The Beautifully Healthy Project: February 2013

Friday 22 February 2013

LFW: My Favourite Looks

London Fashion Week sadly ended on Tuesday evening - but what a Fashion Week it was! (And at least we have Milan and Paris to keep us going!) I don't know about you, but I loved having a look at what all our London based designers had to offer, and I have to say that it reinforced how much talent we have here in the UK. We really are a creative bunch, and I love how creativity is fostered and encouraged by the British Fashion Council, as well as our fashion fans.

As you know, I was incredibly lucky to have attended the Issa London show at Somerset House last Saturday, and as it happens, this certainly was one of my highlight shows of LFW. But I would love to share a few more shows that I feel deserve recognition for their fabulous collections. So without further a-do, here are some of my favourite LFW February 2013 looks:

Mary Katrantzou

Peter Pilotto

Burberry Prorsum

Mulberry

Aminaka Wilmont

Topshop Unique

Zoe Jordan

Whistles

Tom Ford

Anya Hindmarch

It really was a fascinating couple of days - what with Tom Ford's return to the catwalk, Whistles showcasing their first Fashion Week collection, and fun & games at the Anya show! I would also really love to own that Zoe Jordan dress - it looks comfortable yet divine!

I hope you enjoyed LFW as much as I did - and if you're missing it then do try and come down to Somerset House either tomorrow or Sunday for London Fashion Weekend! I have tickets for tomorrow afternoon, and there are still some available here!

Another thing to keep in mind is the Vogue Festival on the 27th and 28th of April. I have bought tickets for a lecture titled: "Behind the Scenes of a Vogue Cover Shoot" and I am terribly excited to learn more about the industry. You can buy tickets for that event here!

And finally, please do like my Facebook page, it would mean an awful lot to me as I really want to keep growing my blog and sharing my passion.

Thanks in advance all you beautiful people!

Love Lucy x

Sunday 17 February 2013

Issa London AW13 show at LFW

Last night was, without a doubt, my favourite fashion experience yet. Courtesy of Vodafone VIP I won tickets to see the Issa London AW13 collection at LFW, and I simply couldn't believe my luck! Daniella Helayel is one of my favourite designers - her understanding of how a woman wants to dress is remarkably en pointe. She designs flirty and fun pieces that wonderfully flatter most female figures, and this is what sets her apart from most other designers. Her collections look fabulous flowing down the runway, but are equally like commercial gold.

Me at Somerset House post-show

I attended the show yesterday with my beautiful Aunty, and we had a great time celeb spotting in the run up to the show. The Issa London front row was graced by Zandra Rhodes, Jodie Kidd, Molly and Rochelle from the Saturdays, Laura Whitmore, and Rosie and Proudlock from Made In Chelsea. The pre-show vibe was contagious: you could feel that this was a show the fashion elite were very much looking forward to.

Cara Delevingne opened the show. From the moment she stepped onto the catwalk she sent out seismic waves of vibrant energy that were warmly absorbed by the excitable audience. Seeing her walk in the flesh really did give me goosebumps. She has It. Whatever It may be! She embodied Issa's woman of AW13, who Daniella describes as "cooler, she wants to explore".

The collection was designed around the concept of a free-spirited woman exploring the Navajo terrain. Inspired by the gorgeous Navajo landscapes of rolling sandy hills and infinite azure skies, Issa's collection delivered a rich array of gorgeous prints, perfect for that curious and confident explorer. Each piece floated down the catwalk, often with the loose silk fabric flowing behind the willowy models, echoing the winds of the Navajo. Some of the pieces were stunningly topped off with feathered hats by Piers Atkinson, and although some the of models struggled to keep them on, they were the perfect compliment to Issa's collection. Enough writing! Here are some of my favourite designs from the show:

The show was truly inspiring. I love the concept of the explorer woman in the Navajo, and the distinctly Seventies feel to the pieces will surely be popular come the Autumn time. Daniella was clearly more adventurous this season, and her gamble certainly paid off. The inclusion of Cara just made the show that bit more special - she really knew how to wear Daniella's designs as she floated along the runway - in the finale she looked like she was about to take off in her cape!

Post-show was nearly just as much fun! My Aunty and I had a couple of friends in the crowd, so we stayed behind chatting for a while, and when we finally left we bumped into Zandra Rhodes on our way out!

Zandra Rhodes and my beautiful Aunty

We also tried to get a few outfit snaps, but just like at the Mary Katrantzou showcase, that didn't really go to plan! But I wore a Zara coat, a black Topshop dress, black French Sole ballet flats, and Collection 2000 lipstick in Shock Pink. See the top photo of this post to see the best snap we got.

If you weren't an Issa London fan before, then I hope you are now! It's a brand that will go from strength to strength (it's got to - Kate Middleton is a fan). So do keep your eye on what they're up to in the future - I know I certainly will!

Here's to two more days of LFW - I don't want it to end!

Love Lucy x

Saturday 16 February 2013

Lucy Victoria Jackson joins Facebook!

I have finally got around to creating a Facebook page to support my blog! Not everyone has Google Friends Connect or Bloglovin', so it's a great opportunity for the word to be spread. Please support this blog by liking the following page and by sharing it with all of your friends: www.facebook.com/LucyVictoriaJacksonBlog

Here is a goofy "thumbs-up" picture of me to say thanks for sharing (in advance!):

Not a very "fashion" photo, but I'm hoping that my public humiliation of myself may encourage you to like my new page!

I have some REALLY exciting stuff to write about from the Issa AW12 show tonight - not least of all Cara Delevingne opening the show! She really is a superstar.

So yes, please do like my page and share it with everyone that you think may be interested!

Love Lucy x

Friday 15 February 2013

Mary Katrantzou Showcase at LFW

Last night my boyfriend and I attended an exclusive Mary Katrantzou showcase at Somerset House. He very sweetly said he would come with me seeing as it was Valentine's Day & I love fashion. Vodafone hosted the event on the eve of London Fashion Week as a thank you to some of their lucky customers, and they certainly put on a good show!

I wasn't really sure what to expect before we got to Somerset House, as the only information we got in advance was that it would be a Mary Katrantzou showcase, the location, and the time. When we arrived it became clear that the showcase would be taking place in the British Fashion Council courtyard space, and that we'd be sitting in the same very seats that the fashion elite would be sitting in over the next five days.

The event was introduced by Caroline Rush - Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council. She quite rightly praised Katrantzou for her innovative, gorgeous designs, and neatly described that the showcase would display Katrantzou's SS12 and AW12 collections, interspersed with a video from Mary, and a peek backstage to see the hair and makeup crews special secrets. Now, I must admit, I was a little disappointed not to be seeing a fashion exclusive, but it wouldn't have made sense for Vodafone customers to see Katrantzou's new collection before the industry specialists. I was just very grateful to be watching another fashion show where I could try to absorb all possible information and experiences.

During the video of Katrantzou in her East London workshop, she was describing her collections that were shown, and even though the collections had been seen before, it was fascinating to hear her speak about her work. She is obviously incredibly passionate about her work, sassily describing her SS12 collection "nature versus nuture... tulips and under the sea vs manmade metallics", and her AW12 collection as "taking something mundane and turning it into the basis for evening wear". Here are my favourite looks from each collection:

SS12

AW12

Not only were the designs fantastic (although my favourite Katrantzou collection so far is her SS13 one), but Vodafone did make a real effort to make their customers feel like Vodafone VIPs. On arrival we were handed a glass of prosecco, and at each seat was a Mulberry designed LFW tote bag with a special Nails Inc. LFW nail varnish inside, along with Label.M dry shampoo.

Unfortunately I didn't manage to get a great shot of my outfit, but I wore a Topshop marine blue and black print dress, an orange Zara coat, navy suede heels from M&S, along with my favourite Links necklace. Please excuse the dodgy red eye adjustments on the photograph!

Below is a better picture of the dress I wore, and you can get it here for just £26! I'm definitely going to try and get a few better snaps of my outfit for the Issa AW13 show tomorrow - I just get a little camera shy!

Last night was really great for getting more experience being at the side of the catwalk, & I really hope I get the opportunity to see many more shows - I've definitely got the bug! I'm aware that last night's showcase was equally a treat for Vodafone customers as it was a dress rehearsal for the BFC courtyard space.

LFW got off to a great start today, and I was particularly impressed with Zoe Jordan's collection (she officially opened LFW) - it was fun, wearable, and very marketable. Tomorrow I am of course very much looking forward to attending the Issa AW13 show with my beautiful Aunty, but I'll also be keeping a very close eye on the David Koma show in the evening, as I was lucky enough to see his SS13 show in September. You can read that post here! And of course, I am far too excited to see Katrantzou's new collection on Sunday!

Happy LFW everyone! I really hope that you enjoy it as much as I intend to!

Love Lucy x

Wednesday 13 February 2013

Pre-London Fashion Week Hype

LFW has nearly arrived! Only two more sleeps until the fashion elite descend on the capital and make their judgement on what our British based designers have to offer the fashion world. I for one am far too excited! Although I'm not an experienced enough blogger to be part of the LFW "press" (although this didn't stop me from at least trying to get a Press Pass!) - I have once again hit lucky in some of the Vodafone VIP LFW competitions. I really hardly ever win anything, but for this fashion week I am extremely lucky to have won tickets for an exclusive pre-LFW Mary Katrantzou showcase (my boyfriend has been wonderful in agreeing to come with me on Valentine's Day!), and then the Issa AW13 show on Saturday evening.

I really can't wait to go to Mary Katrantzou's showcase tomorrow night. Her SS13 collection was her most exciting yet - more commercial but still with her wonderfully unique explosions of pattern and colour. I am intrigued to see where she's going to go next, and I wish her Sunday show was being streamed live, but alas, I shall have to wait!

I am equally as excited for the Issa show, and have been a huge fan of Daniella Heylal ever since Kate Middleton wore that dress in her engagement announcement photographs with Prince William. I'm interested to see how Daniella can mix it up whilst keeping her signature style of gorgeously feminine fitted dresses.

Other shows that I'm eagerly awaiting are: Felder Felder, PPQ, David Koma, Mulberry, Temperley London, Unique, Christopher Kane, Erdem, Burberry Prorsum, Anya Hindmarch, Meadham Kirchhoff, and Ashish. Luckily quite a few of these shows are being streamed live; have a look at the LFW schedule to see exactly which ones: www.londonfashionweek.co.uk If you're favourite shows aren't being streamed, then your next best option is to keep a close eye on the Vogue website, as they show each outfit of each show, and write short but sweet reviews about each collection: www.vogue.co.uk

Which shows are you going to/most looking forward to?

Love Lucy x

Monday 4 February 2013

Glowing Goddess!

It's February. This means that unless you're super rich and have lots of spare time you won't have seen the sun in about 6 months! I don't know about you, but I'm feeling pretty pasty, and my skin can often look dull over the long winter months. Now, I'm not a fan of faking a tan, especially not on a sunbed, so I have to succumb to the paleness that comes with an English winter. However paleness does not have to equally dullness, and this year I've found three amazing items of makeup that are helping me glow through winter!

The most important thing when trying to get that winter glow comes in the preparation stages. Take a look at My Winter Beauty Secrets post to see my favourite exfoliators and body moisturiser (I'm still choosing my favourite facial moisturiser, so there isn't one on the list, but at the moment I'm using Garnier Dark Spot Corrector). Once I am fully exfoliated and moisturised I then apply my base makeup (Clinique foundation and concealer). After that, I apply the three below products to give me a lovely winter glow!

BOBBI BROWN

pink quartz shimmer brick

£32

www.bobbibrown.co.uk

BENEFIT

moon beam highlighter

£18.50

www.benefitcosmetics.co.uk

MAC

dazzlelight neutral eyeshadow with shimmer

£12

www.maccosmetics.co.uk

The Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick is truly amazing, and I can't believe I've waited so long to try it! It gives you a tiny bit of colour, whilst adding pearly shimmer to your face, radiating a subtle glow that makes you look healthy in the dull winter. I apply this with a thick blusher brush to my whole face. It also doubles up as gorgeous eyeshadows. The Benefit Moon Beam compliments the Shimmer Brick effect by adding extra light and shimmer to the top of your cheek bones and under your eyes. The Mac eyeshadow is just brilliant - this colour is beautiful neutral, enhancing your eyes without looking too obvious.

Why not try these shimmering products to give you that subtle glow this winter?

Love Lucy x

Friday 1 February 2013

February Wish List: Top Ten

February is one of fashion's biggest months. It is the month of the Autumn Winter shows that predict what we'll be wearing the following winter. Now, to some this may seem a little depressing - why think about next winter when we haven't even finished with this one? But to me it's exciting - the colder it is, the more clothes I get to wear! February is also the month of love, so this month there's a little bit of a red theme running through my Wish List. And I really am in love with the first item of my Wish List.