Professional Jeweller went live today with another installment by Yours Truly

London Jewellery Week

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July 2010 - London Jewellery Week special

www.decilondon.com

Am a little bit football fever obsessed

Just a little

Was at a Mo Ibrahim Foundation garden party

Unreal

Boys from Brazil you can do it!

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World Cup 2010- vuvuzela time

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www.ancac.com

Tell me the last time this happened to you: you pop into a slick boutique in a seriously posh part of town and walk out with the following: an item (or two) that firstly fit you as though it / they were bespoke, and you are safe in the knowledge that no other store this side of the Mediterranean or indeed the Atlantic, stocks said item(s).

My new Anca C dress

This happened to me a couple of days ago. In Chelsea of all places! Strolling down the fabulous Draycott Avenue has, in the past, been a window-shopping experience. No more, no less. Whether an inferiority complex, a phobia with upmarket band pressure or just a few less zeros in the bank in true recessionista style, I rarely make a purchase in SW3.

You have to trust me on this. Make a special trip to Anca C. The owner, Anca, knows what women want and she makes no bones in telling you what works, and what doesn’t. She has a magical in-built formula that manages to recognise what works for a client. Her aim? Bringing out both her client’s feminine side and personality. It really is a frock shop – frocks fill the rails. Let her choose you a couple of pieces to start with and play, enjoy, strut your stuff in her boutique and more importantly, trust her (and her team). Anca does all the buying herself, often discovering American labels that are almost unknown here with a realistic range of sizes, up to 16 (rare in Chelsea!). She has developed and produced her own label collections, clients adore her structured dresses, maxi dresses and vibrant kaftan-esque numbers. Anca has her own cashmere collection, hand-made in Kathmandu.

The boutique will open late for her regulars who know they won’t make it out of the office in time, and if a visitor to London needs a fabulous dress at the last minute for a dinner, an appointment can be arranged at the hotel where they are staying.

An Anca C customer? Well-travelled, independent, sassy, aware of their femininity and doesn’t follow the pack who buy labels for labels’ sake.

Style Bible has featured another piece, this time on Swarovski, for London Jewellery Week

http://bit.ly/swarstylebible

Swarovski Gems 2011 launches this week across the globe.. Approaching the HQ, I feel like I should be wearing an entirely new wardrobe. As in, in a perfect world, I would have bought the whole outfit yesterday. You know one of those truly urban moments, when you feel just a little bit six seasons ago? The handbag - which has gone down a treat at every event over the past three years - feels, well, a full three years old and shabby chic it ain’t.

It is day 2 of London Jewellery Week 2010. The sun is out - between downpours - and I have just arrived at the Swarovski Headquarters in Piccadilly. The white, ultra clinical yet elegant interior is sparkling. A waiter serves the prerequisite soft drink du jour, elderflower cordial, as I am led into a slick, stark boardroom that would fit perfectly in a scene in Ugly Betty.

Dr Birgit Rieder is Head of Gem Creative in Wattens, Austria, where Daniel Swarovski created his empire in 1895.

Dr Rieder’s presentation is, excuse the pun, absolutely flawless. She truly inspired me with her understanding of the power of these man-made zirconia gemstones, from (I think) one of the most powerful brands in the world today.

What fascinates me the most, is the importance the team gives to trend agencies and the evolution of trends. For Swarovski, it is not what’s ‘in right now’ that is important, but what the consumer genuinely wants, in all of her mood swings. As Rieder so rightly declared, ‘I wore a big cocktail ring yesterday and today, I’m wearing a more refined piece of jewellery’. Different days, different persona. She’s right, what we wear reflects our mood, as well as the zeitgeist. It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her tune, some every three minutes, but that’s for another feature…

Swarovski Gems 2011 launches this week across the globe. The designers of the collection want the pieces to reflect the personality of the wearer. With the consumers of the world so varied, in a world that is so vast, women in various markets want a host of different accessories. Big players in the jewellery and design worlds have been invited to take the Swarovski gems and incorporate them into fascinating pieces, playing with the offering of delicious colours and colossal strength (almost as strong as diamonds) of each zirconia stone. The fact that they are not precious, is even more ingenious. Jewellers from some of the biggest fine jewellery brands in the world, have actually given their respect - and names - to the brand.

Swarovski’s vision is to unite the world and work together, rather than fighting each other, very 2011. The brand speaks to all nations, empathising with the rainbow of customs, cultures and tastes. Rieder goes on to say that with the power of the web, our sense of wonder has dissolved somewhat. However, the sense of amazement we each get from nature is still just as fresh. We are actually appreciating natural beauty so much more in fact. Many of the collections feature shapes from the natural world; flowers and insects are plentiful.

Swarovski Gems is the ‘product brand for Swarovski’s genuine gemstones & created stones’. These Gems inspire some of the most talented minds in the fine jewellery industry to create pieces from their wildest dreams.

My by-line is up and hopefully this will last longer than the requisite 15 minutes.

http://bit.ly/skooloflife

Am published, am loving it, and am on a roll.  Style Bible posted my piece on the School of Life and I love the fact that a dinner I attended, after having read about it in the press (Telegraph Magazine) lead to a feature.

I am covering London Jewellery Week for Style Bible this week - so get the bubbly and gems merging into a lucid couple of words please.

‘What is your most surprising fear, and where does it come from?’ was up for discussion during the first course.

A welcome cocktail had been thrust my way just moments ago, as I apprehensively joined a table of strangers who were sharing their views on the various aphorisms, or amuse-bouches, which were printed on laminated cards. Guests were under strict rules to focus on what was written on the cards, rather than veer towards predictable topics, such as the nightmare tube journey to the restaurant or the weather!

To admit that I am a sucker for novelties in the world of networking, would be an understatement, however this dinner retained my attention - and that of my fellow guests - until long after the coffees had been served. Chair-swapping between each course was encouraged, so as to mingle with as many people in the room. The delicious dessert course culminated in the newly formed group pontificating on, ‘how will our culture change in the next 100 years?’

I was at a Conversation Dinner, a regular on the curriculum at The School of Life. Established in 2008, The School was founded by Alain de Botton and Sophie Howarth (former curator of the Tate Modern), offering programmes for grown-ups who are instinctively curious, enjoy the process of thought and relish stimulating conversation. The founders’ intention was to create a modern-day apothecary for ‘pupils’ to come to be treated for common ailments of our zeitgeist, ie. jobs, relationships, personal philosophical dilemmas and so on. The School is based in Bloomsbury, with a retail space bursting with an inspirational offering of literature and prose.

De Botton and Howarth are no strangers to the power of words, concluding that in adulthood, our thirst for learning must be regularly quenched. Random yet like-minded strangers are offered a programme of Conversation Dinners, secular ‘Sunday Sermons’, Evening Classes, the Breakfast Club (sessions run weekdays for an hour, 7:30am) and Weekends (in London and outside). The Sunday Sermons were launched with the following in mind, ‘in the old days most of us looked to religion for direction on how to live. Now we flick through the Sunday papers or surf the net, finding little by way of good counsel’. Workshops include, ‘How To Be A Good Friend’, ‘How To Be Cool’, ‘How Necessary is a Relationship?’, ‘How To Have Better Conversations’, ‘How To Be Alone’, ‘How To Make a Difference’. The evening classes are led by VIP guest speakers, with a maximum of 30 per class, for people with busy lifestyles to meet new people, enjoy, relax and unwind, with wine and a bite.

Current Director Morgwn Rimel, (during Howarth’s maternity leave), says, ‘we forget to feed our soul at the weekend, turn your off-time into on-time…we have forgotten how to be free….we need to embrace our creativity in spite of how accomplished we are’. She is currently organising summer ‘play weekends’ where students are invited ‘to be more judgemental with yourselves, open up a little more’. One idea is a full day of urban gardening, a ‘taste voyage of epicuriosity’ headed by Tom Hodgkinson, of ‘The Idler’.

The ratio of women to men is usually 70:30 for the evening classes, while the monthly sermons are 50:50, with 400-500 people attending.

The School of Life is a nutritious chicken soup for the soul of the Noughties. In a refreshing take on the world which in no way preaches, the School advises us to grab a brief moment out of our daily schedule and re-awaken our dormant minds. In these times of increasing uncertainty, punters are offered a menu of programmes that curate ideas and process them, in a manner which is intelligent, thought–provoking and far from laden with psycho-babble. And Stylebible can whole heartedly reccomend that you give this new found way of thinking a go - who knows what you might come away with?

My name is in print, I have a by-line, a great start to the summer.

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Professional Jeweller magazine has been so kind as to publish an article of mine on the ‘new rules luxury’ in the fine jewellery sector.

Professional Jeweller, May 2010

Jx

Observation: Humans and their foibles

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Sports Injury AKA Is This My Body Saying, “Juju, Maybe This Recent Fad of Regular Training Isn’t Really You?”

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4cm wide internal bruise on right calf and the blogger hobbles.

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Going for a late evening mini jog last week caused a sports injury to yours truly. Nothing severe mind you. A sensation of sudden ‘pinging’ inside the leg, akin to something being brushed harshly on outside of right calf.

Diagnosis: Right calf injury, 4cm internal bruise, aka rupture of the gastrocnemius or soleus muscle (without Google I wouldn’t be quoting these words in this manner, guilty and fine about it).

What am I to do without regular twice-sometimes-thrice-weekly sessions alongside sweaty alpha males Please see earlier blog on boxing if you have no idea what I am harking on about, for fear this may sound a little bit like I am regularly partaking in nawty nocturnals to cope in recession - a thought that is starting to be taken more seriously (internally). No big deal, right?

While they’re not getting laid, aren’t footballers laid up for weeks with serious injuries? Difference is, they have servants serving / kneeding / pampering.

So OK, we had been suffering for some days, but really not taking it seriously. Just under a week later, I take myself to All Stars for my fix, do the warm up, do the pad work and then it’s skip skipping time…not an intelligent move. That ‘pang’ feeling happened again, rather akin to the sound of a spring popping in a mattress…Properly hurt, found some ice, tried to stand on it, not happening.  Apparently my face was ‘pale grey’ and I looked like I was about to pass out - hobbled home, having decided not to take the car to class that evening. An ironic rarity.

Frozen peas, elevated leg and spasming through body. Had been advised to do the peas, elevation thing three days earlier and had ignored.

Lovely new friend Aimee di Marco is a doctor at St Mary’s - we met through boxing and she witnessed my faint visage…said she would organise an ultrasound scan. Love useful friends - a bonus.

The next day was ruled out for a visit to A&E due to a ‘filming’ day with a friend who is trying to get a documentary idea commissioned by heads of TV on a miracle worker.  Said miracle worker with angel wings is Gali, who makes wigs and sadly I have met her after my mother recently underwent chemotherapy..., no way I was going to cancel the day, filming my mother for her story, a lady with alopecia since the age of 12 for hers, and the angel herself…So I was a wobbly and moaning assistant for the day, with spasming through my body head-to-toe, simultaneously experiencing out-of-body occurrences, with no drug assistance.

The following morning, fabulous Nikki (aka Nikki Busmate) collected and transported to St Mary’s. Great service with a smile on the NHS and I was discharged, being told to rest up and carry on popping ibuprofen and no sport for at least two weeks. Doctor buddy Aimee said not to leave the premises. SHO Damian (Senior House Officer - a newly learned abbreviation) kept running to the waiting room in his busy day, updating me on availability of scanner and I was treated impeccably - Bupa-style-service-on-the-NHS - thoroughly recommendable.

By 1pm I was limping up to 3rd floor with Damian leading the way (trained perfectly by Aimee) to Dr Dick - and kneeled elegantly on all fours with gel being smoothed over achilles and calf. It was then that we were informed of internal bloody huge bloody bruise. Fortunately no tear, no crutches and big special needs black boot with velcro required.

Still spasming, still house-bound, but we are taking slow steps to recovery. Friends are delivering groceries. Am slowly observing an out-of-body realization; not sure training is what body is aching for. How about I start working out in the same way as I drive, visualising toned bod as I visualise parking spaces.

(Boxing boys I’ll be back soon).

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Why do the Italians always get it right?

Something in their DNA just exudes vibrancy, passion and of course, style.

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Only the Italians can get away with launching a jewellery collection for teens, maintaining a cuteness, without trying too hard to be too grown-up, or a carbon copy of middle-aged women, just smaller in size..Check out the new line from Amore & Baci, gorgeous, colourful, wearable 20%-30% smaller dimensions than the grown-up range and 20%-30% less pricey. Perfect too for those femmes with teeny wrists.

What an innovative idea for the brand who sells their composable bracelets all over the UK & Ireland. 100’s of colourful charms to choose from.

Perfect for winning over teen stallions summer 010 - just you wait!

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Observation: humans and their foibles

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Is Recession Chic Making Us Nicer?

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If London PR girls are joining forces, this has to mean something good is happening, right?

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Since Tuesday at 6pm, my mind has been newly blessed with a medley of post-event positive thoughts and musings about the current state of world affairs. Having been part of the ‘Fashion PR World’ and its shenanigans for a decade, cynicism has often been a tad high on the list when pondering the PR industry. It appears that what with the current goings-on in the economy and the financial downturn on all things pricey and frivolous, the ego seems to have been miraculously left to the side. The overall atmosphere amongst those in similar trades has been enhanced and teamwork, partnerships and co-operatives seem to be on the rise. A true sign of the times.

On Tuesday, I joined forces with two PR agencies MLPR and Iroquois PR, for a seasonal press day. Both Marie Louise and Catherine Morris head up successful agencies specialising in fashion and accessories both on a luxury and high street level.

So MLPR, JRPR and Iroquois all joined together and displayed their clients’ wares, from 9am until 6pm at Jalouse, on Hanover Square (yours truly came in last and really has to thank the others for sourcing such a fab venue) in London’s W1 and the turn-out was all a highly strung freelance PR chick could have wished for. Editorial teams from the majority of the UK top glossies turned up, including Elle, Glamour, Vogue, Grazia, Harper’s Bazaar and Brides poured through the doors. Clients included Amore & Baci jewellery who launched the Teen Collection to the world, well after the BaselWorld presentation last month, Orit Jewellery, Apartment C , Beyond Skin, Christopher Raeburn, Wilbur & Gussie, Lucas Jack, Brazelle and many more.

The press arrived and didn’t seem to want to leave; such a great sign as there were a lot of press days happening all over the city the same day. Champagne could have been a factor…another great sign too, no advertisers were there, yet still the press came to see what we had to offer. Clients seemed delighted and it is just so refreshing to have one’s faith restored in an industry that is often so tainted with negative energy from the outside and within, on a purely superficial level of course.

Girls in business should stick together more often.

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Boutique Travel Consultancy

The Girls To Know For Bespoke Travel Concierge Service To Southern African & The Indian Ocean Islands

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Are you dreaming of an African summer? Have you booked your main holiday? You have to check out Here’s My Card. Bespoke travelling has just stepped up a notch.

Two sisters, brought up in South Africa, of British heritage, are running an incredibly successful boutique travel consultancy; Here’s My Card. Kerry and Clare Collins have a slick, select and tantalising set-up, specialising in a concierge approach to travel within Southern Africa & The Indian Ocean Islands.

Here’s My Card specialises in tailor-made itineraries to suit exact client specifications & requirements.  With utter precision and care, clients at Here’s My Card are taken care of from right from the start through to the end. After all, for old-school ‘bespoke’ to truly work, it is all in the detail.

Kerry and Clare’s hands-on approach means that all organisation and bookings are undertaken, from boutique hotels to barefoot luxury retreats, from sumptuous villas to private lodges – as well as chefs, chauffeurs, helicopters, private hikes, car hire, restaurants etc….the list is endless.

The Collins sisters have ‘tried & tested’ most of the properties themselves, meaning that all properties come with their personal seal of approval and they both have personal relationships with the owners & management teams, in order to ensure that Here’s My Card clients have the best experience & service.

How incredibly tempting is the chance to relish the land of intense sights, sounds and unrivaled natural beauty and have a holiday created just for you and your loved ones?