Tag Archives: Clothes

Caggie Dunlop On Spencer, Music and The Kardashians.

Posted on by

Caggie Dunlop and Catherine Balavage

I met Caggie Dunlop at the W Hotel for a VIP screening of the short film she is starring in for Impulse’s new fragrance ‘Loving Words’, which smells amazing and you can read about here. I had a brilliant, fun chat with Caggie. She is the kind of girl who you feel would make a brilliant friend: lovely, smart and talented. After the interview has finished Caggie says that our interview was the best of the evening. Shucks: thanks Caggie.

Catherine Balavage: You must be very proud of the film.

Caggie Dunlop: Yeah, I am really proud of it. I actually only saw it for the first time this evening just before everyone arrived so I was a bit nervous, but I really loved it. I thought it was great. I think it is a lovely story

Quite French

Very French. Well that’s the theme and my styling is very Brigitte Bardot. I think that really lends well to it.

What is your favourite film?

True Romance.

What are you wearing? You look Stunning.

Virgos Lounge. They are an online store which is kind of vintage inspired. They do really pretty little dresses. And this is from my clothing line. [points to necklace].

You are really branching out into different areas: you have a sex column for the Evening Standard, you have the clothing line, and the acting.

And music.

Yes, that is how we first saw you wasn’t it?

Yeah, I have a lot going on, but I am not doing the Evening Standard anymore. It was very fun doing it but I am not doing it anymore.

It was very Carrie Bradshaw

Yeah, and it was great and it was fun playing that role but I really think music is where I want to go.

What would you choose between singing and acting?

Everyone asks me this. It is like saying ‘choose between your mum and your dad’, but in terms of career I don’t know, but if you said to me: ‘you could never sing again’ I would have to choose that over acting because I love singing. It just makes me happy to sing on my own. It came about quite randomly. When I sang on the show that was the first time I had ever sang in public. I have had to decide what I really want to do.

How was the acting experience?

I went to drama school and I studied acting so for me it was kind of what I wanted to do, and then when Made in Chelsea came along I got side-tracked from the acting because that was what was available to me at that point in time. The acting world is quite a tricky one. You really have to work it out. I had a great opportunity on Made in Chelsea. The acting is definitely something I want to go back to.

What does your Tattoo mean?

Sanatana Jiva. It means the never-ending and the never beginning spirit, and this [points to tattoo, specifically to the ‘J’ bit] this was for a boy who I’m not seeing anymore! [No!] It’s fine, I’m not bothered. It’s a nice tattoo.

Are you seeing anyone now?

No. I am very very spinster single

Aw, you are too young to be a spinster.

I’m happy being single.

You have so much going on with your career….

Yeah, it’s kind of like I need to focus on that at the moment and I don’t have time to focus on a relationship unless I find someone who has a complete understanding about what I am doing.

What is your clothing line called?
ISWAI. [Spells it out] I.S.W.A.I.

How did you come up with the name?

It’s an acronym for ‘It Started With an Idea’. The idea of it is about starting something new and organic with new talent, so young designers who are at school or university are designing the clothes. They get involved and hen they design an idea that I give them.

It that your motto in life?

I think so, yeah. It’s a very good one. It’s a more business thing. Though maybe not in an ethical situation.

You were the first one to leave Made in Chelsea

Yes I was

You were the biggest star and the main focus. Do you think it was a good idea to leave?

Leaving? A lot of people would argue that ‘why would you leave something when you were the central character and it was at its height of popularity and you just walk away from it with no explanation’. For me I stopped believing in what the show was about. It was a very good opportunity but I always wanted to do different things. I am very grateful for what it gave me and what I gained from it. Now I can go and become my own person.

It really has an effect on your own life and that’s not necessarily a good thing.

A lot of people are leaving now. Hugo’s leaving.

Yeah, Hugo’s leaving. I don’t know how much longer it will last but I wasn’t enjoying it and my heart wasn’t in it anymore and if something doesn’t feel right you have to go with your gut.

Would you do anymore reality TV like Spencer is doing with The Bachelor?

I would never do anything like that show. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with Spencer doing it. We are very different people, but I actually value my privacy. That could be considered a ridiculous thing to say coming from a reality TV show. I would never close any doors but it’s not in my plan. If it was something more documentary, like my music, something like that.

Who is your favourite film director and if you could work with any director who would it be?

Woody Allen or Tarantino. I think that would be a pretty crazy experience.

Did you enjoy making the film?

Yeah, I enjoyed making the film. We had to do it in a day, and it was a full on day. It was raining really badly but morale was up.

Do you have any plans to go the Hollywood Route?

I haven’t been to LA yet. So I can’t really say whether I would end up there. Watch this space. Maybe in a few years time.

Do you think doing Made in Chelsea helped you learn how to be in front of a camera?

Yes, I mean I studied method acting so it was all about being private in public. With Made in Chelsea you are having very private moments with five cameras on you. It is more staggered than people imagine. If you know anything about filming you know that you can’t create those scenes just by us walking into a bar and following us. It is all quite organised. In that sense it was helpful but then reality TV doesn’t really help in acting. It’s probably more acceptable in America.

Do you watch any reality TV like Keeping Up With The Kardashians?

I do, I love the Kardashians. I am so excited. Has the new season started now?

I think so. I saw a poster.

I do love that and I like the American ones. I don’t really like the English ones.

What do you think of Kim dating Kanye West? Are they a good couple?

I think they are. It’s nice that they were friends for ages. They are the ultimate power couple.

They are.

I’m surprised but they seem really into each other.

What’s next for you?

I am realising an EP hopefully in September. So I am developing that at the moment, which is really exciting, because for once I am in the public eye for something that I am putting out. The music is taking centre stage at the moment, but I would love to do some short films on the side and slowly developing that on the side.

Grabbing it with both hands.

Exactly, you only have one life.

What are your musical influences?

Ah, I listen to a lot of Matt Corby, who is this Australian singer who is very singer/songwriter: guitar and vocals, but also there is something quite challenging about his music, it’s really quite beautiful. I also love Jessie Ware. I have been listening to her a lot.

Do you still spend a lot of time in Chelsea?

Yeah. I was in Sloane Square today. I do spend a lot of time there, but because of what I am doing I am kind of all over. If I am gigging [ I could be in] Manchester or Shoreditch. I do love Chelsea.

Who is your favourite actor and actress?

Michael Fassbender in terms of actual ability. I think he is amazing. In terms of who I fancy: Ryan Gosling, but he is also a very good actor. He is a bit more mainstream. An actress…who was the girl who was in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

Noomi Rapace

Yeah, her. I watched that for the first time the other day and I was blown away by it.
She’s brilliant.

She is fantastic. She was in Prometheus too.

No! She’s not! I was watching an interview with her and she was talking about how Ridley Scott picked her, and she said something about the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I was thinking ‘why has he picked this random women? ‘

She’s brilliant.

Yeah, She’s fantastic.

Are you going to do anymore writing?

Not in that nature. I would like to write a poetry book which is half poetry, half what is was like growing up. I’ve written poetry since I could write so I have volumes of poetry. Poetry is such an under-rated thing.

How do you keep fit?

I am quite bad. I go through phases of being hard-core. There is a place on the Fulham Road that I have joined called Lomax. I go there and they kick your ass, but in a good way.

What beauty products do you like.
Loving Word by Impulse, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream.

Shop Savvy This Summer.

Posted on by

If you are lucky enough to be going on holiday, or are just confident that the British summer will hold then Frost fav Shopstyle will let you be the first to know about savings of up to 70%.

Head straight for ShopStyle.co.uk which this week launches its summer sales alerts which help you to bag bargains of up to 70% or more on your holiday wardrobe. Just pick your favourite brands, retailers and items and ShopStyle will send you an email as soon as they go on sale. So you’ll be the first to know when that belted playsuit or a maxi dress hits half price.

And if you don’t fancy signing up for alerts simply click on the Sale channel on ShopStyle where you’ll see everything on sale across over 2000 brands, as well as highlights of what’s new today and new this week. So there’s no excuse not to get that bikini you’ve been longing for at a price you can afford.

ShopStyle’s Sarah Bush says: “Sale Alerts are an important tool for any savvy fashion shopper at this time of year. They will tell you ahead of time which stores are in sale and let you have first choice of the hundreds of brilliant holiday wardrobe bargains available online. With fantastic stores like Topshop, Matches, TheOutnet, House of Fraser and John Lewis all in sale, there are brilliant bargains to choose from.”


Setting up a ShopStyle Sale Alert is simple just follow these four easy steps:

1. Click on ‘Sale Alerts’ at the ShopStyle.co.uk homepage.

2. Choose the brands you want to receive sale alerts about.

3. Select the categories you would like to receive sale alerts about from denim, dresses, jackets, skirts and knitwear to shoes, bags, lingerie, jewellery, hats, scarves and swimwear. If you want to just see items in your size you can select your clothes and shoe size.

4. Enter the email you want to receive the sale alerts and when you would like them – as a sale happens, daily or weekly.

Eskimo PR Brand Watch.

Posted on by

Sam Edelman: classic and quirky shoes. According to Frost writer Keshini Misha, Sam makes the best Chelsea boots.

 

The Pretty Dress Company.

Female figure loving dresses. Inspired by the glamorous females of the 1940’s and 1950’s. They hold in, push up and hug curves in all the right places. The name is accurate too, the dresses really are pretty.

I got a free tub of sweeties from My Sweetie Jar. Brilliant sweets. They offer a customisation service. Go to www.mysweetiejar.com if there is anyone you love enough to get some of these for.

BlackDressHQ sells nothing except beautiful and classy black dresses. I reckon Amanda Elisach would love this site. It was born because of the need to bring gorgeous Little Black Dresses all in one place. Gorgeous self- indulgence.

Prey of London. Luxe-rock inspired brand. Brilliant, edgy clothes. High end designs at mid market prices.

Simmi. Love your shoes.

Mou

POP Handset. It reduces radiation by 99%.

Bronx and Blink is the sister brand of Bronx. In fashion this season is Gothic Punk, 70’s Sophistication and Global Nomad.


Chinese Laundry. Brilliant shoes and accessories.

John Varvatos. Casual Luxury and rock’n’roll come together.

Sorel A classic brand. They have been making great footwear since 1962

Doll Boutique. Online retailer with a great range of brands. One-stop shopping heaven. Started in Glasgow in 2007, founder Arielle Shear felt that Glasgow was in need of something different from either high street or high-end designer fashion, but something in between, now we all have it at Dolls Boutique. Fresh, new, reasonably priced brands that are better quality than the high street.

D.L & Co call themselves Purveyors of curious goods. LA native Douglas Little aimed at bringing opulence and beauty to those who yearn for the uncommon and exquisite; and has managed beautifully.

See By Chloe. Sophisticated footwear. Just beautiful.

Vestry is dedicated to bring the latest trends. There are dresses to impress galore at the Vestry Online. Dresses start at £30 and their best-selling jeans are priced at £30. The Vesty used to be a major high street brand name but are now just online, and as popular as ever. Their site is full of beautiful clothes.

Moda in Pelle. A brilliant on trend footwear company. I love their country chic shoes, as well as power dressing, the affair and The Orient Express. Moda in Pelle have also launched a new range called Luxury Revel, it aims to create a ‘bridge between luxury shoes and accessible accessories’.

Juicy Couture. Needs no introduction. This LA brand’s new season range is more polished and put together says LeAnn Nealz, Juicy Couture CCO and Co-President. “I spend a lot of time travelling between London and Los Angeles, which got me thinking about this concept ‘LA Loves London’ – everything from Anita Pallenberg to T-Rex and Joni Mitchell”.

Soludos: Comfortable unisex shoes.

I personally really love the Brigitte Bardot range. She is a style icon who has really inspired me.

PATAGONIA: REDUCE, REPAIR, REUSE, RECYCLE AND REIMAGINE.

Posted on by

Frost Loves Patagonia’s new initiative. Check it out below. 


PATAGONIA ESTABLISHES A PARTNERSHIP WITH CUSTOMERS TO CONSUME LESS
AS PART OF THE COMMON THREADS INITIATIVE IN EUROPE.
THE INITIATIVE MUTUALLY PLEDGES WITH CUSTOMERS TO BUY AND USE CLOTHING MORE SUSTAINABLY AND FOCUSES ON 5 “R’S” –REDUCE, REPAIR, REUSE,  RECYCLE AND REIMAGINE
Patagonia launches its Common Threads
Initiative focusing on the first “R”: REDUCE.
Today, Patagonia is the only apparel brand
to tell its consumers not to buy what they
don’t need. The picture on the following page
was published as an advertisement in the New
York Times by Patagonia on November 25th as consumption in the USA is reaching a peak just
after Thanksgiving.
In 2006, Patagonia was the very first apparel
brand to ask its consumer to RECYCLE with
our Capilene® Baselayers, when the Common
Threads Program was launched. Extended
season after season, Patagonia is now taking
back every Patagonia garment put on the
market, recycling what can be and keeping what can’t be recycled yet. By giving back, consumers pledge to keep
all this stuff out of the landfill and incinerator. But this “R” comes at the end. Recycling is what we do when we’re
out of options to avoid, repair, or reuse the product first.
Patagonia in turn commits, with its REPAIR “R”, to make products that last and help repair quickly anything
that breaks. Our policy is to get repairs unpacked, done and back in the mail to you within four weeks, including
transport. We pay for repairs that we’re responsible for and charge a fair price for repairs due to normal wear and
tear.
To help customers put back in circulation used clothes, and set up the REUSE “R”, Patagonia and eBay Inc.
have joined forces to launch a new marketplace for customers to buy and sell used Patagonia gear. Only available
for the US market for now, we are already thinking about a similar partnership for Europe. “eBay and
Patagonia have created this unique store to encourage customers to go into their closets, find the Patagonia
garments they don’t currently need, and list them on eBay to continue their useful life,” notes Rick Ridgeway,
Patagonia’s VP of Environmental Initiatives.
The goal is to get more and more pledges and therefore meet our fifth “R”, REIMAGINE. Reimagine a world where
we take only what nature can replace. At this point, 8,500 people already took the pledge. Our goal is to reach
50,000 a year.
We are now using the resources of one and a half planets on our one and only planet. The environmental
cost of everything we make is astonishing. Consider the R2® Jacket shown, one of our best sellers. To make it
required 135 litres of water, enough to meet the daily needs (three litres a day) of 45 people. Its journey from its
origin as 60% recycled polyester to our Reno warehouse generated nearly 20 pounds of carbon dioxide, 24 times
the weight of the finished product. This jacket left behind, on its way to Reno, two-thirds its weight in waste.
“The Common Threads Initiative addresses a significant part of today’s environmental problem – the footprint of our
stuff,” notes Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia’s Founder and Owner. “This initiative first asks customers to not buy
something if they don’t need it. If they do need it, we ask that they buy what will last a long time – and to repair
what breaks, reuse or resell whatever they don’t wear any more. And, finally, recycle whatever’s truly worn out. We
are the first company to ask customers to take a formal pledge and be partners in the effort to reduce consumption
and keep products out of the landfill or incinerator.”
To get more information and/or take the pledge visit www.patagonia.com/eu/enGB/common-threads

Harvey Nichols A/W 2012

Posted on by

I have always though of Harvey Nichols (or Harvey Nics as us Londoners call it) as a young person’s Harrods. It has all of the luxury items, but is a bit more laid-back. I went to check out there Autumn/Winter collection and…wow.

 

My favourite clothes were by Jenny Packman (a Catherine Middleton favourite, and one that women who have more curves look just as amazing in. I find I would look too ‘booby’ in some of the things Middleton wears), Osman, Rag & Bone (divine), Erdem, Roksanda Llincic, McQueen, Preen and Mary Kantrantzou. A lot of amazing British designers are supported.

Lots of patterns and even some Lady Gaga type heels. All in all, a brilliant collection.

 

Rag & BoneRoksanda llincic

Erdem

Alexander McQueen


Mary Katrantzou

Portas review gets government approval

Posted on by

The Government has accepted recommendations from Mary Portas that are aimed at reviving the high street.

Under the recommendations, dedicated ‘town teams’ will manage high streets, a £10 million high street innovation fund will bring life back to empty shops and a National Markets Day will be created.

Natasha-Rachel Smith, spokesperson for TopCashBack, said, “It’s extremely important that the UK’s high streets are productive as a competitive environment in today’s retail sector. Although the most attractive deals and savings will almost always be found online, consumers will always need the requirement to access goods on their doorstep. This is particularly true for essential products and services in situations where the items aren’t available online as immediately as shoppers need them.

“Consumers will always be lured by online bargains but they will continue to need the high street to be the background canvass of their communities.”

How To Measure Yourself Properly

Posted on by

Having correct measurements makes it easier to do clothes shopping. Your size could change from shop to shop so you should always have your measurements to hand. Here is how to measure yourself.

It is better to measure yourself in your underwear for a more realistic result. Do not pull the tape measure too tight. It should have some give to it.

Shoulder
Should be done from shoulder to shoulder in a straight line

Head
Measure around your forehead.

Bust.
Your bust measurements should be taken at the fullest part. If you are taken your bra size then you will also have to do under your bust too.

Waist
Your waist is usually the narrowest part of your body, and this is where you should measure. For the majority of women, this is an inch above your belly button. Don’t hold your breath in! It is better to know your actual size. Wearing clothes that are too small for you will just make you look bigger.

Hips
You should measure the fullest part of your hips. The part of which you sit down on usually. Not around the hip bones, which is what most people think.

Inseam
From your groin to your ankle bone. It is better to get a friend to help you with this.

Do not measure yourself around the time you have your period. You will be retaining water and your dress size will be bigger.

Once you have measured yourself put your measurements into this dress size site to see what dress size you are. It does both UK and US sizing.

WRAP UP AGAINST POVERTY 2012

Posted on by

EXCLUSIVE CELEBRITY AND DESIGNER CLOTHING AUCTIONED TO RAISE VITAL FUNDS

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2012

With London Fashion Week falling at the end of February, showcasing trends for autumn and winter 2012, charity Elizabeth Finn Care is celebrating all things fashion by auctioning a selection of unique items, donated by top celebrities and designers.

At Elizabeth Finn Care, a national charity whose grants team offers financial support to those in need, we know people can struggle to afford the items of winter clothing they need to stay warm and healthy during the colder months. There are 13.5 million people living below the poverty line in the UK, among them 3.8 million children[i]. Through Wrap Up Against Poverty, money to help buy more people in financial need buy essential clothes.

The inaugural Wrap Up Against Poverty campaign was launched in 2011. Over half the people the charity helps had to go without new clothes before they made the approach. By bidding for the fabulous pieces available, the public can not only boost their style credentials but also enable people in financial need survive the winter months.

Each item available reflects both the style and personality of the individual or designer who has donated it. Bidders can go for the classic look of Sienna Miller’s Doma fleece coat, or follow in Dame Helen Mirren’s footsteps by opting for her beautiful Alberta Ferretti coat. Glamour puss Kimberley Walsh’s plush Louis Vuitton scarf will be up for grabs too, as will a beautiful Alexander McQueen suit from Fern Britton, and stylish winter coats from comedy heroes Mathew Horne and Ruth Jones. To add to a spectacular celebrity list, exclusive designer items including a golden Martina Spetlova shift dress have been donated alongside beautiful items from high street stores such as Ted Baker and Topshop.

Wrap Up Against Poverty was a huge hit in 2011, raising both funds and awareness of the fact that millions of people in the UK are living in financial need and many can’t afford to clothe themselves through winter. Wrap Up Against Poverty 2012 will be even greater and grander.

Malcolm Tyndall, Director at Elizabeth Finn Care, said: “We hope that, with the generous support of top celebrities and the fashion industry, not to mention an incredibly enthusiastic public, Wrap Up Against Poverty 2012 will enable us to help even more people find and access the help they desperately need.”

Following the move to the digital catwalk, Elizabeth Finn Care’s auction will be hosted on eBay from Thursday 26th January, and will close on Sunday 26th February. The list of donations is growing longer by the day. For more information please visit www.elizabethfinncare.org.uk/WrapUp