Category Archives: Fashion

10 Last Minute Stocking Fillers

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I had good intentions this year to start my Christmas shopping early, but like every year it got forgotten about until now. If, like me, you are frantically buying online, here’s some great independent British brands to support.

Stocking fillers

Heather Evelyn – Heather is based in South London, an artist who creates charming and beautiful stationery and gifts. Buy someone you love a set of personalised cards for letter writing or up your gift wrapping game with the brilliant ‘fa la la la la la la’ gift tags.

Stocking fillers

Tortware – The ultimate hair accessories, ideal for adding a touch of luxury to a stocking. The brand was founded in 2019 in London by Mona Ghafoori, and the clip collection are named after powerful women in the Mona’s life. Use ‘welcometorty’ for 10% off your first order.

Stocking fillers

Novel Mart – Food and drink lovers will delight in the fun Novel Mart range. Pick up a Dim Sum t-shirt or a Negroni Cap, depending on your favourite dish or drink. I’m a massive fan of the croissant tops.

Stocking fillers

Superga – I live in Supergas and with an ever-expanding range of stylish and comfy shoes this Italian shoe brand has a pair to suit every member of the family. I’m lusting after their new Organic Collection. Find great deals on their website now.

Stocking fillers

Summer Fridays – A great addition to a Sunday night pampering routine, the Summer Fridays mask with exfoliate, moisturise and hydrate tired winter worn skin. One use of this Overtime mask will get you looking and feeling festive ready.

stocking filler

Volcano Coffee – This award-winning small batch coffee company has been a lifesaver for me during lock down, when it hasn’t been so easy to visit my favourite coffee shops. Bringing the best speciality coffee to your home, available as whole beans or ground and ready to use. Find a range of beans and coffee inspired presents on their website here.

stocking filler

Nolii – Simple, stylish technology products to ensure you always have a full battery at home and on the move. Nolii products all work together and are available in a range of eye-catching colours.

stocking filler

Wes Anderson Book – A beautiful book to add colour and interest to your coffee table or book shelf. The recently released Wes Anderson book by Wally Koval features stylish photographs of some of the world’s most wonderfully designed buildings and destinations.

White Mausu

White Mausu – I’ve fallen in love with these condiments. Started up by Katie and Jasper in Ireland White Mausu sauces are a brilliant addition to the larder and add flavour and excitement to even the most bland of home cooked dishes! Buy a pack of six from their website here, or for individual jars find a list of 90+ stockists here.

Stocking filler

Stalf – For something more substantial head to the Stalf website, this small independent brand designs and sews colourful comfort wear, perfect for lounging around at home during lock down.

Blog post contains some gifted items.

Myla and Davis, East Dulwich

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Myla and Davis East Dulwich is a short walk from my flat, it is a local I feel lucky to have. This salon is one of three from owner Katya Davis, who also started up my favourite neighbourhood restaurants, Llewelyns in Herne Hill.

Myla and Davis

I visited one February afternoon for a hair cut and colour, and was amazed to find the salon completely full, despite it being a Winter weekday afternoon. Within minutes I was sitting at a comfortable mirror facing seat sipping a cup of tea and chatting to Polly, who was in charge of doing my hair.

Myla and Davis

Myla and Davis use a selection of Bumble & Bumble products, a brand which I have always found to be reliable haircare, but also great for creative styling. I umm-ed and ahh-ed as Polly talked me through all the different options. She was wonderfully patient and reassuring as I tried to decide between a ginger transformation, subtle low lights or just returning to my natural hue.

Eventually we decided on a rich red-brown shade to moisturise and nourish my strands while also covering stray grey hairs and adding a depth of colour to my hair. A dramatic colour change but nothing too radical. I knew I didn’t want too much off the length, so Polly opted for a inch off to keep it healthy looking but still easy to tie up.

Myla and Davis

During my time at Myla and Davis East Dulwich I was kept in constant supply of tea and brilliantly gossipy magazines… which is exactly how I want to spend my time at the hairdresser. Polly worked quickly and methodically through my hair, explaining everything as she coloured and cut my hair.

The best part, as always was a thorough wash and head massage at the high-tech horizontal chairs. Polly also gave my hair an Olaplex treatment which (especially when paired with a colour treatment) adds strength and hydration to worn out hair.

After a few hours at the salon my hair was bouncy, light and rich with colour. Anyone living in South London should take advantage of the great Myla and Davis boutique salons.

More information and book a cut, colour or treatment at Myla and Davis here.

(I was a guest of Myla and Davis.)

Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams‎, V&A

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This year the V&A has welcomed another legendary fashion exhibition to its galleries. Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams showcases the designs of the world famous fashion house, from 1947 to the present day… documenting the stories and people behind the dramatic garments.

dior

This exhibition is the largest ever UK presentation of Dior, the grand rooms of the V&A are filled with precious sketches, accessories and dresses, all giving an amazing insight into the genius of this couturier. The V&A team was led by fashion and textiles curator Oriole Cullen and set designer Nathalie Crinière, and together they reimagined the previous Dior exhibition, Christian Dior: Couturier du Rêve, organised by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. This show, however, features many more rediscovered haute couture pieces, every single garment in the show is handmade.

Dior

It is quite startling to see so many couture dresses all in one place, 70 years worth of Dior lines every wall. Amongst the pieces are dresses worn by Princess Margaret on her 21st birthday and Jennifer Lawrence’s red carpet couture dress, and there are others you may recognise from magazine covers or iconic events. Princess Margaret was a fan and client of Christian Dior and it is clear he relished the opportunity to design for her. The style of Britain very much influenced and fascinated Christian Dior, he loved the British women’s fashion, their contradicting tweed outfits and ballgowns.

Later in the show, the other artistic directors of Dior are given a chance to shine, and it is amazing to see how Christian Dior’s thoughts and motifs are still so alive in the current day designs.

Through this show viewers are given a look into the world behind the dresses. We learn about Mr Dior himself and how his thoughts and processes defined, and still define, the brand Dior is today.

Designer of Dreams‎ continues until Sunday 14 July, book tickets here.