Inspiration of the month: Tim Walker Photography

Award winning fashion photographer Tim Walker has captured people’s imagination for years with his artistic, often surreal photographs.

He combines the dramatic with the beautiful, using evocative other-worldly themes, often with a mythical or fairy tale slant. He recently inspired us to design a stunning and colourful jewellery range which will be released very soon!

This photo of Kate Moss modelling a stunningly opulent red dress, inspires a classically feminine garnet, reaching into the heart of passion.

The following photo:

shows a fun and frivolous carelessness.

This ethereal quality of the dress in this photo could be bonded with divine amethyst, the stone of spirituality.

The silver-blue hues in this surreal photo have a bewitching quality, with mythical creatures half visible, lurking in shadows.  It inspires a translucent chalcedony, hinting at what the eye can’t see.
How cannot you be inspired by so much talent?

Love of the week: 5 pre-holiday beauty tips

A summer holiday is one of the high points during the year and one for which you want your skin and hair routine to be at its best. A regime of exfoliation, moisturisation and self tanning will not only make sure you're feeling at your best but that you're looking at your best too. Here are my top tips and products to do just that!

1.) Exfoliation

Prep the skin for tanning with an intensive body scrub, essential on heels, knees and elbows to prevent dry skin and promote an even tan. I like Philosophy's Amazing Grace Perfumed Hot Salt Scrub. Beautifully conditioning and moisturising.

2.) Tan Accelerator

Perfect to get your skin in condition to receive the sun, to help stimulate melonin and give a lasting tan. I like Gatineau's Tan Accelerator in the 400ml size.

3.) Trimming and Toning

Help yourself feel more body confident before you hit the beach with The Sanctuary's Trim and Tone Body Wrap, an essential to get your skin sculpted and smoothed for holidaying

4.) Fake Tan

If you're scared of hitting the beach without any colour, try a high quality fake tanner like Xen-Tan's Custom Self Tanner

5.) Hair Treatment

Give your hair a head start with Philip Kingsley's excellent Elasticizer Treatment. Use before, during and after your holiday to make sure your locks are in tip-top condition.

Why Peplums Are Your Friend

The wave of peplums adorning jackets, tops, skirts and dresses which flooded the catwalks and collections this season can, for many, be rather intimidating. Like most women I know, I have a strict aversion to any clothing that could potentially make my hips look any larger than they need. And, at first glance, peplums can seem to fall into this category. However, a well cut peplum can be supremely flattering as well as fashion forward, falling largely into the rather more desirable category of ‘hides a multitude of sins’. From floaty to structured, minimalist to baroque era frills, this seasons peplum come in a range of incarnations to suit your every mood.

To ease yourself into the trend, try this sequin embellished, super sweet miniskirt by Preen.

The subtle ruffling at the waist is understated while still remaining a feature. Make sure to show it off by tucking in whatever top you choose to pair it with.
If this has whet your appetite for the waist enhancing frill, then Alexander McQueen’s emerald green dress should be right up your street.

With a tightly drawn in waist and fitted skirt, the peplum frill will draw welcome attention to the smallest part of the torso while skimming rather politely over the tops of the hips and stomach. Is it any wonder the fashion pack have welcomed the style with open arms?
For a more structured look, The Row bring us a clean cut tailored peplum in soft cotton jersey with black silk trim.

Wear this piece with a pencil skirt or skinny jeans; the key to keeping the peplum flattering is to pair it with slim cut, fitted clothing: the peplum is volume enough all by itself.
If you are looking to make a striking statement this season then look no further than this scarlet Osman number.

Against the clean lines and colour block style, the leather peplum is a stand out feature. There is no need to overdress this piece, simply team with minimalist heels, an up-do and Trisori’s Bubbles earrings for the ultimate on trend ensemble. 

Aisha

www.trisori.com

Renouve your hands

There's something satisfying about killing two birds with one stone so to speak. Especially something with dual functions. Renouve is a new handcream and sanitiser that both removes germs from your hands and at the same time keeps your hands lookig young with collagen stimulating peptides.

Apparently ingredients such as alochol which sanitise the hands dries the skin, which in turn leaves it more susceptible to bacteria and triclosan, another sanitiser also has negtive effects. Instead, Renouve uses bitter orange peel which is a proven antibacterial which is both parabens and alcohol free. It is natural, occurring in plants so it is 100% organic.

The youth promoting element - palmitoyl tripeptide-5 is a deep penetrating ingredient which has been developed to stimulate the production of collagen, diminishing wrinkles, firming and moisturising the skin. It actually mimics the body's own to produce and stimulate collagen via TGV-beta.

In clinical trials, testers used the product twice a day and experienced significant improvements in their skin. Independent studies also proved that Renouve kills 99.99% of bacteria.

But one of the best things, is that the botttles are so pretty - they sit well on your desk and you can even keep it easily in your handbag. I've been trying Every day defense in Gold. It's priced at £22 per bottle (30ml). Different colour schemes are available.
http://renouve.com/

http://www.trisori.com/

Love of the week: Kaftans

I’m so pleased that kaftans have made a come-back!  They are stylish and flattering for any shape or size.  They are versatile garments which come in bold colours and designs and can be worn not just as a beach cover up, but on many occasions.  They are so easy to pack into a suitcase and easy to take care of on holiday. I usually take two kaftans with me on holiday. One for the beach and one for wearing at parties.

My personal choices are:

This classy Sandy Lane Paisley Print Kaftan is ideal for wearing at a beach party, worn with matching jewellery, like vibrant lapis lazuli from Trisori Maui collection:

Teamed with a pair of wedges and a stylish sun hat, I find this chic kaftan is ideal as a cooling beach cover up which gives me that 60’s hippy rock chick look.

Pair it with some jewellery for some Saint Tropez Glamour:

Whichever style of kaftan you choose, you will stand out as being fashionable and stylish.

A Flight of Fancy

With summer in London not being quite what it ought this year, can you blame us for embracing all the fantasy that fashion can provide this season? Thanks to the rather conspicuous dearth of sun so far, a touch of the novel, fantastical and strictly unnecessary is surely in order. And what can provide this more fancifully than the spate of feather embellishments and avian motifs that the fashion houses have kindly conjured up for us this season...

Try a cutesy take on Art Deco glamour in this mint strapless dress from Oscar de la Renta. With tiers of pastel feathers this is a dress with wonderful movement and the pastel shade is perfect to highlight any hint of a tan (be it real or otherwise). 

For a slightly less literal take on avian fashion, my money is on Reed Krakoff’s cotton sateen skirt, complete with digital falcon print. A versatile little piece that will hold it’s own whether paired with statement sandals and sunnies or ankle boots and a trench. 

If you are after the epitome of a statement evening look, Christian Louboutin certainly doesn’t disappoint with this feathered Artemis python shoulder bag. Created as part of a collection to honour his 20th anniversary, this bold collectible piece will be the guaranteed scene-stealer of any evening ensemble. Match with a simple shift dress for maximum impact.

Lastly, for when the sun does finally make an appearance, these feather sunglasses by Linda Farrow X Charlotte Olympia will add a flourish to any summer wardrobe.

Featuring a genuine bird plume within the frames, these 50’s style sunnies will be a terribly on trend way to see through a London summer in a rose tinted fashion. Come rain or come shine.



Aisha
www.trisori.com

Love of the week: Killer Bikini

It's officially that time of year again: bikini shopping season! If you want to seriously turn heads this summer at the beach or the poolside, try one of these killer bikinis.

Neon is in this season, and it's easy to keep the trend going on the beach with a playful, bright string bikini like this from Cia Maritima. The classic triangle top is adjustable and comes in several fun neon shades, as well as black. Golden chain details on both the top and bottom add some sparkle to the string bikini. This style will look amazing on a long or athletic body. Pair it with sofia bangles for some beach glamour:

If you want to really catch someone's eye in your bikini, try this stunning suede fringe style from VIX. The nude suede top is sexy and fashionable, adding authenticity to the fringe style, and complemented with a touch of colour from the blue and gold bead adornments. The bottom features hip ties, also with blue and gold beads, and comes in both Brasillian and full coverage styles to suit a variety of body types. Pair it with Trisori's bubbles earrings for a fashionable look:

Ready, Set, Scuba!

With the Olympics looming just around the corner, it is perhaps fitting that one of the seasons biggest trends is sports luxe. And nowhere is the trend more visible than in the spate of scuba and neoprene that have flooded collections this season. Something of a departure from traditional light and floaty summer fabrics; a touch of neoprene is guaranteed to give you the directional edge this summer. Arguably the most memorable and influential injection of scuba came in the collaboration between Peter Pilotto and Lisa Marie Fernandez.

In the striking digital prints that are Pilotto’s signature style, the bodysuits, tailoring, and sixties inspired shift dresses take the sports luxe stakes up a notch. If print is not your strong suit, the pieces wear equally well as separates with nude or neutral accompaniments.
For the ultimate scuba homage, this neon pink Michael Kors colour block swimsuit is the ticket. Wear on the beach or by the pool with a maxi skirt cover up, or dress up with a high-waisted skirt and heels for evening glamour the sports luxe way.

Although it may not be advisable to wear them together, this equally vibrant neoprene tuxedo blazer from Rag and Bone is another hot ticket into the trend.

Pair with monochrome separates to make the most of the zingy tangerine shade. The informal and unusual fabric here plays down the cut and colour to make this a surprisingly easy to wear summer cover up. For a pretty take on the trend, look to Elizabeth and James who deliver this sweet floral print scuba mini.

Offset this piece with a floaty silk blouse for an edgy fabric juxtaposition, or pair with a plain tank top or tee for true off duty sports style. But whatever look you go for this summer, these neoprene Jimmy Choos will be a widely envied on trend addition to your summer wardrobe. And if for nothing else, at least you can be sure that in scuba footwear you will always be prepared for both the best and worst the British summer can throw at you!

Aisha
www.trisori.com

Bunga Bunga with Berlusconi

I'd been meaning to check out Bunga Bunga for a while not having made it to one of the initial opening parties. Every time I drove past at weekends it seemed immensly popular with lots of people spilling outside for cigarettes with that kind of club atmosphere so I was most intrigued.

I'd heard how booked up it was in the evenings from others and so when I overheard someone in the kitchen at work saying how fun the brunch was there with unlimited prosecco and fun dragaoke and performing acts, I thought that I had to take my Italian friend there for her hen with all its Berlusconi paraphenalia hanging on the walls and cheesy Italian Venetian style waiters.

There's a set menu at £40 per person with fruit, cured meats and breads and jams, followed by a selection of brunch pizzas - The Englishman's Italian - like a full English on a pizza, The Italian Stallion with parma ham, rocket tomato and parmsan, The Untouchable Nancy with pancetta, spinach, goat's cheese and egg and then The Bunga Royale with spinach, salmon egg and hollandaise. The best thing is that you don't just have to choose one as a long pizza arrives at your table so you can try all of them.

For dessert you then get some sweet pizzas - with nutella and strawberry then nutella and banana topping - something I've heard of before but never actually tried but a real sweet treat. Then there is a selection of mixed ice creams. And the best bit is that throughout the meal there is unlimted prosecco or bellinis, rossinis, mimosas.

At around 2pm the entertainment starts with a woman singing a few known number, like covers of Amy Winehouse, followed by the Dragaoke act who jumps on stage to join everyone on their requests. It feels just like a club in the evening, except you step outside and there's bright sunlight. It keeps on going til 6pm when they kick you out to clean up for the evening's festivities. Definitely a good venue for an occasion when you want to go wild...or just a typical Saturday! Our hen outfits were much admired... and encapsulated in the caricaturist on the scooter.

37 Battersea Bridge Road, London SW11 3BA, t. 020 7095 0360, http://www.bungabunga-london.com/

www.trisori.com

Love of the week: Chanel Retro Creeper

This week's love goes to a particular style of shoe - the creeper. Traditionally worn by men, Chanel's Cruise collection 2013 has the female models kitted out in them too.

Creepers are a lace-up, round-toed style of shoe usually made out of suede with a thick, flat crepe sole. The suede uppers can be any colour but the soles are usually black. Originally worn by teddy boys in the 1950s and the mods in the 60s/70s, they are a popular accompaniment to retro "rockabilly" style outfits.

Chanel's creepers are being worn with their more feminine clothing as well as their suits. It gives an edgy style, and makes the outfits look more "easy to wear" for anybody - skyscraper heels look awesome but can be painful if you're walking around a city all day. They're also giving their trademark looks for this season a funky retro twist that appeals to everyone.

So once more we see an interesting "twist" trend on the catwalk this season - well done to Chanel's creeper shoes for women, you get our LOVE for this week!


www.trisori.com

Diamond Brights

In honour of the Jubilee weekend and that extra, much appreciated, day of holiday, it seems the perfect time to celebrate the very best of british designed occasion wear. From weddings to garden parties to miscellaneous merriment, team Britain have got it covered in an array of diamond hued ensembles.
Where better to start than with the great Dame of fashion, Vivienne Westwood, who brings us this marvelous brocade taffeta dress.

Contrast this off the shoulder piece with minimal but edgy accessories and sky high heels for the most fitting fashion nod to the Dame.

Alternatively, channel yellow diamonds in perfectly pretty Jonathan Saunders.

Arguably the Queen of cocktail dresses this full skirted print dress is a ladylike winner for all manner of summer soirees. I would wager Her Majesty would approve.
Personally I look forward to the chance to rock the royal brocade look in Christopher Kane blush toned separates.


Play them up or down by matching with off-duty wear and flats or together with these sparkling embellished McQueen heels.

From the woman behind the very latest royal wedding dress, why look further than Sarah Burton for royal diamond inspiration! Of course this catalogue could hardly be complete without an offering from the eponymous Brit designer, Matthew Williamson.

For out and out glamour choose this glittering, embellished silk georgette shift dress. With semi sheer sleeves and 60s styling, you can hardly fail to strike a regal note in this hand embroidered number. But for the final touch to any ensemble this summer, make sure to lay your hands on Anya Hindmarch’s limited edition bespoke Jubilee clutch in shining silver satin.

Available to be personalised with your own monogram or initials, this commemorative clutch is a sure fire classic. Now all you need is a tiara.

Aisha
www.trisori.com