Hot on the Highstreet Week 132

As I sit on an idyllic turquoise St Lucian shore I find myself noticing the statement pieces of clothing and jewellery the stylish women are wearing. Generally on holiday I prefer to wear minimal jewellery, but I always try to remember to pack one statement piece to accessorise evening outfits. Something easy and simple to wear, but that makes a big impression.

I cannot imagine a more striking and versatile designer than Palizzi. Each piece is entirely individual, hand crafted and one of a kind. The Palizzi pieces look particularly good with a tan, the sparkle of the gems, and bright vibrant colours complement sunkissed skin beautifully and look luxurious and expensive even if you are only wearing a plain dress and flip flops.

Palizzi jewellery is named after the tiny village of its origin, perched on top of a rocky outcrop in the heart of Calabria, Southern Italy. This strikingly beautiful region, called Area Grecanica, has been populated and influenced by Greek, Byzantine and Arabic cultures, and has a wealthy heritage in the arts and crafts.

Each Palizzi piece is handmade by two talented designers. Inspired by both fashion and art to use unusual and recovered materials, their remarkable palettes are unmistakably inspired by Mediterranean landscapes. The use of a crochet technique with recycled copper wire or silver, creates complex interlaced structures into which semi-precious stones, crystals and pearls are intricately fixed.

I only wish I had a Palizzi necklace to wear on the Caribbean Sunset Cruise tonight.

Visit the website here for more information on Palizzi.

http://www.palizzi.co.uk/

Hot on the Highstreet Week 120

 

Last week saw the launch of KJ’s Laundry Kings Road. The champagne flowed and guests nibbled on cupcakes from Sweet Couture and browsed KJ’s unique mix of brands. The owners of KJ’s Laundry, Kate Allden and Jane Ellis, mingled with Rosie Fortescue, Daisy Dodd-Noble and Freddie Richardson while Swedish beauties Amanda Hedstron and Ella Haavimb modelled KJ’s unique Scandinavian pieces. Shoppers picked up items from Danish label Rabens Saloner, Swedish cult-brand Hope, Hudson, Currer Bell and jewellery from Alex Monroe (with 20% off, which will last until Sunday on everything in store). I wandered among the towering beauties, munching on the creamy iced cupcakes and drooling over the gorgeous garments.

Following the success of the inaugural store in London’s Marylebone Village, KJ’s Laundry has opened this second store on the ever-fashionable Kings Road, officially launched on Wednesday 5th September. Celebrity fans known to covet the store’s trendy, aspirational mix of international brands include Keira Knightley, Nicole Richie and Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman.

Kate Allden and Jane Ellis saw a niche in the market for affordable designer brands that are less well known in the UK but with a substantial following in their respective countries. Their shopping passion has led them to discover labels such as Hope, the Swedish design house known for its take on masculine high fashion, but here showing elegant womenswear exclusive to the Chelsea store. Another highlight is Currer Bell, a Los Angeles and London collaboration whose timeless printed dresses transcend seasonality. The innovative Samantha Sung, previously a designer at Ralph Lauren and Tocca, has her own trademark prints elegantly adorning the rails. Other notable and established brands include Tucker by Gaby Basora and Pomandere for chic, feminine pieces and floaty shirts and gorgeous knits by Danish label, Rabens Saloner, famed for its minimalistic and clean-cut designs, synonymous with the Scandinavian style.

The interior of the new shop has a New York City boutique feel with laid back décor showcasing the clothes and products in an accessible way. Extracts from Shakespeare’s Richard III line a feature wall of the store, while accents of pastel blue and white are a recurring theme throughout. Alex Monroe’s delicate and iconic jewellery and Hudson’s shoes are beautifully displayed in the store, along with Laboratory Perfume candles and handbags designed by Veja.

Prices range from £75- £400

KJ’s Laundry, 149 Kings Road, SW3 5TX

For more information please visit www.kjslaundry.com

Hot on the Highstreet Week 115

To mark the Olympics, British designers and design shops have gone Union Jack crazy, using our famous flag as the pattern of the season.

I spied these brilliant shoes in the window of Freed in Covent Garden. The striking national emblem decorates Freed ballet shoes, jazz shoes and ballet pumps for patriotic fashion fans. The jazz shoes also come in St George and Olympian designs, slightly more abstract but just as fun.

My favourite are the sturdy ballet pumps which are very wearable and distinctive. Made from the highest quality leather with non slip rubber soles, they are ideal for running around town in the summer months. I instantly had a vision of them being worn with my vintage Union Jack dress, the perfect Olympic outfit.

The shoes range from £20-40 and can be bought online or in the Freed Store in Covent Garden.

http://www.freedoflondon.com/