Tempted to follow in the footsteps of tattooed celebs, but don’t want to end up regretting it? Then Oliver Sweeney’s pop up shop at Selfridges might be the answer: based in the Men’s Shoe department, this new parlour offers its customers a chance to unleash their creative side, without the risk to end up looking like a wannabe or of contracting hepatitis. Fun!

The process is similar to normal tattooing, with the same inks and needles being used- although the latter obviously don’t need to be sterile. It takes from 20 minutes to a couple of hours depending upon what somebody wants and the complexity of the design.

So far, the most popular designs have been initials and dates- presumably to prevent customers forgetting their loved one’s birthdays- while the most unusual include the depiction of private body parts and a selection of small, cute animals. read more

Ethan Koh may be only 24, but he is already a veteran in the art of bag making, with an exquisite bespoke collection in high demand amongst elegant ladies who lunch, high flying businesswomen and glamorous royals, as well as an increasing number of women in the know able to recognize their Birkin from their Kelly (and obviously able to afford them too). Surprising? Not so much when you know that his family has been providing the world’s leading luxury houses with rare exotic skins for four generations. So when most of his contemporaries were still playing with their Legos, the young Singaporean was learning secret techniques in the family’s tannery at the back of his house, before polishing his skills through internships at Prada and Hermès and degrees at the London College of Fashion and Central Saint Martin’s. Here the talented Mayfair-based designer talks to Chic-Londres about his craft and his brand, Ethan K.

What inspired you to become a designer? I was brought up to love the beauty of exotic skins, being the fourth generation of a family that considers tannery as an art form. So I learnt at a young age how to treat the skins by hand through secret family techniques, such as using an agate stone to polish crocodile leather in order to give it shine without the use of lacquer or oil. I started developing ideas to create my own bags as a teenager, so designing for me is at the same time a new adventure and a continuation. read more

Having gained a reputation for sourcing superb quality clothes at reasonable prices, stylist Naomi Thompson is now recognized as London’s premier vintage personal shopper, with her advice and finds featured on the pages of Vogue, The Sunday Times’ Style magazine, The Telegraph, as well as on Channel 4. Here, the super cool stylist talks to Chic-Londres about her passion for vintage fashion and offers top tips on how to buy and wear vintage.

What is the best thing about vintage? I would say the fact that you can develop a look which is totally unique, as you don’t have to follow any rules or trends. Also, because old clothes tend to be very well made –often in beautiful cotton or silk- you can look very chic wearing them.

Do you have a favourite era? I really like the 50s because those clothes have the ability to make a curvy girl look in proportion and a slim girl look curvy. I also adore the 30s because they mark the beginning of power dressing for women: while still elegant, fashion stopped to be about looking like a wife or mother with the introduction of a more tailored silhouette, including trouser suits. read more

Ladies, time to don your hats! Between the Royal Wedding, Ascot’s 300th anniversary and the rest of the Season fast approaching, this perennial accessory is hotter than ever. That is why Chic-Londres paid a visit to the fairytale-like studio of milliner extraordinaire Louis Mariette (38), whose dreamlike collection of hats have been worn by everyone from Lady Gaga to Kate Moss. Here, the Malawi-born designer, who was a judge in the last series of Britain’s Next top Model and is vice-president of The Children’s Trust, and whose latest bespoke creation (pictured here) will be graced by top model Erin O’Connor at the Investec Derby, talks about the art of hat-making and gives us some advice on how to wear them.

How and why have you become a milliner? I started my career as a party planner and one thing I used to do was to take some elements of the decor I was creating to style the hostess: a stylist friend of mine saw what I was doing and commissioned me to make a hat seven years ago, and that is how it started. So you could say I became a designer by accident, although it felt like a natural transition to me. I didn’t receive a formal training and am self taught: my childhood in Africa helped, as when I was a kid, I would spend hours collecting wires and things on the road to built little toys with my hands. read more

The last six months have been good for Roland Mouret: as well as launching a new men’s line (“Mr.”), the glamorous London-based French designer -a favourite of Demi Moore, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and Scarlett Johansson- has also regained the right to use his name for his designs and opened on 21st February his first flagship shop in Mayfair.

For his first flagship shop -an old dream of his- Roland Mouret has seen big: a six storey Grade I listed Edwardian building, located at 8 Carlos Place just opposite the Connaught Hotel in high fashion Mayfair, which offers a traditional historic grace mixed with playful 70’s furniture and collectors objects. With two floors of retail, an atelier, design workshops, studios and a sales showroom, it is much more than just a shop, but rather a “maison”, in the Parisian fashion sense, just like Coco Chanel used to have in rue Cambon, where all elements of the designer’s world can be found. “I am very excited about opening our first Roland Mouret flagship store and hope it brings the magic of avenue Montaigne into the heart of Mayfair and I am bracing myself for the challenge ahead, what a new brand should stand for in the 21st century, explains Roland. We wanted to offer our retail clients something unique and special in the store -our new house- and I hope we have created the environment in which to do that.” read more

At Chic-Londres, we like nothing more than a great bargain. And there will be plenty to choose from at the sample sale organised by Rigby & Peller, the quintessential British lingerie brand, with great underwear and swimwear at up to 85% discount.

Who Rigby & Peller, the quintessential British corsetry empire launched in 1939, is the only lingerie brand which holds a Royal Warrant. Famous for its bespoke underwear and expert bra fitting, its customers list includes model Sophie Dahl and the Queen.

What and Why There will be thousands of designer products at up to 85% discount, including Rigby & Peller own label, but also French favourites Aubade, Lejaby, Simone Perele and Huit. Communal changing rooms will be available, as well as expert advice on fitting. All bras will be priced at £15 and briefs at £5, with bikinis and beachwear starting at £15. read more

The days of men fumbling for the tricky bra hook are finally over, thanks to the arrival in the UK of the first magnetic lingerie, launched this week in Selfridges. Created by ultra chic French lingerie brand Dement, it puts an elegant and sexy end to man’s struggle to unclasp the woman of their dreams. Genius…

London men, rejoice! Your time fighting with recalcitrant bra hooks is about to end, thanks to lovely French lingerie brand Dement, brainchild of talented Parisian designer Laetitia Schlumberger. This clever lady has had the idea to replace the traditional -and often tricky- hook and eye by almost invisible magnets placed at the crucial junctures. “While fumbling to unhook a bra strap is a romantic comedy cinematic cliché, it can actually be quite a passion killer, says Helen Attwood, head buyer for Lingerie at Selfridges. This new magnetic lingerie is not just easier to use, but also the biggest innovation in the underwear market for years.” This fresh arrival to the lingerie scene is all the more welcome for the London’s males that -according to Selfridges’ research- 80% of Christmas Eve shoppers are expected to be unorganised men who have left Christmas present buying until the final hour. And what woman doesn’t like a bit of sexy -yet classy (as we can’t emphasize enough)- lingerie? This market is worth £2.59 billion in the UK, with women investing more than ever on luxury labels and sales of the sexiest designs up 50% at Selfridges in 2010 compared to 2009. Last but not least, the clever system enables passionate men to rip off their partner precious (and expensive) lingerie without destroying it- which is obviously an asset. How clever! read more

H&M has already given us affordable collections by top designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, Jimmy Choo and Sonia Rykiel… This season, the high street chain goes one step further with the launch of its most glamorous collection yet, designed by Lanvin for men and women.

The Parisian house set up by Jeanne Lanvin in 1889 and revitalised by artistic director Alber Elbaz is undoubtedly one of the most covetable around, worn by every Hollywood stars from Jennifer Lopez to Jessica Alba. But with prices usually over £1,000, only some happy few can afford it.

“Designer’s work is usually tailored to a very small group of people, but the collection for H&M was about trying to translate the dream of luxury to the masses”, explains Alber Elbaz, whose collection for the high street chain goes from £24.99 to £199.99 for the most expensive piece. read more

New online boutique Boticca.com has just launched, and this is great news for anyone who likes their jewellery and fashion accessories to be chic, unique, beautifully made and trendy, but without costing an arm and leg. The concept? Handpicking the best of emerging designers from all around the world and offering a global marketplace to buy their products. Chic-Londres takes a peek…

Most of you probably have had this great shopping experience -when travelling abroad or strolling a market, be it in Istanbul, Port-Louis or Portobello Road- that occurs when you find a great (and usually cheap!) necklace or bag that draws everyone’s attention, and is all the more unique that you can’t find it on anybody else… Those pieces are just the best, although most of us don’t have the time (sadly!) to stroll around markets all the time, let alone all over the world.

So I was very pleased to recently discover Boticca.com, a new online boutique which showcases hand-picked jewellery, bags and fashion accessories from 130 emerging designers from over 30 countries. The idea came to its French founder Kiyan Foroughi while on holiday in Marrakesh, after he met a wonderful local designer from the Atlas Mountains, and realised the potential such a hidden talent could have… if only she could sell beyond her local market. read more

Even if France was to lose against England in their next rugby match, one thing is for sure: France will still be a winner, at least when it comes to fashion. Yes, this is right, since French brand Eden Park has just become the official formalwear provider of the Rugby Football Union. The official announcement was made by Eden Park founder Franck Mesnel and England team manager Martin Johnson at a party held in Kensington Roof Gardens on the 20th of October. Chic-Londres was there…

With luxurious cashmere scarves, black shoes embroidered with England roses, quirky gavroche hats, details including rugby ball shaped buttons, and each hand-tailored suits made to their individual measurements, the English rugby boys will never have been so incredibly chic. And all of that thanks to us, the French… or at least to Eden Park, which has become the first French brand ever to dress the England team, after creating an exclusive collection of bespoke formalwear. The collection is part of a six year partnership covering the next two Rugby World Cups in 2011 and 2015 and will see Eden Park kit out the entire 215 strong England squads, ranging from the Seniors through to the Under 18’s, management and backroom staff. read more

Once a cheap website offering copies of celebs looks, Asos.com has now become a prime destination for sophisticated fashion lovers, selling niche designer brands, the top of the high street and its own fashion forward lines, like Asos Black and Asos White. More affordable than Net-a-Porter, but just as stylish and efficient, it is now the UK’s largest independent online fashion retailer, with over 35,000 products available.

Asos has gone a long way since it was established ten years ago: originally known as “As Seen on Screen”, the website used to sell rather dubious and cheap imitations of looks seen on celebrities such as Sienna Miller or Victoria Beckham. Nowadays however, far from copying the stars, Asos does inspire them, with celebs like Rihanna, Katy Perry and Kate Hudson all wearing its designs.

Now the fastest-growing retailer in the UK, it has got over 35,000 branded and own label products available, more than 1100 brands available and over 1500 new lines added each week. It is therefore rapidly becoming the market leader in the UK online fashion world, with over 6.9 million unique visitors a month and 1.6 active buyers. read more

The Oxford Street’s department store is taking shoe fetishism to a new level, by opening on Thursday 23 September the largest women’s shoe department in the world. Bigger than the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall, this new space, spread over 35,000 sq feet, will offer over 5,000 different styles from 150 brands, from high street favourites like Topshop to designer brands like Lanvin.

Shoes are like friends: even when you are lucky enough to have many, you can always do with some more… At least, that is what we like to think, us shoe lovers who just can’t resist a new pair. So what a good news -although slightly worrying for the purse- to learn that Selfridges celebrates London Fashion Week by opening the biggest women’s shoe department in the world.

Spread over 35,000 sq feet, it will stock 5,000 different styles and over 100,000 at any given time, with more than 150 brands to choose from, from high street favourites like Topshop to designer brands like Chanel or Roger Vivier. read more

Sex and the City -and every celeb’s- favourite shoe designer is launching a new limited edition collection for Liberty of London, with specially designed shoes, candles, scarves and prints available exclusively in the Regent Street shop in September.

Shoe supremo Manolo Blahnik -a London resident since 1968- is undoubtedly one of the world’s most influential footwear designers, beloved by an international set of adoring glamorous devotees across the globe.

From September, a special collection of Manolo’s shoe designs will be available in Liberty, the first time they have ever been sold outside of his flagship store in the UK.  There are exclusive shoes in Liberty fabrics from the 60’s that Manolo selected from the archives.

To complete the collection, there will also be Manolo’s very own set of Liberty prints, for sale by the metre and a collection of limited edition products, including a scented candle developed alongside English perfumer Lyn Harris, scarves, bow ties, stationery, umbrellas, notebooks, shoe horns and cushions. read more

There are some addresses you’d rather keep to yourself, and Soler is definitely one of them. In this Ali Baba’s fashion cave, you get to choose your own pattern and your own fabric, to get a piece of clothing tailor-made especially for you, at an affordable prize: unique, playful and oh so glamorous!

“Women love to get something a little bit different, which reflects their own taste and personality, and that is what we are offering here”, explains the lovely Alexandra Al-Bader (38), the Spanish model and mother of two who recently opened her first shop, after having run the Soler label for one year from her house.

In the boutique, just off Golborne Road, in fashionable North Kensington, you get to choose your own fabric, amongst 200 rolls of cotton, silk and chiffon, sourced by Alexandra in Paris, London, New York and Marrakesh, with each of them available in limited quantity of 20 metres max, to ensure uniqueness. For this extra personal touch, you can even choose a hand-painted fabric, courtesy of Alexandra’s sister, an artist who has made 25 exclusive designs to choose from. read more

The iconic brand has gone a long way from its beginnings in 1884 as the rather unglamorous Dr Jaeger’s Sanitary Woollen System to its current status as one of the most successful British fashion name. Over the past few years, it has managed to retain its more conservative customers, while reinvented itself to appeal to a new younger crowd thanks to new lines like Jaeger London and Jaeger Boutique.

The History

This well established British brand, famed for its precise cuts and quality fabrics, was founded in 1884 by Lewis Tomalin, a British accountant who took inspiration from Dr Gustav Jaeger, a professor of Zoology at the university of Stuttgart, who advocated that humans would be healthier if they dressed in clothes made only of animal hair, mostly wool, and avoiding vegetable fibres like cotton and linen. After translating Dr Jaeger’s book into English, Tomalin opened his first clothing store in London under the name “Dr Jaeger’s Sanitary Woollen System”, which -despite its rather unappealing name- went on to become very successful. read more

Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore -and of course Lady Gaga!- are all showing off their underwear this season, with lingerie emerging as the new must-have and must-see fashion accessory in the catwalk, from Dior to Stella McCartney to Givenchy. If you want to work this look but don’t want to be like an extra in Moulin Rouge, Chic-Londres got some must-follow tips from Nicky Clayton, Rigby & Peller’s Creative Director.

Beauty Pageant, Fabric Watches and Erdem Dresses: this is a busy week indeed at über trendy store Liberty, which continues its year-long programme championing the power of love, rebellion and creativity to mark nearby Carnaby Street’s 50th birthday as the heart of Swinging London.

With one of the world’s most famous flower shows taking place on the other side of London that week, Liberty is holding its own petal pageant to mark the start of a Summer of Liberty with a programme of Flower Power events and activity, focusing on its iconic floral prints.

So if your name is Rose, Violet, Iris, Poppy, Daisy or Lily, you should head off to Liberty on 25th May! As part of its Flower Power Festival, the fashion store is calling for everyone with a flower related name to come along on with the chance to become the Liberty Flower Girl. Would-be flower girls simply need to turn up for the Petal Parade by 5pm with proof of identity and have their photograph taken. read more

The quintessentially English and super trendy London store Liberty is launching this week a limited edition collection of products with the visionary Parisian shop Merci: the Entente Cordiale has rarely been so stylish.

A year after the renaissance of the London flagship store, under the supervision of French CEO Geoffroy de la Bourdonnaye, Liberty keeps on going from strength to strength, having firmly evolved from dusty to directional, thanks notably to some of the most original and exclusive collaborations in fashion.

After getting artist Grayson Perry and luxury company Hermès to create special designs for the store in 2009, Liberty has started the new year by launching a capsule collection with Milanese avant-garde store 10 Corso Como in February. And this week, it is followed by a new collaboration with Parisian charity store Merci, whose creative director and founder Marie-France Cohen has designed an exclusive and limited edition collection of products using her favourite Liberty floral print designs. read more

Recession might be (theoretically) over, but that doesn’t mean that we can go on splashing hundreds of pounds on designer shoes- at least not all the time! But fear not: help is at hand for fashionable party girls on a budget, with a new website offering Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin and the like for hire at a fraction of their retail price.

What? www.Cinderella-me.co.uk is the UK’s first designer shoe hire website, which offers a relatively affordable solution for fashion conscious ladies wanting to live the high life without blowing their budget. There are over 200 styles to choose from, in sizes 35 to 42, from designers such as Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Gucci, Christian Dior or Chanel. While the shoes are not from the current season (that should change soon), the selection is good and extensive. Each pair of shoes retail between £250 and £870, but can be rented for the week at a rate of £40 to £80. Particularly handy for those who go out a lot but don’t want to spend a fortune on a pair of shoes they might only wear once or twice. read more

Can anyone do fashion events better than the chicest of British labels nowadays? Chic-Londres doesn’t think so… Not only did Burberry manage once again to line up the hottest Hollywood starlets and trendiest bands for its Autumn Winter 2010 show on February 23, it has also made fashion history by broadcasting it online around the world using 2D and 3D live streams, thus enabling over 100 million people to see it live.

Who would have thought only one year ago that London Fashion Week could have become so hot? Not many, but it all changed last September, when Burberry decided to move its Prorsum show from Milan to London, creating an unprecedented buzz with an after party attended by the Who’s Who of celebs, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Liv Tyler, as reported then in Chic-Londres. (https://chiclondres.com/article.php?eid=3982&lang=en)

Now Burberry has done it again last Tuesday, with its Autumn Winter 2010 show at the Chelsea College of Art and Design, which was attended by a perfect blend of trend setters (Anna Wintour, Carine Roitfeld, Mario Testino, Mary Kate Olsen), hot Hollywood names (Kate Hudson, Claire Danes), rising stars (Twilight’s Kirsten Stewart, Alice in Wonderland’s Mia Wasikowska, top model Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley), hot bands (The Kooks, Snow Patrol) and London’s A-listers (Samantha Cameron, Twiggy, Philip Green)… read more