Style of the Week: Rachel Bilson

I haven’t featured a “Style of the Week” post in a while so what better way to kick it off with the gorgeous Rachel Bilson in Chanel!

Chanel Valentine’s Day Collection

I think I’ve fallen in love. Chanel honours the most romantic day of the calendar, Valentine’s Day, with the softest, most feminine of colours: powdery, blush pink. With bags, pearls, iPod cases and much more for you to feast your eyes on, I know it may be an overly commercial day, but there’s no denying that there is no harm spreading a little love. And what better way, than a little Chanel.

Candice Swanepoel for Harper’s Bazaar Turkey

The January edition of Harper’s Bazaar Turkey features a stunning Candice Swanepoel wearing an ensemble of Victoria’s Secret and Chanel. Styled by Juan Cebrian and photographed by Koray Birand, this is one seriously glamourous look!

Vogue Paris’ Festive Gift Guide

This may just be the ULTIMATE gift guide this Christmas. Vogue Paris has enlisted models Bianca Balti and Jasmine Tookes in a festive shoot giving is a quirky look at some of the best designer gifts to give and receive this Christmas!

Chanel Paris-Bombay Show

Oh Chanel! You never cease to amaze me! Earlier today, models Anja Rubik and Stella Tennant joined an array of models for the most spectacular show which saw the Grand Palais in Paris transformed into an Indian-themed dinner party for the Chanel Metiers d’Art show.

Beauty Buzz: December

I have to admit that I’m a bit of a spoiled brat when it comes to taking care of myself. I have to have weekly manicures, facials are essential to me and I love treating myself to makeup whenever I can. I’m a girl and it is our prerogative to do so! I don’t wear much makeup, but I do love testing new products and when I find something that works, I will rave about it until the cows come home! So here’s look at what products I am LOVING this month.

Chanel: Une Promenade

It was so incredibly beautiful that I visited 3 times. Chanel at Harrods was one of the most beautifully curated exhibits I have attended in years and after many weeks, I’ve finally got round to sharing these gorgeous pictures with you. 

Chanel Illusions d’Ombre

I’m officially declaring Chanel’s Illusions d’Ombre Fall 2011 collection THE make up collection to have!

Harrods launches The Review

My favourite retailer in the world, Harrods of London, has just launched its first online magazine. The Review features exclusives interviews with designers, coverage of events and all that is fabulously stylish in store and on Harrods.com!

The first edition features an interview with designer Antonio Berardi, trend reports on AW’s hottest fashion and editor Nicola Copping’s 5 timeless classics which includes the most stunning Valentino lace dress and my signature Chanel red lipstick!

If you love Mini-bags just as much as me, make sure to check out the gorgeous Chloé ”Mini Lily” bag that is featured in the edition. It just made it on to my wish list!

Oh I can just see this monthly publication causing some serious damage to my wallet! But as you only live once, you may as well do it looking your absolute best!

 

Fashion’s Night Out

Thursday night saw the most fashionable takeover of London town I have ever seen. Vogue’s “Fashion’s Night Out” drew out designers, models and fashionistas alike. This year’s highlights for me included meeting one of my favourite shoe designers, Charlotte Dellal from Charlotte Olympia, running into Matthew Williamson (Yes, literally running into him!) and eating the most moreish delights from Hakkasan. The champagne flowed copiously, camera flashes were a plenty and music filled the night air until way past most people’s bed time.

I started my night at Selfridges which had a range of events going on in store. First stop of the night had to be the Chanel Beauty Counter for the launch of “Les Jeans de Chanel” collection of limited-edition Nail Vernis. After getting my complimentary manicure and purchasing some gorgeous AW makeup essentials, I was given some fab Chanel Makeup Confidential stickers. First bit of swag for the night and I’d only been out for half an hour!

Next stop was the Alice by Temperley launch upstairs at Selfridges. A truly stunning collection! I wish I could have stuck around to meet Alice, but after a pitstop at Pinkberry to sample some of their delicious “Salted Caramel” flavour, it was off to South Molten Street!

South Molten Street was buzzing with activity with model scouts and photographer at every two paces. After sampling some delicious mini cheesecake bites at the launch of the Aftershock Autumn/Winter collection, I just had to stop by the Bertie Mini photobooth! What a fun idea. I got a little carried away with the props, but it was such a laugh!

Within one minute, I got to be a pirate, a playboy bunny, have myself framed and whisked off to Hawaii, all from the comfort of a Classic Mini. Sweet!

After stopping at Vidal Sassoon for a hair consultation, my next stop was the launch of “Everything But the Dress” at Kurt Geiger. This fabulous new accessories line includes wallets, scarves, handbags and fur stoles. After picking two of my favourite pieces, a pink stole and gorgeous black handbag, I was ushered into a photbooth to pose in my own advertising campaign with a wind machine!

Mulberry was the next stop on my route and this place was heaving! The queue to get in was over half an hour long at one point, but with giveaways that included a limited-edition Mulberry Bayswater bag, I didn’t blame anyone! We were kept entertained by face-painters, a DJ, plenty of food and bubbles and some yummy nuts from the stall outside. I also spotted the gorgeous Cara Delevingne, Alexa Burke and Brix Smith-Start complete with her adorable pooches in-store too!

I couldn’t not share these pictures of the gorgeous new range of bags in Mulberry. In between celeb-spotting, I was fawning over the stunning colours and textures as if I were a kid in a candy store. Divine!

If you were following my “Fashion’s Night Out” antics on Twitter, you would have seen me post this picture online. Yes I’m wearing a badger mask. Yes I’m surrounded by mushrooms. But no,  I hadn’t eaten any! Before leaving Mulberry, we were able to have some silly snaps taken of us wearing ridiculous animal masks! Clearly I chose a badger for my best friend Somaiah who is rather taken with them.

I walked into Charlotte Olympia next to find designer Charlotte Dellal sitting down hand-painting some gorgeous shoes. As I am a massive fan, I took this chance to watch her work and speak to her about her designs. But she first commented on my T-shirt. I was wearing one of my favourite DINZ T-shirts which has a shoe painted on it. Charlotte commented that it was a “very cool T-shirt” and asked to have a closer look at it. Now the T-shirt has the slogan “I Love Red Soles” on it. This sent both of us into a fit of giggles and after joking that I couldn’t wear the T-shirt in her store, Charlotte insisted that I take one of her store bags with her which has a very cute web design on it.

Swag courtesy of Charlotte Dellal herself was definitely something worthwhile. And the yummy cake pops were a great touch to a truly fabulous event.

Just opposite Charlotte Olympia’s store is my latest go-to place for shoes in London – The Box Boutique. I probably spent more time in this store than any other and by this time, my partner in crime, Golchehr had finally finished work and joined me on the circuit. After indulging in candy floss at the store, we had a look at the exclusive Swarvoski UGG’s that were on sale and tried on some amazing pieces of Nialaya jewellery. Nialaya is one of my favourite jewellery brands and I am so happy it is stocked at The Box now.

I also finally met co-owner of the boutique, Yulia Pashevkina. My dear friend Tara Sillery had organised my invite to the event in store with Yulia, so I took the chance to catch up with her on all the things happening in store. She even showed me the UGG’s she’d hidden away for herself!

The one thing I absolutely loved at the Box Boutique event was the fashion illustrator they had sketching guest’s portraits. He was so talented! Check out the fab portrait he did for me in under five minutes.

I’ve had this pictured framed and put in my bedroom as a reminder of an amazing night out!

Golchehr and I then made our way to Bruton Street and after tucking into the most delicious snacks courtesy of Hakkasan at DVF, we ventured into Matthew Williamson where I just had to try on this stunning coat. It reminded me of the Cookie Monster from Sesame Street and felt absolutely divine against my skin. To be honest, we wanted to stick around in Williamson just for the music! It was total party central, but with plenty more parties to get to, it was time to get running. And we did just that. Run. Only I happened to run right into designer Matthew Williamson himself who’d seen me playing dress up in his fabulous design and said that it complimented my shoes perfectly. He was right. I had my blue Louboutins on and the colour was a dead cert!

You think that we would be all partied out, but we were only getting started! And with the arrival of my friend Lauren, we had extra motivation to power through the crowds. We got snapped with the Dior taxi and then hit DKNY which had the rowdiest crowd enjoying coconut cocktails. We almost ventured into Louis Vuitton which had a full-on party going, but decided to leave the crowds and hit Jimmy Choo.

I should never be allowed into a shoe shop as I ALWAYS find a pair that I want and these beauties from Jimmy Choo just went to the top of my wish list!

Final point of call of the night was Hermes. As we got there too late to play the bowling game which was set up in a huge horse carriage, we decided to do some horsing around of our own. Queue helmets and some serious posing and there’s the result!

With our feet throbbing and with parties winding down it was time to head home. But not without 14 balloons and a traffic cone as a souvenir from one hell of a night out. London you were amazing. I cannot wait until next year!