HEMYCA

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Sarah Bacchus

We attended an amazing fashion launch a few days ago in the heart of London. HEMYCA is a luxury womenswear label, launched by designers Helen Clinch and Myra Nigris.

The girls met whilst studying at the London College of Fashion. With a vast passion for fashion and devotion for ultimate luxury and design they launched Hemyca. The Designs are all works of art and they will have you desperate to own the entire new collection. Even the calico toiles where simply stunning and very wearable. The company recently held a pop up event and we nipped along to snap alway at the latest collections launch.

The designers are so talented, both are really lovely and the entire company where some of the nicest people we have met in a long time. They all ooze passion for style and grace. Each item we pondered on left a mark on my heart. We excitedly chatted about a fashion shoot and I for one have my little eye on one very stunning strapless numbers for an event coming up soon.

Hemyca’s range is for all ages and would look just fantastic on anyone in their late teens to a more mature lady. The cut of the pieces are so well thought out. It had my brain working overtime, back to my early fashion design technology and pattern cutting days! Precise, pretty and perfect are the only words to describe this incredible luxurious new line.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcd6s9Vi0i0]

At the event we drank white wine, raspberry cocktails and ate loaded crab buns. All in all a very delicious evening filled with fine food a fashion. Check out their website here for more details.

For any enquiries regarding specific items or purchase info, please call us at our Studio. HEMYCA STUDIO, 193b Whitechapel Road. E1 1DN, London email: STUDIO@HEMYCA.COM or Call +44 (0) 207 655 4950

Top Ten eBay Tips

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Sarah Bacchus

As you all will know I’m a fashion and style loving lass. When I need to save a few pennies for beauty products or a new camera my go to place is eBay. You can literally find a real hidden gem every day of you know how to search properly. Most of my friends call me the eBay Queen.

I will share with you my top ten eBay tips so you too can look stylish on a measly budget. Whether you missed out on that perfect little summer dress that sold out in a flash or just a tasty bargain waiting to be snapped up. These tips will help you look stylish and turn heads. Enable you to be a little individual but most importantly save you a packet!

1. Get the app on your smart phone. This way you will be able to look for things 24/7 if you so please.
2. Search for specific things or things that pop into your head. Or items you might have missed out on even years gone by. Like “Wit & Wisdom pink dress” I did this for a few months after longing to find one I didn’t purchase 15 years ago and it popped up for £3.50!
3. Be prepared to wait….ref to No2!
4. Haggle and contact sellers to see if they will take items out of auction. You might be surprised how many just want to get rid of unwanted items.
5. Set a budget each month and stick to it.
6. Watch items all the time as your iPhone or smartphone will let you know when they are coming to an end.
7. Refine settings, like price. Type in max price £1.00. Free postage or distance to you.
8. This brings me to the next tip, avoid overseas sellers that use descriptions like “May look different to image due to lighting” as you won’t end up with what you see!
9. This next tip is one my buddy Claire told me…Type in wrongly spelt terms like “Soze 8” as you will be amazed at how many items are listed spelt incorrectly!
10. Have fun with it. But don’t get too carried away!

I hope these little tips help you get a budget wardrobe just like mine!

Henley Royal Regatta 2015

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Sarah Bacchus

Henley Royal Regatta is one event we look forward to each year with much excitement. Henley Regatta is a huge highlight if you love fashion and style like us. Planning what to wear is one of the main things on most ladies lips. Do you wear a hat? What length dress is acceptable. Well read on if you need a little insight!

If you are attending the event and don’t have a ticket for any enclosures then the dress code is whatever you like. Its free entry to Henley but some bars along the river bank will charge for you entry to get in. From £10-£50. Like The Mahiki Bar that will have various charges the later into the evening you go. It can become a rather expensive day out so be prepared to save those pennies if your planning on partying a little harder!

When in the stewards enclosure the dress code is smart, but ladies those dresses can be above the knee if you like. Unlike the Royal enclosure that has a very strict dress code. Below the knee dresses for the ladies, no trousers or jumpsuits and most certainly wear a hat. Gentlemen hats are an option…No shorts or denim and good breading depicts blazers.

Thousands of vivacious and stunning visitors plan their wardrobes in advance for this 5 day event. For us its the main reason to go, aside from the fizz and the rowing! Also catching up with good friends from all over the world.

As you may already know myself and my photographer husband like to portray any event in a more visual way. So here are a few snaps of the Saturday when we attended. If you are planning an event and need photography services nip over to www.2boxes.co.uk We can help you with everything you may need. Now back to the fashion scene we snapped.

This lady created this stunning hat herself!

We had the most incredible day and if you want to see more from our day just nip over to slbstyle.com in a few days time to see the fun we had!

Spotlight On Escada | Fashion

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Frostie

Escada has come a long way since being founded in 1978 by Margaretha and Wolfgang Ley. The luxury international fashion group is now in over 60 countries and their clothes, accessories and fragrance are as beautiful and high-end as ever. Escada is a Frost favourite.

From beautiful clothes, to stunning shoes and bags, we have a little obsession with this brand. We love their use of unusual, bold colour combinations, patterns and embroidery. Not to mention the great fragrances it has launched. We had fun browsing the Escada lookbook and picking some of our favourite outfits. Sigh, we want it all.

Be brave and go for bold patterns. Add stunning red accessories for a statement look.

Yellow is big this season. Be on-trend with this patterned look.

This red dress is so stunning it is worth planning a party just to wear it.

We love these two-tone shoes.

This look is great for the office.

What do you think? What is your favourite look?

The Forge Boutique By Marie Cato

Posted on April 27, 2015 by Margaret Graham

For the men, the view down Wendover High Street towards the clock tower and beyond to the Chiltern Hills is truly magnificent. For the women, there is an equally magnificent view, called The Forge. I left my man to “stop and stare” while I pushed open the door to the sound of a tinkling cow bell and stepped over the threshold into this much talked about dress and accessories shop.

I was greeted by a friendly smile from the assistant. Her shiny white bob, silver rimmed spectacles and matching jewellery against her black clothes made for an elegant combination. She was sitting behind an antique retro desk instead of the expected counter. No till either, just an invoice book and pen. This lack of modernity was no indication of what was to be found on the rails.

Linda Moda was the label and the clothes were both timeless and fashionable in beautiful fabrics of jersey, chiffon and silk. Think: Italian style clothing. Think: affordable prices. The obligatory leggings were available in shiny black, along with a variety of jeggings displayed in a cobbler’s bench. Blouses, dresses, skirts and trousers all hanging on industrial steel rails.

Clean fresh whites at one end of the rail transcending into buttery creams at the other end. Sky, aqua and petrol blues trailing into merchant navy. Sunflower yellow mellowing into primrose and lemon. I turned 360 degrees, checking for all the colours of the rainbow, to find that orange was the only one missing.

Above the rails, on wooden slats, there were large handbags, which I mistook for leather. However, the assistant explained they were a soft man-made fibre and they felt beautiful to the touch. On closer inspection, I noticed they had a smaller matching handbag inside, very convenient. As the ceiling is low, the bags are within easy reach. Again, any colour your heart desired, including lollipop orange.

A small step at the rear of this eighteenth century building, takes the shopper into an Aladdin’s cave of footwear. Boots with shiny buckles, diamante sandals, ballet pumps and much more. This is where I found the sale rail. All items knocked down to half price but, unfortunately, nothing in my size.

A cherry pink dress with raspberry ruffles on the yoke caught my eye and I draped it across my already heavy laden arm and headed to the changing rooms. No electronic tags here or plastic tags with numbers. The room was spacious, with heavy drapes giving complete privacy. The mirror was sparkling clean and the lighting flattering.

Unfortunately, there weren’t enough hooks for the six items I had brought in, so I resorted to hanging some of them from a water pipe running along the top edge of the ceiling. I hoped it wouldn’t burst. Twenty minutes later with no water sprung I opted for two items instead of the one I had intended – always a sign of a well managed shop.

The assistant complimented me on my purchases and with old fashioned courtesy and no pushiness, suggested some jewellery to compliment the outfit. I won’t tell you whether I succumbed. I watched enchanted as she hand wrote my invoice with great care and then, unexpectedly, produced the latest technology from under the table. I handed over my credit card and at £77 for two pieces I was very pleased.

I’ll definitely be going back and, believe it or not, my husband was still there when I came out, taking in the view.

3 The High Street, Wendover, Bucks HP22 6DU Tel: 01296 623154

Opening Hours:

Monday – Saturday 9.30 am to 5 pm

Sunday 11 am to 4 pm

There are two further stores at;

280 High Street, Berkhamsted, Herts., HP4 1AH

Tel: 01442 862255

32 Station Road, Gerrards Cross, Bucks SL9 8EL

Tel: 01753 887577

www.forgeboutique.com

What Do You Need for a Day at the Races?

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Frostie

The glitz and glamour of a major horse racing event is one of the reasons the sport is loved by people from all walks of life. High octane action on the course is flanked by endless rows of food stalls, bars, live music and women in outlandish outfits. All in all a day at the races is one that’s not only filled with betting action but all round entertainment.

So before you head off to one of the biggest meetings of the year, the Grand National for example, what do you need to know to get maximum value out of the day?

Choose Your Outfit Wisely:

by Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer

As much as a day at the races is a fashion parade, it’s also a day out in the open for the most part. The Great British weather is notoriously unpredictable and if you are attending an event such as the Grand National 2015 you need to be prepared for anything. A long skirt for women accompanied by a light jacket and a fancy hat are always good choices. For men, the classic two piece suit is a must for any high profile racing event. Ties are optional if the weather is nice, but you need to ensure your outfit is both practical and fashionable.

Have a Plan B:

by Kurayba

Having a back-up plan is always necessary in the racing world because, as we’ve said, the weather is notoriously unpredictable. To ensure your day at the races isn’t a washout you need a point of cover if the sky decides to open up. Most major race courses will have an indoor section, for example Newmarket racecourse has two grandstands, so you should try to create a base inside before heading outside. If you can manage to hold a spot under cover and still get outside to see the races you’ll have cracked it.

Study the Form:

by Paolo Camera

One of the biggest considerations you’ll need to make before you head off to the races is the form. Although the auxiliary antics on offer are always fun, the main reason you’re at a racing event is, unsurprisingly, the racing. If you’re going to make a bet, you need to know what you’re speculating on and the best way to do this is combine online research with your own observations. Make sure you check out the stats from one of the many online bookmakers offering Grand National 2015 odds then compare these stats to the form books available at the racecourse. After weighing up your options, make sure don’t spend more than you can afford.

Get Out Early or Stay In Late:

by jaguarmena

The final thing you need to think about before you go off and enjoy a day at the races is the amount of time you’re going to spend inside the venue. Major events attract thousands of spectators and that causes a swell of people when the final race comes to a conclusion. The majority of people will want to head off into the nearest town as quickly as possible, so you need to make a choice: leave early or stay late. Either option is as valid as the other, but you need to make your choice and stick to it. If you can follow this simple piece of advice and our preceding three points, then a day at any racing event in the country will be a fantastic day filled with fun, frolics and, hopefully, profits.

Anna Wintour Quotes

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

Anna Wintour is the British Editor-in-Chief of American Vogue and has been for the past 25 years. What she doesn’t know about fashion is not worth knowing. Talented, fierce and fashionable. She is incredibly inspirational. Have a read of some of her quotes below and feel inspired.

“I look for strong people. I don’t like people who’ll say yes to everything I might bring up. I want people who can argue and disagree and have a point of view that’s reflected in the magazine. My dad believed in the cult of personality. He brought great writers and columnists to ‘The Standard.”

“I’m very good at delegating – people work much better when they have a real sense of responsibility. But at the same time, I don’t like surprises. I don’t pore over every shoot, but I do like to be aware at all times of what’s going on.”

If one comes across sometimes as being cold or brusque, it’s simply because I’m striving for the best.”

“There is something about fashion that can make people really nervous.”

“I wasn’t academically successful. And maybe I’ve spent a lot of my career trying to make up for that.”

“Create your own style… let it be unique for yourself and yet identifiable for others.”

‘Vogue’ is a fashion magazine, and a fashion magazine is about change.”

“The notion that a contemporary woman must look mannish in order to be taken seriously as a seeker of power is frankly dismaying. This is America, not Saudi Arabia.”

“I like having young assistants in my office; they have energy, and I spend time with them to make sure they understand what we’re doing. By investing in them, I’m investing in the magazine. All over ‘Vogue,’ ‘Teen Vogue,’ and ‘Men’s Vogue,’ there are people who have been through not only my office but also many other offices at ‘Vogue.'”

“My father was a newspaper editor, so I was surrounded by journalists my entire life. I think the fact that he was so well known may be why I chose to go into magazines and move to the States at a young age.“

“It’s always about timing. If it’s too soon, no one understands. If it’s too late, everyone’s forgotten.”

“I don’t really follow market research. In the end, I respond to my own instincts.”

“You either know fashion or you don’t.”

“Because of reality television and all these celebrities thinking they can be designers, everyone imagines that they can just become a designer, photographer, or model, but that’s not the way things work. People have to go to school, learn their craft, and build a brand – that’s the right, healthy way to do things.”

“I want ‘Vogue’ to be pacy, sharp, and sexy – I’m not interested in the super-rich or infinitely leisured. I want our readers to be energetic executive women, with money of their own and a wide range of interests. There is a new kind of woman out there. She’s interested in business and money.“

“If you look at any great fashion photograph out of context, it will tell you just as much about what’s going on in the world as a headline in The New York Times.”

“Just be true to yourself, and listen as much as one is able to to other people whose opinions you respect and look up to but in the end it has to come from you. You can’t really worry too much by looking to the left and the right about what the competition is doing or what other people in your field are doing. It has to be a true vision.”

“I think possibly what people working for one hate the most is indecision. Even if I’m completely unsure, I’ll pretend I know exactly what I’m talking about and make a decision. The most important thing I can do is try and make myself very clearly understood.”

“[The democratisation of luxury] means more people are going to get better fashion. And the more people who can have fashion, the better.”

“It’s very important to take risks. I think that research is very important, but in the end you have to work from your instinct and feeling and take those risks and be fearless. When I hear a company is being run by a team, my heart sinks, because you need to have that leader with a vision and heart that can move things forward.”

“Fashion’s not about looking back. It’s always about looking forward.”

“In the end I do respond to my own instincts. Sometimes they’re successful, and obviously sometimes they’re not. But you have to, I think, remain true to what you believe in.”

“Part of the pleasure of editing ‘Vogue,’ one that lies in a long tradition of this magazine, is being able to feature those who define the culture at any given moment, who stir things up, whose presence in the world shapes the way it looks and influences the way we see it.”

“Fashion is not beautiful, neither is it ugly. Why should it be either? Fashion is Fashion”

“To be in ‘Vogue’ has to mean something. It’s an endorsement. It’s a validation.”

“I surround myself with a talented group of people that are opinionated and interesting. I try to remain very open to what others have to say.”

Top Model UK And Top Model Worldwide – Season 8 Finals … The Main Event!

Posted on March 28, 2015 by Corinne Tuddenham-Finn

Promising a night of new talent, the finalists of Top Model UK and Top Model Worldwide were placed under the spotlight with a spectacular finals weekend of stunning runway shows and awards at The Hilton London Metropole.

The Top Model (www.topmodeluk.com) professional model search campaign is now in its 8th hugely successful year and in 2011, expanded into the international market with Top Model Worldwide (www.topmodelworldwide.com).
The 2015 campaigns reached their climax on March 13th and 14th 2015 whereupon 130 UK and 44 international finalists took part in three sold-out shows over two days, featuring 10 top designers, the finalists having been selected from over 4,000 entry applications through a series of auditions and interviews.

The competition drew the attention of the international press, together with a generous gathering of modelling cognoscenti who had given support and advice to the contestants.

With over 600 guests in place, lights down and music up, models sashayed in turn along the catwalk, communicating enthusiasm and nerves but above all the determination to become an award-winner in Top Model UK and Top Model Worldwide.

Over 50 awards were presented an the full list of award recipients can be found online at www.topmodeluk.com/the2015results
Proudly holding aloft trophies at the end of the evening were the main title award winners:
Georgia Butler (Editorial) Norwich
Jack Parr (Men) Leeds
Ellie Sammer (Commercial) Lancashire
Mica Brown (Over 25’s) Buckinghamshire
Tanisha Downing (Natural Beauty) Doncaster
Maryna Omolchenko (Worldwide) Ukraine

In addition to the stunning glass trophies and award titles, the prize pool included:
International travel
Beauty products
Goodie bags
Professional photographic shoots
Free styling and haircuts
Pamper breaks
Agency signings
London Fashion Week opportunities… and more!

Grand finalist recruitment for Top Model takes place over a four-five month period between July and December each year, with the Top Model team searching the length and breadth of the UK, and internationally, for the best new up-and-coming model talent.
Top Model is not a beauty pageant but prides itself on a pure model search ethos. All of the top prizes and opportunities for the finalists and award winners are focused on the fashion, beauty and model industries. The grand finalist selections and the awards are all decided by industry experts, not by public voting, with top couture designers and brands from around the world dressing the eventual finalists in professionally produced, fully choreographed runway show finals.
In addition to Top Model being a major UK and International model search, each year, Top Model adopts a chosen charity to support. For 2015, Top Model once again supported leading childhood cancer charity CHILDREN with CANCER UK (www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk), raising over £22,000 from the 2015 search and having amassed an impressive £75,000+ over six years.

Not only was it a night that paid tribute to UK and worldwide’s emerging, already blooming fashion industry, re-affirming its positive image, but discovered new talent in a fiercely competitive and febrile world of modelling, proving that with careful nurturing and professional motivation and guidance, the dream of becoming a Top Model can become a reality…

About Top Model UK and Top Model Worldwide…

Top Model is THE original No.1 leading professional model search competition in the UK and has been discovering new model talent and creating dreams for almost a decade. In addition to the fabulous opportunities that competition selection can bring for applicants, the chance to win a host of top awards and fabulous prizes also awaits those fortunate enough to make it through to the national Grand Finals.

The Top Model experienced team of industry professionals have an unrivalled and proven track record, providing top-level coaching, genuine guidance and professional support for all the finalists.

Applications for Top Model 2016 will be accepted online from July 2015.

Email: info@topmodeluk.com and info@topmodelworldwide.com

@TopModelUK

About Hilton London Metropole…

Hilton London Metropole is centrally located near many attractions including Madame Tussauds, the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Oxford Street shopping. Take a two minute walk to Edgware Road stations which service the District, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Bakerloo underground lines. Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station or to Heathrow Airport, only 15 minutes away.

As one of Europe’s largest conference hotels, this central London hotel provides 42 fully-equipped meeting rooms and 4,300 sq. m of event space.

Take in panoramic views of London from a Deluxe Room or choose one of London’s largest double bed rooms, the Superior Room, which is spacious enough for families or a group of friends. Upgrade to an Executive Room or Suite for access to the Executive Lounge. Book direct with Hilton.com and receive complimentary WiFi, enabling you to download, stream or browse and check emails.

Start the morning with an extensive breakfast buffet featuring an egg station, hot and cold items, baked goods, fruit and more. Dine on international cuisine at Fiamma Restaurant, or try Asian fusion dishes with views of London in Minako at the Met. Relax at the Sports Bar, sample a variety of whiskies at the Whisky Lounge, or visit the contemporary EDG Bar & Lounge before venturing out into London’s nightlife.

This London hotel’s LivingWell Health Club boasts Hilton Fitness weight machines and cardio equipment.

225 Edgware Road, London, W2 1JU, United Kingdom TEL: +44-207-402-4141 FAX: +44-207-616-7313

http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/united-kingdom/hilton-london-metropole-LONMETW/index.html

Frost Magazine

Books and Lifestyle

Tag Archives: Fashion