The Disney Store's VIP Christmas Party

This week I attended the Disney Store's VIP Christmas party. The dedicated Disney team transformed their Oxford Street store into a festive extravaganza complete with full scale Motown choir. The champagne flowed as we mingled with celebs whilst Mickey and Minnie entertained their fashionable offspring. We were handed complimentary gift cards and the chance to browse their new festive collection; a great excuse to get started on the Christmas shopping! Several hours (and glasses of fizz) later, the night closed with more festive songs and jam packed goody bags from the lovely PR team. Twas a very magical night!

Kill it Kid at XOYO

On Tuesday I was invited to Kill It Kid's Shoreditch gig by my good friend Gemma; a friend of their base player.

Kill It Kid have a unique sound which includes the piano, drums, guitar and the occasional fiddle and banjo. The British band, a four piece from Bath, are an interesting mix of blues, folk and grunge. They pay homage to the Deep South's gospel roots and intersperse mood-setting samples of crackly Alan Lomax recordings between songs. Recently signed to Sire Records and gaining recognition from magazines such as the NME and Clash, the band have packed in over 250,000 YouTube views and performed sets at festivals including Hop Farm and South by Southwest.

The gig was electric.  A relentless touring schedule has given birth to a loyal following who turned out in force at hip Shoreditch venue XOYO. Their set led the crowd on a journey through head banging rock and roll to foot stomping folk. The band's promise is evident from the crowd's enthusiasm. I for one, cannot wait to see them again.

Have a listen here

Free People's UK Launch

Seventies label Free People, known for it's effortlessly cool hippy aesthetic, has launched in the UK for the first time! You can now shop their pieces on their spanking new UK site. 

Here's Australian Supermodel Lily Donaldson fronting the AW12 campaign...
  
Romance your inner bohemian and start stocking up!

The Little Black Jacket

I recently stopped by Chelsea's Saatchi Gallery to visit The Little Black Jacket photography exhibition. Coco Chanel's iconic tweed jacket has transcended fashion to become a style staple. 113 photographs portray the jacket in a range of guises and feature models, actors, hip-hop stars, fashion editors, children and TV personalities. Photographed by Karl Lagerfeld and styled by French Vogue's Carine Roitfeld, the message is clear; the jacket can be worn by everyone.

 

 

The Kate Moss Book : The Covers!

Here's a look at the eight covers of Kate: The Kate Moss book! The coffee table book, edited by ex-boyfriend Jefferson Hack, chronicles Kate's iconic career from innocent 14 year old to modern day sex bomb. The book, priced at £50, goes on sale next month.

Style Inspiration: Stevie Nicks

Original bohemian Stevie Nicks has one of the most distinguishable female voices in the history of rock n roll. When we hear her sing of broken love, we feel her pain. Her tone is husky, vulnerable and coated in velvet. Stevie is a free spirit and her killer gypsy style is as earthy and natural as the woman herself.

As the last to join Fleetwood Mac, it might have been wise to assume the 'main parts' had already been fixed into place. However, the band had been missing a face, a heart, and a defining presence. After meeting Lindsey Buckingham during high school, the young lovers embarked on an unsuccessful plight as a musical duo. Soon after, a despairing Buckingham was asked to join Fleetwood Mac. He agreed with just one term; the invitation must also extend to girlfriend Stevie. The rest is history. Stevie sparkled as the pained lead singer, swirling and swaying romantically across the stage, shadowed in layers of silk and tasselled lace. With her long flowing hair, top hats, floral dresses and mysterious velvet hoods, Stevie was (and still is) the original hippy chick.

Photo Diary: The Shoreditch Vintage Fair

The Shoreditch Vintage Fair will return to Shoreditch Town Hall on October 13th.

Solange Knowles for Madewell!

Move over Alexa, there's a new girl in town! Solange Knowles is the funkiest little sister around and the latest friend of Madewell. 2012 has been an extremely fashionable year for the youngest Knowles; she's emerged as a HUGE fashion hit. When your older sister is Beyonce, you'd think it would be hard to forge a path in your own right, not with this one! After dabbling in music, Solange has effortlessly rose as the one to watch in the style spotlight gaining praise from Editors and fashion insiders alike. We can't get enough of her bright prints and textures, wild hair, and bold statement accessories. Knowles is fittingly the latest Madewell muse after securing her first major contract with the hip US label.
Here's a peek at the fall shoot...

Shopping: Chester's Lily Vintage

 I recently styled a shoot for Lily Vintage; a boutique goldmine set in my hometown of Chester. The store offers style conscious shoppers a handpicked selection of garments from the 1920's through to the 1980's. Lily Vintage celebrates fashion at affordable prices with a wide range of clothing and accessories for both men and women. Classic Levi apparel and Barbour jackets hang beside retro Hawaiian shirts and dazzling 1950's prom dresses. Creative staff are on hand to support, style and offer advice making Lily Vintage a truly pleasant shopping experience. With a website launch on the horizon, this cosy store is sure to become a shopping staple for Chester's fashionable forces. Lily Vintage is based on Bridge Street, do swing by for a good ol' treasure hunt.

Here's a look at the shoot I styled. All stock available in-store now!

 

Visit the Lily Vintage Facebook page here

Photographer: Keely Pearce

Models: Alex Dooley and Ellena Alice Mcguinness

Fashion styling: Stephanie Blundell

Photo Diary: Camden Crawl

Van McCann, lead singer of Catfish and the Bottlemen

Catfish and the Bottlemen light up an otherwise rainy afternoon at the Earl of Camden

Ragged Priest SS12

As festival season draws nigh, it's time to sit back and collect thought for our festive wardrobes. First up; Ragged Priest! Fashion conscious rockers would be seriously malnourished without a regulation seasonal RP hit. From studded leather to kaleidoscopic denim, there's something for everyone. Better still; no item is ever the same with love sown into every stitch. Coolness radiates from an RP wearer and each piece adds zest and vibe. Most importantly, RP is an investment brand; items can be reworked into wardrobe stock year after year.

Feast your eyes on their latest collection...

Click here to visit the Ragged Priest
Click here to visit Novateur's prior RP post

Images: Ragged Priest

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The Zara Mini

I have too much love for my Zara Plaited Shopper; it's the only 'IT bag' I will never tire of. Who cares if everyone from Brentwood to Chelsea has one? It's practical and I'd be lost without it. So, I'm very excited to see she has a new little sister. Available in an array of juicy brights, say hello to the Zara Die-Cast Mini Shopper...yum.