Style Addict – A fashionable fix of news, views and more…

Williamson Back on the LFW Schedule – Sailor Chic, Fashion’s Love Affair with the Sea – Most Wanted: Mima Lee Shoes – Mary, Queen of Shops – TopShop Closet Clear-out

 

 

Back on the LFW Schedule

The announcement of a fashion heavyweight appearing on the London Fashion Week schedule no doubt keeps the event fresh. Past designers popping over for a slice of the London action include Giorgio Armani and Marc Jacobs. Earlier this year Luella Bartley revealed that she would be back on British soil this September, and now it seems, Matthew Williamson will be joining her. Back for one season only, Williamson will present his Spring/Summer 08 collection and celebrate ten-years in the industry with his very own exhibition at London’s Design Museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Aye Aye Sailor

Nautical themes have appeared in summer fashion since, well, longer than I can remember. Designers can’t seem to get enough of anchor motifs, brass buttons and jaunty navy and white stripes. With this in mind the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, is about to host a new exhibition: Sailor Chic. Exploring 150 years of maritime influences, Sailor Chic will display important pieces from the Museum’s uniform collections alongside archive creations from leading designers including Chanel, John Galliano and Yves Saint Laurent. The show will also explore themes such as patriotism and empire, subversion and rebellion and gender and sexuality. Along with the impact of other forms of popular culture such as stage, screen and music and the influence naval elements have on today’s fashion scene.

Sailor Chic – Fashion’s Love Affair With The Sea
When: Opens 25th July and runs until 2nd December 07
Where: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London SE10 9NF.

Tel: +44 (0)20 8858 4422 Web: www.nmm.ac.uk

Entry: Adults £5, concessions £4, under-16s free

 

 

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Most Wanted

Tired of wedges but want a skyscraper summer heel that ticks all the right boxes? Why not check out the Carmen shoe by Mima Lee - its basket weave heel and platform are right on the money and the neutral shades go with pretty much anything.

Available online at www.mimalee.co.uk price: £80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Can’t Get Enough of…Mary, Queen of Shops

Any independent boutique out there suffering in the profit department should check out Mary, Queen of Shops on BBC 2. Mary Portas has notched up decades of experience in the retail arena and has consulted some of the industry’s biggest players. In this weekly series she turns her attention to independent stores and liberally applies her no-nonsense expertise accordingly.

 

 

 

Mary, Queen of Shops is on Thursday’s BBC2 at 9pm. There is also a book to accompany the series 'How to shop with Mary, Queen of Shops'  by Mary Portas published by BBC Books, ISBN-10: 184607214X ISBN-13: 978-1846072147.

 

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Closet Clear-out

In need of a wardrobe sort out? Maybe the TopShop Charity Fashion Sale will kick you into gear. Due to be held in four locations around the country you can donate items, book a stall, as well as check out TopShop limited edition pieces and design samples. To get involved visit www.topshopstyle.com/charity All the proceeds will go directly to National Domestic Violence Helplines across the UK & Ireland run by Women's Aid and Refuge.

 

 

When and Where:

23rd June 11am – 5pm Hanover Square, London W1

23rd June 10am – 5pm Coppergate Shopping Centre, York

30th June 11am – 5pm Stevenson Square, Manchester

30th June 11am – 5pm Upper Gardner Street, Brighton

If you can’t make those locations, or simply want to hold your own charity sale you can still donate to the cause and gain a few TopShop discount vouchers while you are at it. Check out the website for details.

 

 

By JoJo Iles