Beauty Buzz: MAC launches new Viva Glam lipsticks for AIDS awareness

Yesterday I attended the Viva Glam launch of two new lipsticks to raise awareness of MAC Cosmetics' Aids Fund. The new campaign entitled 'From our Lips' is fronted by Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper, the new spokespersons for the fund, and the event was hosted by Sharon Osbourne.

The star studded gathering had Britain's fashion and entertainment darlings in attendance including models Agyness Deyn, Tallulah Adeyemi, designer Henry Holland and diva extraordinaire Jodie Harsh.

It was an intimate 'audience with' and both Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper had much to say about the subject of HIV and AIDs. Fans of MAC and the divas alike from all over the world emailed questions for Sharon Osborne to invite the feisty duo to address.


The discussion shared the extent to which MAC are working with pharmaceutical companies to develop a female condom, and donating the full price of the new lipsticks (£12.50) to their charity.

It is understood that 2.5 million dollars will go to locations with the highest level of aids infection such as Africa, the Caribbean and Queens, New York. More money will be distributed to other affected countries and cities as needed.

Flamboyant and as iconic as ever, it is hoped that the discussion between Gaga and Lauper on the subject of HIV and AIDS will encourages people to think and act differently about the disease. One of the biggest preconceptions is that AIDS is primarily a gay disease, but the infection rate of heterosexuals is vast enough to challenge that myth.

At one point the discussion turned to solemn was when Cyndi Lauper talked openly and somewhat emotionally about loosing a best friend to the disease in the 1980s. It was this loss that made her pay more attention to protecting herself from the infection. She said to ignore the importance of safe sex would have been a disservice to her friend who lost his life.

When asked what their message to women around the world about sex is? Lady Gaga spoke bluntly in saying 'Wrap it up with a condom. Women are now the highest demographic of the infected'. In agreement Lauper stated 'Women need to feel strong enough to say 'I practice safe sex, or nothing at all' - protect yourself and don't be a knucklehead! Viva Life, Viva Glam'.

Web: www.macaidsfund.org

London Fashion Week Diary: The Look Show

During Fashion Week, Look Magazine put on a spectacular fashion show at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea. It was a star-studded event with the likes of pop princess Pixie Lott and catwalk veteran Erin O'Connor in attendance.

Top fashion brands including Dorothy Perkins, Mango, Reiss and French Connection combined pieces to create fabulous looks for the new season, including an oh so pretty floral playsuit by ASOS. Bring on Spring! Here are some highlights.

Web: www.look.co.uk

What's On: Vitality Show 2010

Date: 18th - 21st March
Location: Earl's Court 2, Warwick Road, London SW5 9TA
Admission: from £5.00

It's that time of year again girls, the Vitality Show is back at Earl's Court. Now with even more attractions, expect over 350 fitness and wellbeing companies under one roof to pamper, advise and inspire your health and beauty buys.

Along with all the regulars, The Vitality Show has introduced a series of new and interactive attractions for 2010 including the POM Wonderful Kitchen, with residents chefs on hand to whip up tasty healthy snacks using pomegranate juice, a skin consultation bar offering free advice on how to keep your skin looking fresh and young and a gluten free village, full of information and advice on the latest allergies and food intolerances.

There's also a new highlight: One Life Live Show; lead by experts John Lees, Jessica Chivers and Pete Cohen, the show will feature motivational talks and discussions about holistic therapies.

Admission is just £5 on the evening of Thursday 18th, and £14.50 when you book the weekend dates in advance. More on the door.

Web: www.thevitalityshow.co.uk

What's On: One Day Diva

Date: 06th February
Time: 11:00 - 15:30
Location: Jalouse Private Members Club
17 Hanover Square
London
W1S 1HU

This weekend sees the launch of One Day Diva; a series of designer sale events in a bid to satisfy your fashion cravings and support Breast Cancer Research.

The events will be set in the heart of Mayfair, and is the brainchild of two friends; Francesca Farnesi of London Dress Agency Frankie and Lola, and Hayley Smith - a singer with a passion for fashion. Expect gorgeous clothes, coveted accessories and shoes, all displayed at a stitch of the rrp.

Among the sellers will be vintage & designer couture boutique owners and industry specialists, including Frocking Fabulous Vintage, Funky Bling and Rous Iland Boutique. With 20 hand-picked sellers all showcasing on the day, celebrity stylist Ian B will be on hand to offer complimentary personal styling advice to shoppers.

There are a limited number of tickets left which include special VIP Early Tickets to get your hands on a goodie bag and receive two hours priority shopping access to the best bargains. I'll be there, will you?

Web: www.onedaydiva.com

What's On: Get Speed Dating for Charity!

Date:
Friday 12th February

Time:
19:30 - 23:00

Location:
3 Appold Street
London, EC2A 2AF

Admission:
£5 donation

Last year in my attempt to raise a wad of cash for Cancer Research UK, I hosted the Big Pink Pamper Party and the night was a success thanks to the lovely tweeters and bloggers who came along and donated.

Leanne (left) with Yve at the Big Pink Pamper Party (Look at all that chocolate she won, lucky girl!)

One of those tweeters; Leanne, otherwise known as @teenytinyleanne in Twitterville is hosting her own fabulous soirée to raise more money for the cause and the theme is befitting for the start of Valentine's weekend.

So calling all single ladies (and gentleman) to head over to a night of Speed Dating shenanigans. There'll be free nibbles, discounted cocktails and hopefully some rather dishy people to conversate with.

To reserve your place, simply donate £5 to Cancer Research UK.
Visit: www.justgiving.teenytinypartycompany for more details.

What's On: Carol Nights at the Jazz Café

Image source: www.electrovoice.com

Dates: 21st - 24th December
Time: From 7pm
Admission: £18 (in advance)

Get your carol fest on at the Jazz Café and join The London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC) who will be performing soulful renditions of Christmas gospel favourites.

The choir has been dubbed 'the nation's favourite' and was formed in 1982 by Rev. Bazil Meade, who still leads the choir today. LCGC have performed with some great recording artists to date including Maria Carey, Madonna, Elton John and the late James Brown.

Jazz Cafe
5, Parkway
Camden
London, NW1 7PG

Booking lines:
Ticketmaster: 0844 847 2514
See Tickets: 0870 060 3777

Web: www.jazzcafe.co.uk

What's On: Ice skating at Somerset House

Somerset House © Gideon Mendel

Dates: Until 24th January 2010
Times: Daily 10am-10.15pm (closed Dec 25th)
Admission: Adults from £10.50, children from £7.50

The new home of London Fashion Week has been transformed into the capital's coveted ice rink locations for another festive season.

Somerset house with its grand surroundings is complete with classical music and a fairy tale-like Christmas tree. Children will love it and if you're feeling a bit bar humbug about the lead up to festivities, a trip to the rink may be just the ticket to get you in the yuletide mood.

The rink is sponsored by jewellers Tiffany & Co, who have a pop-up store on-site. Those with cash to splurge can spend a pretty penny on the selection of signature pieces available. For the rest of us who are watching the pennies, at least there's yummy Tiffany cupcakes at £2.50. Here's a video of what to expect, it looks like great fun!




Somerset House
The Strand,
London,
WC2R 1LA
Web: www.somersethouse.org.uk

Causes: The Big Pink Pamper Party Photos are in!

Finally! The photos from the Big Pink Pamper Party are ready and it all looks so pretty! From the cupcakes to the gorgeous bunch of girls who attended, the photos have really made me smile.

A special thanks to SFC Mobile Beautician Tiphaine who did some fantastic manicures on the night and Georgina Bolton-King, the official event photographer who captured some great moments from the evening. Heartfelt gratitude once again to everyone who donated and made the event possible. Enjoy the pics!

Cocktails were lush thanks to Precious Online, the event's refreshment sponsor

Cupcakes were lovingly baked by Cupcakes To Go

The Simply Fab Company provided manicures on the night

The fabulous prizes on the night were donated by
Glam Media, Wahanda - the Goody Bag Sponsors,
The Simply Fab Company, E.g... Fashion, Divine Chocolate,
A Gift From The Gods, Rock N' Rose and Elsie Belle

Hannah won the Big Prize! £200 Wahanda Voucher. Sweet!

Charlotte won the Luxury Pedicure courtesy of The Simply Fab Company

Leanne won a collection of Divine Chocolate and Cook Book

Natalie won the Pink Moet courtesy of Glam Media - the venue sponsors

The very happy Jessica with her £100 E.g.. Fashion Voucher

Gemma won fabulous pink accessories from A Gift From The Gods, Elsie Belle and Rock N' Rose

For more information on the Big Pink Pamper Party visit the official blog

To book Georgina Bolton-King for your event visit www.boltonkingphotography.com

Copyright © 2009 Pretty Stylish London
Please do not use the photos posted without permission

Causes: The Big Pink Pamper Party Fundraiser

On Tuesday 20th October, Pretty Stylish London hosted a fundraising event entitled The Big Pink Pamper Party, in aid of Cancer Research UK and to highlight Breast Cancer Awareness month.

We managed to raise a respectable £425 for charity and it was a fantastic night of cocktails and cupcakes held at the Glam Bar, On Anon. There were manicures and brilliant prizes, not to mention a rather indulgent goody bag of treats. Bloggers and Tweeters came out to support the cause and with the help of key sponsors and contributions, the night was a great success. Photos from the night will be posted shortly.

The event was jointly sponsored by Glam Media and Precious Magazine, whilst the pampering treatments were provided courtesy of The Simply Fab Company:

PRECIOUS is the leading magazine, network and resource for women of colour proudly online since 1999. Alongside a range of features on business, wellbeing, the arts, lifestyle and food & drink, we profile and celebrate the professional and entrepreneurial achievements of women of colour in the UK. www.preciousonline.co.uk

Glam Media is the pioneer and global leader of Vertical Media. Their revolutionary new media model connects premium brand advertisers with millions of consumers with like-minded passions online through large and growing vertical content networks. With more than 1400 publishers worldwide, they cover the topics people are passionate about. Their networks include Glam.com for women; Brash.com for men; and Tinker.com for those participating in real-time conversations on social media sites across the Web. www.glammedia.com

The Simply Fab Company is a leading mobile beauty spa currently supporting Cancer Research UK, in the fight for women’s survival with the launch of the Pink Pamper Party.

The Pink Pamper Party is a fun beauty session, where groups of friends can choose from a range of luxury treatments with which to pamper themselves. Each guest is given an indulgent 30 minute beauty treatment and presented a Breast Cancer Awareness pack and a goody bag containing gorgeous pink treats. 20% from the total sale of party will go to Cancer Research UK. Each Pink Pamper Party will raise a minimum £50 for Breast Cancer Awareness.

To host your own pink pamper party for charity visit www.pinkpampering.co.uk
For further information on The Simply Fab Company visit: www.thefabcompany.co.uk

The Giveaways on the night included an amazing £200 voucher thanks to Wahanda and every guest received a further £25 spa voucher in their goody bags:

Wahanda is a health, beauty and wellness ecosystem. In their ecosystem, you’ll find comprehensive listings of spas, salons and health centres all around the globe. You’ll also find a big pond of knowledge - everything you need to know about treatments, classes and therapies.
For more information visit: www.wahanda.com

Other prizes included:

• £100 Gift Voucher from cutting edge fashion house e.g...
• A Luxury Pedicure worth £65 Thanks to The Simply Fab Company
• The Big Stud Bag Pink courtesy of A Gift From The Gods
• An La Licorne Cameo Necklace by Elsie Belle
• Rock n'Rose Love Studs
• Divine Chocolates and Cookery Book
• Pink Moet Courtesy of Glam Media

Further appreciation goes to all the companies and brands who donated generously to the goody bags on the night:

• Chocoholics
• Durex
• e.g...
• MEMEME
• Sleek MakeUP
• The Simply Fab Company
• Wahanda

The support of these companies contributed greatly to what was a wonderful charity soirée
and for that I'd like to say a big thank you.

Finally, thanks to all the girls who came out in force to support Breast Cancer Awareness, it was incredibly encouraging and it's inspired me to keep going. I look forward to next year's event!

To visit the official Big Pink Pamper Party website, click here.

What's On: The Big Pink Pamper Party

Today marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness month and to help beat breast cancer, Pretty Stylish London is hosting The Big Pink Pamper Party in an attempt to raise £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Sadly, one in nine women will develop breast cancer at some point in their lives. With your help, Pretty Stylish London will raise vital funds for the charity's life-saving work. Cancer Research UK is the largest single funder of breast cancer research in the UK. They are making fantastic progress, but they can't do it without our support.

The night will be a wonderful opportunity to network, unwind and indulge in a little pampering. Guests attending will receive complimentary cocktails and manicures by the team behind Pink Pamper Parties - SFC Mobile Spa.

The newly refurbished Glam Bar at On Anon is where all the action will be happening and the Bar Staff have been busy creating a special Cosmopolitan in honour of Breast Cancer Month. (I've tasted, it' so good!) Whilst Cupcakes To Go will be baking pink ribbon cupcakes to keep the theme going.

On the night, there will be a number of prizes for guests, including gift vouchers from cutting edge fashion label e.g... Plus, everyone will take home a rather exciting goody bag of fashion and beauty treats.

To RSVP, click here donate £25 which will go directly to the Charity. All it takes is 40 guests who want to support the fight against the disease, and we'll easily make the £1,000 target. Feel free to blog and tweet this invitation out to others who you feel will be interested.

For more information visit the official Big Pink Pamper Party website here.

London Fashion Week: SS/10 Highlights | Basso & Brooke vs Mary Katrantzou

Pretty Stylish London Summary

It was a battle of the prints this week as Basso & Brooke and Mary Katrantzou lit up the catwalk. Both labels treated the fashion week crowd to kaleidoscopes of colour and pop graphics. Whilst Katrantzou's inspiration came from artisanal blown glass and the aesthetics of perfumery, Basso & Brooke remained inspired by the playful and subversive.

True to form, Basso & Brooke's designs indulge us in a dynamic prism of colour. Yet their print work has evolved somewhat to a more sophisticated balance of fantasy and reality. Katrantzou has obviously found influence from Basso & Brooke in her own work, however she achieves a completely different feel. Her prints are more free-form, more organic with a reference to nature.

Graphical pop-colour prints will undoubtedly be a huge trend for Spring/Summer, and the accessories at Katrantzou showing designed by British master of art glass-blowing, Peter Layton will most likely be reworked for the high street.


Credits:
Images courtesy of www.londonfashionweek.co.uk
@beautifuldamned twitter.com/beautifuldamned
@marian_kihogo twitter.com/marian_kihogo

London Fashion Week: SS/10 Highlights | Jeremy Scott

Pretty Stylish London Summary

The primitive look is back again, this time bigger, louder and more animated with Jeremy Scott's Flintstone inspired collection. The clothes really do speak for themselves. This look is about channeling your inner brashness; your crazy, sexy, cool - the Lady Gaga in you.

I can see these prints making their way into Top Shop and ASOS pronto and I'm particularly smitten with the denim mini short set; the jagged cut is such an interesting detail in what is otherwise a very simplistic design. Sometimes less is more after all. The colours are bang on-trend for Spring/Summer with Scott offering a fresh approach to primary hues.

What can I say Jeremy, the people of Bedrock would be proud.

Credits:
Images courtesy of www.londonfashionweek.co.uk
@AmeliasMagazine: twitter.com/AmeliasMagazine
dazeddigital.com

London Fashion Week: SS/10 Highlights | Eun Jeong

Pretty Stylish London Summary

As one of my favourite designers, Eun Jeong is the relative newcomer for London Fashion Week. For her latest offering, she showcased a feminine collection featuring floaty fabrics and luxurious textures. Whilst tailoring played a considerable part in the designs, a good dose of fluidity made an appearance on the catwalk too.

The look is one I like to coin 'sport luxe meets the age of innocence', and clearly pays homage to 19th century glamour yet with sporty socks and sneaker boots, Jeong firmly positions her designs in present day urbanity. Could this be the new edgy direction of ethereal chic?

Credits:
Images © fiona garden 2009
@vogue_london: twitter.com/vogue_london
www.fabsugar.co.uk

London Fashion Week: SS/10 Highlights | Todd Lynn

Pretty Stylish London Summary

Primitive yet futuristic at the same time, Todd Lynn impressed at Fashion Week with uber sharp tailoring, hints of nomadic layering and play on textures.

Staying true to his signature ungendered shapes, Lynn create the perfect equilibrium of unstructured meets structured. He also did away with the orthodox presentation of a Men's collection and a Women's collection, rather he merged the two together for a postmodern interpretation of androgynous fashion.

I'm loving the muted tones throughout the collection and the metallic shoulder pads are pretty darn powerful.

Credits:
Images courtesy of www.londonfashionweek.co.uk
@fashion_critic: www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com
www.graziadaily.co.uk

London Fashion Week: SS/10 Highlights

© fiona garden 2009

London Fashion Week is coming to a close and whilst I never attended, I was certainly there in spirit. A bout of the common cold, left me without the 'get-up and go' zeal I normally have and instead I've had to keep abreast of the latest updates via the fellow fashion junkies on twitter and of course the official London Fashion Week website.

It's been bitter sweet experience not being in the thick of it all. Bitter because there's is truly nothing better than literally being there, and sweet because I found comfort in reading about it instead of writing about it for a change.

Thankfully my trusted circle of friends have kept me completely in the loop and it's been refreshing to consider fashion week from a range of perspectives.

That said, I simply couldn't let one of biggest style events of the capital pass by without adding my own opinion into the mix. So be sure to check out my Fashion Week highlights, it acts as my wish list of shows that I regretfully couldn't make and the backstage scenes where I'd have loved to be a fly on the wall. Highlights to following shortly....

What's On: Fashion's Night Out

Date: Thursday, 10th September
Time: 6pm - midnight
Location: Participating shops in the West End*
Admission: FREE

The annual fashion night out is back for 2009. Come September the 10th, London's West End will be hosting an evening of fashion pleasures and a shopping extravaganza.

Fashion's Night Out is a global initiative that sees the international editions of Vogue are partnering with designers, department stores, high-street chains and boutiques. There are 12 cities participating including New York. Pairs, Milan and New Deli.

The event promises to be an unprecedented feel-good occasion, full of the theatre and allure that fashion and shopping offer. The Vogue team will be working with retailers to create a night of original in-store activities, including personal appearances, makeovers and workshops, during extended shopping hours.

There's also the opportunity to raise money for charity; a limited-edition T-shirt designed by Vogue will be for sale on the night, with 100 per cent of money raised going to Crisis, the UK charity for the homeless.

Need inspiration ahead of the event? Check out the September issue of Vogue to see the section dedicated to the star buys that 73 of Fashion's Night Out participating stores have earmarked specially for the night, ranging from Gap boots to a MaxMara coat.

*Visit: www.vogue.co.uk/fashionsnightout for more information.

What's On: Cupcakes and Cocktail Evenings at Liberty

Date: Every last Thursday of the month
Time: 6-8pm
Admission: £15 per person

Liberty is hosting a new beauty event entitled Cocktails and Cupcakes. The series of beauty and well-being evenings are taking place every last Thursday of the month until November.

Guests will have the opportunity to sample ‘most wanted’ skincare products from top cosmetic ranges, sip on tea-infused Martinis unique to each event and nibble on their famous cupcakes. Sounds delicious. Oh and there'll be fabulous goody bags.

‘Cupcakes & Cocktails’ evenings’ schedule:
Smart, Sassy, Sexy – make up for contemporary gal...
27th August
(featuring Cherry Sencha Martini)

Something about Eve...
24th September
(featuring Creten Mountain Martini)

Ladies, refine your smell buds...
29th October
(featuring Anastasia Martini)

For tickets please contact Freya on:
Tel: 0207 734 1234 ext 2602
Email: libertyrestaurants@live.com
Web: www.liberty.co.uk

TEA room
Liberty Store,

Regent Street
,
London W1B 5AH

What's On: Media Mingles

Date: Friday 7th August
Time: 6:30pm
Location: 23 Romilly Street, London W1D 5AQ
Admission: £5.00

If the idea of speed dating or singles night leave you cringing, get ready for a new event launching tomorrow that promises to do away with dodgy gongs, name badges and the general embarrassment. Kathryn Camsey, a media personality and TV presenter, has set up Media Mingles. The monthly soirees set in an exclusive private members club will give media and creative professionals the chance to network with with like minded individuals, who just so happen to not be in a relationship.

As a long-standing match maker herself, Camsey have always had a talent for 'connecting' people and is hoping to play cupid on a larger scale through her networking events. With already 150 tickets sold, there'll be canapes, bubbly and a cosy amount of single people to meet. Innocent smoothies, Benefit Makeup and Bendicks chocolates' aptly named mingles are included in the luxury goody bag for guests.

Media Mingles has been declared a couple-free zone, so if you're working in the media or creative industry and single, this could be the opportunity to increase your contact list and you may even be struck by Cupid's arrow, or is that Camsey's?

Tickets are still available at: www.mediamingles.com