LOUIE: COCO FENNELL

by luisasavoia

May 15

LOUIE: COCO FENNELL

Do you know Coco Fennell yet? If not then why the hell not?

She is the hot new designer to watch, and when I say hot I mean she is also very hot, she is signed to Models 1 I’ll have you know! Her dresses can be seen on the likes of Daisy Lowe, Pixie Lott, Gizzi Erskine and many more… I am lucky enough to work with Coco, shooting her look-books along with my team (and TIGI BedHead Street Squaders) Sami Knight, Lucy Wearing and Mimi Wade… I asked Coco a few questions…

LOUIE: So Coco, tell us a bit about your new collection and what inspired you…

COCO: My new collection of prints are inspired by images of antique decoupage and circus posters… the shapes are inspired by 60′s designers and aim to be flattering to lots of different shapes of ladies.

Daisy Lowe in Coco Fennell

LOUIE: Who is your favourite designer?

COCO: My favorite designers are The Blonds and JC de Castelbajac if I had lots of money I’d buy everything they make!

LOUIE: What are you listening to at the minute? Any golden oldies or hot new tracks we should hear about?

COCO: My music taste is that of a 14 year old girl – I’ve just made a playlist made up of Misteeq, Destiny’s Child and 3LW that is really special. I am also loving Dry the River lots of lovely sad beardy men harmonising.

LOUIE: If you could dress anyone from any era, alive or dead who would it have been?

COCO: I would love to have dresses Jayne Mansfield she was a hot buxom lady with a ridiculous figure and a heart shaped swimming pool.

LOUIE: If you where an animal what would you be?

COCO: If I were an animal I would be a sloth because they look all cuddly and slow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LOUIE: Who you rating, who you slating?

COCO: I am loving Joseph Gilgun and not really hating anyone…hating someone’s always going to come back and bite you in the ass.

LOUIE: Lana Del Rey’s lips…. hot or not?

COCO: Her lips are kind of hot …her whole face looks brand new….I should get the name of her surgeon.

LOUIE: Well Coco I agree she is hot, however I recommend leaving the surgery for now you certainly don’t need it!

Check out Coco’s dresses here… and buy one while your at it! http://www.cocofennell.com/

MIMI: PRÊT A DINER

by luisasavoia

Arriving just half an hour after we the time we had been invited we were feeling rather good about how prompt we were as we approached 50 St James place, only to be confronted with a queue stretching around the block of hungry oligarchs trying to wheedle their way in. Already the venue was full capacity and but we were smuggled in under the guise of being ‘journalists’ – LOL. The concept of the restaurant is that it remains for a limited time only, which is why I guess everyone was dying to get in before it disappears.

We ascended the mahogany staircase lined with candles where at the top hung an enormous flashing red cross, it was reminiscent of a paired down version of my favourite seen in Romeo + Juliet. In the main dining room a larger then life old master hung on the wall which had been covered in the LV logo, a bit like the famous picture of Lil Kim by Lachapelle. There was a definite theme running, an eclectic mixture of kitsch and baroque decor juxtaposed with very contemporary light sculptures and photographs of Madonna. A neon basketball hoop hung from the ceiling dripping like a chandelier with cut glass and long Banquet tables adorned with ivy and other such vegetation stretched out across the middle of the main room.


The only slight problemo was that the place was so totally heaving it was difficult to find a spot to indulge in the deliciousness that consisted of rare roast beef with parsnip crisps, leaf green broad beans and mashed potato, mini tuna hamburgers accompanied by an oyster in a glass of tonic and Bergamot lemon juice, fritto misto and a kind of ragu esque pot with horseradish. Prêt- a- Diner describes itself as ‘ not a pop-up-restaurant but a dining experience’ not many temporary restaurants can boast menus created by three Michelin star chefs and we were far from disappointed. It is a rare luxury to be treated not only free drinks but free food as well, Sam and Louie took full advantage looking like little Auschwitz children who hadn’t eaten in weeks they chowed down on plate after plate.

The fleeting nature of Prêt-a-Diner did make us feel lucky that we had been and tasted the delights. I would really recommend getting down to the beautiful grade II listed building before it is closes for some unsurpassable scrumptiousness.

http://www.pretadiner.com/

Posted by Mimi on 11/05/12

STEVIE: IN BASILDON

by luisasavoia

David Eldridge’s latest offering at the Royal Court offers an insight into a working class family torn with feuds and riffs that date back many a moon brought together by the imminent death of brother/uncle Len. With a strong British cast this ensemble piece was set in the round and explored beautifully the tensions and relationships that occur between families, neighbours and partners. From the daughter who’s trying to loose her working class roots, to the best friend who’s strong morals and working class pride provide a boiling pot for drama.
With some razor sharp dry lines, and genuine tender moments the play twists through the highs and lows of a family in mourning with issues yet to unearth, itching to burst forth.

As the play roles on, the thoughts and demons that have bubbled under come to the fore under the strain of death, with an outburst at the generous neighbour, outbursts of love that have been trapped deep within souls for years and the two children of the families trying their best to pull everyone together and to put their differences aside for the sake of family and the deceased.

David Eldridge again proves with this taught, dry sharp script that he is one of the best wrting talents England has to offer. I look forward to his next piece, and the tast makers at Royal Court again prove to have exceptional taste.

SAMI: 42° RAW

by samiknight

So often am I caught out in town in desperate need of a fast, delicious AND healthy lunch or snack. 42°RAW has come to the rescue with it’s canteen style approach to raw foodism.

Based in the back of the Royal Academy building on Burlington gardens, 42°RAW offers a varied, colourful and delicious menu of raw vegan treats and juices.

On my first visit, I plumped (as i’m sure most first timers do) for the tapas option, which is a trio of raw favourites including Avocado sandwich, Lasagne and Thai Noodles, i paired this with an obnoxiously healthy looking ‘London’ fruit juice (pineapple, basil, apple & carrot).

I’m glad to say I chose well, this was only my second foray into raw eating, a totally different experience to the first which was an over fussy,  pretentious and downright bland experience. This I am glad to say was an exciting combination of flavours and textures, and I’d be hard pushed to pick a favourite of the three. All the ingredients were fresh, and most importantly ripe, for there is nothing worse than a soapy avocado, woody courgette or watery tomato. Most important of all it was really tasty.

I have to point out, although the food at 42° Raw is made without the use of sugar or dairy products, I didn’t miss either for a second. I also didn’t miss not having meat, it’s just the type of meal to make you feel better after some hard work, or perhaps too much indulgence, I left feeling rude with health, and all the happier for it.

A resounding success, I can’t wait to go again!

http://42raw.co.uk/