Vivienne Westwood launch in Cardiff

Last month saw the opening of a Vivienne Westwood flagship store in Cardiff’s St David’s centre. The opening had been hotly anticipated ever since details were announced back in August, as it is the first time that Cardiff fashionistas have been able to purchase all of her collections in the city.

Last night I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the official launch party. This was my first opportunity to see the store, which stocks the full range of Gold, Red & MAN Label, Anglomania, Anglomania + Lee jeans, Red Carpet eveningwear dresses, and all accessories including shoes and bags.  

The Vivienne Westwood 'golden ticket'!

As soon as I walked up the red carpet (not a phrase I get to use regularly!), my eye was caught by Vivienne Westwood's neon pink signature on the back wall of the shop. It was great to see all of Vivienne Westwood's collections up close, and especially the ones being modelled by the live mannequins dotted about the store. 

As well as an opportunity to admire some seriously fabulous fashion, it was also great to catch up with my fellow Cardiff bloggers - Gemma, Emily, Chantele and Mia. We all enjoyed compiling our (in my case, very long!) wish lists over a glass or two of champagne.  

The lovely Emily from 'Sugar and Spice' blog, wearing a particularly fabulous pair of earrings!

Here are some of my favourite pieces from the evening.

How do I love these shoes? Let me count the ways!

I love a statement necklace, and this ticks all the boxes for me!

The raspberry and black tie-dye effect patent really caught my eye

I love how the detail on this bag echoes the folds and drapes of Vivienne Westwood's dresses

The store and Grayling had pulled out all the stops last night, and everyone there had a fantastic time. Judging by the reactions from everyone last night, I have a feeling that a lot of the guests will be popping back over the next few days to add some Vivienne Westwood to their closets!

Chanel 'The Little Black Jacket' exhibition - Part II

I took rather a lot of photographs when I went to 'The Little Black Jacket' exhibition, so I thought it best to spread them over two posts. I would love to know which are your favourite images from the exhibition.

Carine Roitfeld

A close-up of Carine Roitfeld

A close-up of the Chanel pearls

Jane Birkin

Amanda Harlech

Lauren Hutton

Clémence Poésy

Chanel 'The Little Black Jacket' exhibition - Part I

On Sunday I travelled up to London to catch Chanel's 'The Little Black Jacket' exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery. I had been looking forward to the exhibition ever since details were announced in August. I whiled away the three and a half hour bus journey by immersing myself in the latest edition of 'Vogue' and doing some online retail research on the Acne 'Pistol' boot.

Anna Wintour

Charlotte Casiraghi, model (and grand-daughter of Grace Kelly!)

I had never been to the Saatchi Gallery before, but it was easy enough to find my way there from Sloane Square tube station, by going in the opposite direction to the crowds of people walking towards me with their 'The Little Black Jacket' posters clutched in their hands! Not surprisingly given the area, and the nature of the exhibition, I also spotted more than a few Chanel 2.55 bags. As I am a lover of all things Chanel, I am sure  that you won't be surprised to discover that the 2.55 is firmly at the top of my handbag wish-list.

Sofia Coppola

Scarlett Utzmann Huynh, daugher of Carine Roitfeld's assistant

I loved the exhibition. It is such a simple concept, but executed with a combination of style, humour and sophistication. Although of course one would expect nothing less from Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld. I had seen some of the images before on the internet, but they were no substitute for seeing the images on a larger scale. The photographs were very simply presented, which allowed you to focus on the individuals in the photograph, and how they were wearing the little back jacket. One of the things that I loved about the exhibition was the diversity of the individuals in the photographs: men and women; small children and older ladies; fashion designers and rap stars.

Waris Ahluwalia , actor

Elizabeth Olsen, actress

Everyone visiting the exhibition was allowed to choose one of three posters: Georgia May Jagger; Lily Donaldson or Astrid Berges-Frisbey. I opted for the Lily Donaldson poster, as I liked the combination of the sophisticated black jacket with the punk styling. Judging by the number of bored-looking boyfriends and four year old children in the queue clutching posters, I think some people managed to get all three posters. 

Lily Donaldson

Last Sunday was supposed to be the last day of the exhibition, but it has been extended due to popular demand. The exhibition will now run until November 4th. I would highly recommend it.

Acne Pistol boot v Topshop Mighty

A boot that is as perfect for the daily commute as it is for an evening out? A boot that manages to be extremely comfortable whilst also being bang on trend? Yes readers, I have found the boot in question. I give you the Topshop 'Mighty' boot. 

Topshop 'Mighty'

I stumbled across this pair of boots online whilst I was searching for the Acne 'Pistol' boot. I have seen numerous people on Twitter raving about how versatile they are, and great cost-per-wear value etc so I thought that I would do a bit of retail research to while away a bus journey to London. Sadly I didn't have the necessary £380 to invest in a pair. However it seems that I am not the only one, as my online research unearthed a dupe pair from Topshop - the 'Mighty'. I was still undecided as to whether I actually NEED more footwear in my closet, when I took a tumble at Victoria station. My heeled boots were damaged slightly and not really advisable with a bruised ankle, so I took it as a sign that I needed to purchase some footwear with a slightly lower heel if I was going to be wandering around London all day. Step forward the 'Mighty' - retailing at only £45.  As I had £35 in TopShop vouchers I only paid £10 for them!

I have only had them two days, but I am already certain that these are going to get a LOT of wear. I live at the top of a hill which normally necessitates wearing a pair of ballet pumps or smoking slippers on my way to work. Either that or allowing precious extra minutes in the morning to walk to the station if I am wearing heels. However this morning I was practically sprinting down the hill in these boots. Just enough of a heel to give some height, without being impractical. I am already considering purchasing another pair, as I hate it when a favourite previous season item finally gives up the ghost and goes to fashion heaven. The Acne 'Pistol' might have been the one to catch my eye, but the Topshop 'Mighty' has definitely won my heart!

The original Acne 'Pistol' boot