London-based lifestyle brand Belen Echandia specializes in luxury handbags and accessories. They have an amazing online bespoke feature allowing you to create a handbag from start to finish. Choose everything from the size, shape, fabric and fixtures to make your ideal bag!
The website has been revamped for 2011 providing a platform for the brand’s online bespoke service as well as a section for the Ready to Wear Collection. Designing your own handbag has never been so easy as Belen Echandia’s entire handbag archive is available online. Click through a number of simple steps and browse the options. Start with what bag style you want then adjust everything from the colourway and leather (with options including luxury materials such as python, printed and patent leathers), to the hardware and the length of the straps. There is such a beautiful variety of styles to choose from and unique feature of getting to choose all the extras is something you don’t really see in luxury brands. Decide what pocket detailing you want and even the type of tassels then Belen Echandia’s custom design atelier will make a bag that fits perfectly into your lifestyle.
www.belenechandia.com
It’s that time again at The Bentall Centre in Kingston! Autumn/Winter 2011 Fashion Week is upon us, packed full of make-overs, style consultations, amazing fashion shows and Models 1 are back. It’s going to be an amazing week! All the clothes, accessories and make-up you could dream of in one place.
Fashion Week starts on Monday 5th September with Lia, one of the Centre’s personal stylists, giving away free style consultations. She’ll be demonstrating how to mix and match clothes and accessories for your body type so going shopping is no longer a chore! You’ll leave feeling more confident and full of handy tips and advice.
Fans of clothing brand Yumi should head down on Tuesday 6th September as they will be offering an insight into London street style and vintage chic with their brand new range of clothes for Autumn/Winter. For some inspiration, why not pop along and visit their Capsule Wardrobe which will be set up in the promotional area. Find out some great tips on how to put together an outfit for any occasion – you’ll be a fashionista genius by the time you leave! Join their ‘Yumi Club’ too to receive a badge which will allow you discount off purchases in store. A raffle will also he held too where you could win top prizes – things just keep getting better and better.
Looking to get pampered ladies? Well True Skin will be offering free skin consultations and make-overs on Wednesday 7th. It’s a way of introducing their new make-up range named Young Blood. Sometimes I think breaking out of old make-up routines is tricky so this is a great way of finding out about new products and information regarding your skin.
Giorgio Armani’s professional Make-up artists will be on hand on Thursday 8th September to give group master classes and guide you through your personalised make-up wardrobe. Break away from your usual routine and try something new and exciting! You’ll be a make-up wiz! They will also tell you about their ‘Micro-fill technology’, which is a revolutionary new process, whereby a selection of textures and the mixing of the lightest and finest raw materials, results in pigments that even under a microscope perfectly layer thus creating flawlessness, weightlessness, luminosity and transparency but with the power to magnify colour in a highly and sophisticated way.
The pampering continues on Friday 9th September as the Clarins team will be around to give you the opportunity to experience the latest in skincare and make-up by performing exclusive demonstrations of their red room facials. If you’re after brighter, smoother and a more even skin tone then you should check out the new Vital Light Serum and their new Everlasting Compact Foundation. You’ll even be able to get your own personalised skincare consultation and leave with some expert tips and advice. Definitely worth popping along to! For more enquiries contact the Clarins counter on 02085461001 ext 6083.
Saturday 10th September, the final day of Fashion Week, will be the host of the jaw dropping fashion shows. They will incorporate cutting edge dance routines and all the latest and hottest fashion from the top brands which are available from within The Bentall Centre. The fashion shows will be taking place every half hour from 11.30am to 5pm so there are plenty of opportunities to catch the performances. Top modelling agency Models 1 are back this September as well and will be sending their best model scouts to the Centre to find the next hot model – dress to impress ladies and gentlemen!
dunhill have long been innovators in fashion, with the brand being the definitive fashion label for the more sophisticated gent.
But now, with the launch of the Autumn Winter 2011 dunhill Voice campaign, complete with augmented reality, they have introduced the fashion world to the next stage of fashion marketing.
dunhill have applied Aurasma technology, the world’s leading augmented reality platform, to their Autumn Winter 2011 Voice campaign. The results which can be viewed by Smartphone or tablet are stunning.
This technology, when focussed on a flat image from the campaign transforms it into a moving image and a transactional platform. Quite simply, this is the future of fashion.
The ramifications of such technology for the fashion industry are huge.
To give you an idea, you should try it with the image above. Follow download instructions below and prepare to be impressed!
1. First download Aurasma Lite for free via your Smartphone app store (http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/aurasma-lite/id432526396?mt=8)
2. Once installed, open the program and hover it over any of the new dunhill Voice campaign images to bring them alive
3. You’ll also be able to seamlessly link to dunhill retail where you can ‘shop the collection’.
(NB: When downloading the app, if asked if you can see an ‘A’ symbol, then please say YES!)
I suspect it will not be too long when every label uses this very same approach. A flat image will never look the same again.
Caprice, originally from Southern California, became one of the most photographed women in the world having appeared on over 300 magazine covers. Investing her own money, in 2006 she started her own company which she runs and fully finances. It was then that she started By Caprice Lingerie!
The brand has become incredibly popular over the years reaching out to women who are after sexy lingerie that will make them feel beautiful and confident. Caprice designs, models and markets the line herself which is a unique idea and is why women have stayed loyal to the brand.
Her latest By Caprice Lingerie collection is feminine, bold and daring! Vibrant colours and bow detailing are mixed with lace and embroidery resulting in a seductive yet versatile range.
I recently got my hands on the Lilylou lingerie set in black. The padded gel bra features embroidery and a cute bow whilst the Brazilian briefs sport girly frills and a large bow in the centre. It is an ideal set for pear shaped women, like myself, as it helps to balance out your proportions. The bra fits me perfectly giving plenty of support as well as a subtle cleavage. The briefs give the illusion that my thighs are smaller which is down to the feminine skirt detailing. Lilylou gives me an amazing shape and definitely won’t be the last By Caprice Lingerie set to find a home in my drawer!
Lilylou Bra, £23 to £25
Lilylou Brazilian Briefs, £13
www.bycaprice.com
The UK’s BIG Vintage & Fashion Fair is coming to The Light in Leeds on the 24th and 25th September 2011 so all vintage boutiques, jewellery, cupcakes, retro, hand made and crafts exhibitors book now to take part in this amazing event! Or if you just want to pop along and have a browse then put the date in your diary!
This gathering of everything vintage is set to be one of the biggest of the year. With over 30 stalls and 40 exhibitors showcasing their products at The Light Shopping Centre it is sure to attract lovers of vintage collectables, jewellery, accessories and everything else in between. Definitely an event not to be missed!
If you want to take place in the BIG Vintage & Fashion Fair then book now! It’s only £110 in total for the whole weekend to participate – so what are you waiting for?
