Gucci Parfums Chimes for Change

Committed to its role in the global community through their continuous philanthropic efforts, Gucci Parfums has partnered with The Perfume Shop this Christmas offering a £2 – or €3 for our European counterparts – donation to the fashion House’s Chime for Change initiative with each purchase of selected Gucci fragrances. The community behind the Chime for Change campaign continues to convene, unite and strengthen the voices of girls and women all over the world by raising funds and awareness towards this goal – their empowerment.

In line with the three pillars of the global campaign – Education, Health and Justice – consumers are given the choice of which key area they would personally like to channel their donation, empowering patrons to contribute to projects that bring positive changes to the lives of girls and women across the globe through their purchase. Fragrance faces Blake Lively, Evan Rachel Wood and James Franco will also take an active role in helping to build awareness around the campaign.

From the Chime for Change concert in London this summer to the House’s most recent donation incentive, we’re certain that Gucci’s relentless efforts will surely light the way towards positive progress and change.

by Roxy Mirshahi

Images: Gucci

Designer Spotlight: Lulu Guinness

Fashion and art have always shared a common bond. With an almost symbiotic relationship, the connection between the two is stronger than ever before and the lines becoming increasingly blurred. This connection is fortified by ever-popular collaborations with artists lending their creativity and style onto an unsuspecting fashion world. 

One fashion designer who is a clear advocate of art is Lulu Guinness OBE. There is a reason why her unique and glamorous Collectible bags are described as “tomorrow’s treasures”. Living by her motto Dare to be Different, Lulu’s strong personal style and original vision has played a huge part in her success. Her most recent project with street artist Joseph Steele and creative art agency Beautiful Crime sees the fusion of fashion and art in a very explosive way.

Glass caught up with Lulu Guinness to discuss her views on fashion, art and her new project.

The Lulu Guinness Paint Project with Beautiful Crime artist Joseph Steele launches on July 11 with an interesting live event – talk us through the concept of the project and what we can expect.

I previously worked with Beautiful Crime artist Fin DAC for the launch of my limited edition Eye clutch bag, so when I heard about a new artist they were working with – Joseph Steele and his conceptual approach to using paint and explosives – I approached them again to see how we could make works of art out of Lulu Guinness bags. 

The concept has been to create beautiful bags which look just as great framed on a wall as they do on the arm of a glamorous girl on the red carpet. Working with Joe has allowed us to do just that, with his innovative and experimental techniques which are unique to him. I’ve not come across anyone who can use paint in such an impactful way, not since Anish Kapoor. He’s not afraid to push the boundaries.

What inspired you to turn bags into artworks?

Art is everything to me. It’s all I think about. All of my collections draw on art for inspiration in one way or another so it was a bit of a no-brainer really! It was only a matter of time before the two fused together. I like a challenge, and exploring new techniques, so Joe and I made the perfect partners in crime. 

Do you feel your handbags an equal balance between fashion and art? If so, how?

I think in this case they are pretty equal, yes. I believe what Joe and I have created are works of art in their own right. This line of 180-limited edition bags are the first ever of their kind, in that no two bags are the same. We’re both very proud of what we’ve achieved and hope everyone else likes them as much as we do.

You have done many brand collaborations throughout your career. What are the challenges of working with other creatives?

I love working with other like-minded people so I see it as more of a pleasure than a challenge. Working with other creatives is an excellent way to learn and grow as the best ideas, more often than not, come to fruition after brainstorming with other people.

Images: Lulu Guinness

Each unique bag will signed and numbered by Lulu Guinness and Joseph Steele, and will be available here from July 12.

www.luluguinness.com

My piece above is published on www.theglassmagazine.com where I regularly contribute.

Bronze Goddess by Estée Lauder

If there’s a beauty collection that is synonymous with summer, it would have to be Estée Lauder’s Bronze Goddess collection. Launched each year with a theme that evokes a heady dose of sunshine and all things paradise, this year’s collection is inspired by the tropical hues of the Caribbean.

Beautifully packaged in gold cases, sunset hues and vivid bursts of colour transform a wintry complexion into a summer-ready one – eyes seduce with shimmering aquatic hues and glistening golden tones, lips entice through bright pinks and corals, while skin is given a sun-kissed glow with matt and liquid bronzers, and illuminating powder gelée, which can be worked up to create a highly pearlised look. Housed in the classic semi-transparent golden bottle, the rerelease of Eau Fraiche Skinscent couldn’t be more welcomed – fresh, floral, and with a hint of coconut, the luscious soft scent emanates pure summer perfectly. 

Conjuring the intoxicating sensation of shimmering waters, soft sandy beaches and the scent of tropical air, the collection covers everything you’d need to transform yourself into an enviable Bronze Goddess.

Bronze Goddess 2013 Colour Collection

Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche Skinscent £45.00

Pure Colour Illuminating Powder Gelée in Heat Wave £30.00

Pure Colour Long Lasting Lipstick in Fuchsia Fever £19.50

Bronze Goddess Hilary Rhoda 

The Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess collection is available now with prices starting from £14.50.

My piece above is published on www.theglassmagazine.com where I regularly contribute.

To dine for... Absolut Elyx Single Estate Feast at HIX

“The only way to get rid of temptation is to yield to it…I can resist everything but temptation.” Oscar Wilde took the words right out of our mouths when we heard about the new bespoke menu at HIX-inspired by Absolut Elyx – the new single estate, handcrafted luxury vodka.

Absolut Elyx, recognised as the world’s best vodka awarded by the prestigious San Francisco Spirit Competition, and HIX, renowned for its unique take on British seasonal cuisine, are collaborating to create a series of bespoke dinners at the original HIX site, the Oyster and Chop House. Both are known for their use of the best quality ingredients and a meticulous eye for detail – to say we’re in for a treat really wouldn’t cut it. 

With a menu boasting produce sourced from the finest single estates around the UK, each of the five courses are married to a specially created vodka cocktail to create the ideal combination for a truly indulgent experience. A taste of what you can expect? One offering: marinated Manx queenies with cucumber and wild chervil teamed Smoking in the Sea cocktail – smoked (that’s right) Absolut Elyx with lime and falemum, strained over cucumber and wild chervil iceberg. Refreshing, unique.

HIX menu

Marinated Manx queenies with cucumber and wild chervil

New Forest meringue

Elyx martini

 The Abosult Elyx Single Estate Sharing Feast is available at the HIX Oyster and Chop House on 20th May, 3rd June, 17th June and each month until December 2013. The five course dinner is available for £70 per person and can be booked here. 

My piece above is published on www.theglassmagazine.com where I regularly contribute.

N°5 Culture Chanel at Palais de Tokyo

There is no need for any attempts at defining it figuratively or descriptively – N°5 is a perfume that travels afar. It crosses countries, gardens, books and artistic movements, spanning all periods with knowing assurance. First launched in 1921, the perfume is a mere 8 years away from celebrating its centenarian and will have an exhibition dedicated to it on 5th May for a month at Palais de Tokyo.

With the support of Chanel, a beautiful garden designed by Piet Oudolf – whose recent projects include the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London and the High Line in New York – provides the introductory setting to the exhibition. The exhibition itself will examine how the famous fragrance is linked to specific historical events, art movements and personal experiences of Coco herself via visual art, photographs and archive objects.

Loved by multiple generations for its timelessness and embodiment of all things Chanel, Coco simply yet poetically describes the perfume as “a perfume with the scent of woman.” An exhibition not to be missed by Chanel and fragrance aficionados alike.

Gabrielle Chanel in a hotel suite at the Ritz in Paris, 1937. Photo François Kollar ©

N°5, Extrait, CHANEL by Daniel Jouanneau & Didier Roy

Exhibition runs from 5th May – 5th June.

For further information visit the Palais de Tokyo website.

My piece above is published on www.theglassmagazine.com where I regularly contribute.

& Other Stories

Scandis really know how to do things well. On second thoughts, well is a bit of an understatement – more like tick-all-the-boxes well – and things referring to fashion. Causing a stir in the fashion industry since last autumn – and quite rightly so – H&M’s new brand & Other Stories has finally opened its doors in London. Synonymous with the best of fashion, the store is well-situated in a listed building on Regent Street – the perfect place to start sharing their stories.

With offerings of shoes, bags, accessories, beauty and ready-to-wear designed by ateliers in Paris and Stockholm, women with a love for fashion are able create their own style with pieces that reflect their personality. A defining factor for & Other Stories is their strong emphasis on a woman’s look as part of a bigger picture, hence a strong beauty and lingerie destination areas as these are the first and final touches that make a women feel confident in her style.

From masculine tailoring to feminine chic, carefully selected materials are key ingredients in every piece in order to create lasting wardrobe treasures, all with us ladies in mind so that we can build our own stories to share with the rest of the world.

The Lake & Stars Jumpsuit £65

Tailored Shorts £39

Open Back Dress £55

Beauty destination at Regent Street store

Bat For Lashes DJing at the launch night

For more information take a look at their website www.stories.com

My piece above is published on www.theglassmagazine.com where I regularly contribute.

Paris Fashion Week: Jean Paul Gaultier AW13

ean Paul Gaultier decided to present next season’s collection in his historical home, the Salle Wagram, where we saw some of his most memorable collections of the eighties and nineties – around the time when Madonna and the conical bras designed for her launched him into the fashion limelight. 

Like invitations, the choice of location can also lend itself as a foreword to the collection, and from this choice it would be safe assume there will be some sort of trip down memory lane – that it was.

There were long, flowing pleated skirts, modified marinière stripes and a myriad of furs in the form of coats and trenches. The pointy bra did of course make an appearance in shapely peplum jackets, though this time it was more akin to body armour. 

Doused in nostalgia, the collection had a punk-esque, glam rock vibe to it as the models sported scruffy David Bowie slash Ziggy Stardust mullets and layers of leather. As a whole it felt more like variations of his iconic pieces as opposed to a fun, new take on them - simply put, it was a reel of his heyday moments in fashion.

Images: Style.com

My piece above is published on www.theglassmagazine.com where I regularly contribute.