Time Is Luxury

At the appropriate time when luxury watches are experiencing a surge in profits, I thought I would share my love for wrist candy. I am currently coveting(sorry overused word) chunky, statement, 'don't mess with me' - mostly men's - watches. Never without a pretty basic ensemble of skinny trews, blazer and heels (no fuss, no frills and void of colour), I somehow think that a watch is the perfect accompaniment to offset such minimalism, don't you? My wrists resemble toothpicks so an unapologetic oversized face lined in swarovski crystals resting upon a thick enrobement of rose gold will be a terrific enhancement. If funds would allow my Christmas treat would be from watch master (handsome too) Mr Tateossian, but Asos have cheaper alternatives that will have to suffice - Michael Kors being my preferred choice.

(From top: Tateossian Rose & Black Gulliver £295, Tateossian Rose Gold Gulliver £390, Michael Kors Rose Gold £199, Marc by Marc Jacobs £150, La Mer £125)

Anna Sui at Liberty London

Anna Sui will be at Liberty London at 6.30pm on Wednesday 1st December, signing her book 'Anna Sui' by Andrew Bolton. She will be accompanied by Naomi Campbell, a long standing friend and who features in the book.

The tome is to mark Anna's twenty years in fashion, a celebration of all that is haute boho. Expect a plethora of baby doll dresses, paisley prints and fringing - elements that are synonymous with the Anna Sui aesthetic.

The Spring/Summer 2011 collection was a retrospective of Anna's work, which has consistently channelled that feminine allure infused with a rock and roll edge. Handkerchief hems laced with fringing sashayed around chopstick thin thighs, whimsical dresses juxtaposed laced leather boots and crochet, checks, ruffles and lace prevailed. With the current manifestation of doldrum shades and minimalism, Anna's riotous prints and contradictory sartorial pursuits are the long awaited antidote. Summer we beckon you.

The Independent Design Store

We've all fallen prey to a friend running straight to the source of where we
made an amazing sartorial discovery. Forget it being a complimentary
manoeuvre, more like thwarting your efforts to carry a look that's personal
and stealing your individual style credentials.
The Independent Design Store is the perfect antidote to extinguish such
ashion anxieties. theIDstore.co.uk is a unique online shopping concept that
allows independent designers to sell their creations to all who eschew
blending in amongst a sea of mass produced pieces. Whilst fashion lovers
gain access to elusive garments, young designers are
also in a place to gain exposure for their brand. Customers can browse the
site and stumble across dresses, footwear, accessories and more that will
promise a look that is exclusively yours. Our favourite treasure chest find
has been the cute Barrel Bag by Rosie Stallard. Each Italian leather receptacle
is lined with a vintage scarf so no bag is the same. Just when we though internet
shopping couldn't get more exciting.

Visit www.theidstore.co.uk

The demise of the newspaper (possibly)

Reading. It's something that I wish I had indulged in more as a child. I remember quite vividly sitting, cross legged (my gangly pins were never meant for that bloody position, forced upon you at school) watching the 'boffs' being awarded their Book Club gold badge for reading one hundred books. At the time I wasn't envious, probably more so of them being able to get up in front of the whole school and shake the headmaster's hand. I was a quivering wreck if I had to do so much as stand in front of a crowd.

When I look back, I wish I had showed more of an interest in reading. That and wishing my attention span lasted beyond the first chapter of the Poddington Peas. I much preferred the back page where each and every pea stood to attention for their mug-shot. My favourites were Pc Pod, SweetPea and SkipPea. My early years got off to a good start. I have memories of books that I was fond of: 'Spot the Dog', 'Care Bears' and 'Hairy Mclary from Donaldson's Dairy'. I remember creeping around the local village library, searching for the coolest books that would inspire me to become like the kids of 'Book Club'. Sweet Valley High Twins were cool books but they obviously didn't inspire enough. I can't remember finishing one. The intention was there.

Then, as teenagers do, I became slightly obsessed with beautiful things. I never felt beautiful as a teenager. I didn't have boyfriends because I was too tall. I was constantly reminded of my 'moomin' features: a long oval face and googly eyes. My ears poked through my lacklustre dirty blonde hair and I would turn the deepest crimson innumerable times in one day. I even tried my luck at modelling. I thought that I could use my height to my advantage and as many people suggested, because of my height (obviously), I actually believed that I could be a model, a beautiful model. Still, those dreams were thwarted after several trips to time wasting castings and promises of work. My dear parents even took me to Select Model Management in London, right at the time when 'Babewatch', the modelling documentary that founded Vernon Kay, was essential viewing. He even walked past us whist I hopelessly tried to forge a non existent career for myself. The man who had the sorry job of taking pity upon me was more interested in my Dad - obviously gay. It just wasn't meant to be.

Then clothes came to the fore. Throughout my teenage years I never wanted to be the same as everybody else. I was determined to look different and always wanted to look older. I suppose my height was an insecurity that I disguised with clothes. I felt like I looked older than most of my school peers so I dressed accordingly. Being different brought a sense of empowerment. I felt confident. I enjoyed looking and being (my birthday was September 1) the oldest. I developed a penchant for clothes that would perpetuate this surge of confidence, which then manifested into a huge desire to pursue fashion as a career.

When I turned 17 I embarked on a Fashion Design course at the London College of Fashion, followed by short courses in fashion journalism, numerous voluntary internships for magazines, newspapers and fashion PR companies, a degree in fashion journalism and where I was once adverse to reading anything that required effort, I am now a fully trained fashion journalist. I’m an avid reader of the Financial Times (progress from Hairy McClary wouldn't you say?) and my knowledge has ushered in a great degree of confidence. In fact, on a daily basis, my life consists of me being immersed in all of the literature that I can physically consume, which segues conveniently into my next revelation. I love reading newspapers.

Somebody once told me that having a love for fashion alone wouldn’t bring me success. I have, over the years abandoned the tabloids and pursued upmarket titles. I have come to appreciate the writings of Suzy Menkes of the International Herald Tribune, the Financial Times' Vanessa Friedman, the Telegraph's columnist and Senior Editor of Vogue US Sarah Mower and Lisa Armstrong of the Times. They are all style commentators but equally, and so brilliantly, informative and engaging in their writing styles. Without meaning to patronize them, they're knowledge of the wider spectrum of media, society, economics, politics etc is evident and it is absorbing such quality journalism that inspires me to read widely.

I am testament to the old adage that knowledge brings confidence. I enjoy reading. I enjoy learning and understanding the fashion market and the neighboring industries that influence it, the movers and shakers of the retail industry and what’s in store for the industry that is of great economical importance. As silly as it sounds, I actually enjoy my commute in and out of London every week day. It allows me time (which is scarce) to catch up on information that is relevant to me and my life. Today I learnt that David Cameron drinks the same energy boosting vitamin drink as me, Berocca. Whilst he also acknowledges, like I do, the fact that it turns your pee an illuminating shade of yellow. It is to know such crucial details like this that will send my career soaring to dizzy heights. Joking aside, sometimes it is small snippets of news and information, of greater importance, that enlightens and educates me and I like knowing.

With the rise of the popularity of the internet I now receive my news via RSS (Really Simple Syndication), which feeds all of your chosen websites into one newsreader. In the morning this enables me to direct my cursor to relevant news pieces with one hand, whilst drinking my berocca in the other. Although these modern web conveniences are, well, convenient – I still can’t see myself without my commuting companion. The Evening Standard recently reported the market fall of 23.6% over the past decade for sales of the five up market papers. Could it be that over the next ten years we'll all be packed into cable cars (Boris Johnson's next venture) and equipped with ipads - not a flimsy papery thing in sight?

Suzy Menkes Talks To Victoria Beckham

Watch Suzy and her idiosyncratic doo talk to Vic about a 'possible' VB Menswear collection (or not) and Vic's view on fashion and the web. I have always favoured Victoria's 'unfussy femininity' approach to fashion. She remains a celebrity who has been consistent in her sartorial pursuits. Even before the tsunami of effortless chic crashed down on us, Victoria was channelling the understated look. I used to avoid making the announcement that she was my style icon but now I will say it with pride. I don't care if she works the solemn facial expression, I would if I had the paps tarnishing my prim appearance with their bolshy and invasive ways. I agree Suzy, "All hail queen Victoria".