Looking for a self-indulgent afternoon of girly fun and pampering? I’ve found just the thing - Kettner’s Brasserie and Champagne Bar in Soho is hosting a new event, ‘Coquette’ starting this Saturday afternoon 9th April from 1 - 5pm. Coquette promises makeovers from Benefit Cosmetics with a masterclass from their head make-up artist Lisa Potter-Dixon, vintage hairdos from Lipstick and Curls, fashion tips and dressing up with vintage specialists Rag & Bow; The Roaming Vintage Store and Stop Traffic Clothing, Cocktail Making Masterclasses, delicious finger food cooked up by Kettner’s Executive Head Chef Winston Matthews as well as Swing dance classes, fortune tellers, guest speakers and of course Champagne! All guests will also be given a goodie bag full of treats to take away. Tickets are £90 but book soon as there are only 60 tickets available for each event and I’m told they're being snapped up quickly. If you can’t make it to the April event don’t worry, Coquette will be taking place on 18th June and many other events are planned. Call David Carter on 0207 790 0259 or email reservations@40winks.org to make a booking.
Wayfarer are back
Thanks to this heavenly sun that is visiting us more frequently it’s time search out our summer accessories from forgotten drawers. Unlike celebrities, who seem to have their sunglasses permanently glued to their face whatever the weather, we mere mortals usually save ours for their intended purpose and the reappearance of the sun has suddenly reminded us of what a necessity they are. The Wayfarer from Ray Ban is not only one of Amazing PR’s favourite sunglasses, but they are also a classic style accessory for the spring sunshine.
Ray Ban first introduced the Wayfarer in 1952 and its design prompted a revolutionary change in the sunglasses market. They broke with the tendency to produce metal eyewear and opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for creating designs with plastic. Since then the Wayfarer been a classic for all the ages.
Pieces set to become collector's items
I’m thrilled to have recently re-found one of my favourite fashion designers Sarah Arnett. Sarah is best known for her vibrant colour-ways, motifs and abstract patterns all inspired by tropical plants and landscapes from a childhood spent in Africa. Modern Love is her new label, a collaboration between Sarah and top fashion stylist and creative director Kim Hunt. This first collection is influenced by 30’s Paris fashion and New York 70’s Disco. Top of my wishlist is this striking Cape Dress at £700; in beautiful silk georgette that has been generously made with reams of material to give a truly luxurious feel. What sets Modern Love apart is its use of exclusive prints in limited editions, in colours that enhance and radiate, on clothes that wrap and touch without restriction. If you like to wear clothes that don't wear you, if you seek out a modern label in the same way you seek out vintage pieces, then Modern Love is for you. These pieces are set to become collector’s items, they are timeless and elegant. If like me you are desperate to get part of this new collection before they all sell out, then you’ll need to get to KJ Laundry on Marylebone Lane, who are currently one of the first London retailers to house this collection. Otherwise be patient as Modern Love will shortly have their e-commerce site up and running– personally, I can’t wait! [vimeo http://vimeo.com/20987082]
The Swimwear Edition
With Katie’s Jamican excursion and this gorgeous weather that has been infecting London, I suddenly realised swimsuit weather is right around the corner. It’s been a few years since my last swimsuit shopping extravaganza and I’m a bit behind the times. I started looking around at a few of my favourite shops to see what patterns and colours are ‘in’ this year.
Looking at high street fave H&M, I noticed a lot of navys and nudes as well as bright and retro inspired patterns. The purple number above is one of my favourites! I also found a funky Australian label called Anna & Boy. If you are prepared to drop a bit of change, this place has taken swimwear to the next level. The bold patterns and bright colours are seriously calling my name. Katie has been obsessing over this super-fun leopard bikini for the past hour, occasionally reasserting her claim on it by announcing“I want this one!” to the room.
Now, I know most of us like to have a side of beachwear with our swimwear and I know the perfect person to ask. Louise Sandberghas a wide range of fabulous and luxurious beachwear. Looking at her website makes me itch for a holiday of my own. Her colour inspirations for 2011 are honeysuckle, coral, green pea, turquoise, and lavender. Many of her featured collections have that old school 70’s feel and I am lovin’ it!
Louise Sandberg’s website features kaftans, resortwear, and accessories for women. Many of her items can be worn as eveningwear as well, making things simple for those of us who can’t drag ourselves away from the beach long enough to get ready for an evening out. The collections she carries are exclusive to her and include Donale, Love The Sand and Ambas as well as her own line, Louise Sandberg.Here at Amazing PR we absolutely love her stuff and really can’t wait for our holidays to come around to wear it, so we will probably end up belting our kaftans over a pair of jeans and platform wedges for day-to-day wear. BP
Upgrade your dull trans-seasonal wardrove
I wandered into our neighbours the resourceful and elegant Lusso-London to try and find a versatile ‘upgrade’ for my rather dull trans-seasonal wardrobe. Bemoaning my lot and telling them how I was bored witless with my wardrobe - I desperately needed their help to find me something inspirational. “Ah ha” they said “you’ll want one of these…” I gasped with joy, “ooh yes” I said “I definitely want one of those!” This smart little item is an ingenious Reversible Scarf Belt, exclusive to Lusso London and is an affordable £120 – after all you get two belts for the price of one. With its shaped calfskin curve it nestles perfectly into the waist and comes in the colour ways of Tan/Black or Stone/Navy.
The best bit is that this Reversible Scarf Belt will be forgiving of any expanding waistline as it cleverly utilises all of those long forgotten Hermes scarves that have been gathering dust at the back of your wardrobe… My advice? Go quickly and grab one of these brilliant little multi-taskers before they all disappear...