The Berkeley Dress Show 2011

I had such a marvelous time as a debutante of the London Season last year, and it is wonderful now to be able to keep in touch and attend events still, meeting the lovely girls of 2011. The Berkeley Dress Show is a very different experience as a guest rather than a deb, with no day of rehearsing in skyhigh heels or anxious wait before the show! I'm remiss in not posting this sooner for which I apologise, a mixture of college and health got in the way of my blogging habits in the early months of the year, but the Berkeley Dress Show still deserves a post of its own.
The event took place at the Berkeley Hotel in aid of The Children's Trust, and saw the return of amazing Creative Director Lukas Kroulik, who I had the pleasure of working with last year. We were entertained by Isabel Suckling who opened the show with the most beautiful rendition of A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square,  the spectacle of talented magician Jakub Kroulik, and The Jive Aces who provide just the sort of swing and jive music I adore.
Last year I had the pleasure of modelling a hat by Royal milliner John Boyd, and again he provided the millinery delights for the show. I am in love with the pink hat. Being me, how could I not be drawn to a large pink flower? There is always something about fabulous millinery which entrances me.


I adored the make up and hair styling designed by Mary-Lynn Ozone of the London College of Fashion. The girls looked gorgeous with acid bright pops of colour on their eyes and nails.



The debutantes modelled dresses by Hanna Marie Hutchison of HMH Couture. Her silk jersey gowns are Grecian inspired and have a delightful touch of old school glamour to them despite the modern cuts. They are high impact, sophisicated dresses, perfect for making a grand entrance. Does anyone recall the pictures of Cheryl Cole wearing one for the X Factor?




Thank you to Lukas for sending me the above photographs by Jonathon Mist.

Manchester leftovers

Ok so maybe leftovers isn't the best word considering there is Valentino involved, but here are my non-vintage Manchester purchases, that also happen to be accessories.
I see a definite colour palette developing in my buying; I seem to be moving away from turquoise and heading to lilac. I think it started with my Luella birthday buys and trying to get things that go with them but now I just head for the purple.
These shoes are by KG. They're looking a little on the blue side in the photos, but the second one is probably closest to the reality.
Suede (or even better, suede effect) court shoes seem to be a weakness of mine, and these ones have such a fabulous heel! It gives them a ladylike but arty feel. Bought at Selfridges.

At Dorothy Perkins I found the cream snood I bought in November in deep blue at the lovely price of £3 and also stocked up on some socks.

In H&M there was another £3 bargain in this belt which I'd regretted not getting in Birmingham. It has a subtle faux snakeskin pattern.

Occasionally you just see an item and it's love at first sight, and this was one of them. It's the kind of item you don't want to put down and even though you may have more shopping ahead in the day you know you won't see anything you like better because it's so beautiful.

Emma took me too T K Maxx in search of sports wear but of course I got a little sidetracked and found this Valentino gorgeousness.

Hello lilac again, I'm so looking forward to wearing it.

I think Manchester's quickly turning into one of my favourite, if not the very favourite, places to shop.. where do you like going for your retail therapy?