HOT BRANDS COOL PLACES FASHION CULTURE LIFESTYLE
The Fashion Issue r ce an ss C e t en n as ar itio re w d B A E
OCTOBER 2010
EDITOR’S LETTER We can’t believe how quickly summer has disappeared, but there are many compensations as we slip into the Autumn season. One of which has to be the opening of the fabulous Selfridges Shoe Galleries. If you are thinking of a autumn/winter break, we have an interview with Jeremy Sutton, Founder of Quintessentially Travel, his wonderful tales of faraway places will have you online looking for a break. We love Italy here at Hot Brands Cool Places; and Sally Hamilton, Founder of Selandari’s Italian Collection shares her passion for all things Italian. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we have featured a number of companies who are supporting this important cause. Please find time to donate. Until the next time….. Kaye, Louise and the Hot Brands, Cool Places team. xx Picture Credits: Front Cover: Lisa Snowdon for M&S and Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Images throughout the magazine supplied by the various companies, or publishers featured. Please Note All information about products and services are supplied to us by the individual organizations, or agencies acting on their behalf. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, it may be subject to change. Please check with individual organizations for the latest information about all events, products, or news items.Inclusion in this feature does not imply endorsement by Hot Brands Cool Places. Hot Brands Cool Places does not accept responsibility for the content of any external site.
For Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, online gifting emporium Gift-Library.com has once again joined forces with celebrated designer Heba Elawadi, whose beautiful jewellery is popular amongst celebrities and fashionistas around the globe. Stocked exclusively at Gift-Library. com, the Hebzby Heba Elawadi for Breast Cancer Care bracelet is simple yet stylish in pink cord with a 14kt gold plated charm. The bracelet retails at £40 and 25% of the proceeds go to this commendable charity. Wear yours with pride! http://www.gift-library.com
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Selandari Because you deserve Italian fashion! Selandari’s Italian Collection offers exceptional designer luxuries. Our ‘Made-in-Italy’ collection of Italian clothes, accessories, bags and jewellery are hand-picked from designers and artisans that we know you will love. http://www.selandarisitaliancollection.com
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SHOE HEAVEN
FEATURE
OMG could this be the place you would never want to leave? The Hot Brands Cool Places team were amazed when this landed on our desks!
UNIQUE JOURNEY There will be in excess of 4,000 shoes on display. 150 brands in total. 35 new brands and MORE than 30 exclusive styles. Designed by the awardwinning architect Jamie Fobert, whose projects include the Centre for Contemporary Culture in Moscow and an international design concept for Givenchy in Paris. Each gallery takes you on a journey from the best of the high street to the ultimate in luxury encircled by 11 brand boutiques designed exclusively for Selfridges and inspired by a theme of ‘apartments.’ http://www.selfridges.com
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Austin Reed To mark its 110th anniversary, Austin Reed is launching the Q Club; a private members club with a clubhouse in the Regent Street flagship store.Focusing on Bespoke tailoring and Formal Hirewear it will be launched by celebrity sportsmen, Lewis Moody, Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook and Courtney Lawes. Bespoke tailoring starts at ÂŁ375. Membership Fee ÂŁ275 per annum. Start applying now; opening 19th October. http://www.qtheclub.co.uk Tel: 01845 573 135 6
Hot Brands Cool Places caught up with Founder, Jeremy Sutton of Quintessentially Travel for an exlusive interview.
INTERVIEW 1.What have been the biggest challenges in setting up a new luxury global travel operation? Note to self and the rest of the world, never start setting up a global tour operation in the middle of a recession!
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Also what I sometimes think as a good and bad quality is that I never like to settle for the easy option in life, so as opposed to taking the sensible route and just launching in one country, focusing on a few key destinations, I decided to launch five offices in completely different time zones in the first year and cover the globe in our destination offering – so it has certainly been an interesting and eventful journey so far, but one I look forward to continuing and seeing what else is around the corner. 2. What has given you the most satisfaction? For one it would be turning what was once a pipedream into reality with the recent launch of Quintessentially Travel in the UK and continuing on from this putting the wheels in motion for the forthcoming official launches in Hong Kong and New York. And of course having such a fantastic team around me who have been integral in bringing to life Quintessentially Travel. 3. Where have your enjoyed visiting? A favourite trip of mine would have to be safari in Tanzania staying for seven nights at Singita Sasakwa Lodge for the migration of the Wildebeest followed by a week lying on the beach on North Island in the Seychelles. 4. What are the advantages of being part of a bigger brand? Being part of Quintessentially has certainly opened a lot of doors and has provided us with a fantastic backing not to mention global offering. We are in a very fortunate position of having a world-renowned brand behind us, while at the same time having the flexibility to carve out our own niche in the marketplace. As the world’s leading global private members’ club and luxury lifestyle group, Quintessentially currently operates out of 55 offices around the world, of which Quintessentially Travel is located in five of the major hubs - London, New York, Hong Kong, Dubai and Johannesburg – positioning us with a great USP of being the only truly global tour operator in the market. Additionally when a holiday is booked with Quintessentially Travel we don’t just provide the Travel service but also the Quintessentially service and its vast knowledge and access into the global luxury lifestyle market. This access enhances our added value over and above a simple travel offering - it is a complete lifestyle offering and the passport to the very best that life has to offer. Quintessentially Travel has access to a whole host of other contracts from Quintessentially Concierge eg restaurants, bars, tickets, “access to the inaccessible” and other general concierge services which would be required. 5. What advice would you give to someone setting up their own business? Plan, pre plan and plan even more. You also need to have a lot of patience and flexibility as there will always be delays and the goal posts will always move. Be realistic, prepare for a lot of hard work, sleepless nights and a whole heap of multitasking, but the rewards are certainly worth it - I think!!
6. If money was no object what would be your dream travel ticket? I have been very fortunate to stay and visit some of the most amazing places around the world as part of my job. But for me, right now, with not enough hours in the working week and little time to jet off anywhere, my dream travel ticket would have to be time away properly relaxing and exploring at my leisure – that’s my luxury travel experience. And three of my top places that I am still dying to visit are the Inca Trail, Bhutan and also the North Pole. 7. How do you achieve work/life balance? At the moment I don’t – I am constantly flying between New York, Hong Kong and the UK– so the one thing that is keeping me going is my holiday to Amanpulo in the Philippines at the end of the month. Information about Quintessentially Travel. Quintessentially Travel is the brainchild of luxury travel expert, Jeremy Sutton, who has passionately put together an elite portfolio of exclusive properties across the globe, along with a first-rate team of travel specialists; ensuring our clients experience a truly bespoke and personal service, unrivalled by any other. Having looked after all the travel needs for Quintessentially Members for the last seven years, gaining extensive insight and experience in the luxury travel market, Jeremy established Quintessentially Travel in June 2010, alongside Quintessentially’s co-founders Aaron Simpson, Ben Elliot and Paul Drummond. http://www.quintessentiallytravel.com/
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Ladies who Lunch Jewellery The new Autumn Collection from ladies who lunch jewellery perfectly accessorises this season’s new colours and styles. Each piece is unique and lovingly handcrafted from their workshop in Oxfordshire, England, and includes semi precious stones, freshwater pearls, vintage beads and sparkling crystals http://www.ladieswholunchjewellery.com
Crumpet Crumpet Cashmere has combined the finest cashmere and marl to create a signature Collection of beautifully designed, chic investment pieces for Autumn Winter 2010. This Collection creates the perfect balance of effortless cool and sophisticated chic. http://www.crumpetengland.com
ELEMIS Think Pink and be Breast Aware with Elemis Limited Edition ‘Sparkling Beauty Collection’  Each year around 46,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer. As the most commonly diagnosed Cancer in the UK, Elemis is delighted to support Breast Cancer Care and has pledged £10,000 to the registered charity. This October, for Breast Cancer Awareness month, Elemis has designed a bright and colourful Limited Edition fuchsia pink ‘Sparkling Beauty Collection’ RRP. £50 (worth £143 / saving of £93) containing 5 products from the Elemis range. These include: • Pro-Collagen Lifting Treatment Neck and Bust in Pink ‘Boob Tube’, 15ml • Pro-Collagen Marine Cream in exclusive pink jar, 30ml • Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules 14 caps • Visible Brilliance, 10ml • Elemis Eau de Parfum, 4ml http://www.elemis.com/
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Introducing The Pink Ribbon Collection in support of the Estée Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign
t the Breast Cancer Awareness campaign this October; wear your Pink Ribbon with pride. Since ch the Pink Ribbon has become a universal symbol of the fight to eradicate breast cancer and acts minder that early detection is key to fighting the disease. Estée Lauder Companies is dedicated to awareness of breast cancer and empowering women with knowledge about the disease. Seventeen go Mrs Evelyn Lauder, Senior Corporate Vice President, Estée Lauder Companies, launched Breast Awareness Month in the UK and in 1993 she founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation dependent not for profit organisation dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in ime by funding clinical and genetic research worldwide.
Lauder has a number of special products available to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month and funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s research programme, carried he Institute of Cancer Research in London. ww.esteelauder.co.uk/
FILOFAX Filofax is supporting Breast Cancer Campaign with its fabulous range of pink organisers and accessories. Having already raised more than £500,000 for the charity, Filofax will donate £2.50 to the charity for every special edition leather organiser it sells and a similar proportion for every other item in the range. Filofax has also donated a unique organiser personalised by Kylie Minogue which was auctioned at Breast Cancer Campaign’s Pink Ribbon Ball last October. To help you keep your health as well as your social life in the pink, the Breast Cancer Campaign personal organisers contain the latest breast awareness information, a pink ruler and papers plus some special diary reminder stickers. You can choose from the stylish lizard print pink leather or the equally pink and practical leather look organiser. There’s never been a better time to think pink and show your support with a beautiful Purse, Pen Accessory Case and Passport Cover to go with your Pocket Organiser. http://www.filofax.co.uk/
Breast Cancer Awareness COAST
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This year Breakthrough Breast Cancer have an exciting range of fashion, beauty lifestyle, home, food and garden products featuring brands such as M&S, adidas, Avon, ghd, Coast, Samsung, Laura Ashley, my-wardrobe.com, Warehouse, Pandora, The White Company and bottlegreen (turned bottlepink). And we are also encouraging people to organise an Avon Pink Pamper Party, where they can fundraise by having beauty treatments, including manicures, pedicures, facials or massages. http://breakthrough.org.uk/
The Italian Connection
INTERVIEW
Hot Brands Cool Places talked to Sally Hamilton, Founder of Selandari’s Italian Collection for an exlusive interview. 1. What inspires you most about Italy? Ooohh so many things all wrapped up in a bundle, the Italian landscape, the food, the architecture, but most of all the people, they are so alive, passionate, (infuriating sometimes), but never boring. It’s a country where everybody talks at once, using a second language of hand-gestures, and care about “una bella figura” Italians like to live by this expression, if you look it up you’ll find “Cut a fine figure’ or ‘look good’ or ‘make a good impression’. None of these really covers it, it’s more the art of living gracefully in society, whilst looking good and being confident all rolled into one. This is inspirational to me, in the UK we are too ready to criticise, and therefore create low self esteem, Italians appreciate the beauty of women, and not just the beautiful ones, does that make sense? (And before this sounds sexist, it’s not just the women, men too, take care of the way they look). They grow up with confidence and learn how to make the most of their assets whether it’s beautiful hair or skin. Confidence from within is ultimately the goal, it’s empowering. 2. What do you most enjoy about running your own company? I love finding the little family run factories making gorgeous items, hand-made shoes, handbags, hats, we have them all in my region of Italy. They have no idea really about marketing, and I want to help promote and show the world real ‘Made-in-Italy’ craftmanship. I took a journalist recently to see a handbag factory, and the 70 year old father proudly showed us his calloused hands and how he cuts the leather with a hand-held scalpel - priceless. 3. Why did you choose to focus on Italian design? It’s the best in the world, and I live here! I think it’s the attention to detail I love. What makes an Italian designer jacket better than any other? It’s the way it’s cut, it fits beautifully, the detailing and quality are superb. Until you have experienced Italian luxury goods, you’ll never understand. And not just the clothes; shoes and handbags too are of a standard and innovation not seen anywhere else. I never thought I was a ‘designer label’ person actually, but you should see the smiles in the Prada store, you could never have a bad day wearing some of these shoes! 4. Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions? Plenty! I think our ambitions and dreams are what makes life interesting. I’m not going to tell you all of them, but I’d like to write a book about how I am trying to turn Italian from my very English roots and all the funny stories about my journey, learning how to give up English comfort and shyness for Italian style and confidence!
5. Do you have a favourite item of clothing? It has to be an Armani jacket, even just slipped on over a pair of jeans immediately makes me feel special, and closer to creating that confidence of ‘una Bella Figura’. Italian women will save up for a classic piece like this, and here in Italy designer items are much more affordable. Come over.... I’ll take you shopping! 6. What advice do you have for someone thinking about running their own company? Put your marketing budget high on the list of priorities! It’s easy to leave it until last and then realise it’s the most important part and you’ve spent all the budget on designer ‘samples’! 7. How do you like to relax? With my horses. I’m a horse addict. There are some fantastic places to ride here in the nearby National Park. I have to remember to change clothes though, before running down to the stables, enough designer jeans ruined! Information about Selandari’s Italian Collection http://www.selandarisitaliancollection.com Email : info@ selandarisitaliancollection.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/Selandaris Blog: http://www.iloveitalianfashion.com/
Women Like us Clothing To make the transition from summer to autumn a little easier, Womenlikeusclothing.com, has introduced a line of stylish ponchos. Made in Italy from luxurious three ply cashmere these are light, fine and guarantee comfort. Available in black, vintage rose, caramel and soft light blue the ponchos are made to flatter and easy to wear. Whether teamed simply with jeans for a daytime look or accessorised with statement jewellery for evening elegance, these ponchos are chic, wearable and an absolute must have for autumn. The ponchos are available online at http://www.womenlikeusclothing.com
BOOK REVIEW Postcards from the Edge of the Catwalk Postcards from the EdgeIain R. Webb, with a foreword by Anna Piaggi Synopsis: An exclusive insider’s view of the international fashion circus, seen through the unique photographic archive of one of Britain’s leading fashion journalists. Iain R Webb’s Postcards from the Edge of the Catwalk is a personal photographic portfolio spanning three decades that documents the glittering brouhaha surrounding the ready-to-wear and haute couture fashion collections in New York, London, Milan and Paris. The reportage photographs, snapped from the insider vantage point of his front row seat and invite-only parties, capture a world of show-stopping creativity and inspirational individual style. A designer roll call that includes John Galliano, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood, Anna Sui, Valentino, Donatella Versace, Oscar de la Renta, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen. Supermodels and style icons that include Linda Evangelista, Catherine Deneuve, Isabella Blow, Naomi Campbell, Natalia Vodianova, Erin O’Connor, Kate Moss, Anna Piaggi, Anna Wintour, Shalom Harlow and Björk.Celebrity front row faces that include Gwyneth Paltrow, Grace Jones, George Michael, Kate Winslet, Sean Combs, Liz Hurley, Tilda Swinton, Paris Hilton, Bernadette Peters, Nick Cave, Ivana Trump, Roman Polanski and RuPaul. ‘These pictures capture everything the fashion industry is all about ... glamour but fun, hard work with a little bit of sweat and sex.’ - Nancy Oakley, director Fashion Purple http://www.accpublishinggroup.com Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict This is a fascinating catalogue of famous names and glamorous collections; a privileged insight into the world of fashion. From the eccentric to the beautiful, this personal portfolio portrays decades of images not only from the edge of the catwalk, but also the more unguarded moments from behind the scenes. This is a stunning collection of unique photographs from inside the world of fashion. A very special collection. Highly Recommended!
Wintersweet At Wintersweet we source designer and bridal jewellery created for girls who love understated beauty. At Wintersweet, shop in our online boutique for antiquestyle beaded necklaces, freshwater pearl earrings and exquisite cuff bracelets complemented by romantically oversized stone rings. http://www.wintersweet.co.uk
BOOK REVIEW Balenciaga, Venet and Givenchy BalenciagaBy Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery Synopsis: Focusing on the architectural elements that have influenced some of the most sensational and varied evening gowns ever designed by three leading lights of 20th century fashion - Cristóbal Balenciaga, Philippe Venet and Hubert de Givenchy – this new book displays charm, elegance and haute couture. Cristóbal Balenciaga, the great Spanish designer, created a style and invented new techniques. With his trademark creativity, command of tailoring, and timeless designs, Balenciaga continues to possess a prevailing influence upon the world of fashion. Although respectful of haute couture, Philippe Venet distinguishes himself by his original use of colour and his innovative and imaginative tailoring. The aristocrat of haute couture, Hubert de Givenchy continues to inspire the world of fashion with his sense of perfection. Organized in conjunction with an exhibition assembled by de Givenchy at the Château de Haroué, a sumptuous 18th century palace built on the outskirts of Paris by the Princes of Beauvau-Craon, the book is replete with imagery both new and archival. Included are the wedding dress by Balenciaga which was worn by Queen Fabiola of Belgium and the infamous black dress created by Givenchy for Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The exhibition and the book are a luxurious tribute to the subtle harmony between haute couture creations and exceptional locations. Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery is Creative Director at Christie’s France and is the author of many books on elegant French style, notably French Interiors and The Yves Saint Laurent – Pierre Bergé Collection, both published by Flammarion. http://www.amazon.co.uk/ Hot Brands Cool Places Verdict In the introduction Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery, says, “I planned this diminutive book as a reminder of those precious “compacts” those little cases of gold, enamel, or mother-of-pearl that people gave one another in centuries past as a sign of friendship. Its pages create links between the majestic architecture, the glamorous furnishings, the family portraits, the velvet and silken wall linings and the world of haute couture. Brocades, organzas, shantungs, charmeuse satins and embroideries mirror paintings, sculptures, bronzes, and rare artefacts. Gowns and objets d’art whisper secrets to each other across the centuries, speaking of elegance and beauty” This is an exquisitely beautiful book, the magical photographs, the illustrations, the inspiring quotes and the background information, make this a book to treasure, we absolutely loved it! Highly Recommended!
KEW Kew, famous for its feminine prints and designs, offers a sumptuous choice of texture and colour to cater for the modern day woman throughout the season ahead. Collections are available to view in stores, online and by mail order catalogue. http://www.kew-online.com
Quintessentially Travel is a bespoke luxury tour operator which creates tailor-made itineraries to the globe’s most glamourous, sought after and remotedestinations, providing access to the most elegant and elite hotels, whilst offering value-for-money travel experiences with a service and benefits package unrivalled in the luxury travel market. Whether you are travelling for business or leisure, Quintessentially Travel will cater to all personal requirements and types of holidays. When a holiday is booked with us we don’t just provide a travel service but also the Quintessentially service and its vast knowledge and access into the global luxury lifestyle market, making us your passport to the very best that life has to offer. To experience an unforgettable tailor-made holiday contact travel@quintessentially.com or call +44 (0) 845 224 6915. Alternatively visit http://www.quintessentiallytravel.com