Nicola Ferlei Brown

Friends with Benefits

Posted on May 6, 2014 by Nicola

With two floors of make-up goodies, Benefit’s UK flagship boutique is armed with divine make-up brushes, kitsch packaging, exciting retro Benebabes on hand. They are the experts in all things beauty. Downstairs is where the magic begins, you can book a blow dry, spray tan, manicure, body wax and their world famous wow brow treatment. Benefit means a beautifying experience with a difference. From the moment you step in the door, it’s glamour galore.

What better way to spend the weekend than making yourself up, with your best girlie buddies, whilst drinking (pink) bubbly in their beauty parlour, which can be booked for private use. Book and be treated to a team of beauty experts to do your hair and make-up.

If you haven’t yet been introduced to Benefit: the brand is all about top products that won’t break the bank – and there’s always an element of fun included. Their packaging has a much needed retro-inspired vibe with mottos that play-on-words. The brand was founded in 1976 by Jane and Jean Ford, two American sisters who wanted makeup to be FUN. They opened a shop called ‘Face Place’ in San Francisco’s Mission District, but after a trip to Italy in 1980, they renamed it to ‘Benefit,’ as they wanted to include the word ‘Bene’ in the title.

By the 1990s Benefit was expanding globally, with shops opening in Harrods and Henri Bendel. They then went on to earn a Guinness World Record for the most eyebrow waxes completed by a team in eight hours.

On the menu at Benefit:

Brow Bars

Benefit are known for, among many things, their fantastic brow bars. The fabulous team work their magic tips and tricks that will have you waxed and wowing in a momento!

Blowout by Benefit

The 30 minute blow dry and style is a great way to get ready for a date, and costs 30 pounds.

Sassy names for beauty treatments or pamper packages, such as:

Tonight’s the Night, which includes a blow dry, make-up and manicure

Speed Date, which includes brow shaping and tinting, make-up for £30

Dashing Diva Manicures and much more…

Booking costs £30 per person, which can be used against any make-up purchases.

What are you waiting for!

Printed in Macs Magazine May 2014

To read: click http://www.macsmagazine.com/2014/04/friends-with-benefits/

Posted in BEAUTY, FASHION, LONDON | 1 Comment

Mirror, mirror in my bag

Posted on April 5, 2014 by Nicola

Every woman needs a trusty, discreet compact mirror.

Here are some options that would be beautiful additions to your handbag, for making the occasional touch up to your lipstick, or the impromptu teeth check after eating, mission accomplished.

Why not treat yourself to the elegant, timeless and iconic black Chanel mirror, which comes in a black velvet pouch. With a double mirror it’s perfect, one of which being the oh so necessary magnified teller of truths.

Chanel – the Iconic one

Miroir: Double Facettes mirror duo

Chanel

£25

Available at Chanel beauty counters

http://www.chanel.com

Estee Lauder – the Limited Edition one

Star Power Zodiac Compact mirror

A limited edition Estee Lauder mirror to match your zodiac sign? A unique gem clasp, a different colour for each different sign. Each year since 1963, they have launched a collectable compact, making this mirror a worthwhile investment.

£38.50

http://www.esteelauder.com

Cath Kidston – the British one

Elgin Ditsy Pocket Mirror

Cath-kidston-hampton-rose-pocket-mirror

Retro, reliable, from a great British designer, for a fiver.

£5

http://www.cathkidston.com

Lulu Guinness

Red Lips mirror – The ‘wow, where did you buy that’ one

http://www.luluguinness.com (and available at http://www.spangle.co.uk) £60

Victoria and Albert Museum – the Girlie one

Shell-shaped pocket mirror with a pearl printed on the glass, pure class.

An ideal option for a lunch date on the beach.

£3 limited edition V&A

http://www.vandshop.com

Henri Bendel – the ‘NY minute mirror’ range

Got exactly a NY minute to shop? Buy one of these sassy mirrors online @ http://www.henribendel.com £23

Anna Sui – the Dramatic one

Dark Rose design beauty mirror

This black rose Gothic beauty mirror is perfect to slip into your bag. This elegant hinged compact with de rigueur magnifying mirrors would add an understated touch of diva to the make up bag.

£18

http://www.annasui.com

Want something different? – The Tailor made design one

Made to order, design your own, mirrors. Why not go for an initialled one, or your favourite motto.

From £8 at http://www.notonthehighstreet.com

Published in Macs Magazine March 2014 http://www.macsmagazine.com/2014/03/mirror-mirror-in-my-bag/

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Vivienne Westwood’s ‘Red Shoes’ starring Lily Cole

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Nicola

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub76MGDYJN

Vivienne Westwood’s latest move of activism is a mini movie masterpiece, titled Red Shoes. A dance interpretation of Hans Christian Anderson’s ‘The Red Shoes’, performed by Lily Cole.

The motive is to promote Westwood’s Climate Revolution, in association with Environmental Justice Foundation. Global warming is a matter close to the designer’s heart. Westwood’s muse danced the live performance of Reds Shoes for her SS14 Red Label show, whilst the film premiered exclusively on Dazed.

Westwood wants to continue using her power as a fashion mogul to draw attention to worldwide political matters and believes that “Culture can save the world. Culture is about people’s outlook on the world and along with art, is the anchor that holds us together as a people and gives life greater meaning.”

Red Shoes is a about a dance of death. The dancer moves through an enchanted world where decay and decadence exist side by side. Red shoes is dark and beautiful, eerie, dramatic and worrying.

“She danced, and was obliged to go on dancing through the dark night. The shoes bore her away over thorns and stumps till she was all torn and bleeding; she danced away over the heath to a lonely little house. Here, she knew, lived the executioner; and she tapped with her finger at the window and said: “Come out, come out! I cannot come in, for I must dance.”
The Red Shoes, Hans Christian Anderson

The dress worn by Lily in the closing shot of Red Shoes is the dress Westwood created with Lily for the Met Ball 2013, made from wild, sustainable rubber from the Amazon, as part of Lily’s work with Sky’s Rainforest Rescue campaign.

Westwood puts her money where her mouth is, by designing with worldwide matters at the base of her drawing board. Her designs honour her concerns. Her iconic plastic red shoes (seen below), designed way before the Red Shoes video was conceived, were made with the intention of keeping global warming at bay and not adding to the problem.

What can you do to help?

Westwood urges you to support the ‘Postcards from the Frontlines’ project, which encourages people to send a postcard direct to the UN calling for the protection of those forced from their homes due to extreme weather. To join the global movement, send UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon a free postcard today, via ByPost, with ‘what home means to you’ in the face of climate change.

Vivienne Westwood wrote on her postcard:

“Anyone who gets home late from work and finds she’s forgotten the key. What a disaster! My home is my refuge.”

In 1992, Westwood upgraded from OBE to Dame in the 2006 New Year’s Honours List “for services to fashion”, and has twice earned the award for British Designer of the Year. She didn’t get that Dame title for nothing!

See more www.viviennewestwood.co.uk

RED SHOES

Music written and produced by TOYDRUM featuring Abi Wade

A Short Film Directed by Lorna Tucker

Produced by Finished Films

Starring Lily Cole

Read in Macs Magazine – March http://www.macsmagazine.com/2014/03/vivienne-westwoods-red-shoes/

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Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Nicola

As London gears up for Fashion week, it’s also the last few weeks to see a one off fabulous showcase of the late British magazine editor and muse, Isabella Blow: Fashion Galore at Somerset House.

A look at the life and fashion of the lady who regularly wore daring, one off hats, made by designer Philip Treacy, having discovered his talents, setting him on the road to success. She was also credited for discovering the designer Alexander McQueen, from whom she purchased his entire graduate collection. A close friend to both, the exhibition has over a hundred pieces from her incredibly rich collection, and is one of the most important private collections of late 20th/early 21st century in British fashion design.

The collection is now owned by Daphne Guinness, another friend of Isabella’s, or ‘Izzy’ as she was fondly called by those close to her. Including garments from many other designers with talents she recognised and assisted the launch of including, Hussein Chalayan, and Julien Macdonald. The showcase, put together by award-winning architectural firm Carmody Groarke, with installations by set designer Shona Heath, honour both the couture, and Isabella, with the recognition they deserve.

Blow recollected her fondest memory as trying on her mother’s pink hat, which she explained led her into a career of fashion. But it wasn’t until 1981, when living in New York, that she was introduced to the fashion director of the US edition of Vogue, Anna Wintour, to whom she became a personal assistant, before becoming assistant to US Vogue editor at large now, Andre Leon Talley.

Returning to the UK in 1986, she then worked for Michael Roberts, the fashion director of
Tatler, and the Sunday Times, Style magazine. It was the occasion of her second marriage, in 1989, when she commissioned Philip Treacy to create her wedding headdress, which started the friendship between them.
Her personality was as bold as the designs she wore on her head, which had soon become her trademark. “Fashion is a vampiric thing, it’s the hoover of your brain. That’s why I wear the hats, to keep everyone away from me. They say, ‘Oh, can I kiss you?’ I say, ‘No, thank you very much. That’s why I’ve worn the hat. Goodbye.’ I don’t want to be kissed by sundry and all. I want to be kissed by the people I love.”

With such a sassy attitude, inventive and creative foresight, along with her sheer determination, makes it no surprise that Blow was going to have an impact, and assist the fate of others in the fashion world, such as models Sophie Dahl and Stella Tennant, whom she again, also discovered.

At Fashion Galore, there is also a film showing, created by SHOWstudio, in which Liberty Ross struts her stuff showcasing Blow’s signature couture gems, along to Roxy Music’s, When She Walks in the Room, Blow’s favourite song.
Nick Knight who directed the film said: “The question is raised whether the license to be creative, is destructive in the end”. Which adds a sad thought to ponder on, but who could deny there is a fine line many artistically talented people recognize, if not experience.

With garments this cool, to miss the showcase, you’d be a fool!

Until the 2nd of March 2014 at Somerset House, Embankment Galleries.

Somerset House bookshop sells a range of books from Rizzoli with stylish stationery and greetings cards from up and coming British designers.

Daily 10.00-18.00 (last admission 17.00)

Late night Thursdays till 21.00 (last admission 20.00)

Entrance £12.50, £10 concessions, £6.25 on Mondays

Photo copyright David La Chapelle

Read the article here published in Macs Magazine February 2014 http://www.macsmagazine.com/2014/02/isabella-blow-at-somerset-house/

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March Welcomes Women’s History Month

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Nicola

March is the declared month worldwide that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society, a tradition that dates back to the early 1900s. The highlight of the month being International Women’s Day on March 8, not to mention Mothers Day UK on the 30th.

From burning bras to moving mountains, many battles have been won for women to make IWD possible. More women in the boardroom means that the new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality. On 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. From female astronauts and prime ministers, this day has become a reminder about such transformation.

This March, Prime Minister David Cameron invited notable British women to celebrate International Women’s Day at 10 Downing Street. Guests included supermodel Erin O Connor and actress Helena Bonham Carter.

In March, there will be lots of interesting events taking place across the UK to celebrate women’s stories and achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity celebrating women from all around the world ranging from business conferences and networking events, through to local women’s craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.

Co-ordinated by Alternative Arts a huge line-up of exhibitions will take place throughout March across East London.

The Whitechapel Gallery’s Hannah Hoch exhibition is already open and will run until Sunday March 23 (Tuesday to Sunday 11am-6pm, open till 9pm Thursdays; £9.95/£7.95 concs). The Whitechapel will also host TheReal World: Art, Gender and the Media, a seminar questioning whether the media undervalues the work of female artists. On Tuesday March 4 the CoMA London Ensemble will perform a concert of new music written by women composers (8pm; £8/£6concs).

Time=Change, an ensemble exhibition at Espacio Gallery, will showcase works of art focusing on women’s struggle for social, sexual political and cultural equality. The show will acknowledge the remarkable accomplishments which early feminists might not have dreamed of and confronts the darker realities of the battles not yet won (Tuesday March 6 – Tuesday March 18; Monday to Friday 1pm-7pm; Saturday and Sunday 11am-7pm; free).

Tradition- The tradition on March 8th is for both men and women to honour their mothers, wives, girlfriends, friends, etc with flowers.

Women’s Day Timelime

1908 -The earliest Women’s Day observances were held on many different dates: May 3, 1908, in Chicago; February 28th, 1909, in New York; and February 27, 1910, in New York.

1914- Although there were some women-led strikes, marches, and other protests in the years leading up to 1914, none of them happened on March 8. In1914, International Women’s Day was held on March 8, possibly because that day was a Sunday, and now it is always held on March 8 in all countries.

In the West, International Women’s Day was first observed as a popular event after 1977 when the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women’s rights and world peace.

2000 and beyond

Apart from the UK, Australia and America, IWD is now an official holiday in Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China (for women only), Cuba, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Madagascar (for women only), Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Nepal (for women only), Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zambia.

2013 -The UN theme for International Women’s Day 2013 was “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women,”

2014- The UN theme for International Women’s Day 2014 is “Equality for Women is Progress for All.

Look online for a full line up of participating venues and events.

http://www.alternativearts.co.uk

http://www.internationalwomensday.com

To read the article in Macs Magazine, click below:
http://www.macsmagazine.com/2014/03/march-welcomes-womens-history-month/

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Sunday Strolls in London

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Nicola

Whether it’s cappuccinos or cocktails you are after on a Sunday, London spoils you for choice.

A huge selection of leisure routes include canals, waterways, strolling and shopping, and the open spaces of London’s parks.

Here are some ideas:

Spitalfields

Old Spitalfields Market, and it’s cobbled streets, are steeped in history.

Strolling around here on a Sunday is always fun, whether you feel like a splurge or are holding back the urge. A haven of cool, offering funky bars and retro tea rooms, ripe for longuing around in of an afternoon.

5 minutes from Liverpool Street station. E1

Columbia Road Flower Market

Flower hustle, and a row of Victorian shops, make this a good old fashioned East London trip down memory lane. International repute and interesting shopping, so go early and grab the goodies.

Open from 8am – 2pm.

Hampstead Heath

Located four miles from Trafalgar Square, Hampstead Heath is one of London’s best loved green spaces that allows you to feel you are out of the city, whilst being a stones throw from the city centre.

It includes Golders Hill Park (with a zoo and butterfly house), an open air Lido (open 365 days a year), swimming ponds, countless sports facilities, athletics tracks and all that jazz.

A great option for people who are on a budget and want to feel like they are in the countryside, for an afternoon of sunshine sprawling.

NW3

Highgate Woods

Five mins away from the twee Highgate village, is an ancient woodland, offering wildlife and history. Highgate Woods has received the Green Flag Award, an award for the best green spaces in the country, for over ten consecutive years, alongside the Green Heritage Award in recognition of achieving the required standard in managing sites with historic importance.

An information hut showing off all it’s fauna and species, plus The Highgate Wood café is (open from 9am every day) makes for a great Sunday afternoon relaxing strolling around the grounds and having a slice of cake afterwards.

Opens 7.30am, closes at sunset (4.30pm winter, 9.45pm summer)

N8, Bus routes 43, 134 and 263 stop outside Highgate Wood or Highgate Underground station, on the Northern Line.

London City Gardens

London cities largest open space, overflowing with trees, shrubs, flowers and a wide variety of wildlife.

On Sundays at 1.30pm, there is a walking tour covering the maze-like array of gardens, churchyards, parks and squares. Starting at St Pauls and heading towards London Bridge, visiting gardens, along the riverside and through the heart of Roman London. Meet outside the Tourist Information Office opposite St Paul’s Cathedral. From April – October.

All walks are £7 per person – children go free.

Other walks and routes are available. citygardenwalks@hotmail.co.uk

Regents Canal & London Zoo

One of London’s best-kept secrets and a peaceful haven. One hundred miles of canals in London offering an alternative to the smog of the city linking a cross-section of attractions. Pack a picnic, take a boat ride, and spend the day exploring Regent’s Canal, a quiet and atmospheric waterway including Little Venice, Regents Park, Camden Lock Market and Broadway Market and London Zoo.

In Camden, it passes the cool craft stalls and London alternative culture, heading towards the East End, and it’s many small independent art galleries and studios.

A serious hike or cycle, or a leisurely boat ride.

Good news: Transport for London and the London Boroughs have invested around £5 million in towpath improvement over the past five years.

Hackney City Farm for lunch

A farm right in the heart of the city, this is an ideal location for a stop-off before or after heading to Broadway Market. It’s free to stroll around the farm. There is also a good farm
shop selling different kinds of products from the garden and farm.
A real family friendly afternoon out, and the Frizzante café offers a good selection of inexpensive lunch items.

1a Goldsmith’s Row, E2

See the site for what’s on http://hackneycityfarm.co.uk/events/whats-on

The City Of London website has a map showing all of London’s green spaces here.

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/Pages/interactive-map.aspx

Words and photos by Nicola Ferlei-Brown

Read full article in Macs Magazine http://www.macsmagazine.com/2014/02/sunday-strolls-in-london/

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Venice Mask Time 2014

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Nicola

What to wear to the ball..

Every year the excitement of the Venice Carnival is boosted by the diversity of its theme, which changes with every new edition. In 2014, “La Natura Fantastica” was the official theme, and childhood fables were the stars of the show. Each mask became a symbolic material trace of the mystery of fairy tales and myths, deploying an endless wealth of symbols and characters.

The most magical night of the Carnival is the “Mascheranda Masked Ball” at the Pisani Moretta Palace, dancing the Minuetto by candlelight in the most charming palace of Venice, facing the Grand Canal, surrounded by 18th century frescoes. Tragicomica sponsor the evening, which adds the touch of ‘before the stroke of midnight’ fairytale element, to the evening. With Venice comes an immediate spectacle of richness, colour and abundance which we continue to celebrate in 2014 through tradition.

The International Special Prize “La Natura Fantastica”, strongly supported by the Compagnia dei Mascareri Veneziani, awarded the best mask. The contest was opened to handcrafted masks coming from everywhere in the world, made with every possible material. A panel of experts and special guests presented the awards at a wonderful parade on the prestigious stage of the Gran Teatro of San Marco Square. The winner was “Princess for a day” by Enzo Sindoca. Here are some of the pictures of what we thought were the most impressive masks and costumes you could see while strolling around the Grand Canal in Venice this year.

Words and photos by Nicola Ferlei-Brown

Read the article @ Italy Magazine http://www.italymagazine.com/fantastic-costumes-and-masks-venice-carnival-2014

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Lovely gifts online @ Victoria & Albert Museum gift shop

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Nicola

Online Love

They say love can be found online, and it certainly can, in the form of gorgeous gifts available via online shopping.

If you are rushing around, and haven’t found time to get a special something for a special someone for Friday, or fancy treating yourself to a special gift this week, here are ten good online gift ideas from the V&A’s curated range of romantic gifts for him or her. Including irresistible designer jewellery, limited edition prints, books on the themes of love and a range of quirky yet romantic gift cards.

For Her:

Marina Callis red flower bud stud earrings

Marina Callis creates textile jewellery, exploring ideas around volume and repetition. Intense detail goes into each piece, with particular attention paid to the colours – some styles explore a chromatic range, others focus solely on one colour. Many of the textiles Marina uses are vintage Argentinian designs, so many pieces are made in very limited quantities. These are sewn by hand.

£35

Love Lariat necklace by Philippe

Designer Philippe Salaam has been a part of the New York jewellery scene since the mid 1980’s. His ‘By Philippe’ collection combines a graphic sensibility with a fashion forward use of materials. 14 carat gold fill.

£50

Heart Earrings by Mirabelle

A pretty vintage heart motif was the inspiration behind this simple pair of earrings.

Mirabelle founder Veronique Henry has travelled extensively throughout her life, gaining a unique perspective in creating and sourcing jewellery. The daughter of a Parisian silversmith, Véronique’s jewellery is characterised by its easy, chic aesthetic and timeless quality.

22ct gold plated brass, fair trade
£40

Faith Ring by Bill Skinner

Fashion jeweller Bill Skinner’s jewellery combines exquisite detailing and design with a very British sense of wit. During his career he has worked with companies such as Van Cleef and Arpels, Garrards and Asprey.

These two clasped hands signified love and fidelity and rings such as these were given and worn as love tokens and were associated with marriage.

£28, from £70

Heart Card Range

£1.75-3.50

Lovely heart range of cards. Blank inside for your own message.

Postcards from Vogue

A collection of 100 postcards, each featuring a striking Vogue cover. From early aspirational illustrations to modern celebrity photography, this is a stunning selection of Vogue’s most dazzling images.

£14.99

For Him:

Limited edition V&A beer mats

Exclusively designed for the V&A by A Two Pipe Problem Letterpress (AKA Problem Press) which was started by artist Stephen Kenny, from his workshop in Walthamstow, East London, in 2007.
£3

David Bowie Plectrum

Created exclusively for the V&A. Double-sided guitar pick featuring a session photograph for Aladdin Sane by Brian Duffy from 1973, as well as a pattern redrawn from the original fabric from a jumpsuit worn by David Bowie on the cover of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
£0.75

V&A Fish design wash bag

Created exclusively for the V&A, the lovely pattern on this bag is based on a furnishing fabric designed by Rhona Park under the direction of the Central School of Art and Design, London, 1951
£6.50

Pearl Cufflinks

Classic, smart white pearl cufflinks.

The V&A has worked with pearl specialists and designers to bring together a unique collection of jewellery in celebration of our major Autumn exhibition ‘Pearls’. Sourced from around the world, all our pearl jewellery pieces are authentic. From freshwater pearls to South Sea and Tahitian pearls, whether a classic design or a contemporary take, our pearl collection aims to inspire and delight, and to suit every taste, occasion and pocket.

£125

Limited Edition Map of the London Thames

Oarsman’s and Angler’s Map of the River Thames, c.1893

This lovely folded cloth map with slip case starts with the River Thames from it’s source to London Bridge.

Printed with pigment ink on to archival paper and laid on to cloth, it is fade resistant and light fast.
£15

It’s not too late:
Last order date in time for Valentine’s Day is Tuesday the 11th February on the V&A website.
http://www.vandashop.com

If you are feeling extra cultural the V&A is open til 10pm on Valentines Day, and have a Champagne friendly bar open in the entrance!

Read full article here, published in Macs Magazine February 2014 http://www.macsmagazine.com/2014/02/valentines-online-love/

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Dress by Willy Brown

Don’t miss your last chance to see the bold and beautiful V&A Exhibition ‘Club to Catwalk: London fashion in the 80s’, displaying the design dualism between club wear and catwalk trends in the 1980’s. The ’80s was a boom time for the London club culture scene, with special nights for dressing up and dancing, fashion and the dance floor teamed up.

A must see exhibit for fashionistas and disco divas alike, where the mannequins strike a pose wearing 80s classics, and reminisce the brash make up, dresses and tresses of the time. The best of British designers, including Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano and Betty Jackson are among the top names being honoured for their contribution to fashion and worldwide trend setting.

Vivienne Westwood wowed the world with her customised denim wear. Westwood and her partner Malcom McLaren played a key role in the emergence of punk in the 1970s. During the 1980s, a decade defined by the aftermath of the punk era, her collections became increasingly eclectic, drawing inspiration from modern art. She said: “I am a great believer in copying, there has never been an age in which people have so little respect for the past”. These looks were documented in magazines like The Face, iD and Blitz.

Eighties knitwear by Joseph, Artwork and Bodymap are mentioned too. Body Map was the label created by David Holah and Steve Stewart in 1982 and were widely known for their stretch garments bestowed with graphic patterns, influenced by Japanese Avant Garde.

The exhibition is displayed by different wardrobe moments and mayhem from the diverse decade of design, each being as theatrical as the other. The bouffant brigade, the New Romantics, Goth, Glam Fetish and Body Map take centre stage. Superstars such as Boy George, Adam Ant and Leigh Bowery embraced individualism and popularised graphic prints teamed with dramatic make up. Institutions, designers & clubs make up the ingredients of the exhibition. St. Martins and Royal College of Art and clubs Taboo and Heaven are given a special mention towards the success of what was a momentous era of British design.

80s tshirt

Don’t miss this exhibition and the brilliant memorabilia at the V&A Shop. There is also a special V&A online 80′s fashion store for those who want that bit more http://www.vandashop.com

Friday evening, the V&A is open till late, 10pm.

Photos copyright V&A

To read the article in Macs Magazine, click here: http://www.macsmagazine.com/2014/01/v-a-club-to-catwalk-london-fashion-in-the-80s-exhibition/

Posted on February 1, 2014 by Nicola | Leave a comment

Beauty and Bulgari

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Nicola

Rome’s first film festival dedicated to fashion and beauty

This weekend saw the 24^th edition of AltaRoma, Rome’s fashion week. One of the many exciting events this year was dedicated to the teamwork of fashion and film in the era of the web, which has become one of the best mediums to market fashion.

ASVOFF: A Shaded View on Fashion Film – an event by Diane Pernet, international fashion icon and journalist, talent scout and video maker, worked with Bulgari in injecting the buzz into the 2014 event in the form of a video contest ‘Let Bulgari Dazzle Your Senses’. A tribute in the form of the exhibition ‘Diane Pernet, Shadows of an icon’, a look at her life, brimming over with encouters, was an extension of the event.

Let Bulgari Dazzle Your Senses

Dedicated to fashion and beauty, a series of one minute short films, inspired by the coloured gems of Bulgari, were screened at Hadrian’s Temple, for Rome’s first annual international fashion and beauty film festival. Movies displayed against the backdrop of the ancient Roman temple, is pretty unbeatable in terms of mamma mia wowability.

Bulgari supported the event, demonstrting the brands close ties with Rome, a city where fashion and film interact. Stephane Gerschel, the International Communications Director of Bulgari, said: “Bulgari launched the theme of the contest of the Roman edition of ASVOFF to promote the work of video makers, directors and talents in the world of Fashion and Film, and to support the idea of Rome as the capital of young talents. The winning video will be given the possibility to feature in the celebrations marking Bulgari’s 130^th anniversary.”

The weekend culminated with a special evening discussion hosted by Pernet on what she thinks of fashion and cinema.

When doesn’t Bulgari dazzle your senses!