Category Archives: Fashion

Hot on the Highstreet Week 196

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Of all the fashion weeks, Milan is not normally known for producing the maddest collections. The smart fashion conscious Italian city is renowned for showcasing neat tailoring, sophisticated shades and beautiful leather. However this season MFW has brought imaginative, consumer focussed, Pop Art fashion to the forefront.

The wonderful red and yellow collection from American designer Jeremy Scott is a mighty clash of McDonalds and Chanel to create a Moschino collection like no other. The wacky designs lampoon popular fast food culture; also on the catwalk was a Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar inspired dress and Spongebob Squarepants outfits.

It is refreshing to see less formal, less serious fashion on the catwalk this year. Jeremy Scott is known for his comical collections but this season the larger-than-life cartoonish designs are more exciting than ever before. I am sure young trendsetters like Cara Delevigne will be first to grab a Big Mac handbag and retro restaurant t-shirt dress.

Shop the show here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 195: Fashion Week Ready

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For all those fashionistas out there in need of a beauty fix during Fashion Week, I have compiled a little black book of helpful contacts and beauty bars who will primp and preen you ready for another day of catwalks and couture chaos.

Blow dry – After back to back shows and after parties you will be feeling drab and drowsy. Blow dries are the perfect pick-me-up, a quick and glamorous solution to tired limp locks. Blow Bar in Islington is a lovely little boutique, closer to the catwalk try Hersheson blow dry bars in Westfield Shepherd’s Bush or New Change in the city.

Mani-Pedi – For stand-out nails, WAH Nails is the best of the bunch. Located downstairs in the Topshop flagship store on Oxford Street, here you can mimic the trends from the designers or select a design from the colourful Wah inspiration board. If you are hanging around the Notting Hill area I urge you to try Sophie Gass, this stylish salon will prettify your fingers and toes whilst you sip a cappuccino and browse on their ipads.

Speedy Facial – The Bliss brand is brilliant for quick and revitalising treatments. Visit the Sloane Avenue venue and try the 30 minute Oxygen Blast facial, which I found had amazingly relaxing and glowing effects.

Roots refresh – FOUR salon is just off Regent’s Street and specialises in hair colour treatments. The charming girls will lighten and brighten your roots, so you’ll be ready fabulously fast.

Mini massage– Stiff from carrying too many lookbooks and squeezing into uncomfortable heels? Treat yourself to an indulgent mini massage, best found at the Space NK Spa. I can recommend the 30 minute Reviving Back, Neck and Shoulder Massage.

Hopefully after these little luxuries you will look and feel like a supermodel, and will be ready to watch the pros strut down the runways all day long.

A New York Itinerary

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My itinerary for this year’s trip to New York was packed as tightly as my suitcase. With the winter season underway I set out to check out the top new places to go in this marvellous metropolis.

Sleep

The Nolitan – for downtown hipster accommodation, this hotel ticks every box. With cool design and detailing, I fell in love with everything about this place.

60 Thompson – classically understated, this luxury-driven lifestyle hotel in SoHo offers stylish rooms, the exclusive A60 rooftop bar and an elegantly exotic Thai restaurant, Kittichai.

Eat

Il Buco – A charming Italian restaurant where locals eat in the NoHo area. The homemade pasta is simple but irresistible.

Momofuku Noodle Bar – David Chang’s Momofuku restaurants are a revelation. The must-try Noodle Bar is Chang’s first venture, where the famous pork buns were once created. It is walk-in only, but the food is worth queuing for.

Minetta Tavern – Opened in Greenwich Village in 1937, this long established eatery serves up the most prestigious Black Label burger. The pampered patty is perfected and placed in a bespoke bun with caramelised onions, it is like no other, served with the finest homemade skinny fries.

Dominique Ansel –  Imitation cronuts are appearing in bakeries all over the world… and we have pastry chef Dominique Ansel to thank for this genius donut and croissant hybrid. On my first morning in NYC I awoke at 5.30 am to queue for the unique trademarked treat, I can understand why Ansel has been named “the Willy Wonka of NYC”!

Drink

Apotheke – Inspired by the history of apothecaries in Europe and influenced by Paris’ Absinthe dens, Apotheke is really special. Hidden down a damp and dingy street in Chinatown, this magical cocktail bar serves up creative concoctions in this eclectic emporium.

Bowery Coffee – This café is the epitome of the cool coffee culture in New York. Strong and creamy espresso is pulled from a Marzocco Strada and served to your specification. A must for caffeine lovers.

Shop

Madewell – An all American shop for casual comfortable clothes. It started out as a jean company in 1937 and has now expanded, offering anything and everything a NYC girl could need from boots to bags, accessories, dresses and cashmere jumpers, of which I was particularly fond.

Kiosk – A frenzy of fabulous objects carefully selected for their aesthetically pleasing designs from all over the globe. Enter through a graffiti-ridden doorway and make your way up the stairs to discover the world of Kiosk.

Creatures of Comfort – Showcasing a collection of cutting-edge, innovative, independent designer clothing from around the World. I spotted quite a few of my favourite brands including Acne, Repetto and Isabel Marant.

See

Kinky Boots – The hottest ticket in NYC, this flamboyant show will brighten up your day with its upbeat songs and unexpected storyline. With music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper, it is based on the 2005 film itself inspired by a true story. Glitz, glamour and gorgeous shoes!

The Met Opera – This grand theatre produces magnificent productions of promising new work as well as the operatic classics. Tosca was beautifully interpreted and presented, a spectacular rendition of this popular Puccini tragedy.

Glasslands – See a band at this hip Brooklyn venue. We witnessed the quirky and shambolic Beets who produce a passionate, dramatic sound.

Basketball – Invest in a foam finger and head to the Barclays Center to support the local team, Brooklyn Nets. Be prepared to clap, shout and stamp your feet as the giant athletes roam the court.

Do

Whitney Museum – This museum has a focus on 20th and 21st century American art. The contemporary and trendy building is currently home to the bold and patriotic artist, Robert Indiana. His dazzling pop art pictures address those fundamental issues: love, death, sin and forgiveness.

Empire State Building – Climb this edifice to see the best views of the city. Terrifyingly high and amazingly exhilarating,  I recommend visiting at sunset as the queues decrease.

Jin Soon Nails – Renowned as one of NYC’s best nail salons, Jin Soon now resides at three different locations. I visited the West Village spa and was impressed with the selection of colours on offer, the efficient and kind service and the speedy and thorough mani-pedi I received. Slump in a sofa chair and sip your fruit tea while your hands and feet are simultaneously pampered, total bliss.

Brooklyn Flea Market – Found at two venues each weekend, in Williamsburg and at Fort Greene, this popular market satisfies the keen vintage scroungers of New York. Pick up some retro clothes, a one-off trinket or just wander and observe the intriguing collections. Foodies will delight in the scrumptious offerings like coconut chunky bonbons and Porchetta chicory salad with garlic dressing.

On Location Tours – Those interested in seeing New York’s most familiar film and TV locations will love the On Location bus tours. Join the bus for a three hour trip round the city with a fun informative guide and feel like your favourite screen star for a day.

Many thanks to NYC GO for their help with this trip and organising the CityPass (a necessity for any NYC tourist), and Virgin Atlantic for flight assistance.