Here’s a re-blog of my latest guest blog post for Vogue India and big thanks to Meera Sharma for taking the pics!…

If you can prise the fash pack out of London you know it’s got to be worth it. Last week I joined a gaggle of city fashion journos, designers and bloggers aboard the 09.10 fashion express train from Marylebone station in the direction of discount fashion mela, Bicester Village.

Left to right: British Designers Collective Boutique participants Christopher De Vos, Piers Atkinson, Peter Pilotto, Noel Stewart, Desirée Bollier, Justin Thornton, Thea Bregazzi, Yasmin Sewell, Rita Ora, Henry Holland, Anna Laub, Holly Fulton and Athena Procopiou.

Bicester Village is already a must-go, with super brands like Versace, Gucci and Michael Kors all offering discounts on past season collections and for the next eight weeks nestled amongst them will be the annual pop-up of the British Designers Collective Boutique.

With an impressive designer roll-call including Peter Pilotto (actresses Frieda Pinto and Alia Bhatt are fans) Preen, Jonathon Saunders and Henry Holland the boutique showcases and supports the best of British design talent at prices up to 60 percent more affordable.

Kate Middleton and sister Pippa are fans of shopping at Bicester Village. I wonder if they’ll be popping in to the BDC.

Me hanging out with a J.W. Anderson knit

Mary Katrantzou’s rack

Retail guru Yasmin Sewell took the creative helm this year as curator of the British Designers Collective Boutique, working around the theme of ‘Future Vintage’ and the idea that each piece is an investment and a modern classic.

Recording artist and British style icon Rita Ora at the opening of the boutique on May 2, in a red Roksanda Ilincic dress and Nicholas Kirkwood heels.

Prime Cut Digital shot this promo for Bicester Village at the opening where ambassador Rita Ora gave them a quick interview, along with British Fashion Council CEO and several of the designers present talking about the boutique. The video crew shot, cut and delivered the film on-site in under 12 hours!

Me with Henry Holland

House of Holland’s infamous slogan t-shirts.

Imogen Belfield wearing her own label jewellery

Piers Atkinson Millinery and Mawi Jewellery

I love a good look book and this one’s a stunner. All the elements- the beauty that is Indira Das Gupta, the Frida Kahlo styling, the colourful sets and Anupamaa’s designs are harmoniously brought together by an awesome photogropher- Tarun Vishwa. Enjoy.

Image Credit- Bombay Electric Facebook (also available from them now)

After a loooooonnnnng two year absence, the one and only VV Brown performed an intimate gig in Shoreditch last week. Billed as a secret gig we were two of the lucky hundred that got a chance to enjoy VV perform some new material in an intimate setting. Her new sound is more mature and defined- the indie pop girl (who we loved) has evolved into a darker, electronic mistress (who we still love) VV looked super hot rocking the crop tee and white on white trend and as soon as she came on stage the atmosphere was electric- the lighting, the band, the dj, her voice, her presence, the crowd all melting together.

Image Credit: VV Brown Instagram

Image Credit: VV Brown Instagram

The rehearsal- Image Credit: VV Brown Instagram

The crowd- yep it really was an intimate gig!

She ended the set with the single All About She- ft. VV Brown- Bullet which I think is out now…

and her first single ‘Samson’ from her new album – will be out in July.

Images: My own unless otherwise stated

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My Indian timing has struck again and even though the fabulous So Dior experience has been causing a buzz in Harrods for the last month- I only managed to make it down on the penultimate day! and i’m so glad I didn’t miss it. The So Dior really was an experience with Dior yuminess around the department store which included a pop up store, an exhibition, yummy treats at a chic tea room and dreamy windows. There’s just something about London’s fashion exhibitions of late- I cooed at the Hermes and the Valentino exhibition (I’m yet to get down to the Bowie exhibition) and the So Dior made me coo all over again with the clever installations and exhibits that added that extra sense of drama. I loved the faux red carpet which had several Dior gowns worn by celebs that flashed with cameras mimicking the Paparazzi,the pretty doll’s house and the iconic London telephone box that got the Dior make-over.

Enjoy the pics! and I can’t wait to see what Harrods does next….!

The Doll’s House with J’adore bottles of perfume inside the rooms.

The impeccable toiles by Christian Dior, John Galliano and Raf Simons.

Princess Margaret chose to wear Dior at her 21st Birthday and worked with the Princess to host two fashion shows in order to raise money for The Red Cross.

A ‘theatre’ of Dior, miniatures of the houses gowns over the years.

This stunning embellished dress was worn by Audrey Hepburn in 1961 for Harper’s Bazaar.

The chic pop up tea room

Dior cupcakes!

Images: Harrods Facebook and my own images.

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A last minute shout out to all you budding fashion designers- the Vogue India Fashion Fund’s April 30th deadline is fast approaching so make sure you get your application in! You can do that by visiting the Vogue Fashion Fund site and following the instructions.

The Vogue Fashion Fund is a global initiative that has helped to shape the careers of some of the industry’s brightest talents. Past alumni include Joseph Altuzarra, Alexander Wang, Erdem, Proenza Schouler and of course Pero by Aneeth Arora- the first winner of the Vogue India Fashion Fund last year.

“For a country that boasts such a stunning array of embroideries, textiles and craftsmanship, it’s no surprise that we consistently produce exceptional design talent. With the Vogue Fashion Fund, our endeavour is to strengthen the foundation for Indian designers and help marry their creativity with commercial success.”Priya Tanna, Editor, Vogue India

Vogue India shot a short film last year explaining the Fashion Fund’s purpose and the behind the scenes process of how and who will be judging the finalists.

and here’s winner Pero by Aneeth Arora’s show at WIFW 13

and here’s what the winner of the Vogue Fashion Fund in colloboration with FDCI will win….

• Fashion shoot in Vogue India

• Year-long business/creative/marketing mentorship with an industry professional

• Cash prize money

• Access to prominent fashion platforms in the industry

• Mentorship from Vogue

• Public relations support and media coverage

www.voguefashionfund.com

Image & Video Credit: Vogue India

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When this beauty of an invitation dropped into my inbox I couldn’t help an ohhhh and a ahhhhh.

A Most Curious Wedding Fair brings together over 50 dreamy independent suppliers that can help bring that unique, creative touch to your special day. The three day event at the Truman Brewery is on from Fri 19th-21st & will feature..

“Hand crafted, bespoke, vintage, new designers, the dress, the groom, accessories, jewellery, floristry, Photographers, videographers, music, stationary, cakes, food and more…” A Most Curious Wedding

So if you’re looking for wedding inspiration make sure you visit over the weekend. Tickets are £4 on the door or £3 via their website A Most Curious Wedding

Images: A Most Curious Wedding Fair

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Another fashion week and another crop of emerging designers make their mark. Previously I’ve shone my spotlight on the print-tastic Karishma Shahani and Retarded Velvet and this time it shines on Huemn. Huemn by Pranav Mishra & Shyma Shetty’s paired down aesthetic, androgynous cuts and interesting details (esp. love the sheer paneling) are fresh and exciting. Here’s their S/s 13 lookbook which I’ve got to add is a beauty. So many Indian brands over complicate their lookbooks and forget the whole purpose of the images- to show off the clothes! I hope they’ll all be taking some notes from Huemn.

Image Credit: Huemn Facebook

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Acne sucks! I know because I’ve been there. My teenage years passed by spot free but at the grand old age of 23 I developed Adult Acne on my face. The emotional and physical (yep I said physical- I found the lumps and bumps painful!) trauma can be devastating.

Even celebs can’t escape the dreaded spots. Cameron Diaz, Victoria Beckham, Katy Perry and AnnaLynne-McCord are just some of the sufferers. And how brave & inspiring is AnnaLynne to tweet her make up free skin?!

Get Help

The first thing to do is get professional help. Go to your GP and see what they can prescribe. My doctor gave me a topical lotion which reduced the inflammation but didn’t clear my skin. I was then referred to a Dermatologist who was in a word USELESS. I’m sure many of you will have come across many unhelpful GPs/Dermatologists but I’d advise you to persevere. I did and ended up seeing the fantastic Prof. Chu a dermatologist that specialises in treating acne. The treatment plan he tailored for me cleared up my acne in weeks.

Simple skincare range just signed Alison Williams of Girls.

Get Healthy

Eat well and exercise regularly. Try to maintain a diet full of fresh fruit and vegetables and hit the gym or go for a walk. Exercise releases serotonin the happy hormone and can help combat stress which can be a major cause of acne. Also make sure you ditch the fizzy drinks for water instead- keeping you’re body hydrated will help to boost energy levels and can help clear the skin.

Bare Minerals make up ‘so pure you can sleep in it’

Get the right skincare routine

Keep your skin clean by using a mild cleanser and moisturiser morning and night (I’d recommend the Simple & Johnson & Johnson ranges) and try not to touch or pick at skin! All you’ll be doing is spreading germs and disturbing the skin unnecessarily. As for wearing make up while you have acne opt for a mineral make up range that won’t clog your pores. The colours for darker skin have got a lot better over the years and I’d recommend the Bare Minerals range. Make sure you wash your make up brushes/sponges regularly.

Next week I’ll share the treatments I have had to reduce acne scarring as well as a list of the skincare products I use.

Image credit: Twitter, Raman Media Network and Bare Minerals

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“There are dazzling events for everyone including the mighty Susheela Raman, Hariharan, Anoushka Shankar and circus and aerial performance from the Daksha Sheth Dance Company. See rising stars Harshdeep Kaur and Ash King, and Martin Simpson collaborates with Arieb Azhar. As well as the finest music, enjoy fashion, design, talks, film screenings, markets and incredible food from India”

Anoushka Shankar’s Traveller 13th April

Talvin Singh presents Bombay Talkies 14th April

I did my usual last minute.com timing (a.k.a Indian timing) and missed out on tickets for Anoushka Shankar’s performance : ( booooo! I did manage to get tickets for Mum, Sis & I to see Harshdeep Kaur & Ash King get there Bollywood Schollywood on! which I’m excited about. There’s a whole lot more besides music- I’m sure we will be making the most of the food market and Roti Chai’s ‘Chaat Shack & Chai Bar’ and I will def be going to the fashion show on 12th April presented by RIWAYAT showcasing some of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh’s top designers.

Roti Chai pop up is open throughout the festival

The Alchemy Fashion show 12th April

What is Kathak? 11th April

The calender is choc-a-block with fab events and there really is something for everyone- so make sure you visit!

Nearest underground stations:
Waterloo (Bakerloo, Northern, Jubilee and Waterloo and City underground lines) step-free access
Waterloo East step-free access
Embankment (Circle and District underground lines)
Charing Cross (Northern and Bakerloo underground lines)

Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road
London
SE1 8XX

Long sleeve sari blouses have been back around for a while now and I’m smitten with the lace styles. Lace is much more flattering and forgiving on chunky arms and bingo wings then a fully covered style which may emphasis areas you may want to hide. Here’s my five favourite styles.

I adore this sari Neha Kapur wore at her wedding and the pretty pleated chiffon and lace sleeve blouse. Can someone tell me who the designer was?

Kajol’s wearing a pretty metallic lace version by Manish Malhotra

A simple jacquard style by Manish Malhotra’s 100 years of Indian Cinema at Lakme Fashion Week

Masaba’s sheer blouse- ok it’s not lace but it’s still sheer!

And my favourite is this stunner of a blouse by Ritu Kumar worn by Ms Chopra at the Marrakesh Film festival last year.

Images: Vogue India, Lakme Fashion Week, People magazine.

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