The future is Rosie

The beautiful Miss Huntington-Whiteley on the cover of LOVE magazine  is my inspiration for my change in hair colour. The future is bright, the future is Rosie!

Dying to be blonde

So, as I have previously posted before, I have had an allergic reaction to hair dye. Not just any hair dye, but pre-lightener (or bleach), a product key to keeping my locks platinum blonde. Since my original post on the subject I have had a second reaction, at a different salon, with a different brand. This time, I took a skin test and then had my hair done but the same rash, itching and swelling occurred. I took myself to A & E again and this time they gave me steroids.

Just before Christmas I went to the hospital to see the doctor, he referred me for patch testing with a dermatologist at the Royal London Hospital. This is where I was today. The dermatologist didn’t perform patch testing as they didn’t feel it was necessary. The dermatologist said that my reaction was Type 1 Uticaria and I was reacting to the ammonium persulfate, apparently this is quite rare. The dermatologist said she had only seen one other case of it.

Bottom line; I can no longer be super blonde.

I thought this might be the case and (ashamedly as I know there are worse things happening in the world) I was a little teary eyed leaving the hospital. My whole life I have been blonde, it’s my identity, my signature look. Friends would recognise me in a busy crowd because of my hair, strangers would always tell me they loved the colour, and no that would no longer be. Also, would my boyfriend still find me attractive as a non-blonde?

So I am now on the hunt for ammonium persulphate free hair colourants either to keep me blonde or make me red – it could be time for a new look! I need to colour my hair pretty sharpish too because my roots are a couple of inches long and I’m starting to look pretty scruffy (and totally feel it). Definitely not my most stylish moment.

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Dream hair

This heavenly creature has the most luscious locks ever. I want. Most appropriately she is on the album sleeve from the band Hair. Congrats beautiful woman, you have made it in to my hall of dream hair fame.

The Show Space Re-Treat

13 days til London Fashion Week and whilst I love the thrill of a new show and running from venue to venue, I am also dreading the aftermath; flu, stomach sickness, tiredness and the unavoidable hefty workload that will greet me on my return back to real life. So, with that in mind, The Show Space have come up with a cracking new concept that has left me feeling revived and revved up ready for the madness to ensue: The Show Space Re-Treat.

Director Nikki Sheldon created the two day pampering session and invited models, journalists and key fashion industry players to sample the delights of some of the major brands that are used over the course of the big four fashion weeks, such as Maybelline New York, St.Tropez, L’Orèal Professionnel, KeraStraight and FIJI water. The Show Space has already been heavily involved in show production and model casting for London Fashion Week.

Sunday Times Style, Creative HEAD and Runway magazines were media partners and the latter had their glossy publications splashed across tables and treatment areas for you to relax and enjoy (rather disappointed that Style wasn’t but then I had read last Sunday’s so it wasn’t like I had missed out.)

I enjoyed a makeover, an astrology reading and Haagen Daaz ice-cream. I think I’m ready now!

Nikki Sheldon

 

 

 

 

 

 

London College of Fashion MA catwalk show 2012

I graduated from London College of Fashion two years ago this month and it was on the last day of the course that I and my class found out that Alexander McQueen had died. I was informed via a text message from a person who worked at a rather high profile online fashion shop and needless to say it came as a shock.

Watching the London College of Fashion MA catwalk show last night reminded me of McQueen and his incredible talent. The talent of the young designers at LCF was apparent and like fashion editor and icon Isabella Blow, who bought all of McQueen’s graduate collection, I wanted to buy pretty much all of the 23 collections on show that night. I was amazed at the maturity of design, the unique techniques that had been developed but also their wearability. I would have no problems picking an item from the show and immediately wearing it.

The collections that really caught me eye were…

Yao Zhang

Ming Pin Tien

Seul Ki Uhem

Arena Page

Sum Yu Li

Mei Tang

Tsz Fung Kwok

Beatrice Newman

Hye Rim Hong

Charlotte Simpson

Held at the Victoria and Albert museum in South Kensington, Lauren Laverne hosted the evening and designer Christopher Raeburn joined Lauren to announce the winners.

 

Menswear of the Year went to Tina Elisabeth Reiter on the MA Fashion Design Technology course

Womenswear of the Year went to Hana Cha also on the MA Fashion Design Technology course

Percy & Reed: A product of perfection

There’s nothing better than a beautiful head of hair to make you feel amazing. As long as your hair is in tip-top shape, the rest of your look will appear suitably groomed, and more youthful. Percy & Reed are the masters at taking control of wayward tresses and have released a product line simply called ’hair.’ Paul Percival and Adam Reed have spent two years formulating the products and ensuring the ingredients are just right. The gorgeous packaging was created by illustrator and print designer, Jessica May Underwood and the scent was designed by Paul and Adam.  As a product junkie I can safely say that I have pretty much used alot of the haircare and styling products on the market and I ‘m starting to feel slightly bored and disappointed.  Does anybody deliver? I have yet to pour the contents of hair. on to my um, hair but I have a feeling I’m going to be in for a good time. These gentleman have years of experience and have based their stylish line-up on professional products that they keep in their kitbag for photoshoots and fashion week. Paul and Adam have recently relaunched their website, which is simple, chic and easy to navigate, this also means that Adam’s blog at www.headfirst.net has had a revamp and I may have had a helping hand with that..!

Sicily for two

An annual holiday is only something that I have recently made time for, and when I say the word ‘recently,’  I genuinely mean it. My first break in five years took myself and DK to Sicily, Palermo to be exact.  The capital of Sicily is made up of four historical quarters and our hotel was situated right in the centre. After six days or so we took ourselves down the east coast to the seaside town of Cefalu.