Monthly Archives: January 2014

Amanda Wakeley Flagship Store Launch

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WHAT:  THE LAUNCH OF THE AMANDA WAKELEY FLAGSHIP STORE, 18 ALBEMARLE STREET

 

WHEN: Thursday 30th January 2014, 7pm until late

 

WHERE: 18 Albemarle Street, London, W1S 4HR

 

VIPs from the world of fashion and business converged at 18 Albemarle Street to toast the opening of Amanda Wakeley’s flagship store. Set over two floors, the beautiful townhouse features bespoke interiors personally designed and selected by Amanda herself. Amanda and her CEO Sagra Maceira de Rosen guided their personal guests around the store whilst conversation flowed over bespoke “Eightinis” and delicious canapés courtesy of Mark Hix and Belvedere.

 

WHO:
Amanda Wakeley (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Hugh Morrison – Amanda Wakeley’s partner and co-owner of Amanda Wakeley
Sagra Maceira de Rosen – CEO of Amanda Wakeley
Elizabeth Hurley (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Tracey Emin CBE
Kelly Hoppen MBE
Darcey Bussell
Tamara Beckwith
Yasmin Mills (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Greg Rusedski
Nicky Haslam
Lisa Butcher (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Sarah-Ann Macklin (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Olivia Inge (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Olivia Grant (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Camilla Rutherford (wearing Amanda Wakeley)

Marissa Montgomery (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Tiphaine Chapman (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Sophia Hesketh

Amanda Sheppard (wearing Amanda Wakeley)

Francesca Zampi (wearing Amanda Wakeley)

Gabriela Peacock (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Katie Redman (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Sofia Wellesley (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Emma Pilkington (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Alessandra Balazs (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Kim Johnson (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Olivia Hunt (wearing Amanda Wakeley)
Martha Ward (wearing Amanda Wakeley)

Saffron Aldridge (wearing Amanda Wakeley)

Alexandra Shulman

Elizabeth Saltzman

Caroline Rush
Harold Tillman
Heather Kerzner

Mark Hix

Natasha Rufus-Isaacs

Arun Nayar

Kristina Blahnik

Sir Charles and Lady Celia Dunstone

Nick and Nettie Mason

Tim and Malin Jefferies

WHAT THEY ATE: A bespoke menu for Amanda Wakeley by Mark Hix:

  • Golden beetroot galette with goat’s curd and pickled walnuts
  • New Forest ham with tomato toasts
    Sprouting broccoli with herb mayonnaise
  • Soft-boiled quail’s eggs with Oscietra caviar
  • Buttermilk fried chicken with kimchi ketchup
  • Beef tataki with green beans
  • Spiced aubergine cigars
  • Pumpkin arancini
  • Winter squash risotto

 

WHAT THEY DRANK:  A bespoke menu specially-designed for Amanda Wakeley by Mark Hix:

Eightini – Rose petal-infused Belvedere, fresh grapefruit juice, lemon, rhubarb and vanilla syrup with a touch of orange blossom and rhubarb bitters.

Mojito Iced Tea – Belvedere vodka perfectly mixed with Burrow hill apple juice, peppermint tea, mint leaves, apple syrup and finished with soda water.

The Tonnix Grand Crew wine – Amanda’s favourite wine from Mark’s very own brand. The label has been specially created by Tracey Emin, and depicts Amanda’s classic sailing boat Savannah.

WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT:

Amanda – Amanda’s friends congratulated her on the stunning new Mayfair “home” and toasted her success as a designer for over 20 years – next year is the 25th Anniversary of the brand!

Albemarle Street– tipped to be “The next Mount Street” in London…Amanda joins Paul Smith, Tiffany and Globetrotter with several other big brands rumoured to be moving in later in the year

Strictly Come Dancing vs The X Factor – The age-old dilemma of which Saturday night show is your favourite, and all the tougher for Amanda who dressed both Strictly’s Darcey Bussell and X Factor’s Nicole Scherzinger no less than four times whilst the shows were on.

London Fashion Week – Amanda revealed that she will be showing back  on schedule at London Fashion Week again in February after a hiatus of several seasons, and the location would be none other than her 18 Albemarle Street boutique. British Fashion Council CEO Caroline Rush was delighted with the choice of venue.

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Above (L-R): Elizabeth Hurley (wearing Amanda Wakeley); Tracey Emin; Darcey Bussell and Amanda Wakeley (wearing Amanda Wakeley); Kelly Hoppen and Amanda Wakeley (wearing Amanda Wakeley); Alexandra Shulman, Amanda Wakeley (wearing Amanda Wakeley) and Elizabeth Hurley (wearing Amanda Wakeley)

Were Superdrug’s Controversial Celebrity Weight Scales Offensive?

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Superdrug has dropped it’s controversial ‘celebrity weight scales’ after the product was criticised by a leading UK eating disorder charity. But what did you think of it? Is it healthier to compare yourself to a celebrity or a number? These were novelty scales and surely they were just a bit of fun?

celebrity weight

The scales compared a user’s weight to that of a celebrity such as Cheryl Cole, the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton and Beyoncé.

The scales included Cheryl Cole (8st), Kate Middleton (8st 6lb), Jessica Ennis (9st),  Ellie Goulding (9st lb), Beyonce (9st 2lb), Rihanna (9st 2lb), Adele (14st), Queen Latifah (16st) and  Melissa McCarthy (18st). I am not sure whether or not these weights are accurate but some of them do seem quite low. Especially as the average weight of a women in the UK is 11 stone.

The truth is, weight will always be a sensitive issue and young girls are impressionable. What is to stop them dieting to achieve the weight of their idol? Different people have different natural weights. We should just focus on being healthy, but peer pressure will always be there. For some the scales are just fun and novelty, but like most things in life, they can have a negative impact if used incorrectly.

 

Lorna Driver-Davies, nutritionist at the NutriCentre commented:

 

 “I am very concerned with the concept of celebrity weighing scales.  As a nutritionist I have no objection to women weighing themselves in kg- this is commonplace on normal scales and many women chose the metric method of weight, for example in France and Germany.”

 

“Comparing your weight to anyone- your friends, sister or colleagues would be a very unhealthy way to judge your own weight, so a comparison to celebrities is even worse.”

 

“These scales do not even take into account body fat percentage, height, BMI, waist and hip measurements and common sense on what is a healthy weight for an individual.  Not only is this concept deeply unscientific but also I believe it would encourage even more insecurity and anxiety about weight which is a sad situation.”

 

“These scales also set a very poor example to teenage girls who are often more susceptible to eating disorders and are easily impressed by celebrity status.”

 

What do you think? Should they have been pulled?

 

Flirt like a Bond Girl And Shoot Like Bond

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bond girl Eva GreenAuthor, cultural anthropologist and flirting expert Jean Smith takes the art of flirting to daring heights with her new seminar ‘Flirt Like A Bond Girl/Shoot Like Bond’ which takes place at Archer Street, Soho and the Shooting Targets this Valentine’s week.

Inspired by Honor Blackman’s Pussy Galore, Jayne Seymour’s Domino, Ursula Andres’s Honey Rider and Eva Green’s Vesper Lynd, the seminar runs in two parts.

The first is a talk about some of Bond’s most famous lovers and how they use their charms – from the mystical arts to seductive villainy. This will take place at Archer Street, from 7pm-9pm, with complimentary glass of wine on arrival, on Wednesday 12th February.

The experience culminates with afternoon tea and a shooting lesson with tuxedo-clad instructors, as well as the chance to fire one of the latest and most expensive new guns, at the Shooting Targets on Saturday 15th February.

Jean said: “From the enchanting innocence of Domino and the vulnerable Honey Rider, to the gung-ho alpha female embodied by Pussy Galore, we have a lot we can learn from Bond Girls, particular the iconic characters from the earlier movies. “These women can be more than male fantasies. What would they be like if they were living in our modern world? My talk is about how women can use all the ammunition they have to get the man they want.”
Clive Hetherington, owner of the London Shooting Club is on hand to offer this very thing, in the fitting surrounds of a manor house and rolling grounds reminiscent of Skyfall, the last Bond film where rifle shooting was a key part of the plot.

Jean, who will join Clive to co-host the day of shooting, added: “Being busy, having a lot of fun and throwing yourself into interesting pursuits are great ways to boost your attraction to the opposite sex, and in doing so you retain a great deal of power and control. Counting gun shooting among your hobbies and being a mean shot is certainly going to keep the conversation going on a first date, possibly even culminating in a second.” Tickets for the ‘Flirt like a Bond Girl’ experience are available in two parts: £30 for the talk, including a glass of wine, at Archer Street on 12th February and £65 for the afternoon tea plus shooting co-hosted by Jean Smith and Clive Hetherington at the AC Shooting Targets on Saturday 15th February. Alternatively, tickets for both days are £80. All levels are available from www.shootingschool.co.uk/

Dates, timings and venues:
‘Flirt Like A Bond Girl’ talk: Wednesday 12th February, Archer Street, 3-4 Archer St, W1D 7AP. 7-9pm. £30 for the talk only, including a complimentary glass of wine.


‘Shoot Like Bond’ experience: Saturday 15th February, AC Shooting Targets, Sharvel Lane, West End Road, Northolt, Middlesex, UB5 6RA. £65 including afternoon tea, plus collection from South Ruislip station which is located on the Central Line.
Tickets to both days per person are £80.

 

Bond Girl flirting tips: Wednesday 12th February, Archer Street, 3-4 Archer St, W1D 7AP
Followed by gold clay pigeon and rifle shooting: Saturday 15th February, West London Shooting School, Sharvel Lane, West End Road, Northolt, Middlesex, UB5 6RA

 

Dating Party At The Top Of The Shard

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If you are single and looking to meet someone, we have found a rather cool dating party. It’s the ultimate ice breaker night 800ft above London at The View from The Shard 48 hours before Valentine’s Day – will you find Mr or Miss Right just in time? Even if you don’t, you will have an incredible night with lively London singles.

shard

Reaching new heights of dating, DoingSomething.co.uk in partnership with The View from The Shard have announced the arrival of the World’s Highest Urban Ice Bar and the first ever dating party on Levels 69 and 72 of Western Europe’s tallest building – an exclusive one-night only event on Wednesday 12 February with a bespoke built ice bar and an igloo for singletons to snuggle up in.

 

Watch the sun set over panoramic views of the London skyline from the cosy 5ft tall, two tonne igloo created by internationally renowned ice artist Percy Salazar – decked out for comfort with blankets. Ice artist to the stars, Percy has previously worked on ice sculptures for the Queen, Stella McCartney and Lawrence Dallaglio.

 viewfromtheshard

The spectacular 360 degree views take in London’s most famous landmarks for up to 40 miles, including the Olympic Stadium and Canary Wharf to the east, Hampstead Heath and Alexandra Palace to the north, Buckingham Palace, the London Eye and Wembley Stadium to the west, and Crystal Palace to the south.

 

To keep the party alight, there will be live sets from London’s hottest DJs Nick Decosemo (Editor of Mixmag), Luke Brancaccio (Founder of hip new West London house label City Seven), Le SoSo (dance stage curator for Cornish boutique festival Leopallooza) who will all be playing cool dance grooves. And Goldbars and Lexicon (For the Love of Mic: the rap club night with a sense of fun) who will be spinning ice cold classics for people to warm up to including: Ice Ice Baby (Vanilla Ice), Cold as Ice (MOP) and It Was A Good Day (Ice Cube).

 

Naturally, waiters wearing penguin suits are on hand to provide perfectly chilled cinnamon flavoured Smirnoff Gold cocktails served on arrival at the World’s Highest Urban Ice Bar. Taking singletons to new heights, a choice of themed Smirnoff Gold drinks with real edible gold flakes will also be available at the first ever ice-breaking dating party on Level 72, including the ‘Iced Gold’ and ‘Cloud 72’ cocktails.

 

As if this wasn’t enough the first 200 guests will receive complimentary sorbetto and gelato courtesy of Snowflake Luxury Gelato. There are two artisan gelatos for guests to choose from including Hazelnut and the Valentine’s Special, Blind Date and Honey Gelato. Alternatively try a sumptuous sorbetto, flavours include Raspberry, Mango and Passionfruit and the award-winning Extra Dark Chocolate.

 

Daters will witness a new Guinness World Record on the night as the one-night only ice bar will become the World’s Highest Urban Ice Bar.

 

BOOKING INFORMATION

 

Wednesday 12 February – 8:00-11:00pm

 

Tickets priced at £35 for singles. Or just £30 each if you buy a pair for you and your Wingman/Wingwoman.

 

Includes access to The View from The Shard’s viewing platforms on Levels 69 and 72 (worth £30) throughout the night, an after party, and one month’s subscription to DoingSomething.co.uk (worth £29).

 

Jennifer Lawrence Stuns On Total Film Cover

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Jennifer Lawrence looks amazing on the cover of Total Film as Mystique in X-Men: Days Of Future Past.

Once again directed by Bryan Singer and co-starring Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy and Hugh Jackman, X-Men: Days Of Future Past will open in the UK on 22 May 2014.

Jennifer-Lawrence

Red Hot Chili Peppers Headline Isle of Wight Festival

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Rock legends the Red Hot Chili Peppers are headlining the Isle of Wight Festival. We got this rather awesome, bromance pic of them.

Will you be going to the festival? If so, tell us about your experience there. redhotchillipeppers

Hervé Léger 2014 Preview

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Frost is a huge fan of Hervé Léger. We just love the clothes and cannot wait for a good look at the latest collection.

Hervé Léger has been synonymous with glamour and sensuality since its inception in 1985. Reinvented by Max and Lubov Azria and launched in 2007, the Hervé Léger by Max Azria collection maintains the couturier’s heritage while evolving through the Azrias’ distinctive spirit.

Hervé Léger

For pre-fall 2014, Herve Leger by Max Azria combines heritage elements with textures and dimensions found in nature. Engineered jacquards evoking abstract landscapes and watercolour sunsets are juxtaposed against monogram motifs and signature bandages. A clear focus on layering separates and playing with proportions defines the collections’ mood.

A timeless, elegant palette of navy, black and alabaster is enriched with cool shades of blue, teal, lavender and accented with pale shades of pink, coral and lime.

Say No To Drilling In Ibiza Petition Party

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Chakana is teaming up with Dax Ibiza and Love Brunch TONIGHT to host a ‘Say No to Drilling Party’ to protest proposed oil drilling off the coast of our beloved Ibiza.

 

We’ve got summer tipples courtesy of Absolut, drink specials from Chakana and we’ll have Dax and Nic Fisher on the decks.

 

Come join us at Chakana and sign a petition to say no to drilling on the White Isle!

 

Say No To Drilling In Ibiza Petition Party
Thursday, January 30, 7-10 PM
Chakana Club, 23 Orchard Street, W1H 6HL
www.chakanaclub.com