Sarah-Leigh's Style Files

Friday, 9 March 2012

Friday 500

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More of a 'Friday 500' today than the traditional Friday Five. I seem to
document most things via my iPhone and Instagram these days (hey, who
doesn't?), so consider this a little catch up on what's been going on this
month... fashion week, securing our wedding venue, setting up my own
social media consultancy (more soon, promise), styling a bridal fashion
shoot, visiting friends, eating too much....

Follow me on Instagram - 'SarahLeighW' - thanks!

PS. This is a scheduled post as I'm off to the beautiful French Riviera today
for a little R&R and to celebrate The Betrothed's big '3.0.'! Pics soon
(naturally).

Thursday, 8 March 2012

Crazy Paving

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{I'm wearing: Blazer from Zara, blouse & bib necklace from H&M, vintage velvet skirt 
courtesy of Hepwrights, boots from New Look.}

Monday, 5 March 2012

In Your Space: Rag & Bow

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When I arrived at the achingly cool East London studio space of roaming
vintage store Rag & Bow, founder Hazel had just received some
exciting news. Entrepreneur Country, the community founded by BBC
Online ‘Dragon’ Julie Meyer, had just nominated the brand for their ‘Young
Masters Award’ of ‘Best Use of Social Media’.

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Deservedly so, Rag & Bow don’t just occupy your average Facebook
page and Twitter feed; there’s tutorials, polls and giveaways, plus a behind-
the-scenes look at what Hazel gets up to, the people she meets and inspiring
things she sees. Naturally, their perfectly executed blog provides vintage
stimulus as well as telling all on the hottest new pieces to arrive in store and
exciting collaborations.

Starting her career in the music industry, Hazel Holtham spent ten years
cutting her teeth working for Done and Dusted events, freelancing for live
music DVDs and personally managing the likes of The Prodigy’s Keith Flint.

Despite a burgeoning career in entertainment, having studied Fashion
Promotion at the London College of Fashion, Hazel had retained a passion
for vintage and contemporary clothing. As a career high was reached in music,
Hazel felt it time to take the next step. Rag & Bow didn’t come in to
fruition straight away, rather the time was taken to plan the brand and consider
its many attributes. She worked two jobs, running events alongside and finally
launched in February 2010. Rag & Bow’s debut came in the form of a
pop-up shop at Cube PR’s head office, which also launched the firm’s
continuing retail space.

Today, Rag & Bow hosts a monthly travelling vintage boutique,
specialising in rare designer pieces and mirroring the hottest commercial
trends. They also run an online shop on ASOS Marketplace, becoming a firm
favourite on the platform. Florence of Florence and the Machine is a fan after
visiting an event in Kensal Green and leaving with armfuls of clothing, while
recent X Factor runner up Amelia Lily wore an item while singing China In
Your Hand on the talent show; “it felt like such an achievement seeing one
of our pieces on TV” comments Hazel.

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Chatting with Hazel in her natural environment, it becomes clear that Rag
& Bow is a very ambitious brand, with an equally entrepreneurial founder
at the helm. For the future, the brand will focus on their digital offer, namely
e-commerce. There’s more roaming and collaborations in the pipeline but focus
is being put on the digital.

Talking collaborations, with On|Off, Channel 4, Tate & Supermarket Sarah
already under their belt, fashion events to be held at big name music festivals
and another venture with Sarah are also in talks, while it’s a dream of Hazel’s to
collaborate with fashion names including queen of deco kitsch Holly Fulton and
jewellery brand Mawi. Event-wise, anything that combines music and fashion is
where Hazel’s interest lies; “a deal with something like the MTV Awards, to
really put the brand out there” would be ideal.

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Of course, I had to ask who are Hazel’s favourite designers, historically and
today. “Historically, YSL, Bill Gibb, Ossie Clark, Halston and Bus Stop by
Lee Bender. Today, Mary Katrantzou, JW Anderson, Ricardo Tisci and the
beautifully body-conscience and architectural work of Simon Preen”.

As well as strengthening their digital offer and exciting collaborations to think
about, Rag & Bow is a company with global expansion on its mind.
Among Hazel’s goals are solidifying her team and planning to broaden the
brand internationally; publicity by way of Australia’s Frank magazine are
already underway.

For Hazel, fashion and her business have no beginning and end. As much of a
hobby as a job, she confesses she is ‘obsessed by fashion and all creative
disciplines’, and is an avid reader and follower of magazines and blogs. Does
someone so driven ever relax? “I’m really in to films and music of course. I love
catching exhibitions, taking breaks and am a bit of a foodie”.

Rag & Bow's top vintage items for spring/summer 12, modelled 
by Stella Katterman.

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Originally published for the Trend Journal.

LFW Highlight: Ashish

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For autumn/winter 12/13 Ashish Gupta’s typical signatures were all evident.
The Indian-born, London-based designer’s self-proclaimed “fun-loving and
sexy with a sense of humour” aesthetic took inspiration from “New Age,
rainbows and Goa” this season... READ MY FULL REVIEW ON THE 
TREND JOURNAL, MPDCLICK'S BRAND NEW STANDALONE 
BLOG.

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Thursday, 1 March 2012

LFW Day Five & Six - Visual Diary

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OK, last 'LFW VD', comprising of a few more fabulous shows, what we wore
and such like. I imagine much of the Western world, that read blogs anyway, are
somewhat divided at the moment. Either they're eagerly absorbing every micro
detail of 'fashion month' or are acutely bored by it all. Well my friends, its not
over yet, but rest assured my sporadic, unthemed posting tendencies will resume
shortly....

Just a quick reminder, for full reviews and more London Fashion Week highlights
skip on over to the Trend Journal and OliviaPalermo.com, both of which I
contribute to. Plus, if you actually rather like a Visual Diary, as I do, go check
out my friend's Coco and Jay and their fashiony adventures.

Must say thanks to lovely David too (above in his navy overcoat) for helping me
pass the time in the rain on Wednesday with an impromptu photography lesson!

So, what we wore on Day Five*; a bit of an accessories focus from the cobbles
of Somerset House; abstract prints, resin and leather at Aminaka Wilmont; more
from SH including another awesome python iPhone case by Violette (I need one
of these in my life!); Ashish's 'Bollywouldn't' collection; Jasper Gavida's take on
military meets glamour; calculated construction at Emilio de la Morena; what
myself* and the boys wore on Day Six, menswear day.

{I'm wearing: Day Five: Topshop blazer, vintage blouse, River Island skirt, New Look boots. 
Coco wears a pretty special Sass and Bide creation courtesy of Wish Want Wear. Day Six: 
Topshop coat, Forever 21 blouse, vintage and flea market jewels.}

Tuesday, 28 February 2012

Tradition

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Maybe I'm a sucker for a good looking guy in a sharp suit, and yes,
maybe I sway too towards outfits that say something a little different
with a vintage twist.... When I spotted West End actor Olivier Thornton
at menswear day during London Fashion Week, I just had to take his
photo. You dear readers deserve to see a, sadly all too uncommon,
example of a traditional English gent who understands and appreciates
great British design.

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Sunday, 26 February 2012

Mudpie & MOKSPACE for LFW

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Last week Mudpie hosted an exclusive networking event in celebration
of London Fashion Week to launch their new blog, the Trend Journal
along with their latest seasonal products. Held at MOKSPACE,
London’s newest boutique gallery in the stunning surrounds of the
British Museum, guests were invited to view Mudpie’s products and
enjoy drinks from sponsors Saint and Wickham Vineyards.

As well discovering MOKSPACE’s latest collection of Korean
photography, guests were treated to goodie bags with the top OPI
nail varnish shades, as used by chief technicians at LFW this week,
every girl’s essential Lipcote and Mudpie’s popular AW 12/13 trend
magazine. One lucky guest even won the exclusive prize of a spa day
at the Norton Park Hotel in Winchester.

The event saw a great response, with the British fashion industry out
in force to peruse Mudpie's latest publications. Designers, buyers
and press collectively paused for breath during a jam packed fashion
week schedule, also taking in a SS 13 trend presentation and a spot
of informal networking.

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Myself and Mudpie would like to thank our sponsors of the event,
Wickham Vineyards, Saint and supporters OPI Nails, Lipcote and
Norton Park Q Hotels, Winchester.
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