Jenny Packham headlines the V&A’s ‘Members Week’, but you can still go!

Hey Guys! Guess what? Members Week at the V&A isn’t just for ‘members’ yo. Anyone can attend and tickets for three of the most exciting talks taking place between (17th-24th May) and include speeches by legendary designer Jenny Packham (celebrating her eponymous label’s 25 year anniversary), the magnificent Stephen Jones and visionary illustrator Jason Brooks. Following the phenomenal success of the current ‘David Bowie is’ retrospective at England’s leading arts museum, the V&A is currently gearing up for its fourth annual Members Week which promises to be the best to date.

Monday 20th May sees Stephen Jones: Model Millinery take place at 18:30 with the world-respected milliner in conversation with V&A curator Oriole Cullen. Having designed hats for some of the world’s most influential fashion houses, including Jean-Paul Gaultier and Thierry Mugler, Jones is considered one of the 21st century’s most reveled milliners. If you prefer your art more 2D, Wednesday’s talk entitled Fashion Illustration: Portraits of Paris with internationally famous illustrator Jason Brooks might be more up your creative street.

Having worked with major brands ranging from Vogue to Coca-Cola, and being responsible for creating the visual identity for the Hed Kandi brand as well as illustrating just about everyone from Couture week, Jason will be in discussion with Tony Glenville (Creative Director for the School of Media & Communication at the London College of Fashion). Friday 24th May sees the end of Members Week with Jenny Packham: Luxury Design celebrating Packham’s 25 years at the helm of her world-renowned luxury label. Having dressed the likes of Kate Middleton and Kate Winslet through to Kate Hudson (she must like the name) Jenny Packham will be discussing her sumptuous designs and how her label has become one of the UK’s most successful independent fashion labels.

All tickets, priced £15 for non-members, include a wine reception and can be booked by calling 020 7942 2277.

Don’t make me go all Chris Crocker on y’all! Leave K-Middie Alone!

So everyone is in agreement that we are all chuffed for Wills and Kate, yes? We are all happy they are happy and ipso facto everyone is in high spirits for the lovely couple.  Well, maybe not Kate with her sweaty brow and head down a toilet, and maybe not them two Aussie berks that are now hated by the British public for daring to dupe our beloved future leaders and mock a pregnant woman (trust me, you aren’t ever getting through customs over here now).  But seriously, am I the only one that is, after only three days, ready to tell every gossip columnist, every generic blog (hey there Telegraph, Grazia, Glamour) that I don’t CARE if they name the sprog Elizabeth, Edward or some other forgettable name.  I would rather, if I had to, read the Enquirer or some other trashy mag full of obvious lies and at least have a laugh with potential names such Princess Consuela Banana Hammock, or Duke Igor the Numpty rather than this drivel (fingers crossed the Duke and Duchess do actually commit a Geldof and give us all a laugh).  Also, thanks to the Metro, I had the life scared out of me when confronted by these criminal e-fits of what the third in line to the throne will look like:

Apparently, if a boy, he will be destined to sport a receding hairline aged FOUR.

Now, I know this may be considered blasphemy against the worshippers of K-Middie, but as the Rolling Stones did sing, ‘Like a new-born baby it just happens every day’.  And I don’t think I for one can take another nine months of speculation over this.  Maybe everyone should just calm down, stop camping outside the hospital for that ‘all important’ first photo of a pregnant Kate and just let the poor woman get through her first trimester in peace.  And Kanye, I am including you in this!

Wedding season outfit recycling

You may not have as many weddings to go to this year as Joanna has, but you can still be inspired by her sensible approach to outfit choices and avoid having to shell out on a multitude of new wedding-worthy ensembles.

I’ve just returned from my 7th wedding of the year. I couldn’t count the numerous champagne ‘clinks’ or canapés devoured but if all the wedding catering I’d consumed was laid out before me (much like a diet programme) I’m sure it would cover quite some surface area. I’ve got a total of 11 this year which is a full calendar when you also consider the hen-party commitments that go with them. Despite appearances I don’t have an overabundance of friends; I just seem to have hit a peak year whereby age, multiplied by boyfriend’s friends plus family functions equates to a bumper wedding season.

In summary so far:

1 x destination wedding in Bali

2 x church weddings

2 x Cornish coastal weddings

1 x Indian wedding

1 x Welsh wedding

I was a bridesmaid at my sister’s and one is actually mine so it’s not just been a succession of parties…at some I’m actually expected to take part. Obviously gift lists, accommodation and travel take up the bulk of  expenditure so on a few occasions I’ve, gasp, worn the same dress.  I don’t think outfit replication is quite the offence it’s considered and I’m in good company as high-profile outfit recycler Kate Middleton must have had those LK Bennett pumps re-heeled thrice this summer alone. Also it seems unreasonable to commit to a whole new ensemble when male guests only have to alternate a grey/navy suit and grapple with a simple tie selection. No fair.

Here’s a rundown of my 7 seven wedding guest looks of 2012. With a few key dresses and jackets you can mix and match with existing accessories to create the illusion of an endless wardrobe full of chapel-to-disco appropriate outfits.

CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO GET ALL THE ITEM INFO FROM POLYVORE

Apparently some couples are reluctant to get married in ‘unlucky for some’ 2013 so perhaps it’ll be a quieter year.  I can kick back and cash in those motorway miles in anticipation of 2015 when I’ll be chronicling my busy summer of *gulp* baby showers.

Why Kate and Catherine should steal each other’s style

When tasked with blogging about ‘pure British style’ by shoe heaven website Sarenza (we went to their bloggers event last week) there were two style icons that immediately came to mind for me. Easily the two most famous brides in the world this year, they’re both British style icons and they’re both called Kate (sorry, but I can’t get used to this Catherine business). I got to thinking about what the Duchess of Cambridge and Kate Moss could learn from each other when it comes to footwear fashion…

Personally, I’m a bit bored of the same old mid-height courts in neutral colours that Catherine is always wearing. I’d rather see her in something way more daring, like these lipstick red Alvery heels by Pour la Victoire, £249. They’d look great with a floral Erdem dress.

Mrs Moss, on the other hand, could have a go at a look that the Duchess chose for about half a dozen weddings this summer – the nude patent court. But rather than a delicate stiletto, the leg-lengthening platform-soled Jupiter by I LOVE SHOES (£63.75) is much more Moss’s style.

Which Brit style icons do you think should take a leaf out of each others’ wardrobes? Tell us in the comment box below.

Check out the rest of the new autumn/winter collection on Sarenza.co.uk.

Ten things I learned at the royal wedding dress exhibition

The Royal Collection ©2011, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

 

1. Six different types of lace can be seen on the dress.
2. Four of the lace motifs were chosen to represent the nations of the United Kingdom– rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.
3. The lace was appliquéd onto the satin gazar fabric by the Royal School of Needlework, an embroidery school that dates back to 1872.
4. The sewing needles had to be renewed every three hours to ensure they remained sharp enough.
5. The overall design of the dress was intended, according to designer Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, to ‘look to the past but look forward as well,’ so the bustle echoed a traditional Victorian shape but the corsetry was typical of the house of Alexander McQueen.
6. The skirt pattern was shaped like an unfolding flower.
7. Heavy canvas was strategically placed on the ‘petals’ of the skirt to make sure it retained its shape when Catherine walked up the aisle.
8. The earrings that the Middleton family had commissioned as a gift for their daughter feature a diamond in the shape of an acorn, as seen on the family’s coat of arms.
9. The Royal wedding cake featured 900 flowers and leaves made out of icing.
10. Because they didn’t eat the royal wedding cake itself (it’s on show at the exhibition now) the Duke of Cambridge had a chocolate biscuit cake commissioned by McVities, presumably to keep reception guests happy.

The Royal Wedding Dress: A story of Great British Design is open until 3^rd October 2011 at the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace. Visit the Royal Collection website for more details and to book tickets.

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