STYLING A JEWELLERY CAMPAIGN
I had such a blast styling Aymer Amale’s SS18 campaign! This new, luxury jewellery brand was founded by Ruth Aymer and Sade Amale in 2016. The latest collection has been inspired by ancient ruins, with fabulous rings designed around the magnificent Roman architectural wonder, The Pantheon. These dramatic rings are aptly named – Doric, Ionic, Corinthia……
This beautiful and bold collection called for statement styling. I chose strong metallic clothes and backdrops, mirroring the jewellery with bronzes, golds and platinum. To add a bit more drama I threw in a fab 70’s leopard print throw, gilt curtain and antique lacquer screen that I nabbed from my Mum’s house! Like me, she’s a natural born hoarder and never throws anything out!
It was all hands-on deck on the shoot day. All the crew pulled together to produce these fantastic images. Even Ruth’s cat thought that he’d grab a piece of the action and managed to star in quite a few shots!
The jewellery is stunning, all hand crafted in the heart of London’s Hatton Garden. Have a look for yourself Aymer Amale
PHOTOGRAPHY – LESLEY EDITH, FASHION STYLIST – BECKY JOHN, HAIR & MAKE-UP – KETI NIKOLOVA, MODELS – HEMA RICCHETTI & ALI IBRAHIM AT FIRST MODEL MANAGEMENT.
SUPER STYLISH SKI WEAR
If I wasn’t snowed under with work, I’d love to jet off to some fabulous ski resort, perhaps Aspen, Courchevel, St. Moritz even Klosters. There are so many fashion opportunities slope side!
One brand that has really caught my eye is Superdry. They’re fairly new to the ski world but you have to admit this second snow collection dazzles, encapsulating glacier-cool style for downhill daredevils and chilled out skiers!
The range has covered all bases. For the hardcore skiers and boarders there’s the Full Tech collection featuring the Ultimate Snow Pants and co-ordinating Wind Bombers. This max-performance and thrill seekers collection comes in stylish denim blue, grey and black along with vibrant injections of fluro pink and orange. I love the Ultimate Snow Service Jackets and Ski Pants in Superdry’s iconic camo print as well as the girls zingy Ski Command Utility Hooded Jacket. There’s such attention to detail in this icy attire with fully taped seams, detachable skirts and cuffs plus the durable waterproof fabrics that give serious protection against the elements.
For chilled out skiers and free riders, the Semi-Tech Elements range is perfect. It boasts high visibility branding, detachable layers, inner skirts and snap tabs. Superdry’s best selling Arctic Windcheater and Mountain Marker Jacket are key in this collection both ideal for when the sun goes down and temperatures drop.
All in all, this super stylish snow wear is a winner, ensuring boarders, skiers and powder hounds get noticed even in a whiteout! Available in selected stores and online Superdry
Have a look at the amazing video below. To support the 2nd snow range, Superdry teamed with radical BASE jumper and extreme skier Matthias Giraud. As their official snow ambassador Giraud puts the collection through its paces in the snow covered mountains of Chile. Wow what an adrenalin rush!
THIS YEAR’S BEST XMAS JUMPERS
Sleigh Bells Jumper, £19.99, 6-18, New Look.
Hooray! This Friday (18th December) it’s Christmas Jumper Day. So wear your most favourite festive sweater and donate to Text Santa to help 3 amazing charities – Macmillan Cancer Support, Make-A-Wish UK and Save the Children. Here’s my pick of the best Yuletide knits……
WOMAN’S SELECTION Clockwise from the top – Red Reindeer jumper, £12, 8-22, George at Asda. Green robin jumper,£49.95, 6-20, Joules. Red Santa Baby Jumper, £20, 8-18, Very. Bah Humbug Jumper,£26, 6-22, Dorothy Perkins.
Stag Xmas Jumper, £25, XS-XL, Burton Menswear
MENS SELECTION Clockwise from the top. Grey Penguin Jumper, £25, XS-XXXL, Next. Blue Skiing Penguin Jumper, £12, XS -XXL, Primark. Green Reindeer Jumper,£25, XS-XL, Burton Menswear. Polar Bear Jumper, £30, XS-XXXL, Next.
Red Reindeer Jumper, £14, 3M-3Y, M&Co
KIDS SELECTION Clockwise from the top. Red Father Xmas Jumper, £8, 9M-3Y, George At Asda. Light Up Polar Bear Jumper, £14, 1-8Y, Primark. Red Patterned Xmas Jumper, £12, 12M-8Y, BhS. Blue Robin Jumper, £36.95, 3-12Y, Joules.
Christmas Jumpers from £12 all by Next.
POLO WITH PRINCE HARRY
Summer was so busy this year. I did my usual juggling act, organising shoots and trying to cope with everything the school holidays threw at me. Anyhow, ridiculously enough it’s taken until now to write about one of my Summer’s highlights – The Maserati Jerudong Trophy polo event with Prince Harry!
I was lucky enough to be the guest of my lovely school pal Katherine. She was invited due to her involvement with the amazing charity Centrepoint. Katherine, a TV producer uses her entertainment expertise in helping with Centrepoint’s comedy evening, Laughing Point. Centrepoint has always been close to Prince William and Harry’s heart. As children they made private visits to Centrepoint services with their mother Princess Diana who was the charity’s patron. Prince William has now taken over this role and he certainly would have been at the polo event if Princess Charlotte hadn’t been born just a couple of days previously, he obviously was very busy.
Amber Le Bon, Mariano Di Vaio, Yasmin Mills & Grace Woodward
So we headed West, down the M4 to the beautiful Cirencester Park Polo Club. Before lunch we stopped and ogled at all the gleaming Maseratis. Such gorgeous cars, I’d love to drive one! In fact, the day was shaping up to be a very glamorous affair, we had already spotted Amber Le Bon, Yasmin Mills, Grace Woodward and Mariano Di Vaio milling about the Maseratis!
Then the match began. I was very excited to see Prince Harry in action. He is an impressive equestrian. I was amazed how fast the game is, so much so the polo ponies are changed every seven and a half minute chukker. I was very pleased with myself that I had remembered to wear my wedges so that I could join in with the divot stamping at half time – a tradition where you stamp down the mounds of earth torn up by the ponies hooves. It’s also good excuse to have a bit of a mingle with the other spectators.
Myself and Katherine at the polo prize giving
I really enjoyed my polo day and think Centrepoint is a fantastic charity. The next comedy evening Laughing Point is on 12 th October at Palace Theatre London. The comedians include Nick Helm, Josh Howie and Jon Culshaw . Go see you’ll love it.
THE BLUES – DENIM FASHION
A new shoot I styled in a location just around the corner from me in North London. The Belt Craft Studio is packed with eclectic props and furniture, perfect for our Denim story….
Photographer – Charlie Troman. Fashion Stylist – Becky John. Hair & Make-up Artist – Tricia Woolston. Models – Mila M and Gwilym at First Model Management and Marina C at Zone Models.
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Gwilym’s clothes, T M Lewin. Mila, Jacket and headscarf, Betty Barclay. Camisole, Jigsaw. Flares, Bershka. Mules, Sorelle Shoes
- Dress, Vera Mont. Mules, Sorelle Shoes.
- Gwilym’s clothes, T M Lewin. Marina’s dress, Phase Eight, shoes, Clarks.
- Clothes, H&M. Sunglasses, Andy Wolf.
- Clothes, Jigsaw Menswear. Sunglasses, Illesteva.
- Clothes, H&M.
- Clothes, Diesel. Tie, Glendon Lambert.Sunglasses, AM Eyewear. Shoes, Vans.
- Clothes, ASOS.
- Clothes by Bershka. Hat, Beyond Retro
THE WELSH RUGBY TEAM – WELL SUITED & BOOTED!
Welsh Team Players – Sam Warburton, Rhys Webb and George North
Happy St David’s Day or if you’re familiar with the lingo –
Dwydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus!
It’s a day to celebrate everything fantastic that is Welsh and what better than our fabulous rugby team. As a fashion stylist, I was keen to see that the squad were well suited and booted and was very impressed with the job that the tailoring company T M Lewin were doing as the official formalwear provider. So when the Welsh team are not getting muddy on the pitch, I think they look rather dapper as a team in their sharp tailoring.
Why am I interested in the Welsh team and their apparel? Well first of all being Welsh, rugby is practically a religion and secondly it is in the blood – my Grandfather was a Welsh international player and a man always dressed to impress.
I did have a quiet little smile to myself when I was choosing the pictures for this blogpost. Generally I use images of beautiful, ethereal looking models wafting around in some glamorous location. But here you see Welsh players, Sam Warburton, Rhys Webb and George North looking rather brutish complete with black eyes, cuts and bruises! I wouldn’t want to bump into them in a darkened alley…….. actually hang on.
Like most women I do like a man in a well-cut whistle and T M Lewin have definitely come up trumps. I imagine it must have been quite a task for the official formalwear supplier as the average T M Lewin customer tends to pack a little less muscle power. The suit that was chosen for the squad was The Eddington. There are 3 different fits for this suit. Most of the players opted for the Lewin Slim Fit with its slim tailored jacket and gently tapered trousers. A couple of the team went for the Regular Fit but surprise surprise there were no takers for The Skinny – although a very contemporary style it’s not quite right for our boys with their rippling rugby thighs! Oh yes.
So what did the players think of their look –
George North said, ” I love the suits, I’m a big fan of the colour. They look cool and modern and fit exceptionally well. When the team are out at a special occasion, it feels good to look smart as a unit.”
Rhys Webb also said,” It’s nice to get out of a smelly rugby kit now and again. Obviously for special occasions I like to scrub up well in a suit and I feel comfortable wearing this one.”
Besides one little hiccup in the beginning of this 2015 Rugby Six Nations (which we won’t mention) things are going great.
Back in the game, I think we can go as far to call The Eddington our ‘lucky suit’. Here’s to the rest of the season. Go Wales!
My Grandfather, Edgar Jones. Prop for Wales team. Middle Row second from right
THE VALENTINE GUIDE
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My Loved-Up guide for your VALENTINE…………..
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PUCKER UP! LIP SHIRT, 39.50, OLIVER BONAS
For those who wish to wear their heart on their sleeve or anywhere else –
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Cut-out Heart dress, £49, Simply Be. Lip Skirt, £59, House of CB. Fringed top, £9.90, People Tree. Heart jumper, £55, White Stuff. Heart print dress, £45, Oliver Bonas
For the homey –
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Cake stand, £10 Sainsburys. Jigsaw, £2 and Lap tray, £5, both Tiger Stores. Heart dish, £49, Le Creuset at Occa Home. Heart pillow, £16, M&Co.
If food be the music of love –
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Box of Chocolates, £39, Hotel Chocloat. Red heart box of chocs, £14, Butlers Chocolates. Individual champagne chocolate truffles,£3.75,Hotel Chocolat. Personalised wine, £19.99, Getting Personal. Louboutin inspired chocolate shoe, £35.95, Azra Chocolates.
For those who LOVE to accessorize –
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Heart cufflinks, £79, Amara. Heart Keyring, £50, Juicy Couture. Sunglasses, £15, Monsoon. Socks, £2, Tiger Stores. Phone charging purse, £79.99, Cuckooland. Stack of rings, £6, Accessorize
And Finally the Lingerie Lover
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Red bra set, £16, Tu at Sainsburys. Floral bra, £28 and high waisted brief, £16, Boux Avenue.
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Floral bra, £25 and knickers, £12.50, Marks & Spencer. Cerise bra, £28 and thong, £12, Boux Avenue.
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CHRISTMAS JUMPERS
There’s nothing I like more than a bit of festive fun. Here’s a pick of this Yuletide’s most jolly jumpers for everyone………
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LADIES jumper, £22,NEW LOOK
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LADIES Robin jumper, £14, George at Asda. Elf Jumper. £18, Debenhams. Snowman jumper,£28, M&S. Penguin jumper, £18 Debenhams
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LADIES Snowman jumper, and blue reindeer jumper both £12, Primark. Red reindeers jumper, £35, Simply Be. Pug sweater, £17.99, Internacionale.
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MENS Light-Up Jumper, £39, M&Co
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MENS Blue reindeers jumper, £20, BhS. Gingerbread jumper and sheep jumper both £19.99, Get THe Label. Xmas stocking jumper, £12, Primark.
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MENS Blue light-up jumper, £18, Primark. Candy stick jumper, £25, M&S. Xmas pudding jumper, £20, BhS. Snowman jumper, £19.99, Get The Label
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KIDS Reindeer jumper, from £18, M&Co
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BOYS Bird jumper, £18, M&S. Snowman jumper and Father Xmas jumper, both £17, Littlewoods.com. Reindeer jumper, from £16, M&Co.
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GIRLS cream reindeer jumper,£15 and Penguin jumper, £18, both M&Co. Red reindeer jumper and Snowman jumper, both £18.99, Sophie at Internacionale.
ROBBIE WILLIAMS – NEW MENSWEAR RANGE
Whilst at Primark’s press show last week I couldn’t resist having a little peek at the new Robbie Williams range Farrell. There has been a real hoo ha about the collection. So I wanted to know more.
Originally Robbie founded Farrell in 2011, he employed former Burberry Design Director, Ben Dickens but sadly the company ceased trading last October when it filed for voluntary bankruptcy. Luckily for Williams along came Primark declaring that they would ‘Take That’ (ha ha) and have rescued the brand!
Robbie’s grandfather, Jack “The Giant Killer” Farrell was the inspiration for this 30-piece collection – evidently not a family of timid personalities! Williams speaks proudly of Jack’s strong values, alluring character and timeless style. Jack’s life as a Stoke-on-Trent gentleman is reflected in the clean, tailored lines and British heritage design – the Trench, the Harrington and the Oxford shirt are all accounted for.
Boxing was apparently Jack’s guilty pleasure and he spent a lot of time training his grandson how to pack a punch. This ringside passion is seen in the Farrell range with its heavy weight T-shirts, textured sweatshirts and thickly knitted cable jumpers.
Primark are delighted about their new menswear collection. Ben Smith, Director of Menswear said. “We’ve absolutely loved working with the Farrell brand. The product looks superb, fastidious detail, amazing value and has remained true to its origin.”
Robbie, obviously not a personality to hold back models his own collection for Primark. This 40-year old ex Take That singer has the most amazing energy, fitting in working with his Farrell brand whilst recently becoming a new father to second child with wife Ayda and about to go on tour. What a busy boy!
When asked about his new retail venture Williams said. “I’m delighted that Farrell has been invited into Primark. What a great collaboration – let’s have it!”
Well I thought it looked very stylish and great value too. Prices start from £8 for a T-shirt to £45 for a pea coat. The range is available from 22 stores across the UK and Europe. Might even snap up a few pieces for my hubby this Christmas!
T-SHIRT £8. CHECK SHIRT £12. CHINOS £12. TWEED BLAZER £38