Holly Fulton AW13 - London Fashion Week

It seems that London Fashion Week has come around again sooner than ever, and this morning I was at the Holly Fulton show, and what a beautiful and wearable collection it was.

Inspired by 70s art school rockers and taking seductive temptress Beatrice Dalle as a muse, Holly has sliced and pasted signature geometric motifs across leather biker jackets and photocopy skirts. Big cats, angry bears and venomous snakes pop on billowing, printed satin organza maxi skirts and dresses.

For an Autumn Winter collection it was nice to see some colour, with a lot of blues, and pops of ruby red.

The Holly Fulton label centres around the creation of high-end, contemporary Womenswear, with print and embellishment at its core. Strong signature graphic elements epitomise the bold aesthetic to which the label is synonymous for, and this collection did not disappoint.

One of my favourite looks; sequinned feathers embellish soft leathers. 

And my all time favourite, the final look; A beautiful flowing organza silk maxi dress. 

This Summer I couldn't of lived without... Lash Perfect Lashes.

I have been meaning to write to this post for a while now, the last month has been crazy with Weddings, Baby Showers, Hen-Do's, Holidays and new Job positions. 

However, I couldn't have survived without my Lash Perfect individual eyelash extensions. 

Applied individually to your natural lashes, you can decide on length and volume.

I go for fullness over length as I'm not a fan of that whole spider lash fake 'Essex' look that I see so many girls sporting. They generally last for two weeks, and look FABULOUS. 

I have not worn mascara since June, as I have been having express treatments for my infills.

Looked after properly a full set should last you 2-3 weeks. 

My lash technician Natalie is forever telling me 'Jemma, you MUST brush your lashes'. 

If I feel the need for a little mascara then I use the Lash Perfect Clear Mascara Finishing Glaze, just for an extra bit of ooomph. 

Most salons use Lash Perfect, but if you get the chance, I highly recommend you try Lash Bar in Carnaby Street, London. Visited by the likes of Peaches Geldoff, Louise Roe and Billie Piper, it's a favourite with celebrities, and they specialise in all Eye, Eye Brow and Eye Lash treatments. 

After being my top Summer Essential, I am going to give them a little break, for my natural lashes to recover but have already decided I am going to get them done again for the Festive Party Season to flutter under the Mistletoe. 

BEAUTY MUST HAVE. 

Nike Flyknit Festival

Last night I attended the opening party of the Nike Flyknit Festival at Aske Gardens in Hackney, to celebrate the Nike Flyknit Collective, a collection of lightweight performance footwear that also brings creativeness and art to the forefront of it's design. 

To open last night there was a show from London-based collective UVA (United Visual Artists), as well as a live DJ, cocktails and food, and what with the great weather we have this weekend it made the perfect Friday night, out in the open. 

There until the 25th August, there are a range of different activities taking place suitable for all ages. 

Aske Gardens

Pitfield Street

N1 6LE. 

Shootin' Hoops - The re-invogoration of Aske Gardens has made it into a vibrant and welcoming public space for sport and the community. 

Performance from UVA.

Yummy Mini Burgers

The lounge area in the Tennis Courts with the live DJ playing Old Skool Garage and Rick Ross was my favourite.

What I wore; Dress H&M, Denim Jacket Primark, Trainers Nike Air Max 90's

The Nike Flyknit Running Shoe. 

The Nike Clubhouse

As an attendee of the Nike Training Club as mentioned in a previous post, I was very excited to hear the news that Nike has opened the Nike + FuelStation at Clapham Common.

A digitally enabled sporting clubhouse designed to inspire London's athlete community to #MakeItCount.

Located on the South side of Clapham Common, the FuelStation brings premium experiences and services directly to Athletes of London, and motivating them to be more active throughout the day. 

Designed in-house by the Nike Brand Design team, the space is 384 square metres, and combines futuristic design and architecture with sustainable features as well as the digitally enabled interior. 

The space and services covers a range of experiences;

• One-to-one consultation with real athletes who are hand selected from the local communities. 
• A Nike + innovation zone; a digitally enabled space which  brings to like Nike+ experiences and allows runners to join Nikeplus.com and be part of the worlds largest running community.
• A Nike+ Trail Zone where you can try out the latest Nike+ Digital Sports products for FREE including Nike+ Running, Football, and Training footwear, Fuel bands and the Nike Training Club app. 
• NIKEiD terminals where you can design your own footwear and apparel (this is my favourite - the amount of hours I have spent designing my own trainers online)
• Dedicated and FREE daily Nike Training Club classes led by top Nike Master Trainers (speaking from experience - be prepared - they do not go easy on you)

What I love about this, is that it brings the community together, and it is so much more enjoyable working out with others who have the same aim, as you can all encourage and inspire each other. 

There are a range of classes available at different times, that you can simply attend by signing up on the Facebook pages. 

Nike + Run Clubs

Every Monday, Wednesday at 7pm and Saturday mornings at 10am.

Nike Training Club

Monday - 19:00 - 20:00

Tuesday - 19:00 - 20:00

Wednesday - 07:00 - 08:00 

Friday - 07:00 - 08:00 

Saturday - 10:30 - 11:30 

Nike Elite Football Live

Every Saturday at selected intervals at 9:30am, 11:30am and 1:30pm. 

Sign up as an individual or as a team by e-mailing fuel.station@nike.com 

Open 7 days a week from 7:30 - 21:00 

Nightingale Walk

SW4 9AE. 

Olympic Fever

I am one of those Londoner's who has been scare mongering about the O word... You know how it is, "Not looking forward to getting the tube during the Olympics" 

"Bloody tourists"

 and so on. 

However, after being lucky enough to see the torch pass twice - once through my home town of Romford and then again through Oxford Circus the buzz and excitement of it all has got to me, and lets be fair, after the opening ceremony last night, who didn't feel excited or proud to be British? 

Danny Boyle did a fantastic job (worthy of a Knighthood),  I did think 'What is this?' when it first came on but when the story became apparent I was loving it. 

From the Women's Rights Movement to the moments pause for those lost in the World Wars and 7/7 attacks, it tugged at the emotional heart-strings but was lightened up with Mr. Bean, that fantastic stunt from the Queen & Bond, and the beautiful David Beckham. 

However it was the musical references to era's that really did it for me, The Jam, The Specials, Paul Wellar, The Sex Pistols, then amazing performances from everyones favourite East London boy Dizzee Rascal and the Arctic Monkey's.

 (I wasn't feeling Paul McCartney quite so much, maybe its time to give someone else a turn rather than wheeling him out at every big event we have... soz)

So now we have shown the world what we are really all about, it's time to get some gold. 

#TeamGB

London Reppin'
What I'm wearing: Skirt - Topshop, T-shirt - H&M, London Necklace - Vintage, Trainers - Nike X Liberty Hyperclave.

Olympic Torch passing through Romford 22/7/12

Olympic Torch passing through Oxford Circus 26/7/12

The whole of East London enjoyed a magical show of fireworks. 

Calypso Christmas

On the hottest day of the year surely the last thing you want to think about is Christmas right?

Wrong. 

July is the time when all the Christmas Press Days start to happen.

I have already had some eager beaver publications phoning to ask if we have anything for their Christmas gift list pages. 

So just as we finally got our Summer back this week, the last thing you want to hear is 'Jingle Bells' so I thoroughly enjoyed Beauty Seen's take on their Festive Press Day that they decided to call Calypso Christmas.

With reggae and summer tunes playing all day, and the venue decked out almost like a beach bar, it made a nice change from mini-yorkshire pudding beef volovant's, as they served Banana loafs, and exotic fruits with coconut shavings, you could of been mistaken for thinking you had stepped on to a Caribbean Island. 

I have a very basic, simple beauty regime. Cleanse, moisturise and I'm out the door, so I always find it interesting and useful attending Beauty events to find out and test new products I would not normally use. 

Two things that caught my eye here this week were

Lash Perfect Hi Brow Eyebrow Powder

and

Hi Shine Nail polish & kits. 

I am not a fan of overly drawn 'scouse brows' but I do like them neat and a little bit defined. I have often used Benefits Brow Zing, but find it very waxy. After having a tidy up with Hi Brow, that has a range of colours to suit all skin tones, the make-up stayed on all day and looked natural. 

There are also stencils available to make it even easier to create your desired shape. 

Available to buy here.

Now I am not up-to-date on the technology of it, but Hi-Shine nails is basically a nail polish that creates a long-lasting, non-chip, gel finish without having fake nails or gel tips. Polish's are available to buy on their own or you can purchase a whole kit that comes with a UV lamp that is essential as it sets the gel, and also includes a range of cute accessories - Who can refuse a glittery nail file?

They currently have a range of pastel summer colours out, and some beautiful Autumnal shades out soon. 

Pwettty...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... No! I promise this will not start till at least 1st December. 

Words Have Power at Levi's

Yesterday I was invited to screen print my own t-shirt at the launch of the Levi's Print London workshop at their flagship store on Regent Street.

Running between 13th July - 3rd August, this interactive project is open to all to come and get their hands dirty and screen print their own t-shirts with limited edition prints by graphic artist Anthony Burrill. 

Known for his persuasive, up beat illustrations and and his witty approach to words (including the infamous 'Keep Calm') has uniquely captured London's spirit with a clever play on words. 

The limited edition tee's include slogans such as 'THE CITY IS OURS TONIGHT' 'DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE?' And a 'THIS IS NOT THE WEST' one exclusive to the Levi's Boxpark pop-up store in Shoreditch, has been created to capture the distinct culture that surrounds East London. 

For those who take part there is also the chance to recommend your own slogan, with the best being chosen and made in to a print on the next day. 

Are you ready to #PrintLondon??

Given Levi's overalls before I start my print. 

There are trained screen artist's to talk you through the steps and help you out.

The first steps, printing the boarder.

A dryer is used after each stage of printing to set the ink.

You can then share your finished t-shirt in the Print Workshops Photo booth and upload straight to Twitter & Facebook.

A week in Sunny London..

A confessed sun worshiper, I have been loving the weather this week... (when I'm not stuck in the basement office at work or travelling on the sweaty tube that is.)
I finally been able to wear some of my summer buys that have been collecting dust in the wardrobe this week.
Hope you have all have a sunshine filled week too. Long may it stay. xoxo

'Please Stand Behind The Yellow Line'

Hello gorgeous Dior gowns chosen for model Josephine De La Baume by Exposure. 

London prepares for the Diamond Jubilee

Dress Up Friday... I have been waiting for the right time to wear this bright pink dress from H&M. 

Friday Drinks at Exposure. 

I have worn little else but a bikini and playsuits this weekend... Chilled. 

First BBQ of year!