New Look Press Day AW 2011

I might have mentioned once or twice before, I'm really not great at keeping up to date with my blog! I always seem to find an excuse not to sit down and post a little post. Today for example I've managed to clean the flat, scrubbing the kitchen included, organise and cull both my shoes and underwear drawer. I'm explaining this, frankly in more detail than anyone needs to know, to illustrate the reason this post is so late!


If anyone has read my profile they will know I'm a high street designer (actually I'm not too sure if I ever got round to filling all that in... hmmm note to self to check!) I do quite a lot of work for New Look so I was invited to their AW 2011 Press Day held at the beautiful church building opposite Great Portland St tube station.

The key messages New Look were channeling were: Seventies-Meets-40's, lots of fab tea dresses styles with faux fur stoles and floppy felt hats; Gatsby Glamour, fantastic flapper style dresses, all over embellishment in a soft washed out palette of minks and duck egg with highlights of antique and rose gold; 70's downtown, a clean modern take on the 70's trend, updating the pussy-bow blouse with colourblock details and clean sharp tailoring. For me this is the trend that will saturate the high st come August.

I know New Look has had some pretty bad press in the past nine months or so but this press show looked fantastic I just hope they can translate their trends to store.

The Gilbert Scott

After a slightly soggy day we thought we would treat ourselves to a tipple at The Gilbert Scott a Tanquary and Tonic later we sat back to admire the fabulous 20's decor listening to the dulcet tones of Nina Simone, I have to say I felt very at home! I would highly recommend visiting the newly refurbished St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, even if its just for a g'n't!

The Festival Of Britain

Despite the awful weather today we decided to go to the Southbank. Nestled inside the Southbank Centre itself is a cosy little exhibition celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the festival of Britain. Alongside people's memories of the original event was quaint black and white films of the time was a mock up of a 60's front room. I love the retro geo's of the print and the clean lines of the scando inspired furniture. It feels modern and relevant 60 years later the prints inspiring the likes of Orla Keily.

The Joy Of Clapton

The Clapton Festival was on this weekend, so yesterday we pottered down the road to check it out. The sunshine, swing band, mountains of cake and general good cheer made for a wonderful afternoon. I can't believe how much Clapton has changed in the past couple of years me and Nick have been living here.... If this weekend is anything to go by I think the transformation from Murder Mile' to Islington-Of-The-East is complete! Love It!!

Random dude playing a tiny piano (very well)

view of the green wonky gazebo's a must