A match ‘Made’ in heaven

With a string of successful collaborations behind them including their recent partnership with Laura Bailey, Made are continuing their string of impressive joint ventures with their new collection designed by Hattie Rickards.

Her pieces all encompass her love for organic forms and natural textures with the pictured necklace cast from a fish bone in brass highlighting this. A fair-trade collection, it offers a selection of necklaces, bracelets and earrings meaning that there is something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a simple gold bangle or a unique necklace Rickards has done her best to cater for all.

Having seen these pieces in the flesh at Estethica I can assure you that every item is as beautifully crafted as you would expect from Made. Besides these statement pieces from Rickards, there were also some other delightful items including a necklace housing a large, smooth seed and a range of jewellery which features beads that seem rather mechanical in their structure – reminiscent of robots. Whatever they are they definitely have been made to impress and that is something that they most certainly achieve!

Catherine May

The Secrets of the Boudoir

Ladies you are all in for a TREAT! 

Ever thought you wish you could make the boys go wild like pin up star Dita Von Teese, have them fixate on you as you walk into a room and excite them with your burlesque moves? Then you're going to love The Secrets of the Boudoir hosted by stylist Lupe Castro and The Big Wardrobe at the next big swish on the 11th November at Amika in Kensington!

This glitzy and glamorous swish unveils all things your mum never taught you:
Learn how to lace yourself into a sexy corset with Cervin
Slide yourself into seamed stockings to make the boys go wild with Velda
Unleash your inner bombshell in a short burlesque lesson with The Kitten Club
Learn how to get silver screen make up and hair (for the pin up within) with The Hourglass
Learn how to choose the best styles for your figure with Kiss Me Deadly
Find out what the next trends in lingerie are with Playful Promises

Finishing off with a male burlesque performance and a decadent swish with yummy cupcakes from Louby Lou’s cupcakes!

Here's the best part it's only £6.50 when you book online! It's time to get sexy and glamorous ladies, see you all on there!  

Angela Clayton

Leblas ‘Fluid’ collection

Necklaces aren’t just a bit of metal that hangs around your neck, at least the latest collection from Leblas suggests otherwise. Pieces from the new Fluid collection flow down to shape into the contours of your body. With each ring of recycled sterling silver so intricately attached to the next, you can truly appreciate the effort that gone into creating this beautifully crafted jewellery. With a choice as to whether you’d prefer the necklace coated in 18ct gold, the large necklaces would suit any outfit – particularly those with a lower neckline. 

Designer Arabel Lebrusan has spared a thought for all occasions with the necklace also being available in a smaller shape for a more subtle, yet just as sophisticated, look. If you want to find the perfect accompaniment to one of these necklaces, then you’ll be troubled to find anything more complementary than the matching bracelets and earrings. 

The latter fall from your ears in the same way that a waterfall cascades, reminding you of the name of the collection once more. Fluid is definitely a collection you shouldn’t let run away from you!

Catherine May

A new eco pop-up online shop launches today!

Fashion-conscience.com, one of my favourite fashion websites launched CRE:ATIVE ONES, a pop up shop within their online store focusing on new and up and coming designers working ethically or sustainably.

The designers and their products have been carefully edited to be a eclectic, hip and fashion-forward mix of jewellery, clothing and accessories that are one-off, limited edition, unique in nature and hard to find, with most pieces exclusive to Fashion-conscience.com, so if you see it, buy it.... you won't want to log on a week later and some other darling has got their mits on it! 

CRE:ATIVE ONES is aimed at fashionista's who hate to look the same as everyone else, and love supporting new designers and feeling they have uncovered a new designer themselves.
My favourites so far has to be the retro links and the raw amethyst ring, time to get the plastic out, time for a pre-payday treat!

Angela Clayton

Loving Dare2

Although still in its launch year, Dare2 magazine has already proven itself to be a must have publication for a greener lifestyle. With the website split into six sections, web users can easily browse through the latest articles in Fashion & Beauty, Film, Food & Wine, Travel, News and longer features. It’s regularly updated and I love the content, particularly the current exposé on the toxins in our perfumes. And as for the interviews? Well, they continually manage to secure the big names. This month they have provided a detailed look into Lisa Butcher’s work with the Fairtrade Foundation – it’s definitely worthy of a read!

If that still wasn’t enough for you, then the lure of a chance at winning a £300 pamper kit is something that I know I wouldn’t want to miss out on. For a website that’s yet to reach its first birthday, it’s certainly shown itself to be a great read!

See what all the fuss is about at www.dare2mag.com
Catherine May

The honest truth – no need for embellishments!

Embellished truth’s latest offerings are certainly not ones that you’d want to miss. The oversized shoulder bag, the ‘Duchess’, does have something distinctly regal about it. The detailed, hand embossed pattern on the outside of the bag displays the effort that’s gone into its product whilst the variety of colours that it’s available in (black, grey and chocolate brown) mean that there’s plenty of choice!

For a more casual shoulder bag, the ‘Empire’ has a classic look about it in the petrol blue. Simple detailing has a great effect on the design with its sharp lines creating an elegant look. Whilst these aforementioned bags are a bit of an investment – each comes in just over £400 – the ‘Catalina’ bag is priced at the much more amicable sum of £265. With similar hand embossing to the ‘Duchess’, this twisted handled bag houses plenty of pockets making it a very practical purchase.

If you’re not in the market for a new bag, but fancy treating yourself or a friend to a little something, then the leather cuffs make great gifts. Ranging from £8 to £12, they would make an original present idea without demolishing your bank balance!

Catherine May

A TREAT for you all

Ladies you are all in for a treat this Saturday! Raw Skin Food invites you to the Cookies & Cocoa, Raw Skin Food Launch on the 16th October at Unpackaged in Clerkenwell. Join in and celebrate the new skin care range - Thirst, for extra dry skins. You will be treated to scrumptious Raw dark chocolate cookies from Olivia Rose Cakes, Soya hot cocoa, and wait for it.... an amazing massage! I think I hear my name calling!!!

Ooooooh and just one more thing, in order to get all these free goodies you need to:
-    Bring your own cup to drink your hot cocoa
-    Bring your own servettes to hold your cookies and
-    Bring your own containers to receive your free goodies!  

WHEN: Saturday 16th  October 

Cookies & Soya Cocoa serving: 11am – 12.30pm

Sampling and giveaways: 12.30pm – 1pm 

Masseuse:  Larissa Moriato: 1pm – 2pm

WHERE: Unpackaged, 42 Amwell Street, London, EC1R 1XT

WHY: To celebrate in a great new skin care range and be treated my the lovely Raw Skin Food team with lots of goodies!

Entry is free - rsvp to grace@rawsfx.co.uk by 12th October

Nyla Sammons

The Big Swish returns to Newcastle

 

All you ladies in Newcastle or getting ready to jump on a train to Newcastle, the BIG SWISH IS BACK! Start bagging up your clothes and accessories and book your ticket for the hottest clothes swapping party in Newcastle

WHEN: Thursday 14th October

WHERE: Archbold Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1DB

WHY: You can bag yourself some great clothes, accessories and even shoes! I can hear your wardrobe calling for it!

Making the lost, found

Having exhibited at Estethica, Central Saint Martin’s graduate Katy Bell has made a solid impression on the industry. With a company whose foundations lie firmly with rescuing ‘lost’ items and turning them into desirable bags, Bell already has a range of bags created from her successful collaboration with Liberty.

The core of each bag is made from South American coffee sacks making them durable, whilst these have then been matched with other recycled materials to produce totes, carriers and travellers that would look great on the arm of any eco-conscious shopper. The Belmont and Rivington both caught my eye for their everyday practicality, whilst Mini Miles is the perfect size for a weekend bag.

Lost Property of London manages to combine ethics, practicality and, perhaps most importantly, style to produce an ever expanding collection of bags. This company is definitely one to watch!

Catherine May

The Fashion Business Club Meets Laura Bailey

 

Laura Baily, Dolly Jones and Courtney Blackman

Dolly Jones interviews Laura Bailey

 

The time had come for the Fashion Business Club to welcome the gorgeous Laura Bailey in their hot seat to be interviewed by Vogue's online editor Dolly Jones! All you Eco fashion fanatics will know, not only is Laura a model, journalist and entrepreneur but also a fabulous eco-warrior, who recently collaborated with MADE in launching her first uber stylish fair trade jewellery collection. 

The FBC members got a great insight into Laura's world, where she spoke about why it's important to support sustainable fashion and write about it and what it's like working for VOGUE.COM and trying to balance fashion, writing and family life.

Want to know what makes Laura tick? check out the Vogue Green Style Blog along with friends Livia Firth and Sheheradaze Goldsmith, Laura shares tales of all things eco-chic.

We look forward to seeing more of Laura's fabulous work! 
Nyla Sammons 

The Big Swish at Amika

Gorgeous in presentation and delicious in taste! Love these cupcakes from Cakes by Olivia Rose 

We were treated to a make-over from Arbonne, love their foundation!

We were also treated to skincare treatments from Raw Skin Food and amazing massages from owner Clare, J'adore!

The swishing begins

As an avid clothes swapper, going to The Big Swish on Thursday was just what my wardrobe was calling for! Hosted in the swanky venue Amika in Kensington, I knew we were all in for a treat!

I headed on down early so I could get in on the complementary treatments from Raw Skin Food and Arbonne and what a treat I got especially the amazing massage from Raw Skin Food, just what the doctor ordered! I was lucky enough to be near the front of the que and being (I might add) a semi-pro at swishing I dashed around with one thing in mind, grab something FAB and the opposite of what you would normally buy..... Why? well it makes it that much more fun!

I got an oversized patterned bag (from the designer section), a yellow faux-fur cardigan, a fuchsia pick handbag and a handful of accessories! Would have loved to get a lot more, but the clothes went quick, as in 20mins quick (well the best stuff anyway) so next time I'm going to book VIP! That 5 minute head start will make me and my wardrobe a lot happier!