Presenting in London for the first time, immaculately-dressed sisters Phoebe and Annette Stephens were on hand to introduce the brand and reveal their design influences.

Born and raised in Mexico City, Phoebe and Annette were immersed in the art world at an early age, absorbing the creativity of their highly artistic family.  Father Luis Stephens is a painter and their grandfather Conlon Nancarrow was a progressive composer.

But was their grandmother – sculptor, painter and jewellery designer Annette Nancarrow – that particularly inspired their work.  Annette Nancarrow’s jewellery was collected and worn by creative luminaries including Frida Kahlo, Peggy Guggenheim, Elizabeth Arden and Anaïs Nin.

New York-based Phoebe and Annette founded Anndra Neen in 2009, bringing together their sisterly vision and instinctual style.

Hand-crafted in Mexico, the mixed metal pieces are bold, architectural and beautifully-made.  They draw on a range of historical and cultural references, including Mexican art, antique European jewellery, Egyptian and Bedouin motifs, Japanese design elements and French Medieval armour.

The pieces are powerful, feminine and warrior-like, with fluid lines and curves.  They look to artefacts of the past while maintaining a contemporary aesthetic.

The Alpaca silver woven cage clutch and the smaller cocoon-shaped clutch reminded me of the futuristic metal cage designs used by Yves Saint Laurent and Paco Rabanne.  Other favourite piece include the bold embellished and hammered metal cuffs and the rounded stud effect large bib necklace.

Delighted to win the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize, Phoebe and Annette Stephens said: “The prestige of the prize has helped project our work globally and take our brand to the next level”.

Anndra Neen will present their Autumn/Winter 2012 collection at Hôtel Plaza Athénée during Paris Fashion Week in March 2012.  Following their win, Anndra Neen will be designing a range of exclusive accessories for Dorchester Collection.

Anndra Neen is currently stocked at Browns, Avenue 32 and CoutureLab.

For Spring/Summer 2012, Mulberry took a trip to Brighton Beach and brought Mulberry girls Lindsay Wixson and Frida Gustavsson along for some ice cream, sticks of Brighton rock and fresh seaside air.

Cue plenty of preening on the pier, catching some sun reclined on oversized ice cream cones and getting sticky among melting ice lollies.

The English seaside concept was inspired by creative director Emma Hill’s own fond memories of childhood trips to the beach and it perfectly reflects Mulberry’s eccentric British heritage and quirky sense of humour.

Behind the stunning pictures are the Mulberry Dream Team – photographer Tim Walker (shooting his third season with Mulberry) and stylist Edward Enninful, with hair and make-up by Malcolm Edwards and Val Garland.

The nostalgic, coquettish campaign is so very Mulberry and is a fitting story for the Spring Summer 2012 trend of pastel sportswear and layered nude.

I wonder if Mulberry treated Frida, Lindsay and the crew to a fish ‘n’ chips supper and a few goes on the amusement rides…

To see the Mulberry Spring Summer 2012 collection, visit: www.mulberry.com

The spectacular tree is made up of intricate red and white Cambodian silk lotus blossoms and acts as a luminous talking point in the middle of the Colonial lobby.

A Buddhist religious offering, the lotus represents spiritual bloom and the Christmas tree reflects the cycle of the lotus, from bud to blossom and finally withering.

Known for his exquisite silk work and textiles, Siem Reap-based Raisana worked as a trainee at Yves Saint Laurent and counted the late Lou Lou de la Falaise as a fan.  He is an influential leader in Cambodian fashion and has an atelier in Siem Reap, which Raffles guests can visit by appointment.

What’s your verdict on Eric Raisina’s flamboyant Christmas tree?

For more info, visit: www.raffles.com/siem-reap

Created by ex-owner of Boxfresh, Roger Wade, Boxpark is made entirely out of shipping containers, making it a low-cost, environmentally efficient retail concept. It also fits in with the regeneration of Shoreditch, filling that ‘no man’s land’ space between Shoreditch High Street overground station and the main road.

Boxpark is even more slick than expected and has a cool urban streetwear feel that is well-suited to east London.  Brands include Lacoste Live, Dockers, DC Shoes, New Era, Farah Vintage, Original Penguin, Irregular Choice, Marimekko and Phaidon.

The stores are small enough to be showcases for each brand’s best pieces and the staff are good ambassadors, looking typically cool and stylish.

One of my favourite finds was Playful Promises, a vintage-style boudoir filled with gorgeous lingerie, nightwear, jewellery and burlesque accessories.

One of the more unusual stores is Onepiece, an American Apparel-style shop selling only a selection of cuddly preppy or alpine onesies!

The sales assistant rocked a navy alpine patterned jumpsuit with panache, but I can’t help thinking that anywhere other than the east end or up the mountains, they’d be a hard look to pull off!

The top tier of Boxpark is filled with restaurants and cafes including Bukowski, Foxcroft & Ginger, Mexway, Hôp Namô, Pie Minister, chop’d, and Frae.

Mexican food is always my first choice, so we went to Mexway for a burrito (£5.95).  The Yucatan pork was slow-cooked for four hours and came with rice, black beans, lettuce, fresh tomatoes, sour cream, cheese and medium-hot salsa.

The burrito was huge, tightly packed and full of juicy sauce – one of the best I’ve tried in London.  Most of the restaurants and cafes have indoor seating, but at Mexway, you have to rely on the heat from the fiery salsa and brave it on the benches outside (well worth the chill).

To warm up for the bus ride back home, we got a take-out chai latte and hot chocolate from Foxcroft & Ginger.  Like their original cafe in Soho, hot drinks are served in china tea cups and there is a delectable selection of home-baked cakes, gourmet sandwiches and cooked brunch.

Boxpark is a great addition to Shoreditch and looks set to become part of the Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane shopping circuit.  I’m looking forward to going back with a shopping list of Phaidon books and trying a Bukowski burger!

For more info and opening times, visit: www.boxpark.co.

All photos by Chérie City

Long-time Claridges guest Alber Elbaz created a tableau of marionettes having a typically decadent Christmas, with the hotel’s Lanvin-clad maid and doorman on hand.

The tree decorations were created specially by the Lanvin Atelier in Paris and the lovable Alber Elbaz even appears as the angel, holding court at the top of the tree.

Alber Elbaz said: “We wanted to make all our Christmas dreams come true; an infusion of tradition and modernity together.  That is Lanvin.  I hope the tree brings a big heart of joy to all who work and stay at Claridge’s hotel: It’s my way to say a very Merry Christmas.”

Claridges is without a doubt fashion’s spiritual home in London, with suites designed by Diane Von Furstenberg, illustrator David Downton as ‘fashion artist in residence’ and playing host to the Mulberry catwalk show for London Fashion Week each season.

Lanvin always knows how to have the most fun at Christmas.  See the glam Christmas party in the windows of Lanvin on the rue Saint-Honoré in Paris last year…

The Lanvin Christmas tree with be in the lobby of Claridges until 2 January.

]]> http://cheriecity.co.uk/2011/11/26/a-lanvin-christmas-at-claridges/feed/ 2 http://cheriecity.co.uk/2011/11/22/repettos-ballet-themed-christmas-tree-at-grand-hotel-de-bordeaux-spa/ http://cheriecity.co.uk/2011/11/22/repettos-ballet-themed-christmas-tree-at-grand-hotel-de-bordeaux-spa/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:15:50 +0000 cheriecity http://cheriecity.co.uk/?p=11912 Continue reading →]]> For the festive season, fashionista ballerinas can pirouette around the magical Christmas Tree at The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa, designed by Repetto, the makers of France’s original ballet shoe.

The elegant Christmas tree will be the centrepiece of the hotel lobby and will be adorned with Repetto delights including pink and black satin ballet shoes, gold medals and Repetto-wrapped presents.

Designed by Victor Louis, the 18th century luxury palace hotel is located in a prestigious spot at La Place de la Comédie, overlooking le Grand Théâtre. Repetto’s Bordeaux boutique is just a stone’s throw away on the Cours de l’Intendance, making the Christmas tree a very neighbourly collaboration.

Here’s a preview sketch of the Repetto christmas tree before the grand unveiling in the lobby of The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa…

Founded by Madame Rose Repetto from a tiny Paris studio near the National Opera of Paris in 1947, Repetto ballet shoes have graced the nimble feet of dancing greats from Kirov to Cendrillon.

Since then, they have become synonymous with understated French style and have been a wardrobe staple of Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve and Kate Moss.

Chérie City has long been a fan of Repetto’s exquisite ballet slippers, but on a recent trip to the Selfridges Shoe Galleries, I recently discovered Repetto’s heavenly ballet-inspired handbags.

A Repetto Besace ‘Adage’ bag under the Repetto tree at The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa would be the ultimate Christmas dream!

For more info, visit: www.ghbordeaux.com and www.repetto.com

However, the Holly Fulton girl has blown all her cash on living the high life and while dressed for Las Vegas, her staycation will be on a beach closer to home – Margate!

Holly Fulton is a very clever designer – she develops her unique art deco print each season and brings back certain motifs from past seasons (coral is a continual favourite), so that her brand identity is etched onto your brain.

The 90s are a strong focus for the new collection with checkerboard tote bags, zebra-print bomber jackets, studded mini-skirts, high-cut swimwear, boxy tailoring, big earrings and acid orange clutches.

But wasn’t all 90s rave-wear for ‘the kids’, as there were some stunning, breezy strapless cocktail dresses in soft yellow and pastel blue with reflective mosaic patterns and elegant feather trims worn with statement necklaces.

Sleek palazzo pants are a big part of the collection and each pair features a print with a variation of Holly’s seaside themes – coral, checker flags, shells, jellyfish, seahorses.

The palazzo pants were shown with loose silk t-shirts, sheer blouses, slinky bandeau tops and cropped embellished silk vests.

One of the most interesting new looks was a silk shift dress featuring a Pucci-esque illustrated underwater scene with psychedelic jellyfish and other whimsical marine life.

The Pucci reference continued with patterned silk scarf bandanas to compliment the affluent poolside look.

It seems to me that Holly Fulton’s strength is Spring/Summer, as she can be more daring with the silhouettes and her signature colour palette of canary yellow and swimming pool blue lend well to a lighter season wardrobe.

My only criticism would be that the bikini tops aren’t particularly well-cut, as they don’t appear to contour the body, resulting in either bagginess or under-spillage on the models (god help the civilians)!

Overall, it was another glamorous, covetable and exciting Spring/Summer collection from Holly Fulton.  Now with her own dedicated spot on the LFW schedule (previously partnering with David Koma), Holly Fulton can develop further and lead the way for young London designers.

For more info, visit: www.hollyfulton.com

A long way from the crushed velvet and jewel colours of Autumn/Winter 11-12, the new collection is a breezy mix of sheer silk-chiffon and heavier tweed and shimmering brocade in a fresh palette of azure, coral, turquoise, magenta, lavender, navy and lashings of white.

A key influence for Van der Ham was the photographer Joseph Szabo, not in relation to the style or fabric, but the kind of girl he was designing for.  A teacher, photographer and author, Szabo is known for capturing the beauty and emerging sexuality of teenage girls (back in the 70s, of course).

Michael Van der Ham’s signature patchwork and collaging of vintage and luxurious fabrics with varying weights and textures is developed further.  Many of the dresses feature layering and draping of contrasting fabric, like a sash, and silk skirts have the home-made look of a long silk scarf wrapped around the body and sewn up as a dress (a nod to grunge and Szabos young girls).

The A-line shift dresses and body-skimming draped skirts will be a godsend for Michael Van der Ham devotees who found Autumn/Winter’s crushed velvet pieces unforgiving.

The focus on separates continues with vibrant printed silk shirts in slim-cut trousers in cotton sateen and tailored tweed jackets.  It’s a pristine, intelligent look with clean lines – feminine yet with a boyish cut.

The new prints including abstract brush strokes, confetti and feather prints are used lightly and seem to snake around the body in a very subtle way.  The sheer t-shirts worn over long printed dresses

The dresses usually steal the show, but the shoes and accessories are so insanely gorgeous, they deserve a mention.  I adored the two-tone felt and glittery tweed bags with a Chanel-esque woven fabric and metal chain strap.

I immediately zoomed in on the exquisite printed fabric t-bar heels and with good reason too – they were the work of Christian Louboutin!  The shoes come in six variations of Michael’s collage prints and are sure to be major sellers.

Matthew Stone created a very cool 90s-inspired show soundtrack and Luke Hersheson gave the models girly grunge-luxe hair that was lightly tousled and centre-parted.  The sparkling blue and lavender eye make-up and creamy, lucid skin by M.A.C gave the models a youthful radiance that was central to the look.

Michael Van der Ham’s SS12 collection could be his most commercially successful yet, as the collection is so diverse and democratic.  Whether it’s fine tailoring, a multi-fabricated statement dress or a daytime print dress, Michael Van der Ham is the one to invest in for the next season.

For more info, visit: www.michaelvanderham.com

This season, Mulberry took us on a mini trip to the seaside and like any good day out, there was pink lemonade and Mulberry ripple ice-cream, served from a Mulberry ice-cream van by a troupe of dashing ice-cream men (Mulberry refreshments always seem to be served by handsome men).

The red carpet was flanked by over-sized ice cream cones and inside Claridges Ballroom was a menagerie of Mulberry-branded animal balloons that guests could take away at the end of the show.

While many designers at London Fashion Week take reference for Spring/Summer 2012 from exotic climes such as Marrakesh or the poolside parties in Miami, Mykonos and Ibiza, Mulberry’s new collection is inspired by the English seaside – even on the soggiest of days.

Creative director Emma Hill looked back to her memories of trips to the seaside and her reference points were walking along Brighton and Blackpool pier, sticks of rock, donkey rides, ‘kiss me quick’, amusement arcades, carousel animals, candyfloss and ice cream vans.

The first section of the collection was all about sports-luxe with slouchy drawstring dresses, 70s style baseball tops, loose leather shorts, casual raincoats and the most adorable trapeze-line kagool – all in a colour palette of Lemon Sherbet, Wheat Field, Plaster Pink and Nettle Green.

Sam McKnight gave the models’ hair a seductive, volumised, ‘un done’ look (very 60s mod) and the flashes of pastel pink and sea green through the ends suggest a run-in with some candy floss.  Make-up by Mathias Van Hooff was fresh and girly and referencing the outdoor weather with rosy cheeks.

The sporty theme continues with pieces in pea or mint green with highlights of powder pink.  The cotton drill material gave the clothes a kind of granny-chic look, but the ribbed leggings, cute animal tees and vertiginous doll heels added a more quirky edge.

A key look was the lollipop dress worn over a baseball shirt that reminded me of a retro ice lolly.

One of my favourite looks was the plastic animals print dress with stunning lace overlay.  The lace theme continues on a skirt suit and a full-length dress with cropped sleeves (definitely one for Florence Welch) and the animal print is also featured on a blouse.

Unsurprisingly, white and pastels were all over the runway for SS12, but fear not, Mulberry have pulled through with some darkness.  The hooded trench coat in Nightshade Blue (worn with a tulle maxi skirt) is a perfect trans-seasonal piece and there is even a dog coat to match.

Another favourite from the Nightshade Blue collection was a slouchy long-sleeved jersey dress with dark blue star sequins.

There was also some seriously covetable evening-wear pieces with all over gems, for the Mulberry girl that’s going to a posh party after her day out on the pier.

Edward Enninful’s undone-luxury styling is an excellent match for Mulberry’s English Eccentric heritage.  Mulberry girls are never perfect and polished, they might have a scraped knee or candyfloss in their hair, but that’s part of the charm.

I noticed more subtle metal hardware on the clothes this season.  Perhaps this marks a new simplicity, as last season the embellishments were a strong feature of the garments.  An antidote to Autumn/Winter 11′s flats and practical shoe boots, the new shoes are stacked and sky-high, to be worn with short socks.

Classic Mulberry bags get an update with cookie-edge detailing on the Bayswater and Lily and adorable teddy rivets on the Alexa and Lily.  Also new is the Travel Collection featuring a travel day bag and a travel camera bag in leather, lizard or mixed materials.

The front row at Mulberry was stellar as ever with those in attendance including Kate Moss, Kristen Stewart, Olivia Palermo, Mary Charteris and the incredibly stunning Irina Lazareanu.  But the real stars of the show were the ever-increasing number of little Mulberry-clad dogs.  Mulberry Crufts next year, anyone?

For more info, visit: www.mulberry.com

He began the show with a sense of subtle, dark seduction that would continue through the whole collection.  A slim-fitting black midi-length dress with cropped sleeves featured vertical mesh panels that revealed the contours of the body – an intelligent baring of the flesh.

Mesh and tulle full skirts, slim pencil skirts and black or cream palazzo pants were worn with sheer high-collared chiffon blouses with delicate ruffles.

A black satin dress that was reminiscent of those worn at a conservative communion was styled with a simple black veil and diamond crucifix – a striking, slightly eerie image.

The style of this simple dress with a light veil was continued but with an eye-catching dove print on the skirt – another religious symbol.

I couldn’t help noticing that the statuesque, mesmerising black models were sent down the runway in succession wearing garments from the same series.

A minor detail if we were talking about any other designer, but given the influence of Jacob Kimmie’s formative years spent in apartheid South Africa and the political context of his work, it’s possible that this was a conscious statement tied in closely with the concept of the collection.

Long sheer chiffon dresses, mere whispers of fabric, had a ghost-like movement and featured stunning digital prints in shades of black and grey, with one in a palette of soft reds – reminiscent of Ungaro at its best.

Jacob Kimmie’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection is a much more wearable than his earlier intricate, demi-couture laser-cut pieces and the silhouettes are more feminine than his avant-garde Autumn/Winter 2011 collection.

Perhaps this move towards a slightly more commercial, yet still edgy look could make Jacob Kimmie’s collections accessible to a wider audience and gain him the recognition that he truly deserves as one of London’s most talented, technically brilliant designers.

For more info and to see previous collections, visit: www.jacobkimmie.com

All photos by Chérie City.