Fashion Voyeur

People will stare, make it worth their while.

Categories: The Archives, The Fashion Closet

‘100% Egyptian Cotton’ Fashion Installation Launch at LFW

‘100% Egyptian Cotton’ Featured in the International Fashion Showcase 2017 Presented by Mercedes-Benz in conjunction with London Fashion Week

A fashion installation featuring the best emerging design talent from Egypt formed part of the International Fashion showcase for 2017 which runs in line with London Fashion Week.  Capitalising on the sheer number of fashionistas who descend on the capital each show season, ‘100% Egyption Cotton’ opened at Somerset House to rapturous applause.  The exhibition was curated by Susan Sabet, the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Pashion Magazine, and one of the top 500 most influential people in the fashion industry according to the Business of Fashion.

“We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to the installation. Having fashion’s elite focus on our installation is a tribute to Egypt’s growing presence on the international fashion stage.”  Susan Sabet, Editor-in-Chief Pashion Magazine

Organised by the British Council, British Fashion Council and Mercedes-Benz, in association with London Fashion Week, the theme for this year’s showcase was Local/Global.  Taking place February 17th – 21st, viewing time was limited and therefore critical, I managed to shoehorn in a visit between shows and it provided a pleasant distraction, and was nice to view a presentation as a static show where the craftsmanship could be appreciated up close, breaking up the whirlwind of runway shows that make up London Fashion Week.

With the six featured designers (and me, obvs) present at the launch, the exhibit was a favourite amongst the fashion elite including Suzy Menkes and Hilary Alexander who chatted for some time with the designers responsible for the showcase.  With Egypt as the only Arab country to be represented in the 2017 showcase, it was an important triumph for the exhibit as it was named the most visited show stand throughout the residency.

Each featured accessories designer created one-off pieces based on their interpretation of the theme (100% Egyptian cotton), spanning from the lifecycle of the cotton plant, to the production of the final product.  RTW womenswear designers took classic men’s shirt in 100% Egyptian cotton as their canvas and embellished them with vibrant floral embroidery, referencing the clothing of young cotton farmers picking cotton flowers.

The exhibition is only in its second year so is still very new to London however if you’re in the capital for a visit during Fashion Week next February then I’d highly recommend it as somewhere to visit.  It’s centrally located just off The Strand and if you’re not actually attending LFW then it’s a great way to be involved in some of the fringe events that take place during show season, obvs it’s fashion related too so there’s a huge bonus there.

The exhibit looks set to return to London in February 2018 with no theme as yet but keep your ears peeled as this is one to add to your LFW list Voyeurs….

Pixie xo

Designers featured in the installation included:

MARAM PARIS – RTW Womenswear

NORINE FARAH – RTW Womenswear

MARSUMA BY NOUR OMAR – Painted Textiles

OKHTEIN – Handbags

SABRY MAROUF – Handbags / Jewellery

REEM JANO – Jewellery

 

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Categories: The Archives, The Fashion Closet

Spotlight on: Jessie Western, Modern Day Cowgirl Dressing

Jessie Western is the smart girls choice when it comes to Western style.  With it’s ethical sourcing and manufacturing Jessie Western has garnered applause from its celebrity fans including Kate Moss, Kendall Jenner, Cameron Diaz and Kate Hudson.  In the heart of Notting Hill, this tiny, quirky store has a tapestry rich backstory behind its custom cowboy boots, leather jackets and Navajo jewellery…..

Sisters Jessie and Vicky are the driving force behind Jessie Western, for over 25 years they’ve visited the Arizona reservations, supporting Native American artists by cutting out the middle man and working with them directly.  The brand has built up a reputation for sourcing and setting rare and unusual stones in their Navajo jewellery and their passion lies in creating beautiful one off pieces like nothing else available in the UK.

Every piece of jewellery that Jessie Western puts its name to is hand-crafted in sterling silver and real Native American turquoise, not the reconstituted stuff you often find in many high street jewellery retailers.  The brand celebrates the real craftsmanship of the Native American artists they actively support and if you visit the store, Vicky is often there telling the backstory of the brand; she can tell you where every single piece in the store has come from and the story behind it.

“The Zuni people hand carve the spirit animals, “Fetishes”. The Eagle, for example is to seek a higher perspective, widen their vision… We feel very blessed to have watched so many Ceremonial Dances over the years: it’s a rich culture, and one we love. We want to share that passion, their vision and art.”

The boutique in Notting Hill has to be seen to be believed, it’s a teeny, tiny treasure trove but don’t let it’s diminutive size fool you.  Jessie Western is packed to the rafters with awesome, real Western pieces including bespoke handmade, embroidered cowboy boots, cowboy hats, jackets, blanket coats, suede skirts, ponchos and handmade moccasins.  Located in the centre of Portobello Market, it’s a must see if you’re in the capital and trust me Voyeurs, you can lose hours exploring this store.

Through my visits to Jessie Western, I’ve built up a friendship with Jessie and Vicky and I always make time to visit when I’m in town.  I love hearing their stories about visits to the reservation and the passion for their collaborations comes across in conversation as they unpack boxes to show me new pieces and tell me about the artists responsible for them.

Much of the sisters’ youth was spent on a Seminole reservation, they’ve lived and travelled extensively in the American Southwest. Jessie studied at St Martins College before being signed as a singer/songwriter to Chrysalis in LA, whilst she’s enjoyed fame and success in the public arena, Jessie has always had an active interest in jewellery design and the Western way of dressing.  Her fine jewellery collection is influenced by her love for rare stones and animals, every piece she designs is meticulously hand drawn and set with diamonds, tsavorites, sapphires or uncut aquamarines – hence the hefty pricetag.

Vicky on the other hand, is an established geometric landscape artist and studied at the prestigious Chelsea Art College.

“We’ve been going to the reservations in Arizona for over 28 years now and support over 4000 Native American Artists directly, it’s exciting to see the work of the artists, it’s always changing and evolving. The Native American Artists we work with believe wearing Turquoise protects them on their journey in life.  The silver is often punched with animal details and symbols, they all have special meanings many which have been passed down from generation to generation.”

Vicky tells me that Jessie Western clients are loyal, they enjoy coming to the store to find that ‘special piece’.  It’s easy to see why their customers keep coming back, with new pieces arriving all the time, the store looks different every time I visit and the sisters relish in showing off their latest arrivals and how to dress them.  Last time I visited I bought a leather and silver bolo tie and a pair of boot harnesses for my cowboy boots after a personal recommendation from Jessie and every time I wear them I get loads of compliments.

If you’re looking for a way to emulate true Western style, not just as a passing trend but with real, long lasting, quality pieces, then Jessie Western should be on your radar.

Pixie xo

 

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet

Restora UK Launch Party

Last week I hotfooted it to Manchester for the UK launch of Restora – a brand new, super advanced hair treatment that promises to reverse damage and restore your tresses to silky perfection.

If you’re into hair care, you’ll know that the buzz at the moment is all about bonds, whether it’s Olaplex, Fibreplex, Smartbond or any other high tech hair treatments, the focus is on rebuilding and strengthening the bonds deep within the hair.

Manchester born brand Restora aims to grab a slice of the action with their latest haircare range which launched in the UK last week.  I headed to celeb hotspot Nicky Oliver Hairdressing in the heart of Manchester to find out whether it lives up to its claims.

We were treated to champagne on arrival and a demonstration of the product on a model with severely over processed, bleached hair.  We were invited to feel the quality of the model’s hair before and after the treatment to get a real idea of the product’s efficacy.  After shampooing with Restora shampoo, the model’s hair was coated with the Restora Protein Treatment Shot – a single use canister packed with amino acids that get to work deep within the hair shaft straight away – then covered over with a plastic cap (which comes with the product) in order to retain heat from the scalp.

Whilst the treatment was left to work, we headed upstairs to the salon floor for an exclusive DJ set by Nakia Oliver and endless canapés.  Yum.  I took advantage of the braid bar with a hidden undercut braid and actually won some pretty cute prizes for being completely awesome.  Not even jokes.

After around 40 minutes the treatment is ready to be rinsed off, the Restora conditioner is used which, as well as the shampoo, contains a diluted dosage of the protein treatment to lock in and maintain the benefits of the  protein shot.  Nicky talks us through the three year research and development process that took place with a team of chemists in order to create Restora and bring it to market.  As he talks, the model’s hair is blow dried and already it’s clear to see that the tones in her hair are brighter and shinier.

“Based on Cystine science, an essential amino acid, Restora™ Protein Treatment transforms the internal structure of hair providing stronger, healthier looking locks. The products promise to instantly turn back the clock on damaged hair, effectively tackling frizz and repairing your split ends.”

Once finished and styled, everyone in the room agrees that the hair definitely looks healthier.  It’s softer to the touch and looks brighter, but the real proof is in the feel of the hair and it’s insanely soft and smooth.

The idea is that Restora is a home use treatment with salon results which last for up to six weeks when the maintenance products are used.  Sounds pretty good right?  It’s available exclusively through the Restora website so there’s no salon upselling and it’s delivered direct to your door.  It’s pretty reasonably priced too; at £3.95 for the Protein Shampoo, £4.95 for the Protein Conditioner, and £29.95 for the Protein Treatment, it’s a small price to pay for long lasting, visible damage repair, IF you have extensive damage from bleach or overprocessing.

“I just felt these (in-salon) treatments were not taking people’s lifestyles into account, which I know is valuable to them.”  Seena Seka, Haircare Speciallst for Linco Care Ltd.

Everyone on the guest list was gifted a single protein shot along with Restora shampoo and conditioner and some other awesome goodies.  Keep it here Voyeurs as I’ll be reporting back on my own experiences with Restora pretty soon – my hair is recovering but will take any help it can get!

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Fashion Closet, The Glorious North East

Menswear Fit for a Duke

When it comes to menswear things can get a little tricky, sure it looks simple enough for a fashionista looking in but when it comes to dressing men, silhouette is key as everything is loosely based on one main aesthetic – a trouser paired with a top.

With the emergence of more and more menswear design talent through LC:M and NYFW Mens, the options for male dressing are widening however these groundbreaking shows are more about pushing boundaries than setting seasonal trends.  As much as Men’s Fashion Month is an major event in the fashion calendar, it mostly gives me inspo for my own wardrobe.

We all know that Fashionista’s move in tribes.  The key difference is that men often aren’t aware of the theory of fashion tribes, or of which tribe they fall into; whether they’re a Classic Aesthetic (jeans and tee), Sports Luxe (relaxed fit jeans / sweatpants, sports tee & sneakers), Wide Boy (skinny sweats & vest) or Urban Gentleman (tailoring with all the trimmings), it’s not usually a conscious decision.  Whether aware of it are not, men are unwittingly influenced by fashion.

You’ve seen The Devil Wears Prada, you know the theory behind the cerulean blue sweater – in a nutshell, every purchase you make on the highstreet, every throwaway notion or bargain bin selection, is directly influenced by the elite runway shows at the top of the chain.  Fashion is everywhere and influences most of your day to day decisions around clothing, makeup, accessories and shoes, right through to the way you style your home.

If you’re a guy who naturally favours suiting and consider a pocket square to be the ultimate accessory, then congratulations!  You fall into the Urban Gentleman tribe, (and there are definitely a few of you out there who follow me), it’s likely that you already know that tailoring is your best friend.  The high street can work with tailoring to a certain extent but the clue is in the name people, tailoring only achieves its MO if it’s made to fit.  Yes, I get that budget is a huge factor and can recommend some off the rack retailers for tailoring but trust me, going made to measure will change your life.

Step forward Duke Ata Bespoke.  Duke’s self titled label focuses on luxury, made to fit, with all the trappings of a modern, urban gentleman.  Everything Duke produces has flair, from the signature wide lapels and polka dots to the wide shouldered cut of his jackets, a Duke Ata Bespoke piece is recognisable by its artistry.

With a background in Blogging, Duke’s knowledge of menswear in particular led him on an eerily similar journey to mine.  Styling wedding guests and curating wardrobe overhauls for years gave him a clear idea of pieces that would work for clients.  It wasn’t long before Duke turned his hand to design himself, and ultimately, tailoring.   Inspired by classic elegance, the gentleman’s silhouette and the craftsmanship of Savile Row, Duke has developed a peculiar and recognisable style which has been forged into the Duke Ata brand.

His first collection – Vol.1 – sees classic tailoring married with an urban twist.  Duke has a penchant for unusual fabrics and is super particular about the quality, threadcount and finish – I can say that, we’re friends – basically, if it’s not perfect, it’s not Duke Ata.

The fitting service offered by Duke Ata Bespoke is a step above tailoring.  A tailor will take an existing suit model and make it fit the client (think Tim Gunn in How I Met Your Mother), with a bespoke service fabric selection, shape, cut and fit are all handcrafted to the needs and expectations of the client.  It’s a different ball game.  The cost is high, but then that’s not news.  For anyone considering something bespoke there’s a price to pay, but business is booming.

Duke’s clients tell me that there’s nothing like the feeling of putting on a Duke Ata Bespoke suit, it’s like The Emporer’s New Clothes, they fit so well that you feel like you’re wearing nothing, but you just know you look awesome.

You’ll recognise his aesthetic too, Duke recently dressed footballer Jamie O’Hara for his Celebrity Big Brother 2017 entrance, and Body Fixers Dr Esho only wears Duke Ata Bespoke.  Natty credentials indeed.  Duke doesn’t shout from the rooftops about his brand, he’s quietly confident.  Charismatic and charming, it’s no wonder his clients are fiercely loyal.

With a series of low key, invite only events around his home town of Newcastle, he let’s the pieces he creates do the talking and is quietly building momentum in both the North and in London where he takes regular fitting appointments.  When we discuss the theory of fashion tribes he agrees with me saying “I know my tribe, I stay in my lane.  I don’t try to force tailoring on to people it won’t work for, I’m particular about my clients.”  With bespoke tailoring on the rise and Tom Ford recently stating “My suit is my uniform, I feel weak in trainers”, it’s an aesthetic that more and more men (and women) are aspiring to.  Well Voyeurs, it just got a little more accessible to the Urban Gentlemen of the North East – you know who you are.

Pixie xo

For appointments email appointments@dukeata.com

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Glorious North East

LVL Lash Lift at The Wax Bar

You’ll remember that I visited The Wax Bar back in December 2016 for one of their namesake waxes, but did you know, they don’t just offer waxing? Sure, that’s their specialty and I’m pretty sure these gals could wax in their sleep, but they also offer creative enhancements such as Insta-worthy nails, and LVL Lashes.

If you’re not already familiar with LVL Lashes, it’s a revolutionary treatment pioneered by the lash gurus at Nouveau Lashes. The treatment works to enhance your own natural lashes without the aid of ‘crunchy’ lash extensions or clusters. LVL (Lift Volume and Length), often referred to as ‘Lash Lift’, is a game changer – fact. Unlike the eyelash perm of the noughties, LVL works to straighten the lashes at the root, forcing the lashes up and out, meaning that when you look at the lashes straight on, they point upwards instead of forwards opening up the eye – your selfie game just changed forever. Lasting anywhere between 6 and 8 weeks, this just negated the need to travel with mascara. Winning.

The Wax Bar in Jesmond pride themselves on their high standard of training and staff truly are specialists in each discipline, I was introduced to my LVL Technician, Leah, who talked me through the process and each step of the treatment. The treatment takes around 45 minutes and is comfortable – I’m pretty squeamish and get grossed out by eye treatments but found this no problem at all, Leah took pictures of me during the treatment and it looks way worse than it felt. It’s performed with your eyes closed for the full treatment and once you’re set up and ready to begin, it’s actually pretty relaxing.

Leah has been The Wax Bar’s resident Lash Expert since she started with the brand in Edinburgh years ago, she tells me that the trend for fuller, natural lashes is huge in Edinburgh and that the salon at weekends would be like a conveyor belt. With the price point just above the national average at £50, Wax Bar clients get a dedicated Lash Expert delivering their treatment to the highest standard (until the end of January 2017 LVL Lashes at The Wax Bar Newcastle is just £30 and there’s 25% off all other treatments.  If you’re a student then you’re really in luck, the salon offers a thrifty 25% discount on all treatments with a valid student card and it’s Love Club is open to everyone who likes a cheeky offer now an again.

In a nutshell, a solution is applied to break down the bonds inside the lashes and force them to take on a different ‘shape’. Leah tells me that because I have very long natural lashes, we should go for a more dramatic look for maximum effect. The salon is clean and inviting and the sounds of Ministry of Sound Chill Out Ibiza make the space feel current and relaxing, Leah gets to work on my lashes and once the solution has taken, she tints them darkest blue black to match my heart.

I’m assured that the LVL Lash treatment doesn’t cause any damage to natural lashes, and referred to the Nouveau website for information on the research that backs this claim. Whilst it’s not a treatment that’s new to me, I never fail to be amazed by the results, when you’re first handed the mirror after the treatment it’s hard to believe that you’re looking at your own lashes. My lashes look darker, thicker and way shinier, like they’ve been coated with a conditioning serum, but unlike lash extensions they don’t feel ‘stiff’ or crunchy’.

A couple of important points to consider when you’re booking your LVL Lash treatment at The Wax Bar: First of all, you’ll need a patch test at least 48 hours before you plan to have treatment and after treatment you can’t wet your lashes AT ALL for 24 hours otherwise the solution will deactivate. If you’re planning on having this treatment for a big night out, it may be best to have it done a few days in advance so that you can remove your eye makeup afterwards without fear of deactivating the LVL solution.

The great thing about The Wax Bar is its uber cool location, set on leafy St George’s Terrace in Jesmond with free parking right outside the front door, it couldn’t be easier or more convenient to get in and get out with minimum fuss.  The colour scheme is super modern and minimalist with on point branding throughout the salon, cool grey, black and white are the perfect backdrop for the brand’s pink logo. Therapists are introduced on a first name basis and clients are looked after with hot drinks etc. as they’re talked through their choice of treatment.

I had my LVL Lash treatment 3 weeks ago and they still look awesome – I told you this was a game changer and I meant it.  It’s a Fashion Voyeur approved treatment and one that’s an absolute pre-vacation essential, be careful though, it’s highly addictive….

Peace out Voyeurs

Pixie xo

Pixie Tenenbaum Editor's signature with fashion illustration graphic