Lianne La Havas @Somerset House

Where: Somerset House
Why: Lianne La Havas Live as part of the Summer Series with Amex
When: Saturday 13th July

Lianne la Havas states on her Facebook site: "Nothing like Corinne Bailey Rae or Andreya Triana, but we all have similar hair." Brilliant.. I am always getting asked if I'm whoever is the popular mixed race women of the time so this comment really made me chuckle!

Lianne la Havas live at Somerset House

The gig surpassed excellent. Somerset House at sundown is the perfect environment for her voice and she looked fantastic in a red pvc skirt stopping to pause for a just a moment to wipe the prerequisite talc from her legs! Her voice really is sublime and I urge you, if you haven't got her album or seen her live PURCHASE IMMEDIATELY and GO see!

I was so impressed I'm looking forward to seeing her again at Lovebox next Sunday. (Review to come)

Wiki Facts: Born 23 August 1989 as Lianne Charlotte Barnes is an English folk and soul singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She was nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll Her debut album Is Your Love Big Enough? was awarded the title of iTunes Album of The Year 2012.

La Havas was born in London, England to a Greek father and Jamaican mother. She was raised in Tooting and Streatham, spending the majority of her time with her grandparents following her parents' separation as a child. La Havas began singing at seven and cites her parents' diverse musical tastes as having the biggest influence on her music. Her mother played with Jill Scott and Mary J. Blige, and her father, an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, taught her the basics of guitar and piano. Lianne wrote her first song at the age of 11, but did not learn to play the guitar until she was 18 years old. Lianne attended Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College for Girls in Croydon, where she studied art A-level, and planned to take an art foundation course; however, she left college to pursue a career in music full-time. Although born Lianne Barnes, her stage name is an adaptation derived from her Greek father, Henry Vlahavas's, surname.

Matt Corby Support Act

Matt Corby certainly held his own, another beautiful voice and I expect perhaps next year's headline act!

Bis Gleich,
xx
A

Cos... not just a salad essential.

When: 11.07.13
Where: The Serpentine Gallery
Why: Cos Press Event

I've been enjoying a bit of a love affair of late with Cos! Every time I go in I find something fabulous to add to my wardrobe and with the current sale on, there is simply no stopping me!

Amy Silberzahn at the Cos Press Event

• Cos pleated halter dress
• Reiss Aurelia-Stone encrusted belt
• Kervin Marc Cow hide Bag exclusive to The London Assembly
• Sergio Rossi Wedges

COS, Collection Of Style, is for men and women who want high end design and good quality at an affordable price.They state that they are always exploring their original concept of favouring style over fashion, COS appreciates timeless design that lives beyond the season. Merging traditional methods with new techniques and innovative fabrics, they work hard to create fashion pieces that look and feel at once classic and modern. COS likes functional design crafted from simple ideas.

This summer COS are supporting Park Nights, a series of events, screenings and talks that take place at the 2013 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion. They have commissioned film-maker James Aiken to explore the Pavilion space, and asked the architect Sou Fujimoto to tell the story of the project. http://www.cosstores.com/

"It is a really fundamental question how architecture is different from nature, 

or how architecture could be part of nature, or how they could be merged...

what are the boundaries between nature and artificial things." Sou Fujimoto

Sou Fujimoto's fantastic architectural sculpture at sunddown. (Photo Amy Silberzahn)

Bis Gleich,
xx
A  

A Summer's Day

What to wear on a summer's day?

Edy & Bridge's fabulous Emi bow top of course!

Seen here worn with Edy & Bridge Tabitha tailored shorts, TopShop leather Belt and Pretty Ballerinas.

See May 14th Blog: Bow Selector for a blog about the Design duo behind the label.

What's your fave summer outfit?

Bis Gleich,
A

Brighton Rocks

Other than being the permanent residence of my beloved sister, Michelle, I love Brighton!

Brighton was the location of my first 'mini break' with my dear Husband. And Brighton was where I would hop on the train from London the moment we had a sunny enough day and escape to sit on the stones gazing out to sea.

Brighton holds so many special memories. It's the place I return to for calm, uncomplicated relaxation.

Blessed with a few weeks holiday in the UK, I am happy making lists of fabulous things to do, wonderful people to see and exhibitions and events to inspire.

This weeks Baker"s Dozen: (in no particular order)

1. Watching Despicable Me 2
2. Designer meeting with the super talented leather creative Kervin Marc www.okmarc.com
3. Watching Lianne La Havas at Somerset House www.somersethouse.org.uk/music/summer-series-2013
4. The LoveSupreme Jazz Festival, specifically Espanza Spalding
5. A Wire Wrapping Course at The London School of Jewellerywww.londonjewelleryschool.co.uk
6. Visiting The Lowry Art Exhibition at The Tate Britain www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain
7. Hanging out at the Belorussian Embassy in Kensington trying to get a holiday Visa so I can go to my friend Anna's wedding in August
8. Playing with my sister's gorgeous Basset Hounds, Stanley & Henry
9. Working on my Happiness Project (Blog to come!)
10. Enjoying brunch at Carluccio and catching up with the super Anisah
11. Organising a reunion for my University Fashion and Marketing BaHons Graduate friends.
12. Watching, "Behind the Candelabra"
13. Making a final London Assembly Logo decision!!!! www.facebook.com/TheLondonAssembly

Come back to see how how I got on!

Bis Gleich
A

Mermaid Dreams of Anami & Janine

Established in 2005 by Anami & Janine, they have been producing two collections a year and since its start has gone from strength to strength. The girls met at Portobello Market where they both worked part time. Janine had just graduated from Cordwainers College where she had been studying accessories and Anami, who is self-taught, has been designing and producing small collections for ten years prior. Their love of vintage clothing was their drawing point, and with their own unique and individual styles, began designing small capsule collections of vintage inspired dresses.

Those who love a sense of quirkiness with a strong feminine touch covet their unique pieces. And that would certainly include me! I met Janine at Spitalfields Market about 8 years ago and have watched the company grow in confidence year upon year. As such it is a real pleasure to add these gorgeous printed dresses to our rails and to be able to offer our customers something so special.

Anami & Janine dresses have appealed to women as diverse as musicians Regina Specktor and Florence Whelch, celebrity Danni Minogue, tv presenters Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby, actresses Julia Stiles, Sharon Horgan and Neve Campbell,  royalty Laura Parker Bowles and novelist/journalist Rachel Johnson. Accentuating the feminine shape, Anami & Janine's aim is to design for all shapes and sizes. Their dresses make you feel feminine and sexy, their forte is undoubtedly the wrap dress but with each season brings new shapes and  feminine prints.

Florance Welch wearing an Anami & Janine Design

Whatever your style their ultra-versatile items are the sartorial solution that will suit all types of women and will fit effortlessly into your wardrobe. When you find the perfect style for you, you'll be wearing it from the office to the party and everywhere in between.

Mermaid Scallop Wrap Dress 115€

My favourite for this season: The Mermaid Scallop Wrap Dress embodies all that is feminine. 

An updated take on our classic wrap pleat. The mermaid print arouses visions of a summer’s day with angelic mermaid swimming in a myriad of sea turtles, seahorses, and starfish in a colourful seascape pattern. The cut of this dress ensures that all your best assets will be complimented while your least best camouflaged. The London Assembly love the chic 3/4 length sleeves - and the fact it works equally well with flats or heels. Feminine scalloping around the arm and neck with a concealed tie in the bust allows you to control the depth of opening. A must have staple for any stylish women’s wardrobe. Available in 5 tropical colourways tangerine, black, ice creme, sea green, grey. Machine wash 30 degrees. 100% viscose crepe de chine. 

In our humble opinion Anami and Janine's dresses are an investment and should be on every girl's wish list.

Bis Gleich,

A

Festival Chic

With the amount of column inchs written about festival chic, what you're wearing has become almost as important as who you are going to see!

Festival outfits are certainly a challange; unpredictable weather, day to evening, comfort versus style, style versus comfort...

My key elements:

• Cute scarf: Missoni
• Sunglasses: Versace
• Funky gum boots: Viviene Westwood for Melissa
• Army jacket with a thousand handy pockets (Kervin Marc not seen)
• & Denim in some form.  Jeans by Karl Lagerfeld
• Bright lippy and nails: Chanel Nail Varnis in Lilis! 

At this years Field Day festival in fashion centric East London every other girl was wearing hotpants. A look best worn by the skinny, uber toned and dare I said it young! Plus it is true dungerees really are back with a vengence!

Best dressed? Solange Knowles of course! Because well Afros rock obvs as does beauty & real vocal talent combined with such ecentric ne confident  style!

... oh and the music, fellow Librian Bats for Lashes got my vote (plus Natasha Khan looked super cute in a rainbow lame swirly number!) plus if you can check out French band Francois & The Atlas Mountains, http://www.youtube.com their quirky synchronised dance moves und sehr suß catchy tunes are earning them a legion of fans!

I'll be checking out Lianne la Havas at Somserset House in July, who are you looking forward to seeing?

Bis Gleich,
A

Wardrobe staples: The White Shirt

The Shirt Company is the latest addition to the London Assembly's product portfolio. With the aim of providing a collection of garments that can take our customer from the office to a party, these shirts have just enough twist to be note worthy wardrobe essentials. 

Penelope Shirt 95€

The Shirt Company was created with an aesthetic regard to the purity of the white shirt. - Which, in addition to its pivotal role in any closet, symbolises life stripped to its essentials. As designer and The Shirt Company’s Principal, Donna Middleton has dedicated herself to providing a luxurious product that’s innovative, radiates quality and embodies the quest for effortless style and simplicity.

A chameleon, the perfect white shirt comes in many guises, all of which have certain things in common. The perfect shirt fits well. Its sleeves are long and well shaped, its top button thoughtfully positioned. Its colour is a bright, complexion flattering white. The fact that it is made well -  and made to last -  goes without saying.

The devastatingly minimalist Penelope Shirt (above right) is a dress shirt as simple as it is effective. The pin-tucked front panels and stand collar of the Penelope create a very contemporary sort of grandeur. Wear with a tuxedo jacket, glossy stilettos and a hard case clutch.

Amelia Shirt 65€

My other favourite from the collection is the lovely Amelia shirt, which is a wardrobe staple that oozes minimalism and will work with almost anything.  It has an easy fit with a concealed front placket giving off a thoroughly contemporary look.  It can be worn loose or neatly tucked into trousers and skirts. It features a pleat in the back yoke seam which gently flairs out to the hem. 

Think Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday - a crisp, white, collared shirt is iconic, elegant and timeless. The shirts are manufactured entirely from fine Italian shirting fabric in a century old factory in the north of Italy. The panels, collars and cuffs are ingeniously brought together with diagonal and horizontal pin-tucks, frills, ruffles and pleats to create the most simple of classic shirts to the most flamboyant ones.

 

Every season the white shirt features in countless editorials as the essential wardrobe piece, and these lovelies from The Shirt Company have finally filled that gap in my wardrobe. Now if I could just find the perfect black tuxedo suit, I'd be happy ;-)

Bis gleich,
xx
A