LN-CC

Anything out of the norm excites eye & I. The exclusive LN-CC store situated in Dalston Kingsland in London, was one of them. Making a phone call to book an appointment to visit the store is unique in itself. Normally, you simply walk in a store and purchase whatever it is that tickles your fancy and leave. The LN-CC store is a different experience altogether, it’s an adventure that you don't want to end. The set up is almost as if you're walking into an installation or an exhibition. The only bad thing about it is that, you may easily forget that it is, after all a shop and you can to touch and buy.

 After having made an appointment (they give you an available day & time), the next stage is finding the store, which was seemed like a treasure hunt. With modern technology assistance, I had no problem finding the location, however, finding the store was a mission. I had reached my destination however, I thought, is this really it, surely not!? I couldn't see a building around worthy of the store. I roamed around but no store sign or name. I had to call the store & I was told, “you're looking right at it,” it was this random alleyway that looked unkempt. “Really, here!” I exclaimed, yes just walk in through the alleyway, you'll see a door, and just press the buzzer. 

That was enough to get my juices flowing; suddenly I felt I was in on a secret. I guess, you're now in on the secret too.

A friendly male face greeted me, wearing a plain white top and black trousers, in a minimalistic and Zen kind of way.  I was led down a dingy pink basement. 

By this time my anticipation was growing moment by moment and VIOLA!

The entrance was a wow-factor, I hadn't seen anything like it before, it resembled a tree tunnel without leaves and further on, beautiful wood panelling with orange lighting, pretty pleasing to eye & i, I felt special.

The first room was light, bare with exposed pipes. It resembled a warehouse. Right in the centre was a giraffe head and neck skeleton encrusted with colourful beadwork. There were also random skulls with black beadwork. They had both men’s and women’s wear.

The room opposite that was my favourite. It felt like I was walking in an accessory treasure vault. The look & feel of the grey carpet, shape and mirrors were a treat. I spent more time in that room than any other room.

The next room was grey concrete, my second best. The lighting, I loved.  Everything was dark including most clothes. They had a crotchet on the hanger that signified women’s wear.

The room opposite was the library, which had imported books and vinyl’s, some which are locally sourced.  i loved that you could try the records before you bought them. The LN-CC store also has their very own music.

The room opposite was almost a continuation of the main passage. It was almost like Noah’s Ark. It had colourful clothing with patterns. They sold cosmetics too which were beautifully displayed as you entered the room.

They have their very own club, and gallery space for private events. I had the pleasure to taste one of their expensive tequila imports.

Not only does the LN-CC store offer exclusive quality products but they also offer one of the most unique shopping experiences. i & eye highly recommend a visit to the store, it’s worth it, http://www.ln-cc.com/en/restofworld/london-store-page/visit-the-store/page/appointments

London Fashion Week

Last year September i wrote for my friends blog Rapture London about our LFW exhibition experience. i've fairly attended LFW shows and exhibitions. It's always good to see designers new collections, but i've always been more excited to see what ordinary people like me, have on or woke up and decided to put together.

i and eye have always been in love and fascinated with clothes and style. It is something i enjoy and that comes naturally. i don't follow current trends, i have always worn what i like regardless of what's in vogue. i believe dressing well is dressing appropriately for the weather, occasion and body type. That is my definition of someone who dresses well. Someone who is stylish, however, i believe does all the latter and also puts their own stamp on it, (not the Designer’s) by conveying their own personality. Fashionistas follow trends or brand names but the stylish however, follow their own heART. Again, wearing clothes only based on their brand, does not quite spell stylish, in fact it could mean the total opposite. The stylish understand themselves, style, art, innovation, fabric quality, detail, craftsmanship, design, colour, texture and timelessness. Eye call them ‘head turners’ or ‘show stoppers’, as they command and not demand your attention. They are a delight to watch as they make clothes come alive, they give what was once just material, character. These people dare to be themselves and make you want to be their entourage, groupie, fan and buy whatever they have on. i and eye believe fashion to be an art, inspiration, freedom and art of expression, particularly of your current mood, thoughts, feelings, experiences and sometimes your very soul or being. It's a language spoken by many yet understood by a few. Because it's an art of self expression, one cannot teach it, but people can copy it. There's something extraordinarily beautiful about these people, i and eye honestly, could watch them all day. i'm always inspired by them and i really cannot explain what they do to my soul but . . . 'tis wonderful!

Kool-Kids came out to play

Meeting Scott Schuman, (my favourite blogger) was the highlight of my day. He is calm, cool and collected, my kinda  guy. eye was surprised by his height, he is almost my height. i like him and greatly appreciate his work. 

PICTURES TAKEN BY i and eye 

The Vogue Festival 2012

The Vogue Festival 2012 was where it was at! This event was by far the most inspiring and enlightening as far as Vogue, fashion, models, beauty, photography, journalism, and fashion T.V. personalities were concerned. We had representatives of the latter fields as speakers, my favourites designers, in particular being, Christopher Bailey (Burberry), D&G, Stella McCartney and Dianne Von Furstenberg. Vogue's fashion director Lucinda Chamber's talk was well presented, with a dry sense of humour (i and eye love her style). Photographer David Bailey was hilarious. It was also a pleasant surprise having Kate Hudson there, who interviewed her friend Stella McCartney. The event was well organised, loved loved the flower arrangements that were displayed. Everywhere you turned was beauty, beautiful people, clothes and deco. i loved how in between sessions you could get your hair and make-up professionally done and a picture professionally taken to appear on a pretend Vogue cover magazine. It was a fun-filled insightful two days, and i would do it again. eye look forward to The Vogue Festival in 2013.

 The Stage

CHRISTOPHER BAILEY - (creative director of Burberry since 2001). 'My influences and Burberry' a conversation with Vogue editor ALEXANDRA SHULMAN 
i absolutely loved this Yorkshireman, he was so authentic, loveable and humble. He was quite informative about the transformation of Burberry, on how it's now London's leading fashion brand. Also on the labels output, from catwalk collections to high profile advertising campaigns.

MY FASHION LIFE- 'Industry insiders talk about their careers' 
LUCINDA CHAMBERS - (Vogue's fashion director), has worked at the magazine since 1980.  Her talk was the best for me. i and eye couldn't stop looking at her (first on the right), her style was like none I'd seen. Look at her there with her strips and colourful print combo, the socks. Quite fascinating.
MATTHEW WILLIAMSON - (Designer) i liked how highly he spoke of his mother, "my mother always looked her best, she spent a lot of time planning her outfits, what she will wear the next day. She always looked lovely. I looked up to her and she was my inspiration."
MARIGAY McKEE - (Chief merchant at Harrods) So conceited, a peacock. Irrelevant and off topic.  Zzzzz ... next! 
RUSSELL MARSH - (Model-casting director) I'd lost interest by the time he came and his talk didn't do him justice either.

NIGELLA LAWSON
'Woman and Food' - a conversation with KIRSTY YOUNG
i and eye were pleasantly surprised by Nigellas svelte figure, she looked great! Wish i could say the same about her interview. She is NOT the best of public speakers, don't be fooled by her smooth rehearsed T.V. lines and seduction. I saw the real timid lady that day, she cringely mumbled throughout and was quite incoherent. She did (bless her lovely soul) excuse herself in the middle of the interview stating she is not good at public speaking. i empathise, sincerely i do. Surely Vogue could have brought someone else to cover this topic, quite embarrassing for her. Seeing my voice crush Kirsty live in action was a consolation, Kirsty you day saver you...

DOMENICO DOLCE & STEFANO GABBANA

D&G (Designers) - in conversation with ALEXANDRA SHULMAN

i liked them, although now separated they still do business together, I like that. They were such a delight. Funny, the poor interpreter (on the far right) was not needed after all, their English wasn't at all bad.

TOO YOUNG? TOO OLD?

Does Fashion Have an Age Limit? - a panel discussion

LISA ARMSTRONG

LAURA BAILEY

EDIE CAMPBELL

PIXIE GELDOF

MARY PORTAS

ANNE ROBINSON

i thoroughly enjoyed this discussion, feisty Mary was leading the discussion and had so many valid points. I fell in love with her that very moment. The young girls were quite voiceless, disappointing to say the least. i felt like pushing timid Pixie off that chair and showing her how it's done! Anne forgot to tell the young ones, you're the weakest link GOODBYE! So to answer the posed question, no fashion definitely has no age limit! i and eye personally think old people dress a lot better than most young people. When i people watch, they are often the ones who catch my eye and take my breath away. They so get it, or at least i so get them! This is to back i and eye's latter statement Advanced Style. i mean look at Anne next to Edie or Marry next to Laura. Both looked pretty hot if eye may so say. They can teach the young ones a thing or three!

STELLA McCARTNEY (Designer)

Interviewed by her old mate, actress KATE HUDSON

Well i just wanted to be their friend too. Genuine love for their careers and friendship. Giggles all the way. Although Kate forgot from time to time that she was just an interviewee not the other way 'round. Might be an American thing as they seem to love hogging the limelight. i fell in love with Stella's character, she's authentic and lovely. i love it when people pleasantly surprise me, and she did. Kate was lovely too, so naturally beautiful in person.

Can you spot me?

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG (Designer)

'Turning a Passion for Life into a Penchant for Business'

After her talk, i have the greatest admiration and crush for this woman! i need a fashion mentor, DVF you are most suitable, if you happen to read this . . . wink wink and big smile. i appreciated how you came to mingle with us, no one did that but you and Lucinda. You two surely are beautiful and truly down to earth. My favourite women that day by a mile. Thank you. When i got home i and eye youtubed your interviews DVF, the wisdom that came out of your mouth, priceless! Eye kinda stalk you now, you're my inspiration.

DAVID BAILEY

The legendary photographer in conversation with Vogue features director Jo Ellison

Photographer David Bailey was hilarious kept us chuckling throughout, he does not beat about the bush, he just tells it as it is. He was brilliantly human, he came in and chucked his scarf and bag on the floor, sat and got on with it. A cuppa and couch was missing. i bet if that were there, he probably would have put the flower arrangement on the floor, took his shoes off and elevated his feet. That's the kind of person he is. 

The food there 'looked' nice but was not at all feeling and too expensive. Fashion Food, i call it! Next time be sure to eat your full English breakfast at home and if you prefer, bring packed lunch.

Look who i bumped into, our SUSIE LAU (Blogger, writer and editor)

TOM FORD (Designer)

In conversation with ALEXANDRA SHULMAN

How obnoxious is Tom Ford, ah please, arghh... yawn!? i was completely turned off. Whilst my ears were selectively tone deaf to the depth of his considerable ignorance and self-importance. I couldn't help but think how important kindness and  humility are. They are priceless traits. I am always pleased to come face to face with certain celebrities to see for my very self just what it is that i am 'supposedly' meant or forced (by the media or society) to celebrate. Usually and quite sadly when you dig beneath the surface, you find that there's nothing, truthfully. When you see them for who they truly are, there's nothing to admire even their very craft. As nice or good as it may be (the craft) but if the artist is not attractive on the inside, personally i find it hard to relate to their work, because i and eye believe "art starts from the heart (heART)." i believe any form of creativity emanates from a deep place within us which is beyond our own reason.  Now when the artist's heart is not in synch with their art, there's something unauthentic about it all. Quite frankly the art or product suddenly appears counterfeit because the person who's created it is just as fake. Tom Ford didn't get good reviews on that day for his character/attitude. I've realised we're not only buying the product but also the artist who creates it. 

i enjoyed this, Natalia (the model wearing a red top) was too open and brutally honest which was hilarious, although some might find it borderline rude. One of Natalia's responses were, ''It's easy, fat people should just lose weight!'' Lilly Cole surprised me, her lights and screws are so on, i mean somebody was home, i liked that. It's good to see these woman as intelligent human beings as opposed to objects the media would like to have us believe they are. They do have solid opinions. 

IS IT ALL ABOUT THE RED CARPET?

Panel discussion. Moderated by Vogue editor at large Fiona Golfar

RACHEL ZOE (Stylist)

Fashion stylist Rachel Zoe was on the last session. Eagerly anticipated her and she was worth the wait. It was indeed a pleasure hearing her views and seeing her in person. She was that sweet American girl. 

PICTURES TAKEN BY i and eye