HM London | Prêt-à-Portea Fashionable Afternoon Tea At The Berkeley Hotel

Tea Time just got a little more fashion forward at The Berkeley Hotel in London. The luxurious hotel offers designer afternoon tea, Prêt-à-Portea, that is inspired by the "themes and colours of the fashion world." The menu is au courant and updated every six months to follow the changing seasons in fashion. This season's afternoon tea at The Berkeley in London includes designs by Anya Hindmarch, Paul Smith, Yves Saint Laurent, Christopher Kane, Jean Paul Gaultier, Jason Wu, Sonia Rykiel and Erdem. For More Information Click Here.

Copyright ©2010 Haute Mimi International LLC. All rights reserved.

Accessories Report | Rupert Sanderson For Karl Lagerfeld Sky High Heels

We suggest these fabulous new heels by accessories designer of the year, Rupert Sanderson. Inspired by Italian architect Gio Ponti, the geometric and modern lines of these shoes are sure to cause a stir. This particular style is called the "asteroid" and was redesigned especially for Karl Lagerfeld's SS10 collection. comes in a wide array of colors. We want them all but if we had to choose just two, black patent is the way to go for day and the silver mirror is of choice for night. For more information please click here.

Copyright ©2009 Haute Mimi International LLC. All rights reserved.

Prada Opens In Paris

Prada has announced the opening of a five-month temporary shop at Place Beauvau, in Paris, inspired by the French poet, Apollinaire.

The space was designed by Robert Baciocchi, and the spectacular facade is a reference to the image of Mirabeau bridge, the inspiration for one of Apollinaire's most famous poems.

The ground floor is asbtract in nature with a rather elaborate motif. The carpeting and sofas have all been done in lilac complemented by bronzed-metal glass displays.

The two-storey shop also flaunts the black and white chequered marble floor belonging to the Milanese history, which was seen in the original Prada store on 1913.

I-D SOUL Launch in London's Christie

So being the busy bee that I am, I popped over to the I-D Soul launch at Christies Auction House in London's Kensington. The launch was simple, large prints of the book which is a 600 page hardback celebrating the 'best creative minds of our time'. Including artists and designers such as Juergen Teller to John Galliano. The photos are beautiful and incredibly moving, and one of my favourites had to be the one above. A must read, and a piece of art in its own right. I-D Soul is our generation of artists, designers and fashion photographers who make Fashion what it is. To check out the book and order it click here.

Love Magazine at Dover Street Market

I went to the Dover Street Market Love-in Magazine launch today to get my hands on some Love Magazine goodies and view the magazine. The goodies ranged from House of Holland Beth Ditto T-shirts, naked of course, to limited edition Luella T-shirts. My favourite? A 'Love bag' covered in pink and red hearts. Katie Grand wore a fabulous outfit, tie-dye jeans and a grey cashmere jumper. Very Chic. The copies of the preview disappeared as quick as they'd arrived but i did get a sneak peek at it and i can promise you, its worth the £5 you'll pay for it. More about LOVE here.

Selfridges hits back with a extravagent shopping weekend!

Due to the credit crunch and the long-awaited Westfield shopping centre in London, the west end has been hit the hardest by the financial crisis with less than a quarter of its regular visitors deciding not to go shopping on the high street. So to boost sales the shops have been hosting pre-Christmas sales to boost those depressing figures and with 20% off days, 2 for 3 deals and exclusive 3 day shopping events its no wonder i have been persuaded to loosen my purse strings again.

Of all the sales I've been to I am definitely most excited for tomorrow, Selfridges will be hosting a 3 day extravaganza of 20% off clothes, 10% off beauty and freebies with most purchases over a certain amount. That means Chanel dresses for £200 less, Luella shoes for a quarter of the price and don't even get me started on the concession area where the likes of ALL SAINTS and Topshop rein. Perfect for getting all those Christmas presents, those Christian Dior gloves for the mother, the Ted Baker skirt for the sister and so on... Enjoy shopping!

Editors Picks: My Top 5 Gifts For Sisters

Christmas in London is as busy as ever, Selfridges and Harrods are brimming with festive spirit, presents galore. I'm in the middle of doing my Christmas shopping for my sister and I've come up with my top five gifts for sisters. A CD Bee handbag Christian Dior's luxury CD Bee handbags are to die for, and i know the Strawberry one would be a perfect gift for Christmas. Burst the bank and splash out on this statement piece for your sister, she'll never forget it! LUSH Christmas Candy Set A bargain for less than £20/$40 this gorgeous bath set is divine for a girly indulgent night in, perfect for a diva of a sister. Share the love with this beautiful box for Christmas.
Accessorize Beaded necklace
This statement necklace screams sexy and chic, I love the beading detail and I know this is a must-have piece this season!
Quilted Tuck Lock wallet

Not only is this wallet useful for all your little bits and bobs, its incredibly good value for a real leather wallet. Perfect for your evening or day bag, it-wallet of the year? I think so. -Vanessa Lee, London Correspondent

Off To London For Xmas Shopping By Gabrielle Teare

Today sees the opening of the biggest shopping mall in Europe, The Westfield. Located in West London it has all the high street shops plus an area called The Village with top designer brands such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Mulberry. Costing £1.6Billion $1.06Billion, it is huge,a large airy space with unusual brands like the Italian must-have shirt company Nara Camiche.

The plunging pound means that London is now the bargain capital of Europe for designer clothes. Catwalk clothes and accessories are 30% cheaper than in Milan or Paris. For example D&G Lily bag is £695 equivalent to E958 in London compared to E1,190 in Continental Europe and $465. Burberry high-waisted flares are £350 , E550 compared to $233.

The dramatic weakening of the pound against the dollar means that London hotels are reporting a large increase in American visitors booking for Xmas shopping. The pound is at its lowest rate for the last 5 years. Online retailers report that in October orders from Americans have doubled. As a Stylist my diary is now being booked for Personal Shopping by Americans for Xmas and January Sales as affluent shoppers are prepared to travel to get a great price for their luxury goods.

The department store Selfridges reported a 20% increase in European visitors last month alone. Summer produced an 83% increase in shoppers from United Arab Emirates. All summer I had clients from here and also Dubai.

Kate Moss has this week launched a range for Top Shop which is a high street marque. This is a vintage inspired Christmas Collection ranging from £65, or $43 for a rock-chic triangle rock dress to £400, or $266 for a navy long evening dress. This is seriously cheap and seriously chic.
The European trend of recent years of visiting New York to snap up clothes, shoes and designer bags at half price is set to be reversed as London becomes the new Bargain Designer Capital.

HM Social Diary: B Never Too Busy Too Be Beautiful Launch Party- London

B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful is one of the leading make-up brands in the UK, with iconic branches all over it is a regular haunt for the london circuit. Famed for their fabulous glitter pots, and truly decadent packaging its a die-hard must for every make-up fanatic like myself!

To celebrate the launch of their new store on Oxford Street, London i joined the crowd to see what all the fuss was about. With make-up artists on hand to give mini touch-ups, brand new stock to browse over and cupcakes&champagne the night was more than a success.

My favourite was the compact eye shadows in dark blue with a hint of glitter, and their cheek brushes which are bound to sell out! To check out their latest lines and for more information click here.

Tantalizing Temperley

A favorite among women with disposable incomes and London It-girls, this autumn is all about Alice Temperley. Purchasing a Temperley piece is not a splurge but an investment. It's instant luxury. Loaded with ruffles, military jackets, and satin, the fall 2008 collection carries an unexpected sexier edge. Inspired by the infamous Mata Hari, Temperley encourages women to embrace their inner femme fatale.

London Fashion Week FW08 Wrap Up

Giles

Giles Deacon's show of blood-streaked and chilling femme fatales in sports couture concoctions and billowing capes stood out for its unrelenting focus and technique on a hectic Wednesday that was packed with theatre. Inspired by the sinister tale of The Masque of the Red Death, his macabre story struck the right balance between inspiration and reality.

Erdem

Erdem's collection was a gorgeous cavalcade of colour, wondrous prints and beautifully sculpted architectural shapes and contours. The looks were tempered with gorgeous details such as couture-like carnations, the show lending a heightened elegance and passion in a week suffused with anarchy and theatre.

Todd Lynn

Todd Lynn showed that less is most definitely more and presented a slick, sexy collection that was more about attitude than overcomplexity. Less genderless than his previous collections, it suggested a woman with an assurance of her own sexuality and personal style enough not to have to take refuge in the cliché of androgyny.

Christopher Kane

Perhaps the most justifiably ethereal collection of the week, the prodigious talent of Kane continues from strength to strength as the riddle of his airy/fitted look continued into a sophisticated, focused collection that combined barely-there chiffon with shimmering black sequins and tight, cable-like bodice lines.

Marios Schwab

This season, Schwab took the full-length concept and ran with it. Taking a seemingly simple idea, he engaged with it and the audience who witnessed its various incarnations, alterations and augmentations with gold lamé, cropped jackets and trousers revealed by artful rips in the tight, stretched dresses.

-David J Paw for Haute Mimi

Work Appropriate Jewelry: Links of London

Your workplace has a strict dress code and you are not exactly ready to give up your glam factor. So where do you turn to for sophisticated jewelry pieces perfect for the office? Links of London of course. Links of London has been the favorite go to jewelry boutique of in the know fashionistas who want a little glamour without all the glitz. xxMimi

Salon Kitty - London

Salon Kitty carries exquisite Australian designs by Wheels and Dollbaby (seen in OK! Magazine and You Magazine) and Peep Toe Shoes, as well as other fashionable fashion lines.

"I have always felt that all women, no matter their shape or size have the right to feel good about themselves. Fashion really does have the ability to make people feel positive about the way they look and this shows in how they then present themselves to others. All women have a special outfit that they feel comfortable in or confident in, whether it be a skimpy little top or a pair of sweat pants."

- Alicia, Founder of Salon Kitty