by Sarah-Hayley Owen: Royal Wedding

Wednesday, May 07, 2014

Label to Love - Emilia Wickstead: The Epitome of Ladylike Style

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Something for the Weekend - Happy 2nd Anniversary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Friday, April 06, 2012

Latest News: Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge, in WAX!

Monday, April 02, 2012

A Royal Fashion Icon - Sophie, Countess of Wessex

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Sarah-Hayley's Top Ten Style Moments of 2011 - A year in review.

On the eve of a New Year we reflect on the last, 2011 was full of defining fashion moments and here you will find my top ten.

1 The Duchess of Cambridge marries in McQueen

The wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton was one of my favourite events of 2011 not only because of Kate's stunning McQueen moment, but also because I played a part in dressing a couple of my Personal Styling clients who were in attendance. It was an honour to dress them and the day began effortlessly when Sarah Burton was annouced as the wedding dress designer. My first choice all along, Kate's dress was perfect, it contained everything that I expected and more. Even though we all found out that Pippa Middleton does own a bottom..shocking I know, it was Kate, now The Duchess who shone in the limelight!

2 McQueen Savage Beauty at The Met Museum

In 2011 we saw the late British designer Alexander McQueen remembered and celebrated through an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, entitled "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty." Including over 100 exhibits from McQueen's archives, the exhibition drew 661,509 visitors making it the eighth biggest show on record at the Met. The exhibition is yet to come home to London.

3 A Chanel world at Harrods, London

The Chanel takeover of Harrods was a unique and fantastical project that ran for three weeks in September. For the first time in the shopping mecca’s history, Harrods permitted Chanel to dress each of their 23 street-facing windows. With a schedule of events taking place in the store. A ‘pop-up’ fashion boutique and beauty boutique were set up on the ground floor, while an installation ‘Une Promendade’, also known as ‘Coco in Wonderland’, unveiled a magical journey on the Fifth Floor. My heaven? Without a doubt, yes!

4 Designer Collaborations: Missoni for Target, Versace for H&M

Missoni's capsule collection for Target caused complete chaos! The 400 piece collection made its debut at the opening of a Missoni for Target pop-up shop in New York, but the store shut down almost immediately because it sold out in entirety.

In a similar instance Versace's collection for high street chain H&M sold out in 30 minutes as eager shoppers gathered 24 hours to queue. Wonder who will be next in 2012..!

5 British Fashion Awards 2011

The best of British Fashion flocked to the Savoy in honour of the British Fashion Awards 2011, all the right people won and another McQueen moment occurred when Sarah Burton was rightly crowned Designer of the Year. My personal favourite was The Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Curator, awarded to the impressive Sam Gainsbury who curated Savage Beauty at the Met and produces some of the most renowned Fashion Shows and events around the world under her shared company Gainsbury and Whiting. When I was a teenager, I had the pleasure of working for this company at London Fashion Week.

6 Burberry stream AW11 show in Piccadilly Circus

London Fashion Week action was brought to the attention of shoppers, tourists and fashion lovers when Burberry streamed its AW11 show in Piccadilly Circus across one of the iconic 32 metre-long screens.

One of the most sought after shows on the schedule, Burberry continue to impress with their technological advances and ideas.

7 The world remembers Dame Elizabeth Taylor

One of the last screen legends Elizabeth Taylor, passed away on March 23, at the age of 79. Known for her AIDS campaigns and her glittering collection of jewellery and a number of husbands, her collection of jewels and fashion pieces went up for auction, in November, at Christies.

8 Fashion Rumour Mill

2011 was the year for Fashion Musical Chairs and Rumour Mill Overdrive! Here are a few of my favourites!

Apart from many suspicions over The Duchess of Cambridge's Wedding dress, rumours were swirling whether the new Duchess is now carrying a future King/Queen. The saga continues..!

Galliano exited stage left and the drama over who would replace him at the helm of Dior entered centre stage.

First it was Marc Jacobs then Stefano Pilati, then a dozen other names were thrown into the ring, with the latest being Raf Simons.

Beyonce is pregnant, questions arrise on twitter after suspicious TV footage, Celebrity friends confirm Beyonce is Pregnant and now questions arrise once more, as reports suggest she is has given birth earlier than her due date!

Everyone was wondering what Carine Roitfeld would do post French Vogue, edit another magazine, write a book, become a stylist, design a collection...well she wrote a book, entitled Irreverent and became a guest editor/stylist for Barneys.

The last two rumours centre around H&M, firsly Tom Ford for H&M, secondly Galliano for H&M...really?? I lean towards the No for these two!

9 Designers have babies and then brands make children's collections.

Rachel Zoe and her husband Roger Berman announce the birth of their son Skyler. Victoria Beckham becomes pregnant, at last with a girl, the doting parents name her Harper Seven. Designer Rebecca Minkoff and her husband Gavin Belfour welcomed son Luca Shai and Lily Cooper and her husband Sam announced the birth of their first baby girl.

News then reached that designer brands have a penchant for creating collections for children. Stella McCartney paved the way for Alber Elbaz' Petite Lanvin and even Roger Vivier is getting involved in the action.

10 Lady Gaga and her Egg

Talk about making an entrance, Lady Gaga arrives at the Grammys encased in a giant egg, carried by people dressed in gold. Not so much Fashion statement but a statement none the less!

11 From Sarah-Hayley with love was born

My first year of this site began in November, we have come along way from where we first started, but watch out for more exciting changes in 2012!!

Happy New Year!

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Royal Wedding - Outfit details of the best dressed guests revealed.

1 - Carole Middleton, Catherine's mother, looked sensational as Mother of the Bride, in a dove grey coatdress with a touch of embellishment at the waist, designed by Catherine Walker with a wide brimmed Jane Corbett hat.

2 - Victoria Beckham's outfit was the second most anticipated of the day, I don't think this was the most edited we have seen her. The adapted AW11 asymmetric dress from her own collection was straight in silhouette and although Victoria and David are expecting a baby in the Summer, she could have chosen a dress with more shape without over-exposing the bump. However her look was polished with the slick ponytail and Philip Treacy pillbox hat number.

3 - Chelsy Davy surprised me wearing separates by Alberta Ferretti. The aqua jacket and fitted skirt was stunning, although Chelsy flawed the overall look by adding accessories that just didn't suit the outfit and made for a look which was not as polished as we have seen previously. However the Aqua was a great colour for her and I loved the decolletage neckline. It was also a change to see her hair in an up-do, styled by stylist Jonathan Long, co-founder of the Lockonego salon.

4 - Peter Phillips wife, Autumn Kelly opted for a silver-grey coatdress by the same designer of her Wedding dress, Sassi Holford. While Princess Anne's daughter, Zara Phillips wore a pewter mandarin-collar dress by Paul Costelloe.

5 - Her Majesty, The Queen, never ceases to amaze me with how many colours she can dazzle in. She wore a beautiful sunflower yellow single crepe wool dress by Angela Kelly and matching hat.

6 - Princess Victoria of Sweden wore a peach ensemble by Elie Saab to the Wedding of the Year.

7 - Unlike some of my fashion counterparts I think Sophie Wessex looked beautiful in a luminescent nude, Bruce Oldfield suit and Jane Taylor Millinery, hat. It was understated but with the addition of the sparkle on the jacket it added some detail and glamour.

8 - Charlene Wittstock, fiancee to Prince Albert of Monaco, Princess Grace's son, wore an off white coatdress by Akris.

Friday, April 29, 2011

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Big Day!!

Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge..and now for THAT dress. Just before Sarah Burton’s AW11 collection show for Alexander McQueen, in Paris, rumour mills were swirling that Burton was the chosen designer to swirl Catherine and the Royal Monarchy into 21^st century glamour, even though more designers entered the pit, personally I felt Sarah Burton was the natural choice, due to her signature dramatic and exquisitely tailored collections, which she learnt under the guidance of the man himself, Lee McQueen – and how proud he would be.

Catherine was determined to keep details of the gown under wraps in the run up to her big day in order to maintain an element of surprise for her husband, Prince William. This secret worked wonderfully as when Catherine met William at the isle he whispered “You look so beautiful”.

And beautiful she was. The design flattered Catherine’s small frame and seemed to blend tradition with subtle modernity.

The bodice and train were decorated with handcrafted lace appliquéd flowers and the intricate train stretched 2m, 70cm, fairly modest compared to Catherine’s late mother in law, Diana, Princess of Wales.

Four floral emblems were incorporated into the lace design, the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.

Once I saw my first glimpse of the dress, it echoed exactly what I loved from Princess Grace of Monaco, a beautiful high neckline and long sleeve lace bodice.

St James’s Palace said Catherine opted for McQueen because of the “beauty of its craftsmanship”.

Catherine wore her hair in a half-up-half-down semi chignon with the Queen’s tiara as her something borrowed. A blue ribbon was sewn inside the gown to represent ‘something blue’ and for “something new” Catherine wore a stunning diamond, pear shaped, drop earrings, gifted by her parents.

Her sister Pippa Middleton, the maid-of-honour, also wore a stunning full length ivory gown while the bridesmaids wore beautiful creations by Nikki Macfarlane, with fabulous full, box pleated skirts.

For the evening reception, more Sarah Burton creations were chosen. Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge wore a serene satin, strapless, full-circle skirt gown with diamante detail at the waist, with an angora bolero. (Which I am sure was removed when the cameras disappeared!)

Her sister Pippa shimmered in an emerald green Temperley gown with the most amazing diamante back.

The day, without a drop of rain, was everything and more than I expected, and I wish our new Royal couple a very happy future. To see the official photos click here

Thursday, April 28, 2011

DRESS TO IMPRESS FOR YOUR ROYAL WEDDING PARTY

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Sarah-Hayley's Royal Wedding Wardrobe

I have been checking the post for weeks and I am feeling quite let down by The Royal Mail having misplaced my invitation to the (second) Wedding of the year! (The first I am reminded is my childhood friend Rebecca's coming up in September!)

However, the lack of invite hasn't stopped me dreaming about my ideal Royal Wedding wardrobe, especially since a couple of my personal styling clients are in attendance at the Abbey. I have therefore searched high and low to find an outfit that will impress!

This stunning Valentino cocktail dress, is an elegant day dress with a straight line cut, boat neckline with pin tucks and features the perfect length skirt with subtle volume created by eight pleat tucks sewn into the waist. For the service I would team with this with Phillip Lim's black, single-breasted tie-front blazer, from Browns Fashion, for a touch of structure to the outfit and tailoring with a modern twist.

I always like to keep jewellery minimal and exceptionally edited. These fabulous Chanel gold earclips from 1997 at my vintage heaven, Atelier Mayer, are engraved with the signature Chanel quilting and embossed with the double C logo. To complete detail towards the bottom, I include a Jessica de Lotz bangle, especially designed as a commemorative piece. (Click here to read more about Jessica's commemorative collection)

Referencing the black detail in the jacket I have added this asymmetric pleated front, black satin clutch by Christian Louboutin's at Net-a-Porter.

Next up is this beautiful straw cocktail hat with a swirl of feathers by Jane Taylor Millinery. It isn't always necessary to wear a hat to a wedding, although I feel an outfit is finished with the addition of a fascinator or head-piece.

Finally the shoes, are by a favourite designer of mine, Giuseppe Zanotti, the big soft bow at the side gives a romantic touch to these ultra-feminine sandals, perfect when paired with the Valentino dress.

All these pieces combined will make for a beautiful Wedding outfit.

I shall be crossing my Peche Nacree manicured hands, that the delightful English weather will be on our side!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Royal Wedding - Royal Engagement Rings

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

DAY THREE OF ROYAL WEDDING WEEK: A SCHEDULE FIT FOR A PRINCESS

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Day Two of Royal Wedding Week: Iconic Royal Wedding Dresses

Monday, April 25, 2011

Day One - Royal Wedding Week

Thursday, April 21, 2011

The Most Elegant Royal Wedding Memorabilia - Jessica de Lotz at Smythson's

Today I had the opportunity to peruse an exciting exhibition in celebration of the Royal Wedding.

Smythson’s in collaboration with Sotheby’s Curator of contemporary craft and design, Janice Blackburn, commissioned five designers, Zoë Ross, Katie McBride, Jessica de Lotz, Stephen Johnson and Lindsay Taylor, to create their own collections inspired by The Royal Wedding. One of these designers, Jessica de Lotz, creates jewellery I am completely enthralled by!

I was introduced to Jessica’s jewellery last year at International, Jewellery London. Unfortunately on that day I was a little rushed having landed at Heathrow from NY two hours before. However in usual style I based myself in the on-site press office looking for inspiration. I came across a small, delicate black envelope sealed by a bijoux gold wax seal with the initials JL. After minutes debating whether to open it or not as it looked so beautiful, once inside I found Jessica’s business card and on the same shelf another black envelope containing a CD with images. I put the package in my handbag and as soon as I returned to work, my assistant Holly was loading the images for me.

Nothing prepared me for what I was about to see, such exquisite attention to detail, for collections that nearly made me fall off my seat! Within the next minute I emailed Jessica’s PR, Catherine at Our Assembly and arranged a coffee.

Jessica’s work is exquisite not only because of the desirable designs and the handmade quality, but also because of the narrative foundation that her work is littered with. Each piece of Jessica’s jewellery is based upon a story of how living individuals connect together and live in this world.

In 2009 Jessica was awarded the Coutts New Jeweller award, which promoted her work during London Jewellery Week and also confirmed Jessica’s talent and aptitude for designing wearable pieces.

Jessica’s latest collection ‘The Royal Street Parade’ is on sale at Smythson’s New Bond Street store, till 3^rd May. Jessica describes her jewellery designed for this exhibition as “A modern approach to Royal heraldry, translated into wearable tribute jewellery for the Royal Wedding."

Featuring necklaces, bangles and rings with beautiful crests representing Katherine and William's union in marriage, the collection is the perfect addition to the commemorative celebrations. There is even a bridal collar made from Smythson's singature featherweight paper with the happy couple's crest attached as a pin.

If you would like to celebrate the Royal Wedding in style, then be sure to purchase something from Jessica de Lotz collection, for a wearable tribute to history, from a designer who is destined to go places.

For more information on Jessica's jewellery please navigate to her website.

http://www.jessicadelotz.co.uk/

Twitter: @JdLJewellery

Facebook