Fendi Pops

If one Fendi store is not enough, then why not check out the new pop-up boutique of the luxurious brand, which opened only blocks away down Sloane Street. The space is dedicated to the eternal accessories, especially the monogrammed bags, which come in all shapes and sizes.

Coco Mademoiselle

Twenty8Twelve's Fairground in Selfridges

Last week Sienna and Savannah Miller’s brand Twenty8Twelve opened a pop-up store in Selfridges. The launch of the designers’ shopping space aims to introduce Miller's spring/summer collection to the customers of the department store. You can find Selfridges’ transformed Hut on the third floor, where a fairground has been recreated. Lucky dip barrels and photo-op boards are a small part of the artistic decoration. The real party, though starts on March, 14^th when the girls would come along and meet the lucky hundred, who first made a Twelve8Twenty purchase. And if you want to get hold of more than the signed images that they will be offering, then check out their online exclusive Brea jacket, signed by the designer duo. 

Designer to Watch

Blue lined feather braclet

Green lined feather braclet

Red lined feather braclet

I love meeting young and talented designers. This London Fashion Week I came across The Yorkshire Pearl, whose creator and designer told me more about the brand. These super cool bangles are hand-made and each piece has an individual and unique style. The designer – BBert has been listed by Vogue as one of the top 10 designers to watch for 2011, so you’d better keep an eye on their website. 

During Paris Fashion Week The Yorkshire Pearl is showing their collection at the Vauxhall Fashion Show Room.

The Conde Nast Newsstand

Last week in London opened the first Conde Nast newsstand, which sells all the British and International editions of the publisher. Visitors can not only chose from publication from all around the world, but can also browse through digital versions of these magazines on iPads. One of the main aims of the newsstand, whose modern design is by Ab Rogers, is to make magazines more desirable for the public and to approach the Internet not as a rival, but as another way to entertain old and win new readers.

Daphne Guinness talks about statement pieces, her incredible collection of couture and the tragic loss of McQueen and Isabella Blow

The Royal Academy of Art’s fashion workshops were such a great experience. The last one of their Magazine Salons, dedicated to biographical wardrobes was attended by Daphne Guinness, the fashion icon, well-known for her enviable couture wardrobe. Present were also Beatrice Behlen – curator of the Museum of London and the designer Tonya Bastyan. The discussion tackled issues such as the symbolic meaning of clothes in the passed, compared to modern day culture. Behlen emphasised on the importance of the connection between the wearer and the wardrobe. She explained that one of the main aims of the Museum of London is tracing social changes through fashion and clothes. The participants of the workshop then reflected on the issue of collecting pieces, especially vintage. Most of the guests agreed that there is in their closet a specific item of accessory or clothing that they favour and would like to keep. Daphne Guinness, as one of the greatests collectors of couture explained that for her clothes are like pieces of art, which carry their own personality and history. This is why, she admitted, she could not leave her friend – Isabella Blow’s collection to be auctioned and taken into pieces. Now that the collection is safe, Guinness admitted that she is not sure what to do with it. Nevertheless, she assured the audience that as soon as she overcomes the emotional barrier and manages to go through the pieces, Blow’s heritage would be either exhibited or put online. In that way, Guinness continued, Isabella Blow will remain alive through her clothes. The Salon talk came to an end with some thoughts on how the personal style evolves through time. The audience left the gallery thinking of one single item in their wardrobes that could describe them most accurately...I still have not picked out mine.

Charlotte Dellal talks about the success of her brand Charlotte Olympia and her plans for the future

Last week I had the amazing opportunity to have a quick chat with the shoe designer and socialite Charlotte Dellal. Dellal, whose brand Charlotte Olympia opened last year a flagship store on Maddox Street in London, was kind enough to tell me more about her shoe passion and design inspirations before she had to rush to some of the shows at Fashion Week (she also designs footwear for some of the other young British talents). On my suggestion that Dellal sketches her towering heels with her glamorous celebrity friends in mind, she simply smiled and replied that when she starts creating a model she thinks of herself and her mother. Charlotte Olympia, which is available all over Europe, as well as Japan, the Middle East and America, is soon going to include clutches and hosiery. The designer explained that it’s the total look that she is after. One could see this from her own image, which is always immaculate and brilliantly accessorised.