Ferragamo Comes to Westfield
On Tuesday 19th May guests were invited to the official opening of the new Salvatore Ferragamo boutique at Westfield’s shopping centre and photography exhibition by young British photographer Harry Watt.
The event showcased work from his ‘Studio Series’ collection. A few lucky guests had their portrait taken in a studio booth at the back of the store where upon they were asked to leave an object in the spot where they stood which was then photographed for his new series of work.
The event brought culture to the shopping centre as guests inquisitively viewed the artwork and filled the store with excitement and energetic conversation.
Fashion and Brand events
Ferragamo Recipe Book Launch
On Thursday 14th May, Salvatore Ferragamo unveiled ‘‘Le ricette per cucina raccolte dal Principe Don Paolo Borghese,” A unique recipe book collating the best of historical Italian cookery from the writings of Prince Don Paolo Borghese.
The Old Bond Street Boutique was transformed into a haven of culinary delights as a selection of Italian breads and cheeses were served alongside wine tasting from the Ferragamo vineyards Il Borro and Castiglion del Bosco.
Tom Aikins and his wife Amber Nutall, Daisy de Villeneuve, Virginia Bates, the Italian ambassador, His Excellency Giancarlo Aragona and his wife Donna Sandra Aragona joined the family members Vivia Ferragamo, Angelica Visconti and Lorenza Gentile at this unique event.
The launch of these exquisite recipes culminated in an exclusive dinner at The Albermarle restaurant at Brown’s Hotel on the Friday night, where renowned chef Lee Streeton cooked up a menu of the original 19th Century recipes. Eva Herzigova was among the 110 very special guests who also included Sir Rocco Forte, Principe & Principessa della Torre e Tasso and the Duchess of Somerset.
Fashion and Brand events
Uniqlo UT 2009 Collection Launch
Uniqlo can always be relied upon to throw a good party and the launch of the 2009 UT (unique t-shirt) collection didn’t disappoint.
Teaming up with renowned party guru’s Ponystep, Uniqlo celebrated the launch of over 300 unique t-shirt designs with some fun and fabulous guests.
With some fantastic; sometimes bizarre dancefloor moves, guests partied away to sets by resident Ponystep DJ’s and guest DJ Mutya Buena. London’s achingly trendy fashion crowd rubbed shoulders with celebrity guests who included Jodie Harsh, Peaches Geldof, Miquita Oliver and Florence and the Machine in the impressive Embankment Hall at Somerset House.
Giant Uniqlo images projected onto the ceiling, nostalgic arcade games provided hours of competitive entertainment and lively songs from celeb DJ’s helped create the perfect night to kick start the spring - Uniqlo style
Put it this way - we had some fun!!
Katherine Ellis
Fashion and Brand events
Etro AW09 Press Day
Although the weather was grey and gloomy on this Tuesday morning, Etro’s Autumn Winter 09 Press day couldn’t have been more spring-like if it tried. With its signature bright colors, the Etro store on Old Bond Street captured the essence of cheer and made everyone who walked in the door smile.
With notions of re-cycling and re-use on everyone’s minds, Etro has sourced fabrics, patterns and techniques from its archives. The collection features a fresh Byzantine influence, combining richly worked textures, fabrics and furs. Simplified shapes allow for a fluid movement, with prominent colours being rich saffron yellows, burnt orange, peacock blue and tobacco. This provides a pleasant contrast to the staple greys and blacks. There is also a metallic theme incorporated in the metal and stone embroideries, giving the effects of stylized armor.
Clothes and accessories weren’t the only thing being displayed at this press day. A new fragrance line also made an appearance. The packaging re-launch and a citrus-y scent made Pegaso a big hit. The macaroons helped a bit, too.
RC Duarte
Fashion and Brand events
Akris AW09 Press Day
Press came to view the Akris AW09 collection at their Old Bond Street store on Tuesday 7th April. Editors were talked through the beautiful architectural pieces that references trapezoids, broken linerarity and 3D by Akris head of marketing and PR Corinne Kunz.
Fashion and Brand events
Fabris Lane & .Cent Magazine “Triptych” Party
Fabris Lane and .Cent Magazine presented their ‘Triptych’ party at The Wapping Project on the 2nd April to celebrate the launch of the new issue ‘The Spaces In between’, guest edited by Andrew Shoben and greyworld, and the exclusive ‘Illumine’ supplement by Fabris Lane.
Glamorous partygoers including Jamie Winstone, Tim Noble and Roland Mouret partied late into the night to the sounds of Broken Hearts and Jimmy Jeans whilst indulging in an array of cocktails created especially for the event courtesy of Hendricks Gin and Monkey Shoulder whiskey. Icelandic Glacial Water was also to hand to quench the revellers’ thirst.
Capturing the night in their very own ‘flikr’ album, guests played dress up with an array of Fabris Lane sunglasses and vintage clothing, teamed with interesting props before posing the might away in the Rado photo booth with friends.
Guests were also treated to a private view of ‘Dress’, an exhibition recently arrived from the Antwerp Museum of Fashion featuring the outstanding work of first year fashion students.
Fashion and Brand events
Bally AW09 Women’s Presentation
Bally’s AW09 collection is all out glamour!
Perfectly combining sumptuous elegance of the 30s with the soft and sexy tailoring of the 80s. Rich fabrics and textures - velvet, hand-painted silk prints, lace and marabou dominated. Shoes and peep toe boots (ankle and thigh-high) had either a unique gilded lattice heel or gilded lattice detailing.
I’m already saving up for a fabulous slinky marabou and chain coat and the most incredible lace-effect jacket that was made from patent leather and chain.
It will sure be as close to couture as I’ll ever get and will go just perfectly with the chic set of Bally luggage with printed-lace silk lining – all I need now is to book a trip on the Orient Express to show off my wares!
Brand events, Fashion and Milan
PUMA Central Saint Martins Dinner at the Design Museum
With Louise Wilson and Hussein Chalayan doing the inviting you know that dinner is going to be interesting. Held at the Design Museum – the location for the current exhibition of some of Hussein’s work over the last 15 years, 100 people were treated to an evening of Ducati Motorbikes customized by St Martins MA students; a close up view of the Puma Bursary winners from yesterdays catwalk and a delicious meal from Urban Caprice.
Margaret Howell AW09 Men’s Presentation
On Sunday, Menswear editors were treated to a sneak preview of the first Margaret Howell store in Paris located in Place de la Madeleine.
The new store will be offering both men’s and women’s wear and is set to open on 7th February. The AW09 collection featured signature Margaret Howell of English fabrics combined with classic modern tailoring referencing heritage Margaret Howell throughout the mainline and MHL collections.
AW09 saw a strong military theme throughout with a colour palette of charcoal, slate blue and earthy tones. Shirting saw contrasting yokes and a move away from previous season’s stripes to checks and pea coats and duffel coats were key in outerwear.
Brand events, Fashion and Paris
Hussein Chalayan - From Fashion and Back
Stars of fashion and design came together and queued round the block on Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the PUMA sponsored event, Hussein Chalayan’s exhibition – From fashion and back.
Nicolas Anelka, Ron Arad, Tom Dixon, Terence Conran, Erin O’Connor, Saffron Aldridge all attended and Roisin Murphy dazzled in a combination of Hussein Chalayan designs from his last SS09 collection and her own pieces, whilst Christian Slater arrived with Jochen Zeitz, CEO of PUMA and later mingled with the good and the great from the design and fashion world.
Veuve Clicquot created the perfect party atmosphere by supplying their renowned yellow champagne and party guests were treated to a selection of Turkish Cypriot delicacies from grilled haloumi and zucchini balls to cigar bureh, feta cheese, chopped onions & mint.
Brand events and Fashion