Ada Zanditon SS19

While I spend the remainder of my week in post-production with 1,000+ runway photos, allow me to shower you with an explosion of shimmer and colour from my favourite of the SS19 shows. As soon as as I entered the Fashion Scout presentation space at Freemasons' Hall, I was immediately awestruck by both the elegance and eccentricity in Ada Zanditon's avant-garde ensembles, which reflect the decorative armour of warrior goddesses. In her latest collection, the London College of Fashion graduate draws inspiration from the recent discovery that bright pink is the world's oldest biological colour, corresponding beautifully with her sci-fi and fantasy aesthetic.

The models commanded the stage in strong, striking and feminine poses, representing the warrior deities that Ada's harnesses and accessories are designed after. Their vivid make-up looks, painted by Astrid Kearney and the London School of Make-Up, wouldn't have looked out of place on the set of Star Trek, yet again were perfect for the overall mood of the SS19 collection. You might wonder if this really was a fashion presentation at all, and not just a peaceful encounter with Space Age Amazonians from the planet Xena.

Vintage Pink

It should come as no surprise I have a penchant for pink. The precise moment it became my new favourite colour eludes me, although at some point last summer, I had definitely decided it would be a fabulous idea to purchase a pale pink suit, then take photographs of said suit in an über-trendy, pink basement bar.

So when I stumbled upon a pair of opal pink Ray-Ban sunglasses on EyeWearThese, it made perfect sense that they should complete my flamingo-inspired ensemble. Although the online eyewear retailer had plenty of other popular brands and designs to choose from (especially since I fancied a very different style to my existing Ray-Ban Clubmasters), there had been little doubt my passion for pink would be upstaged by anything else.

I was made doubly happy knowing EyeWearThese also provided prescription lenses, which, given the company's history as working opticians, I had hoped would be the case. Nonetheless, it's too often a shame I come across a pair of super-snazzy sunglasses, only to then learn the brand or retailer in question doesn't offer the option of a prescription. I think we can all agree it's much more pleasant to see the world in HD quality. In the case of my new sunglasses, the world also comes with a rose-tinted filter.

Soon after my sunglasses arrived, I was eager to take my pink outfit for a spin. When Lizzie kindly invited me to Goodwood Revival earlier this month (where guests are encouraged to dress in vintage attire), I knew I had all the necessary pieces for a 70s-inspired ensemble - pink River Island suit, pink sunglasses, and a blue floral shirt from Hawes & Curtis. Yet nothing prepared me for the excitement of discovering the All Things Hair pop-up salon would match my outfit flawlessly. Please don't mind me, ladies, while I set up my self-timer and perch nonchalantly beneath this hair-dryer. It was style blogger serendipity.

 
Ray-Ban sunglasses courtesy of EyeWearThese.com, however all views are my own

Acuitis Eyewear

Graced with imperfect vision, glasses are a fundamental part of my individual style. Earlier this month, I was invited to explore the first UK flagship store for French eyewear label Acuitis, an impressive, glass-fronted shop unit less than 150m north of Tottenham Court Road underground station. Having arrived early for the breakfast preview, I was personally guided through the new store, the company's history and its collections by the brand's Creative Director, Frédéric Beausoleil.

Trained as an optician with a love for sculpture, Frédéric has been designing eyewear for thirty years. Many of his frames for Acuitis are handmade from cotton-based celluose acetate, although alternative materials include sustainably sourced bamboo, tortoiseshell and buffalo horn, the very kind with which Frédéric crafted eyewear as an apprentice. Further to these, there are designs that pay homage to prominent historical and present-day figures, such as Ray Charles, Maurice Herzog and the Dalai Lama. Add those to an entire wall of sunglasses, the Acuitis collection is both extensive and versatile, with designs to suit all faces.

The greatest pleasure of the morning, however, was to then be handpicked a pair of glasses by Frédéric himself, as seen in the above photograph. A complement to my darker ensembles, they feature similarly rounded lenses as my Silhouette frames (evidently an agreeable shape for my facial structure), yet it was apparent these glasses had been designed to be a statement accessory as much as an instrument for better eyesight.

Charlotte Simone AW17

In the autumn of 2015, my flatmates and I fell in love with an American comedy-horror television series called Scream Queens, which followed the murders of a university sororiety. Equally as infectious as the entertainingly grizzly storyline were the outfits worn by Chanel Oberlin and her cohorts, in particular their affinity for faux fur. Therefore it wasn't long until the four of us had casually styled ourselves in their image.

Had we, however, thought to approach Charlotte Simone for our faux fur fix, we may have had to visit a Swedish furniture store for a separate wardrobe dedicated to all things furry. Founded by New York University graduate Charlotte Beecham, the British-based designer label is famed for its fluffy accessories and jackets made with both synthetic and ethically sourced furs, including the trademark "Popsicle" scarf.

Although I feel less than comfortable about real fur, I am pleased Charlotte Simone offers the choice of faux fur across all styles, especially when the colourful designs make for bright and beautiful winter garments. Among the new pieces for AW17 are signature stripy scarves, furry ankle cuffs, and the cutest teddy bear backback.

Holidays with MR PORTER

MR PORTER's prelude to Christmas saw a Baker Street event space turned into a festive affair of gifts, grooming and gin cocktails. As the online menswear retailer showcased their favourite gifts and accessories for the holiday season, their guests were treated to a few pre-Christmas goodies of their own, as well as a selection of interactive experiences to perfect the art of gifting.

Among these, grooming brand Pankhurst London provided a pop-up barbershop beside the Sipsmith gin bar, calligraphers Lamplighter London monogrammed Montblanc passport holders to an ever growing queue of wanderlusters, and there was even pick 'n' mix sweets to satisfy one's inner child - without the extortionate cinema prices. And throughout the night, stationers Esme Winter wrapped present after present for guests to take home after their thoroughly festive evening.