The One Piece

I have just come back from a mother-daughter bonding vacation in Ibiza (FYI - I did not make the decision to go before you all gasp in confusion lol- she’s always wanted to go so we went for her birthday ^_^). Though the trip was truly about bonding, sightseeing and catching a tan, I did not know how to go about buying something swim / beach related for the poolside / beach. I have not worn a bikini since around 17, and I have not bought anything swim related since around 16. I’ve grown a couple of cup sizes within the past 5 years and my my my; the struggle to find something for my quick vacation was terribly real.  

Not to mention, by May, I concluded that my ‘summer body 2016’ challenge was a trial and you’ll see the real deal next year ;).

Back to swimwear! Finding a bra for myself is never easy; (lets just say – my cup runneth over) I am a 34 back size with a slim waist and wide hips; aka there maybe 1-3 pieces to choose from the over 250 style on an online store and ‘plus size’ is just to big and then unflattering.

The one piece! I completely forgot about one-pieces / swimsuits. Like the last time I wore a speedo was when I did my lessons when I was about six.

I was discussing with a friend how much I love the fact that the swimsuit is coming back in a beautiful way; making people who are not totally comfortable within there skin look so dreamy on the beach as well as strikingly stunning and confident by the pool. It’s not everyday buy a bikini for holiday; sometimes switch it up and get yourself a flattering swimsuit. In addition to the swimsuit, I’ve also had my eye out on cover-ups.

I plainly thank Almighty God for inspirations like Shayla (MakeUpShayla) and Amra (Amrezy) for sharing their beachwear ‘executions'. If you are still twiddling your thumbs, they have some ‘fits for you to learn from.

So what did you end up going for?

Ok, so I tried, like I really tried this one-piece suit from ASOS (picture below) . Fell in love with it because it was thigh-high yet completed in fishnet material so I felt comfortable though my skin is ‘on show’, it was also a halter neck! Something I have not ever considered wearing by the pool but like I said … I tried J! I did also manage to find a lovely bikini top from Panache Swimwear and paired it with a high-waist bikini knickers from ASOS.

Bikini alternative | Sunglasses | Missoni cover up similar  (see how cool it looks on my Instagram)

For cover-ups, I just had one, but this was just no normal cover up. I had my eye on this beauty ever since I started working in the Body Studio at Selfridges early this year. If money is not an option, or you are able to treat yourself once in a while, investing in Missoni swimwear is a (DJ Khaled voice) Major Key. Every season, the cuts and style just increase in such beauty, which I believe, aid in confidence of the wearer. I watched and watched until it went down in sale and now you see it on me in Ibiza ^_^.

Just a few but classic pieces I picked up for many future holidays; like Hip Hop; the one piece suit is not dead and is perfect for all spectacular shapes; even though I don’t feel great in my body, I look pretty good!

Fishnet Insert Panel Plunge Halter Swimsuit from  ASOS 

2 other pieces I wanted so bad but couldn't get in time : 

AdoreMe | Missoni | AdoreMe | ASOS

Tiffany&Co. Brings Fifth Avenue to London #SelfridgesXTiffany

[Courtesy Image]

On Saturday 11th July, I went along to the exhibition FIFTH & 57TH at Selfridges. It was all about Tiffany & Co. bringing 5th Ave to London. Now initially when I had heard about this exhibition, I truly did not know what to expect. I have been paying a slight attention to the brand ever since the arrival of its new design director Francesca Amfitheatrof as well as other changes throughout the company within the past three years or so.

I remember reading an interview on the NY Times site in NYC last year, Amfitheatrof’s vision for the brand was discussed as well as sharing her view about the consumers attitudes towards the brand based on its energetic and romantic history. I remember reading on the train in NYC, how interesting it was to see somebody comment on a brand like Tiffany. Amfitheatrof talked about the brand in a new way; what really grabbed me was a possibility of patterns overriding the infamous tiffany blue, also demonstrated in Tiffany T collection.

This got me thinking, if you were to take a position like Amfitheatrof as design director of a brand like Tiffany, what is there to do with it? Continue? If so, are you truly a design director or a replica director? What would you really expect to change around a brand like Tiffany? (That is a question for you and I by the way ^_^)

What I have notice about Tiffany really is the way the brand really connects it’s relevance to New York City. How powerful is that? With the launch of the Tiffany T collection, Amfitheatrof really showed the measure of the city in regards to the energy, daring personality and its power qualities in a graphic way.

“I wanted to create a symbol for modern life and its relentless energy that flows through New York and drives art and culture around the world,” she says. “This is just the beginning of what I hope to accomplish.”

Also in October 2014, their interaction with consumers over social media turned up one notch; Google+ hang out session with Amfitheatrof, model Coco Rocha, Aimee Song of Song and Style and Elle fashion news director Anne Slowey. These high-profile women took the pulse of the moment, sharing their expertise in media, fashion and design and reflecting on the wider world of art, style and culture. 

I remember asking a few people I met out in NYC about the new appointments vision, and many said, if she doesn’t focus on what Tiffany is already striving in within the market, consumers wont react well, but will react quickly. Regarding my final project at university on Dior and Raf Simons; my research showed that consumers didn’t feel too pleased with the appointment of Raf because of his ‘minimalistic’ characteristics; however, his modernistic vision in the Dior woman of today continues to express the beauty of the female silhouette just like Mr Dior himself.

It’s all about modernity but clear references to the brands key values, and in Tiffany a rich heritage spanning over 175 years touching many pieces from home ware to engagement rings.

Primark : Bags to Riches !!!!

If your wondering what on earth I am talking about then read on :

Today, the popular retail chain that is known as 'Primarni' (Primark) has opened a concession in Selfridges’ located in the Bullring in Birmingham, with another outpost opening in the group’s Trafford Centre store in Manchester on 19 November.

Quote : ‘We are proud to offer our customers an outstanding selection of desirable brands, from high-street to luxury,’ Jeff Johnson, general manager at Selfridges Trafford, said in a statement. ‘Primark is one of the high street brands we have added to our fashion selection with a special edit of their most exciting menswear.’

I think this is rather a good idea for the concession to be in Selfridges because its not like the consumers for Selfridges don't buy from Primark (and the other way); and its not the first time that Selfridges have added high street retail stores in theirs (H&M is the recent concession to be opened in London Selfridges). So why not have the Primark range sit alongside Selfridges designer label brands such as Hermes and Alexander McQueen?  Plus it will show others that the unique collaboration further strengthens Primark’s proposition on the UK high street and will stop people degrading their products.

A Primark spokesman says: “We are pleased to confirm that Primark and Selfridges, the world’s leading department store, are coming together in a partnership where the iconic store will host an edited selection of menswear products.

Unfortunately, there are currently no plans for Selfridges’ flagship store on London’s Oxford Street to offer Primark wares, or for the partnership to extend to womenswear. 

London Selfridges welcomes ....

Heya guys !!!! Long time no see !!!
So basically I came back to London from Jamaica and the ONE THING I had been missing for those four weeks was my regular trips to Selfridges (London) , so on Sunday (28th) I thought I might as well take a stroll down there (just for a look around)...


So yeah, i bought a few stuff, noted some items to get and ended up in the woman's street fashion range area to find this :

I seriously thought this was just something for FNO, so I looked round the display and checked out the clothes, to find something else on the floor :

I was like, WHAT? PARDON? EXCUSE ME

So like a lil girl in a candy store, I followed the track to find :

Woohoo ! Our dreams have finally come true! There is (FINALLY) a consession in Selfridges !!! The space which is located in the Women’s Street Fashion area of the store, will play host to an edited selection of clothing and accessories, as well as a collection guest-curated by model and Dj Leigh Lezark.

From vogue.co.uk -  "I love shopping at H&M and I always make sure to visit Selfridges when I am in London. I've worked with H&M on many occasions and when they approached me to curate a collection especially for their new, first ever, shop-in-shop, I was delighted. My philosophy on both beauty and fashion is to be yourself and find your own style, so for me the new edited down H&M at Selfridges is an ideal shopping destination," says Lezark. "The curated pieces are, I feel, modern classics everyone should have in their wardrobe - and I have tried to throw in some colour too!"

So shoppers can enjoy the ultimate H&M fashion experience at Selfridges :)