Roberto Cavalli Spring/Summer 2011 Dubai

Surrounded by beautiful women, he leans back in his chair and takes a long, hard drag on his electronic cigarette. Unfazed by the floods of lights that seem to scream, “Cavalli!” from every possible angle, his smile fails to falter. He seems unremarkably calm for someone who is about to unveil their latest collection for the first time to the fashionistas of the Middle East.


It’s mid- December and out in Dubai the fashion clique are swarming into the Fairmont Hotel. Not for its first-class room service, or impeccable restaurants but for its club.

The Cavalli Club reflects every characteristic, every distinguished trait that is Roberto Cavalli. Its red carpet snakes into a world where nothing is unattainable, where everything over-sized and drenched in diamantes is seized with open arms. Swarovski crystals drip from the ceiling, crystal chandeliers drape over the animal-printed thrones that circle the tables with weaving crystal curtains separating them. Nothing is too lavish, too extravagant or too garish for Cavalli.


As Roberto has so rightly said: “beautiful things are expensive” and in this instance he couldn’t be more correct. With grade 8 Wagyu beef, grilled Boston lobster and pure gold leaf maki on the menu at Cavalli Club, expensive is an understatement, where a vintage bottle of Cuvée Dom Perignon is priced well over £12,000. It is no surprise that he is dubbed the ‘King of Bling’ or that he has chosen to flaunt his Spring/Summer 2011 collection here.


After the crowds have stepped off the red carpet and pursed their lips around a few glasses of vintage champagne, the atmosphere is electric in anticipation. With all eyes surveying the runway and the paparazzi poised with expectancy awaiting the arrival of Cavalli’s latest collection, the lights dim, the music begins to pound and the show starts off with a bang.


With only five rows and eight models the show was one of exclusivity, not simplicity. It may not have one recurring theme, instead Cavalli combined his refined mix reflecting a vivid palate of colour, sexiness and a dash of classic prints. The models were everything you would expect to find on a Roberto Cavalli catwalk; beautifully elegant, yet oozing sex appeal and so were the clothes. Plunging necklines,thigh- high slits and corset style dresses left the audience longing in desire and envy.


With a refreshing splash of colour to welcome us into a new season the models paraded down the catwalk in flowing floor-length dresses splashed in electric blues, neon yellows and vibrant greens. As Cavalli has recently said he: “he loves beauty” and “he loves life” and the two for him are intertwined. He reflects these passions through the use of vibrant colours in his creations and today was no exception. “Colour. Beauty. Elegance” were the designer’s words as to what inspired this season’s collection.


He has also always been inspired by nature and this certainly is reflected in his latest collection with floral, leaf and snakeskin prints. And it wouldn’t be a Roberto Cavalli collection without his signature leopard print which pursued loose fitting blouses, one shoulder dresses and skin- tight trousers.


Similar trends for Spring/Summer 2011 were also seen on the catwalks this season. Explosions of neons and vibrant colours were seen on catwalks everywhere from Versace to Maxmara and seas of blues swarmed the Dior, Victor and Rolf and Prada catwalks. Nature may be Cavalli’s inspiration but it seems it was also the desire of other designers too this Spring. Floral maxis were spotted at Paul & Joe, Erdem and Topshop Unique, butterflies flittered over Alexander McQueen creations and giraffes and tigers gave an Africian vibe to Louis Vutton.


After last season’s trends of minimalistic chic, grunge glamour and its shades of deep purple, crimson and black, the new collection is refreshing and uplifting. And the crowd seem to think so too. After the last jaw-dropping dress, once Cavalli entered onto the catwalk blowing kisses to the crowds, the room was filled with the sound of applause, cheers and whistles as people rose from their seats to congratulate him. As Roberto Cavalli had told Time Out Dubai: “Middle Eastern women. They are my biggest fans in the whole world.”

“It (the collection) really was breathtaking. The clothes, the models, the music, the atmosphere. Everything was just incredible” said Alexandra Falgate, a PR girl working for the Pragma Group who have just been invested $150m by Roberto Cavalli to launch 20 more Cavalli Clubs and Cafes. “I love the sexiness and glamour behind his creations. He’s not just a fantastic designer but also such an extraordinary man, with such passion and his designs reflect that.”


It is no wonder he chose Dubai or in the words of Cavalli: “the future”. Dubai seems to be made for the Italian designer or maybe Cavalli was made for Dubai. Either way, it is no surprise that he has launched his first “lifestyle concept club” here. Talking to Georgina Wilson-Fowell, Cavalli described his attitude towards Dubai being: “a fantastic city and it is the future. The Cavalli Club is a big event for me, a dream that has been realised and Dubai has allowed that to happen for me.” With stores and high-end boutiques in America to Europe and now the Middle East, Cavalli is an empire. “What better suited city is there for Cavalli” Alexander explained: “Like his clothes, they are both extravagant, luxurious and ooze glamour.”

After locating Cavalli in the Roberto Lounge, I ask him if he thinks the show is a success. He remains silent. Instead, he takes a seat in between two women, throws his arms around them, holding a champagne glass in one hand, a lighted cigar in the other and smiles. I take that as a yes. It’s no surprise his smile never fails to falter. Why would it?

Dubai

The last two weeks of 2010 were the best of the year, possibly one of the best weeks ever...

The offer to go to Dubai came out of nowhere; a friend asked me a week before if I was free to go, which of course I said yes to, then tickets were booked and suitcases packed and before I knew it we were on the way to the airport after a sunbed and a pamper.

Once we arrived it was 30oc which was an amazing change to the piles of snow England had had for weeks and it was amazing we could even fly. After a flight with thousands of films, food menu and limitless drinks we had our own chaperon to the hotel we were staying at for the next four days, The Fairmont Hotel.






















The Fairmont is one of the most incredible, prestigious hotels I have ever stayed in, with roof top pools, impeccable room service and mouth watering food.

Once we had arrived we got straight into our bikinis and headed out onto a private yacht to drink cocktails and sunbathe.













The rest of the days were spent sunbathing by the pool, getting tans to make friends jealous back home and making the most of the free room service. The nights on the other hand made it a holiday I will never forget.

The first night we got all dolled up and headed to The Cavalli Club, Roberto Cavalli's lifestyle concept club, and I can honestly say it is the most amazing place I have ever been in my life. To sum the first night up we partied in VIP with Roberto Cavalli, his son, Kelly Brook to name a few, we drank £12,000 bottles of vintage champagne before heading to an after party in top floor penthouse.

Happy New Years Fashionistas!

Happy new year to one and all. I hope the new year brings you everything you could hope for.

Taking a look back at 2010, it's had its ups and its downs but over all was one of the best years so far. Let's take a look back...

The year began with blagging myself an audition for Britain's Next Top model. Although I didn't make it onto the show I still came 25th out of thousands of applicants. After that confidence boost I left my 45hour week job that I despised and got myself a job at Topshop which I loved. Being surrounded by clothes and learning about the latest fashions was the ideal job for me and just what I needed to keep me going after my two year relationship with a guy I thought was 'the one' fell apart. My new job confirmed that the fashion industry is where I wanted to be and began applying for work experience on the fashion desk of every magazine I could think of.

Summer was approaching and I was rejoined with a friend who I'd lost contact with. I became promoted in my job and given more responsibility. The summer was spent with friends, attending concerts, festivals and going to Mexico and meeting the most beautiful man I had ever set eyes on.

Before I knew it summer was over and I was off to university. The nerves evaporated within seconds and I made the best group of friends I would wish for. My local hangouts became Mayfair and the West End and was often invited out to celebrity parties where I met my latest obsession, a 22 year old South African model. I had got myself a job at Hollister as a model and soon my year would go off with a bang. Wait for my latest entry on Dubai, meeting a famous fashion designer and my progress on work experience....

Topshop's latest trends

You didn't think I was going to abandon Topshop all together did you? If you did, shame on you. Don't think that just because I don't currently work there that I didn't download the Topshop IPhone App or that I don't check out the website for the latest trends and pieces. I need to keep on top of my game for when I go back over Christmas and show them how it's done.

Demi Couture

Like the Rough Diamond collection. Demi Couture is inspired by the 60's boasting candy colours, embellishments and accessories which reflects the playfulness of that era. Key pieces include pussy bow blouses, baby doll dresses and Mary Janes to top it all off.



















New Puritan


Black, sophisticated and glamorous. New Puritan includes all the things I love and lust; lace, velvet and leather. Delicious.





















Snow Queen

The name says it all; icy blues, crystallised embellishments and faux fur create this magical wonderland with rosy cheeks & pale lips to complete the frostbitten feel.





















Abigail's Party

Were heading back to the 70's with nipped in waists, bell-bottom trousers and plunging necklines. So come on over to the tea party with finger foods, Abba hits and cocktails and join the party!





















The Outsiders

Here's an updated version on the trend the outsiders, just in case you'd forgotten it's a collection inspired by the great outdoors with jodhpurs, Aran knits, tweeds, sweater dresses and over-the-knee socks.

Hello blogging world, guess whose back...

Like the beginning of my last post, my life has been a complete non-stop whirlwind. And I've missed this blog to the moon and back.

RECAP.

Moved down to Kingston, my new home. And I love it. Minus my sickly coloured yellow walls in my room, my new home is close to perfection. My walls are covered in pages from Vogue and photos of my friends. And I love being in complete control of my life. I can choose what I eat and when I eat it, who I want to go out with, when I want to come home and with no one to tell me that I can't, no boyfriend and no family members shaking their fingers at me for smoking or drinking too much.

So, what have I been up to? I found out that I'm good at my course, at journalism, at writing. Really good. That's not coming from me by the way. The woman hardest to please in the world told me so. Her methods to make you work harder are to tour the room, loudly criticising your work in front of everyone. When it got to me, I shut my eyes and prayed she wouldn't obliterate any of the inner self confidence I had. She made it all way through the article, right down to the very last full stop without uttering a word. Until she said, "you can write." And that was all I needed. Since then I haven't looked back since.

Socially, I've met some amazing people and some very good friends, ones that have made me broaden my horizons, made me think differently about a lot of things and ones that have made me realise who I really am. I thought going to university would be a fresh start, to be whoever I wanted to be, reinvent myself. But I've learnt that I like myself just the way I am.

I've also got a job. I miss Topshop, to the extreme. I tried to get a part-time job there but there were a few thousand applicants and as much as I knew I was more than qualified to work there, I knew it was a sign I needed a new challenge, a change. Plus, I knew I could go back there over Christmas, which is now nearly only a month away. So, I decided the best place where I could combine fashion and modelling was Hollister. I managed to land myself a job as a model, which I was more than surprised at, if I'm completely honest.

In between studying, working and socialising, I now need to find the time to join and attend a gym and fit in this blog. Another piece of news is I had to get a new blog. It's for university and based on journalism, technology and the future. I can't say I enjoy writing it to say the least, especially as it's taken me away from writing about what I really enjoy, fashion. No worries, that blog I can finish in just over a month and this once again will be my main priority.

Oh, and I also reapplied for work experience in every single fashion magazine I could think of, so fingers crossed. Watch this space.

The Manic That Has Been The Last 6 Weeks

Ever since our plane touched down in England, my life has been a non stop whirlwind. Regarding work I'd been working almost every day. Why you may ask? Our store was one of only five others that were being remodelled. Exciting stuff, I know. It meant that the store was being turned upside down whilst builders, decorators, surveyors, brand managers and very important high rankers from the flagship store were in and out every minutes meaning we had to be on our very best behaviour. To top it all off, we also had model store and our mystery shopper plus the launch of the four new A/W10 trends.

Trend 1: Rough Diamond. Inspired by the 60's, this trend is filled with leopard print, camel colours, brogues & kitten heels, lots and lots of red, bows galore and complete with smokey eyes and backcombed hair.















Trend 2: Into the Wild. The name says it all; over sized knits, ragged faux fur, clogs & boots. But this trend has its own little twist. Into the Wild is all about mixing rough, over sized accessories with pretty pieces underneath - that's delicate dresses, crystal detailing and flowing fabric for that fairytale feel with tousled hair and crimson lips to finish.






















Trend 3: Dark Nouveau. My favourite trend as it is the complete opposite to how I usually dress; a miss match of grunge and glamour - consisting of every shade of black alongside greys, crimsons and deep purples, the main pieces include leather shorts, skirts & jackets, slouchy knits and sparkling jewellery with tattoo inspired prints and a lot of lace alongside a large dash of kohl.






















Last but not least, trend 4: The Ousiders. With similar pieces to that of Into the Wild, The Outsiders supports, well the whole outside look; plaid & tweed, a splash of fur, jodpurs and riding boots and again some oversized knits, anything remotely relating to the British countryside sums up this trend.





















So far, my A/W10 Wardrobe consists of a beige trench, leather jacket laced with fur, lace tights, military boots, black, grey & crimson nail vanish, oversized knitted cardigan, grey brogues, bow earrings, a leopard print coat, boots laced with fur, a black waitcoat with a lace back, a collection of vintage over the shoulder bags, leather shorts, a strapless lace dress, a huge supply of eyeliner and an embellished headband to top it all off. My wardrobe is almost complete.

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Outside of work, I attended two leaving dos which were thankfully more enjoyable than sad and also had to begin getting my things together for university. Away from work, I was busy out enjoying seeing my friends who were all finally back from their travels and there was also V festival.





















V festival was indescribable. Saturday was filled with sunshine, cider and the most amazing artists around. We managed to get through the gates at 12.05 and walked straight out onto the set of The Pretty Reckless which I'm glad I managed to catch as we watched the teen rock out in a teeny tiny dress complete with suspenders to one of current favourite tunes Make Me Wanna Die.

After grabbing a quick lunch of cheesy chips we headed over to see Passion Pit perform on the main stage, who were my new favourite up & coming band. Nothing beats hearing The Reeling, Little Secrets, Cuddle Fuddle and Sleepy Head performed live by Michael Angelakos, who bizarrely reminds me of Roy from the IT Crowd.

Next, we headed into the Virgin Union Tent to see another of my new favourites, Chew Lips. Why are they one of my favorites? They are currently in Topshop's playlist and although I should be fed up hearing them at work, in fact I love them even more. On an even sadder note I realised I knew every single lyric to every single song performed. Tigs, the singer of the group was most mesmerising to watch as she pulled out some crazy dance moves in her shimmery silver hot pants to Salt Air, Play Together, Solo, Slick and Karen.

Briefly stopping to top up on cider the next act we saw was Temper Trap. Certainly not a one hit wonder, Fadar was one of my top summer tunes, in my eyes better than Sweet Disposition. We then sprinted over to Ellie Goudling who was beyond sensational, was extremely surprised at her incredible drum solo. Running back and forward between tents we somehow managed to get just six rows from the front for Florence and the Machine, with a lot of pushing and shoving the view we had was fantastic and so was her performance. What I had been exceptionally surprised at was how good the bands and singers were live, but Florence topped every live performance of the day.

Thankfully we'd already had the pleasure of seeing Kings of Leon perform so didn't have to make the gruelling choice between them and David Guetta and we were beyond happy we got to see one of the most incredible sets I have ever experienced at V festival. The atmosphere at his set was like no other, and although in a tiny dress and jacket at ten that evening I should have been cold, there was no one in that crowd that wasn't sweating. Everyone was dancing, jumping and raving to the most outstanding hits; it was like being in an outside club and I didn't want it to end. The base, the lights, oh and the laser, firework exploding robots were the cherry on top of the performance.

Although I didn't want the day to end, I was so glad we heading home to our own comfy beds that night and not sleeping in a tent, as boring as that sounds, I knew I didn't want to wake up with a hangover after a short nights sleep on a lumpy ground. Bring on tomorrow.

* * * * * * *

Today, we decided to take it a little easier. We sat in the sunshine with of cider and pizza slices and waited for Plan B, who started off with Faith SFX, an incredible beat boxer and ended with his old school song Charmaine. Just as it was starting to rain, we were thankful we were headed over to the Virgin Union tent for Eliza Doolittle's set. Not only were we right at the front, in the middle but I was also approached by a scout from Select models which made my day.

We went to see Jamie T next, who unfortunately we weren't too impressed with so headed over to see The Kooks, who are a classic favourite and thankfully didn't miss Naive and She Moves In Her Own Way.

We then rocked out to Calvin Harris before completing a toilet, food & drink stop and heading back to see the Prodigy. All I can say is I'm glad we didn't make it to the front. The audience were insane, no one knew whether it was rain, beer or worse that they were being covered in but no one cared. Everyone was completely smashed and bouncing off each other, it was the best way to end such an amazing weekend.

Day 14 - Home Sweet Home

Over night my feelings had turned to anger, and after shoving my clothes and bits & pieces into my suitcase I stormed down to talk to Nick about why he hadn't showed. As soon as I saw him in all his gorgeousness I couldn't feel angry and tried to hold it together as I walked up to him. He read me like a book and immediately ran towards me and held me tightly. As he asked 'where were you', I couldn't help feeling confused. He explained how he'd waited from just after nine until quarter to ten and thought I'd changed my mind about coming or was lost so he'd headed into town to see if I had lost my way but decided to head back in case I'd just been running late. We must have just missed each other within minutes and I soon found myself cheer up a little as I realised he hadn't stood me up. He gave me his email address and gave me one last hug and a kiss on the forehead and wished me a pleasant flight.

I spent the next hour or so sitting on the beach with my feet in the sea, listening to some sad but relaxing music. So, I hadn't had a holiday romance that I'd hoped for, maybe I should have 'gone for it' but at the end of the day he had a girlfriend and even if that night had gone well, maybe it would have been even harder to say goodbye. Now, what I wasn't looking forward to was exchanging the sun for rain, the beach and scuba diving for work and endless cocktails for coffee to get me through the day.

Leaving was difficult, no one likes to come home and thankfully I managed to sleep all the way home on the flight. Once touching down in England, we were welcomed with a heavy down poor of rain. We were home.