Category Archives: Events

May 01 2012
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Events, Fashion

Industry London’s talk with retail genius Tom Chapman of Matches

30th April

Well it might have been cold and miserable last week but nothing was going to stop me (or it seems the other hundred plus attendees!) from attending the Industry London’s talk with Tom Chapman.

Frances Card (Matches COO) interviewed Tom and guided the conversation through the history of the company from the first store in Wimbledon to the thirteen shop portfolio of today. Tom recalled some humorous early buying experiences with the spirited Diane Von Furstenburg and an appointment with Dolce & Gabbana. The talk then focused onto the running of the business and how the retailer has succeeded and continues to succeed.

The core strategy for Matches he explained is to always keep a strong brand mix of independent labels alongside the big names. Tom’s other message was that to continue to grow, the retailer had to always think ahead and to always maintain its point of difference. He gave several examples of how the company has done this including launching Freda, opening 23 Welbeck St, global pop-up shops and by working on exclusive lines with designers (Jonathon Saunders capsule collection is their latest yum collaboration)

Image of the Freda range, Matches’ exclusive in-house brand which retails at 20-30% below main-line brands to offer basics to work with the mix and to keep it unique the brand is not wholesaled.

Images of 23 Welbeck St. A multifunctional space that is used for personal shopping appointments and a place to host press events.

The talk concluded with Tom’s future plans for the company- where he focused on talking about Matches key area for growth (it contributes to half of all sales) the online business. Half of all sales are within the U.K and outside of that Matches top three international markets are the United States, Australia and Japan. With this in mind the team need to react and adapt to the changing market shares and to also offer product relevant for the time of the year in each country. The company will be investing further into the site by offering a digitalised magazine and into more customer profiling and personalisation of the on-line service.

Image from the Jonathon Saunders capsule collection.

The evening gave an interesting insight into one of the country’s retail success’. Thanks to the team at Industry London for organising a fab talk!

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Apr 25 2012
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Bridal, Events, Fashion

Anita Dongre New Bridal Showroom: WOW!

25th April 2012

How stunning is Anita Dongre’s new showroom? Get me on a plane now!!! I’ve really been struggling to find all my Bridal outfits (the Hindu ceremony is with the capable hands of Mira Taylor but the rest I’m just CLUELESS about!) I’ve picked up the latest issues of Asiana and Viya and I liked NOTHING- well I liked bits and pieces but nothing made me think wow- that’s the one I want. Overall I just found the styles featured a little too bling tastic for me and going to India regularly has spoiled me as a lot of the U.K stores are a little slow in catching up with the new trends. Saying that I probably haven’t scratched the surface of what’s out there and I just need to go visit some more stores – or better still get on a plane! (the reason I’ve been a little reluctant of buying Bridal wear in India is that – ready wear doesn’t always work for me, I’m 5’9 (A giant in Asian girl terms!) and I think if I were to get something made I’d want to be there for the full duration in order for fittings and basically to chase the designer to get things done on time and correctly! (I’ve worked in fashion with Indian factories and learnt the lesson ages ago that to get things done you have to chase, chase, chase!) Well looking at the pics I may just have to go over for a few months- such STUNNING pieces!!!

Love, love, love the peach and pink lenghas!

www.anitadongre.com

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Apr 22 2012
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Bridal, Events, Fashion

JJ Valaya celebrates 20 yrs in the industry

22nd April 2012

Super talent JJ Valaya celebrates twenty years in the industry this year. He started designing in a time when people were only starting to get used to the idea of buying designer wear. At a time were there were limited retail outlets and fashion media and no fashion weeks at all. Fast forward twenty years the fashion landscape has changed dramatically and the JJ Valaya couture line has been successfully joined by JJ Valaya Muse, Valaya Base, Valaya Quantum and Valaya Home. My way of celebrating his anniversary in the industry is to share images from his stunning Decoded Paradox book. His talent extends through the visual arts and his photographic body of work is hauntingly beautiful. He is a true creative force.

Images from www.artofvalaya.com

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Apr 13 2012
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Bridal, Events

Every Wedding needs a ‘Kofi Annan’

13th April 2012

I thought it was time I dedicate a post to our experiences of the first few months of Wedding planning. The initial thoughts of each other’s families, the first few compromises and our hiring in of our ‘Kofi’

The Stereotyping

Both families have been guilty of stereotyping the other side. The ‘boy’s’ family presumed being Gujji, we would be tee-total veggies and that our weddings would be simple affairs. Not quite! My cousins wedding last year totalled around ten events that stretched over three weeks which included a Civil ceremony in Sorrento, a Garba weekend and a lavish Wedding reception, the liquor and lamb chops were definitely in attendance! (his was a pretty typical family Wedding for us)

We on the other hand presumed that as Hindu Punjabi’s they would be hard drinking party animals whose weddings would go on for days. Wrong again! Their family Wedding’s include two/three pre events at the family house followed by a one day event which included Civil, Hindu ceremony and reception. Their reception’s finish at 8/9pm and the family then returns to the grooms house to welcome the bride. (We do all that the next day-why waste a good dj/band?!)

Turns out it was us Gujju’s who like a good party.

The Compromises

My family were keen to host the Wedding in Goa (We love it there and visit 2/3 times a year) A five day party in the sun? Mehndi night on the beach? Sangeet on a boat? Yes please! But it was a No from the ‘boy’s’ family. : ( We have managed to somehow meet in the middle (it hasn’t been an easy compromise to reach) we will be hosting a two day event at our chosen venue. The Friday will be our Civil ceremony and Vidhi and the Saturday will be the Hindu ceremony and reception. I’ve even decided to host my Mehndi night near the venue on the Thursday night so even if I can’t get a five day party in Goa I can get a three day party here.

Kofi Annan

Our U.N mediator comes in the form of our event planner; my friend’s husband has been planning weddings for years. (and seeing as their wedding was amazing, I know our wedding is in good hands) We’ve chosen to hire event planners primarily as my mum puts it –‘ I want to enjoy my daughter’s wedding, not spend most of the time running around or cooking to then end up being a tired shell on the actual events’

The other reason is that we get a mediator at the same time, someone that can guide both sides into compromising and planning each factor. Seeing as there were, let’s put it diplomatically ‘tensions’ regarding the choice of a two day wedding the ‘boy’ and I are thinking our ‘Kofi’ will be handy over the bumpy road of wedding planning ahead!

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Apr 09 2012
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Events, Fashion

Harvey Nichols A/w 12 Press Day

9th April 2012

9th April 2012

A little late in posting the pics, Harvey Nick’s A/w 12 press day took place last Weds and I’d sum up the event as ‘Brilliantly British’ The rails were as the team described ‘an edit of the most enchanting and covetable labels around’ and many of those labels were indeed British. (the visuals from the press day book show the designer mix)

My favourites included the relaxed, chic pieces from Lula & Co and Isabel Marant and the yummy prints at Peter Pilotto (LOVED the beadwork over the prints) and Mary Katrantzou. Over on accessories highlights for me were the beaded collars at Dannijo and Sophie Hulme’s handbags.

Over at Menswear texture was key, how amazing are the studded Louboutin’s?

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Apr 09 2012
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Events

Hajj: Journey to the heart of Islam

5th April 2012

The British Museum’s exhibition on the Hajj has had mixed reviews and I was curious to see which side of opinion I’d lean to after I’d seen it. Visitors enter through a narrow corridor flanked by pictures of people on the Hajj and as you walk amongst the people in the pictures visitors listen to the Talbiyya (the prayer Muslims recite before setting off on the Hajj) A clever way to engage the audience into the experience ahead. And that’s exactly how to describe the exhibition an experience. Sights and sounds beautifully melt together as you journey along the Hajj following the different routes of the pilgrims from all parts of the world to Mecca.

Accounts of the different journeys are shared from the Gujarati Maps Indian sailors used to navigate their way, to the tickets issued by Thomas Cook (yep he was around way back in 19th Century) to the letters of Lady Evelyn Cobbold (the first British woman to perform the Hajj in 1933) At the centre of the experience is ‘Mecca’ which has a short film playing that explains the rituals and customs that pilgrims must observe and perform once they have reached Mecca.

A wonderful insight for any non- Muslims. A specially commissioned piece by Idris Khan closes the exhibition. Again sight and sounds came together. You can hear the extracts of pilgrim’s experiences of the Hajj as well as see these extracts stamped on to the canvas.

Critics argue that an exhibition sponsored by Saudi Arabia can only be biased and avoids addressing issues on human rights in the Middle East. For me, Religion was separated from other issues and rightly so, this was simply about Islam’s fifth pillar and as a non-Muslim the exhibition gave me a clear understanding of the Hajj. An exhibition that shares Islam to a wider audience is definitely a positive.

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Apr 04 2012
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Events, Fashion

Harvey Nichols: Ohhh so yum windows

04/04/2012

I went to the Harvey Nick’s Press Day earlier (as I’ve been picking up a little freelance work for a mag yep another bit of info that needs to go into my about us!) Before I post about the press day itself, I’ve got to dedicate a post to the YUM windows. I probably lingered outside for as long as I did at the event! SO much FUN! and just a reminder of how much impact visual displays can have.

In between the pics I’ve posted the snippets from their press release.

“We wanted our Jubilee windows to have vintage 1950’s feel about them to pay tribute to the era of the Queen’s coronation, while also referencing the best in this season’s fashion”

“The inspiration for the shop fronts came directly from the trends seen on the S/s 12 catwalks – sugary pastels for the sweet shop, florals for the florist, fruit and vegetable prints for the greengrocer and fish- like sequins & lace detailing for the fishmonger”

“This window scheme has been one of the most fun to conceptualise – it’s a striking contrast to the contemporary approach we normally take with our instillations, but retains our distinctly tongue- in –cheek sense of humour!” Janet Wardley (Head of Visual Display at Harvey Nichols

www.harveynichols.com

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Apr 02 2012
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Events, Fashion

Big Bra Hunt : Oxfam

02/04/2012

I just read a wonderful write-up about Oxfam’s big bra hunt in The Sunday Times Magazine. British second-hand bras are in demand in Africa as they are deemed to be the most well made (there is no local underwear manufacturing). Journalist Charlotte Eager followed the trail of her donated bright La Senza bra.

It travelled from her local Oxfam to the sorting depot in Huddersfield then onwards to Senegal.

Her bra landed at Bourguiba, the HQ of Frip Ethique (which means ‘ethical second-hand clothes’) where it was compressed into a 450 kg bale and then was sold at the wholesale market and finally made it onto local market trader Ndeye’s stall. The bra was bought by a 22 yr old factory worker for 62p.

Each step of the process provides regular employment to local Senegalese people, from the clothes sorter to the market trader and has proved a financial success with 2011 turnover at £1.5m with profits returned back into Oxfam’s purse. A simple yet effective initiative and all we have to do to help is donate our old bras. So get the charity bag out and start filling!

All images The Sunday Times Magazine and Oxfam

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Mar 20 2012
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Events, Fashion

Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2012: Top 5 Trends

20th March 2012

I’m more used to pulling together trend reports on London, N.Y, Paris & Milan (I’m a freelance high street designer-again more details that should go into the about section!) but this time I looked over to Lakme Fashion Week to pull out their top summer trends. I didn’t include the Bridal collections seeing as I’ve already been a bit ‘Bridal happy’ in my previous posts!

So, here’s my favourite Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2012: Top 5 Trends

1) COLOUR BLOCK

Colour block has been a recurring trend over the seasons but this season’s take still looks fresh. I’m loving the strong colour blocking going on at Anita Dogre and the twist on traditional wear at Abishek Dutta

2) MONOCHROME

Surprisingly for a high summer collection Monochrome made an appearance all over the catwalks. My favourite take was Pranav & Shyma’s monochrome tribal esque embroidery and the statement pieces at Little Shilpa (this girl can do no wrong!)

3) BOHO-LUXE

If there’s one trend Indian designers can do with their eyes closed- it’s Boho Luxe. Beautiful traditional Indian techniques from dip-dye, tie dye, embroidery and embellishments were utilised in simple silhouettes. I loved the use of colour, embellishment and weaving over at Pia Pauro and the beautifully simple tie dye dresses at James Ferreira.

4) CHECKS

Checks in all their forms were seen during the week, from traditional checks at Deepika Govind to the stunning contemporary geometrics at Napur Kanoi. This micro trend will definitely be filtering into your wardrobes this summer.

5) QUIRKY PRINTS

Over at Milan Prada’s had Cadillac prints, Paris had Chanel’s seahorses and in Mumbai there were Mickey Mouse prints at Nitin Bal Chauhan and camera prints at Masaba Gupta. My favourite print collection was over at the talented Theresa James & Roger Prince-stunning digital prints mixed with statement patterns- a truly beautiful collection

All pictures from http://www.lakmefashionweek.co.in

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Mar 15 2012
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Events, Fashion

River Island presents….ELLE LOVES

15th March 2012

The boy (i cant use fiancée, it just sounds too weird-so i’ll just refer to him as the boy) is working late this week so I thought I’d indulge in a little Thursday night retail therapy.

I’m in Liverpool this week (I’m a part time desperate scousewife because the boy works here- I’m thinking I should really fill out my about section) and I wandered into River Island. In one corner were the fab BOOM nails girls, the other a Malibu bar and in the middle a mini catwalk space had been cleared. One of the girl’s from Elle presented four key looks from River Island’s S/s 12 range.

The first look was inspired by Rihanna and the gorgeous D&G S/s collection.

The second look was that same old S/s trend that comes every year Nautical

The third look was inspired by the Priarie trends

The last look was my favourite, there were some really pretty pieces inspired by the pretty pastels at Louis Vuitton and the 50’s flavour shown at Prada.

Love this mint metallic skirt.

This is the pretty clutch I bought. I love River Island’s bling clutches and always end up picking up a few each season. They also work well with Indian outfits and saris.

I had to finish with the business card of the fab BOOM NAILS. Wish my card was a pretttttttttttyyyy!

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