Get Inspired -Yoji Yamamoto- Fashion-space- gallery: LONDON

HEAD ON: EXHIBITION , LONDON, UK

FASHION -SPACE-GALLERY

I was absolutely stunned when I accidently stumbled upon the HEAD ON EXHIBITION held at London College of Fashion.  It was so inspiring to see  collections by Yohji Yamamoto from way back in 2004 and Yiqing Yin's red masterpiece from 2012. As I kept circling the room, I was enchanted by the innovative designs before me. 

From the head pieces to the tip toes of the mannequins, the creations showed the highest skill level of tailoring, draping and knitting.  Unfortunately, it is not open to the public so I took a variety of candid shots for the blog. The provocative work displays the partnerships and high fashion piece between milliners, such as Stephen Jones and Itoyama Designs.

HEAD ON: EXHIBITION , LONDON, UK

FASHION -SPACE-GALLERY

YOHJI YAMAMOTO SS 04 

MILLINERY BY ITOYAMA-DESIGN

YOHJI YAMAMOTO SS 04 

MILLINERY BY ITOYAMA-DESIGN

YOHJI YAMAMOTO SS 04 

MILLINERY BY ITOYAMA-DESIGN

YIQING YIN: W 12

MILLINERY BY PAUL STAFFORD

YIQING YIN: W 12

MILLINERY BY PAUL STAFFORD

AMAZING TAILORING: YIQING YIN: W 12

MILLINERY BY PAUL STAFFORD

YIQING YIN: W 12

MILLINERY BY PAUL STAFFORD

AF VANDEVORST AW 12 , LONDON, UK

FASHION -SPACE-GALLERY

FLAURA JENSEN, VANITAS SS 13

LONDON COLLEGE OF FASHION ; UK

Quintessentially British: Tea Cakes & Marmalade at Fortnum Masons

 Quintessentially BRITISH : afternoon tea

Fortnum masons diamond jubilee tea station

If you are looking for the perfect cup of afternoon tea in London, you have found it! What a absolutely amazing experience I had with the London Ambassadors hosted by Fortnum Masons. What stared out as a small shop in 1705 by Hugh Mason, in St James Market, has become a Quintessentially British Staple in the heart of London.  We were whisked away upstairs to the 4th floor by our gracious hostesses, Dr. Andrea Tanner and Yvonne Isherwood  to tea salons, where her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Duchess of Cornwall as well as the Duchess of Cambridge, arrived for the opening of the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon.

 It all dates back to 20 March 1720 when the East India Company delivered about 301 lbs of Bohea "Black tea" to Fortnum's. You would be surprised to know that after this introduction,  by 1784 the British were drinking about 5 million lbs of tea per year!  Tea went on to become a important ingredient for the public morale during WWI and WWII, where the government rationed it in portions making sure it would last as long as possible.  There are soo many types of tea available for you to discover at Fortnum's including; Puerh, Puerh, black tea, yellow tea, green tea, white tea, teas with origins of Assam, China and  Darjeeling. It is a great place to find out what your palette for tea consists of,weather it be a 'first flush', where the much more delicate in taste or a  'second flush' where the tea is picked a month later and has much more body to it. 

 QUINTESSENTIALLY BRITISH:

The beautiful decor of fortnum masons , london

 

 welcome to' the drawing room': afternoon tea

fortnum masons, london, 2013

 THE perfect cup of tea

fortnum masons, london, 2013

 selection  of elegant Afternoon cakes

FORTNUM MASONS, LONDON, 2013

 Flavours: Apricot, dark chocolate, rose and gold

FORTNUM MASONS afternoon tea

As we walked into the 'Drawing Room' there was a whimsical air of elegance in the air. The decor, afternoon tea and tea cakes were as delicious as they looked. Featuring some amazing flavors and scents including; rose, apricot, hazelnut, white and dark chocolate. We learned of how tea was once a luxury  for the upper class of Europe and become tradition in Great Britain enjoyed by every class.  After enjoying the afternoon tea form the lovely turquoise pots, we explored a few of the other floors to discover speciality and rare goodies for both women and men. Throughout the shop there are incredible works of art and the shopping areas feature many quintessential british brands and prints.  I particularly loved the luxe and colourful men's pyjamas displayed with Alexander McQueen walking sticks and graphic robes.

 There one minute, gone the next: afternoon cakes

FORTNUM MASONS, LONDON, 2013

        

majestic honey made by exclusive british bees 

FORTNUM MASONS, LONDON, 2013

Fortnum's had another surprise, that they make their own honey with the British bees nesting upon its rooftops. Of course, these  F & M bees are no ordinary bees, they gather nectar and pollinate in the lush exclusive gardens of Buckingham Palace and create honey in architecturally constructed bee hives,  unsuspecting to shoppers and tourists below. You can find out more from the 'honey experts' by clicking on the video above.

 THE BRITISH way to sleep in style

fortnum masons: men'swear

 unique gifts for unique people 

leather  pigs @ fortnum masons

 British charm: quirky & colourful ties

Fortnum masons, london 2013

 peak into london style: Paul smith socks

fortnum mason, london, 2013

  exotic perfumes & scents

Fotrnum mason, London 

Stunning display of  speciality fragrances, accessories, and exquisite ceramic tea sets, so that you can transform your home with the same charm you find in F & M's. In addition to the food hall, there is a baking section where you can learn how to bake the best pastries you have ever baked with the exotic and quality ingredients at F & M's.

 unique gifts and amazing finds

fortnum masons, london, 2013

 Fabulous colors, prints and luxury materials

fortnum mason, london, 2013

 Fortnum masons baking stations

Come cook for yourself, london, 2013

 my fellow london ambassadors

fortnum mason, london, 2013

 quirky  and vibrant tea sets 

fortnum masons, london 2013

 fabulous store front display's

fortnum mason, london, 2013

The window displays are definitely part of the Fortnum Mason charm and inviting for anybody searching for gastronomic delights exquisitely wrapped in the infamous Fortums turquoise  packaging. I loved my visit to Fortnum Masons and and truly think you will too, it is definitely a experience I will always remember.

 more FABuLOUS store front DISPLAY'S

FORTNUM MASONs, LONDON, 2013

LIFESTYLE LA TO LONDON: FEAST FOOD FESTIVAL, NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALERY STROLLING IN LONDON

London  streets : hunting for the Portrait Gallery

Zara coat, Ld tuttle boots,helmut lang trousers

Just arrived back in London from my sunny LA...Time to put away the shorts and grab my UNIQLO Heat Tech thermals, and giant Zara coat. The weekend was freezing  in London this weekend, but that didn't stop me and my sister heading to the National Portrait Gallery. Just took some pics along the way..

Wearing gloves is a must in london

apple headphones hanging out of my pocket: CLASSY

FEASt food festival: London 2013

Tobacco dock

FEAST Food Festival in london was great fun. It was held at the Tobacco Docks, ofcourse its name is representational of its past heratage of being a tobacco storge center during the 19th century.  It was held for four days and featuring some of London's most amazing chefs.  To name a few: Spuntino, Caravan, Dishoom, Patty and Bun, HIX, The Wright Brothers, The Meringue Girls Roti Chai…

                                FOOD FESTIVAL: LONDON 2013

10 best food festivals in london

There were these cute tables set up with candles, so you could grab your food and bring it downstairs to literally FEAST...Mind you, it was snowing outside!