Liverpool and Essex Fashion-Off

Liverpool and Essex.... Two cities in the country known for their sense of style more than anything else. So what happens when they go to head to head? A true battle of fashionistas.

That is exactly what happened wen Designers and Boutiques from both area's showed at the fashion-off in Newz Bar Liverpool on Friday night, organised by TOWIE twins and Essex Fashion Week founder's Adam and Simon Ryan and Liverpool based management company G-Lamorous Present.

Guests included Opera singer Pippa Langhorne, from Britain's Got Talent, who also performed on the night as well as Joey Bevan, designer for Britain's Next Top Model.

Everyone in Liverpool were very friendly and welcoming, the dress makers there had amazing collections, like nothing I have seen in Essex. They also throw quite a good party.

The models for Ella Tino lined up

Pippa Langhorne performing... Amazing Voice

Some of the beautifully crafted dresses by Liverpool designers

Loving our Latimer bracelets from Latimer Couture, hand made. 

The lovely and hilarious Joey Bevan

Simon, Joey and Adam

It's Chanel's World

As soon as I saw about the Chanel exhibition in Harrods I had to make plans to go straight away. Not because it is only on for a short period but also because Mademoiselle Chanel is one of my biggest style icons. Yes she made great clothes, but it is more the fact that she refused to change, stood her ground, stood up to men and changed the way women dress forever.

The exhibition is on the third floor of the luxury department store, on for three weeks only it is a look in to the installation of Chanel's iconic codes such as the double interlocking C's.

It is a beautiful and almost magical experience as soon as you enter, the journey of Chanel begins as you walk through huge Pearl Curtains (a reference to the pearls that Gabrielle Chanel so adored) into The Garden of Camellia Trees, the room animates a luxurious garden where flowers show off the diamond jewellery in the beautiful display cases.

Other rooms show videos of the making of the famous 2.55 handbag, 80% are still hand made, and demand outweighs production. Hence there is always a waiting list.

Other features include a Children's nursery, complete with dolls and soft toys dressed head-to-toe in her clothes as a symbol of the nursery she never had from where she grew up in a Orphanage.
Next is the Haute Couture room a reconstruction of Coco's apartment at 31 Rue Cambon, Paris, complete with the most spectacular couture dresses displayed under glass.

And let's not forget the man who has kept the Chanel brand going since 1983, there is a room laid out like Karl Largerfeld's Studio 7L, with its gigantic library, where you can take a seat and read through some of the books.

Unfortunately there is no photography allowed, but I managed to get a few sneaky snaps, and would highly recommend a visit. It is a true adventure.

The Knightsbridge store is dedicated to Chanel for the next three weeks with flags, window displays and a special pop-up store. 

One of the many Chanel displays inside.

Inside the exhibition; The Magical Garden

Some of the sketches noting where the exhibition is in-store.

Fashion Night Out

For the past few years now we have attended Vogue's Fashion Night Out that they hold every September in Big Cities all over the world.
We first went back in 2009 where we watched a live Photo Shoot in Chanel with Daisy Lowe and Erin O'Connor, and have been going every year since.

This year was even better, we headed towards watch maker's Omega first, where the Champagne was flowing and some special Coffee Martini's whilst we listened to the AMAZING violinist and singer Marques Toliver.

Marques Toliver at Omega. 

Walking down Bond Street where the most action was taking place, we got caught up in the paparazzi scuffle trying to get their snap of Gwyneth Paltrow who was visiting Coach and looking stunning in black with her perfect blonde hair. 

Next stop - Christian Louboutin where the lovely girls from Lash Bar  were treating guests to lash extensions, with Grey Goose cocktails being handed out, as well as amazing mini trifles and pastry berry pop tarts. There was more than a few merry people dancing to the brilliant DJ in the beautiful surroundings of shoes. Guests were also treated to some lovely Louboutin goody bags... What more can a girl want from a night out.

Enjoying the Berry Pop Tarts

Grey Goose Cocktails

Christian Louboutin biscuits 

Goody Bags <3

Putting Essex on the Fashion Map

Although I am an Essex girl myself I have always been one of those people who when on holiday tell people I am from London 'Just outside, more East London'. Being just a short train ride away I have always preferred to spend time in London be it shopping or just hanging out.

I hate acrylic nails, hair extensions and fake boobs, wear minimal make-up, and despise that whole WAG look. You're more likely to see me in my DM's or Nike high tops than heels.
I remember watching the first episode of TOWIE and cringing and being more embarrassed than ever. Mean while it seemed that the rest of the nation were embracing it, and were maybe even a little bit jel of us Essex folk.

However, since I have started working at Ella Tino, my perceptions have started to change, we recently became official sponsors of Essex Fashion Week and last Friday held at a Catwalk show at Faces in Gants Hill and it was so much fun.

I am lucky in that I finally got a job loving what I do, right now I am covering everything from PR, to styling shoots and shows, having the freedom to choose the music I want for the catwalks, blogging, having a say in what we buy and put on the website to menial tasks such as uploading content on the site.
Meeting and working alongside founders of EFW who also featured on TOWIE Simon and Adam Ryan has been great (and they are all really nice people too).
So next time I am asked 'Where are you from?' I will reply proudly 'Essex'. Amy Childs is in Vogue don't you know!

 The lovely Ella Tino models - all clothes can be bought here.

 With Simon and Adam Ryan

Meeting the lovely Diversity