Holiday Wardrobe: South of France

Dress: Ralph Lauren, £75
Shoes: Office, £25 (reduced from £45 in their pre summer sale)
Bag: Longchamp Le Pliage Back Pack, £59
Sunglasses: Ray Ban Wayfarers in black, £120

I found this dress in a vintage shop on Brick Lane and it has to be the most comfortable item I now own; ideal for covering up a fat day and perfect for when you just want to throw something on. They had a small selection in different colours, I think I might pop back for the khaki version as it’s such a great basic summer dress.
My shoes are from Office and being a fan of all things beaded and turquoise there was no leaving the store without them! They are super comfortable and the camel strap looks really nice when your feet start to tan. 
My back pack is Longchamp and was a gift from my Mother. It's large enough to fill with holiday buys but light enough to carry around all day. Being a Le Pliage bag makes it easy to look after and any marks can be removed with a cloth and warm water. It’s  even practical for the beach. It’s my third Longchamp handbag, and although you can pretty much spot them on every other girl in London, I still haven't found a better replacement for a great everyday bag.
My sunglasses are classic Ray Ban Wayfarers in medium and pretty much go with everything.

Tassel Top: Topshop, £25 

Trousers: Rokit Vintage, £45

Shoes: Office, £25

Bag: Longchamp Le Pliage Back Pack, £59

Round Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters, £16

Bracelet: Nirvana (French store in Nice), £6

I am so glad I found this top. It's made of thin lycra, is really loose and has cotton tassels around the hem. It’s cropped so goes best with high wasted bottoms.

The trousers are from Rokit on Brick Lane and are a one off, although there are some great versions on the high street. They are made of light cotton and have a zip waist. During June I have worn them on holiday, for a birthday party and to a fashion show. I’m still not tired of them. I kept the top half simple and went black to make the colours pop.  

My shoes are Office. I had my eye on them for ages and when I finally got around to buying them they had been reduced that very day...perfect! The colour is amazing and the platform is low enough for every day wear. They are instore now in a range of colours, although I think the emerald style are the only ones in the sale.

I bought the sunglasses from Urban Outfitters in March. Considering they were low in price they are actually really sturdy so perfect for holidays and festivals. 

The blue bracelet is from a jewellery boutique in Nice. My sister and I return each year to stock up on the best costume jewellery going. It's very hippy and incredibly cheap (details at the end).

Bag, as before.



Dress: Rokit Vintage, £35

Jacket: Vintage Levi's, £30

Bag: Rokit Vintage, £40

Shoes: Office, £25

I love this vintage red dress from, once again, Rokit. I can't stay away from the Brick Lane store or their online boutique. They really have the most wonderful one-off pieces. This dress is what I would describe as a 'sack dress' and is made of cotton with an embroidered floral print. I think I may take the hem up a little as my legs don't really suit this length. I am hoping to take the new shortened version to Glastonbury this week (weather permitting...eeekkk). 
My jacket is Levi's and is from Camden market. I have recently renewed my love for the ol' denim jacket and plan on wearing it a lot this summer. 
The drawstring bag is also from Rokit and is perfect for holidays and festivals. 
Shoes as before.

  

Stockist Infomation

Office: www.office.co.uk

Longchamp: For stockists see www.longchamp.com

Ray Ban: For stockists see www.ray-ban.com/uk

Topshop: www.topshop.com

Rokit: www.rokit.co.uk

Urban Outfitters: www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk

Nirvana: 10, Rue du Collet 06300 Vieux Nice, Côte d'Azur 

 Images: Stephanie Blundell (Novateur)

Angelina Jolie for Louis Vuitton

Jolie goes au natural as the new face of Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton has always been my favourite brand. I can still remember that extra special moment when my Mum took me to Harvey Nichols to choose my 21st birthday present; a monogrammed treasure.
Following in the footsteps of Madonna, Scarlett Johansson and Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie is the latest star to feature in Louis Vuitton’s ‘Core Values’ campaign. The images were shot by photography legend Annie Liebovitz. Jolie is pictured wearing her own personal Vuitton bag whilst reclining on a wooden boat in Cambodia, the birthplace of her adopted son Maddox, a country which is close to her heart. Jolie is make-up free, has her hair long and loose and is wearing her own clothes. Jolie is holding an ‘Alto’ bag which is actually no longer in production.

Image: Annie Liebovitz

Antibes, France & Chanel Cruise 2012

Last year Karl Lagerfeld showed his Chanel Cruise collection in St Tropez and this year he opted for Antibes; a neighbouring walled harbour town between Nice and Cannes. Antibes is home of not only Chanel's latest venue but also the town where I have spent every summer since I was 4 (apart from that 2 year gap when my moody late-teen self refused to go). 

So I have just come back from a week break after my sister and I interupted our parents holiday to steal a week with them. We flew in from different directions and met up at Nice airport (after a three hour wait on my behalf - there is nothing to do in that tiny airport). We then we drove the twenty minutes to Antibes to begin our holiday. I have added some photographs from my personal stash which I hope you enjoy.



The Fort Carre, Antibes



Antibes is a cobbled delight. The narrow streets brim with bookshops, street cafes and boutiques all framed beautifully with overgrown ivy and hanging baskets.

Antibes

The town centre is an enclosed market selling herbs, fruit and Mediterranean vegetables. By night the market is transformed into a softly lit restaurant haven overflowing with craft, jewellery and art stalls. Adjacent to the market you will find the Picasso Museum where the artist left a collection of paintings after he resided in the town for a number of years (I still have an old entrance ticket in my wallet).

The busy market in Antibes

Along the harbour the boats and super yachts line the path and the fisherman dock each morning to sell their catch. It is here many young travellers stop off to find summer work aboard the yachts.

As night falls the French and visitors alike head to Boulevard Aguillon for a cold beer or a Mediterranean dish. Here you will find my favourite bar The Hop Store. You can sit outside, eat tapas, listen to bands and relax as the sun sets.



The Hop Store

The Cap’d'Antibes is the coastal peninsula and is the perfect spot for driving, cycling or running. The Cap features a multitude of gorgeous hidden coves with a backdrop of gleaming mansions. Here lies the Hotel du Cap.

The hotel boasts the world’s most impressive guest list and is a haven to royalty, artists, authors and film stars. The hotel has a history of wealth, glamour and history, playing host to faces including Frank Sinatra, Ernest Hemingway, Princess Grace of Monaco, Bridget Bardot, and The Beatles. The hotel is also famous for being the venue were Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor conducted their affair and consequently honeymooned - if walls could talk. If you fancy bumping into Brad Pitt at Eden Roc (the hotel's renowned bar and restaurant) or perhaps sunning on a lounger next to Giselle (and you have a bulging bank balance) then aim for May when the Cannes Film Festival takes place and the A List flock to the resort.

Hotel du Cap

On our annual family pilgrimage we spend most mornings on our favourite beach which lies directly below this hotel. In 2009, after getting restless sunbathing, my Dad and I decided to explore the rocks surrounding the beach. When we reached our target we noticed paparazzi had begun gathering above us and we naturally followed their gaze.  As we looked above, Clint Eastwood strolled out onto the hotel balcony...great timing on our behalf! We saw him again later that evening along with Brad, Angelina, Dita Von Teese, and Sharon Stone (among others) in Cannes arriving for the festival on the red carpet which, I think you'd agree, would make us halfway there to becoming his mate.

My sister Jessica on the Cap



Yachts sailing around the coast



The Cap



Overall this town is very special.  My happiest childhood memories were formed in Antibes were I was fortunate enough to be taken for a month during the summer holidays whilst growing up.

Chanel Cruise Show – Hotel du Cap, Antibes

This year Karl Lagerfeld choose Hotel du Cap as his choice of venue for the 2012 Chanel Cruise debut calling the hotel and town ‘the other side of Paradise’. Lagerfeld flew in the world’s top Supermodels and cited his inspiration as Rita Hayworth and Aly Khan (both past residents of the hotel). The show was entitled 'Billionaire Babes'. Lagerfeld's models walked to the sound of Prince dripping in diamonds and pearls and all things luxe. We saw sunshine yellow suits, creamy and floral dresses, pin stripes, straw hats, embellished summer gowns, monochrome, floaty separates and glam swimwear. 

Guests included Poppy Delevigne, Alexa Chung and Blake Lively who all looked dazzling in their own Chanel.

Poppy

 

Alexa



Blake

Images:  2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 & 9 by Stephanie Blundell (Novateur) & online at Hotel du Cap, Harpers Bazaar and Vogue