Amanda Wakeley Flagship Store Launch

WHAT:  THE LAUNCH OF THE AMANDA WAKELEY FLAGSHIP STORE, 18 ALBEMARLE STREET

 

WHEN: Thursday 30th January 2014, 7pm until late

 

WHERE: 18 Albemarle Street, London, W1S 4HR

 

VIPs from the world of fashion and business converged at 18 Albemarle Street to toast the opening of Amanda Wakeley’s flagship store. Set over two floors, the beautiful townhouse features bespoke interiors personally designed and selected by Amanda herself. Amanda and her CEO Sagra Maceira de Rosen guided their personal guests around the store whilst conversation flowed over bespoke “Eightinis” and delicious canapés courtesy of Mark Hix and Belvedere.

 

WHO:
Amanda Wakeley (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Hugh Morrison – Amanda Wakeley’s partner and co-owner of Amanda Wakeley
Sagra Maceira de Rosen – CEO of Amanda Wakeley
Elizabeth Hurley (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Tracey Emin CBE
Kelly Hoppen MBE
Darcey Bussell
Tamara Beckwith
Yasmin Mills (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Greg Rusedski
Nicky Haslam
Lisa Butcher (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Sarah-Ann Macklin (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Olivia Inge (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Olivia Grant (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Camilla Rutherford (wearing Amanda Wakeley)

Marissa Montgomery (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Tiphaine Chapman (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Sophia Hesketh

Amanda Sheppard (wearing Amanda Wakeley)

Francesca Zampi (wearing Amanda Wakeley)

Gabriela Peacock (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Katie Redman (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Sofia Wellesley (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Emma Pilkington (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Alessandra Balazs (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Kim Johnson (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Olivia Hunt (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Martha Ward (wearing Amanda Wakeley)

Saffron Aldridge (wearing Amanda Wakeley)

Alexandra Shulman

Elizabeth Saltzman

Caroline Rush
Harold Tillman
Heather Kerzner

Mark Hix

Natasha Rufus-Isaacs

Arun Nayar

Kristina Blahnik

Sir Charles and Lady Celia Dunstone

Nick and Nettie Mason

Tim and Malin Jefferies

WHAT THEY ATE: A bespoke menu for Amanda Wakeley by Mark Hix:

  • Golden beetroot galette with goat’s curd and pickled walnuts
  • New Forest ham with tomato toasts
    Sprouting broccoli with herb mayonnaise
  • Soft-boiled quail’s eggs with Oscietra caviar
  • Buttermilk fried chicken with kimchi ketchup
  • Beef tataki with green beans
  • Spiced aubergine cigars
  • Pumpkin arancini
  • Winter squash risotto

 

WHAT THEY DRANK:  A bespoke menu specially-designed for Amanda Wakeley by Mark Hix:

Eightini – Rose petal-infused Belvedere, fresh grapefruit juice, lemon, rhubarb and vanilla syrup with a touch of orange blossom and rhubarb bitters.

Mojito Iced Tea – Belvedere vodka perfectly mixed with Burrow hill apple juice, peppermint tea, mint leaves, apple syrup and finished with soda water.

The Tonnix Grand Crew wine – Amanda’s favourite wine from Mark’s very own brand. The label has been specially created by Tracey Emin, and depicts Amanda’s classic sailing boat Savannah.

WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT:

Amanda – Amanda’s friends congratulated her on the stunning new Mayfair “home” and toasted her success as a designer for over 20 years – next year is the 25th Anniversary of the brand!

Albemarle Streettipped to be “The next Mount Street” in London…Amanda joins Paul Smith, Tiffany and Globetrotter with several other big brands rumoured to be moving in later in the year

Strictly Come Dancing vs The X Factor – The age-old dilemma of which Saturday night show is your favourite, and all the tougher for Amanda who dressed both Strictly’s Darcey Bussell and X Factor’s Nicole Scherzinger no less than four times whilst the shows were on.

London Fashion Week – Amanda revealed that she will be showing back  on schedule at London Fashion Week again in February after a hiatus of several seasons, and the location would be none other than her 18 Albemarle Street boutique. British Fashion Council CEO Caroline Rush was delighted with the choice of venue.

image003 image004 image005 image059 image060

Above (L-R): Elizabeth Hurley (wearing Amanda Wakeley); Tracey Emin; Darcey Bussell and Amanda Wakeley (wearing Amanda Wakeley); Kelly Hoppen and Amanda Wakeley (wearing Amanda Wakeley); Alexandra Shulman, Amanda Wakeley (wearing Amanda Wakeley) and Elizabeth Hurley (wearing Amanda Wakeley)

Manolo Blahnik at London Fashion Week

One of Frost’s favourite shoe designers collaborated with one of Frost’s favourite hotels for this year’s London Fashion Week. Shoe designer Manolo Blahnik did the London Fashion Week windows at the May Fair Hotel

Inspired by the creative window displays of the world’s leading fashion houses, The May Fair Hotel stepped into London Fashion Week in style with the unveiling of its designer windows.

World-renowned shoe designer Manolo Blahnik CBE has collaborated with the British Fashion Council (BFC) this season to create the exclusive imagery of London Fashion Week campaign for Autumn Winter 2013. To celebrate the May Fair’s partnership with LFW, which is for the 6th year running the Official Hotel partner of London Fashion Week, these illustrations are also fronting the hotel’s façade on Stratton Street. Inspired by the designer’s personal career, this exclusive collection of illustrations represents key industry figures who have been a special influence in Manolo Blahnik’s life and career.

Talking about his collaboration with the May Fair, Manolo Blahnik said: “I’m very excited for my drawings to be featured in the May Fair windows. I have fond memories of the Starlight cinema club in the hotel as I used to go there when I was younger to watch films. I really enjoy going to the May Fair Hotel as it brings back those memories.”

Anthony Lee, General Manager of the May Fair Hotel, said: “I am delighted that with the support of our partners, the British Fashion Council, we have the privilege to introduce the legendary Mr Manolo Blahnik and his sublime ‘shoe-inspired’ designs.”

Caroline Rush, Chief Executive British Fashion Council commented “It is great to see Manolo Blahnik extending his creative collaboration with London Fashion Week to the May Fair Hotel Windows. His illustrations are world famous and truly capture the creative essence of London.”