Staying active during COVID-19

Due to the current pandemic, it seems like most of us are staying indoors more. Although, I can still work from home, with my gym closed, I’ve started being less active than usual which is really affecting the way I feel and look. Can you relate to that?

Getting active can be challenging sometimes – especially now when we need to remember about socially distancing ourselves. We all know that exercise provides many mental and physical health benefits so I’ve decided to put a few suggestions of what you can do to enjoy your time outdoors, connecting with mother nature and implementing a healthy routine. This approach worked for me and I hope that it will also help you.

  1. Find an outdoor exercise routine that works for you. It’s been proven that exercising outdoors lowers blood pressure and reduces stress. Studies have also shown that physical activity outdoors lowers a person’s blood pressure and heart rate. Whether you decide to go for a run, walk or a bike ride – it’s free of charge and offers you a variation to your regular workout sessions at the gym. Also, if the weather is nice then you can exercise in the sunshine topping up your vitamin D levels. The most important thing though, is to do something that you enjoy so that it’s not a one off activity and you stick to it.
  2. Invest in some quality outdoor wear. Looking good makes us all feel better, doesn’t it? As I spend more time exploring outdoors, I’ve decided to get some quality outdoor clothing from Maier Sports which I could use for trekking, hiking and discovering the countryside. Firstly, I got my new outdoor ‘Tangstad’ jacket – I absolutely love this durable and sporty 3-layer jacket with reliable weather protection (it’s both waterproof and breathable). It provides a few great design features such as grown-on hood which can be stowed in collar, underarm ventilation and spacious pockets. AEB95DFF-EB43-4CF2-89C9-BD0A51904193Secondly, I’ve chosen some ‘Ophit’ outdoor tights. These are fabulous – they look like your regular leggings but they are made from robust stretch fabric which is both water-repellent and environmentally friendly (PFC-free finish). They also have a concealed side pocket and soft and smooth comfortable waist. What I like the most, is that they are quick-drying thanks to dryprotec. Lastly, I completed the look by getting ‘Sinnes Tec’ trekking blouse. It’s super comfortable and made using 4-way stretch for complete freedom of movement. As most of Maier Sports products, this stylish blouse has a great design including underarm ventilation, quick-drying feature due to dryprotec in addition to turn-up sun protection collar. Simply amazing!
    Check out some photos I took wearing them – don’t they all look stylish?
  3. Try something new. Find something new that you enjoy doing. I moved to Essex a year ago and I am now close to beautiful countryside. It’s always great to discover new places and I love exploring local seaside, hills and tracks. I’ve started hiking with my husband during the weekends and during the weekdays I am fitting in some short 30-min running sessions discovering my neighborhood streets and nearby parks. Many outdoor areas include benches allowing anyone to use them for a variety of resistance-training or post-workout stretching exercises.
  4. Find time that works for you and stick to it. I need to be honest here – when I had to commute to my office in London daily, I had a set routine but since the lock-down started I became a bit lazy. Waking up at 5:45a.m. previously was the norm but now I tend to stay in bed much longer. Nevertheless, I try to wake up at 7a.m. three times a week and go for a run. When I arrive back home, I am normally already fully awake, my endorphins are at their highest level and I am ready to rock!
  5. Set realistic goals. Try doing a challenge for 2/ 4/ 8 weeks and don’t forget to set milestones where you review your progress. Perhaps invest in a training diary to monitor your progress or get a fitness tracker which can monitor your physical activity.
  6. Don’t give up and enjoy it! My parents always told me that the key to success is to never give up. I am quite active and I am trying to be healthy however like all of us I have my weak points. I am a massive foodie and if I wasn’t working out I would probably be massive now! You need to be realistic with your goals and at the same time enjoy your life. I never say ‘no’ to a sticky toffee pudding but at the same time I know my limits and I try not to have it too often. Having a ‘cheat day’ once a week when you indulge or have a treat is OK as long as you stay on track and limit it.

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Pauline

Shopping in Queens Centre– the most diverse borough in NYC

As some of you know I love shopping. I was in New York City over the Thanksgiving period and as a result I was able to do some Black Friday shopping. The options on where to shop whilst in New York are all but limitless. New York has some of the best department stores in the world, including Saks, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s and countless Fifth Avenue boutique shops. I was advised by my friend to go shopping in Queens Center and I really enjoyed it. I love shopping and for all the shopaholics among us, a destination filled with shops, boutiques as well as eateries to escape the busy hustle and bustle of shops sounds like the ideal day out. Well for me, it certainly was as I left my husband at the hotel after our breakfast and spent my day at Queens Centre. I ended up being there for 6 hours and came back with multiple shopping bags filled with goods from Kiko Milano, Gap and my beautiful new handbag and pouch from Armani Exchange in addition to some other bits and bobs. In addition, I also managed to collect almost 19,000 steps on my iWatch. Clearly shopping is not only good for your mind. I often go shopping to treat myself when I am stressed but what I also realized that it clearly made me more active on that day.

Stores: 

The Queens Centre has recently been renovated and offers its visitors an opportunity to shop in the modern, spacious surroundings. I discovered that Queens Center attracts nearly 27 million shoppers annually, compared to:
– 20 million visitors to Niagara Falls
– 17.4 million visitors to Disneyland
That is more than the combined, annual total number of visitors to: The Eiffel Tower (7 million) or The Statue of Liberty (4.2 million) so you should definitely check it out!

Everyone can find the brands they like in there ranging from a very popular JCPenney’s and Macy’s, Apple, A|X Armani Exchange, to all other known retailers such as TDisney Store, Hollister, MAC, Swarovski, Forever 21, H&M or Michael Kors. I went to many of these stores and managed to splash some cash on the goods from GAP, Kiko Milano, Armani Exchange as well as some small bits and bobs from the other brands. I was offered a first class suburban shopping experience in an urban environment.

If you feel you need a break from all the shopping, it makes sense to enjoy one of the eateries. In addition, you can also grab some chocolates from Godiva or a piece of cake from The Cheescake Factory to enjoy later.

Discounts: 

As I was in Queens Centre during the Black Friday the discounts were pretty hefty however if you decide to visit this great mall during other periods of the year then some special discounts are available to all out-of-town guests. When I went to the Concierge (that is located at the top floor of the mall) and provided her with my Business Card I received the Visitors Savings URL and the secret Password that gave me the access to the deals! You should definitely check it out!

Location & how to get there:

Queens Centre is located in the heart of Queens in Elmhurst in New York. Queens is a dynamic borough rich in Arts & Culture and can be described as the most diverse borough in New York City.  If you would like to experience live entertainment, music performances or art galleries then you should definitely add it to your travel itinerary whilst in NYC.

Queens Centre is easily accessible by public transport – I took a subway train to get there and it only took 35 min from Manhattan. It is well placed and a mass transit hub, at the intersections of Queens Boulevard, the Long Island Expressway and Woodhaven
Boulevard.

Opening hours :

These opening hours change during the special events like i.e. Black Friday when Queens Centre was open until 2a.m. but usually the Queens Centre is open until 10 p.m. at most days.

Address:

90-15 Queens Blvd

Elmhurst, NY 11373

Website: 

http://www.shopqueenscenter.com/

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Pauline

Image Consultant Suggestions: High class work-wear for busy business women

If you are constantly worried about your work-wear choices and they give you unnecessary headache then this post is for you. The ultimate busy businesswoman wardrobe requires a combination of comfort, style and personal flair and it is all about finding what works for you. I put together a shortlist of few investment buys that will make you look polished and professional at the office.

A dress / a suit
The office is not the place for a fashion parade and if you are a busy business woman then you need to get a work-wear that is comfortable, flexible, doesn’t need to be dry-cleaned and doesn’t crease easily. In order to do so I would advise you to invest in a few high-quality suit or dress that is specifically designed for the busy businesswomen. I personally love wearing dresses and this Ralph Lauren is just perfect as it doesn’t crease, looks stylish and it can be worn with lots of different accessories.

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I recently took it on my business trip to Washington D.C. and it looked flawless and wasn’t creased after over 20 hours in my suitcase.

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I would suggest that you choose dresses (such as little black dresses) which can be easily transformed from smart to smart-casual so you can also use them for after work-drinks or visiting friends.
http://www.ralphlauren.co.uk/

Handbag
Finding the right handbag to carry all of your workday essentials that looks professional and stylish might be challenging. Knomo has the perfect solution if you are looking for simple and exclusive design. Knomo’s aim is to create bags and accessories tailored to suit the modern fashion-forward woman. I recently received a black leather Knomo Audley handbag which is just the right size to store all my office must-haves, laptop, cosmetic bag etc. besides looking really sleek and professional. I travel a lot and 99% of the time have problems with finding a high quality laptop bag. Knomo Audley bag combines both stylish handbag and a laptop bag in one simple and timeless design. The bag is made from the highest quality, soft leather.

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It bridges the gap between classic and chic making it ideal for the office, with build-up features like:
• Easy access front pockets with RFID blocking -perfect for storing your bank cards, phone etc. to protect you from the identity theft;
• Padded laptop section- it easily fits my Microsoft Surface laptop (14-inch) and a separate pocket makes it easy to grab on the go and kept separate from everything else that you carry in.
• Detachable strap- I personally prefer to use my bag without a strap however for these moments for when you want to be hands free, you can attach the strap and turn this handbag into a cross body bag.
The interior design of Knomo Audrey’s bag is all that you need. It has 2 exterior pockets (one with RFID blocking). The main section of Knomo Audrey’s bag has a padded segment laptop or 14-inch tablet as well as a zipped pocket for small items.

https://www.knomobags.com/

Comfortable shoes
I like wearing stylish heels but can you really manage wearing them all day long without ending up with tired feet? The answer is: I don’t think so. My solution to this is to wear stylish court shoes or designer heels for meetings with clients and having a pair of flats for when I busy around the office or on the move. Valentino’s ‘The Rockstud’ flats are a faultless solution and I absolutely loved their feminine, modern feel. For the last few months, it seems like I’ve been wearing them constantly as they are extremely comfortable. They come in a range of colours but I decided to get a pair from the beige and black palette. Valentino’s ‘The Rockstud’ flats are trimmed with gold pyramid studs which are galvanized to never lose their shine.

valentino

They are a perfect alternative to hills or court shoes and look timelessly elegant to any of your the office.
They are quite costly (£585) but definitely worth the investment.
https://www.valentino.com/gb/shop/women/shoes

valentino 2

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

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Pauline

Image Consultant Review: Morlands Glastonbury Leather boots

As it’s getting colder outside, I decided to get some new, leather boots. They are my number one footwear during the autumn and winter. There are many boots options available—flat, over-the-knee, heeled, wedge, pointed toe etc. There is a boot to go with every outfit and occasion. You can wear them with a dress or your favorite pair of jeans and you will always end up looking elegant.

Depending on your style, a classic pair of black or brown boots could be all you need.  I recently came across Morlands Glastonbury. It a luxurious English brand offering a selection of ladies and men’s slippers, Sheepskin boots and accessories including beautiful gloves and a selection of Lambswool and Cashmere Scarves.

Brand:

Morlands Glastonbury was established nearly 150 years ago and quickly become renowned for the excellence of its sheepskin products. The core principles and John Morland’s legacy remain to this day and the company produces incomparable well-known products from the selection of soft, high-quality, natural skins.

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Boots:

I decided to order a pair of brown Sandra boots from Morlands Glastonbury’s Ladies Sheepskin Collection.

http://www.morlandssheepskin.co.uk/sheepskin-boots/ladies-sheepskin-boots-37/sandra

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When I firstly opened the box, I discovered that these signature sheepskin boots are exceptionally soft in texture, warm and extremely comfortable.

They are inspired by the English countryside and classic equestrian footwear, making their style timeless and elegant. I have bought hundreds of pairs of boots before, but my feet have never felt so good in any of them. When I firstly put them all, I knew that they would be my new favourite pair and their tall height gave my legs a flattering, lengthening appearance. Morlands Glastonbury Sandra boots are delicately detailed to reflect their contemporary, elegant style. Delicate, suede panels add detail around the middle.

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Due to the fact that they are made from the high-quality leather they can be worn during the winter as they are lovely and warm, as well as in the summer as they are breathable. Morlands Glastonbury Sandra boots are  extremely comfortable even when worn all day.

Overall:

I really enjoy wearing my new boots and I believe that they would appeal to any sophisticated customer who wants to get a luxurious, high-quality riding boots. Morlands boots are made from the finest quality leather so as long as they are properly looked after, they will last you for a long time. What I like the most about them is that they are lined with luxury Morlands sheepskin. As I have to wear heels at work most of the time, they provide my feet with the ultimate indulgence after work.

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

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Pauline

My new Limited Edition Pandora Club charm 2016

I love browsing the online stores. Last week, I was on the T.H. Baker website which showcases the best jewellery and watches and I came across some amazing new charms. Today, I would like to tell you about the latest addition to my Pandora charms.

As some of you might already know, I love my Pandora bracelet and I even wore it to my wedding in August so I was super excited when I saw the latest, iconic Pandora Club collection. I instantly ordered the Pandora Club Charm 2016 Heart Diamond:

https://www.thbaker.co.uk/pandora-club-charm-2016-heart-diamond-791912d

When I received my order, I was extremely excited to open my Pandora Box.

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My new charm is crafted from sterling silver. Its design is based on beautiful tiny beads and hearts that are adorned.

On the front side, this gorgeous charm has a diamond that is set in the centre. It looks very exclusive and would make an amazing gift for anyone.

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On the opposite side, the charm is engraved with ‘2016’, which is perfect as a reference point to which limited collection it was from. In addition, if you like it and you decide to order it then the person you gift it to will always know when it was gifted to her.

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This stunning limited edition, collector’s item would be a perfect addition to any Pandora bracelet. It looks amazing with all my other charms:

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You can order it from T.H. Baker a certified PANDORA retailer that was established in 1888 :

www.thbaker.co.uk

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

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Pauline

Image Consultant suggestions: kay me dresses

Are you tired of work-wear that is uncomfortable, inflexible, needs to be dry-cleaned and creases easily? If your answer is yes than you should check the Japanese fashion brand that is specifically designed for the busy businesswomen.

I was recently provided with an excellent opportunity to view and try on kay me’s new autumn / winter collection and meet designer and founder-Junko Kemi in London. Let me tell you a bit about the brand and their dresses.

Brand

kay me is an anglicized version of the founder’s name ‘Kemi’ and also represents ‘me’ being the customer always at the heart of the service.

Founder and Lead Designer – Junko Kemi

After graduating from Waseda University in Tokyo, Junko worked in several international companies before founding kay me in 2011. She struggled to find a workwear that follow her simple rules:

1) was machine washable so she didn’t need trips to the dry cleaners or complicated cleaning regimes.

2) was made from flexible, stretchy fabrics as the inflexible suit materials gave her stiff shoulders after sitting at a desk for a long time

3) was suitable to wear for social events after work too.

kay me was born in one afternoon when Junko couldn’t stop feeling frustrated through the lack of clothing that ticked all of the boxes so she decided to create her own.

These days, there are thousands of designers whose clothes are unwearable… That’s not the case with Junko’s collections. Every item sold by kay me is personally worn and tested by Junko herself. Resembling to Victoria Beckham’s motto, if she doesn’t feel that it’s something she would personally wear, the item never makes its way to the shop floor or online.

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Manufacturing:

All of kay me products are manufactured by artisans in Japan. kay me is able to combine traditional hand sewing techniques with cutting-edge textile technology. In 2015, the kay me team perfected a new, machine washable, 100% silk material. kay me believes that the intricate beauty and design of kimono fabrics empower women to be happier in both their professional and personal lives.

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My showroom experience:

When I entered the showroom, I fell in love with Junko’s collection. I was immediately impressed by the quality of the dresses and how stretchy and fashionable they were so I decided to try them.

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All kay me dresses meet five key criteria:

  1. Stretchy
  2. Machine Washable
  3. Business ready
  4. Made in Japan
  5. Kimono inspired

First of all, I tried 3 dresses from its vibrant and stylish Contemporary KIMONO by kay me collection. This collection combines functionality with classic Japanese beauty. The range is absolutely flawless for the modern but busy businesswoman. I was personally looking for a range of business wear like that for a long time as I wanted to have a collection of dresses that are easy to care for and look fashionable.

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Secondly, I decided try a simple black dress from key me work-wear range. It was a love at the first sight! Dress was exactly what I would like to wear to work and I gave me an ultra-flattering fit.

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Would you like to see or buy any products from key me range?

You can view the collection and order it online:

www.kayme.co.uk (free global shipping and 14-day returns )

I hope you enjoyed reading this review!

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Pauline

Kassandra Lauren Gordon ‘Finding Water On Mars’ private fine jewellery viewing.

I attended a fine jewellery private viewing event by Kassandra Lauren Gordon after work on Monday.

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Location:

Kassandra Lauren Gordon is currently exhibiting her fourth solo show to showcase her new collection called ‘Finding Water On Mars’ at The Corner Shop in Farrington from the 5th until the 11th of September 2016.

Address: The Corner Shop, Craft Central, 21 Clerkenwell Green, London, EC1R 0DX

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Designer:

Kassandra Lauren Gordon studied jewellery manufacturing and design in Hatton Gardens and is a registered Fair-trade Goldsmith based in London. Two years after setting up her private handmade jewellery studio in Hackney London, she is now celebrating becoming a partner of ‘Not on a High Street’. She has experience as a domestic violence worker and has worked in the public sector for almost 10 years . Her interaction and day-to-day contact with women in the community have convinced her of the need for women to be more assertive. Many of the pieces from her collection are named after inspirational female scientists.

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Collection:

‘Finding Water On Mars’ collection is inspired by the geology of Mars and it explores the idealism of beginning anew on a blank slate.

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Kassandra Lauren Gordon’s collection includes pendants, earrings, rings, bangles and chokers. All pieces are made from precious metals and gemstones by hand and many of the pieces available for purchase from her website are made specially to order. It normally takes 2 to 4 weeks from the date your order to receive your handmade pieces.

Who is it for?

Kassandra Lauren Gordon jewellery pieces can be worn by anyone. Gordon wants all her pieces to be full of sentimental value for their owners thus she has a high commitment to customer service. Her collection is chic but, at the same time, elegant. Gordon’s stunning designs cater for anyone who wishes to wear some beautiful, handmade pieces made from precious metals and values uniqueness and high quality. All of her jewellery can be worn faultlessly in professional and casual contexts as it adds some playful glamour.

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Prices:

As all of Gordon’s pieces are handmade they are more expensive than usual pieces you would get from a high-street jeweller. Nonetheless, the quality and uniqueness of her designs convinced me that they are worth paying a bit more for.

Please refer to the website for more details.

Website:

http://www.kassandralaurengordon.com/

Please find some photos of her pieces below.

Rings:

Necklaces & Choker:

Earrings:

Bracelets:

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Pauline

Image Consultant Suggestions: Leggsington leggings for gym goers

Are you looking for some new leggings? I believe that every woman needs a few pairs of good quality leggings in their wardrobe as they are comfy and affordable. If, like me, you are sick and tired of boring leggings then you should head to Leggsington.

Leggsington is an online shopping destination for diverse designer fashion that was established 5 years ago. The aim of its founders was to fill in a gap in leggings offerings and provide customers with quality, chic and functional leggings for all occasions:

  • super stretch jersey for the fitness bunnies,
  • luxe lounge pants in the finest French Terry cottons,
  • plush velvets,
  • flattering faux leathers for day or night.

Do you find yourself feeling totally uninspired by your workout clothes? While there is no need to be a fashion muse at the gym, I was looking for some new leggings to wear to my workouts. When considering buying some new clothes for the gym, your goal should always be to mix comfort with function and feel good in it.  I wanted to add some ‘fun’ and colour to my regular outfit but I didn’t want to buy anything fancy or expensive so I decided to go for Leggsington’s ‘Corey Black dot’ and ‘Amy’ soft jersey leggings.

They are made from a brushed soft-to-touch jersey fabric (90% Polyester, 10% Elastane). They are also Anti-bacterial and you can wash them in your washing machine so they are perfect for the regular gym goers.

I love how they look and they are extremely comfortable so I will definitely order some more soon.

You can order any leggings directly from Leggsington’s online boutique:

http://www.leggsington.co.uk/

Prices:

£16-28

I hope that you enjoyed reading this review.

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Pauline

Image Consultant Suggestions: Work wardrobe shirts from Hawes & Curtis

“Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”

An impression can be formed in as little as 5 seconds. It’s all about your personal brand and style and how this impacts your professional image.

As some of you know, I am a certified image consultant and my objective is to guide, coach and empower my clients using the science of Image Management which in turn helps them progress towards their goals and eventually, succeed. I help to evaluate the style and offer advice and recommendations, tailoring a plan to enhance the confidence and personal power. Starting from this week, I will be sharing with you some styling suggestions.

Are you looking to revamp your work wardrobe? This week, I would like to tell you about the Hawes & Curtis offering.

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Hawes & Curtis is a British heritage brand founded by two tailors Ralph Hawes and George Frederic Curtis in 1913. It currently has 29 stores in the UK and you can also browse and order from their website.

Hawes & Curtis offer great quality shirts that and their ranges are suitable for various shapes and sizes. I am a fan of timeless fashion so I loved the look of their White Fitted Shirt with Frill Detail and decided to get it. This beautiful fitted shirt is designed with frill details on the front panel. It is really chic and elegant. It features single cuffs and is made from a high quality cotton.

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I really enjoy wearing it to work with a skirt or black trousers and heels as it is very stylish and it doesn’t look boring as most of the workwear shirts do. In addition, you can always wear any workwear shirt with more casual attire such as a pair of trousers. It looks wonderful with jeans so if your office, like mine, has a casual Friday’s culture then you could try to pair it with some jeans and either some flats for comfort or heels for some added glamour.

Hope you enjoyed reading this review!

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Pauline

A fashion show organised by London Fashion Kick

I recently attended the second edition of LFK (London Fashion Kick) fashion show at DoubleTree by Hilton hotel recently.

The event showcased some novel designers and their latest collections:

  • N’ella by Daniela Vitale
  • Swimwear by Parys
  • Shaleena Nowbuth Collection by Shaleena Nowbuth
  • Zsazsazsu by Martina Silllano
  • Chloe Simmons
  • Louise Ferdinand Lingerie by Sandra Palmer
  • 7Hills by Guada Dulce

The fashion show started at 12:30 and all the attendees were able to admire some cutting-edge collections. I was really fond of a swimwear collection by Parys.

At 13:00 we all went to the main meeting hall providing us with an opportunity to mingle with some stylists, journalists, bloggers and fashion designers. After some informal networking, with a glass of prosecco in hand, I made my way to the Italian Food Tasting experiences including some great canapes, pasta, etc. The pop-up shop opened up around 15:30 and the event closed at 19:30.

I hope to attend some more LFK events in the near future.

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Pauline