Meet Manolo Blahnik

There are so many interesting exhibitions, talks and things to see at The Design Museum in London at the moment. Aside from the upcoming Drawing Fashion show, the series of talks they've got scheduled is awe-inspiring.

The one I'm most excited about is at 7.30pm on Monday 29th November, when shoe guru Manolo Blahnik talks to top fashion commentator Colin McDowell in front of a live audience.

Whilst Manolo is a legendary shoe maker, he is also known for his remarkable drawings of his soon-to-be-produced designs. He will talk about the importance he places on the drawing aspect of his creation process and will be signing copies of his book, Manolo's New Shoes.

Definitely a night to be wearing your best footwear!

Booking £20/£10 members
Tickets include entry to current exhibitions before and after the talk
T: 0207 940 8783
E: tickets@designmuseum.org

designmuseum.org

Jimmy Choo Fragrance

More fragrance scoop.

Last week saw the press preview of Jimmy Choo’s first foray into the fragrance arena. The scent, called Jimmy Choo, has notes of Italian orange and pear nectar blended with tiger orchid and Indonesian patchouli. Sounds divine.

Tamara Mellon, the Chief Creative Officer and the woman whose shoe closet I would most like to own, said at the event: "I wanted to do a fragrance from the beginning of Jimmy Choo. I want to accessorize a woman completely."

The product will go on counter in February next year with a starting price of £39 for 40ml of eau de parfum. A matching body lotion and shower gel will follow.

Plum by Mary Greenwell

Mary Greenwell, award-winning make-up artist to the stars, and a woman who exudes style and class, has branched out into the fragrance world. Created with perfumer Francois Robert, Mary’s debut scent, Plum (from £60), is a blend of delicious accords. The fragrance can be broken down as such:

Top notes: peach, blackcurrant, plum, bergamot and lemon
Heart notes: Gardenia, tuberose, orange flower absolute, rose absolute and jasmine absolute
Base notes: Dry precious woods - sandalwood, oakmoss, patchouli, amber and white musks

I’m hankering after the candle too (£36).

I’ve leave the last words to Mary: “Fragrance is always the last touch of magic to any look I create.”

www.houseoffraser.co.uk

Please, Santa

The Mulberry Charlie in Black Drummed Patent. £175.
www.mulberry.com

It's definitely on the Christmas list.

Camel Coat

Nails inc's latest launch, the chic camel-hued Cadogan Square, launched this week and has already sold over 1000 units. I like to think of this as the beauty world's response to the air of austerity that still hangs over our country. Can't afford the designer camel coat or trousersuit? Just buy the nail polish. It's kind of like buying a designer fragrance - you can't quite afford to buy into the brand's clothing but at least you get a slice of the pie.

Nails inc founder, Thea Green, said: "This season is all about luxury and a return to classic - camel polish makes you look luxe and groomed."

I couldn't agree more. For me, this is the shade of the season.

£11
www.nailsinc.com

NARS Lust-Haves

I seem to be talking about NARS alot at the moment, and when I'm not talking about the brand I'm blogging about it. The reason being that they continually impress me with their product range, names and brand creator, Francois Nars' capacity for genius.

The two ranges above are the perfect Christmas gifts, or if you just fancy a treat, and feature hero products from the main line collection.

Sweet Disposition Set
A set of three mini Multiples. This product is perfect for eyes, cheeks and lips. The Multiple is a cult classic and is the ideal product for creating shimmering highlights. Perfect for all skin tones, the creamy formula blends effortlessly and creates an envy-enducing glow.

Shades: Luxor (Iridescent Pink), Malibu (Pinkish Brown) & Orgasm (Peachy Pink with Shimmer)
Price: £32

Crazy Heart Set
A quintet of medium-sized lip glosses to take you from the boardroom to the bar in true NARS style.

Shades: Easy Lover (Ultra Sheer Hot Pink), Babe (Sheer Orange Red), Orgasm (Sheer Warm Pink with Golden ShimmerTurkish Delight (Pink Sorbet), Misbehave (Sheer Cherry Red with Gold Shimmer)
Price: £35

Both sets go on counter on 1st November at Selfridges
T: 0800 123 400

Le Métier de Beauté Selfridges Marathon

To celebrate the opening of the sleek new Le Métier de Beauté counter at Selfridges, the cult US cosmetics brand will be shipping in the Le Métier de Beauté All Stars for one week only, including their director of make-up, Mikey Castillo.

From the 29th October - 4th November, the counter will host a number of great and informative events, allowing consumers the chance to get up close and personal with the products and the professionals.

Here's the scoop:

Friday 29th October – Flawless Foundation
Create the perfect base and glow with immaculate skin. The first 5 customers to quote ‘Flawless Foundation’ at the counter will receive a complimentary Blonzer.

Saturday 30th October – Treat Yourself
Discover Peau Vierge and the first 5 customers to quote ‘Peau Vierge’ at the counter will receive a complimentary Peau Vierge Anti-Ageing Correcteur.

Sunday 31st October – Perfect Lips
Perfect your pout with luscious glosses and lip sticks. The first 5 customers to quote ‘Perfect Lips’ at the counter will receive a complimentary limited edition Sheer Brilliance in Turkish Smoke.

Monday 1st November – Couche de Couleur
Learn the Le Métier de Beauté signature smoky eye. The first 5 customers to quote ‘Couche de Couleur’ at the counter will receive a complimentary Precision Liquid Liner in Noir.

Tuesday 2nd November – The Finale
Attend a masterclass with Mikey Castillo to create your signature look. The first 5 customers to book in and attend will receive a goody bag including the coveted Precision Liquid Liner, Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss, Blonzer in Maldives Magic and the versatile Dualistic Lip Liner in Rose.

Think of it as the chance to give your cosmetics case a makeover just in time for party season.

www.selfridges.co.uk

You're Never Too Young For Fashion

You've got to love this adorable, fashion-cool babygrow from Gap.

I wish they did it in adult T-shirt format too, it would definitely be a sellout - it's all over Twitter, thanks to TheCut blog bringing it to everyone's attention.

$16.50 - and they do international shipping.
www.gap.com

Anna Dello Russo Fragrance Venture

The quirky fashion director of Japanese Vogue, Anna Dello Russo, is launching her own fragrance. It's set to be on counter this December and will be sold exclusively online at Yoox.com.

Speaking about her latest venture, Anna said: "My fragrance is a gadget; it's a massmarket toy. I wanted to create something pop."

The scent is a combination of vanilla and almonds and is said to be inspired by Anna's childhood in Puglia. The shoe-shaped bottle is also in reference to another part of Anna's life: "For 20 years no one noticed me - I worked like Cinderella at the bottom of the pile. Finally I’ve been invited to the ball."

The scent will retail at $25.

Check out her blog here www.annadellorusso.com

Kate Moss For Topshop

Kate Moss’ final collection for Topshop is due to hit stores and topshop.com on the 2nd November. Check out this atmospheric preview of the line, which looks to consist of lots of beautiful, feminine pieces, and start crossing off the days...

Scented Fantasy

WARNING: Fornasetti candles are a tad on the expensive side, but judging by the Bacio candle above ('Bacio' means 'kiss' in Italian), I think £95 might be a snip for such an unusual, quirky design adornment for my home. Don't you agree?

Thank you, ES Magazine, for bringing this stunning brand to my attention.

Bacio candle £95
Available from www.selfridges.com
Their website is worth checking it too if you love good, quirky web design www.fornasettiprofumi.com

Lanvin For H&M

On 23rd November expect a stampede at your nearest H&M store, because that is the day that the most exciting collaboration in the brand's history will be unveiled to the public.

The Lanvin for H&M line will be revealed to press and key fashion types by way of a swish fashion show at the Pierre Hotel in New York on 18th November, but we, the buying public, will have to wait a few more days to get our hands on the much sought after garments.

As you can see from the images above, the line features signature looks from Lanvin's artistic director Alber Elbaz; sultry, flattering shapes, ruffles and asymmetric necklines. Add to this H&M prices and you have a match made in fashion heaven.

Mr Elbaz said of the forthcoming collaboration: "H&M approached us to collaborate, and to see if we could translate the dream we created at Lanvin to a wider audience, not just a dress for less.

"I have said in the past that I would never do a mass-market collection, but what intrigued me was the idea of H&M going luxury rather than Lanvin going public. This has been an exceptional exercise, where two companies at opposite poles can work together because we share the same philosophy of bringing joy and beauty to men and women around the world."

See you in line.

Jennifer Lopez & Twins For Gucci

Here it is, the picture we've all being waiting to see - Jennifer Lopez and her beautiful twins, Max and Emme, posing for Gucci's new kids line which launches in the spring of 2011.

Via TheCut blog (where I read about this) and the ad's small print, Gucci will donate $1 "to UNICEF’s Schools for Africa initiative to celebrate six years of partnership and the launch of Gucci’s children’s collection because an education is a gift forever."

Photo credit: Gucci

NARS Bento Box Set

Inspired by Kabuki make-up (according to Wikipedia, Kabuki is the highly stylized classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers), Francois Nars has come up with the NARS Bento Box Set. This gorgeous limited-edition set is housed in a bento box and contains two Kabuki cups which are filled with hand-poured lipstick (from the picture you can see how bright they are), rich in Vitamin E (which is super-nourishing for your lips). The colours are vibrant in tone – the first, a red, is called Maiko and the second, a bright pink, is called Sakura. A brush applicator is included in this set.

As far as I can see, this set is only available in the US for the moment, and will retail at $125 when it goes on counter on 1st November. Apparently, the brand has only produced a few thousand sets.

I want one, obviously.

www.narscosmetics.com

Lamp Love

This is a bit left-field for The Beauty Scoop but I love these lamps.

Who would say no to a lamp made of cable knit? Not me, that's for sure.

Winter is well and truly here.

If you like these wooly lamps as much as I do, click on to: http://www.pudelskern.at/portfolio/projects/granny/granny.html

Christmas come early

I know it's a bit early to mention the 'C' word but when I got home tonight after a lovely meal at our local, The Canton, to the fact that our kitchen had flooded again (four times in six months) this piece of news really cheered me up.

The picture above makes me smile. Selfridges has announced the exclusive launch of the ‘All I Want For Christmas’ advent calendar, which has been exclusively produced by L’Oreal for the department store.

Comprising 24 windows behind which lie miniature versions of the cutest beauty products, the advent calendar is the ultimate gift for any beauty product lover.

Here's the scoop:

GIORGIO ARMANI EYES TO KILL MASCARA
Longer looking lashes, 2ml 0.06 FL.OZ

GIORGIO ARMANI FLUID MASTER PRIMER
Base Lissante Perfection, 5ml 0.1 FL.OZ

GIORGIO ARMANI FLUID SHEER
Fluid Embellisseur, 5ml 0.1 FL.OZ

EMPORIO ARMANI DIAMOND
Eau de Parfum†, 5ml 0.1 FL.OZ

KIEHL’S CRÈME DE CORPS
The Original Rich Nourishing Cream, 30ml 1.0 FL.OZ

KIEHL’S ULTRA FACIAL CREAM
“Greenland First Ascent” 24-Hour, Everyday Hydrating
Formula with Extracts of Glacial Glycoproteins and Desert Plants, 7ml 0.25 FL. OZ

KIEHL’S ULTIMATE STRENGTH HAND SALVE
All-day care for severely dry, active hands, 30ml 1.0 FL.OZ

LANCÔME BI-FACIL
Non Oily - Instant Cleanser - Sensitive Eyes, 30ml 1.0 FL. OZ

LANCÔME GÉNIFIQUE
Youth Activating Concentrate
Lancôme have created Génifique to help reveal your skin’s youthful appearance
7ml 0.1 FL. OZ

LANCÔME HYDRA ZEN NEURO CALM™
Soothing moisturising cream SPF 15, 15ml 0.5 FL. OZ

LANCÔME COLOR FOCUS PALETTE 302 ROUND MIDNIGHT
Mini Palette 2 Shades, 1.6g 0.05 OZ

LANCÔME MINI JUICY TUBE FRAISE 17
Ultra Shiny Hydrating Lipgloss, 7ml 0.23 FL. OZ

LANCÔME TRÉSOR IN LOVE
Eau de Parfum†, 5ml 0.1 FL.OZ

LANCÔME RÉNERGIE LIFT VOLUMETRY
Volumetric Lifting and Shaping Cream, Firming – Anti-wrinkle – SPF 15, 15ml 0.5 FL. OZ

LANCÔME L’ABSOLU ROUGE ßx 06
Advanced Replenishing AND Reshaping Lipcolour, 1.42g 0.05 OZ

LANCÔME MIRACLE
Eau de Parfum†, 5ml 0.1 FL.OZ

LANCÔME HYPNÔSE PRECIOUS CELLS MASCARA
Magnified Volume Cream Mascara, Lash by Lash Volume, 2ml 0.06 FL. OZ

P&C STELLA McCARTNEY STELLA
Eau de Parfum†, 5ml 0.1 FL.OZ

P&C VIKTOR & ROLF FLOWERBOMB
Eau de Parfum†, 7ml 0.25 FL.OZ

SHU UEMURA SKIN PURIFIER
Cleansing Beauty Oil Premium A/O, 20ml 0.67 FL.OZ

YSL MASCARA VOLUME EFFECT FAUX CILS
Luxurious Mascara, for a False Lash Effect, 3ml 0.1 FL.OZ

YSL OPIUM
Eau de Toilette†, 7.5ml 0.25 FL.OZ

YSL PARISIENNE
Eau de Parfum†, 7.5ml 0.25 FL.OZ

YSL ROUGE PURE SHINE LIPSTICK 10
Sheer Lipstick SPF 15, 1.2g 0.03 OZ

Who wouldn't want this for Christmas?!

£60

www.selfridges.com

Mary McCartney 'From Where I Stand'

I read an article with the lovely Mary McCartney, first child of Paul & Linda and one of the most talented photographers around, last week and I was touched by her charming demeanour and grace. I was also overcome by her beautiful images and talent and immediately placed her at the top of my 'who I'd like to be like when I grow up' list.

Her latest book, From Where I Stand, is a retrospective of her work over the last 15 years and I am desperate to get my hands on this collection of personal and intimate portraits of stars and some not so familiar faces. I also hope to see her exhibition at The Michael Hoppen Gallery in the next week or so.

If you like photography, with a starry sprinkling, I think you should follow my lead.

From Where I Stand costs £19.95 and is available now.
Mary McCartney’s photography exhibition is on from 22nd Oct - 20th Nov at The Michael Hoppen Gallery, London.

Marc Jacobs Nails It For Selfridges

Thursday 21st marks a very special date: the unveiling of the Marc Jacobs pop-up nail bar at 3rd Central in Selfridges, London, to celebrate the launch of the A/W Marc by Marc Jacobs collection.

Between the hours of 2pm to 5pm (21st to 24th of October), you will receive a complimentary manicure, simply by making a purchase from the designer's latest clothing collection. The manicures will feature exclusive MJ nail designs, including the Miss Marc character and the Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Jumble’ logo.

As if that wasn't enough, Selfridges customers will receive a complimentary, never released in Europe, Marc by Marc Jacobs signature baby blue coloured nail polish, Marc Blue.

Excited doesn't begin to cover it!