Cheltenham Fashion Week: Boutique 24

Hi guys, sorry I've been delayed in posting this up, I got a little distracted with work and other posts but here is my second post from Cheltenham Fashion Week! Following the student show, I was invited to the Boutique 24 event which was held at the gorgeous hotel, Cowley Manor! The event was sponsored by the hotel itself, Coutts, My-Wardrobe.com and Mercedes Benz and can only be described as a complete hub of fashion and beauty with all the hotel rooms transformed into mini pop up boutiques for brands, designers and stores such as Bobbi Brown, Harvey Nichols, My-Wardrobe, Jo Malone, One Piece.

Warning: picture heavy post!

The entrance to Cowley Manor with the infamous Pink Shoe!

 It was great fun pottering around the hotel discovering all the different rooms and making your own path around the grounds! I had a few favourite areas, such as the Jo Malone lounge, which was simply gorgeous with lillies scattered everywhere and the aroma of the new perfume 'Blackberry & Bay' filling the air via perfume sticks and scented candles!

Jo Malone lounge

Harvey Nichols Pop Up

Shoes and Bags at Harvey Nichols

Mulberry loving at Harvey Nichols

Benefit Loveliness

Another favourite was the 'My-Wardobe.com' room which was housing some of my favourite designer names such as Marc Jacobs and Lucy Choi. When I arrived, I was greeted by two lovely representatives for the online company who were so welcoming and super stylish, check out the man's studded suede shoes! On that note, it was also great to meet the ladies at Bobbi Brown who played with their new make-up range and showed me a few of the new blushers! Excitingly, I've just learnt that a Bobbi Brown concession has made it's way to the Cheltenham House of Fraser! Eek! I think I know where all my money will be going from now on!

Sequins galore at My-Wardrobe.com pop up

Designer purses, clutches and Ipad Covers at My-Wardrobe.com

My-Wardrobe style guide

More lovely accessories at My-Wardrob.com

Rail of gorgeous designer clothing at My-Wardrobe.com pop up

Bobbi Brown Pop Up

The ladies of Bobbi Brown

Outside of the hotel were a few more mini boutiques such as some bridal wear pop ups and the Cowley Manor gift shop. I am a sucker for all things Wedding related so loved looking at all the dresses, gowns and hair pieces. In particular, I had a fab chat with milliner Katherine Elizabeth who had some amazing statement fascinators on display that have all been hand made in London!

Katherine Elizabeth Millinery 

Throughout the day there were multiple styling and fashion presentations shown and the general atmosphere was really buzzing as lots of ladies were there on a girlie day out having champagne and nibbles and looking at all the designer goodness! I could have easily spent all day and all my bank account at Boutique 24 if I could!

If you haven't yet seen it, I have done a summary on  my time at Cheltenham Fashion Week as a guest blogger for The Editeur! Check it out here.

 

Manchester Fashion Week; Day 4

I can't believe that it's Friday already! This week has gone far too quickly for my liking, and it means that today is the last day of Manchester Fashion Week :(

I was unfortunately not able to go to the MCRFW shows on Wednesday, but I did make it back to Avenue North yesterday to see what the Thursday shows had in store! The other bloggers and I had been excited for the day's schedule, with Flannels, Mulberry, All Saints, Ted Baker and Brookes Brothers all set to host shows! There was definitely a buzz in the air as the lounge area was packed with eager fashion enthusiasts and press members waiting for the various shows. It was lovely to meet some more fellow bloggers - Laura, Danielle, and Eliska- and have some more cheeky samples of the yummy frozen yogurt from Frurt! In true Sex and the City style there was even a fur protest outside the entrance during the Flannels show, but hey what is a fashion week without a bit of drama?!

My outfit: High Waisted Miss Selfridge Shorts. Ribbon trim camisole, Oasis, My Housemate's oversized checked shirt, Jack Jones, and Zara Leather jacket.

So the first show up was American heritage brand, Brooks Brothers, which brought looks from both their menswear and womenswear collections.

The menswear consisted of classic combinations with a colour pop twist. Blazers and camel coloured chinos were teamed with bright jumpers, and demure duffle coats and cardigans with zingy and pastel shaded trousers. Dicky bows even made an appearance in an unlikely pairing with casual printed beach shorts.  

The Womenswear collection again showed a nod to the brand's American heritage, with hints of 50's glamour emulated through silk neck ties and shirt-waisted dresses. In terms of prints, colourful florals and thin nautical striping were present, with creamy shades of blue being the key colour. Working the his and hers appeal,  preppy colour popping jumpers were also teamed with darker trouser suit combinations.

Next up was the All Saints show. Sticking to their urban and grungy image, the catwalk saw a colour palette of greys, blacks, nudes and burnt oranges for both the menswear and womenswear.  

Styling notes to take from the womenswear show: Belted maxi dresses with ankle boots and collar necklaces. Cropped leather jackets to toughen up a soft and feminine floaty dress, and over sized fisherman coats with crochet jumpers and thigh high shorts!

The Ted Baker show showed a variety of looks from chic work wear to feminine evening wear, with plenty of arm candy to envy. My personal favourite was the large satchel in croc print mahogany  and tan tones. A few of the dresses also showed a taste of the 50's with clinched waists and blousening skirts. Turning to the menswear, one or two of the looks had a back to school vibe with rucksacks and satchels making a return.

   

At the Flannels show, a range of designer attire made its way down the catwalk, with beautiful floating silk painted dresses and slouch backs from Temperley to bright fuschia empire maxi dresses.

Finally, closing the day was the one we had all been waiting for, Mulberry! As the front row was packed out for the show we struggled to get many photos, but it was enough to see the iconic fruit pastille lolly dress from the spring summer collection, the Bayswater, riveted Alexa and the mixed print Travel bag! It was such a shame the show didn't last longer!