Tag Archives: Life & Style

AudaCity of Fashion launches coffee mornings offering free crowd funding advice

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Need money for your fashion business?

Then you need to book in to  “AudaCity Coffee Mornings” for a one-to-one free consultation to discuss how crowdfunding could be the solution to your funding issues

AudaCity of Fashion offers a revolutionary approach to the support of fashion creativity in London. As a reward based crowdfunding platform dedicated to fashion, AudaCity of Fashion allows designers to pre-sell their products and undertake market research. It fosters an early collaboration with the audience, who pledge and receive rewards in return of their contributions.

AudaCity of Fashion, Free fashion business advice

As this is a new concept to most young fashion brands, AudaCity of Fashion has launched a weekly coffee morning when fashion creative can pop in for a free one-to-one consultation to discuss how crowd funding could help their business. The sessions are available every Tuesday morning starting on October 1st from 10am – 1pm at Felicities Showroom, Shoreditch. To book an appointment call Josie on 0207 377 6030.

 

AudaCity of Fashion opens the door to creative funding. It allows fashion ideas, which do not fit the criteria required byconventional financiers to break through, get access to the market, and gain financial support from truly interested early supporters.

 

Open to everyone connected within the fashion industry including designers, photographers, illustrators, magazines, and bloggers, AudaCity of Fashion will engage with people to bring the energy, enthusiasm and resources to accomplish a positive change and build sustainable brands for the future.

 

AudaCity of Fashion which launched in July has already had two successful projects and has garnered support from key industry figures who will act as curators, catalysts and experts and be the visionary individuals willing to support the growth of inspirational fashion businesses.   Gemma Ebelis, Head of PR, British Fashion Council commented: “This exciting opportunity will enable designers to engage directly with their customers; a welcomed development in terms of communicating key messaging surrounding events or bespoke product.This successful technology is a move away from traditional funding models and has been instrumental in raising money within other industries. This September, we look forward to incorporating it into the UK’s fashion arena with activity planned for London Fashion Week”.

www.audacityoffashion.com   

 

Top Tips For Trans-Seasonal Style

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Top Tips For Trans-Seasonal StyleSian O’Flaherty, UK Online Content Manager, ShopStyle – The fashion search engine

“Autumn is well on its way as the days get a little shorter and the sky greyer, but it’s arguably the most inspiring time of the year for fashion. The classic leather jacket and ankle boot sees a welcome return to the front of the wardrobes and this season there’s a lot of fun to be had experimenting with pastel, camouflage and more 90s trends.”

1. The leather biker jacket. If you haven’t got one of these already, you’ve been missing a trick, and a leather jacket is a MUST this season. Invest in beautiful quality leather and it’ll last you into the next decade. I personally love American brand Theyskens Theory for investment pieces. If black bores you, pick up one in gorgeous cobalt blue or in coloured suede for a fresh take. All Saints also have a great variety this season from shearling to bomber styles.

2. 90’s tartan classic the kilt has been revived in mini form this season and it looks great with ankle boots, sheer tights or bare legs, and a classic leather jacket. Asos do a show stopping piece in either neon pink or black.

3. Pastels are usually associated with Spring, but this season they’re taking over from the usual Autumnal aubergines and greens. This season why not choose a chunky knit in pastel blue instead of black? Erdem have a stunning silk blended cardigan and from Antonia Marras there’s a sweet light blue cashmere version.

4. Camouflage is big for this season. Christopher Kane started this trend by giving it a grown-up spin on luxe fabrics, and Whistles are doing some superb high street versions of this look. A camo sweatshirt is a great trans-seasonal piece too – try APC for style and top notch quality.

5. Kimono Drape Coats look so elegant and exude a vintage New York vibe. Whatever your budget from John Lewis to Ted Baker they’re cosy and perfect for layering in style.

Vanessa G Launches her SS14 Collection: Olivia Inge and Noelle Reno Attend.

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Vanessa G heralds the launch of her Spring Summer 2014 collection at the Arts Club, Dover Street

Olivia IngeVanessa G heralds the launch of her Spring Summer 2014 collection at the Arts Club, Dover Streetimage034image008

Noelle Reno wearing a dress from the Vanessa G AW13 collection, with the designer – Vanessa Gounden, Olivia Inge wearing a trench coat from Vanessa G SS14

#OOTD goes designer with Nivea Soft and World Renowned British Fashion Designer Giles Deacon

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128 Nivea Soft, Catherine Balavage, manicure

I checked out the new Nivea Soft pots designed by Giles Deacon in the Handpicked Media London Fashion Week Suite. I love the product and the cool design. We also have a Giles Set to giveaway. This includes all three of the limited edition pots and zip pouches.

I also managed to fit in a cool manicure at the Handpicked Suite, take a look below.

Fashion Ready Skin Starts With NIVEA Soft

 

One of the hottest tickets of the London runways, Giles Deacon has lent his unique blend of superior craftsmanship and whimsical irreverence to NIVEA Soft to create three new collectable limited edition packs.  The introduction of these packs in-store in September heralds a new lease of fashion streaming to #OOTD as a panel of experts from the NIVEA Soft judge the ultimate online fashion competition.

 

Get Involved!

From 11th September until 25th September, NIVEA Soft will compile a glamorous look book of the best #OOTD and will also give out 60 spot prizes to fashionistas.  It’s worth entering just to be in with the chance of winning a Giles Deacon designer handbag or Limited Edition Soft Pots. After 25th September all entries will be reviewed by the NIVEA judges and their favourite 15 looks will be put through to a finalists gallery where they will be voted for by the public.  The top 15 finalists will need to have the style and panache to create an interesting look and a stylish statement in one fashion moment!

 

Fashion Voting & One Winner

From 25th September, visitors to the site get to vote on their favourite outfits and the person with the most votes will win the ultimate prize of a styling session with Giles Deacon!!! NIVEA fans will be invited to check out and cast their decision by voting on the Instagram gallery*. This is huge exposure for any keen style kings or queens and a great way to connect via your own facebook, instagram and blog sites.  It’s going to be fashion mayhem!

 

Styled by Giles!

The #OOTD super stylish winner chosen by the public will get a behind the scenes meet up with Giles and then a once in a lifetime styling session with the coolest fashion man of the moment. Also included will be overnight accommodation in London for the winner and £200 of spending money

 

Upload here:

A NIVEA Instagram gallery will host the #OOTD entries and votes.  The entry process is simple, just upload your image via Twitter or Instagram and include #OOTD and #NIVEASOFT for automatic entry. If you make it through to the final 15 why not include the link in your blog as well as facebook and twitter so your readers can see or even vote?

 

Fashion Ready Skin Starts With NIVEA Soft

The all-purpose nature of NIVEA SOFT ensures a quick beauty routine, making skin incredibly ‘soft’ and supple, leaving more time for fashion decisions and styling. It has a lightweight formula like whipped cream, containing Jojoba and Vitamin E that melts into skin instantly for a hydrated and refreshed feeling that lasts all day.

Turkish Designer Bora Aksu Launches London Fashion Week

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“NAZAR”

Spring/Summer 2014

Celebrating 10 years at London Fashion Week this year has spurred Bora Aksu to look back to his Turkish homeland and its rich, colourful and diverse culture. His spring/summer 2014 collection has been inspired by his childhood memories of there, memories that have had such a big influence on him.

Bora Aksu, London fashion week, fashion, SS14

Although Bora’s childhood memories of Turkey are still as magical today as when they were first played out, as Bora spent more and more time in London and travelled the world their uniqueness and richness has become more valuable to him. The long, hot summer days spent on the Aegean coast are the most prominent recollections that Bora draws on for this season’s inspiration. Long stretches of white sand, bobbing fishing boats, sun-faded houses with lush gardens and hidden village markets are the happy times that give his spring/summer collection a less melancholic feel than has been his signature to date.

Bora Aksu explains: “When I realised that this would be my tenth year at London Fashion Week, it struck me how long it has been since I left Turkey to come to study in the UK. It propelled me to reminisce and look back at my roots. I felt that I wanted to re-ignite the passion coming from the rich culture and traditional artistry of Turkey that had inspired me in the first place.”

Bora Aksu says of his new collection: ‘I’m delighted to have worked with the Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism as official sponsor for this London Fashion Week show. After 10 years showing in London it’s been great to go back to my roots and be inspired by the rich culture and traditional artistry of Turkey. I hope the show will inspire people to explore Turkey and discover the amazing gems it has to offer.’

The patterns and textures of the Iznik tiles that adorn the show invite have been re-created using traditional handwoven Turkish textiles incorporated into pencil skirts, dresses, cropped jackets and boleros.

Layering continues to be key, with geometric laces over silk tulles and chiffons or used as sheer panels against quilted cotton for added texture in skirts and dresses. Hand crochets produced in Izmir create accents across the collection.

Classic shapes have been contrasted with summer shorts and knitted tees while plastinated cottons update the traditional feel.

The colour palette for the collection began with the traditional ‘nazar boncuk’ or ‘evil eye bead’. Worn in Turkey to ward off evil, legend says that if one should break it is a sign that you have been saved from a great misfortune. Traditionally made from a disc of blue glass, it is this protective colour of the evil eye that dominates the collection. Off-whites also play a key role keeping the collection light before bold injections of bright yellows and fuchsia are introduced, reminding Bora of the long hot summers that he so enjoyed.

“This collection has been incredibly personal for me” Bora Aksu says “It’s been fantastic to have the support from the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism and to take this first step in highlighting a land I am so passionate about and connected to. I hope the show will inspire people to explore the rich culture and traditional artistry that Turkey has to offer.”

The Wine Cocktail Guide

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Frost has come across an excellent wine cocktail guide from the great people at formulawine.co.uk. Mixologists from five London based cocktail bars (Callooh Callay, Sketch, Stories, Detroit bar and Dabbous) have created cocktail recipes containing wine and we have a graphic to display the recipes. The guide gives delicious wine cocktail recipes but also interesting new places to visit around London. Let us know what you think. Will you try them all?

wine cocktail guide, guide, alchohol,

 

London Fashion Week: Where To Go

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London Fashion Week is nearly here and we are super excited. Here is a round up of great places to go to eat, drink and have a break from the fast pace.

Josh Wood To Launch Breakfast Pop-up Salon At sketch During London Fashion Week
Sketch on Conduit Street in Mayfair has collaborated with world-renowned salon Josh Wood Atelier to open an exclusive pop-up breakfast blow-dry and nail bar in the Glade at sketch. The salon will offer guests a dry-style blow dry and a file and polish together with an express breakfast for £25.00, ensuring they will look impeccably groomed before a busy day of shows, whether gracing the FROW or simply soaking up the atmosphere at Somerset House. Open from 8.00am until 10.30am, the beauty bar will run throughout London Fashion Week, from 13th-17th September. www.sketch.uk.com

London fashion week, where to go
Babbo
To celebrate this autumn’s London Fashion Week, discreet Mayfair restaurant Babbo has devised a special menu packed with superfoods. Known for being favoured by royalty and celebrities alike, it is frequented by A-listers including Stella McCartney, Kate Beckinsale, Princess Beatrice, Colin Firth and Claudia Schiffer. Head chef Carlo Scotto has created dishes such as Salad of handpicked crab meat with avocado and hazelnuts , Tuna carpaccio with wild asparagus and aubergine puree and John Dory with fresh peas, broad beans, dry tomato and beetroot puree. The menu will be available for the duration of London Fashion Week and is priced at £45 for three courses
39 Albemarle Street, W1S 4JQ – www.babborestaurant.co.uk

Fornata
Between 13-17th September, relaxed Italian restaurant Fornata – located on Soho’s bustling Kingly Street – will offer an express three course meal with a glass of wine for just £25. The vibrant and informal restaurant will offer low-carb dishes such as Grilled courgettes with ricotta, mint and pine nuts or Beef Carpaccio with fresh Porcini mushroom salad to start. These will be followed by a choice of either Sicilian style char-grilled swordfish, Char-grilled ginger baby chicken with rocket and parmesan or Grilled lamb cutlet with aubergine puree and pecorino cheese for main. To finish, guests can choose between Panna cotta with mixed berries or Lemon crostata pie. The menu, which is available throughout London Fashion Week, can be best enjoyed al fresco on Fornata’s lively terrace.
15 Kingly Street, W1B 5PS – www.fornata.com

Ping
PING, West London’s renowned ping-pong rooms will be giving pizza’s a fresh twist for London Fashion Week with the introduction of its ‘Skinny Bitches’ pizza menu. Challenging the perception of what it is that makes a great and nutritious pizza, head chef Bruno Elias has created three low calorie pizzas, that are sure to keep you feeling chic throughout fashion week. The ‘Skinny Bitches’ menu at Ping features pizza made from wholewheat crusts, light cheeses, fresh and healthy toppings, which are all under 600 calories. Pizza’s include the ‘Kate’ made up of ricotta, fresh spinach, roasted apple, walnuts, the ‘Naomi’ with fresh mozzarella, sun blushed tomatoes, raisins, anchovies and pine nuts on a rich tomato base, and the ‘Giselle’ with roasted aubergines, peppers, onions, fresh basil on a rich tomato base.
180-184 Kingly Road, SW59GG – www.weloveping.com

STK
To celebrate this September’s London Fashion Weekend, contemporary steakhouse STK will be opening its doors at the earlier time of noon, on both the Saturday and Sunday, to offer the cities fash pack an exclusive STK’OVER lunch menu. Located minutes from Somerset House STK is the perfect pit stop for post or pre show entertaining, and diners with a pass for London Fashion Weekend will also be offered a complimentary signature STK cocktail. Dishes on the STK’OVER menu include scallop ceviche, feather steak and STK salad.
STK, 336-337 Strand, London, WC2R 1HA – www.togrp.com/togrp-stk-london/about

Villandry 
To mark London Fashion, Villandry, located on Great Portland Street has created a perfect, exclusive menu for die-hard fashionishtas to enjoy throughout September, with each dish no more than 150 calories. Each dish has been carefully devised to follow Villandry’s philosophy of offering lighter Mediterranean dishes, where by bad fats are kept to a minimum. Dishes on the menu include tomato and green bean tartare with avocado salsa, grilled salmon on a bed of pea puree, roasted diced beetroot and horseradish, and for those with a sweet tooth there is the frozen yogurt summer berry trio.
170 Great Portland St, London, W1W 5QB – www.villandry.com
Where do you like to go during London Fashion Week?