SPARKLE launch party

On Friday I went to a fabulous fashion party at Mia Bella in Soho.  The party was hosted by the sociable fashionista, Nixalina (creator/ writer/ editor of Sex and London City). Designer ldw Atelier showcased his brand new SPARKLE collection with a fabulous fashion show which he featured in. T’was fun watching a fashion show with a bottle of wine and the most beautiful cupcakes I have ever tasted! (BV cupcakes…seriously, check them out!).  

Ldw Atelier and Alex McDonald

From start to finish the party had a great atmosphere- a little red carpet on the way in, a guest list on the door (sure I wouldn’t have been as happy about this if I wasn’t on it) and great tunes which were perfectly audible from outside the venue.

Alex, Sarah and Camilla

We were welcomed with a smelly feather, (sprayed with perfume), were offered, and accepted, more than one cupcake and then headed to the bar just in time for the start of the fashion show. Also in attendance was TOWIE star Samantha Faiers, Glam Media UK and CK model Aaron Frew to name but a few. I had a great night, Nixalina and Lewis (of ldw Atelier) were as welcoming and lovely as they are talented.

Last but not least…free stuff! Lauren Goodger (TOWIE) provided goodie bags containing fake tan from her line ‘Lauren’s Way’, as well as some electronic cigarettes. Being an ex-smoker, I haven’t tried these yet- might wait to get a tad tipsy when I fancy a ‘social cigarette’. Failing this, they will make a cracking Christmas present to some lucky smoker. 

Coolway Launch

Thursday night concluded with the launch of Coolway’s flagship store on Oxford Street hosted by Surgery PR. Coolway is an affordable high street fashion brand originally from Spain with shoes ranging from ballet pumps to knee boots. The shoes are of excellent quality and the price is more than reasonable.

Zara Martin on decks

Party!

Alex McDonald and Prince Cassius

Shoes and Champagne!

 The launch was a massive success and was very enjoyable (checking out shoes whilst drinking champagne always makes me happy). Shortly after we arrived there was a projected show on the outside of the building which literally brought the street to a standstill as passers-by joined the already large crowd to watch.

Coolway,
Oxford Street

Probably the most exciting part of the evening for me was getting my glitter tattoo and a free pair of Coolway shoes- which I can’t wait to get home! 

My sparkle tatoo

My pair of new, free, Coolway shoes.
Eeeek!

Henrietta Ludgate Store Launch

Thursday was also the evening of Henrietta Ludgate’s first store opening in Whiteleys, Bayswater which will double up as her studio. The launch was co-hosted by Italian film producer, Livia Firth and model, Laura Bailey. As I’ve mentioned before, Henrie’s clothes are bold and colourful which was clearly shown to be the case at the launch. It was great to see Henrie and her friends, who were working at the event, all wearing matching black and white striped Henrietta Ludgate dresses. The music was loud, the drinks were flowing and the atmosphere was frenzied.

Henrie Ludgate, Livia Firth, Laura Bailey
 and Henrie's models.

Henrietta Ludgate

Camilla Gleditsch, Prince Cassius
and Alex McDonald

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Chic and Seek

On 24^th November, I attended the second birthday party of Chic and Seek at their gorgeous store in 35 St. Luke’s Mews. It was everything a birthday party should be- champagne cocktails, crab hors-d’ouvres, free manicures and a party bag containing a notepad, a candle and sweeties! This party atmosphere was made even better by the fact that we were surrounded by amazing clothes, shoes handbags, jewellery and accessories.

Champagne Cocktails!

Free Manicures - Marina Barr Nails

Chic and Seek's Motto

Party Bag!

From Jimmy Choo to Manolo Blahniks and Prada to Louis Vuitton, the store would make any girl excited, especially on the run up to Christmas. Chic and Seek however, is different to your usual luxury brand stores. The items in  the store are all pre-owned or pre-loved as Tara, the founder of Chic and Seek, likes to call it, hence the motto, ‘One girl’s freak is another girl’s chic!’.

Tara likes to take the hassle out of selling and buying, she even goes to your house to pick up the pieces. The website www.chicandseek.com, which is to be re-launched early next year, boasts some other features worthy of mentioning such as ‘Make me an offer’, which does exactly what it says on the tin- find something you like and make an offer. Also, ‘New Arrivals’, which again is pretty self-explanatory. You can even tell Tara about something you are looking for and she will contact you if she finds it. Chic and Seek probably offers the most hassle-free shopping experience anywhere! Probably the most important thing to mention is that you get luxury brands in pristine condition for a fraction of the price!  

Tara Nash-King and Prince Cassius

Alex McDonald, Prince Cassius and Camilla Gleditsch

Fashion Press Week and The Grill Restaurant (Montcalm Hotel) Launch

Life is considerably easier when you have a fabulous friend already in the know who is happy to take you under their wing. I have one such friend, the wonderful Prince Cassius.  On Tuesday 8^th November I accompanied Prince to Fashion Press Week at Marylebone, where I met the gorgeous designer Paola Balzano. Supermodel Sophie Anderton was also in attendance as the new face of James Lakeland, looking as slim as ever (really don’t know why I insist on having my photo taken with such beautiful people).

Fashion Press Week

Alex McDonald, Prince Cassius
and Paola Balzano @ FPW

   

Alex McDonald and Sophie Anderton @ FPW

Lots of Chambord!

Fashion Press Week is where designers, buyers, industry influencers, fashion editors, stylists and of course the British Fashion Press come to see the launch of the Spring/Summer collection. Here, with champagne in hand, you have the opportunity to look through some fabulous clothes and discuss them with the designer. As always, Austin Reed’s line was beautiful. My other particular favourites were Henrietta Ludgate, Francesca Marotta and James Lakeland. Henrie Ludgate won the Fashion Innovation Award at London Fashion Week in 2010. Her clothes are colourful, bold and beautiful. Henrietta Ludgate’s dresses are a favourite with producer and wife of Colin Fith, Livia Giuggioli and can now be bought all over the globe.  James Lakeland’s range is made in Italy and the attention to detail is obvious. He concentrates on trying to help ‘real’ women look their best in everything he creates. Marotta’s clothes were so dramatic; each piece was a work of art that left you in awe.

Francesca Marotta

Livia Guiggiola wearing
Henrietta Ludgate

Austin Reed

James Lakeland

On Wednesday 9^th November I went to the launch party held at the Grill restaurant in the luxury, Five Star Montcalm Hotel near the Marble Arch. The hotel is gorgeous- large, open, light spaces and extremely welcoming staff. Drinks were ready as we entered and the managers of the hotel greeted us personally to ensure we had everything we needed. We were escorted into the cocktail bar where we were able to make our own cocktail, (gin, grenadine, lemon juice and champagne-beautiful!) before going to the spa to have a look  round and be told about all the luxury Thai treatments available. It was a great atmosphere and I shall definitely be visiting the Grill Restaurant in the near future, especially considering I have a voucher that entitles me to a free bottle of wine- every little helps.

The Montcalm Hotel, Marble Arch

The Grill Cocktail Bar, The Montcalm Hotel

All in all, not too shabby. I’ve had a wonderful week and met some really great people. Will keep you posted.