Life and Soul

Kardashian Tanning Line hits stores this month

2013-04-03T09:32:00.000+01:00

Kim Kardashian and her sisters don’t appear to be put off by the legal wrangling over Khorma Beauty, the sisters have made their first steps into skincare with the launch of new tanning line - Kardashian Sun Kissed, a five-stockkeeping-unit sunless tanning system which will be available in stores later this month.

Kardashian Sun Kissed will feature a scrub, two tanning lotions, a colour extender and a colour maximizer. The products are paraben and sulfate-free; and are priced between $12.99 and $19.99.

The regimen begins with either Body Exfoliator or Color Maximizer, the second step is choosing either Instant Sunless Lotion or Instant Sunless Spray, and the final step is applying Tan Extender with Bronzers.

Vera Wang unveils new Fragrance

2013-04-03T08:43:00.000+01:00

Vera Wang is set to launch a new fragrance, ‘Be Jewelled’ later this month. ‘Be Jewelled’ comes in a glamorous glass bottle cut to look like a precious gem and the packaging features imagery inspired by the designer's jewellery.

The scent created by Yann Vasnier opens with pomegranate, red currant, and champagne notes. At its heart is a composition of passion fruit extract with pink honeysuckle and peony. The dry down is musky, with added pink sugar crystals and rich Australian sandalwood.

Speaking to WWD, the designer said: "Jewels are my middle name. I have been so obsessed with jewellery forever - on the runway and for myself. And I love the idea of ‘Be Jewelled’; it brings that romantic notion of getting ready. Brides bejewel themselves; Indian women are bedecked with their saris, royalty has tiaras. There's something about jewellery that represents a ritual where you will become dazzling."

Be Jewelled will be launching exclusively in the US at Kohl's, in three different eau de parfum sprays: 30 ml ($45.00), 50 ml ($52.00) and 75 ml $68.00.

A|X Launches Armani Exchange Colour Flash collection

2013-04-02T07:44:00.000+01:00

A|X has unveiled its Colour Flash watch and sunglasses collection in preparation of Summer. The watches come in either grey with a neon logo stripe on the face and neon hands, or white with a neon dial.

Both have 44-mm. cases with solid straps and a corresponding neon stripe on the outer sides. While the compact, foldable sunglasses feature gray matte square frames with bright neon accents on the front and temple, and comes in a lightweight case.

The A|X Armani Exchange Colour Flash collection will make its debut in May and retails for $100 for the watches and $95 for the sunglasses.

The collection will be sold at A|X stores and online as well as at select department and speciality stores.

H & M Summer 2013 Collection

2013-04-02T07:43:00.000+01:00

H & M unveiled Beyonce as the face of H & M Summer 2013 a few weeks but have you seen the entire collection? The entire H &M Summer collection is available at www.hm.com/gb.

Here are my favourites...

Melissa + Karl Lagerfeld Shoes Unveiled

2013-04-02T07:42:00.001+01:00

Karl Lagerfeld and Melissa announced their collaboration late last year and finally launched the first range – consisting of four different autumn/winter 2013-14 styles in Soho last month.

The collection fronted by model Cara Delevingne features a range of pointy plastic flats and sparkly ice-cream-cone-heeled pumps, all of which are fruit scented.

This collaboration is the latest in the long line of collaborations between the shoe brand and well known designers like Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, and Jason Wu among to name a few.

Lagerfeld has signed up to create capsule collections for the label over the next four seasons.

Fashion Night Out moves to Manchester

2013-04-02T07:42:00.000+01:00

Fashion's Night Out 2013 will be held in Manchester. The annual shopping extravaganza will take place on Thursday October 10, bringing together the finest of the city's shops, restaurants, galleries and museums.

Speaking on moving the event to Manchester, Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman said "London has witnessed tens of thousands of shoppers joining the fun and we're looking forward to sharing this experience with a new audience."

Selfridges and Harvey Nichols have already confirmed that they will participate in the popular event, with a plethora of names expected to join the hub of activities as the evening draws closer.

Victoria Beckham.com goes live

2013-03-27T09:24:00.000+00:00

Victoria Beckham has been been telling us through her tweets how excited she is about her new e-commerce site Victoria Beckham.com going live for some time now. It has finally happened and we are excited too because where else will adoring fans be able to buy original Victoria Beckham designs and get a sneak peak into the life of the lady herself.

The website also has behind - the -scenes snaps, a creative mood board and videos of her most recent shows.

Beauty Must Have

2013-03-27T09:23:00.000+00:00

GOSH NAIL LACQUER

Gosh Cosmetic's Spring 2013 line has six new colours, two of which are glitter. A quick test showed the lacquer to be thin in texture and very quick to dry.
It also has a well-designed brush which makes it very easy to use and gives good coverage in two quick strokes.

One point of note: The glitter lacquer requires stronger than normal nail polish remover to get off.
GOSH nail lacquer is available in all Superdrug stores nationwide for £4.99.
Have you tried Gosh’s Spring 2013 nail lacquers?

2TRUE BRIGHT NAILS

2true Bright's range have been around since December last year but I am still a huge fan. The colours are fun and very much on trend. The range is also very affordable which is a big plus. 2True Bright cost £1.99 each or three for £4.99 exclusively at Superdrug stores nationwide.

Crystal Couture

This varnish adds a sophisticated slick of shine. It also has a quick drying formula and slim line brush for easy application. The collection comes in Shade 7-Miami, Shade 8-Ibiza, Shade 9- Rio or Shade 10-St.Tropez.

Glitterati range

This range is a combination of 2true’s exclusive formula with large, flat glitter particles for intense sparkly coverage. It can be worn alone on bare nails or used as a layer over a nude shade for an intense burst of glittery colour. You can choose from Shade 1- Sapphire, Shade 2- Fairy Dust or Shade 3- Aqua.

Chic Neutrals

If you prefer your outfit to be the focus, then this is the varnish for you. Chic Neutrals dries quickly and comes in Shade 12- Mushroom or Shade 13- Soft Grey will create an understated but stylish finish.

Have you tried 2True Bright?

‘Euro Centrale’ by O. P. I

I love the continental feel of O.P.I’s ‘Euro Centrale’ collection, the vibrant colours and the creative names. With shades like A Woman's Prague-ative, My Vampire is Buff and I Saw ... U Saw ... We Saw ... Warsaw, among others, there is something for everyone.

OPI nail lacquers are priced at £11.50.

Have you tried O.P.I’s ‘Euro Centrale’ collection?

Henry Holland creates World's Longest Designer Dress.

2013-03-26T08:36:00.001+00:00

Henry Holland revealed the world's longest designer dress as part of the opening ceremony of Trinity Leeds shopping centre

The dress measures 15 metres high, the equivalent of the height of three double decker buses and is 480 square metres wide.

The dress was worn by aerial acrobat and former Cirque Du Soleil principle artist, Colette Morrow.

Henry Holland said; "Curating the launch ceremony for Trinity Leeds gave me the opportunity to celebrate fashion in a totally unique way. I was challenged to deliver a spectacular show that would excite Leeds' shoppers and propel Trinity Leeds into the fashion spotlight. It has been an immensely rewarding project to work on and it has been great to hear the reaction from the public and see it all come to life on opening day."

New Look Prom Dress Collection

2013-03-26T08:30:00.000+00:00

The Prom industry in Britain has become a thriving one in the last few years thanks to high- school TV shows such as Glee and Hannah Montana.

New Look have unveiled their Prom Dress Collection in anticipation of the upcoming Prom season – a move dare I say, many high street and online fashion brands will be following.

The New Look Prom Dress Collection is priced between £30 and £200. And there's free delivery on orders over £45.

Global Kids’ Fashion Week (GKFW) takes place in London

2013-03-25T07:55:00.002+00:00

The first ever Global Kids’ Fashion Week (GKFW) took place last Tuesday in London to celebrate the thriving industry of children’s wear.

From Chloe's 'mini me' girls collection launched in 2007 to Stella McCartney for Kids launched in 2010, each year a number of designers branch into kids wear so it was just a matter of time before an event showcasing children's fashion in its own right became a reality.

Thirty established and emerging designers, including Kenzo, Roberto Cavalli, Oscar de La Renta, Billie Bush, Mini A Ture and Issosy took part in the event created by AlexandAlexa.com.

Alex Theophanous, founder of AlexandAlexa.com told WWD, the company hopes to make the Global Kids’ Fashion Week an annual or even seasonal event.

Catwalk highlights:

Vitality Show 2013

2013-03-19T08:23:00.002+00:00

The year’s biggest health, beauty and fitness show is back in town. From spa sessions and beauty makeovers to health and fitness tips, the ultimate feel-good event - the Vitality Show is here again.

As the UK’s largest health, beauty, fitness, healthy-eating and wellbeing event for women, prepare to bond with your girlfriends over the latest trends in all things health, beauty and fitness.

What to expect:

This year, audiences will be able to sample new food products from Urban Fruit, Rude Health and GOOD Hemp Nutrition; and sample beauty products and treatments from Beauty at Tesco, Amy Childs’ Dolly Diamonds, fashionista must-have Aduna, Bomb Cosmetics and The Vintage Cosmetics Company, among others.

Celebrity experts including Camilla Sacre-Dallerup and Dr David Hamilton will give advice on everything from healthy eating and career breaks to how to dress for your shape.

Sexperts Tracey Cox and Belle de Jour Dr Brooke will be giving advice on how to spice things up in the bedroom to guests who enrol in the sex academy while those with crippling phobias can get help overcoming them from celebrity favourites Ali Campbell and Phil Parker.

Vitality’s popular Spa day also returns to offer visitors the most indulgent pampering sessions in town courtesy of Neals Yard Remedies.

Those interested in health and fitness will not only get advice, for the first time, they’ll also have the opportunity to try out a variety of sporting activities such as the 2013 version of a hulahoop, the Powerhoop, and even let loose at the Tantrum Club, in addition to the 60+ free yoga and fitness class offered.

Vitality 2013 promises to be a full on lifestyle experience so grab some girlfriends and go have a fab time.

Venue: Earls Court Two, London.
Dates: 21-24 March 2013
Tickets details and treatment pre-booking: www.vitalityshow.co.uk

Dating Special: Upcoming events in March

2013-03-18T09:17:00.000+00:00

With the ever growing popularity of online dating, we jumped at the invitation to tag along to the Wheel of date, an event organised by new online dating company, DoingSomething.co.uk at the London Eye last month, to find out what happens at such events.

Wheel of date was all about taking the awkwardness out of dating by creating scenarios where singles in London could go on first dates. The organisers transformed each capsule on the London Eye into a different dating experience, ranging from karaoke and silent disco to future cinema and petting zoo, and randomly placed 500 single Londoners in one of the 32 capsules on the Eye for their first date.

We weren't sure what to expect but DoingSomething certainly lived up to their reputation of being ‘the latest way to date’ in the capital because the settings and activities somehow made it easier to converse with total strangers without the usual awkwardness and cringing feeling felt on first dates making the experience quite fun.

Wheel of Date proved why the online dating industry is currently booming in London – the events can be fun and if you are lucky, you might meet someone you click with; so here are other dating events taking place in the capital this month.

Lovestruck.com – Lovestruck Does Yager Bar
Thursday 21st March
Lovestruck’s weekly events are legendary and Lovestruck Does Yager Bar promises to be no different. Happy Hour runs from 5-7pm and there’s 30% off all drinks (except champagne)
(Price: Free to attend, Yager Bar, 2-3 Old Change Court, St Paul's, EC4M 8EN)

Grapevinesocial.com - Champagne Tasting Dating
Friday 22 March
This dating party blends the best components of speed dating with a variety of different drinks and a crowd of sociable singletons. (Price: £39, Dolphin Square Bar, Pimlico)

Dinnerdates.com - Elegant Dining at Eighty-Six
Saturday, 23 March
Dinner at this is a trendy and glamorous bar and restaurant in the heart of Chelsea is one of the many weekly events organised by Dinnerdates.com for its members. Dinner dates is not strictly a dating agency but their weekly events for professional people are a great way to meet and interact with new people.
(Price £89, Eighty-Six, 86 Fulham Road, Chelsea)

The above should provide plenty of socialising opportunities for singletons this month and if none takes your fancy, don't worry - hundreds of other dating events take place each month so keep looking.

Kate Moss designs special gourmet box for Sushi Shop

2013-03-18T09:16:00.000+00:00

Kate Moss has been enlisted by French-based sushi chain, Sushi Shop to design its latest gourmet box.

Kate will be following in the footsteps of Lenny Kravitz who designed a limited edition box to commemorate the chain’s first store in New York.

Kate’s special box will be unveiled on the 19th of March at a private launch and will be available in all outlets from May.

Yves Saint Laurent Launches Baby Doll Mascara

2013-03-18T07:48:00.001+00:00

Yves Saint Laurent has launched a new Baby Doll Mascara fronted by model of the moment, Cara Delevingne.

The new false lash-effect mascara comes in YSL's distinctive gold packaging with Baby Doll written in pink down the side.

Lloyd Simmons, creative director of YSL Beauty said "Mascara Volume Effect Faux Cils Baby Doll is everything I've ever dreamed of, it's a mascara that curls and separates the lashes to give them ideal thickness without ever weighing them down."

Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Mascara is slated to hit stores on May 22, alongside an accompanying eye liner.

Net-a-Porter Launches Beauty

2013-03-18T07:30:00.000+00:00

Net-a-Porter has announced the launch of a beauty section under women’s wear from the 20th of March.

The online fashion power house will be adding a highly curated selection of makeup, hair, fragrance, nail polish and skin care products from brands such as Chantecaille, Natura Bissé, Aesop, Le Metier de Beaute, 3 LAB, Beauty Works West, Philip B, Joya, Ilia, Sarah Chapman and James Read.

The retailer also plans to add additional brands every week, as part of a phased launch. Net-a-Porter’s managing director, Alison Loehnis described the launch as a natural evolution.

Speaking to WWD, she said:

“We consider it a unique differentiator to be able to merchandise beauty and fashion together and educate our visitors not only on which bag or shoe to buy to get the look, but the nail polish and lipstick as well.

The impulse to shop from the page applies to beauty as it does to fashion and now our customers can do both at one destination.”

The London Desire Jewellery & Silversmithing Fair

2013-03-15T12:01:00.000+00:00

The London Desire Jewellery and Silversmithing Fair will be opening its doors to Londoners today at the Conference and Events Centre in Kensington until Sunday 17th of March.

The fair will showcase work from over 120 exhibitors working in leather, acrylic, ceramics, paper, glass, copper and wood as well as more traditional silver, gold and platinum jewellery featuring gemstones, pearls, beads and enamelwork.

The show also includes innovative works by a number of silversmiths under the banner, ‘Festival of Silver’ which aims to raise the awareness of modern contemporary British silversmithing to the public.

This year’s event will feature the “Ones To Watch” gallery, where new designers and recent graduates such as Petra Stelzenmueller with her sculptural, kinetic pieces in silver with smatterings of gold leaf and Karen Fox who combines stainless steel mesh, precious metals and paper with textile techniques such as pleating and smocking, among others will showcase their work.

If your interest in jewellery goes a lot deeper than wearing them then you are in luck, this year, the event also features talks by selected makers so visitors can discover the inspiration and creative processes involved in some of the work and, on Saturday and Sunday, The London Jewellery School will be running workshops to help engage and inspire visitors to have a go at making their own jewellery.

With so many exhibitors and with such a stunning and distinctive mix of work this really is an event not to be missed.

Show opening times: 10 am – 5 pm daily Admission: £5 Venue: The Conference and Events Centre (next to Town Hall), Hornton Street, Kensington, London, W8 7NX

Buckingham Palace to stage Catwalk Shows

2013-03-15T09:57:00.000+00:00

Buckingham Palace will be staging four fashion shows in in July to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Queen's coronation.

The event taking place between Friday July 12 and Sunday July 14 will showcase British style over the last 60 years and all pieces to go on display are created by royal warrant holders - a mark of recognition given to companies and brands who have supplied goods or services to the royal family for five or more years.

Each catwalk show will have a theme: the Vintage Picnic collection will feature the best of the country's daywear and classic sportswear, including dresses from royal couturier Stewart Palvin and the finest Savile Row tailors; while Reinvention will look at design and technology and ethical fashion, featuring names such as Moet & Chandon, Bentley and Corgi Hosiery.

Best of British is a tribute to British lifestyle, pursuits and pastimes, showcasing bowler hats by Lock & Co, umbrellas by Fulton Umbrellas and wellington boots by Hunter – while ultimate spy, James Bond will be honoured with a series of designs by Thresher and Glenny, Gieves & Hawkes and Henry Poole.

Finally, Diamonds & Pearls will concentrate on the British red carpet and attire worn to events such as the races or masquerade balls, with items on show from Mappin and Webb, John Lewis and Daks.

The show will be open to 400 members of the public and is bound to be the event of the Summer. Buckingham Palace will provide ticket information in coming weeks.

Gucci – Lapo Collaboration to launch in June

2013-03-15T09:48:00.001+00:00

Gucci will launch a new made-to-measure collection in June in partnership with Italian businessman Lapo Elkann.

The collection entitled Lapo's Wardrobe is described as "a luxury sartorial service for the modern day gentleman".

Lapo's Wardrobe will be a 27-piece collection made up of 23 looks for men and four for women - including leather goods, shoes and jewellery. Lapo's Wardrobe collection will be unveiled during the spring/summer 2013 Milan menswear shows in June, to coincide with the opening of a new dedicated Gucci men's store.

The service will initially be available at Gucci boutiques in Milan, London, Paris, New York, Tokyo and Sao Paulo.

Kate Moss becomes the face of Givenchy eyewear

2013-03-15T09:37:00.001+00:00

Kate Moss is unstoppable at the moment. She has just been made the face of Givenchy eyewear in addition to being the face of Givenchy and Versace's Spring Summer 2013 collections.

The supermodel is also the face of shoe designer Stuart Weitzman collections and the first ever face of Kerastase. From a catwalk comeback in Paris to numerous magazine covers, it looks like this lady has been very busy.

The Givenchy eyewear collection is available to buy at Harvey Nichols in black and tortoiseshell, featuring grey clip-on lenses for £215.

Steam - UK's First Calorie-Neutral Restaurant opens for one day only.

2013-03-12T17:38:00.000+00:00

Ever wanted to experience what Calorie-Neutral dining is all about? Here’s your chance. For one day only, Steam – a pop up Calorie-Neutral restaurant will open in Convent gardens in celebration of Miele’s steam-cooking appliances. Steam is all about proving that steamed foods can be healthy and have flavour as well.

Meals will include healthy dishes such as scallop and chorizo brouchette with cucumber and ginger dressing; beef fillet with beansprout salad; quail egg cocotte with mushroom and leek fondue among others prepared by national chef of the year, Frederick Forster using Miele steam ovens.

Restaurant lay out

Why’s the dining experience calorie-neutral? Well, dinners will take part in stretching exercises to aid digestion, and dining workouts whilst sitting on vibrating seatpads to burn off any calories they consume.

Working out to burn off the calories right after consuming it in the restaurant isn’t something you hear about everyday so if Calorie-Neutral dining is something you’d like to try, this is your chance.

Steam will be opened tomorrow at 5 – 7 Grape Street, Covent Garden, with four 90-minute seatings commencing at 12:00, 12:30, 18:30 and 19:00. To apply for tickets, contact steam@frankpr.it

Fashion collaboration: Paul Smith and David Bowie

2013-03-08T09:01:00.002+00:00

Paul Smith has teamed up with David Bowie to create the official T-shirt for the musician's long-awaited album, The Next Day, which comes out on March 11.

"David Bowie has worn a lot of Paul Smith throughout his career and I was excited and delighted when asked if I would do the official T-shirt for his album, The Next Day," Smith said. "There will also be some other great things coming up later in the year."

The cotton T-shirt features a discreet Paul Smith for David Bowie insignia and artwork, designed by Jonathan Barnbrook and inspired by Bowie's Heroesalbum cover.

The T-shirt will be available from March 7, at paulsmith.co.uk for the cool price of £70.

Heidi Klum launches New Balance collection

2013-03-04T09:03:00.002+00:00

Heidi Klum has launched a new active wear collection with New Balance that will be sold exclusively at Lady Foot Locker locations in the US.

The collection will be Klum’s third collaboration with New Balance, following the launch of the line in fall 2010.

The line, which includes a cowl neck cover-up, cap sleeve tee, skinny tights and capri pants, among others is priced between $35-$95.

This is what Klum had to say about the collection:

“I live an active lifestyle and love running around whether it’s outside on the streets of New York City or in the canyons with my dogs.

I’ve created pieces that are functional and flattering with a fashionable twist. I want women to feel their best and look good in their clothes even when they are working up a sweat.”

Rihanna Fashion Exhibition to Launch

2013-03-04T08:59:00.000+00:00

Rihanna’s seven most famous outfits will be on display at Opening Ceremony’s New York flagship to celebrate the singer’s achievements.

The exhibition will be in honour of the launch of her River Island collection and her seven album releases in seven years, seven Grammy awards, seven Billboard awards as well as her 777 tour.

The exhibition titled RIHtrospective will feature stage and red carpet looks Rihanna helped curate.

Bentley unveils new Fragrances for Men

2013-03-04T08:55:00.000+00:00

Bentley has joined the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari in branching out into the fragrance market with the launch of its first men’s scent collection.

The brand claims the new men’s range, which starts at £24, “has skilfully transformed the quintessence of the luxury automotive brand Bentley into a superb and unmistakeable fragrance experience”.

Alongside the range, Bentley has also partnered with French glass design firm Lalique to create a limited edition range called Lalique for Bentley Crystal Edition, which is priced at £3,000.

Only 999 bottles of the fragrance will be available this April at selected retailers.