This time around Marc rocked a particularly fetching pair of pinstriped pyjamas and once we’d all recovered from the excitement of him being there, it was high time to party. My first port of call was the bar (duh) where I was delighted to discover that they were serving 80′s themed cocktails AKA Cosmopolitans. We drank, we danced, we stalked Marc, ogled Tyson Beckford and girl crushed on VV Brown. All in all a fabulous, over the top evening of excess and fun… What better way to toast this most fash-tastic of collaborations?

Love Ella. X

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Parties 2 Comments

Marc Jacobs

& Other Stories Launch Party

Yep, another party. Last week was full of them and with Summer (allegedly) just around the corner there should be many more where these came from over the next few months. Thursday evening was a particularly hectic one with about eight different events taking place within the space of three hours. In the interest of actually enjoying myself and not breaking an ankle careering around town in my heels I decided not to attempt to attend them all. Having regrettably missed the launch of Banana Republic’s Mad Men collection due to an altercation with a dishwasher, my first port of call was Diesel’s Regents Street flagship where they were holding a get together to unveil their amazing new installation by Margot Bowman. After a hasty glass of something sparkling and a catch up with pals James Joseph and Merry Phillips of Stylenoir Magazine it was time to head to party number to, & Other Stories’ launch bash conveniently located just across the road. Rarely am I not excited by the chance to sip champagne while wearing something pretty and chatting with my favourite fashion friends but I was particularly looking forward to this particular soiree. As I’m sure you’ve probably heard, high street shopping mecca H&M recently announced the launch of their new premium (i.e slightly pricier but not bank breaking) brand, & Other Stories. Having spotted a few snaps of the promised delights in Grazia last week I was DYING to check out the whole collection and I’m very pleased to confirm that it is every bit as covetable as expected. We were promised clean cut Scandi cool with a fun, fashion forward twist and that is precisely what was delivered. Think Acne meets Whistles with a playful edge, pops of neon and perfectly placed splashes of sparkle. As well all know, great clothes alone do not a retail experience provide but a vast, two floor, homage to feminine minimalism that wouldn’t look out of place in Wallpaper Magazine most certainly does. Besides being a veritable emporium of sartorial delights, & Other Stories Regents Street store is one of those shops so lovely you could happily spend a whole afternoon wandering around it. Given the size of the place and sheer volume of stuff you’ll want to try, buy and never take off, just one afternoon probably wouldn’t be enough time.

Despite having a 20% discount on the night, I resisted the urge to shop. In theory my self-restraint was due to having learnt my lesson from the Prosecco induced Peter Pilotto pre-order incident but in reality it was purely empty bank account related. I definitely don’t need to tell you where I’ll be headed come pay day! Luckily I didn’t have too much time to sulk as this was evidently the hottest invite of the evening. Lara Bohinc, Julia Sarr Jamois, Mary Charteris and Portia Freeman were all in attendance plus fash eds from pretty much every major publication.

The fact I couldn’t stay long was both a blessing and a curse as I think one more look at their incredible marbled leather shift and I may have no longer been able to resist the urge to splurge. With great difficulty I tore myself away and dashed in the direction of Covent Garden to catch the end of Kate Spade New York’s SS13 launch.

Love Ella. X

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Parties 3 Comments

Diesel + EDUN Studio Africa Launch Party

Fashion month may have literally JUST drawn to a close but does that mean people are going to be hanging up their high heels for a few weeks? Does it hell! Having missed out on partying with Kate Nash and Rhianna last Monday night due to a 4000 word essay I had completely “forgotten” to start, by the following evening I was ready and raring to paint the town red. Luckily for me, Diesel + EDUN had decided to host a nice big bash to toast the launch of their Studio Africa collection so off I trotted to the Old Selfridges Hotel for some fun. And fun it most certainly was. Perhaps a little too much if the sizeable knee bruise I woke up with the next morning was anything to go by but hey, you’re only young once. The Old Selfridges Hotel is a truly awesome venue (remember their film launch last year?) and this time around it had been transformed into an African inspired party paradise complete with palm trees, exotic plants and and funky tribal print seating areas where guests including Pixie Geldof, Ben Grimes and Matthew Williamson could kick back and enjoy a mohjito… when they weren’t bumping and grinding on the dancefloor that is.

On the whole, fashion parties tend to be more about mingling than dancing but that certainly wasn’t the case on this occasion. When we arrived my party pal Millie (of itsaLDNthing blog) got seriously over excited about the fact that the night was being hosted by Boiler Room. Given my non-existent music knowledge I’d never actually heard of the live-radio-show-cum-club-night music phenomenon (shame on me) but having spent about four hours working up a sweat to their dance-tastic beats I can conclude that they are indeed awesome. Actually it was probably more than four hours. By the time I’d tottered home it was about 3am but despite being a little on the bleary eyed side while giving my end of term presentation at uni the next day (eek!), Diesel + EDUN’s Studio Africa launch was worth it.

Love Ella. X

Posted on March 8, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Parties 2 Comments

Jake Bugg Live at Burberry

We may have been to Sketch, Buddha Bar and one or two (or three) other establishments in between, but last week’s party line up was far from over at 9pm last Thursday. Our final after dark destination was none other than Burberry’s spectacular Regent’s Street flagship where they had decided to hold an invite-only Jake Bugg gig. Few brands throw a fash bash quite like Burberry and their latest knees-up was no exception. A-list guest list, endless amounts of (really good) champagne and one of the hottest new music acts around playing live… I mean, what more could you want from an evening!?

Amber Le Bon, Becky Tong and Zara Martin also made the journey there from the ZEO ‘do, making me feel a little better about my own incessant party-hopping. Other “OMG” attendees included actors Bonnie Wright and Jack Whitehall plus Cara Delevigne and the ever-wonderful Christopher Bailey. After having a good, old fashioned boogie to Jake Bugg’s set I dragged the bf (who had a baptism of fire into the London fashion circuit last week, poor thing) off for a tour of the AMAZING interactive store during which, much to my delight, he declared his desire to own a bit of Burberry himself! Even more delightful was the fact that the SS13 collection had arrived so I got to spend an extremely happy half hour ogling those fabulous metallic trench coats. There’s not that much more to say about this particular soiree except that, like every other Burberry bash I’ve attended, it was a lot of fun and vast amounts of champagne were consumed. Just check out the video of Jake Bugg performing…

Love Ella. X

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Ella Catliff in Parties 1 Comment

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