Imagination is more important than knowledge.

- Albert Einstein

DANGER McQueen sample sale!

Thursday was the seasonal Alexander McQueen sample sale held at Clerkenwell in London. This was the first time I had been to a McQueen sample sale and therefore did not know what to expect.

I arrived at the beginning of the sale ensuring what I thought would be an easy transition into the sale to find my season bargains and get out of there faster than you can say 70% off. How wrong I was...

What looked like a relatively small queue equated to half an hour, an hour and before I knew it I had spent two hours, yes, two hours waiting to get a glimpse of what I hoped would be worth the wait inside.

When inside it was clear as to why the wait had been so long, it was the calmest sale I have been to due to a strict one in one out system. I usually avoid participating in the fashionista games of sprint to the accessories line, for the exact reasons stated, but this was different.

I was pleased to see a great range of coats, dresses, casual wear and accessories and ensured I took my time after the unanticipated wait to get in there. After two hours browsing and trying on I settled for five purchases which seemed to make the taxing afternoon sufficiently worthwhile.

A stunning black velvet column dress (perfect for my week in Paris before Christmas!), a navy silk jersey dress, a cream blazer with black lapel and a pair of gold platform heels- job well done!

On waiting in the queue beforehand my friend had scorned at me when I questioned "Is McQueen really worth it?" On surveying my prized purchases I will have no hesitation in going through the rigmarole next season, maybe I'll bring my tent next time....

I'm dreaming of a Black Christmas..

Hannah Marshall AW09

Forget a White Christmas, a Black Christmas is much more fun. The Jean-Pierre Braganza & Hannah Marshall Black Christmas party was held at Seymour Place last night and featured DJ sets from Skin and Malcolm Pate.

I arrived decidedly too fashionably late hot stepping from my frenzied sample sale day, and consequently didn't get a look in at the black vodka cocktails on offer. But the atmosphere was still electric.

Jean-Pierre Braganza SS10

The invite only crowd was hip, draped in the uniform black, you could feel the fashion consciousness oozing from every corner and smouldering through the smoke covered room.

Having had a night out with Hannah over fashion week, she is refreshingly grounded, a regular girl from Essex with an extraordinary talent and a penchant for the darker things in life...

The designers' pop-up store collaboration opens on December 7 at 4-6 Seymour Place, Portman Village, London.

Here's a clip I didn't post over fashion week from the Hannah Marshall spring/summer 10 collection.

Raiding Cheryl's wardrobe

Another sample sale, another purchase. This time it was a more intimate affair at the house of Cheryl Cole's stylist Frank Strachan.

I picked up a Versace dress, Costume National cage shoes, black velvet dress and a couple of belts for the bargain price of £65!

Granted the dress has endured a Girls Aloud sweating in it but nothing a dry clean won't fix! I was extremely pleased with my purchases which are now queuing up in my wardrobe to make it into my Paris suitcase in two weeks time.

Frank was a fab host and a really nice guy along with his friends from Attitude who were lending a helping hand.

In my book of quotes...

To get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.

- Mark Twain

Kurt Geiger step their game up

Kurt Geiger press day yesterday and very impressed by the new season's collection. Held at one of the grand rooms at Claridges Hotel Mayfair it mirrored the vintage glamour of the spring summer 10 range.

Re-establishing themselves as a high end brand they have sourced better quality fabrics and surface finishes and are producing the shoes in Italian factories alongside the likes of Nicholas Kirkwood and Miu Miu.

The brand re-positioning and conscious effort to step up on quality really shows in the latest collection.

Beautiful vintage inspired pieces such as 1950’s courts, 1970’s wedge and stacked heels as well as classic ballet pumps.

A favourite of mine were the soft leather platforms with denim inserts. I was pleased to accept a complimentary pair of shoes as seen above on the mannequin, however the press pair were black- naturally!

I’m sure many a press pack will be rocking these over Christmas and I can't wait for the full collection to hit stores!

Fashion Business Club meets Jonathan Saunders

Jonathan Saunders and Dolly Jones

The last Fashion Business Club of 2009 was definitely not to miss. Dolly Jones editor of Vogue.com interviewing designer Jonathan Saunders with the emphasis on the press and buyers influence in the design process.

A relaxed and chirpy Saunders expressed how his first Vogue cover in 2004 catapulted the brand to new heights. The support of fashion heavyweight Anna Wintour and press Style.com, Vogue.com and retailer Net-a-Porter were and remain contributing factors in pushing the brand forward.

He commended London's inspirational way of supporting designers out of college in a way not mirrored in other major cities.

Saunders attributed the camaraderie of British designers to the love of fashion, stemming from St Martins College of Art and Design where fellow students Christopher Kane, Richard Nicoll and Louise Gray honed their craft.

Alison Whelan, Jonathan Saunders, Dolly Jones, Courtney Blackman

Saunders admitted learning much business sense from buyers such as how to range plan and the importance of taking on board comments on sell-through.

And what of public perception through the press? Saunders remarked, "It is important to be aware of but equally important not be controlled by".

Courtney Blackman Co-founder of FBC was looking spectacular in a Jasper Garvida dress. Many other stylish FBC members were in attendance at the Swarovski Crystallized Lounge and no doubt eagerly anticipating the next meeting.

On 28 January 2010 FBC member and fashion and business expert Frances Card will be interviewing Liberty’s creative director, Tamara Salman

For information on becoming a Fashion Business Club member click here.

Images courtesy of Dave Wise

To buy or not to buy..

..that is the question.


I am very tempted by these, I tried them on at the weekend and spent 20 minutes deliberating the 'do I need them in my life' question in my own little warped fashion mind.

The mink satin platform is mirrored on the entire sole and gives it a luxurious look.

Besides, one more little purchase won't affect the deepening black hole of credit, it's so vast I can barely see it anymore, maybe it's not really there...

Office Grey Spacewalker Shoe

In my book of quotes...

Pleasure is the only thing to live for. Nothing ages like happiness.

- Oscar Wilde