Fashion Voyeur

People will stare, make it worth their while.

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

Love Niche: The Art of Style

Every season Love Niche stages a runway show in Newcastle to showcase their latest collections and SS16 was no different in that respect.  It was however, a huge departure from the regular Love Niche runway show, SS16 brought with it a record number of outfits and a brand new venue.

Following in the footsteps of Karl Lagerfeld, the GodFather of Chanel, Love Niche Owner and Curator Nisha Vedhara, decided to inject a little bit of Paris Fashion Week into her latest show and give every guest a seat on the Frow.  That’s right Voyeurs, no rows other than the front row and all named after the fashion capitals of the world. Natch.

Love Niche Fashion Show At Hood Street Club Newcastle Pictures By Alex Alevroyiannis

You’ll know by now from past posts that Nisha and I have become good friends and I champion each collection she brings to the Fash Pack of Newcastle and beyond.  A thoughtful designer, Nisha designs for everyone, every shape and every size, there aren’t many places that can boast a bespoke service with such wide appeal and Nisha’s studio and respective lines have that in abundance.

“My number one aim isn’t to sell you clothes in fact; it’s to sell you confidence, self-esteem, self-awareness, pride and a new lease of life.” Nisha

Nisha learned her trade from her mother, watching her pattern cut and create designer led pieces in India, she designs and produces her own collections “Luxe” and “Resort” and travels the world sourcing and buying the best pieces for her Love Niche “Paris” and “London” lines, ensuring there is a price point that all clients can shop, without exclusion.  Petite, beautiful and very in demand, Nisha is warm and friendly and probably knows what you want more than you do.  In fact, she’s so in demand that she’s the Stylist that Brazilian model and Victoria’s Secret favourite Adriana Lima has on speed dial when an assignment comes up and she needs the best.

Ok, back to the clothes, Love Niche show off schedule, this means that as the collection is shown, clients are able to shop it right off the runway, no waiting six months for the drop to hit the studio, what appears on the runway is current and relevant to the season we’re in.  So, scheduling lesson over, let’s fast forward to The Art of Style, the name of Nisha’s latest runway show at The Biscuit Factory – an art gallery in Newcastle that oozes cool and the perfect place to stage a runway show.  On arrival guests were greeted with a cocktail and a smile, and with a dedicated selfie zone and pop up shop, the stage was set for Love Niche’s most ambitious show to date.  I wore a hacked up ballgown, a Pearl Jam tee and a Kathryn Russell Country Garden crown – perfectly mismatched chic with an Apple Watch which I’m quick discovering goes with nothing but gym attire.

With everything from resort wear suitable for cocktails by the poolside, through to full length gowns fit for the red carpet, and fun, flirty fashion for the younger client, Love Niche put on a showcase lasting a full 60 minutes broken down into themes and styled with accessories from the Love Niche Details range, carefully curated by Nisha herself.

Models walked the snake like runway ensuring that all guests were treated to a 360 degree view of each outfit, up close and personal, exactly as it should be and were able to shop the exact pieces right there from their seat on the Frow.  With bespoke headpieces, flower crowns and section grips provided by the insanely talented Kathryn Russell, the show had a real flavour of Sicilian glamour, a la Dolce and Gabbana.

If you’re already familiar with Love Niche, you’ll know that a Love Niche runway show needs no introduction, a glamorous affair in some of the best North Eastern venues and a sell out every time, but what you might not know is that Nisha and her talented team offer a bespoke made to measure service.  Dotted around the venue were framed sketches of beautiful gowns coupled with swatches of fabric, after the show Nisha tells me that these are all sketches of real dresses which she created for real people.

“Some women come to my Studio looking for one special outfit; some come looking for an entirely new capsule wardrobe complete with accessories – but all women, without exception, come looking to learn a little about themselves. Women know what they want, but don’t always know how to achieve it… they know how they deserve to feel, but don’t always know how to express it. I know.” Nisha

Nisha tells me her bespoke Love Niche clients come back time and time again and I’m not surprised; the Love Niche Studio, tucked away on Clayton Street Newcastle is pure escapism.  Once you climb the staircase and are buzzed in, guests are welcomed with a glass of champagne and you feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.  It’s a calm and welcoming environment and the team are on hand to dispense advice where needed, there’s no push for a sale, it’s a great place to shop and it’s no surprise that Nisha has many a celebrity client given the level of privacy the studio offers.

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If you haven’t yet discovered Love Niche, then make it your next shopping destination, if only for a browse and if you can, get to the next big resportwear show Kool and the Kaftan at Ramside Hall in May 2016, it promises to be another fashion extravaganza and if you have a vacation planned it’s a great way to get the jump on SS16′ s best swim and pool wear offerings.

You can thank me for this tip later!

Pixie x

Categories: The Archives

Sunderland Fashion Weekend

With more regional Fashion events cropping up all over the country, it’s Tyne & Wear’s turn to get in on the action with the launch of Sunderland Fashion Weekend.  From April 21st to 24th, The Bridges Shopping Centre in Sunderland will host the city’s debut Fashion Weekend with four jam-packed days of shows featuring clothes and accessories from the centre’s leading retailers.

 

With a whole host of major players set to showcase their wares, including Debenhams, Miss Selfridge, New Look, TopShop and Primark, Sunderland Fashion Weekend looks set to turn the spotlight to affordable and accessible fashion in Tyne & Wear.

“We have a wide variety of retailers at the Bridges with clothes for both men and women and for all ages, The Fashion Weekend gives us a fantastic opportunity to showcase what we have to offer in what promises to be a number of fun and exciting shows.  We are delighted to see so many of our leading retailers getting behind the event and we look forward to welcoming lots of fashion conscious visitors.” Andy Bradley, Centre Director.

Runway shows will take place throughout the day at various times, ensuring that everyone can get a look at what The bridges, and Sunderland, has to offer the North East fashionistas.

In addition to regular runway shows in the shopping centre, a fashion show will also feature as part of the Retail and Style Awards being held at the Bridges on Saturday April 23, in an evening which includes a black tie dinner and performances by top musical acts Lawson, Izzy Bizu and the Lake Poets.  A VIP runway show will take place on the evening of Thursday April 21st  and Ill be on the FROW (natch) to bring you all the latest from Sunderland Fashion Weekend as it unfolds.

Like the sound of this, then head to The Bridges Shopping Centre in Sunderland city centre April 21st to 24th to grab a piece of the action and if you spot me, don’t be shy, come say “Hi!”

Keep it #FashionVoyeur for more updates on Sunderland Fashion Weekend as I get them…

Pixie x

 

 

Categories: The Archives

Waxology: The Science of Waxing

You know by now Voyeurs that I’m a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to intimate waxing, it’s probably top of my agenda when it comes to waxing treatments and good waxers are hard to come by.

you’ll know from previous posts that I’ve lived between Newcastle and London for a number of years and have found a select few very good, very reliable waxers who specialise in the “Hollywood” – that’s everything off down there for intimate wax virgins – and these expert waxers should be top of your emergency contact list, right above your partner and / or mother.

Waxologist Frances Nixon has practised out of a converted room in her home in County Durham for a few years before deciding that it was time to branch out and bring her services further North, enter Waxology.  Frances has set up shop on Saville Street, Newcastle, The discreet entrance provides the perfect cover for “shy waxers” and the period art deco staircase is a pleasant surprise as you enter the building; the Waxology room is clean and bright and Frances takes all clients through a pre-treatment questionnaire to check for any contra-indications, to say she’s thorough is an understatement.  She talks through the treatment and shows me to a room where Im asked to go through the standard procedure before a Hollywood Wax, yes Voyeurs, this procedure is done panties off and it’s a breeze, way more pleasant than a visit to the Gynaecologist and the room smells amazing so we’re already streets ahead in the points stakes.

Frances chats through what she’s doing as she works, she tells me that she prefers to use Waxperts Hot Wax than the more widely known and used, Lycon Wax.  She tells me she’s involved her regular clients in testing and found that this product is less painful, faster to use and more economical as less is used, making it cheaper for you, the customer.

The premise is simple, skin is prepped with oil and the hot wax only clings to the hair, shrink wrapping around it to remove hair, but not skin.  The wax itself is painless, I’ve been having this treatment now for a million years and I’ve become acclimatised to it, although i’m advised that Wax Virgins could pop two paracetamol 20 minutes beforehand to help dull the pain, I’m super brave and just run with it…..

After 20 minutes I’m done.  Frances is very thorough and gets to the parts that lesser Waxers can’t reach and there isn’t any of the stickiness often associated with intimate waxing afterwards – in a crude little nutshell, your underpants don’t stick to your bits.

I usually leave 6-7 weeks between waxing appointments and true to form this was the case with this wax, however I did notice a slightly more ingrown hairs than usual.  This may be down to the fact that I usually have Lycon treatment and that’s what my body has become accustomed to, I’m not sure.

Frances currently practices out of the Newcastle studio Thursday and Friday and there’s a late night opening on the agenda too in the run up to Summer, for the rest of the week she’s in Spennymoor – literally covering all bases.

So, if you’re a regular waxer and can’t get booked up, have a waxing emergency or fancy trying an intimate wax for the first time, add Waxology to your list of Expert Waxers and check it out…

Pixie x

Waxology Newcastle: 17a Saville Row, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 8JE

Waxology Durham: 20 Abbey Green, Spennymoor, Durham, DL16 6PD

 

 

Categories: The Archives

BCharmd Jewellery Blogger Event

I was recently invited to a Blogger event at BCharmd, a cute little jewellery boutique in Newcastle, I’d heard of the brand, but never actually visited the store so was curious to find out more.

I decked myself out in a Giles Gothic Victoriana blouse, as modelled by Kendall Jenner on the LFW FW15 runway, paired it with a Year One leather skirt and Chanel boots and bag, tucked my hair into my collar and off I fled.

The boutique, situated on Shakespeare Street, just South of our famous Monument, is small and cosy with a light airy feel.  With a feature central island and wall fixtures, it’s easy to navigate and the great thing is, unlike so many other jewellery boutiques, the products are accessible – you can, and are actively encouraged, to pick them up and try them on.

I’m greeted with champagne on arrival and introduced to the boutique owner and Creative Director, Stephanie Milburn who not only designs the jewellery herself, but also makes a lot of it in her secret workshop below the boutique.  She’s actually developed and patented a sliding fastener which can be used to lengthen or shorten a necklace or bracelet to give a completely different look each time you wear it – not just a pretty face this one.

BCharmd actually has a pretty cute back story, let me set the scene:

It was 2009 in the coastal town of Tynemouth….

Back to the boutique itself, the cool white and grey colour scheme lets the jewellery do the talking and boy does it talk, clever lighting highlights and reflects just the right amount of sparkle and glass cabinets and mirrors are polished to perfection to create a beautiful environment in which to showcase the products.  There are some great gift ideas and some great interchangeable pieces which can be mixed an matched.  Shop Girl Lindsey Crawford demonstrates the twist and stack technique like a pro on a range of necklaces which can be worn in several different ways.  Lindsey tells me it’s about maximising use and getting the most out of a piece of jewellery and I certainly get that.

With the boutique right in the centre of town, it’s well hidden enough that you might never have heard of it, but so well placed that you can’t miss it.  So if you like a bit of sparkle and you haven’t yet been then I’d urge you to check it out, the staff are friendly and approachable and the boutique has a warm atmosphere, you’re bound to find something you love in there – I know I did.  Plus, you’ll be supporting local North East business and getting something relatively unique – what’s not to love?

I was gifted some beautiful jewellery by Stephanie and the team at BCharmd to wear to a fashion show and couldn’t believe how many compliments I got in just that one night so huge thanks to BCharmd for surprising me with that, you guys rock!

BCharmd is having a Champagne Christmas Party this weekend and you’re invited!  Its an all day event on Saturday November 21st 10am – 6pm so there’s never been a more perfect time to get in and check out the cutest little jewellery store that’s right under your nose.

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Maybe I’ll see you there this weekend, I have a big Christmas party coming up and I could do with an injection of quirky sparkle….

Pixie x

 

Categories: The Archives

Fenwick Unveils its Food Hall

A huge makeover and multi million pound overhaul of Fenwick Food Hall in Newcastle upon Tyne has finally been unveiled to the public and man, is it good.  I was invited along to the launch night and it didn’t disappoint.

The family run Fenwick department store on Northumberland Street has long been a mecca for shoppers, offering something for everyone and recently expanding into stocking more niche, desirable products such as vintage Chanel handbags and Fifty Pound Gin.

Plans for the new and improved Food hall have been well publicised but with a launch date under wraps, and cleverly cordoned off sections, the revamp was very much a secret operation and one which was overdue.

Award winning interior design consultancy CADA design have overseen the transformation of the Food Hall and created a much lighter, brighter feel.  The world famous design company have previously worked with Harrods, Fortnum & Mason and Charbonnel et Walker to name a few so there’s no doubting that our flagship department store has been in good hands.

With a brand new Wine Room featuring floor to ceiling bespoke shelving with sliding ladders and a chiller where customers can purchase wine by the glass, this new area really is something to behold.  With attentive and knowledgable staff, Fenwick have gone the extra mile to make sure that whatever it is you’re looking for, you’ll absolutely find it here.

There are three new dining areas offering different experiences for guests.  Mediterranean restaurant Fuego serves hand stretched pizza and has a casual bar area for shoppers who just want to rest their feet in luxury surroundings with a glass of something cheeky.  Pan Asian restaurant Ko Sai is billed as a noodle bar but on closer inspection it’s way more than that.  It’s a deceptively spacious dining area with 43 seats for guests hungry for something a little bit different than the city’s usual offerings.  Finally Mason + Rye, a patisserie with a dine in option and a cake display to die for, it’s worth visiting the Food Hall for this alone.

Other new additions to the Food Hall include The Saltwater Fish Company which brings with it an Oyster Happy Hour where fresh oysters are only one pound per shuck.  With more of a focus on local suppliers and locally sourced foods, Fenwick will house produce from North Eastern favourite Doddington Dairy, The Honey Store in Ponteland (to sit alongside the in-house range of honey which Fenwick itself produces in store) and Durham Green Lane who are known locally for their herb preserves and jellies.

The Food Hall itself boasts a fresh new look which brings it right up to date with the larger department stores found in London.  With high ceilings and clever use of light, the Food Hall feels twice the size that it previously was and with intuitive zoning, shoppers are guided fluidly around each area.  There’s a whole area dedicated to artisan chocolate with counters displaying freshly made truffles and pre-packaged chocolates which make for the perfect gift.

Heaton’s famous Naked Deli have set up shop in Fenwicks offering healthy, gluten free lunch options, smoothies and salads and the genius positioning right next to the door means city workers can nip in and out with a healthy lunch option – something that has been thin on the ground in Newcastle, until now.  Directly opposite Naked Deli is Ouseburn Coffee Company, set up like a bar, it’s a great pitstop for shoppers and has a handy seating area where you can ditch the bags and mull over your purchases with local coffee.

By opening itself up to a whole new audience, Fenwick has assured its place at the top of the food chain (pun intended) when it comes to gastronomic warfare.  It would be easy to wax lyrical about the new Fenwick Food Hall, it’s been a long time coming and has been a certain success, but the best way to find out is to go there for yourself and drink it all in.  My parting advice?  Take comfortable shoes, you’ll be in there a while….

Pixie x

Fenwick can be found at 39 Northumberland Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE99 1AR