Wolf & Badger

On Wednesday night Anna and I headed over to a fancy dress party at a relatively new store just off Westbourne Grove, Wolf & Badger.  The theme was obviously Halloween-related, but the party really served to launch their next season of up-and-coming designers, who can change up to every three months in the store.  Some of the costumes were quite incredible, especially milliner Louis Mariette's entourage, whose extravagant headpieces were matched with expert make-up and even a full-on wedding dress.  There was also a female Uncle Karl and a piece of walking, talking roadkill.  Naturally, the store owners themselves came dressed as a wolf and a badger (who was particularly cute).  Both Anna and I wore Castelbajac; me, a duck (well, of course!) and she, a kooky clown.  We also bumped into a tipsy Amy Jackson (of Big Brother fame), an artist we studied with at Oxford and who has modelled for Anna's jewellery company.  I had never been over to the store before, which opened in February this year, but I will certainly be going back considering the wonderful mish-mash of designers, and some truly fabulous accessories including those solid metal skulls...

Many thanks for inviting us to the party!
xx
Duck

Swarovski Elements turns towards the East

After the Henry Holland launch on Tuesday night, Anna and I headed a few blocks further North to the Swarovski store opposite Liberty, where a queue of fabulously over-the-top Middle Eastern women seemed to be forming.  We believed we were heading for a private view of the recent designer collaborations making use of Swarovski Elements (we went to a similar event last year), but it turned out this was actually a celebration of the brand's use in the production of more Arabic-friendly garments, including headscarves and limb-covering all-in-ones.  The store was decorated like a glitzy harem, bedecked with shimmering white veils and photographs of über rich Middle Eastern ladies posing in their designer scarves and sunglasses.  It looked like we had stepped onto the set of Sex And The City 2.  I must say, the catering for this party was absolutely wonderful, especially since we had been so let down by the lack of fondue at Beyond The Valley.  Waiters brought us spoonfuls of spiced lamb, prawn samosas and grilled fish enjoyed by Anna, while for my tastes they offered citrus haloumi, falafel and delicious aubergine bites.  Endless quantities of champagne and alcohol-free lychee cocktails were served in silver champagne flutes.  It certainly was fun to experience the glamour of somewhere like Dubai without the need for the long-haul flight.  Other guests included Elizabeth Emanuel (designer of Princess Di's wedding frock) and the socialite illustrator, Daisy de Villeneuve.  The fashion was not quite what we had had in mind, but it was still a great night out...

xx
Duck

House of Holland/Roxy Heart launch at Beyond The Valley

Last night I made the trek into town after work for two parties, the first of which was to celebrate the launch of Roxy Heart's (aka Quiksilver) latest collaboration with the Henry's House of Holland (they have also worked with other designers like Cynthia Rowley) at Beyond The Valley, just off Carnaby Street.  The HOH collection supposedly focused on skiwear, although what I saw mainly consisted of cardis, dresses, tops, and a puffy jacket that doesn't look like it would be suitable for sub-zero temperatures.  There was also a pretty hideous logo dress (I saved the photo for the end of this post...), although Henry's pop-art heart designs did work on some pieces.  You can probably guess from my tone that I wasn't particularly bowled over by what I saw. 

The party was fun though, involving mulled wine (there were rumours there was going to be fondue, although none was spotted) and DJing from the ever-fabulous Jodie Harsh.  The contrast between the bitter cold outside - it's officially winter, folks! - and the searing heat inside led to some pretty sweaty fashionista faces.  Good thing Alex from Alex Loves shielded hers from my photographic lens with a large black hat!  Anna and I decided to leave early to move on to a classier affair where the heating wasn't turned up quite so high.

Oh, and as far as I could see, Henry was a no-show.

xx
Duck