Flower crowns and fashion bloggers

When you acknowledge the style blogging community is largely populated by women, it's not unsurprising I'm often the only male blogger in attendance at blogger events. That said, I can't think of too many guys who would have readily accepted an invitation to design flower crowns and screen-printed tote bags - myself included. But after Paige kindly invited me along to My Chelsea Hotel for a summer style workshop, I found myself having as much fun as the ladies in constructing my own floral headpiece. (Even if I did attract more than a few side-ward glances on the return walk up King's Road.)

The intimate workshop celebrated the perfect partnership between My Chelsea Hotel and print designer Silken Favours, whose beautiful bee design cushions in turn reflect the partnership between the My Hotels Group and environmental charity Friends of the Earth, specifically their "Bee Cause" campaign to support the conservation of bees. 50% profit from the sale of the cushions is donated to the campaign, and My Chelsea Hotel has even installed a beehive on its roof.

With environmental responsibility clearly at the heart of the afternoon's activities, the gathering of bloggers were treated to a craft workshop with textile designer Zeena, who offered us the opportunity to screen print our own tote bags with a Silken Favours design, followed then by a flower crown masterclass with Miss Victoria's Floral Emporium and her stunning selection of fresh blooms. I especially relished in creating the floral headpiece, which required a steady hand and a keen eye for pattern and colour. It was almost disappointing there wasn't a wedding that weekend to show off the handiwork perched atop my quiff.

Maison Lejaby Passion

Let's return to a subject seldom spoken on this blog, for the obvious reason that I do not possess a pair of boobs. Ladies lingerie is a matter I explored only briefly during mine and Lizzie's appointment last year at renowned lingerie stylists Rigby & Peller, during which I came to appreciate lingerie beyond the normal expectations of the male conscience. When made well, it is an elegant aspect of womenswear that may imbue grace and confidence in the wearer, even if nobody else bar the wearer will see what sits beneath her outfit.

Lingerie isn't limited to underwear, however. Nightwear, too, is as important a stem of lingerie as any. And we're not talking here about novelty pyjamas. Throwing aside her typical nighttime attire, Lizzie models a luxurious Maison Lejaby "Passion" nightdress, or babydoll, in black featherweight fabric. The beautiful quality of this particular number is evident by the intricate embroidery of Leavers Lace (a name you may recognise from the previous series of The Apprentice), generously detailed not only across the cups, but also on the back, and tidily fastened with a satin bow.

Unlike the nightgown Lizzie had tried on at Rigby & Peller's Knightsbridge boutique, the "Passion" nightdress cuts short on the thighs, however it is equally as effectual in revealing - yet concealing - the woman underneath. While ladies' lingerie does expose much of the body, I believe the sexiest element of such undergarments is their finesse of leaving all else to the imagination - that in which Maison Lejaby excels across their collections.

Georgia Hardinge AW16

"Hidden" by Georgia Hardinge holds true to its title by applying lenticular techniques, the method in which an image is revealed when seen at certain angles. Within the pleats of her structurally splendid collection, Hardinge conceals a galaxy of stars. As the models explore the presentation space, the audience is teased with glimpses of the cosmic prints, made with metallic foils to reflect a meteor shower. The astronomical theme runs also in the collection's colour palette, utilising those colours seen in nebulas and the night sky.